I’m the Slit-Eyed Character at the Academy, but I’m not the Mastermind - Chapter 237
Only Krnovel
Episode 237
Episode 237. I have demon blood flowing through my veins, but I am not a devil (7)
The rooftop of the library at Annwood Academy, where entry is restricted.
There, a boy was looking down.
-Gwak! Gwakruk-!
The sound of children’s laughter that never stops.
The boy smiled naturally.
“You are young.”
The pure laughter of children. It was truly magical, something that made me feel good just by hearing it.
The boy’s golden hair fluttered in the wind as he thought like an old man.
Yes. The identity of the boy standing on the roof of the library.
It was Adonis.
“Are you here?”
Suddenly, Adonis muttered to himself in the air.
But it couldn’t be said to be a soliloquy, because soon after, Charon appeared.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“It’s late. I just got here. By the way, since you’re here… … I guess what Zero said is true.”
The story about dealing with Caron. It was true.
At the same time, Caron had no choice but to admit it.
That Zero has discovered Adonis’ true identity.
“Actually… … .”
Caron began to explain in detail what had happened.
It was a long story, but it wasn’t a problem, because Caron had already organized the information about Zero in a clear and concise manner.
Caron’s story was like an objectively organized report.
Adonis nodded after hearing that.
“Hmm… … I see. So you haven’t figured out the source of the information either?”
“It’s embarrassing, but it is.”
Charon had Zero attached to his lap. However, there was no sign of Zero making contact with anyone.
This means that we still haven’t figured out who is providing advanced information to Zero.
“As you well know, excellent information skills are only a secondary advantage. The most important thing is insight.”
Caron nodded in agreement.
The insight to discover the existence of the Four Heavenly Kings using the small amount of information he was given, as well as the true identity of Adonis.
It was an insight that was so eerie.
“I guess I must have a lot of experience.”
“Experience?”
“Devils and warlocks. You must have lived a life intertwined with them. I’m making inferences based on what you’ve experienced.”
Is that possible? No, I’ve lived a life where I’ve had a lot of contact with demons and warlocks before…
“Are you doubting Zero?”
The reason why so many people fall for the devil’s temptation is because the temptation is so strong.
Not only will he show up when you need strength the most, lend a helping hand and solve the problems right in front of you,
Something that can turn an unfortunate life around in an instant.
That was the power of the devil, and the reason why devils continued to appear on the continent.
‘In Zero’s case, he must have been tempted more than anyone else.’
A unique appearance with crossed eyes.
Although he was born that way, it may not have seemed that way to people’s eyes.
Perhaps you saw the devil manifest?
‘It was written in Zero’s admission record that he had no parents or siblings.’
However, in this world, there are people without siblings, but there is no one who did not have parents from the beginning.
What do you mean?
‘It means he was killed.’
If the opponent is a demon or a warlock, then it’s at least fortunate.
But what if it was an ordinary person? What if it was their neighbor who did it?
What if a neighbor killed Zero’s parents, and at that moment a demon appeared and reached out to Zero?
It wouldn’t have been strange if he had taken her hand. Even Charon himself would have joined hands with the devil and taken revenge right away.
“He said with his own mouth that he was under the devil’s curse.”
“He could be a servant of the devil… or a spy.”
It provides information from the human side to the devil, and information from the devil side to the human.
The information about the Four Heavenly Kings that Zero provided was likely one of these.
It was used as a means of building ‘trust.’
In the short term it may be a loss, but in the long term there is no gain more certain than this.
From the human side, it is a way to lay the foundation for accessing even the highest level of information.
“Zero could be the mastermind. Is that what you think?”
“It can’t be helped. I personally confirmed that the blood of the Demon Tribe flows through me. If it weren’t for the Holy Sword, I wouldn’t have abandoned that thought until now.”
“… … The Holy Sword?”
Why is that suddenly appearing here?
Zero doesn’t even have the holy sword.
Adonis opened his mouth, noticing that Charon was not following the conversation.
“Oh, by the way, you didn’t know. Zero was recognized by the Holy Sword. He was even able to use it… … so he was completely recognized.”
“……yes?”
Caron found himself with a blank expression on his face.
Then Adonis began to explain what had happened yesterday.
The more he listened to the story, the more bewildered Caron became.
Not only did you get the ability to hold the Holy Sword, you even got recognition for it?
And you didn’t even tell yourself that?
‘This shameless guy!’
In fact, Caron did not think of Zero only as an ally.
They also kept in mind the possibility that it was a spy planted by the warlocks.
‘Even if he was a spy, I tried to trick him into becoming our side… … .’
But at this moment, that doubt was completely dispelled.
Because the Holy Sword was that kind of existence.
“It’s now clear that we’re allies. Should I call this a blessing…?”
“That’s fortunate. At least you won’t have to kill that child.”
“… … It seems the same goes for Adonis.”
“Haha, really? I may have been a bit harsh. But what can I do? I had no way of contacting you.”
“……sorry.”
Caron had no choice but to admit his mistake.
It was his own mistake to think that Adonis would never need his help at the Academy.
Of course, my biggest mistake was not knowing that Demon blood flowed through Zero’s body.
‘You should have told me that secret in advance. You idiot.’
Could it be that he did not fully trust Zero?
I thought we had built a relationship of trust to some extent.
Maybe it’s the exact opposite.
He believes in Zero, but Zero doesn’t believe in himself.
It’s such an ironic situation.
“First of all, I think it would be important to find out what demonic curse that child has.”
“Since you don’t even tell us, I think it might be a life-threatening curse.”
“It’s very likely. If you trust us, we’ll tell you… … It won’t be easy. You’ve been through a lot since you were young… … .”
The only bad things in this world are demons and warlocks. They’re not the only ones.
‘Humans’ could be just as bad as them. No, maybe.
‘It might be worse than them.’
Charon and Adonis knew that fact better than anyone else.
“Wounds will eventually heal. I think it’s our job to bring that about sooner.”
“… … I’ll try my best. Well, it’s only a little bit useful.”
“If you keep making that face in front of that kid, the wound will only get worse instead of healing.”
“… … .”
Charon swallowed a groan inside.
I have to treat Zero well because he’s so arrogant.
I felt like my entire body would turn topsy-turvy at any moment.
“Okay, so what’s your overall assessment of the kid?”
A child worth watching.
The moment he was about to answer like that, Charon suddenly remembered something.
The sight of Zero leaving the classroom while holding hands with Luna.
“… … He is a very bad guy. You could say he is a great scoundrel.”
“Huh? Didn’t you say it was useful a little while ago?”
“Did I do that?”
“It’s the same now as it was before: dishonesty.”
“I was just expressing my honest opinion.”
A subjective opinion with no personal feelings at all!
That was when Caron was rationalizing himself.
“Then I can pick it up.”
“yes?”
“The Holy Sword is a Holy Sword, but he is a very talented child. I can’t let a child like that rot away. I should put him in the Imperial Knights.”
Imperial Knights.
When that story came up, Caron couldn’t help but open his eyes wide.
It is a place where only the most exceptional talents can go, and it is an honorable position that only the best of knights can go to.
The benefits enjoyed by royal knights were too numerous to mention.
‘You’re going to put zero in a place like that?’
It was difficult. It was very difficult.
Because Zero is the child who should become a ‘rat’.
“Isn’t this a place that just anyone can enter? In particular, a suspicious child like that will be eliminated during the document screening.”
“If I were to recommend it myself, it would be the opposite.”
“… … !”
Adonis is also a member of the Imperial Knights. He is also a hero.
If such an Adonis were to recommend one, it would be easy to secure a spot in the Imperial Knights.
‘Adonis has never recommended anyone to the Imperial Knights before. Is that why you like Zero so much?’
Adonis’ face came into Charon’s sight as he was in deep thought.
The appearance of Adonis smiling brightly.
Only then did Charon realize that Adonis was testing him.
It seemed as if he had been mistaken in thinking that information about the child named Zero had been intentionally hidden.
“… … That’s not it, so don’t misunderstand. I never dreamed that that child would arouse Adonis’s suspicions.”
“Hahaha! I guess my prank was too much. I apologize.”
Caron grumbled inwardly while sighing in relief.
That means I wasn’t sincere in recommending Zero to the Imperial Knights.
“He’s not a noble, but he has demon blood flowing through his veins. It’s probably too much. But it’s true that he has enough qualities. Ten years? No, for that kid, five years might be enough.”
The youngest person to enlist is currently a member of the Imperial Knights, aged thirty.
But you join the Imperial Knights at the age of twenty?
It was ridiculous.
And above all.
“… … It won’t be easy. I hate working under others. I’m embarrassed to say, but I’ve been rejected myself.”
“Hmm, is that really so? I don’t mean to look down on rats, but they are no match for the Imperial Knights.”
It was just as Adonis said.
The life of a rat crawling on the floor, the life of an imperial knight dancing with the emperor in heaven.
The difference between the two was obvious, though.
“Would you like to bet?”
Somewhat provocative words from Caron.
Is it confidence? Or is it that it is difficult to seduce Zero?
I’m not sure which one it was, but it was enough to catch Adonis’ attention.
“That sounds fun. It’ll help me with my boring academy life.”
And so began a secret bet that Zero didn’t know about.
* * *
Late at night, Adonis was having a hard time heading to the dormitory with Victoria.
“You read the book, right? How was it? Did you also fall for the Archduke, Adonis?”
Whether it’s the Northern Archduke or the Southern Archduke.
When I asked him to quickly tell me the contents of the book he had just read, he said that there was no hardship more difficult than this.
‘You seem more excited today. What happened while I was away? Huh…?’
It was a time when I was describing the coolness(?) of the Northern Grand Duke as vaguely as possible.
A movement caught Adonis’ senses.
Right, left, right again.
I deliberately turned around, but the sound showed no sign of abating.
Yes, someone was following them.
‘Who are you aiming at? Victoria? Or… … .’
Finding out who his target was was simple.
“Yes, yes. The great Northern Duke. It makes me want to read it again.”
“Adonis-sama, you have finally realized the greatness of this novel! I will recommend something more interesting. You can look forward to it. Oh~ Hohoho!”
“… … Okay, I’ll wait for you. I have something to do, so I’ll stop by somewhere else for a bit.”
Pushing Victoria into the dorm and moving somewhere else himself.
This way, we could easily figure out the pursuer’s target.
‘If the pursuer stays still, he’s after Victoria. If he’s after me, he’s after me.’
Of course, the aftermath left me with yet another strange novel to read.
“… … .”
A moment later, the pursuer’s movement was felt.
He was being chased by her. This means that his target was himself, not Victoria.
Adonis entered the dark alley and jumped up onto the building.
Could it be that he had suddenly disappeared? He could sense that the pursuer hidden in the shadows was confused.
“Do you have any business with me?”
“… … !”
At Adonis’ words, someone appeared from the shadows.
A girl with pink hair, twin tails, and an overall cute impression, but slightly fierce eyes.
It was Luna.
She raised her head and spoke to Adonis, who was standing on top of the building.
“You’re so strong? Come fight me.”
Adonis let out a snicker.
When on earth was the last time I heard something like that? I couldn’t even remember.
“Is it the desire to challenge the strong? Not bad.”
A line was drawn at the corner of Adonis’ mouth.
Nowadays, duels are avoided as it is considered rude behavior, but in the past, there were many times when duels would be contested by drawing weapons and showing off one’s skills just by making eye contact.
After the fight, we share the joy of victory and the pain of defeat over a drink.
An era full of romance.
The times in which Adonis lived were such times.
Adonis couldn’t help but feel good as he recalled those memories through Luna.
“Well, that’s one thing, but… … there’s a more important reason.”
“Really? What is it?”
“If I win, don’t ever approach my friends again. Don’t even look at me.”
Adonis’ face, which had been blank for a moment, soon filled with a smile.
A fight for a friend. Are there young people like that these days?
“I see. A fight for friends… … That’s a rare reason these days.”
“What are you saying? Anyway, it was a promise. Come down quickly. Let’s have a go.”
“Wait a minute, you’re only asking for your conditions. Isn’t that unfair? What are you going to do if I win?”
Luna rolled her eyes and said.
“I’ll give you anything you want. Except to bully my friends.”
“Indeed, those are not bad conditions.”
As Adonis smiled.
A small lightning strike struck the alley.