I’m the Slit-Eyed Character at the Academy, but I’m not the Mastermind

Late at night, at Victoria's dormitory.

"Yawn~ I think it's time for bed."

"Stop reading fantasy novels for now."

"Oh! You might scoff, but this is a splendid novel filled with imperial wisdom! If you read this, you'd be utterly surprised! No, I’ll recommend it to you. For beginners, this is definitely the best...!"

"I respectfully decline. I have no aspirations of becoming an Emperor."

"Still, just take it. We can talk about it tomorrow. Oh~ Hohohohoho!"

Clunk-.

Adonis left Victoria's room with a sigh.

He was carrying a book titled, 'I, the Thirteenth Heir of the Family, Accidentally Overthrew the Northern Duke!'

'A bit of a provocative title for children, isn’t it.'

In another time, such a title might have been considered subversive and promptly burned.

Could this be a generational difference?

Pondering the title once again, Adonis fell into thought.

'Not the Northern Duke, but there is indeed a Lion guarding the North.'

The Lucid family.

A legendary family that had only been defeated once throughout hundreds of years.

The head of the Lucid family from his era had died of illness about 20 years ago.

The title had passed on to Duke Luke.

'Duke Luke is remarkable, but... his children are just as extraordinary.'

Starting with Lucia, all four siblings were making waves everywhere.

Adonis first saw Rodelin at Annwood Academy...

"A lion’s cubs will ultimately be lions."

The sight of her subduing dozens of children single-handedly was truly lion-like.

Recalling this, Adonis shuddered involuntarily.

"I’ve written the reflection... Now onto the next task."

Adonis walked through the corridor.

It was a dormitory specially provided by Annwood Academy for the children of the Holy Kingdom.

It was a floor where females resided, but there was no issue.

"Oh, you're returning early today?"

"Staying up late for escort duties? Our Adonis is so kind."

"Don’t be too down about the loss. Just pay it back next time."

"Want some candy?"

They even treated him endearingly.

The children of the Holy Kingdom simply thought of Adonis as a 'genius pretty boy,' which was expected.

Adonis rolled a candy around in his mouth, deep in thought.

‘Zero, what exactly is that child?’

Not just the ominous appearance, but he could sense it.

He harbored a demon inside.

That wasn't the only strange thing.

During their last encounter,

Adonis had momentarily unleashed the power of nine stars.

He had planned to make a small windhole in a harmless area to gauge the reaction, but...

‘To think he’d block it...’

He was in a state of decay now.

He had used the power of nine stars, but hadn't been able to harness it fully.

However.

‘Such an attack shouldn’t be blockable by a mere academy student.’

Allow an attack everyone can dodge and blocking an undodgeable one?

There was only one thing this could mean.

‘He’s hiding his true strength.’

He had planned to lose easily, but his body had reacted instinctively to the unexpected powerful attack.

Adonis had clearly seen Zero’s startled expression at that moment.

‘He must be pretending to be just strong enough to avoid suspicion.’

No matter how he thought about it, this was no ordinary fellow.

‘To leave such a person unchecked. Caron, what have you been doing all this time?’

He wanted to go and ask Caron right away.

But.

‘It's impossible.’

A child, especially one from the Holy Kingdom, going to find Caron would naturally draw attention.

Such amateur moves were not an option.

‘Should I call a rat to make Caron come find me?’

That too was the same. It would mean his information being leaked to a rat.

It was surprising enough that a child could freely summon Caron by knowing the method to contact the rats.

Rats among themselves would surely be thrown into disarray.

'The rats that survived in Kalos have dispersed to other areas to provide accurate information...'

Currently, among the rats here, none knew Adonis's true identity.

"...It can't be helped. I'll have to resolve this myself."

He had already threatened, or rather, asked Zero to meet him at midnight.

It was late at night, with only the two of them and no rush for time.

It was more than enough time to clear up any suspicions.

'It must be a misunderstanding. It has to be.'

He tried his best to maintain a neutral mindset.

In fact, Adonis had already made up his mind.

If his doubts were cleared, there would be no issue.

But if Zero, the child, failed to alleviate his suspicions.

'I'll have no choice but to deal with it.'

Yes. He would handle it himself.

Even if it meant having to kill that child, Zero.

  *

11:30 PM.

As midnight approached.

Click-.

I pocketed my pocket watch and wrapped my cloak around myself.

I had to meet Adonis.

"Keke, it's chilly out."

As soon as I stepped outside the dorm, I surveyed my surroundings.

No teachers, no rats, no stalkers.

I tried making some noise by hopping around, but no one appeared.

I could finally relax a little.

'It means it’s part of the story.'

'The Hero of the Academy' game offers options to play twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon.

Actions are not possible at midnight or dawn.

Since you would normally be asleep by then and wake up in the morning, no choices are offered.

In the late afternoon, you couldn't go outside even if you wanted to because the dormitory supervisor guards the entrance.

Of course, there are exceptions.

'Like now, when a special story is unfolding.'

In such cases, activities become possible even at night or dawn.

As soon as you leave the dormitory, you can see where you can go marked with speech bubbles, and you can choose to go there.

For example, if you're a main character.

'Ghost stories in the library, following the principal, part-time job stories, etc.'

You could enjoy various side stories.

Anyway, the fact that the dormitory supervisor didn’t show up despite making noise?

It meant that a side story was unfolding.

A side story involving me and Adonis.

The training grounds were not far from the dormitory.

It was a distance that took no more than 10 minutes to walk, but I hurried my steps while tightening my cloak.

There was something I had to do before meeting Adonis.

‘Not only do I have to face Adonis one-on-one, but I also have to survive for five minutes, so of course, I need to prepare.’

A 9-star knight, especially Adonis, who was at the pinnacle of the 9-stars.

To fight such an Adonis, 'dignity' was more important than anything else.

Yes, Adonis's exclusive first trick, to boldly...

'...kneel.'

Dignified kneeling.

Even the mighty Adonis would surely be softened by such a gesture.

I was soon able to reach the front of the dueling hall building.

It was the place where today’s exchange had occurred.

A place that had been a total mess.

I never thought I'd come back here.

'It's eerie.'

Although it’s called an academy, if you compare it to the world I came from, it’s ultimately a school.

Visiting a school building late at night felt utterly eerie.

The dark exterior, windows without a single light, and tape put up to block entry.

I shifted my gaze to the wooden sign stuck behind the tape.

'Under construction, no entry, especially freshmen!'

The phrase was written in a rough handwriting filled with Rodelin’s emotions.

'Well, if Adonis sees this and turns back, that would be nice.'

He was such a kind person, it might just happen.

As I entered the dueling hall, I was looking for a good spot to kneel.

Where should I kneel so that Adonis would give me a smiling nod?

"You didn't run away. I'll give you credit for that."

I turned towards where the voice came from.

Golden eyes sparkled in the darkness.

It was Adonis.

'Ah, I intended to arrive first and be kneeling already.'

My first trick had already failed.

But that's okay. I have a next trick up my sleeve!

"Keke, for such a distinguished guest to visit this humble place... I hardly know what to do."

The second trick, flattery.

Even the great Adonis would have to respond favorably.

"Such magnificent flattery indeed. So that's it! You've been seducing the children with that cunning tongue of yours!"

"What?"

"I thought I saw no traces of brainwashing magic... You cunning devil! You must have been gifted your tongue by a demon! Stick out your tongue this instant!"

...Well, what am I supposed to do now! I can't just say, ‘Hey, hi there?’

However, my body was honest. I stuck out my tongue long to prove my innocence.

'Let's go boldly, be bold.'

In truth, the first two tricks were minor compared to the third trick.

The third trick, and a solid 'proof' that would make Adonis have to see me as an ally.

I had realized I had this after the exchange event.

'It needs boldness and a bit of provocation...'

But I was confident enough to pull it off. That’s why I came here.

As Adonis, tiptoeing around, approached me, a system window popped up in front of me.

Meet Adonis 1:1 (1/1)

Prove you are not an enemy (0/1)

Survive for 5 minutes (5:00)

[4:59]

The first condition was met. At the same time, the clock started ticking.

"...Indeed, I see no mark of a demon."

"Keke, I haven’t made any deals with a demon."

"That sounds like you've done something else?"

"That's right. I was cursed."

"A demon’s curse... There’s a clause that says no punishment for those cursed either under coercion or if the curse does no harm to the empire. The problem is."

Adonis's golden eyes glinted ominously.

"Whether the curse harms the empire or not. That’s the issue."

"It’s ambiguous. It might or might not be harmful, depending on how you look at it."

[3:53]

I walked around the training grounds, deliberately speaking slowly.

Three minutes and some seconds left.

"Your words are very smooth. Do you realize that the smoother you talk, the more my suspicions grow?"

"Keke, is that so? I’m just an ordinary student."

"No one in this world would call you ordinary. A student blocking the power of a nine-star knight? Do you think that makes sense?"

"Ha, are you implying you’re at the level of a nine-star knight? I find that even harder to believe."

[3:15]

As always, time flies when you’re having fun.

And drags unbearably when you’re not.

"The reason I’m suspicious isn't just that. After being afflicted by a demon, I began training. And succeeded. I became able to sense demon blood."

...Is that even possible?

But indeed, demon blood flowed in my veins.

Because I possessed a skill called [Demon's Blood S].

"Everyone has personal secrets they can't reveal."

"And keeping those secrets might get you killed, you know?"

"Keke, if you’re curious about someone’s identity, shouldn’t you reveal your own first? Adonis...”

No.

"Lord Douglas."

"...!!"

Chang!

Adonis's spear blade landed right next to my neck.

It was so fast, I couldn’t even see it move.

[2:33]

"How did you know?"

"Keke, I happen to be in dealings with Professor Caron."

"Don’t lie. A student like you dealing with Caron!"

"Well, you can easily verify that with Professor Caron. By the way, I also provided information about the Four Heavenly Kings."

[1:57]

"...Caron wouldn't provide information about me."

"That's right. I only heard that Lord Douglas was included in the punitive force. Oh, don’t get me wrong. The information that Lord Douglas might still be alive, I found out myself."

"..."

"I had some suspicions during the exchange event, but I became certain when you mentioned using the ‘power of a nine-star knight’ just now."

[1:22]

"You... what exactly are you?"

"As you see... just an ordinary student?"

Sweeping my hair back, I discreetly used the [Eye Opening] skill.

Brazen excuses, ominously glowing red eyes peeking through nearly closed lids, and hair as dark as a cursed night.

It was only natural for Adonis to adopt a combat stance.

Thump!

Adonis retrieved his spear and then stabbed it into the ground.

He then pulled an old sword from his belongings.

It was a broken sword, its blade reduced to about 3 cm.

"...Do you know the legend of the Sacred Sword?"

"The legend?"

"Yes, a wicked person cannot hold a Sacred Sword. At the same time..."

Zzzap-!!

A burst of brilliant white light erupted from the sword.

It was Durandal, the second Sacred Sword, revealing itself.

[0:48]

"A legend also has it that it does not harm the righteous."

This sword was as good as a state secret.

Displaying it in front of me was almost a declaration of his intent to see things through to the end here.

Moreover.

‘Legends are just that... legends.’

Adonis, more than anyone, knew that a blade was a blade before it was a Sacred Sword.

Yet, he pointed it at me.

It meant he recognized me as a threat.

[0:25]

"...Not surprised?"

"Keke, I was anticipating it."

"Huh!"

[0:18]

"Is that so? You think even with the Sacred Sword in hand, I can be defeated? You are no ordinary foe."

"Keke, I don’t think that at all."

"Enough, the wordplay ends here. Prove it. Show me that you can defeat me!"

[0:08]

This was critical. I still needed to hold out for another eight seconds to meet the quest conditions.

‘And Adonis’s attack would take less than a second.’

But it was alright.

I had a third trick up my sleeve, necessary to complete the sixth quest.

The proof that I was an ally, undeniable evidence that anyone would accept.

It was time to present that ‘proof.’

I drew a sword from within my cloak. A pathetic-looking sword with only a handle left.

Whosh!

Multicolored flames trailed along the sword and up my body.

"...!!"

Crack-!

Adonis’s sword swung down, clashing with my sword.

Durandal, the second Sacred Sword, versus Artana, the ninth Sacred Sword.

It was the moment the two Sacred Swords collided.

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