Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

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141st Episode: Calm Before the Storm (2)

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the election.

Not just any election, but the student council president election of Aligieri. The scale is beyond measure, with prominent students making up the majority.

If I were to win, just how much support could I garner from those students?

Moreover, obtaining such immense power within the academy would be a position that any ambitious student would covet.

“Now all preparations are complete. What we need to do next is to prepare for failure.”

The leader of the Royal Guard, Slave, was seated at the table surrounded by other members of the guard.

Some level of discussion was needed regarding the upcoming election.

During the election, supporters and followers of the candidates engage in fierce battles.

The reason the election battles have become so intense is primarily because of those guards.

When one candidate establishes a good image, they will dig up past issues to hinder them.

They even go so far as to deploy spies to steal the opposing candidate’s confidential information.

However, most incidents remain minor, and efforts are directed towards appeasing the masses. It’s not bloodshed-level intense.

The election struggles escalate because of the guards.

“Preparing for failure is one thing, but the truth is, failure is basically a done deal, isn’t it? Just the other day, we got caught putting Blood Parasites into the princess’s cookie.”

Helk, a member of the Royal Guard, pointed out regretfully.

An incident that disrupted the well-laid plans of manipulation had indeed occurred.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve already manipulated the minds of those who ate the cookies. Their memories of that incident will be fuzzy until the election is over.”

Since I provided them with a cure while using a magical device, there shouldn’t be any hostile feelings arising.

It’s a magical device no bigger than a pill. Thanks to it being discreetly given along with the antidote, I was able to douse the immediate flames.

“Manipulating minds, huh? Where did you get that kind of power?”

If such a thing existed, I could use it right now to manipulate the minds of other supporters to draw them to our side.

As if asking why I only brought it up now, Helk inquired, and Slave smiled in response.

“Since we’re on the topic, I have both good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?”

“Good news and bad news?”

The good news is that the esteemed 7th League will be supporting us.

There’s no better news than receiving a helping hand from them.

The ability to manipulate minds was thanks to the magical device they lent us.

“It’s specialized equipment for mental manipulation, but it does have its limits. It can’t completely brainwash someone to our side.”

“Tch. So it’s only for clean-up purposes, then.”

“Still, it’s in a form that won’t attract attention, so there’s no risk of anyone finding out. Don’t underestimate it; it was created by the members of the 7th League.”

Since they are a group of high-ranking individuals, they have a variety of expertise.

Among them are top-notch alchemists, making the creation of magical devices an effortless task.

“So what’s the bad news?”

“….”

This time, there was a shadow over Slave’s expression.

It’s impossible to speak of bad news with a good face, revealing a reaction he couldn’t hide.

“They might come here in person.”

“What?!”

At that statement, the once-confident Helk was greatly shocked. Even Lyman and Lavender, who had been zoned out, snapped to attention.

There’s no way they would walk into this academy which is practically enemy territory. They’d surely approach discreetly—why would they go so far?

Such a situation could often turn unfavorable for us, their allies.

“Originally, their role was solely to provide magical device support. I’m surprised as to why they would come here in person.”

“Don’t tell me they’re watching how we’re carrying out our mission?”

“Come on… there’s no way.”

Lavender shook her head as if it was a joke. There’s no way they’d be watching us…

“No, I have a hunch.”

“What?”

“There are likely other associates of Doomsday enrolled in this academy besides us.”

It means that there are discreetly hidden individuals remaining who could be monitoring our movements and reporting back to the members of the 7th League.

In the end, it’s possible they might be here to cleanse us if we don’t produce the results they wish for.

“We must be ruthless in our methods. If the academy finds out, we need to pin it on one of our own to survive.”

As long as we don’t get caught by the academy, we might get one more chance to strike.

After all, only we have close ties to the Archive.

“Who will we pin this on?”

“That one guy. The arrogant newcomer.”

“Oh, are you talking about Markray? He’s not even here right now because he’s feeling unwell.”

He’s pretty useless, but he’ll have to show up for the election ceremony at some point.

He knows how important his prestige is.

“Did you hear that, Saint Nebia?”

“….”

Since this is the exclusive residence for the sect within the academy, Saint Nebia was also with the guards.

Officially, she is the one leading this entire plan.

But she has long lost all actual power since being infested by a parasite.

“Why does the saint look like that? You’re going to be the student council president soon.”

Lavender asked jokingly.

It was she who boasted confidently about seizing power and ruling this academy.

Finally achieving that ambition, she still didn’t look pleased.

“It’s nothing. I’m just so excited that I’ve been thinking too much.”

Nebia forced a happy smile.

Slave, being able to infer her feelings, chuckled inwardly.

She must be feeling sorrowful about being manipulated.

“By the way, Slave. I have a question to ask.”

“Are you asking me?”

For some reason, she was directing a question at him. He listened eagerly, curious about what she’d say.

“Have you found the girl who interfered with the Blood Parasite operation back then?”

“….”

Slave’s expression crumpled at once.

The girl wearing the rabbit decoration who suddenly burst in and caused a ruckus. He had been looking to rip her apart the moment he saw her, but he still hadn’t found her.

“Unfortunately, I haven’t found her.”

As he spoke, Slave clenched his fists.

Not only did she almost derail the Royal Guard’s plans, but he also developed a personal vendetta from the humiliation she inflicted back then.

“That’s really unfortunate.”

“….”

Nebia was sensitive about that matter too.

Seeing her state, Slave thought she hadn’t given up on becoming student council president.

Just then, someone opened the door and entered.

“Did you come?”

It was Jason Baikel, the leader of the Royal Knights. He was essentially the one in charge of this gathering.

“I was just waiting for the instructor.”

“….”

“Uh… Instructor?”

Jason, who usually had to maintain an arrogant demeanor, looked strange today.

As if he had been hit by squid ink, dark circles were under his eyes, and his face was as pale as if all the blood had drained from it.

“….”

It looked like he was trying to say something, but only the sound of air escaping came out.

His weakened appearance was reminiscent of a dying mosquito, as if he had lost the will to live.

It was such an unexpected sight that I didn’t know how to react, but I did notice another peculiar detail.

He was holding a pot with a beautiful flower in it.

“Hehehe… Heeheeheehee… It’s all over now.”

With that, a maddened laugh and an indiscernible declaration resounded.

Like a pitiful man betrayed in a confession.

*

Finally, the day of the decisive battle arrived.

For the supporters backing the candidates, there would be no day more noble.

All students gathered in the large athletics field of the academy, where several small buildings had been erected.

All the buildings had canopies labeled “Voting Booth.”

And the roofs of the buildings were piled high with cherry blossoms scattered by the spring breeze.

“I’m more anxious than I thought.”

“Don’t worry. Crona will do well!”

In one of the rooms of the student council hall, which doubles as the waiting room for candidates, voices were heard.

The waiting rooms were assigned differently for each candidate, and from one of those, Nebia’s voice echoed.

“Since you say that, I feel more at ease now. But the fact that my competitor is one of my acquaintances is still concerning.”

“That goes both ways. You’re practically Angela’s sister.”

The good news is that clashes among supporters outside the Royal Guard were rare.

Angela and Luska’s side would likely feel the same way.

“But Radon hasn’t come here.”

Jenny glanced around the room with a disappointed look.

The fact that Radon wasn’t here implied he was likely in another room, possibly Angela’s.

“Sadly, it can’t be helped. That’s their choice.”

“That’s true.”

“And… Jenny Chain Silver. I have one favor to ask.”

Suddenly, Crona looked at her with eager eyes.

“Just once… could you hug me?”

“….”

Jenny knew Crona’s character well.

Despite making a somewhat reluctant face, she obliged her request.

There’s no bad intent behind this… is there really any need to be cautious?

*

I wasn’t in Crona’s or Angela’s waiting rooms.

The place I arrived at was Nebia’s waiting room.

“Is it alright for you to come here instead of a friend?”

“They would understand this much.”

I was sipping tea as per Nebia’s request. While doing so, I pondered.

‘Lyman must be in Princess Mirona’s room.’

While watching the holiday fireworks, Mirona must have encountered Lyman, who likely pressed her hard about whether everything was alright.

That’s where she fully awakened and would be reborn as the student council president.

“Drink up.”

-Beep.

I served tea to Nebia. My eyes met with the Artificial Golem in the room.

I wondered why she insisted on asking me instead of just asking it for help.

Slurp—

“Not bad.”

“….”

“What are you staring at?”

“No reason.”

I keenly observed her sipping the tea.

Eventually, I felt relieved when she finished it without any further suspicion.

“If I become president, you will surely regret it. You know the reason without me saying, right?”

“Is it because of your views that regard others as trash?”

“That’s one reason… but you also know how I feel about you, right?”

I was well aware of the risks involved in supporting her like this.

Setting aside her nature, she had now awakened into a weirder entity.

The incident that suddenly attacked me back then still left an impression even now.

“I’m still trembling all over just holding back. If I win, I might make you my slave first.”

“If someone heard that, they would think I have some grudge against you.”

“Then do you think this looks like a good feeling from your perspective?”

“No.”

It shouldn’t be good. Affection can become dangerous when crossed.

Nebia, in that sense, is a source of anxiety for me.

Therefore, if there’s a means to not be swayed by Nebia if she wins, I already have one lined up.

The antidote for Blood Parasites I pilfered from Jason’s private lab.

We obtained a means to keep each other in check.

And after this election, Jason would exit the stage due to the protagonists’ actions.

After that, I would be the only one holding the antidote.

“Or, I could just take over controlling the Blood Parasites after Jason.”

That method is already possible.

The Blood Parasite residing in her body only listens to orders from the person with the antidote.

Specifically, it’s the advanced magic within the box containing the antidote.

-Nebia Chromark, please enter immediately. Beep.

The Artificial Golem in the waiting room reacted to something.

It indicated that another candidate’s speech had ended and was notifying the next candidate.

“It’s already my turn.”

Standing up, Nebia opened the door.

“Then, I’ll head in.”

She smiled at me one last time before disappearing from the waiting room.

A slight chill ran down my spine at her expression, as if she were genuinely happy.

“Illusion mode.”

-Beep.

The golem reacted to my words, projecting a screen into the air.

This command was possible because it was Class A, and it showed the podium where candidates would emerge.

A spot where the massive crowd in the sports field would draw attention swiftly. Finally, Nebia stood there, leaning against the podium.

As her words rang out, the field fell silent.

Initially, she proceeded with greetings and introductions. And it seemed promises she could make as president would follow… or so it appeared.

[Without mincing words, I’ll say this.]

Out of the blue, Nebia declared she would speak her promises briefly.

As her words echoed, question marks filled the faces of the students in that moment…

[I’m resigning from this position.]

The utterance that followed shocked the crowd.

Undoubtedly, I was the most surprised.

It was practically a declaration of surrender… or rather a suicide declaration disguised as one.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.