Harrison, a Tier 5 Swordsman, was on the surface a mercenary belonging to the Obsidian Chamber of Commerce, but in reality, he was colluding with the Church!
His presence here was also for the sake of seizing that compass.
But at the most critical moment, he would suddenly turn traitor, murder several members of the auction, and draw in a massive horde of monsters to besiege the academy and other factions.
During his first playthrough, Ain had actually thought the man was kindly helping them out of a tight spot.
He had even cast a Tier 3 healing spell on him back then.
But Ain had never expected the man to be so ruthless and cruel just to obtain the compass.
He had sent himself and a team of nearly a hundred people to their deaths!
Not only that, but he had also launched a surprise attack on Erylin's team, killing dozens of students.
In the end, a Tier 5 instructor had to arrive and join forces with Erylin and the player-controlled character to start this boss battle.
Of course, given this trash game's typical style, this boss battle was also a scripted defeat.
There was no route to completely kill him; they could only beat him until he fled.
When playing the game, Ain had dreamed of killing this man.
Unfortunately, his early-game stats weren't high enough. After committing a mountain of atrocities, the man had simply walked away completely scot-free.
Ain had almost had a heart attack from pure rage at the time.
He had even wanted to dig this character's code out of the game folder and shred it to pieces.
However, there was only a game shortcut on his computer, and Ain couldn't even find the corresponding file path.
Yet, he could still open the game.
Busy running around for a living, Ain hadn't paid it much mind.
As long as it worked, it was fine.
The man's acquisition of the compass and collusion with the Church was also to launch a grand terrorist attack to awaken an ancient, evil entity.
It seemed that wiping out the Church had to be moved up on his agenda.
He had originally planned to deal with this in Act Four or Act Five...
Therefore, Ain had another purpose for playing the victim here.
Only by using this bottomless victim-playing strategy in this sudden event could the academy secure some leverage in the upcoming operations, gaining compensation and certain promises from the auction.
And only by resolving the event this way would the Obsidian Chamber of Commerce allow Harrison to accompany the academy under the guise of acting as a bodyguard.
But in truth, anyone with a brain knew what was really going on.
It was nothing more than using this to put a leash on the academy.
Furthermore, Harrison possessed something that Ain wanted.
Ain quietly shifted his gaze toward the greatsword on Harrison's back, noting a deep purple crystal embedded in the center of its hilt.
It was an evolution crystal, one of the materials used to evolve Contract Spirits.
For most Contract Spirits, their potential and strength were determined from birth, and the cost of evolving them was extremely high.
Especially the most crucial evolution crystals, which were virtually nonexistent on the market.
Therefore, no one was willing to evolve low-tier Contract Spirits; most simply sought out new, high-tier Contract Spirits.
But Mordred was worth cultivating.
Harrison, I'll take you out when the time comes...
“Mr. Harrison, it's them! The academy people are slandering me!”
“I didn't even do anything, and this student just collapsed onto the ground!”
Unexpectedly, it was the pitiful Ain lying on the ground who spoke up next.
“That's right... This has nothing to do with Mr. Remy...”
Ain weakly lifted his shoulder and slowly pointed at Remy, saying, “Mr. Remy was merely showing me his incredibly powerful sword skills...”
“It was my own physical weakness that caused me to accidentally wander into his path...”
“Mr. Remy said that mages are nothing but weak, sickly invalids who can only perform cheap tricks from afar...”
“And those words are absolutely correct...”
Finn put on an enraged expression and immediately demanded, “You even insulted all mages under the heavens, calling them worse than pigs and dogs?!”
Remy was instantly dumbfounded and immediately defended himself, “I didn't say that! I never said anything like that!”
Remy was truly on the verge of being driven to tears by the two of them.
Unexpectedly, Harrison cleared his throat and offered a smile.
“I am very sorry that my subordinate has caused you inconvenience.”
“Remy, once this matter is settled, go and kowtow ten times to these students. You will also bear all the medical expenses.”
“Captain, no, I...”
After meeting Harrison's highly threatening gaze, Remy was instantly silenced.
Harrison, of course, knew the academy was putting on an act.
But wouldn't it be fine as long as he proved they were faking it?
Although Harrison also thought Ain's current state looked miserable, he didn't believe Remy would be stupid enough to actually attack him.
Once this student's injury was exposed as a sham, it would be the Chamber of Commerce's turn to extort a fortune from the academy...
They could even drag the academy into a storm of public controversy!
With this in mind, Harrison deliberately put on a worried look, knelt on one knee to look at Ain, and said, “Regardless of anything else, let's take this student for treatment first.”
Ain knew the other party was merely using this as an excuse to inspect his injuries.
Ain squeezed out a weak smile and said, “Thank you, Mr. Harrison...”
But this is exactly what I wanted...
The moment their hands clasped, a tiny magic circle glowing with a faint dark-gold light quietly materialized in the palm of Ain's hand.
【Tier 3 Spell: Resonance of Fighting Will】
【Effect: If there are swordsman-class professions nearby, it will stimulate the mana inside the target's body and apply a positive [Status Buff] effect.】
【Note: If the swordsman possesses [Heart Fire] within their body, it will forcibly mobilize their fighting will, intimidating other target characters.】
Mages used mana to cast spells.
Swordsmen used mana to strengthen their bodies and unleash combat techniques.
Other professions likewise used mana to perform other feats.
Heart Fire was the materialization of a high-level swordsman's mana.
Simply put, this spell was a buffing magic meant to boost a swordsman, but it had a miraculous effect when used on high-level swordsmen.
It forcibly detonated the opponent's fighting will, causing their aura to lose control and burst outward.
A sudden burst of aura exploded from where Ain and Harrison shook hands, causing Harrison to instinctively let go.
In the next instant, Ain's body flew backward, crashing straight into several crates behind him. His body rolled several times along the ground as if his bones were shattered, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.
Ain spat out blood as he rolled.
Harrison stared blankly at his own right hand.
“C-Captain, you did it too?”
“I didn't! I didn't do anything! I did absolutely nothing!”
Harrison raised his hands in utter bewilderment.
Remy suddenly felt a little happy inside.
It seemed he wasn't the only one who thought so...
Exactly! They clearly hadn't done anything, so why did that student look like he had been violently hurled away?!
The surrounding students and Finn were equally dumbfounded.
They had never expected there to be a sequel!
Holy crap! This kid is too good at acting!
Ain, are you trying to kill yourself?!
Finn managed to squeeze out a few tears with great effort and rushed toward Ain, demanding, “Harrison, what are you doing?!”
“He's just a student! Are you trying to ruin his entire future?!”
“He's still just a child! A child!”
“Is this how you treat all children under the heavens?!”
Not just the academy, but members from the Titan Prosecution Office, the Church, and other factions began to gather around.
Harrison thrust out his right hand and shouted, “Magic! He must have used magic!”
“You guys are just putting on an act here!”
Harrison was also panicking now.
At this moment, Ain, who had finally stopped after rolling dozens of times on the ground, tremblingly reached out a hand. His face was deathly pale, and it looked as if not a single bone in his body was left intact.
“But... I'm not even holding a wand... how could I use magic...”
Everyone froze.
Indeed, how could a mage use magic without a wand?
It was very strange, wasn't it?
Finn also found it incredibly strange.
Suddenly, whispers and murmurs broke out all around them.
“Tsk, I saw those Chamber of Commerce guys giving the academy trouble a few days ago. I didn't expect them to actually dare to lay a hand on a bunch of kids...”
“If it weren't for the royal family's orders, who would even want to come here and help them?”
“Look at that boy. Good heavens, look at all that blood. If he doesn't get treated soon, is he really going to be okay?”
“Damned mercenaries. Nothing but a pack of wild country dogs, completely lacking any restraint!”
“Drawing a sword to bully defenseless children is a complete insult to our honor as swordsmen!”
“Has that fellow Harrison thrown away even his most basic moral baseline for personal gain?”
“Does someone like that even deserve to hold a sword?”
Hearing the overwhelming wave of criticism, Harrison and Remy instantly lost their composure.
“Saintess, Saintess! What a pitiful student! Why don't you go and save him?”
Looking at Ain lying on the ground, Grace, who was blending into the crowd, maintained a calm expression and gently shook her head.
“The Pope has ordered us not to make contact with other factions.”
“The Goddess above, I shall pray for him. Besides... the academy should have its own dedicated healers.”
The surrounding chatter was far too noisy, so Ain didn't notice that familiar voice.
Ain tremblingly reached out his right hand, placing it on Finn's face as a tear squeezed out from the corner of his eye.
The two, who had been at odds just moments ago, were now putting on a touching display of deep teacher-student affection.
“Professor... this isn't Mr. Harrison's fault...”
Ain's eyes brimmed with tears.
“He only wanted to check my injuries with his battle aura...”
“It's just that my physical constitution is too weak... I don't blame him...”
“It's just, Professor... I don't think... I can be your student anymore...”
Finn trembled as he gripped Ain's hand, pressing it against his own face, as if trying to let the child in his arms feel his presence.
“Ai—”
“n!!!”
Finn wailed toward the heavens.
Witnessing this scene, the surrounding chatter turned completely one-sided.
“You bastard!”
One of the students raised their wand and aimed it at Harrison.
“Stop!”
Finn immediately called out to stop them.
What a joke. If they used magic to attack Harrison now, and Harrison also put on an injured act, wouldn't all their advantage be completely lost?
The other party could even claim they were even under some high-sounding excuse.
Ain knew this too, and a sinister smile crept onto the corner of his lips.
Just as I expected...
Just as I expected! Just as I expected!
Ahahahaha!
You Chamber of Commerce bastards, hand over your money obediently!
Harrison, you probably want to play the victim just like me...
But my professor isn't stupid enough to give you that kind of opportunity, ahahahaha!
As long as Finn held back the other students and prevented them from acting, while Ain continued to play the victim, wouldn't the Chamber's compensation and the academy's negotiating leverage in the operation all be secured?
He had played this route countless times in his first playthrough. How could anything possibly go wrong?
Everything was going according to plan!
This was simply the most perfect way to clear this event!
I really am a genius!
Suddenly, Ain felt the surrounding chatter shift in another direction, though he couldn't hear the specifics clearly.
“That girl... she's a student from the academy, right...”
“This range... is basically a Tier 4 spell, isn't it?”
“What terrifying cold...”
Unbeknownst to Ain, layers of frost were rapidly spreading across the area from behind him. He only felt waves of freezing wind blowing past. The originally sweltering weather had suddenly turned abnormally cold.
Remy and Harrison stared blankly at the girl behind Ain.
Half-lying on the ground, Ain, with his eyes squinted, felt that something was amiss.
Brrr...
Why does it feel like a giant central AC is blowing right at me?
It's not like the temperature dropped recently either, right?
Rate on N.U.
