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

Chapter 269

Clang!!

The sound of steel clashing with steel echoed across the battlefield.

It was hard to believe that it was the sound of a fist meeting skin.

"Ugh!!"

Mabelga let out a significant groan and bent forward.

Despite his pained reaction, his back showed no sign of damage. However.

'His insides must be a mess.'

[Explosive Force] is a skill that inflicts internal damage rather than external.

So it's no surprise that there's no visible sign of injury.

Physical defense reduction, magical defense reduction, total mana reduction, increased casting time, and a chance to seal skills.

Additionally, striking the same spot three times will destroy that part until the end of the battle.

‘It’s a broken skill, and getting it through the potential gamble is a jackpot. I hadn’t had the chance to imitate it since Teron was so cautious...’

In Area 1, he had a fierce rivalry with Luna, which allowed me to successfully imitate [Explosive Force].

Since it’s rated as an A-class skill by [Divine Imitation], Mabelga shouldn’t be able to resist it at his current level.

"Ugh! To cause me pain... you're quite something for a human...!"

Mabelga turned to look at me with rage in his eyes.

Hmm, he looks pretty intimidating up close.

Standing well over 2 meters tall and built to match, he was indeed fearsome.

Of course, Mabelga was just.

"Hmm... I guess that’s possible."

- He said while rubbing his back.

His furious demeanor had vanished.

Mabelga was trying to hide it, but I could tell.

He had taken quite a liking to me.

‘Narrow eyes... such a deceptive first impression.’

While people harbor overwhelming animosity, demons feel overwhelming affection.

‘It must be due to [Darkness]. Ever since I acquired that skill, demons have treated me differently.’

They were friendly before, but now it’s even more pronounced.

Even the opponent who I landed the first blow on felt an attraction.

‘If I enhance the rank of ominous energy and acquire similar skills...’

It could prove highly beneficial in certain situations.

However, crossing the line could result in irreversible consequences.

"Zero, that skill just now...?"

"Keke, as you can see, it’s a secret technique from Teron’s family, the Vyuern family."

"You know that’s not what I’m asking! How can you use a technique from the Vyuern family, Zero?"

How can I use it? Well...

I brushed my wet bangs back and opened my mouth.

"Because I’m a genius."

Sparkle, sparkle-.

The droplets of water that flew off me sparkled around me.

Ah, beautiful. And I mean me, not the droplets.

"Tsk!"

Rodelin clicked her tongue loudly and turned away from me.

She must have realized that continuing the conversation would only be a disadvantage to her.

[Wind Spear], the way I knew the location of the swamps, and now [Explosive Force].

I’d be bombarded with questions after the battle, but I will manage somehow.

‘If worst comes to worst, I’ll use Caron as a shield.’

Rodelin, though an heir to the Lucid family defending the border, was a child who dreamed of being a soldier.

Therefore, she strictly adhered to a chain of command. She obeyed orders from superiors without question.

‘Teacher’ is one of the positions Rodelin considers a superior.

So, if Caron said, ‘It’s possible. Zero is a genius,’ and backed me up, Rodelin wouldn’t be able to question me further.

"Why... why isn’t it healing?"

Nearby, I heard Victoria’s cry.

She was currently trying to heal Yuridia.

But no matter how much holy power she poured into her, Yuridia’s wounds wouldn’t heal.

Naturally.

‘Because [Ragnarok Blade] is a skill that’s maintained at the cost of health.’

[Ragnarok Blade] doesn’t have a casting time like [Demon Slave].

But instead.

‘It consumes 20% of total health per turn.’

Of course, it’s 20% of total health.

If maintained for five turns, it leads to death, so theoretically, it can be used for four turns, but in practice, it’s shorter.

‘You also have to account for the damage taken during battle.’

Furthermore, recovery through potions or skills is impossible.

This is a severe penalty considering the high attack power of [Ragnarok Blade].

"Put down that ominous thing! Your wounds keep reopening!"

"No, this is the only way. You know we can’t defeat that demon without this power!"

"Th-The demon is strong, but this way..."

Yuridia would die before killing the demon.

Victoria seemed to realize this.

[Turn 25]

"Move aside!"

"Ah...! Using violence. Young ladies these days are so uncouth."

Hmm... not exactly something Victoria, who enjoys binding, beating, and thrashing demons with a whip, should say.

"Eek!"

"Oh, Goddess, forgive me. This Victoria knows not how to overcome vulgarity."

Victoria collapsed dramatically. Hard to believe she dragged me here with force.

"Demon! I’ll handle you!"

Yuridia, wielding [Ragnarok Blade], charged at Mabelga.

But.

Water Dragon Bullet.

Boom!!

Mabelga’s counter skill [Water Dragon Bullet] activated, and a thick stream of water struck Yuridia.

"Yuridia!"

Yuridia, practically flying backward, was caught by Alex.

"Ugh!"

The water was now up to our calves.

Alex and Yuridia looked like drowned rats.

Remarkably, Yuridia managed to keep hold of [Ragnarok Blade] despite that.

Zap- Zap-!

"Ugh!"

The water turned crimson as blood flowed from Yuridia’s torn palm.

"Damn, damn, damn!"

"Yuridia, calm down."

"Shut up! You don’t understand anything!"

Yuridia pushed Alex away and freed herself from his arms.

"Do you think it’s easy to fight and win against demons? We’ve just been lucky so far!"

"I know the demons are strong."

"Then support me! Stop wasting time! Stop dragging down morale like a dog with its tail between its legs! Ugh...!"

Yuridia, nearly spewing out curses, realized her mistake and shut her mouth.

The magical genius, hope of the Rownter family, diligent and kind child.

The true Yuridia, hidden behind that mask, had come out.

But Alex just smiled at her softly.

"I’m not calm because I’ve given up on fighting. Besides knowing how strong the demon is, there’s one more thing I know."

"...What is it?"

"If we work together, we can win."

Yuridia’s eyes widened at Alex’s words.

How could he say such a naive, cringe-worthy thing so calmly?

At the same time, Yuridia must have felt it.

A sense of reassurance, a desire to rely on him.

"...What is this? Really, Alex, you’re too optimistic."

"Haha, am I?"

"Demons are strong. It’s not just about teamwork."

Yuridia grumbled, lowering the hand holding her sword.

[Ragnarok Blade], constantly emanating dark energy, vanished as it lost form.

She canceled the magic.

"Since it’s come to this, you better bring me victory."

"This... It’s a high price for comfort. But it’s fine. If we work together, we can do it."

Behind Alex, Rodelin, Raymon, and Victoria appeared.

"Hmm, Alex, that was a great speech. Yes. If we work together, we can do anything."

"If I can be of any help..."

"Oh~ Hohoho! The demon is everyone’s enemy. Helping here is a matter of honor for me."

Camaraderie blossomed around Alex.

It was truly a heartwarming scene.

Chomp, chomp-.

Of course, I was busy eating ‘Annwood Academy’s special rice balls’ to recover my strength.

"Hey, what are you doing during such an emotional moment? Isn’t this where you say, ‘Keke, I’ll lend my strength,’ and look cool?"

Luna, don’t take my rice ball. There are only a few left.

Chomp, chomp-.

The thieving cat quickly devoured a rice ball.

I wiped the rice from her mouth with a handkerchief and watched the protagonists.

It wasn’t that I wasn’t moved. I’d just seen it too many times to care.

‘It’s Yuridia’s awakening event scene.’

Yuridia, who grew up being called a genius.

After painfully realizing the strength of demons, she practices magic diligently and joins Alex’s group.

‘This event scene usually appears at the end of the battle...’

I didn’t expect it to unfold on the 25th turn.

Was it because she used [Demon Slave] and [Ragnarok Blade] early in Area 2?

"And we have Zero too, don’t we?"

Everyone’s eyes turned to me, nodding in agreement with Alex’s words.

Only then did I realize.

‘There’s been a change in the event scene? I’ve never seen this before...’

As mentioned earlier, this episode is from the early part of Chapter 2. I’ve played it thousands of times.

For me to see this for the first time means there’s been a change in the story for some reason.

‘It’s likely because of Bineus. It’s our first battle together.’

Demon’s shard, Bineus, and Mabelga.

All three are demons serving Lizbeth.

I had a hunch. A hidden piece was triggered.

‘I have one more reason to capture Mabelga.’

At the same time, failing to capture Mabelga means not completing the painstakingly gathered puzzle.

A small puzzle piece called Mabelga.

‘Annoying.’

Have you ever had that experience? Completing a puzzle only to realize the last piece is missing.

Feeling upset because you couldn’t finish it.

It’s similar to that. The difference is...

‘I can create the puzzle piece.’

A puzzle I couldn’t complete for 18 years.

Now I have the chance to complete it.

"Keke, I’m not sure if I’ll be much help, but... if you insist, I have no choice."

I stood with Luna next to the main group. It’s okay to move without worrying about turns.

This is an 'event scene.'

"Everyone, follow my lead. From now on..."

We’ll beat the hell out of Mabelga.

--TL Notes--

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