I’m the Slit-Eyed Character at the Academy, but I’m not the Mastermind – Chapter 427

Orobas’s demon magic, [Wandering Storm].

Being a passive skill, I could copy it anytime using [Divine Imitation].

“Th-this is impossible… this can’t be happening!”

Orobas’s single eye widened as if about to tear. Partly because I’d used his demon magic [Wandering Storm], but also…

‘My range is wider.’

Currently, Orobas’s demon magic was C-rank. In contrast, my [Wandering Storm] was A-rank.

It was due to the power of [Divine Imitation], which forcibly fixed copied skills to A-rank.

Pyupyut—!

Just in case, Orobas shot out thorn tentacles again. When the tentacles bent sharply before us, he made a gloomy expression.

“Keke, how about it? Mine is bigger and more magnificent, isn’t it?”

Of course, I’m talking about the skill.

Rodelin asked with sparkling eyes.

“Incredible. How did you do it?”

“Keke, it’s simple—you just need to understand the flow of demonic energy. Composite magic using both mana and demonic energy. Anyone can do it.”

“Well, I don’t think just anyone can do it…”

“I was also lucky with compatibility. The wind attribute matches well with me.”

Naturally, it was a lie. A lie to pass off demon magic as regular magic.

But it wasn’t 100% a lie either.

Demon magic and regular magic did share some common ground.

Of course, Rodelin was a character with considerable deductive ability, so she might harbor suspicions.

But that was fine. Because…

“Keke, it’s too easy for a magical genius like me. It’s hard to explain.”

I could excuse it by saying I’m a ‘genius.’

Ah, magic—so pathetic I want to die!

I placed my left hand over my face, striking a pose that said it was nothing.

A moment later, what I saw was Rodelin and Alex ignoring me and entering into a meeting.

“How can we get close to him?”

“What if we use Zero like a shield?”

“Good idea. Zero, you can do it, right?”

Using someone as a meat shield—are you even human?

Well, I had no complaints. [Wandering Storm] was a passive skill that activated even while doing nothing.

All I had to do was walk forward, so it wasn’t particularly difficult.

However, there was one thing to be careful about.

“Even if we enter attack range, could you wait a moment?”

“Why?”

“Because it will create a better opportunity. If my prediction is correct.”

After thinking briefly, Rodelin nodded.

“You seem to have something in mind. We’ll do that then. Alex, you’re fine with it too?”

“Of course. If my friend says so, I should trust him.”

Alex flashed his golden smile once again.

Ah, I wish he wouldn’t send me smiles like that.

I feel like I’ll be purified and disappear!

“Then let’s go. Zero, focus on defense.”

A triangular formation was completed with Rodelin and Alex at the front and me behind them.

It was because of Rodelin’s insistence that they needed to protect me as I served as the shield.

“Th-this is absurd… I can’t accept this!”

Perhaps unable to accept that I was superior, Orobas began wildly shooting thorn tentacles.

As soon as they came near us, they bent and embedded into the ground or walls, but their momentum was so violent that Rodelin hesitated in her steps.

The reason Orobas was raging like this was simple.

The difference in range and power felt from [Wandering Storm]. And…

He knew better than anyone what ‘kind of thing’ would happen if the two of us clashed.

Shuk— kwang!

A thorn that bent before Rodelin’s eyes embedded into the wall with fierce momentum.

Currently, Rodelin was easily a full meter away from me.

‘Are you that fond of your family?’

I could almost see her desire to quickly save her sister.

But if she distanced herself from me, she’d leave the protection of [Wandering Storm].

I walked with slightly quick steps, then grabbed Rodelin’s waist and pulled her close.

“Hi-hiyak!?”

A girlish scream burst from Rodelin’s mouth.

“Z-Zero! What are you doing so suddenly!”

“Stay as close to me as possible. It’s dangerous.”

“I-I see. I understand, so let go.”

Only then did Rodelin begin matching pace with us.

Perhaps because we were close, the scent from Rodelin’s hair tickled my nose.

Sniff sniff.

I’m not a pervert. It’s just my nose getting accustomed to the smell.

“Grrrrrrr…”

Suddenly, I heard something growling from behind.

Was there a mad lion that escaped from the zoo?

A demon in front, a mad lion behind.

A dilemma. But we didn’t stop moving forward.

Either way, fighting the demon felt more comfortable than the mad lion.

“You filthy humans! Don’t come any closer!”

Pyupyupyupyut—!

But Orobas felt the same way. The closer we got, the fiercer his resistance became.

“Zero, is it time yet?”

“Not yet. No, you could say it’s just beginning now. Stay absolutely close to me and don’t separate.”

As I mentioned before, [Wandering Storm] is a skill that deflects all ranged attacks.

So what would happen if two people with this skill got close together?

Teteung!

The sound of a thorn tentacle bouncing twice.

That was the beginning.

Teteung! Teteteteteteteung—!

The thorn tentacles Orobas shot began bouncing multiple times between us.

It was because the [Wandering Storm] surrounding each of us had gotten close enough to touch.

The thorn tentacles moving ceaselessly between us.

They had power matching spears thrown from castle walls.

Seeing this, Rodelin and Alex’s faces turned pale.

If our [Wandering Storm] disappeared?

All the thorn tentacles bouncing between us would come straight at us.

“Alex, if the worst happens, hide behind me.”

“Wouldn’t two people be better than one?”

“Right. Even so, you should stand behind me.”

A burning display of hot comradeship unfolded before my eyes.

I would have followed with a cool line too.

If I didn’t know the ‘future’ that was coming.

“Kraaaaaah!!”

The maximum number of thorn tentacles Orobas could shoot from his body was ten.

Retrieving tentacles embedded in walls and firing again, bouncing between us, deflecting to embed in walls, firing again.

That process repeated.

The change occurred when the bulging veins in Orobas’s eye became clearly visible to us.

Pusheuk!!

“K-kraaaaaah!”

A scream filled with pain echoed through the plaza.

The owner of the scream was none other than Orobas.

“He got hit by… his own thorn?”

That’s right. The reason Orobas screamed—

The thorn he’d shot had pierced through his own body.

“…!!”

Perhaps sharing Orobas’s pain, the host Baron Kelven clutched his chest and cried out.

Of course, no sound was heard. Orobas’s bodily fluid was covering Baron Kelven’s face.

“What happened? Was there a limitation to the demon magic?”

“Keke, correct. There’s a limitation called ‘distance.'”

“Distance?”

Right. [Wandering Storm], which defended against all ranged attacks.

Though it seemed like a broken skill, like everything else, this skill also had a weakness.

‘It doesn’t activate if you get too close to the opponent.’

If the opponent got close, ranged attacks were treated as ‘close-range’ attacks.

[Wandering Storm] wouldn’t activate.

Of course, this ‘distance’ also varied depending on the skill rank.

Currently, Orobas’s [Wandering Storm] was C-rank.

It didn’t react to ranged attacks used within 3 meters.

On the other hand, in my A-rank case…

’30 centimeters.’

The distance of a single 30-centimeter ruler. You had to get within that range to use ranged attacks on me.

It was hard enough to get that close in real life, but in combat?

Impossible.

It meant there was no way to attack me unless it was a close-range attack.

“I see. We’ve entered a safe distance. But… why didn’t we take any damage?”

But Rodelin, who didn’t know these facts, couldn’t help but have doubts.

Suspicious eyes turned toward me. I smiled and answered.

“Ah, I modified it a bit.”

“Modified…?”

“Yes, perhaps because he’s a mid-level demon, the demon magic wasn’t solid. I tweaked it a little.”

“It’s impressive that you saw through the demon magic’s weakness from the start, but modifying it instantly—is that even possible?”

Naturally, it was impossible.

But I could do it. Because…

“Keke, I’m a genius.”

Rodelin’s eyes trembled.

Half feeling like she was being played, half trembling at the thought that I might really be a genius.

I spoke to Rodelin.

“Well, that’s not what’s important right now. What matters more is that we have an opportunity. By the way, my power is almost at its limit too.”

I trembled my hands as if struggling.

It was acting, but Rodelin didn’t have the luxury to discern that right now.

“I can block that demon’s magic for about 5 more minutes. Please finish it within that time.”

“Right. Got it! Zero, keep sealing his demon magic like now! Alex…”

“I’m ready! I’ll take the left side!”

“I’m counting on you!”

As Alex and Rodelin spread out to both sides, Orobas panicked.

“Y-you bastards!”

He retrieved the thorn tentacles embedded in the ground and immediately fired two each to both sides.

The thorn tentacles extending toward Alex and Rodelin—

Teoeung!

“!?”

At some point, they bounced off as if hitting an invisible wall. And then—

Puuk—!

“K-kraaaah!”

One of the four deflected tentacles embedded into Orobas’s body.

It was because of the [Wandering Storm] I was activating.

“Keke, you lack the ability to learn.”

“Y-you…! How can you copy my demon magic! How can you use demon magic superior to mine!”

How can I use demon magic superior to yours? The reason is…

“Keke, it’s a secret.”

“Y-you insolent humaaaaan!”

My signature pose of placing my index finger over my lips.

Perhaps feeling provoked, Orobas extended a thorn tentacle.

Very slowly.

Pyuuuu… uuu…

Tok.

The thorn tentacle bounced off weakly. Because it was proportional to the speed it came at.

Orobas scribbled numbers on the ground with his thorn tentacle. He seemed to be calculating the distance of my [Wandering Storm].

What I had to say to him was…

“Not only small, but weak and limp too… even demons are nothing special. I’m not sure what words of comfort to offer…”

“K-kraaaah! I’ll definitely kill you!”

Orobas threw a fit. But he couldn’t extend his tentacles.

Because he knew the thorn tentacles would embed in his own body again.

Orobas’s attacks were practically sealed. Rodelin, who had been watching for an opening, instantly dove in.

“Haaap!!”

Her target was above Baron Kelven’s head—the presumed boundary between Orobas and Baron Kelven.

Just as Rodelin’s sword traced a magnificent arc—

Kkaang!!

“…!”

Blue flames fluttered. A phenomenon that appeared when auras collided.

The bodily fluid of Orobas that had been covering Baron Kelven’s face—

It split apart, revealing Baron Kelven’s face.

“Foolish creature… do I really have to use my power after all?”

Baron Kelven’s sword, which had blocked Rodelin’s blade—

Large blue flames blazed from it.

It was the moment Phase 2 began.

–TL Notes–
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