Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

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69th Chapter: Declaration of War

Kent is a character who reveres the strong and despises the weak. Even I, a member of Class C, can’t entirely rule out the possibility of being in that category.

However, the strength and weakness mentioned here fundamentally refer to one’s inner depth. Even if one is physically weak, as long as they don’t act like a petty person, it’s acceptable.

In short, a strong person is someone who is resilient both in body and mind, while a weak person is a cowardly and pathetic individual. These expressions of strong and weak are merely a reflection of the environment that prioritizes strength.

So, do I fall into the ‘weak’ category that he speaks of?

Strictly speaking… it’s not incorrect.

Let’s think about what I did during the first semester. I used the position of a divine beast as bait to trap the lower-ranking students with trap cards, and even wrote sensational stuff in the newspaper.

After the Lycanthrope incident, you might think I finally turned over a new leaf, but it’s highly likely I disappointed many by repeating the same actions.

Perhaps they left me alone out of consideration for my past achievements.

“But did I really need to swing a wooden sword too? What a hassle.”

Yet, there were even more shocking rumors spreading throughout the school.

“Radon, could you comment on this?”

It had been a while since I had seen the Newspaper Department. Upon entering, they greeted me with handshakes.

But the members’ eyes lit up as they looked at me collectively, like detectives interrogating a suspect.

“Radon Crawler, is it true that you stayed at the famous Chain Silver Mansion?”

“Was it just a chance encounter during the break? Or…”

“I’ve heard that your relationship has warmed up, but isn’t this a bit too much?”

“To what extent has it progressed? There are even rumors that you slept in the same room.”

The atmosphere was as if the Newspaper Department had become a press conference. Ironically, the subject of this investigation was none other than me.

‘Is this the karma for all the nonsense I’ve put out so far?’

The way they charged at me with fierce glinting eyes was no different than real reporters. It felt as if a comrade I had long fought alongside suddenly turned into an enemy.

“I get it, so stop asking me already. And what’s this nonsense about us sleeping in the same room?”

Rumors had even twisted into absurdities. If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have braved the lateness and returned by carriage with Jenny instead.

No matter how much I protested, the atmosphere was not calming down. To ease it up, I said,

“Alright. I’ll explain it simply, so just be quiet.”

Once reporters latch onto something, they won’t let go until they get what they want. Having gone through it myself, I knew I had to give at least a basic explanation.

First, I received an invitation badge from Jenny, which allowed me access into the mansion. It sounded simple and straightforward, but Trisha pointed out a weak spot.

“Then how did you get that badge? It’s not like you did anything significant for the Chain Silver Family.”

It’s not entirely wrong to say I didn’t do anything of note. I did have a part in helping Jenny control the Silver Age.

However, among the students, only Mary and Jenny know that. Everyone knows Jenny has ice powers, but they are unaware of how dangerous that really is.

In the early days, Jenny hesitated to use the Silver Age not solely due to trauma. The Academy also wanted to keep its volatility as secret as possible.

So much so that the main Chain Silver family would go to great lengths to hide that power.

What if I revealed here at the Newspaper Department that I contributed to controlling the Silver Age?

Then I would inadvertently have to disclose the dangers of the Silver Age, which in turn would flip the entire Academy upside down.

Thus, I could not explain the circumstances under which I received the badge in detail.

“I just got it because we’re friends.”

“What…?”

“I merely stayed at my friend’s house during the break. What’s so grand about that?”

As expected, the members looked dumbfounded, and Trisha wore a shocked expression.

I could understand the reporters flocking around, but I could not tolerate them exaggerating the rumors.

I heard someone posted a crazy article on the Archive student board under ‘anonymous’. The moment I find them, I’m planning to make them pay. Surely they are not among us, right?

“Radon, I’m sorry, but is that really all there is? Please don’t betray me, alright?”

“That’s burdensome, so please keep your face away.”

Trisha looked at me with sparkling, desperate eyes. Seriously, one can get blinded by view counts… Ah, that’s not something I should say.

“Just who is this guy spreading posts on the board?”

“To find out fundamentally who that ‘anonymous’ is, you’ll need the Student Council’s help. Among them, you need to be a year representative to gain the authority to view the records.”

I had checked the Archive board, and there were about six people who had posted. To dig them out, as Trisha said, the Student Council’s might was indispensable.

“If among the Student Council members there’s someone you’re close to, resolving the issue would be easier. But the opposite is true and you’ll be in a real bind.”

So the one who can sway the Student Council first becomes the winner, huh?

But the current Student Council seems stricter than expected. Maybe those who spread the rumors won’t be easily swayed either.

But an important thought flickered through my mind. I was already in a bet with one of the council members and was now a representative of the first year.

In other words, rather than needing to coax them… I could command them.

“By the way, I’m wondering what kind of article I should write. If I write thoughtlessly, something irreversible might happen. But if I write too meekly, I won’t get great results.”

“This also involves Jenny’s reputation. If our personal article causes her harm, the one held accountable would be us.”

“Are you in a position to say that? When you were the one who wrote lies before.”

That struck deep. How cowardly.

In any case, handling this damned rumor takes precedence. By now, Jenny must be fed up with the exaggerated tales.

“Is there a way that won’t harm either the Newspaper Department or Jenny?”

A way that won’t cause damage to either the Newspaper Department or Jenny. That flashed in my mind.

“What if only ‘I’ face the repercussions instead of the ‘Newspaper Department’?”

“What do you mean?”

Tapping away at my notes urgently, Trisha gazed at me intently. The article completed in a short time made Trisha widen her eyes in shock.

“Kent, do you remember our bet today? If I rise to Class A, whoever loses has to bury their head in the ground. Also, the ones who spread that rumor need to present themselves to me. With your authority, you should be able to summon them easily.”

“And if anyone can kick me out in the practical exam. I’ll grant them any request they desire.”

Publisher – Radon Crawler

It was an announcement in the same format as the previous trap card. Essentially, this letter contained a declaration of war.

Trisha, seemingly tired of getting angry, placed her hand on her forehead and sighed.

“I think I more or less understand your intent. I get that you want to take down those who spread rumors. But why write ‘anyone can kick me out’?”

“To move up to Class A, I need achievements. For that, I need students to swarm me.”

“That’s like facing an entire department. How do you intend to handle that? And do you think A-Class is an easy place to get into?”

Tests are always harsh, and thus Trisha genuinely worried for me.

It’s only natural that one wouldn’t think a mere Class C student could handle all of them.

“A-Class? Don’t worry about it.”

In response to Trisha’s confused expression, I said, “It will be happening soon.”

*

Many students suffered from insomnia in the dormitory. Among them, the only one swinging a sword outside was Kent Egist.

He just couldn’t fall asleep. So, to build up fatigue as much as possible, he swung his sword.

The sweat he shed became dew on the grass, and the sound of his swings drowned out the hoot of an owl.

“Haah… Haah…”

Although he worked hard, he had never been under this kind of pressure. The reason was the article published that evening.

“Kent, do you remember our bet today? If I rise to Class A, whoever loses has to bury their head in the ground. Also, the ones who spread that rumor need to present themselves to me. With your authority, you should be able to summon them easily.”

Publisher – Radon Crawler

‘Radon Crawler, what on earth is he thinking?’

A declaration of war disguised as a newspaper. That announcement could only come from someone extraordinarily bold.

Moreover, even when they met at the laundry room, it felt the same way.

The confidence he showed in claiming he would rise to Class A was anything but ordinary.

Eventually, the overlap of the newspaper’s content made his hands tremble, robbing him of a peaceful night.

‘Is this just bravado?’

Yet, it didn’t feel that way at all. He had even performed outstandingly during the Lycanthrope incident. Even if he caused more problems afterward, there was something extraordinary about him.

I had seen many adults lurking under my father’s influence, just like raccoons. Thanks to that, I could sense the cowardly aura typical of the weak.

However, I couldn’t sense that kind of energy from Radon until now. Instead, he radiated solid strength, so I didn’t interfere.

And what happened during the break? When I saw him earlier at the laundry room, that energy seemed to have intensified.

After realizing that, my head went haywire. So much so that I ambushed him with a wooden sword in his unguarded state.

I realized later that it was stimulated by my fighting spirit.

What was that indescribable energy I felt then? It was as if I were seeing a fusion of an 8th circle archmage and a 7-star knight.

It felt like there was ‘something else’ within him.

“Haaah…”

Stopping his sword, Kent tried to calm his frantic heartbeat.

In reality, he held no animosity toward Radon Crawler.

What he felt during the Lycanthrope incident was growth potential. And the mysterious energy he sensed this time.

His provocation stemmed from wanting to know the truth behind it. In a nutshell, it was merely an uncontrollable surge of fighting spirit.

Rumors and such were none of Kent’s business. If Radon were to reveal himself as a ‘strong one’ in this test, he would readily take his side.

“What are you doing over there?”

Just then, his gaze met someone walking in the night.

“Lyman… Vigilius. What are you doing out here at this hour?”

“I’m just on my way to the convenience store. Eating a late-night snack isn’t against the rules, right?”

The silver-haired youth carried several snack items in his arms. Upon seeing Kent’s face, Lyman understood his feelings.

“Are you scared?”

“What?”

“You look just like when I had you back then, that same expression?”

Once, Kent had battled Lyman for the position of the year representative. He had lost in spectacular fashion, but Lyman had no interest in that position, which had allowed Kent to rise.

“Just go on your way and don’t mind me.”

“Don’t worry. You’re pretty strong among Class A anyway.”

“….”

After leaving what could be construed as comforting words, Lyman continued on his way, but he smiled, as if he had found something amusing.

‘It’s true that he is strong among Class A. At least until the first semester.’

When they met on the day of school re-opening at the café, Lyman had observed the latent potential of other friends.

Among those, Jenny and Luska had already grown significantly.

‘And then there’s that guy…’

At that moment, Lyman caught sight of something. The level of power that had risen remarkably since the last time he saw it.

And a black snake that slithered around him.

‘This will make for quite an interesting test.’

*

Many students harbored discontent with the dormitory system. Initially, when they enrolled, they expected to live a romantic life with a decent roommate.

After all, this is the Aligieri Academy. A place where noble offspring with exquisite dignity and appearance gather, so the anticipation can’t help but build.

After being assigned rooms, they imagined a life that resembled their dreams, but the reality ends up being partnering with dullards.

After some effort cleaning the room, it becomes messy in no time; even if it doesn’t hinder daily life, the roommate will make a fuss about cleaning, causing a ruckus.

One side wants to sleep while the other keeps making noise, inviting friends from the same department over to party all night.

The anticipated roommate is nowhere to be found, leaving them overwhelmed with extreme betrayal. The dissatisfaction is mutual, resulting in inevitable fights in the dormitory.

Of course, this doesn’t apply to the first-star hall students who enjoy luxurious private rooms. Those places are always exclusive to nobles, a place one cannot even dream of, regardless of high grades.

The dormitory system sends shivers down the spines of even top-tier students.

Luska Mad Eye was among them.

Snore!—

Grrroooowwww!—

“Ugh!”

As tremendous noise filled his ears, Luska bolted upright in the early morning.

It was nearly a deafening thud, resembling the sound of a building collapsing, but soon he realized it was merely the snoring of his roommate.

“I want to kill them all.”

Enduring the soreness in his neck, Luska let out a silent groan.

While snoring could be attributed to stress, just take a look around the room.

Could this truly be a human’s room? Or perhaps a pigsty? No, it looked like a monster’s den polluted with the carcasses of prey.

Moreover, this was the only 4-person room in the third-star hall.

The only person who kept things neat was Luska. The others just passed the cleaning chore on to him and completely ignored it.

And on Friday nights, it got even worse.

During the break, it had been peaceful without them, but the murderous urge was surging back.

During the first semester, he didn’t care much about revenge, but now that everything had settled, he felt like vomiting.

‘Even the barracks I stayed in as a soldier weren’t this bad!’

The things that were more sickening in a different sense than the soldiers who had tormented him.

Once again, he desperately wanted to escape this undead dwelling!

‘My sister Angela will also live in a room like this when she enrolls next year… No, she’ll soon be designated as a saint candidate, so she’ll likely be in a single room at the first-star hall.’

There’s no need to worry about his sister’s future.

The problem lies with himself.

If this continues, he feels like he might go insane, so he needed a plan.

Luska took out his student ID and accessed the archive. Having read it before, he touched one of the articles published today again.

“And if anyone can kick me out in the practical exam, I’ll grant them any request they desire.”

Publisher – Radon Crawler

“He said he’d grant any request, didn’t he?”

In the article, a peculiar glimmer flickered in Luska’s eyes.

Surviving as the Academy Scammer.