Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

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70th Chapter. Surprised?

Radon’s spread newspaper became a hot topic once again.

Given Radon’s usual steel-faced demeanor while scamming around, it was obvious he would stir up some trouble.

However, the Combat Department students were keenly eyeing that news.

They remembered the prank Radon pulled during the first semester. When the blood of divine beasts became a trend, he spread eye-catching sentences as news articles.

Because he used that colossal interest as bait, there were more than a few kids who fell into the trap knowing full well it was a trap.

The current situation was quite similar. He targeted the points of interest in the rumors to catch the students’ attention.

Back then, he attracted attention with the blood of divine beasts, but this time he used his own existence as bait.

There was a difference in that part, but the catchy phrase “I’ll grant any wish if you take me out” drew their gazes.

Moreover, Radon was only in Class C. There was no need to go far; he could easily be taken out by the same grade students working together.

It was like a hyena disrupting a tiger fight.

‘These guys really took the bait well.’

Class representative Kent Egist observed the students crowding the gymnasium.

Today was the day of the end-of-month practical exam.

The exam came just a few weeks after the end of vacation, so it was somewhat harsh. The question was how much they had grown over the break.

‘Radon Crawlers… What on earth is he thinking?’

At first, he considered the possibility that it was just vacuous braggadocio based on unfounded confidence. But the declaration had sent a chill down Kent’s spine.

No matter how he looked at it, there wasn’t an ounce of confidence to back up that claim of growth.

Yet he didn’t believe Radon Crawlers could be strong enough to contend with most of the Combat Department.

Of course, there was the instance of blocking a Lycanthrope, but that was due to the characteristics of swordsmanship using a fishing rod.

He had heard from the professors that he could only grow stronger when wielding that fishing rod. After all, during the first semester’s practical exam, didn’t he break Jenny Chain Silver’s wooden sword?

If he were to wield his fishing rod, he could comfortably advance to Class A. But that was only under the condition that practical weapons were allowed, and the upcoming practical exam prohibited the use of real weapons.

For Radon, the fishing rod was a real weapon, and he couldn’t participate in the exam with it.

So even though he scored high in the last practical exam, the class ranking didn’t change.

Back then, whether it was a fishing rod or a wooden sword, they ultimately lacked lethality, so it passed without much concern. Professors surely didn’t expect him to destroy even the opponent’s wooden sword.

However, Radon Crawlers had that secret weapon sealed away. Instead of promoting to Class A, he was at a point where he should consider backing out even now.

He couldn’t possibly be unaware of that fact. But if he were to break all expectations and truly succeed in advancing to Class A…

‘No way. Words can be a curse!’

Miracles can occur from mere thoughts.

If he became a verifiable skilled person, he could be recognized. Stronger individuals deserved to be acknowledged.

Yet bowing down in front of all students wouldn’t permit his pride. Breaking a promise here would make him no different from the weaklings he despised.

Thus, I’d do everything I could to prevent his promotion.

*

“As you all know, today is the time to determine how much you’ve grown during the break! It would be wonderful if someone could advance to another class during this opportunity!”

Professor Radian’s passionate speech resonated from the podium. Even if the pattern was the same as the first semester, it was perfectly suited to keep students silent.

As his booming voice filled the room, a few students were staring at me.

Of course, most of the Combat Department students had seen that enormous article, but those who had nothing to gain from me showed no interest at all.

Especially Class A.

They already had everything they needed, so they had no regrets.

Lyman had nothing to siphon off me, and Jenny wasn’t hostile; instead, she shared the motive of wanting to catch whoever spread those rumors.

Her expression visible from afar was ghostly.

‘She might as well want to freeze everyone and make shaved ice.’

For now, Jenny was definitely an ally. She must have seen the article I wrote, so there was a chance she’d cooperate.

Aside from her, there were Celestial Knight Leorio, Steel Halberd Zelrod, and Iron Wall Shield Hamel. The Class A members made eye contact with me but showed no significant interest.

To them, I was just a Class C student. Even if a dozen low-ranking students like me gathered, it wouldn’t satisfy their fighting spirit.

What kind of thrill could they possibly seek from someone who was no rival?

‘Except for that guy.’

Kent Egist, the first-year class president.

I could see the fire in his eyes. He openly declared a challenge, and no matter how much I was in Class C, he wouldn’t simply leave me be.

He was definitely targeting me, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

It offered an opportunity to test the strength I’d gained during the break while appealing to the professors that I could fight on par with Class A.

With this, the person check was complete.

No, I felt like I had forgotten something…

Suddenly—

“…!”

When a delicate hand gripped my shoulder from behind, my thoughts were interrupted. I momentarily froze but relaxed when I realized it was Luska.

“Are you okay? The students are sharpening their knives already because of that newspaper.”

As I wondered what I had forgotten, I realized it was Luska. Her approach to me with a subtle warning felt strangely congenial.

“Thanks for worrying.”

“Worry? What are you saying? Roughly more than 60 people seem like they’re going to swarm you like piranhas. What are you going to do?”

“That is worrying after all.”

“….”

Luska was stung by my remark. She wanted to deny it, but she was utterly at a loss for words.

It seemed she thought I appeared too stubborn after reading that public notice. Considering that she was concerned for my safety, she didn’t seem entirely like an enemy.

“Anyway, what you did did dig your own grave. Plus, you can’t even use that proud fishing rod. If you try any tricks, those guys won’t sit still.”

Luska pointed to the podium where Professor Radian was giving his speech. Two artificial golems stood there, easily recognizable as robots.

Their faces resembled the size of a pumpkin with glowing eyes, standing firmly as if rooted to the ground, making it impossible to predict their actions.

“The exam field is on a different level from the first semester now. Those guys can see forbidden items just by looking.”

Since artificial golems were introduced in the second semester, it made it easier for the professors. There was no need to use magic to distinguish the items.

Moreover, their will was linked to the Archive. If misbehavior was detected right before their eyes, they would identify the student and immediately issue punishment.

They were truly the nemesis of delinquents. Most importantly, even lies wouldn’t work.

Those golems were likely to monitor this exam too, but I had no intention of trying to fool them at all.

“Fishing rod? I don’t need such a thing. I have this.”

I scoffed and raised the wooden sword I had brought along. Luska realized I was serious and held back a gasp.

“Are you confident? You might suffer some humiliation from whoever takes you out.”

“If I lacked confidence, I wouldn’t have written a single word in the first place. I didn’t just lounge around during the break.”

Of course, if I got taken out, there would be nothing I could do. I wrote it, so I would have to endure, whether by determination or sheer will.

But as I said before, I certainly didn’t write it for nothing. To show the professors a high score, I would need suitable opponents.

Among them, having one or two Class A students charge at me wouldn’t be a problem.

“Do you need any help from me?”

“I’m not so cruel as to focus on just one person, so don’t worry.”

And she indirectly provoked me, saying she had no interest in bullying the weak. I couldn’t help but smirk at that slyness.

“Then let’s begin! Only the Combat Department remains, everyone else is to go up to the second floor.”

Following Professor Radian’s shout, the students moved accordingly.

This time, the Combat Department would take the first turn for the test. Once Professor Radian’s speech ended, multiple artificial golems approached to guide the students.

Students still feeling out of place leaned back when the golems approached.

-1st year Class C Radon Crawler. Please place down any forbidden items including magical devices before entering. Especially Radon Crawler, your fishing rod is not permitted. Beep.

“I didn’t bring it.”

The moment I said that, a fan-shaped light from the golem’s eyes scanned my entire body. It felt like a customs inspection machine at the airport.

-Confirmation complete, no forbidden items detected. Permission granted to enter.

Confusing whether this was truly fantasy. I understood why everyone felt awkward; it was bizarre.

-1st year Class A Luska Mad Eye. Your assigned weapon does not fall into non-lethal categories.

“It’s okay. I’ve adjusted it to be usable for practice.”

This time, the golem scanned Luska’s body with its light. Her weapon, the bow sword, didn’t have a weakened version like the wooden sword.

So she would have to request adjustments from the Alchemy Department or the magic shop.

-Confirmation complete, weapon meets exam standards. Permission granted to enter.

“….”

-And Luska Mad Eye. The golem cannot take responsibility if your scarf is damaged during the exam.

“Mind your own business.”

As soon as the golem mentioned that precious item, Luska snapped back as if she would handle it herself.

It seemed the Cage Department Head had made a note of it.

*

I entered wearing the badge just like last time.

This time the trial field in the void space had turned into a haunted place comprised of a graveyard and a large mansion.

One could imagine zombies reaching out from the ground or ghosts with their hair undone jumping out for a scare.

The eerie atmosphere was so well captured that just walking was enough to raise goosebumps. It was the worst exam field for students lacking courage.

“Why… why this kind of place!”

As soon as Jenny stepped into the field, shaking while clutching her wooden sword. Who would have thought it would be set in a location she feared the most?

She didn’t want to admit it, but she had acknowledged long before that she was afraid of ghosts.

As a noblewoman of her family, she was supposed to be bright and confident at all times, but when faced with such elements, she would change a hundred eighty degrees.

Putter—

“Wah!”

It was just one bat flying out from an old tree, but Jenny was so startled she hiccuped.

The exam had already begun. Students from other departments were observing via the observer. Before becoming a laughingstock at this rate, she couldn’t take the test.

“I’m not scared at all. Not scared. Not scared. Not scared. Not scared. Not scared. Not scared.”

As if undergoing self-hypnosis, Jenny muttered until she suddenly rampaged, turning the floor to ice.

“Yeah! I’m not scared at all! Zombies and ghosts cannot be my rivals!”

With steely resolve igniting in her eyes, she awakened nonexistent fighting spirit and froze every grave and tree around her.

Though the gloomy sky lingered, at least the eerie background was covered in ice, making it a tad better.

“Huh~ now I can finally take the exam. So, shall we go!”

Jenny managed to reassure herself as she ventured forth. However, her stiff movements and reddened eyes were difficult to hide.

Jenny wasn’t the only one frightened by the exam field.

With a tense ambiance where something might suddenly leap out, the students had tight pulses.

“Is something here?”

“Definitely. I saw Radon entering this mansion!”

Around twenty students walked through the mansion’s corridor. The vibe was reminiscent of a horror genre novel, and every step sent vibrations through their lungs.

Even though they gathered like an expedition team, there was no courage among the brave Combat Department members.

Creeeak—

There was a delicate touch when they opened the door.

Feeling something suspicious from the slightly ajar door, they nervously pushed it open. The moment they laid eyes on the student standing beyond, their fear evaporated completely.

“Radon!”

It felt like discovering a treasure chest in a dungeon filled with monsters. All the heightened alertness collapsed at once.

The previously tense expressions suddenly seemed to realize there were no such things as ghosts in this world as they shrugged their shoulders and raised their wooden swords.

“It’s mine!”

One of them dashed forward to monopolize Radon’s request.

After all, it was a test. The goal was to eliminate the opponent and survive as long as possible.

But the sword swung through the air.

Whoosh—

The Radon who had been standing there vanished the moment the sword hit him.

Doubts arose at the bizarre phenomenon of him disappearing like mist as if mistaking it for a mirage.

“Huh?”

A skull resembling Radon was now clutching a classmate’s neck.

“Ahhh!!”

“It’s a skull!”

“Get it away!”

Numerous screams echoed throughout the mansion. Amidst the chaos, Radon revealed his true self by removing the ‘Illusory Summon’ he had placed over his face.

“Surprised?”

For a moment, silence fell. It was as if they were collectively staring blankly at the grotesque skull transformed into Radon’s face.

-Skill Level 6

Seizing the initiative, Radon made the most of the opportunity.

While they were dazed, ten students were taken out by his swift swordplay.

[Decay Rate Decreased: -5000%]

[+50000 Credits]

Surviving as the Academy Scammer.