Academy’s New Guard is Unusual - Chapter 115

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 115
“Here, here it is!”
What Volcan held out was a small Horn Flute.
Of course, small was relative to Volcan’s size. The Horn Flute was about the size of an ordinary adult man’s hand.
To pull something like that from a pocket—it was only possible because of Volcan’s extraordinary bulk.
“…I couldn’t bring myself to discard it.”
Volcan spoke in a hoarse voice.
“This is a flute passed down through our tribe. It’s only given to the village chief—”
“A keepsake, then.”
“Ha ha—”
Volcan’s mouth twisted awkwardly.
Judging by the forced smile, it seemed I’d guessed right.
So—
“I’ll borrow it for a while.”
“…?”
Volcan’s eyes blinked blankly.
He seemed to doubt what he’d just heard.
I picked up the Horn Flute and added,
“I’ll return it clean.”
Volcan, who had been standing dazed, rushed to grab my arm.
“That, that is truly an extremely dangerous object.”
Volcan’s Imperial speech suddenly became fluent.
“Like I said before, it’s fine. I’m more dangerous.”
“No, this isn’t a joke—”
“Does this look like a joke?”
I asked, looking at Volcan.
Volcan stared at me quietly.
Soon, he nodded reluctantly, as if convinced.
“…You really must be careful.”
“I will be.”
I handed the Horn Flute to Kuga, who swallowed it.
I patted Kuga’s head while taking stock of the situation.
‘I have the tool to summon the Wanderers.’
I’d also received a Supreme-Grade Mana Stone from the twin witches.
The basic materials were prepared. The problem was—
‘Evelyn.’
Evelyn knew that I’d disarmed the Mana Stone Bomb.
If I detonated a Mana Stone Bomb here, Evelyn would become suspicious of me.
More than that—
‘It’s a shame to use only my Supreme-Grade Mana Stone.’
Destroying the Back Gate would be good for the Republic too.
‘I should talk with Evelyn.’
I’d promised to meet Evelyn regularly, once a week.
Today happened to be that day.
Before the thought was even finished, crimson hair came fluttering into view right in front of me.
“Were you waiting?”
It was Evelyn.
“This humble one’s stomach suddenly hurts.”
Volcan slipped away the moment he saw Evelyn.
“Go. Today is an outdoor date.”
Evelyn turned right around.
She clearly wouldn’t accept a refusal.
Following Evelyn, I arrived at a secret outdoor table behind the Main Building.
This time too, I didn’t encounter a single student or staff member.
Despite the Main Building being so crowded, she moved through it avoiding everyone.
It was a remarkable ability, no matter how many times I saw it.
“Sit.”
Evelyn pulled out a chair and spoke. I went to the opposite chair and sat.
“Ha ha, there’s a certain charm to being kept waiting.”
Evelyn laughed dryly and sat down.
On the table was a bizarre dish. It looked like garbage scraps had been thrown into a pot and simmered for ages—Pigling Porridge.
“It’s a Republic delicacy. The appearance is off, but the taste is excellent.”
Evelyn explained confidently, pointing to the Pigling Porridge.
‘That’s a delicacy?’
I’d eaten rough food plenty of times as someone from the front lines, but this exceeded all bounds.
There was no doubt that the Pigling Porridge played a role in the Republic becoming an Imperial Enemy.
“Eat.”
“I’ve already had a meal.”
“That’s strange. I thought you hadn’t eaten.”
“Were you following me?”
“I just happened to see you.”
Evelyn said it shamelessly with an expressionless face.
‘She was definitely following me.’
Evelyn is the Republic’s Sword Master. If she deliberately hides her presence, it’s difficult to detect.
I clicked my tongue and picked up a spoon.
I really didn’t want to eat, but I held back and brought a large spoonful to my mouth.
‘It’s delicious.’
Despite its appearance, the Pigling Porridge was extraordinarily delicious. It was ridiculous.
“It seems to suit your taste.”
“The appearance is unsightly, but the flavor is decent.”
“Ugly things are usually delicious.”
“Isn’t it beautiful things that taste good?”
“With beautiful things, you have expectations. With ugly things, there are no expectations, so you’re satisfied more easily.”
Evelyn took a sip from a glass cup that appeared from nowhere.
“I prefer beautiful things.”
“You’re saying I’m beautiful.”
Evelyn winked with an expressionless face.
I casually ignored it.
“So, did you get recognition from Logan?”
Evelyn asked without concern.
I’d asked Evelyn for something before so I could get recognition from Logan.
It seemed she was referring to that.
“Yes, I received recognition.”
I pulled out the Honorary Student Badge I’d received from Logan and showed her. Evelyn’s eyebrows rose slightly, then fell.
“You really worked Logan over thoroughly.”
“I boiled him, then deep-fried him after.”
“Ha ha. You have quite the loose tongue.”
Evelyn swirled her cup.
A moment of silence followed.
Evelyn seemed to have something on her mind.
“Speak freely.”
“About what?”
“You seem to have something troubling you.”
“It’s not really a worry. Just an annoyance.”
Evelyn clicked her tongue briefly and continued.
“News of the Mana Stones being smuggled out reached the authorities. Logan seems to have stirred the pot.”
“Logan isn’t one to sit still.”
“Right. The authorities have ordered the use of Mana Stones during the Midterm Exam.”
Evelyn spoke dryly, as if it was nothing serious.
‘They’re going to detonate a Mana Stone Bomb made from Supreme-Grade Mana Stones during the Midterm Exam?’
There are usually many things happening during the Midterm Exam, but the Republic’s terrorism was never among them.
“Killing the dog-like Emperor’s son would be a joy, but if you detonate it during the Midterm Exam, other students will surely get caught up in it.”
Evelyn’s brow furrowed very slightly.
The Republic’s members glorify giving their lives for terrorism, and they see everyone who isn’t a member as an enemy.
Yet a Republic executive was concerned about other students getting caught in the crossfire.
So Evelyn really was a moderate.
‘But why did she blow up the entire Main Building in the game?’
Anyway, what mattered was the current situation.
I’d been planning to suggest using a Mana Stone Bomb to Evelyn anyway, so this worked out perfectly.
‘If I play this right…’
I quickly calculated the situation.
Soon a favorable picture emerged.
I hardened my expression and opened my mouth.
“You’re under performance pressure.”
“…Performance pressure?”
“As it happens, I have a decent plan.”
“A decent plan, you say.”
Evelyn looked at me with indifferent eyes.
“All you need is to look good, isn’t that right?”
“What counts as looking good for the Republic is probably different from what you think.”
“I’m aware.”
“You’re aware?”
One corner of Evelyn’s eyebrow shot up.
I nodded lightly and spoke.
“Attacking the Crown Prince directly isn’t easy. The risk is high, the success rate is low. It’s inefficient.”
“Inefficient. That’s true enough.”
“Rather than pointless attrition, wouldn’t something more certain be better? For example—”
I tapped the table with an upside-down spoon and added,
“Blowing up the Back Gate.”
“…The Back Gate?”
Evelyn’s voice rose slightly. She seemed interested.
“Yes, on exam day there would be no students near the Back Gate anyway.”
“That’s true. But there will be Security Corps members.”
“Last time I noticed the Director’s Magic Circle was drawn near the Back Gate. It would be difficult for even a Republic Mana Stone Bomb to break the Director’s Magic Circle.”
“So you’re saying just fake it.”
“Yes, wouldn’t that be enough for the performance?”
Evelyn ran a finger along her cup.
“Good. But—”
Evelyn stared at me. Her red eyes glimmered like blood.
“This seems like what you want.”
Just as expected from a Republic executive—her instincts were sharp.
A red Aura rippled in Evelyn’s eyes.
It was an Aura that pierced through truth and falsehood. Lying was impossible.
I nodded lightly.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Evelyn asked, swirling the spoon.
Evelyn was a Sword Master. She could kill an ordinary Knight with that spoon.
Of course, I wasn’t an ordinary Knight, so I was fine.
“The Back Gate seems too shabby compared to the Front Gate.”
“…You want to blow it up because the Back Gate is shabby?”
“Yes, if we blow it up, we’ll have to rebuild it properly, won’t we?”
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed. She seemed to discern the truth without her Aura.
Soon a short breath escaped Evelyn’s lips.
“Right. The most reliable way to fix something is to break it. That’s admirable thinking.”
Evelyn raised both corners of her mouth.
For someone with almost no emotional expression, that counted as a broad smile.
To receive recognition from a Republic executive—it didn’t feel particularly good.
“Come join the Republic. You’re suited for it.”
“Not at all.”
“No, you’re talent worthy of the Republic.”
A crazed Republic executive who blows up the entire academy in the game complimenting me. It didn’t feel good at all.
I’d only made the proposal out of necessity.
“I maintain political neutrality. So, is the plan acceptable?”
“Acceptable? Good. Excellent.”
Evelyn stood and applauded, nodding.
‘Excellent.’
I was quite satisfied.
This way I didn’t need to use my Supreme-Grade Mana Stone, and moreover, I avoided the risk of installing a Mana Stone Bomb.
In fact, I wanted to ask Evelyn for this.
For me, this was a deal where I only gained.
Of course, I should still get something in return.
“Then hear my request too.”
“Good. What is it?”
“For that guy Kyle who tried to commit terrorism during class last time—have him do it. I’ll hand him over to Logan.”
“Agreed.”
“And I want to detonate the Mana Stone Bomb myself.”
“You personally?”
Evelyn stared intently at me.
This time there was no red Aura in her eyes. Which made it feel even sharper.
I nodded obediently.
“Yes, I’ve been wanting to try it once.”
“You have some scheme.”
Evelyn spoke indifferently.
I didn’t bother denying it.
“It’s incidental.”
“Ha, incidental. Sounds like I’m the only one losing out?”
“I’ll make up for it more next time.”
“Make up for it—”
Evelyn’s words trailed off as she looked at me and drained her cup.
“I like you more and more.”
Evelyn spoke, shaking out the empty cup.
Her red eyes glimmered like a predator watching prey. Heat seemed to rise in a voice that had been consistently indifferent.
I leaned back against the chair.
“I prefer this distance.”
“You’re quite the bargainer.”
“I’m naturally expensive.”
“How expensive?”
“Secret.”
“Your mouth is really free-spirited, you shameless bastard.”
The corners of Evelyn’s eyes dropped.
A dry smile.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
When I smiled back,
Crack—the cup in Evelyn’s hand shattered.
“I told you not to smile.”
Despite the glass breaking, not a drop of blood flowed from Evelyn’s hand.
Truly troublesome.
I clicked my tongue inwardly and lowered the corners of my mouth.
Evelyn licked the spilled drink from her hand as she spoke.
“Right, you look good.”
“I’ve become somewhat presentable.”
Evelyn couldn’t help but laugh.
Evelyn’s laughter sounded like a crow’s cry.
It wasn’t a pleasant sound.
“I’ll give you a detonator separately.”
Evelyn stood and added,
“So, this is the third date.”
When I grimaced, Evelyn had already vanished.
She disappeared as silently as she appeared.
‘I should prepare flowers.’
I stood, muttering a dry joke to myself.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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