Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

Chapter 57




57th Chapter: The Ceremony

Luska apologized for her past actions. The reckless path she took for revenge was not a good one.

However, as Enviel’s wrongdoing spread throughout the Empire, the academic board learned about Luska’s history.

They began to understand why she had such strange skills, why she avoided big people, and what thoughts lay beneath her exterior, even if belatedly.

Although Luska had said she would drop out if she wanted to, everyone recommended against it.

The choice was hers. But if she left the Academy, where would she go? Settle in a dirty alley and fall into darkness just the same?

Luska had no proper status. Dropping out would only leave her with a gloomy outlook.

She needed a place to belong. If she could at least earn a diploma from Aligieri, employment issues would be resolved, and if that didn’t appeal to her, she could take up a teaching assistant position.

Coincidentally, the position under the Cage Department Head was vacant. If she graduated with excellent skills, she could easily get in, and it was well within Luska’s reach.

“I’d like to hear your answer now.”

In the Cage Revola’s office on the 3rd floor of the Unique Hall, Luska Mad Eye sat on the sofa as they discussed her future.

The place was kept dignified with well-arranged attire and elegant decor, suitable for such discussions.

The academic trial had concluded smoothly, and Luska had escaped the threat of expulsion. What remained were only the unpleasant stares directed at her.

“After the Nine-Tailed Fox Incident, it’s clear to everyone that your impression has changed significantly. But before that, you were a completely different person. Many people likely look down on you because of that past.”

– She must endure various pressures.

As long as the consequences of her troubled past lingered, she’d face piercing gazes, but that wouldn’t intimidate her.

However, if her family were in danger, the story would be different.

“You want me to stay in the academy after all. I’m not trying to brag, but it would be a waste to discard a talent like mine.”

The Cage Department Head smiled wryly, indicating she wasn’t entirely wrong.

Luska’s talent was undoubtedly outstanding. Considering she was a warrior of the Thousand-Year Fox line, surviving on the battlefield was far from easy.

It was thanks to her seasoned experience and her boiling talent that she stood out. Regardless of her past issues, her skills were flawless.

Excluding the lone wolf, Lyman Begilius, she held potential unmatched in the Combat Department.

She was a gem not to be missed. If she graduated, it would elevate the Academy’s prestige.

Like gold rolling at your feet, how could they just let it pass by?

“You needn’t worry about tuition. Given your unfortunate family background and high grades, the scholarship foundation won’t sit back and ignore you. With benefits like this, would you just let it pass?”

“….”

Luska appeared lost in thought, her hand resting on her thigh.

When the Department Head asked her, it was customary to respond at least with consideration, but Cage understood with a broad mind.

She lacked the confidence to speak up because of her lingering guilt.

Cage Revola cared deeply for talent. Seeing young people struggle to spread their wings was unbearable for him.

Even if a rigid person nitpicked, he was always ready to protect them.

But how could he help Luska spread her wings? What could be the driving force?

Cage knew what it was.

“Don’t worry about Angela. The Holy Cross Sect has decided to protect her.”

“…!”

Luska looked up in surprise. Cage continued.

“Do you remember when Professor Stella took Angela to the sect? They said a beam of light came down on her, granting her a prophecy. In other words, she was designated as a saint candidate.”

Upon hearing that amazing fact, Luska’s mouth fell open, and her eyes trembled.

Considering what a saint is, it’s no wonder she felt such shock.

“I thought I was going to faint too. Apparently, since the deity they worship has a close connection to divine beasts, that child was chosen.”

“….”

“Thanks to that, she’ll receive basic education there. And there’s a rule that saints must enter Aligieri throughout generations. She should be able to start as a freshman next year.”

Of course, one must not overlook an important point. The cause was Enviel, but Angela ultimately harbored a hatred for humans.

She herself was aware of this fact, which is why she had offered a significant apology in the trial. Her willingness to accept appropriate punishment resembled her sister.

However, whether that hatred had been altered through brainwashing or was truly her intention remained unknown. Due to insufficient evidence, she was not a target for public punishment.

However, the Cardinals would certainly know of her troubled background. The question lay in how they would treat Angela from there.

“You still seem worried. But rest assured. A few of those Cardinals are acquaintances of mine. I’ve already asked them to take good care of her, so she won’t be treated unfairly.”

“Then….”

“So now, cheer up and choose the path you want.”

The safety of her sister was guaranteed.

There was no longer a need for revenge.

With that, she had been freed from all shackles.

Even though Enviel had suddenly disappeared and her life was unknown, there was no longer a need to destroy the Papias Kingdom. The root of that evil, King Talema, was in shambles.

Though she may not have achieved it through her own power, a suddenly appeared demon had left him crippled. Rumors were already circulating that he could no longer use his aura properly.

The Papias Kingdom’s ideology was one of the survival of the fittest. Considering that, Talema’s lifespan was not long.

He would live a hellish future, unable to die.

Whoever it was, Luska was simply grateful to that demon.

“Why are you doing all this for me?”

“Don’t overthink it. I just want to see you spread your wings.”

Luska thought. Humans are indeed strange creatures.

Some plot vile schemes to prevent others from gaining accolades out of jealousy, while others help without expecting anything in return.

In remembering Cage, Luska thought of someone.

Radon Crawler, who had helped protect her when she had passed out. Even though she had burdened him, he always helped her.

Had he not stopped Jenny on that rainy day, things might have turned out differently.

‘Friend…’

Remembering a word Jenny had once spoken, Luska rose from her seat.

“Thank you. I’ll take my leave now.”

After bowing her head in thanks, she walked towards the door, ready to grasp the handle.

“Oh, and…!”

“…?”

“That scarf. It’s really pretty.”

There was a time when she had entered the Unique Hall wearing that scarf. Compared to the teasing during that time due to her rough appearance, Cage now offered generous compliments.

As her eyes brightened and her hands twitched, Luska brushed it off as just a trick of her feelings and left the office after expressing thanks once more.

The corridor of the Unique Hall was dim.

It was often said that during the final evaluations, the lights would frequently go out due to Enviel’s meddling with the Academy’s vital power. But it was the vacation anyway. By the end of it, everything would be restored.

With the lights out, the finest facilities in the professors’ building seemed ill-fitting. As Luska walked down that corridor, she stepped into a place touched by light.

The bright summer sun was shining down.

It didn’t feel particularly hot.

It felt as if it was guiding her without rejection.

“What was the result? Luska.”

Under that sunlight stood girls who welcomed Luska.

Jenny, who spoke as if she had been waiting, was flanked by Mary and Crona.

At first, the three wore troubled expressions, but soon their faces relaxed, and they looked relieved.

“I decided not to drop out. I’ll stay until graduation.”

“Oh, oh! Then we can be friends from now on?”

“Hey, don’t cling to me!”

Luska pushed away the clingy Mary by her side and continued.

“Just so you know, I’m only going to make sure Angela, the incoming freshman next year, has a smooth entrance. Don’t try to pick at me for no reason.”

“Ehheh! You’re not being honest!”

“Hey! Ahahaha! It tickles!”

Mary clung to Luska’s back like a piggyback ride while even tickling her armpits and sides.

“Take it easy!”

Luska, increasingly annoyed, picked Mary up and threw her toward a nearby tree.

Luska’s impressive strength sent Mary soaring to the top of the tree.

“Ugh!”

All she did was emit that groan. With no further damage, Mary hung from a branch and swung around like a monkey.

Luska stared blankly at her.

– Is she really a person?

“But isn’t Mary right? You’re still not being honest.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Who was it that saved me?”

“….”

As Crona playfully provoked, Luska found it hard to retort.

She had thought a lot while stuck in the cabin. What kind of person Luska Mad Eye was. Only now could she establish it.

“You always talk harshly, but deep down, you aren’t like that at all. Do you understand?”

“Say whatever you want. If you think I’ll fall for that provocation, then you can think again.”

“Hehe. Trying to act cool again, huh?”

Avoiding Crona’s laughter, Luska crossed her arms and turned her head. However, her gaze fell upon Jenny.

“….”

“….”

A silent eye contest lasted for ten seconds.

What arose while facing each other was the incident they had clashed over.

“You look pretty.”

“Huh?”

It was Luska who broke the silence first. Jenny thought she was talking about her own face and was about to get shy.

“Not you, that necklace.”

“….”

Luska pointed with her eyes at the blue pendant hanging on Jenny’s collarbone. Summer clothes are shorter than spring ones, making it hard to hide accessories.

The anticipation shined. But it wasn’t bad.

“Your scarf is pretty too.”

“….”

Jenny shot back the same way. But it was definitely not bad.

Although one sparkled beautifully and the other looked dull with dust and mud, for both of them, it was a treasure they couldn’t relinquish to anyone.

Having complimented each other’s treasures, the two end up smiling in the end.

Amidst the brilliant sunlight, joyful laughter echoed.

Then, Mary, still dangling from the tree, landed on the ground and declared,

“Alright then, let’s hold the ceremony!”

“What?”

*

“Hello.”

“Oh, hello.”

“So you decided not to drop out?”

“Yeah. But don’t misunderstand, the Academy hasn’t improved…”

“I got it, I got it! You don’t need to say any more.”

I cut off Luska’s blunt comment. I know that’s her character, but the more I heard it, the more I cringed.

Guided by them, Luska sat on a bench in the plaza. I had already prepared a packed lunch there, waiting for that so-called ceremony.

It was getting to the point where she would be curious too.

“What exactly is this ceremony?”

“It’s nothing special. You just have to eat deliciously.”

“….”

It truly looked like nothing special. Was there any different from a picnic?

But since it could be seen as a kind of celebration party, I accepted it without issue.

“Okay, I understand. I’ll go along this time.”

Look at that, she’s embarrassed again.

“So what are all these?”

“These are the packed lunches we prepared for you. Ta-da!~”

“Ta-da!~”

Mary and Jenny cheerfully opened the lunch boxes. Luska seemed to show a glimmer of excitement.

“Hey, what is this?”

But soon, her expression turned sour.

“What the hell is this?”

“What do you mean? It’s a packed lunch.”

“Well, I know that… but why does the packed lunch I know seem different?”

It was all bug lunches. I had eaten them myself when I was hospitalized.

“Come on, just try it.”

“Try? Are you insane? Who the hell would eat this crap!”

“You.”

“What kind of nonsense is that? Get that away from me!”

Luska reacted as if to say, ‘Have you gone mad, human?’

She looked like she might eat well due to her time on the battlefield, but the reality was quite the opposite. Luska was extremely averse to insects. She had a feminine side to her after all.

‘Right, that’s the normal way of thinking.’

But it was useless.

Jenny and Mary stood up, holding the lunch boxes. They smiled cheerfully as they ate from the packed lunches.

It was like a demonstration from a seasoned teaching assistant.

“Hey~ Now you’re making me sad.”

“Yeah. It’s super delicious!”

Caught up in the mood, I took a bite too. As expected, it was atrociously bad.

“These guys are out of their minds!”

This was insane. Luska decided she needed to leave as she leaned her head back. But then she noticed a seemingly decent lunch box.

“Oh? This! I’ll rather eat this. That’s alright, right?”

“Uh? Radon made rice balls?”

Since it was the only thing I made, it looked somewhat decent. However, Luska grabbed the rice ball and split it in half, examining it closely.

“Mm, nothing seems wrong.”

What she saw were fillings of rice and ham within the rice ball.

Reassured, she took a bite. But something felt strange.

The taste….

“Is this ham and rice?”

“Sigh… Luska, you’ve been duped.”

“What?”

Horrified, Luna checked again, and ham and rice were nowhere to be found. Instead, there were worm corpses visible.

“Ah….”

What on earth had she eaten? Luska looked utterly shattered. Meanwhile, Jenny and Mary were celebrating as if the ceremony was complete!

– Illusion Summoning Lv3

Why did I bother to use a skill to pull that off? The answer was straightforward. I couldn’t be the only one getting duped.

[Degradation Rate Decrease: -70%]

[+7000 Credits]

The decrease in degradation rate and gaining credits were just bonuses.

“This… who set this up?”

Luska felt that the illusion was somewhat familiar. It felt just like the sensation she had experienced during the practical exams.

Indeed, all eyes had turned to me.

“You this bastard!!”

Luska’s expression twisted as she lunged at me. But I had no need to be scared.

It was already something I anticipated, so I had prepared measures ahead.

[Trap Card Activated]

As Luska tried to charge me by moving around the edge of the table, her movement suddenly halted.

“What, what?!”

A moment ago, I had placed magical items in the spot where Luska was standing. Thanks to acquiring ‘Mana Eye,’ I could predict her actions in advance.

“Looks like you stepped on a trap card.”

“You, you!”

“Sorry! I just wanted to distract you to feed you that!”

I stood up and quickly fled. A trap card has limits after all. In about a minute, she would be able to break free on her own.

After sprinting for ten seconds, I hid in the first place I could find, out of sight.

It was a small building where no one was around. This should be safe to stay hidden….

“I found you.”

“Gah!”

Luska appeared right in front of me. The unexpected turn of events left me utterly terrified.

Did she unravel the trap in ten seconds and already follow me? She was nothing short of a ghost.

“Come here.”

It wasn’t the time to lament how I had underestimated her.

She grabbed my shoulder and pulled my face closer. I could hardly imagine what she was about to do.

!?─

Something was sticking to my cheek and tickling. In an instant, it transmitted a moist sensation, leaving me dazed.

Luska, who had delivered that mushy feeling, stepped back with a charming posture, her hands behind her back.

“Thanks for everything so far. I look forward to more in the future.”

With a gentle expression, Luska said, then turned her head and stretched leisurely as she walked away.

Wouldn’t it be less awkward if she just punched me instead? I was still dazed from the unexpected touch.

Had Luska had a curse, the degradation rate would’ve dropped over 100.

‘Well, I just got hit hard.’

This time, she was not the starving fox, but a very clever one.

I looked at Luska’s departing figure with a bitter smile.

The glow on her face was probably not just because of the sunlight.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.


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