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

"Yes?"

"Are you on my side? That's my question."

Luna's gaze was earnest.

It meant that this was indeed her question.

"Hmm... Yes. I don't think I'll ever be your enemy..."

"Good, that's enough."

A small smile appeared on Luna's lips.

Really? Is that it? No further probing?

Does she think I'd lie to her?

Unaware of my thoughts, Luna was busy staring blankly at something.

Following her gaze, I saw many people.

Holding hands, playing together, laughing together.

‘The sight of friends.’

Longing and envy.

Somewhere between those emotions was what Luna's eyes captured.

Only then did I understand the intent behind Luna's question.

Maybe Luna was afraid of losing me, her only friend.

So afraid that she chose a question that could discern friend from foe as her first.

‘Is she an idiot... What if I had lied?’

Does she intend to blindly trust a friend’s word?

Characters like this have a predictable future.

Abandoned, hurt, and eventually facing death.

It's a cliché in this culture.

"..."

Still watching the people on the street, Luna.

I decided to give her a small gift.

"Miss Luna."

"Why?"

"A gift for you."

As I took my hand out of my pocket, a balloon popped out and floated up into the sky.

I grabbed the end of the string and handed it to Luna.

She cautiously took hold of it.

"Hmph! I'm not a child. Who would like this?"

"Keke, is that so?"

"But I won't throw it away. It's a gift, after all!"

Luna continued to grumble.

She said it was something only children would play with.

But what Luna didn't realize was that she was smiling.

A genuinely happy smile, like that of a child.

"Hey, hurry up! Let's eat that and head back! I'll pay!"

Luna started running ahead.

The sky, beginning to be painted in shades of orange and pale yellow at sunset.

Her balloon was caught right in the middle of it.

Luna was still smiling.

"Miss Luna, be careful, you might fall."

"I'm not a child!"

I chuckled and followed her.

But wait, didn't she say earlier she didn't have her wallet?

A sense of foreboding brushed past my heart.

And so, I ended up losing 2 silver.

* * *

"Ah, the crazy parrot? If you're an academy student, you can't not know about it."

"Have you seen a devil here? Here? Are you mad?"

I gave a small smile and left the place. The condition was met.

Characters that would have been NPCs in a game.

I engaged in conversations with them, unlocking conditions for the hidden pieces one by one.

"Did you know our academy was built where the Sacred Sword was embedded?"

"Yes, the Sacred Sword that the hero thrust into the ground while slaying the great devil. After the hero's death, it became even more famous since no one could pull it out."

"But then the Sacred Sword disappeared without a trace 20 years ago. Who could have taken it, and how?"

Although there was no system notification, as a veteran, I knew.

All the conditions had been met.

The conditions to obtain [Divine Imitation].

‘The best time to attempt is this coming weekend.’

Originally, I was planning to wait for Luna's growth to increase the chances of success.

I had the leeway to wait for about 1-2 weeks.

But the situation had changed. Now I had to proceed as quickly as possible.

[Divine Imitation] had long since changed from 'good to have' to 'must have'.

Because...

"Today, we will practice bare-handed. Pair up in twos."

It was a day of Caron's class.

True to his style of emphasizing practical training, we often had physically demanding lessons.

"Next, Zero and Alex. Come up."

"Alright, please take care of me."

Alex bowed to me and then assumed his stance.

I cursed inwardly.

Alex. A future 'Top Five' of Annwood Academy.

And the 'protagonist' of this game.

‘...Information Window.’

[Alex]

Lv: 12

Strength: 28

Agility: 17

Intelligence: 10

Stamina: 37

Magic Power: 13

Potential: 5

Owned Skills: [Hard Worker S], [Sense of Justice A], [Charm A], [Swordsmanship C]

Owned Titles: Natural Hard Worker

- As a natural hard worker, the growth rate of skills is always tripled.

- Has an exceptional sense of justice. When fighting against 'evil' characters, all stats receive a +20% bonus.

Why is Alex the protagonist?

Focus on effort, justice, hot-blooded foolishness, shining appearance, unbreakable spirit, etc.

He possesses typical traits of a growth-type character often found in a shonen manga.

But also because Alex is the only character available to choose during the first play of the game.

‘After playing as Alex, supporting roles become playable, and then custom play is available.’

Perhaps as a beginner-friendly character for first-time players.

A character with hefty protagonist buffs.

Furthermore, one of the main members of the first party, along with Rodelin and Raymon.

Suddenly, I had to spar with such an entity.

So, cursing inwardly was natural.

I didn't even know how to fight bare-handed, and with the stat difference, I could easily get hurt.

"...Keke, let's just say I lost."

"Eh? What did you say?"

"I don't engage in meaningless fights."

I walked down from the sparring ground leisurely.

I dislike meaningless fights, but I hate pain even more.

As I declared my surrender, the surroundings instantly became noisy.

"Ah... I thought we'd finally see some skills..."

"Seriously. It's obvious he's hiding his strength, but this is too much."

"Definitely a tactic to raise his value, right? And not approaching Teron and all..."

"Maybe he lucked out to get third place in the admissions exam."

Murmurs.

Giggles.

Among them were kids openly mocking me.

My third-place position in the entrance exam was information known only to a few.

"Quiet down."

Caron's low voice cut through the chatter.

Yet, everyone heard it loud and clear.

The place became instantly silent.

"Zero, what did you just say?"

"I said I don't engage in meaningless fights."

"Meaningless fights... That sounds quite ambiguous to my ears. You're not weak... So, does that mean..."

Caron's eyes sparkled.

"The opponent is too weak to be worth fighting?"

Silence engulfed the sparring ground.

You could hear a pin drop.

I just wanted to avoid getting hurt, but I've created this grave situation.

Classic of the teacher I dislike the most.

"Then let's give it meaning. Come up. I'll be your opponent."

Damn it. I can't help but swear.

How did things get so twisted?

‘Stay calm. They say even if a tiger bites you, if you keep your wits, you can survive.’

I slowly climbed back onto the sparring ground and faced Caron boldly.

What I realized then was that Caron wasn't a tiger but a killing tank, and staying sane wouldn't save me.

"Come at me, Zero. A fight against me can't be meaningless."

Caron's eyes glinted menacingly.

Hmm, my intuition as a veteran tells me something. I think I've found a hidden ending.

The hidden ending where I die at the hands of Caron.

"Ugh, how can he stand so confidently?"

"Seriously. Just looking makes my legs go weak."

I might have survived by trembling in fear, but the [Mental Defense] skill won't even let me do that.

A skill that doesn’t operate on my will. It's driving me insane.

And even that insanity is caught by the [Mental Defense] skill.

Just knock me out! How am I supposed to fight a killing tank bare-handed!

But I had to do something.

So, my choice was...

"Keke, I surrender."

"...Surrender?"

"Yes. It's the only way I can survive."

Currently, I don’t know how to fight, and I can't just stand there and die.

So surrendering was the only answer. Whether it would work or not, I wasn't sure.

"Krkr, Krahaha!!"

Caron burst into hearty laughter.

The laughter was short-lived. He then spoke seriously.

"So, you dislike anything that's not a real fight. You do realize how arrogant you are right now?"

"Keke, do I?"

"Absolutely. Zero, I will give you three penalty points."

Three points. That's harsh.

I've felt it before, but he seems unusually aggressive towards me.

Is it because of my slit eyes?

But the Caron I know isn’t someone who would fuss over such things...

"Wait a minute! That's unfair!"

Luna raised her hand and interrupted.

As expected, my slave... No, my friend.

Caron's gaze shifted to her.

"Unfair? Why do you think so?"

"Well, because... a spar with the teacher isn’t part of the lesson, right? And surrender is a viable option!"

"Excellent point. I’ll give you one merit point."

"Eh...?"

Luna and the other students were stunned.

I was too. Caron's standards are incomprehensible and bizarre.

"In fact, surrender is a good option. In real combat, it's an even better choice. But!"

This is not real combat; it's a class.

Not only did you disrupt the lesson for personal reasons.

But you also failed to fulfill your duties as a student.

"You also hindered your partner's potential for growth. If you were a skilled fighter, you should have helped. Isn't that what friends do?"

Caron shouted out loud.

Indeed, there were valid reasons for me to receive penalty points.

"Theory is not more important than practice. But it’s equally important, especially in an academy where learning is sought."

Caron shifted his gaze away from Luna.

Then he glared at me.

He seemed really annoyed... Or maybe it’s just my imagination?

"Therefore, one point for disrupting the class, one for failing to fulfill your duties as a student, and one for hindering your friend's potential for growth. A total of four penalty points."

"Keke, shouldn’t it be three points? Why four?"

"Oh, that's because I'm in a bad mood, so I added one more. Any objections?"

"...No."

I had plenty of objections, but nothing could be done.

It's still much better than dying.

"Zero, you're a very lucky guy."

"Yes?"

"Because next week's class is exactly the kind of real combat you want."

Caron's smile stretched from ear to ear.

Wow, I didn't know he had such a range of expressions. Surprising.

"If you prove your skills in the real combat you so love, I'll cancel the penalty points and even give you merit points. How about that? Sounds good, right?"

Wow.

I'm so thrilled, Mr. Killing Tank!

"Today's lesson ends here. Dismissed!"

Caron disappeared like the wind.

He seemed to wear a satisfied smile.

‘...I have a hunch.’

The students began to leave the sparring ground in groups.

Some thanked me.

Because Caron's class ended 20 minutes early.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Keke, Miss Luna. It would be better if you don't interfere next time."

"Eh? Why?"

"I just feel it."

That damned Caron and your family have something going on.

I felt it very strongly.

--TL Notes--

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/MattReading