Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

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14. I Can’t Be the Only One Suffering (3)

Originally, I had no intention of getting involved with characters like Mary.

They are the ones who will experience various trials and lead the scenario.

They must defeat the final boss and save the world, so any variables getting involved would be troublesome.

There’s no guarantee that my very existence won’t be a hindrance.

Moreover, since they are the protagonists, all kinds of incidents will surely happen around them.

Getting caught up in such matters is entirely contrary to my desire for a stable academy life.

Even if a crisis arises, there’s no need to worry. They’ll sort it out themselves anyway, so having me around would only be a burden.

…But alas, a variable has already been applied—one that’s hard to ignore.

[Chapter 1 – Queen of the Blizzard]

The destruction of the relics, which foreshadow the chapter, is the same.

This incident causes Jenny’s mental state to crumble, leading to the Silver Age going berserk, which is the main story.

However, there was no mention of broken ribs or accidentally using the Silver Age during practical tests.

If those incidents were to occur as well, the trauma would double, and the rampage would be even greater than in the main story.

‘All of this happened because of me.’

Helping Mary regain control in the main story is merely a typical rampage. The chances of controlling a rampage magnified several times are slim.

Thus, my exposure to the Silver Age is crucial here. A blizzard far beyond comparison with the main story is on the horizon.

“Breathe deeper! That way, you can extract the mana residing in your body!”

“Hohohohp! Like this?”

“No, a bit lower than that.”

I’ve been cooperating with Mary for several days now.

Currently, we are conducting some rituals in the large gymnasium known as Libel Hall to extract the mana of the Silver Age from her body.

“Ah! Suddenly, my body feels cold?”

“That’s good! You’re almost there! Keep pushing!”

The mana that had been absorbed usually disappears over time. Having even received Professor Stella’s treatment, it was likely purified away.

But surprisingly, that mana still lingered in my body. If left unchecked, I might have contracted a cold and spent days in bed.

“Fwooooo!”

I exhaled to expel that damned mana.

Filtering out useless mana is said to be a specialty of the Ryuudshiel Magic Tower. Mary taught me a method that isn’t easy for anyone to learn.

Of course, it wasn’t everything—just what could be taught to someone not from the tower. So I effectively learned for free.

“Ah! It came out!”

With a sound like letting out air from a balloon, a rush of air escaped my mouth, mixed with sparkling blue particles.

Mary caught those blue particles in a vial as she opened the lid.

It took some time to extract them all, and it was completed after five days.

The more I extracted, the more effective the mana suppression spell we could create.

“You worked really hard!”

“Yeah…”

“Hey, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

To filter out the mana, I had to stir up my blood vessels. Messing with the mana pathways in my body was akin to boiling the blood in my veins.

With such labor continuing for five days, I finally collapsed flat like someone who had been working out nonstop.

“It’s natural that my body won’t cooperate after being pushed to the limit.”

“Did I ask too much of you?”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s just helping out.”

[Skill Level Increased.]

-Ora Mastery Lv2

[Conditions Met.]

[New Skill Activated!]

-Substitution Lv1

The ritual to expel mana greatly aided my blood circulation.

By breathing heavily, my blood boiled as if ready to explode.

Thus, my bones and muscles also responded, exhibiting superhuman strength.

‘So it seems directly tied to Ora Mastery.’

The mana part bubbling out from the boiled blood.

That’s the essence of the aura. The higher the mastery, the more possibilities arise.

___________________________

-Substitution Lv1

Activated by consuming mana. It replaces you with a fake doll made of mana.

It can help you out of a dire situation but will result in a significant loss of mana.

____________________________

Shaping mana like this is a realm comparable to high-ranking knights.

If I, as a student, were to forcefully mimic that, I wouldn’t be able to fight for a while.

It’s literally perfect for emergencies.

“Thank you so much! Thanks to you, managing the aura has become much easier.”

“Don’t mention it! Doing good deeds warrants that kind of reward.”

I stood up with Mary’s support. Given her small stature, her strength was quite impressive.

Having spent five days together created a bit of camaraderie, which would prevent her from becoming a minor enemy.

‘But my role ends here.’

The other students quietly watched as Mary and I exited the Libel Hall. It’s ironic that despite garnering attention, there wasn’t a sound.

No one dares approach Mary recklessly. Having accompanied her for several days, I understand the reason well.

“Bwaha! So shall we head for a meal now?”

At a glance, I might seem like a student off to lunch… but that lunch wouldn’t be fit for human consumption.

Have you ever tried insect cuisine? If you haven’t, don’t talk.

“Butterflies~ Cicadas~ Come here and be eaten~”

With a cute face and voice, she sings an odd song. Walking around like that, Mary appeared to be an entirely alien entity.

I see she’s planning to feed me something strange again… but not today.

“Hey, Mary, can’t I eat what I want today?”

“Why?”

“I feel weak today, so I want something different. Can you please grant my request?”

“Okay, I got it! If it’s what my friend wants.”

Fortunately, simple-minded Mary readily grants her friend’s request. Eventually, she took me to a café to comfort my fatigue.

A famous café known to the students as a landmark. Upon entering, the spacious area welcomed both of us.

After placing our orders, we found a seat on the second floor. While waiting for our food, she took out a book from her bag and started reading.

‘From this angle, she seems like an endlessly angelic girl.’

Indeed, Mary possesses a bright and good personality. The fact that she extracted mana from me is entirely for her friend, Jenny Chain Silver.

This means she has a personality capable of acting for others at the very least.

However… a gargantuan flaw devours that advantage.

‘And that’s why I had a tough time for five days.’

During these days, I vividly experienced Mary’s 4D antics. Aside from the ritual to filter mana, there were various anecdotes…

– Pulling out some bugs from her bag, claiming, “You need to consume various proteins for smooth mana flow,” and trying to shove them down my throat.

– Mistaking a giant slime she found in the mountains for pudding, attempting to swallow it whole, only to provoke a mob of them, prompting a chase.

– When I accidentally called her short, her face turned goblin-like as she unleashed elemental magic, then held my leg and swung me around like a giant swing.

At this point, she could be considered a walking nuclear bomb.

Excluding that protagonist, there’s no one who can control Mary.

“This book is so fun! Want to read it too?”

Mary met my gaze and handed me the book she had been reading. Her hobby is reading, which is quite at odds with her foolish tendencies.

Yet the stats that actually rise aren’t knowledge, but rather unknown, absurd aspects.

If someone were to show Mary to those who claim reading makes you smart, they’d surely collapse clutching their necks.

“I’m not interested in such complicated books. They put me to sleep just looking at them.”

“Hmph… Is that so?”

When I firmly rejected her, Mary collapsed onto the table, resting her chest on it, pouting while letting out a sigh.

“Hmmm… Then what do you do to spend your free time? It must be really boring without books.”

“Coincidentally, I never find myself bored.”

That’s the truth. After classes, I get busy with Newspaper Department activities.

I need to gather information unique to the Newspaper Department to understand how this world operates.

As a result, the main story has thankfully progressed without a hitch.

– Travel gains distrust towards the Academy due to clashes with Professor Radian.

– First-year magic department honor student ‘Crona Delaware’ sends a duel invitation to her rival Jenny.

And…

“How’s Jenny these days? It’s hard for me to ask her directly.”

Mary’s previously cheerful smile slightly diminished. She put down the book she offered me onto the table.

“I visit Jenny’s dorm every day…”

In the main story, the freezing aura flowing from her hands was the seed of a Silver Age rampage. However, in this twisted world due to my interference…

“The room was frozen solid. We need to complete the control spell as soon as possible.”

As expected… Things have worsened.

We’re at a level where mediocre solutions won’t cut it. Unless we can obtain mana identical to the Silver Age.

“But don’t worry! Thanks to the remnants of the Silver Age extracted from your body, things will go smoothly. Really, thank you!”

At that moment, a server came up to our table from the first floor.

As he placed two cups of coffee and two hamburgers, Mary’s expression brightened again.

“Ouch!”

Forgetting that the coffee is hot, Mary yelped and grimaced as she burned her tongue. She flailed her hands, looking for something cold.

As mentioned earlier, I firmly believe my role has ended. As of today, the issue of the Silver Age rampage can be considered resolved.

Even with variables arising, thanks to my cooperation, it won’t differ from the main story.

“If the mana rampage control spell is concerned, I can complete it in two days. All thanks to you.”

The timeframe for the solution coincides with the main story. How can the timing be so perfect?

Thus, I felt at ease. There’s no need to interfere with matters that will resolve themselves without my involvement.

If I get involved again, I might have to go through another five days of hardship. To prevent that, I need to sever ties with Mary.

“I’ve gained a lot from you too, so it would be sad if there’s no return.”

“Huh? Not really necessary.”

“Do you happen to like Novel Records?”

“Novel Records? Need I say more? I have over 100 volumes!”

Mary was truly a fan among fans. An unrelated gift regarding it would surely be snatched up without hesitation.

“Well, that works out. I have something for you.”

I pulled out two Novel Records from my bag.

Considering how much Mary loves such things, my actions might seem detached from my objective.

But let’s take a closer look at the titles of those two works.

[You and Me Tico]

[King of the Changing Room]

“Uh, I haven’t seen these titles before. Where did you get them?”

“I got them from the head of the Newspaper Department. I’m already tired of them, so I have no need for them.”

And this is… also a method to satisfy my sense of reward.

“What’s the genre?”

As the anticipated question arose, I maintained a nonchalant expression.

-Acting Lv5

…And said.

“They are both healing stories. There aren’t any harmful scenes, and they just soothe the mind.”

[Erosion Rate Decrease: -3%]

[+300 Credits]

“Really? That’s great! I was just looking to collect such genres. I’ll enjoy them as soon as I complete my sealing magic!”

“Good idea. The moment you enjoy them, your body and mind will feel like they’ve stepped into paradise.”

[Erosion Rate Decrease: -4%]

[+400 Credits]

“Thank you so much! From today on, you’re my eternal friend!~”

“Sure. Nice to meet you.”

[Erosion Rate Decrease: -5%]

Eternal friend… Sure. Until today. The moment she enjoys those, she’ll declare our friendship ended, unleashing elemental magic on me.

But that’s okay. This will resolve my sense of reward while allowing me to distance myself from her.

‘Hehe. I’m looking forward to the day you enjoy those.’

I inwardly grinned like a devil.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.