On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 172

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 172

 

Performance Purification Movement (2)

 

Popular performances have limited supply but explosive demand.

 

Especially, this time the Sword School First Years’ ‘Flower of the Sword’ had demand that wasn’t just exploding but piercing through the sky.

 

Until yesterday, it was a performance that was open for free, and no one predicted this level of success.

 

But they didn’t sell tickets for profitability reasons.

 

They had to limit entry after all, and for justification and means to do so, nothing was better than paid sales.

 

However, because they prepared too hastily, there was an unexpected problem.

 

“Looking for tickets?”

 

“Huh? Well, I am, but who are you…?”

 

“Come on, shh. This way.”

 

Black market tickets were thriving!

 

The interests of people who wanted to see the performance somehow and people trying to profit from this opportunity aligned perfectly!

 

“Now, keep it quiet… How much were you thinking?”

 

“Uh, well…”

 

“You know, right? It’s incredibly popular. Today’s the lowest price, you know? Tomorrow you won’t be able to get one even for this money.”

 

“So, how much is it?”

 

“10 times the price. It’s not that much money, right? Honestly, I could charge 20 times and it’d be fine…”

 

But that was their business.

 

“10 times… that’s a bit too much…”

 

“Ah, then you should’ve come early to buy one. Some people came out and waited before dawn broke to buy theirs.”

 

Flies always swarm where there’s the scent of money.

 

It was when the ticket scalper made a motion to turn away casually.

 

“Selling black market tickets.”

 

“Wh, who…?”

 

Rustle.

 

He hastily hid the black market tickets, but that was the seller’s mistake.

 

“Black market ticket sales are subject to confiscation.”

 

“Wh, when!”

 

Ziel held tickets in his hand.

 

“Give them back! I bought those with my own money!”

 

“You attempted to sell black market tickets, so not anymore.”

 

“Wh-who are you!”

 

“Official Sword School instructor, Ziel Steelheart.”

 

“…Who?”

 

“I’m also the person who created the performance for the tickets you’re trying to sell.”

 

Ziel glanced at the buyer standing behind them.

 

“Do you need these tickets?”

 

“Y-yes, I do.”

 

“Then purchase them legitimately.”

 

“…”

 

While the buyer who had been somewhat hopeful was left speechless, the seller protested again.

 

“Even so, how can you just take them away like this!”

 

“Then don’t sell black market tickets. According to school rules, all black market tickets can be confiscated.”

 

“School… rules?”

 

Ziel was moving strictly by the book.

 

“Black market tickets are bad.”

 

Having said that, Ziel disappeared.

 

In an instant.

 

The buyer and the seller.

 

Both stared blankly into empty air.

 

At the spot where Ziel had been standing.

 

“Hey, give them back!”

 

“Black market tickets are illegal. That’s how Empire law defines them. Also, they can be confiscated according to school rules.”

 

“Damn it! Give them… ugh!”

 

“Are you going to use violence against school staff?”

 

Similar situations were happening everywhere.

 

Black market ticket crackdown!

 

Black market tickets flourished at every Festa, but stopping them was practically impossible…

 

“H-how did you find this place!”

 

“I heard the sound of black market ticket trading.”

 

“Damn it, run… urgh!”

 

“I’ll confiscate the black market tickets.”

 

Ziel was catching them all with his keen five senses.

 

The ticket scalpers protested, but all that came back was Ziel’s calm response.

 

“If you don’t sell black market tickets, there’s nothing to confiscate.”

 

“I won’t sell them! I won’t sell them, so give them back!”

 

“No. I can’t trust you.”

 

Gilbert, who joined in belatedly, was no match at all.

 

“I barely managed to find one, but Boss, what on earth…”

 

The black market tickets Ziel confiscated numbered dozens.

 

“There are probably more than this.”

 

“R-right? Still, even this much is amazing.”

 

“I’ll need to add one more special measure to the tickets sold from tomorrow.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Gilbert was bewildered.

 

What kind of measure was he planning to take?

 

Meanwhile, the second day’s performance also erupted with enthusiastic reactions.

 

“This is insane, really insane…”

 

“How can an Academy Festa have this kind of quality…”

 

Some shed tears of emotion.

 

They were the student parents.

 

Rangl Harmatan, who had made the long journey from the Northern Region again upon hearing about the Festa.

 

“My son is admirable…!”

 

His son, who had been weak in body, had changed like this after meeting Teacher Ziel.

 

If it had been his son from before, he couldn’t have even dreamed of standing on such a performance stage!

 

And Jon Riversong’s father, Albert Riversong.

 

“…You’re doing well.”

 

His son’s sins had not yet been washed away, and he hadn’t atoned for everything.

 

Still, seeing them doing something together among friends put his mind somewhat at ease.

 

Following them were the Hillbilly Family, the Demicus Family…

 

Countless Family Heads from numerous noble families were watching their children’s performance with moved expressions.

 

But they all had one thing in common.

 

“Oh, Family Head Rangl Harmatan! You made it in?”

 

“Family Head Arthur Demicus? You’re one to talk…”

 

Both Family Heads had failed to obtain admission tickets for the performance.

 

Yet somehow they had ended up meeting inside the performance hall.

 

“Perhaps…”

 

“Come now, we have our dignity. It’s not black market tickets.”

 

Rangl looked around and whispered cautiously.

 

“Teacher Ziel somehow found out and came to give them to me.”

 

“Oh, really? Actually, I also…”

 

“You too, Family Head?”

 

They were people who had received tickets directly from Ziel.

 

Ziel already knew the faces of most Family Heads from meeting them throughout last semester and the break.

 

So he had recognized them first, asked about their situation, then distributed admission tickets!

 

‘Watching a performance your child prepared is important. Please take this.’

 

Rangl muttered as he recalled the words Ziel had said.

 

“Teacher Ziel… he truly has a deep heart.”

 

“Hehe, indeed…”

 

Amidst all this, unlike the first day’s performance, the second day’s performance saw flowers and gifts prepared by spectators pile up like mountains on the stage.

 

“We love you, Center!”

 

“Delev! Please make sure to read my letter!”

 

“Celia! Celia!”

 

The students were bewildered by the cheers.

 

“Did we already get fans?”

 

“So this is what popularity tastes like…!”

 

The audience wasn’t just cheering for the performance itself, but now they were going wild for the performers too.

 

Thanks to the performance costumes designed by Mortis, it was easy to focus attention on each individual performer!

 

And Gilbert’s popularity as he performed sword dance at the very front was absolutely explosive.

 

“The Teaching Assistant’s popularity is no joke.”

 

“Honestly, his sword dance really is incredible.”

 

“I want to do it next year.”

 

There was also one student who was unexpectedly popular.

 

Besides the top students like Delev and Celia, there was one person everyone found surprising!

 

“Quantus! Quantus!”

 

“That student is Quantus? He’s amazing!”

 

“With such a big build, his movements are so flexible!”

 

It was Quantus.

 

“Hmm. I really do have the qualities of a leader.”

 

As Ann looked at him with an expression of disbelief, Quantus became even more smug.

 

“Are you jealous, Ann?”

 

“Uh… no way.”

 

“Stop pretending you’re not!”

 

“I’m really, really not jealous… I’m just thinking the world has such diverse tastes…”

 

Though she said that, she couldn’t deny Quantus’s blood, sweat, and tears.

 

Of course, what created that Quantus was Ziel’s customized guidance.

 

“Today was amazing too!”

 

“How many gifts did we actually receive?”

 

“The flowers smell so wonderful. So this is what popularity feels like. Is this how it feels to join the Imperial Theater Troupe?”

 

The First Years know now too.

 

That the reaction to their performance at this Festa is the hottest!

 

Now the fact that only about two days remained actually felt regrettable.

 

“At first I just wanted the Festa to come quickly so we could perform and be done with it…”

 

“Don’t you think 8 performances is too few?”

 

“That’s what I’m saying. Couldn’t we do one more encore performance or something?”

 

A consensus was quickly forming.

 

It was difficult, but everyone couldn’t deny that the performance itself was enjoyable.

 

Celia asked on behalf of everyone toward Ziel, who had just entered.

 

“Teacher! Can’t we increase the number of our performances?”

 

“No.”

 

“I knew it!”

 

Celia quickly accepted it as if she had expected this response.

 

“Not without a reason. The Festa performance schedule has already been completely agreed upon.”

 

“It’s because performing is so much fun!”

 

“Hmm.”

 

An unexpected answer.

 

Ziel thought for a moment and then nodded.

 

“If that’s the reason, I understand.”

 

“Really? For real?”

 

“This performance is for you all. If you’re enjoying it, that’s the most reasonable reason.”

 

“Teacher…”

 

Celia was moved.

 

When did his empathy skills improve so much!

 

Of course, Ziel was just prioritizing the students first as always.

 

“Then I’ll arrange for one additional performance to be scheduled at the end.”

 

“Kyaa! Really? Thank you, Teacher!”

 

Ziel was slightly puzzled.

 

“You struggled so much during training, so why is it enjoyable?”

 

“Well, it’s because we became popular? We seem to like getting attention!”

 

The other students nodded in agreement with Celia’s words.

 

“Hmm.”

 

He couldn’t understand it.

 

Liking to receive attention.

 

But if the students liked it, there was no reason not to do it for them.

 

Ziel’s top priority was always the students.

 

‘If it’s being scheduled at the end, talking with other people to add a performance would also be a method.’

 

“Ah. And the Praise Cards will be distributed all at once after Festa is completely over.”

 

“Yay! But you said there would be gifts if we collect 5 cards!”

 

Ziel nodded at Karen’s question.

 

“That’s right. There are gifts.”

 

“What is it? Tell us now!”

 

“I don’t want to say.”

 

“As expected!”

 

“It’s a secret, so I’ll tell you when the semester is almost over.”

 

The students’ hearts raced with excitement.

 

What could it be!

 

“That’s all. You all worked hard today. Everyone go in and rest. Be careful of injuries, and don’t overeat.”

 

“Yes!”

 

With the second day’s performance also wrapped up, Ziel only left the waiting room after confirming that all the students had departed.

 

And the person he met was none other than Emeric.

 

“Professor Emeric Kent.”

 

“Teacher Ziel? I was actually looking for you, but you came to me instead.”

 

Emeric was in the midst of wrapping up after the second day’s events ended.

 

“But Teacher, you’re really… quite bold.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Ah. This is the Arcane School Event Area, you know. Actually, even Sword School students rarely come here.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“Well… there’s not much good that comes from coming here?”

 

Ziel recalled the events he had seen on his way here.

 

“I think it would actually be good if our students came.”

 

“Ah, well. This time the Sword School students are doing well. So it should be fine.”

 

“Festa is something everyone should enjoy together, so if they can’t come for that reason, it doesn’t seem right. Do Sword School students not come to Arcane School events?”

 

“They hardly come at all…? The opposite case is the same.”

 

“Then tomorrow I’ll make sure the First Years can go to Arcane School events.”

 

“Ah, then I’ll send our First Years too.”

 

Emeric added with an awkward smile.

 

“…Teacher Ziel, how should I put it, you always seem to grasp the essence of things. That’s probably why you were able to say those words to me back then. Thanks to that, my level improved.”

 

“Is that so.”

 

“Yes. So, I’ve decided to stay here.”

 

“I see.”

 

“…You don’t seem very happy about it?”

 

“I think it’s fortunate.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes. Managing the magic dolls will be easier from now on.”

 

“….”

 

As expected, he’s probably just too embarrassed to show his happiness, right?

 

“Oh, and I’ve been assigned to handle the Third Years. Temporarily, though. If there are no issues, I’ll probably be in charge of the Third Years permanently next year.”

 

“Understood.

 

He’s definitely embarrassed!

 

“By the way, what brings you here?”

 

“I need some advice. It’s also a request.”

 

“Ah, yes. Please tell me anything.”

 

“There’s an issue with black market tickets for the performance.”

 

“Black market tickets… Ah, you mean our, no, the Sword School performance.”

 

“It is our performance. Professor Emeric Kent helped plan it too.”

 

Emeric was slightly moved.

 

So he asked more actively.

 

“Black market tickets, that would certainly be a problem.”

 

Ziel handed over the black market tickets he had collected today.

 

“I’d like to engrave ‘mana inscriptions’ on the tickets sold starting tomorrow.”

 

“Mana inscriptions… How do you know about that, Teacher Ziel?”

 

“I saw it in a book.”

 

“In… a book?”

 

“Yes. There are many books in the Academy Library.”

 

“Hah, haha….”

 

That means he read magic texts.

 

‘Teacher Ziel understood that?’

 

Magic books were generally written in a difficult manner.

 

It wasn’t a matter of foundational knowledge, but rather that writing things ‘difficultly’ was the overall trend, you could say.

 

The same words would be explained in convoluted, difficult ways with many unnecessary sentences, yet it meant he had read and understood all of that.

 

“I heard from the mana inscription explanation that it’s used as a method of inscribing specific mana onto people or objects for identification.”

 

“Hmm. It’s possible. Quite possible. Though temporary, I can inscribe mana inscriptions on tickets that will last sufficiently for about a day.”

 

“So you’re saying it’s possible.”

 

“Yes. But I never expected Teacher Ziel to bring up such a topic…”

 

It was surprising.

 

‘Last time he helped me advance my level too…’

 

New magic wasn’t as common as one might think.

 

Most of the time it involved developing existing magic or combining things that hadn’t been noticed before.

 

Or like this, coming up with different methods through ‘inspiration.’

 

“How did you think of it?”

 

“I applied something I saw in a book.”

 

Ziel, speaking matter-of-factly, seemed completely unaware of how remarkable what he was saying was.

 

Actually, identification through mana inscription itself was a commonly used method.

 

It was just Ziel’s application ability in thinking of it as a countermeasure for black market tickets that was surprising.

 

“Inscribe the buyer’s mana onto the ticket, and when presenting the ticket, just check if the mana matches – it would be perfect. It’s possible. The equipment is already at Arcane School. This is a good idea.”

 

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

 

“Of course! Just trust me!”

 

Wait.

 

Emmerich, who had readily accepted, tilted his head.

 

‘Is this… going to be okay?’

 

The equipment was there, sure, but…

 

It was quite expensive equipment.

 

No, wait.

 

‘Titus isn’t around anymore anyway, right?’

 

From what he’d heard today, it seemed unlikely he’d be coming out anytime soon.

 

Then well, it should be fine.

 

He was going to have to take over the magic items-related duties that Titus had been managing anyway.

 

“I’ll have it processed so it’s ready by morning.”

 

“Yes, thank you. Oh, and we’re planning to do one more performance.”

 

“Ah. You’re adding another one. Oh, yes. Is there anything I can help with?”

 

“I think it would be good to make the final performance a bit more special.”

 

“Hmm… I’ll think about it. The audience reaction is really enthusiastic, isn’t it?”

 

“It’s more of a request from the students.”

 

“A request from the students…?”

 

“They strongly wanted it themselves, so we decided to proceed.”

 

Emeric became a bit envious of Ziel.

 

The Arcane School First Years couldn’t be more arrogant and uncooperative.

 

The Sword School First Years seemed like they lived in a completely different world.

 

‘It must be because the teacher is so good at what he does…’

 

Emeric, who had been pondering, asked.

 

“Um, Teacher Ziel.”

 

“Yes, Professor Emeric Kent.”

 

“Would it be alright if… I could observe your classes later?”

 

“Yes. Please do.”

 

It was such a readily given acceptance.

 

Actually, he had entered classes before.

 

But that was only for the performance preparation process.

 

What Emeric wanted to see was the actual classes Ziel conducted during the semester.

 

“I understand. Then would it be okay to observe as soon as Festa ends?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Thank you!”

 

And so Emeric began working as soon as he finished wrapping up the second day’s events.

 

He hadn’t slept properly for the past few days, but it didn’t matter at all.

 

It was none other than Teacher Ziel’s request!

 

Plus the anticipation of unexpectedly being entrusted with an important position at Arcane School.

 

“Phew, it’s done.”

 

Finally, morning came.

 

After installing the equipment at the ticket office, he performed mana inscriptions on audience members purchasing tickets.

 

“What is this?”

 

“This is a procedure for identity verification. It’s to prevent black market tickets, so please cooperate.”

 

“They really do all sorts of strange things. Here you go.”

 

“So does this mean the person watching has to purchase it directly? Oh my, then let me go fetch our Family Head for a moment.”

 

While preparing for various situations, he made it clear that this was a countermeasure to prevent black market ticket purchases.

 

Perhaps thanks to that.

 

The effect appeared immediately after not much time had passed.

 

“No, I’m telling you I bought it myself!”

 

“Then you must pass the mana inscription test. Did you really purchase it directly?”

 

“W-well, actually…”

 

A person who got caught after buying black market tickets.

 

“Catch that bastard! He’s the one who sold black market tickets!”

 

“P-please spare me just once!”

 

“Catch this guy and hand him over to the Security Guards!”

 

When entry became impossible, all that anger poured toward the ticket scalpers.

 

“Wow, all the ticket scalpers are getting caught.”

 

“Serves them right, serves them right. Those damn bastards.”

 

Ziel nodded with satisfaction as he watched that scene.

 

“It’s been cleaned up.”

 

Festa was already turning around the halfway point.

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