Chapter 234
Meet with Adonis 1-on-1 for a conversation (1/1)
Prove you are not an enemy (1/1)
Survive for 5 minutes (Success)
[Congratulations! You have satisfied all conditions.]
[You have cleared Main Quest #6 'Prove to Adonis, the Thunder Emperor, that you are not an enemy.']
[Adonis's favorability towards you has increased.]
[As a reward, you have been awarded 300 exp and 15 gold.]
[You have acquired the original Adonis skill, 'Adonis Style Counter (S)'.]
A system window popped up, dizzying my eyes.
However, the taste in my mouth was only bitter.
'I had such an easy opportunity to learn Adonis's secret technique...'
I glanced at the wall of the sparring ground.
The wall Adonis had blasted apart while demonstrating. It was still sparking, lighting up the surroundings.
True to an S-class skill, it was immensely powerful.
'I muttered it wouldn't be easy to follow...'
Well, certainly it would be now.
The moment 'Sword Defense' is triggered, 'Adonis Style Counter' automatically launches.
'It's disappointing for a reward from Adonis, but...'
Once triggered, it can definitely deal a critical blow.
I also know how to increase the 'trigger probability' of 'Sword Defense'.
'I haven’t really lost anything, so I should be satisfied with this.'
It was a quest that seemed impossible to clear at first.
It's a feat I even survived.
It was then, as I was fixing my hair blown back by the blast.
"Now, it's your turn to satisfy my curiosity. Where did you learn One Flash? What's this deal you made with Caron? What is this demon's curse you’re under? And what else..."
Adonis’s questions kept coming, one after another.
I pretended not to be interested, but it seemed I was curious.
"Keke, aren't there too many questions?"
"It's only natural. It's also to protect you, so I would appreciate it if you provided the information openly."
"Hmm~ Perhaps you should contact Professor Caron. He will explain things more concisely than I can."
"Hmm... Personally, I would like to hear both sides."
That’s not going to happen.
There were two reasons I was reluctant to provide information directly to Adonis.
First, there could be errors in the information.
'Conversing with Adonis might lead to different assertions.'
Differences could arise from what was said to Caron.
If Caron and Adonis catch that inconsistency?
It would be perfect grounds for Caron to drag me into his newly acquired torture chamber.
And the second, and much more significant reason.
Simply put.
'My skin is precious.'
The time was swiftly approaching 1 AM.
Maintaining my flawless skin required plenty of sleep.
Talking with Adonis would undoubtedly lead to an all-nighter, which I was not keen on enduring.
'But using my skin as an excuse seems a bit weak.'
So, let's mention something more important.
"Unlike you, Lord Adonis, I am still in the midst of growing up."
"Ah, that's right. You're fifteen. I keep forgetting."
Unlike Adonis, whose growth is complete, I am still in my growth period.
Adonis knew well that growth and sleep are inseparable.
"I also have classes to attend tomorrow."
"Ah! That’s true. I was being short-sighted. I almost made a big mistake."
Perhaps because nurturing the next generation is a goal of his older years.
Adonis accepted my viewpoint more easily than expected.
"Fine, then let me ask just one thing. You seem to have considerable information... Where did you get such information?"
Information on par with Caron. Indeed, the level of information that would necessitate dealings with Caron.
For a fifteen-year-old student, it’s an unbelievable level of information.
'Well, it's natural for me since I've played the game thousands of times.'
But to Caron and Adonis, it's not.
Yet, I couldn't reveal such a fact.
So.
"Keke, that's a secret."
I said, placing my index finger over my lips.
Adonis, staring blankly at me, burst into laughter.
"Phahat! I see, yes, keep it a secret. You must have some guts to be able to deal with Caron."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Yes, I will have to ask Caron myself. It might be a bit troublesome, but... there's no helping it."
"Troublesome?"
"With so many eyes around, it’s not like I can just summon a rat..."
I quickly grasped Adonis’s predicament.
Many students avoid Caron. Actually, it would be fair to say all students avoid him.
'He has a cold disposition, but... he's also terrifying.'
Fears of being dragged to the torture chamber if they displease him, or him infiltrating their families to uncover secrets.
Many students couldn't even ask their questions because of this fear.
Caron is usually hard to approach, and Adonis was facing the same issue.
'Adonis is... adorable.'
With his small stature and youthful looks, it’s hard to believe he’s not fifteen.
With golden hair and eyes, some even treated Adonis like a chick.
Especially the girls were completely smitten by him.
And imagine this chick chirping while approaching Caron?
Anyone would think it odd.
The implications of a public meeting between Caron and Adonis on the main characters were uncertain.
‘It seems I must step in.’
The story has already changed significantly. We can’t afford more variables from our side.
"I'll handle it."
"Uh? You mean you?"
"I'll arrange a meeting with him around lunchtime tomorrow. How about the library rooftop?"
Setting up an appointment with Caron was easy.
I could talk to Caron directly or send a note through a rat.
Unlike Adonis, I am known to have a rather close relationship with Caron.
"Oh... It seems it wasn't an exaggeration that you're close with Caron."
"Keke, please don’t say such terrible things. It’s not friendship but a business relationship."
"Hahaha! Is that so? I'm eager to hear about you from Caron."
Adonis slapped my back joyfully.
Did he realize he just reduced my HP?
"By the way, does Caron know?"
"Know what?"
"That you possess the Sacred Sword."
Uh? Of course...
"..."
He doesn’t know.
And he doesn’t even know I’m supposedly under a demon's curse. Of course, that's a lie.
"It seems you haven’t told him. Keeping such information from Caron... I’m not sure if that's bold or just foolish."
Adonis has a closer relationship with Caron than with me.
The fact that I have the Sacred Sword should naturally have been passed on, and it would be natural for Caron to assault... no, intimidate me for not telling him.
With things as they are...
"Keke, could you relay that information for me?"
"Is there really a need for that?"
"If you're curious about anything later, I'll provide the information."
"A trade, then... Fine, let’s do that. I’ll make sure Caron doesn’t kill you."
...Did that sound like I’m still going to get beaten up, or is it just my imagination?
It was then, as I was about to conclude this perilous conversation with Adonis.
"Hm? Someone is approaching."
"Yes?"
"Someone is coming this way. Probably a student sneaking out to gather herbs in the hills."
Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine, and my hair prickled as if I had an Idiot Hair like Rezé.
It’s not a skill. This is.
‘Intuition.’
A strong intuition that something monumental was approaching.
The trashcan in my pocket was screaming it at me.
"Um... it might be best to flee now."
"Huh? Why?"
"Keke, I have a strange intuition that Senior Rodelin might be coming this way?"
Adonis's gaze drifted toward the broken wall.
Cold air was seeping in through there.
"Ah, my mistake. But isn't that a bit of a stretch? This place is quite far from the girls' dormitories."
Ah, maybe I'm overreacting?
It was while I was trying to calm the trashcan in my pocket.
"Hmm, I think that's the right child."
"Excuse me?"
"I checked the mana. It's the Lucid Family mana. The only Lucid at Annwood Academy currently is that child."
"You can tell that?"
"Each mana has its characteristics. You would know if you attended the lessons properly, wouldn’t you?"
Hmm, I know that in theory, but not in practice.
I can't feel 'mana' at all.
"...You lack any magical power, so you can't be tracked. To have no mana despite your abilities. Quite fascinating."
Adonis squinted his eyes.
A look mixed with curiosity and suspicion.
"I never had the opportunity to learn. Life has been too harsh... and I've been greatly misunderstood in the process, much like now."
"Hmm, that's so. Even I viewed you with suspicion... It must have been an unimaginably tough life."
Adonis looked at me with a sympathetic gaze.
I pretended to wipe away a tear that wasn’t there.
"Right now, it's more about escaping than talking. If we get caught, you're taking responsibility too, right?"
...
But no answer came.
Turning my head, I found Adonis had vanished, leaving only a trace of electricity behind.
He had fled first.
'...That guy?'
But I had no time to be angry.
An entity even the great Adonis feared was approaching.
The vice-president of the student council and apparently the 'dinosaur' of the Academy, Rodelin, was coming.
‘Time to hide!’
After stepping out of the sparring ground, I dove into a massive bush.
About 30 seconds later, Rodelin panted as she climbed up the hill.
‘Hmm~ Rodelin wears pajamas to bed, huh?’
She had rushed over so hastily that she came in her pajama attire.
I couldn't understand why she still wore her disciplinary armband on her left arm.
‘Our Dely is so cute, isn’t she?’
Especially the part embossed with 'EMPIRE ANNIVERSARY' was adorable.
Pajamas produced to celebrate the anniversary of the empire.
Even in sleep, her love for the empire shines!
Such behavior was typical of Rodelin, who dreamed of being a soldier.
‘I must preserve this cute image forever.’
I took out my camera and started snapping photos of Rodelin as she entered the sparring ground.
A criminal act?
Quite the contrary. Cuteness is justice.
Yes. I was enacting justice right now.
With a hole in the wall of the sparring ground, I could see every move Rodelin made.
She began looking around, tilting her head here and there.
The ceiling split by [Sky Splitter].
The sparring ground floor shattered by One Flash and Adonis blocking it.
The wall holed by [Adonis Style Counter]. "Arrrrgh!! The taxpayer's moneyyyyy!!"
Rodelin started rampaging, screaming at the top of her lungs.
Hmm, another dinosaur appears at the Academy.
‘Is this game really okay?’
It's just a game, but it’s too much. Well, it’s cute, so it's fine.
Tucking the camera back into my pocket, I left the area.
If caught.
I’d definitely be in pieces.
--TL Notes--
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