Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

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17th Chapter. Get Your Head Together (2)

Crona Delaware. A rival character of Jenny who appears at the end of this chapter. When playing as Jenny, you’ll frequently encounter her provocations.

Due to her strong pride, she has a tendency to look down on everything.

As a result, she often puts on airs over trivial matters or overreacts even to blowing away an ant.

“It’s a sort of personality, you know.”

A challenge directed at Jenny Chain Silver scheduled for 9 PM tonight. For Crona, it’s practically a grand ceremony, and she intends to decorate that stage extravagantly.

This isn’t merely to elevate herself as the challenger but also to bring attention to her opponent, Jenny.

“I have a request for the Newspaper Department.”

With her lustrous blonde hair that glimmers like fine silk and eyes the color of brown jade, a slightly mischievous upward tilt of her eyes gives her a sharp yet annoying look. This girl, known for her cat-like beauty, is Crona Delaware.

The daughter of the Delaware family, which runs a large corporation, and one of the top candidates in the Magic Department, Class A.

What could she possibly need from the Newspaper Department?

“Everyone knows about the event happening at 9 PM tonight, right?”

“Of course we do. You spread the rumors all over.”

Trisha Marelin, the head of the Newspaper Department, replied with boredom. The rumors had spread throughout the academy to the point even a third-year like her had heard about them.

The duel with Jenny was approved even by the professors. Hence, the news had swept over the academy like a wave.

“So, I was wondering… if you could create a sign for our duel arena!”

“A sign?”

Trisha frowned, confused about what kind of whimsy this was.

Why come to the Newspaper Department, which only knows how to write, when there’s an actual Art Department? Is she out of her mind?

“Sorry, but we’re writers. We’re not really skilled at drawing, even if we’re not novelists.”

“But requesting it from the Art Department feels a bit conscience-heavy…”

“Tsk. Such a troublemaker.”

In this chapter, Crona’s character setting is not detailed. However, if you enter the Art Department’s club room in the game, you can speak with the president, Riplain Halo.

That bald NPC keeps repeating things like:

‘Crona Delaware! How dare you set fire to my painting? I won’t forgive you!’

‘Time can’t be converted into gold! You burned my creation that took time to make… eek!!’

That serves merely as a device to indicate the flow of the narrative within the world. Typically, talking to NPCs just leads to them repeating their lines, providing an indirect glimpse into their character.

From that, you can infer who set fire to the paintings—a likely case being that Crona accidentally burned Riplain’s painting during her outdoor magic training.

Considering how dearly he cherishes his artwork, he must have been quite unfortunate.

“I will certainly apologize to him if given the opportunity. Of course, I’ll also compensate him.”

“And you should also be prepared to die halfway.”

“(Gulp)”

Crona’s previously nonchalant demeanor suddenly shifted, her nerves on edge.

“Anyway, thinking of your determination, I’ll take on the request.”

“Thank you very much! Whether it’s a picture or writing, we’re both holding a pen, right? I’ll make sure the reward is substantial. O~ hohohoho!”

Trisha clicked her tongue and started drawing. After all, she could write the article over the weekend.

With that luxury, the members didn’t push too hard. Given the reward, it made refusing less appealing.

At that moment, it came to mind. Tonight at 9 PM, when playing as Jenny, you’ll face Crona as the boss.

A banner was boldly hung at the entrance of the outdoor training ground, used for the duel arena.

‘Could this be that banner drawing?’

The quality of the drawing was akin to that done by a child using their foot—it looked horrendous. As if a child was pulled from the street and told to draw.

Yet, for Crona, the need to decorate was beyond imagination.

I don’t know whose drawing was chosen, but… still, one could at least give a round of applause for getting selected.

–Clap clap clap.

‘If someone saw this, they’d think it was for a presidential visit or a large event planning.’

A drawing… For the members, it was a remarkably unfamiliar task. However, I, on the other hand, without a sense of hesitation, started sketching ideas.

Having cleared Devil Ark multiple times, envisioning the images of Jenny and Crona was a simple task.

“Oh my, what’s this?”

At that moment, Crona approached me with a surprised expression. It was as if she had discovered a pearl on a beach with nothing but sand.

“Is there something wrong with my drawing?”

“No… it’s this! It’s perfect!”

Though it was a drawing that didn’t take much time, Crona exclaimed, “Wonderful!” She seemed so excited about my drawing that she almost forgot her aristocratic poise.

Even though it wasn’t yet colored, I captured the dynamics of her and Jenny excellently with my imagination.

“I’ll choose this one!”

“Is that okay? It’s not my best work.”

[Impact Rate Decrease: -4%]

[+400 Credits]

“Don’t lie! Such a drawing is rare even among the Art Department members!”

“……”

“Anyway, congratulations! Radon Crawler. Despite the infamy, your talent is remarkable.”

It made sense. After all, I’d created countless fan arts while playing Devil Ark.

I thought about being an illustrator but had a painful memory of cutting ties due to my primary job.

In the end, the reward belonged to me. Given that it was a commission from a rich girl, hefty cash filled my pockets.

What great timing.

Their family needed living expenses.

*

After dinner, the academy became a time for the students.

Professors and faculty members left by 7 PM, and no one remained except for those on duty and security.

Moreover, today’s duty staff was a minor professor with little influence, turning the academy into a lively place.

Burning Friday. The festive atmosphere grew even more extravagant.

Just because tomorrow was the weekend and they could sleep in, this exhilarated mood swelled to the point of throwing parties.

As dusk fell, the Student Council Building and the adjacent square became bustling.

Though no academy festivals were taking place, many students sat on mats, enjoying themselves.

Unless something exceptional happened, they could do as they pleased.

‘That feeling, I can understand too!’

What if my strict parents return for night duty and come in the next morning?

Until then, it was my world entirely.

‘Of course, I need to clean up afterward.’

Empty liquor bottles rolled across the square.

It’s common for those who set up mats to confuse it with their bedroom. But, that doesn’t mean cleanup is completely ignored.

Otherwise, they would face the magnificent judgment of Principal Kaiden Jodiatz.

“So, shall I quietly enjoy the night?”

With time left before the event starts, I decided to monopolize a bench beside the great tree.

Knowing what would happen afterward, I couldn’t get drunk in this festive atmosphere. Instead, I chose to eat some pudding.

“Bwahaha! It’s a festival!~”

But there was already someone who was completely wasted.

Despite her pitiful appearance, the girl was climbing and playing on a huge tree like a monkey.

Ignoring safety guidelines, this behavior was seemingly trivial for Mary Ryudshiel.

Thump!—

Mary fell from a towering tree over 20 meters high. Her face hit the ground like a stamp; I wondered if she would be okay?

“Bwahaha! So fun! Let’s do it again!”

Of course. Mary was unfazed. With her intense mana and the blessing of spirits, she was practically invincible.

“Uh?”

“…….”

As Mary got back up, she locked eyes with me, freezing in place.

With wide-open eyes, she stared intensely between us.

Thus began a staring contest.

Three seconds passed.

Two seconds passed.

One second.

Finally, one side jumped up, breaking the silence.

“Wow! My friend Radon!~”

“Eh?”

Suddenly, Mary jumped onto the bench, using my body as her mattress.

Thank goodness she was small; otherwise, I would have been suffocated, my insides crushed.

But isn’t it a bit strange? She called me a friend?

“Hey, it’s heavy, so can you get off?”

“Huh? I’m not that heavy.”

“Still, get off! I’m suffocating here.”

Despite my irritation, Mary continued to grin and calmly sat on the bench.

How could she be so nonchalant after almost crushing someone?

“Why do you suddenly call me a friend?”

“Huh? Of course, we’re friends. I was so touched by the gift you gave me; it would be nagging to say otherwise!”

Wha… a gift?

Excuse me…? I simply gave that intending to cut ties!

“Don’t tell me… you actually enjoyed that?”

There’s no way.

[You and My Tico], [King of the Changing Room].

These horrible pieces of trash would be hard to endure without any substantial mental fortitude.

How could someone as naive as Mary…

“It was super fun!”

“…….”

Did I just hear that wrong?

I blinked, dumbfounded, but Mary continued to chatter as if this part didn’t bother her at all.

“Although it wasn’t fun right from the start. After seeing the first scene, I was furious. I thought about electrocuting you, burning you, or shaving your head at that time.”

Ah… I see.

At first, I gave her the feeling of wanting to unleash elemental magic to take her down.

But why the change now?

“Yet, Nobel Records holds limitless possibilities! I diligently endured and re-read it countless times.”

She actually went through it? Is she insane?

“And I realized! What the hidden meaning of the gift you gave me was!”

No, I didn’t wrap something so meaningless in a grandiose light.

What proof do you have?

“Even though you didn’t teach me, I realized.”

“……”

“You wanted to grant me a new world!”

You’re talking nonsense.

An obscene and grotesque piece giving someone a new world? Ice-cold denial!

“I don’t deny Nobel Records! A work once received can’t be discarded even under a curse. One must interpret and understand it thoroughly to lift the seal.”

That’s quite something.

“Thanks to that, I’ve already decided on what new magic to conceive!”

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to draw inspiration from that scene?”

“Yes, exactly! I’ve already painted it in my mind.”

No, this can’t be… The world’s most bizarre magic is about to be born.

And it’s from the mind of a grand sorcerer!

“But it’d be too wasteful to realize this good message alone.”

“What else are you planning…?”

“I want others to know the meaning of the gift you gave me… other students!”

What…? Other students?

Hey, wait a minute. Please don’t let that happen…

“So….”

Gulp

“I’ll spread it all over the academy. The faculty, the students, even the picture will be engraved in everyone’s minds!”

“Shut your mouth!!”

‘Do we really need to destroy the school? Please keep your wits about you.’

Before I knew it, Mary was clutching the record I had gifted her, and I had to grab her shoulders and push back with all my might.

The embarrassment washing over me was an added bonus.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.