On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 333

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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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First Day of Infiltration, The Organization Was Destroyed — Chapter 333
The Price of Gambling
Teacher Ziel said nothing for a long time.
He was merely walking, yet Delev’s chest heaved with tension.
He thought it might be better to take a clean punch instead.
Though the teacher would surely never do such a thing.
After they’d walked for what felt like an age and emerged from District 34 into the vicinity of District 15, Ziel finally stopped.
“Delev Kundel.”
At last, Ziel turned and called out to him.
Delev’s heart hammered at its peak.
The rhythm of his pulse—wild, uncontrollable.
“Teacher, I was wrong…….”
“It’s the money you lost.”
Ziel handed him something.
It was a check.
“The Imperial Bank guarantees it. Go cash it.”
“I…… Teacher…….”
Delev’s trembling hands took the check.
The shame threatened to overwhelm him entirely.
‘I’ve lost my mind. I’ve completely lost it.’
Now he understood why gambling was so terrifying.
“Actually, I only happened to get into one game by accident……and when I came to my senses…….”
He had an explanation of sorts.
Of course, there was nothing special about the path that led to gambling addiction.
Everyone started the same way—by chance, one thing led to another, and addiction took hold.
Delev had nearly fallen into that trap.
Had Ziel not intervened, he would have spiraled deeper into addiction and left debts upon his family that could never be spoken of.
“So that’s what happened.”
“I’m sorry…….”
Delev braced himself for a severe scolding.
But something different came from Ziel’s lips.
“Betting money on uncertain things to earn money is inefficient and foolish.”
“Sir?”
“Delev Kundel, you’re a beginner at Dragon’s Nest, aren’t you?”
“I…… suppose so.”
“The men you faced were at least more skilled and experienced at the game than you, correct?”
“Yes…….”
“Then why did you play such a game?”
“…….”
But that’s gambling for you.
Rolling dice is a matter of luck, and luck is fair to everyone.
That’s what he’d believed.
Until it became clear they were using cheating dice.
“At the very least, those men had the skill to beat you. Even if you won occasionally, they had the decisive skill to overcome you. But you didn’t.”
“…….”
“If you lack skill, don’t gamble on uncertain things. Not unless you’re at my level.”
Zephyros observed the scene Ziel was describing with great interest.
‘I thought he’d scold him for gambling, but instead he’s teaching him to fear probability itself.’
Mages study mathematics. Mathematics has many branches, and probability and statistics are particularly fascinating fields.
Zephyros had learned one crucial thing there.
At the gambling table, one cannot escape the domain of probability and statistics.
If someone keeps winning, they’re cheating.
Zephyros had once sat at gambling tables for ages, claiming to study probability, and knew it very well.
‘If it weren’t for the boss, that student would have suffered greatly.’
“If you lack skill, don’t dabble in it. That’s recklessness and arrogance.”
“Yes, Teacher…….”
“I stepped in because I had the skill.”
“I see.”
Only then did Delev recall the acrobatic skill Ziel had displayed.
Dice showing nothing but sixes!
“How did you make only high numbers appear without cheating dice, Teacher?”
“Through skill.”
“Ah…….”
“By adjusting the position in your hand and controlling the force of the throw, you can regulate how many times the die rotates. If you account for the texture and scratches on the ground where I’m throwing it, the friction—it’s possible.”
“So it could be done…….”
“I can do it.”
It was a feat only Ziel could accomplish.
It looked like cheating but was absolutely not—a true acrobatic skill!
‘With just that technique, he could sweep up every gambling den…….’
The genuine cheating dice couldn’t even function against it, so the conclusion was clear.
Of course, Ziel had little interest.
It was a game he already knew he’d win.
There was no fun in it.
“If you want to gamble again next time, build up your skill first.”
Ziel didn’t focus on the fact that an Academy student had gambled.
Instead, he’d made clear why gambling shouldn’t be attempted in certain ways.
‘I thought he was just strong, but he’s a skilled teacher too, isn’t he?’
Zephyros, who still didn’t know Ziel well, seemed considerably impressed.
Most would have pointed out the gambling itself and lectured the student on duty, but to frame it that way—
that one shouldn’t dabble in something as serious as gambling without skill.
And then to prove it with “skill” itself.
“Do you want to build your skill?”
“Sir?”
“If you want to build your skill, I’ll teach you the method.”
“…….”
Delev felt a chill run down his spine.
‘If I say yes, he’ll punish me, won’t he?’
Normally, one wouldn’t nod here.
“N-no, Teacher. I’ll never, ever touch gambling again.”
“If you learn from me, you can win.”
What kind of mad teacher would give gambling lessons to a student?
Delev interpreted it more and more as ironic.
“I was wrong, sir!”
“Lacking skill isn’t a mistake. Gambling despite lacking skill—that’s what was wrong.”
“Y-yes. I won’t even look at gambling again.”
“Very well. If that’s your resolve, so be it.”
In truth, he’d meant to teach him.
Had Delev been willing to learn.
If skill is lacking, you build it. Simple as that.
Ziel felt nothing in particular about gambling.
He didn’t find it entertaining.
He’d entered knowing he would win anyway.
The main purpose was to save the student from falling into serious debt.
“And repay the money.”
“Yes, Teacher. Of course. I’ll discuss it with my family and arrange it…….”
“You repay it.”
“Sir?”
“It was your doing. Why pass the responsibility to your family?”
“Ah…….”
A crack formed in Delev’s natural way of thinking.
“Bear your own responsibility. Learning technique from me could be one way to do it.”
“I’ll repay it some other way! By any means!”
“I see. That’s inefficient, but very well.”
Delev had found a goal.
To repay the hundreds of thousands of Sel that his teacher had covered—by any means necessary!
‘Should I prioritize getting hired by the Knight Order as quickly as possible? Or winning the upcoming Swordsmanship Tournament?’
In any case, today Delev had learned two lessons.
That gambling is terrifying and never to be touched.
And that one must bear one’s own responsibility.
“Um, Teacher. And if you could keep this secret from Celia and the others……would that be possible?”
“If you wish it, I won’t speak of it.”
“Thank you…….”
“You make a particular point of asking about Student Celia Rihart. Something on your mind?”
“I-that’s……!”
“I’ll keep that secret too, if you wish.”
“Th-that would be…….”
Ziel tilted his head at Delev’s flustered, stammering demeanor.
“Why are you so flustered?”
“Flustered? Not at all!”
“I’ve learned that strong denial is strong affirmation.”
“…….”
Fortunately, instead of pressing further, Ziel turned his attention to Zephyros.
“Zephyros, did you purchase all the items needed for the Research Laboratory?”
“Ah, not yet. I’ll need to look around more. And some of the experimental equipment is quite expensive, so I’ll need to make them myself, but the materials are costly. It’ll take time to raise the funds.”
Only then did Delev recognize Zephyros’s existence.
“Teacher, but who is…….”
“My subordinate.”
“Ah.”
He’d thought another teacher had arrived, but apparently not.
“If you need money, use this.”
“Oh!”
Ziel handed over the money he’d taken from the fraud ring at the Dragon’s Nest game.
“Boss, your generosity knows no bounds!”
“Repay it.”
“Understood.”
“Repay it whether in money or in research results.”
Zephyros nodded quickly.
He understood perfectly what was meant.
It wasn’t literal money—it was a demand for results!
“I’ll prove my worth, Boss.”
“Good.”
To Zephyros, Ziel was a great benefactor.
The one who’d freed him from Imperial surveillance and set him on the path to becoming a true research fanatic!
“Will this sum be sufficient?”
“For the initial setup of the Research Laboratory, it should suffice, Boss.”
“Then that settles it. Have the design plans for the Research Laboratory ready as well.”
“Yes, Boss! But what about the Brewery?”
“I’ve sent word to the Lertrung Family Estate. I’ve requested skilled craftspeople.”
“Excellent!”
The remaining break period.
Ziel’s plans were proceeding steadily.
He’d encountered Delev by chance and gone through all of this, but it had ultimately worked out well.
He had no idea that a legendary tale had been born on the gambling floor today.
“Now I need to prepare for the second semester.”
Second semester classes would be even more interesting, rigorous, and demanding.
As if in premonition of it,
Delev felt a chill.

* * *
Emeric was wrestling with a headache.
Though he’d taken over the Third Year—the seat of true power—it didn’t mean Emeric had fully stepped into that role.
“This is unbelievable. The interference is this severe…….”
The professors from other grade levels, particularly those supervising the upper classes, were not cooperative.
Precisely speaking, they weren’t cooperating at all.
They couldn’t let go of the sweet fruits from when Titus had held power!
If they lost this fight with Emeric, they believed they’d be losing forever.
Understandably so.
For mages, an Academy professorship was little different from one at the Sword School.
Those who couldn’t gain the patronage of Siren and weren’t included in the mage mainstream—
Had nowhere else to go once they fell from here.
‘Everyone would develop together if we cooperated. Why are they like this…….’
Emeric, who had lived a life completely removed from mage politics, suddenly wondered if he himself might be too much of an idealist.
“Sigh…… The second semester starts soon, and this is far from resolved.”
The academic schedule required all professors’ cooperation.
Especially the Festa and various events planned for the second semester—participation from the upper classes was essential.
The Sixth Years at the Sword School weren’t participating anyway, so that could be overlooked, but if the Fourth and Fifth Years dropped out……it would be half-baked at best…….
‘What can I do?’
As his worry deepened,
“Professor…….”
the Teaching Assistant arrived at his research laboratory with cautious news.
“Teacher Ziel Steelheart from the Sword School has come to see you.”
“Teacher Ziel?”
Emeric stood up abruptly.
He had actually been planning to consult with Ziel about this very problem, but upon hearing that Ziel had gone to the Northern Region, he’d returned disappointed.
“Teacher Ziel!”
“Professor Emeric Kent. Why are you so pleased?”
“Because I’ve been wanting to see you!”
“So. Many people seem to want to see me.”
“Who wouldn’t be glad to see you?”
Emeric momentarily forgot his worries, grinning as he brought out tea.
“How was the Northern Region?”
“The food and beer were delicious and the experience was enjoyable.”
“Really? Most people who visit the Northern Region don’t want to go back, but it seems to have suited you.”
“Yes. I obtained land there. I’ll be building a villa.”
“……Land?”
“Amil Renfield, the Family Head, gave it to me.”
“Ah…….”
His scale was indeed extraordinary.
‘If Renfield is a considerable family in the Northern Region…….’
To have formed ties with such a family and received land—that was enormous, yet here he was, speaking of it so calmly!
Yes, consulting such a great person with his worries was the right move.
“Actually, I had a concern I wanted to discuss with you, and I didn’t expect you to seek me out first.”
“I’ll speak first, then.”
“Ah, do you have concerns too?”
“No. I don’t dwell on concerns.”
“Ah…….”
Ziel’s reason for coming was simple.
“Become a visiting professor for the Sword School next semester.”
“Visiting……professor? Me?”
“Yes. Simply teach the students about magic.”
“……What?”
This was equivalent to asking a flying bird to teach swimming.
“Those students have all sensed mana and haven’t entered the Walker Rank yet, have they?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then they can’t learn magic…….”
Emeric, struck by how obvious this was, was taken aback.
“No. They simply need to learn about magic. Using it is irrelevant.”
“But…… why?”
“Understanding how magic works allows you to use mana more effectively.”
“Ah…….”
Emeric fell silent for a moment, then realized Ziel’s intent and admired it.
He wasn’t wrong.
Learning how mana functions within the body would allow them to use it more effectively.
Mages and knights derive different methods from the same principle, but the underlying principle is identical.
Yet no one had taken this approach before.
Why not?
Because it was difficult.
Even mages called geniuses spent years grinding to master and fully grasp these principles, and for knights it would be even harder.
“Will the children understand it?”
“Make them understand it.”
With that, Ziel handed him a book.
Looking closer, it wasn’t an officially published work.
The cover read:
[Understanding of Mana]
“A book……?”
“Yes. I wrote it myself.”
“…….”
Ziel delivered another extraordinary statement as if it were nothing.
“That’s the textbook you’ll use for class. You, Professor Emeric Kent.”
“There are many textbooks already in use…….”
Emeric opened the textbook without great expectations.
“……!”
And gasped.
“You…… wrote this, Teacher Ziel……?”

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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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