I’m the Slit-Eyed Character at the Academy, but I’m not the Mastermind – Chapter 424

“What do you…?”

“Isn’t it simple? I’m telling you to choose one of the two.”

Lowell fighting below.

Comrades fighting here.

Rodelin understood that she had to choose between them.

What Rodelin was questioning was something else.

“If you continue helping as you are now, I believe this place would be fine without me.”

“And I said I won’t help if you leave.”

“…That’s what I don’t understand. Weren’t you an apostle of justice?”

“I am an apostle of justice. But we alone can’t protect this world. That’s why we’re also focused on cultivating talent.”

“You mean this is a test?”

“I’m glad you understand quickly. Will your choice be just as quick?”

Rodelin fell into thought.

She didn’t understand everything, but she grasped enough.

He was asking what choice she would make if something like this happened on a battlefield.

If, while fighting in a war, she received word that her family was under sudden attack and in crisis—

Would she choose her family, or would she stay by her comrades’ side?

‘I don’t know why he’s asking someone who’s just a student this…’

Thwack!

Even while waiting for an answer, Squirrel Mask threw rocks to protect her allies.

If she didn’t answer his question, not only her fellow students and juniors but even the instructors’ lives would be in danger.

Rodelin had no choice. She had to provide an answer to the question.

The problem was that choosing her sister would cause great damage here.

Having thrown another rock, Adonis looked at the agonizing Rodelin.

‘But giving up on her sister wouldn’t be easy either.’

Because that’s what ‘family’ means.

Adonis didn’t press Rodelin. He had experienced this himself.

The difference was that he had actually lost one side.

It started as a joke, but now that it had come to this, he was more curious.

Would this child choose family or comrades in arms?

“…!”

Suddenly, Rodelin’s eyes changed. It meant she had finished thinking.

Adonis anticipated her answer.

But the choice that came from Rodelin’s mouth was something he never expected at all.

“I’ll save both.”

“What?”

“My sister and my comrades. I said I’ll save them all. I’ll quickly finish things here and then head below.”

Adonis couldn’t help but be disappointed.

Because the world isn’t that easy.

“Saving both… how indecisive. That’s an attitude a soldier should never have.”

“You’re right, sir. My sister always told me the same thing—that being a soldier doesn’t suit me.”

However—

“But I have a reason why I can’t give up this dream. So I’ll do my best. Just like I always have.”

An absurd ideal—refusing to give up either side and saving everyone.

Adonis knew well that an ideal was only an ideal.

‘If it were that easy, I could have saved that child too.’

Something that could never be achieved in reality.

That’s why it’s called an ideal. Something even the great Adonis couldn’t accomplish.

Children dreaming futile dreams need to be awakened quickly. Especially if the child was a capable one from a prestigious family that would lead the next generation.

“…”

But why was it? Adonis found himself wanting to cheer Rodelin on.

‘A romantic born into the Lucid family, which is full of realists. How interesting.’

“I’ll take my leave now. I need to finish things here as quickly as possible.”

After showing proper courtesy, Rodelin turned her back and headed to the battlefield.

Adonis let out a slight smile and spoke.

“Go to your sister.”

“What? But I need to protect my comrades…”

“I’ll protect your comrades, so don’t worry. I swear on my honor.”

“…! Thank you for your help!”

Rodelin began running toward the next fork. Faster than ever before.

---

[‘Rodelin de Lucid’ has left the party!]

‘It’s started.’

Rodelin’s departure wasn’t a problem—it was part of the ‘story’.

If anything had changed, it was that Adonis, who should have originally disguised himself as a rat, had performed the test while pretending to be part of the Dark Beast Squad.

‘…Well, it shouldn’t be a big problem.’

I had just taken down another knight using Raymon as a shield when—

“Senior! It’s dangerous alone!”

The protagonist of this game, Alex, chased after Rodelin.

He passed right in front of me, but I didn’t stop him. Because this too was according to the story.

‘The climax is approaching.’

Now I just needed to join them over there.

Actually, even if I didn’t go, there wouldn’t be a problem with the story’s progression. The two would beat up Baron Kelven on their own and wrap up the situation.

Yet the reason I was going, it was because—

“Keke, rewards taste better when shared.”

Baron Kelven wasn’t a boss monster. But he was a named monster, so he still gave fairly good rewards.

That wasn’t all.

‘I can use Predation to gain something good.’

[Predation], which steals one of the possessed skills.

Though it had the penalty of only being usable on named monsters and boss monsters, Baron Kelven was a named monster.

The black flame dragon in my left hand couldn’t help but stir.

The problem was that I had two stalkers by my side.

Luna alone was overwhelming, but with Raymon here too, I couldn’t leave even if I wanted to.

“You want to go?”

As expected of my Luna. She’s perceptive only about strange things.

“Keke, would it be alright to leave this place to you?”

I naturally thought she’d bite my hand and refuse.

“I’d actually like to ask you to go.”

“What?”

“It’s about helping our senior. I want to go with you, but… with my current skills, it’d be too much.”

Luna trembled as if frustrated.

That’s right. Below, there weren’t just knights but the demon too.

Though Caron and Lowell were there, it was clear that the battlefield below was more intense than here.

“Help Senior Rodelin. I don’t want to see… a family separated.”

After all, she has cute sides when you look closely.

Of course, that’s only when looking through a microscope.

“Keke, don’t worry. Who do you think I am?”

“Zero. My most reliable friend in the world.”

“Then you understand how unnecessary your earlier worry was.”

“…You’re right. My mistake. See you later.”

After patting Luna’s head once, I turned around.

“Kyaaaaa!”

“As expected, true love blooms in war!”

…Girls, could you focus on the fight? If you’d done your best, wouldn’t we have won a hundred times by now?

“M-my only two friends! Zero! T-take me with… gah!”

Luna snatched up Raymon, who had been rushing toward me.

“You have to fight with me! You defend, I attack. Now, go!”

“W-waaaaaah!”

Raymon screamed as he crossed swords with a knight.

Rodelin, Alex, and me—three people departing, but there wouldn’t be any problems.

Because this place was—

CLANG!

“Guh!”

“Damn it! Another rock!”

Protected by the Thunder Emperor, Adonis.

As I was about to pass the rock where Adonis stood—

“If you want to pass, defeat me.”

“Keke, how could I defeat a hero?”

“You knew it was me? I’ve felt this before, but your insight is remarkable.”

Mm… wouldn’t it be stranger not to know?

But now wasn’t the time to chat.

“Let’s duel next time. I’m in a bit of a hurry.”

“Very well, I look forward to seeing how much you’ve grown. Let’s have a match as soon as you return.”

“Keke, I look forward to it as well.”

I departed with Adonis’s send-off.

Adonis was going to taste bitterness.

The bitterness of a Korean-style promise of ‘Let’s grab a meal sometime!’

---

“Ugh…”

“Damn it…”

Knights groaned everywhere. They tried to stand while bracing against the ground, but not a single knight managed to get up.

“Did we… win?”

“We won! We actually won!”

Cheers and tears.

Watching them, Adonis muttered.

“All the kids are lions. Duke Luke is quite fortunate. If only my brats had grown up like that.”

Thwack!

A knight hit by a rock collapsed.

He didn’t kill them. Because Caron had specifically requested it.

“Probably not for rats… I wonder what he plans to use them for.”

What could he possibly use those guys for?

Just as he was thinking he should ask discreetly when things were over—

Rumble—

An incredible aura was felt from somewhere. This level would be equivalent to a highest-grade, Grade 1 demon?

But he didn’t throw his spear.

Because the one emitting an aura rivaling a Grade 1 demon was none other than Victoria.

‘What on earth are you doing over there?’

‘Just… recuperating?’

‘If you recuperate twice more, everyone here will die!’

Oh my, she’s really upset.

If he went now, he’d surely be bombarded with nagging. Adonis discreetly chose to flee.

“Everyone worked hard. Well then, as an apostle of justice, I’ll be…”

Scurry scurry.

Having confirmed that, Ash and the other instructors held a brief conference.

“What do we do? Should we chase him?”

“Impossible. Building a defensive barrier and providing support below comes first.”

“That’s true. It’s not like we could do anything about someone of that skill level anyway.”

Reporting to Caron would be sufficient. While checking the kids’ injuries, Ron spoke.

“Sorry. Handle the cleanup for me.”

“Ron?”

“I absolutely hate tedious work. Hehe! I’ll go play for a bit!”

“Hey! Stop right there!”

Ash could tell. Ron was trying to chase Squirrel Mask.

“Hey! You’ll really die if you do that!”

“Don’t worry! I’m just going to play! Really!”

But contrary to his words, Ron tracked Squirrel Mask’s traces.

After chasing for about twenty minutes—

“…!”

Suddenly, Ron raised his scabbard in front of his face.

Thunk!

A rock filled with mana struck the scabbard hard.

Seeing that, Adonis’s eyebrow rose slightly.

Because the scabbard that should have been dented was intact. It was slightly crushed, but not enough to hinder drawing the sword.

“You infused mana in that brief moment? Impressive skill.”

“Thanks for the compliment. But you noticing I was following seems more impressive.”

Ron’s ability to handle mana was top-tier. Though a 6-star knight, he possessed control ability comparable to an 8-star.

When tracking, perfectly hiding one’s mana was essential. Yet Squirrel Mask had detected his presence.

This was inevitable. If Ron was among the top ten in the Empire for mana control—

Adonis was the continent’s best.

“Why are you following me?”

“It’s a misunderstanding. I just didn’t want to work so I was going to play, and we happened to meet. Can I pass?”

“Go ahead.”

Adonis turned his gaze elsewhere, and just as Ron leisurely passed in front of him—

CLANG!!

“…!”

Ron’s eyes widened. Because Squirrel Mask had caught the dagger he’d thrown from his side. With his bare hands, no less.

‘He couldn’t even see it because of the cloak… a real monster.’

Ron tossed aside his punctured cloak.

The Dark Beast Squad. Beyond being suspicious, they were far too skilled.

He had to obtain information somehow. That was his ‘role.’ Or should he say, his main job?

“You said you were going to play… what’s the meaning of this sudden attack?”

“Yeah, I came to play.”

With you.

Ron’s aura showed he’d go all out. Seeing that, Adonis’s mouth split into a wide grin.

Despite the clear difference in ability, he wanted to fight. Wasn’t this a friend full of rare romanticism these days?

“What’s your name?”

“Ron.”

Adonis tilted his head.

Outstanding instructors naturally have their names circulate in noble circles.

Because a family’s prestige changes depending on where they choose to go.

Ash and Urek were examples of that.

‘Ron…’

But Ron was a name he’d never heard before.

Actually, pursuing a strong opponent alone wasn’t a good judgment.

In terms of points, about 20?

Considering his age, his skills were 93 points.

Overall, he couldn’t be considered an outstanding talent.

However—

‘Romance points: pass.’

Perfect score at that.

“I’ll give you some guidance.”

From this one battle, that Ron would grow significantly. In exchange—

‘Your body will hurt quite a bit though!’

CRACKLE—!

A lightning storm swept through the mine.

–TL Notes–
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