I’m the Slit-Eyed Character at the Academy, but I’m not the Mastermind – Chapter 414

The reason why all our gazes were drawn to Lowell was perfectly understandable.

Her youthful features that could easily pass for a student’s, her petite height and slender frame, her outstanding abilities, and even her somewhat childish mannerisms.

She embodied every single condition we’d imagined for the perfect fit.

Truth be told, the only thing stopping people from mistaking her for an academy student right now was that lion cloak draped over her shoulders—if it weren’t for that, anyone would assume she belonged there without a second thought.

‘It’s going according to plan.’

The so-called Trojan Horse… or rather, Trash’s Mad Lion Operation.

In the game, this ploy wraps up with resounding success every time.

That said, there was just one minor hitch.

“What? Why is everyone staring at me like that?”

“…”

“Y-You lot! I look like a full-grown adult to anybody, don’t I? There’s no chance of mix-ups! Do you seriously want to test me?”

The pushback from the main player involved was anything but mild.

It was only natural, considering how Lowell harbored a deep complex about her youthful appearance.

“Die!”

Lowell sprang up in a flash and slammed her fist straight into the top of my skull.

A flying knuckle strike—now that’s a fresh move I never encountered in the game.

“Keke, how unfair. We were all peering at you together, so why single me out for the punch?”

“You’re the one who floated the idea in the first place. What, feeling hard done by? Keep taking hits like this, and that notion will vanish from your mind.”

Lowell hoisted her fist into the air once more.

This wasn’t mere posturing. Lowell was the Mad Lion through and through—she showed no mercy, even to fellow students.

In the actual persuasion phase, players often wound up on the receiving end of a thrashing from her, sustaining injuries that sidelined them for forty-eight weeks and triggering a game over screen more times than I’d care to count.

It underscored just how touchy a subject this was for Lowell. Though, naturally, it held no sway over me as a seasoned veteran.

‘But that’s irrelevant in my case.’

I gradually crouched lower in my stance, inching closer to Lowell all the while.

“Keke, doesn’t it simply highlight how remarkably youthful you appear?”

“Youthful has its limits. You expect me to play the part of a student at my age? As if that would ever fly.”

“I have a feeling it’ll work like a charm. Senior Rodelin seems to share the sentiment as well.”

“What would she know about it!”

“Ah, could it be that you’re actually intimidated? Fair enough… infiltrating the heart of enemy lines is no small terror. I always figured you possessed an ironclad will beneath that delicate frame… looks like I misjudged you.”

Rodelin let out a deliberate ‘Ahem!’ as she cleared her throat. A clear signal to stop prodding at her sister’s insecurities any further.

But Lowell put a slightly different spin on the gesture.

“Intimidated? If this plan pulls off, vermin like them would be child’s play!”

“Then we should proceed with it.”

“No, it’s not happening—I’ve turned it over in my head, and it just doesn’t add up. Not a single knight out there is clueless about what I look like.”

“The darkness will cover for you just fine. As I explained before, the knights are paralyzed by their dread of ending up as sacrifices. They won’t pause to scrutinize the identity of every target that wanders into view.”

“Um…”

“You’re already so short… er, eternally youthful, so stripping away the makeup should sell it convincingly. And besides…”

I retrieved a full outfit from the pocket dimension.

It was the standard Annwood Academy uniform.

“With this on top, you’d pass for a student without question.”

“…Mind if I ask just one thing?”

“Go right ahead.”

She appeared curious about the steps to follow once the kidnapping took hold.

Yet the words that tumbled from Lowell’s lips caught me off guard entirely.

“…Why are you lugging around a girl’s uniform?”

Indeed, the ensemble I’d pulled out was the women’s variant, complete with a skirt for the lower half.

Paired with a crisp white blouse, stockings, and even matching shoes.

It amounted to a flawless, ready-to-wear set.

Why keep something like this tucked away in my pocket dimension, you ask? Simple…

‘Luna occasionally leaves bits and pieces behind, so I end up collecting them one by one…’

Was it her inherent absentmindedness at play? She had a habit of misplacing items here and there, much like a carefree child.

All I’d done was gather them up with the intent of handing everything back eventually.

For the record, I laundered each piece with utmost care. The devoted sentiment of a father doting on his little girl.

Evidently, though, the children saw things in a far less innocent light.

“I was wondering where my spare vanished to… Just say the word next time. I wouldn’t mind lending it out for a friend’s sake.”

“Zero… I never realized you were such a pervert deep down.”

“The undisputed pinnacle of perversion in the entire empire.”

“Ugh… It’s heartbreaking to think of poor Luna making all these sacrifices.”

Swish—.

The kids edged away from me in unison.

I felt utterly indignant. All I had done was safeguard the forgotten belongings of Luna, who was like a daughter to me!

“…Zero, I’m assigning you a one-point penalty right here and now.”

“I’ll tack on another point for good measure.”

The Lucid sisters huddled briefly before slapping me with their deductions. Why did their sisterly bond only shine through in moments like these?

A situation that left me sincerely baffled and wronged. Still, I resolved to take the hit.

After all, I’m the epitome of a dashing gentleman.

“Keke, this isn’t the pressing matter at hand right now.”

“Is it pressing? In certain ways, you’re a far graver threat than any demon!”

“But it makes for a flawless strategy, doesn’t it?”

“Flawless strategy? Give me a break…”

Lowell paused to mull it over, then finally parted her lips.

“No way.”

“Keke, whatever do you mean?”

“Even if I dislike the very idea, there’s simply no feasibility to it whatsoever. Me resembling a child? Ridiculous.”

Yes, it rang so true that it posed the real dilemma.

A steadfast Lowell. No matter— I held an ace up my sleeve for this exact scenario.

I sidled up to Rodelin with a soft rustle and murmured in her ear.

“Are you truly content to let it fizzle out like this?”

“What choice do we have? My sister loathes the notion so intensely…”

“Such a pity. It was shaping up to be the sisters’ inaugural joint mission.”

“Hm?”

“Isn’t that so? You’ve never once teamed up for an assignment before.”

“Um… You’re right on that count.”

“Miss this window, and who knows how many years might pass before another chance arises. For that thrilling collaborative endeavor to conclude on such a flat note… It’s downright regrettable.”

“Th-Thrilling collaborative endeavor?”

“And doesn’t sisterly affection truly flourish amid the chaos of battle? Sharing the fray could melt away those lingering misconceptions and draw you two closer than ever.”

“Um…!”

A spark of eager anticipation lit up Rodelin’s eyes.

Perfect—sister-smitten Rodelin was hooked. Now to reel in the little-sister devotee, Lowell.

“You’re really set against it, then?”

“Yup~ Not a chance in the world.”

“Slipping into those uniforms would give you both a matching couple vibe… Truly a missed opportunity.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, just picture it—sisters decked out in identical attire. Moments like these demand photographs for posterity. Skipping that would be an unforgivable offense.”

“U-Um…”

“Take a moment to envision it properly. The snapshot of you side by side in those outfits, slotted right into the ‘World’s Cutest Rodelin Album’.”

“That’s… devastatingly adorable. An album won’t suffice. It calls for a life-sized frame, proudly displayed in the secret chamber… Ah, hold on! How exactly do you know about my album in the first place!”

I knew it inside out. I knew how the sheer volume of those albums claimed an entire room, and how she’d enlisted Caron’s help to amass photos of Rodelin’s academy days.

I was privy to every last detail.

“The truly vital concern at this moment isn’t some trivial detail like that. Senior Rodelin has just two more years ahead where she can still don that uniform without issue. As for Lady Lowell, you’ll be departing before long, so in all honesty, this represents your final opportunity to pull it off.”

“Ha, but I’m an adult through and through—I can’t possibly squeeze into something meant for kids and…”

“Even when your beloved little sister is gazing at you with eyes brimming full of eager anticipation?”

A short distance away stood Rodelin, her stare fixed intently on Lowell, overflowing with unmistakable hope.

Sparkle sparkle—!

Rodelin’s sparkling eye assault.

The impact proved utterly devastating!

“Gah!”

Lowell clutched at her chest and doubled over dramatically.

It seemed the drug known as ‘Rodelin’ had hit her in a lethal dose.

“Haa… Fine, I’ll at least take a look at it. Caron is going to lose his mind over this. He’ll rant about how utterly absurd the plan sounds.”

Lowell had dispatched the Rat to relay details of the operation.

Moments later, upon glancing at the note the Rat returned with, Lowell tilted her head in clear confusion.

“How did it go?”

“…He says to proceed?”

Rodelin clenched her fist triumphantly, striking some inexplicable pose that resembled a cheer.

It looked like a victory stance or something similar. I always pondered this, but she truly didn’t seem entirely right in the head herself.

“That’s odd. For that ice-cold strategist to greenlight such a preposterous scheme…”

“Keke, he must have deemed you the ideal candidate for it, Lady Lowell.”

“Shut your mouth!”

I thrust the uniform forward just as Lowell charged ahead.

Was she excited about it, or utterly mortified?

After hesitating for a beat, Lowell snatched the outfit and vanished into the shadows somewhere.

A short while passed before she reemerged, fully changed into the academy uniform.

With her makeup wiped clean and the academy attire hugging her frame, her appearance was unmistakably…

“A student through and through.”

“Keke, she’s so adorably tempting that I’d love to adopt her as a little sister.”

“Flawless camouflage! As expected from my big sis!”

“Damn it… Why did I have to end up looking like this…”

Lowell fidgeted slightly, tugging at the hem of her skirt in a futile bid to pull it lower.

She genuinely seemed embarrassed, her cheeks flushing with a faint rosy tint.

“Now, then, allow me to outline the precise strategy in detail…”

In that instant, Lowell’s eyes widened ferociously.

She leveled a silent, intimidating glare right at me.

I swiftly pulled a camera artifact from my pocket dimension.

“S-Since this feels like such a destined moment, how about snapping a few photos to commemorate it?”

“Ha… Photos? What photos? Do you think this operation is some kind of joke?”

“Th-Then maybe we shouldn’t take any?”

“Aaang?”

Lowell wrinkled her brow in full fury and raised her fist threateningly.

Yes, this was a bona fide madwoman—I’d stake my reputation on it.

“…We’ll take them.”

And just like that, a modest photoshoot unfolded to mark our departure.

Thanks to a nearby instructor’s assistance, I even joined in for the session.

Once the group shots wrapped up, the very second I handed over the camera, Lowell muttered under her breath.

“Ah~ This was such a hassle. Thank goodness no one suggested a private sisters-only shot—To think I have been spared that nightmare.”

Why on earth was she eyeing me while saying that, though?

Let me check her lip movements… care to say that straight? Or do you, want, to, die?

“…Why don’t the two sisters take one just between yourselves.”

“Huh? What did you just say?”

“A few shots… no, actually, I’d love to capture plenty. It’s because I’m a total pervert who can’t resist photographing sisters whenever I spot them!”

With that, the photoshoot kicked off anew.

The lens captured the sight of Lowell and Rodelin, both clad in their uniforms.

“Ha, this is seriously annoying.”

“Y-Yeah, tell me about it. Zero, don’t pester my big sis any further.”

Even as she said those words, she didn’t budge an inch from in front of the lens.

The pair stood there maintaining an awkwardly rigid distance between them.

Deep down, they were probably thrilled out of their minds. What a bizarre duo of sisters.

‘Sigh, looks like the kind-hearted me will have to offer a little extra service here.’

I raised my hand and called out loudly.

“Could you two snuggle in a bit closer!”

“Huh?”

“You’re too far apart—the frame won’t catch you both! Get right up next to each other!”

“Good grief, the demands never end with you. It’s just a silly photo, what’s the big deal…”

“Y-Yeah, exactly.”

Lowell and Rodelin shuffled incrementally nearer until they stood side by side.

Still, they kept an awkward gap—not so much as a brush of skin or even the hems of their clothes touching.

Yet the two of them appeared more than content with it.

Click—.

The moment I snapped the photo, Lowell rushed over and whispered urgently.

“Hey, duplicate that shot right now and hand it over.”

“I’ll get to it later. No duplicator on hand at the moment.”

“Why not? It’s right there.”

In that split second, a sharp pain bloomed in my midsection.

A square object pressed firmly against my abdomen.

It was the portable duplicator artifact.

“Ha, if you’re insisting on making a copy for me, who am I to refuse? It would be rude to turn down such a generous gift.”

…This girl really isn’t all there mentally. If anything, she’s several times worse than Rodelin.

I slotted the mana stone from the camera into the duplicator artifact. The device hummed with light for a brief interval before ejecting a duplicate stone.

As Lowell gripped the new stone in her hand, the corner of her mouth twisted upward.

She was clearly fighting back a grin.

“Eh, since I’m in a good mood, you can keep the duplicator.”

“Keke, it would be rude to turn down such a generous gift.”

Lowell produced her own camera, inserted the stone, and began flipping through the images one by one.

With each photo that passed, her smile grew wider and more pronounced.

It was a wonder how she’d managed to conceal her affection for Rodelin all this time.

‘Come to think of it…’

-If you’re wrong, that will cost you 10 demerit points. If you guess right? Well, I’ll grant one of your wishes, sure.

Right before the deduction game kicked off, the sudden bet that Lowell had proposed sprang vividly back to mind.

I shifted my body ever so slightly to block Lowell’s view of my face.

“Now that I think about it… doesn’t that mean you owe me one more thing?”

“Huh?”

I met Lowell’s gaze and flashed a profoundly meaningful smile.

Had the memory resurfaced for her as well? Her expression hardened into a rigid mask.

–TL Notes–
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