Chapter 23

23. The Jester, the Hero, and the Parrot (5)

Anyway, for various reasons, an attack skill became desperately needed.

I must obtain it.

My decision to do so wasn't solely because of the practical test next week.

"That guy really gets on my nerves."

"Exactly. Not even showing his face to Lord Terion."

"Surely he hasn't sided with Eurydia, has he?"

"I don't think so. They seem to be keeping an eye on him too."

Currently, the first-year students are divided into three factions.

The Terion faction, led by the top student, the Eurydia faction, led by the second, and the neutral faction.

'But not all neutrals are the same.'

Those without abilities are marginalized even within the neutral faction.

They live a life of insignificance, occupying the lower ranks of the academy and playing the role of extras who die in the story.

The problem is the kids with abilities who are still in the neutral faction.

They are often bullied with threats like, "If you don't join our faction, we'll kill you!"

In the end, the neutral kids had no choice but to join one of the two factions.

'What a fucking mess.'

The Andwood Academy administration knew about this but turned a blind eye.

It's like a miniature version of the political strife and intrigue in the Andwood Empire.

It's as if they want us to adapt to it early.

"Let's see your skills next week. You might have just gotten lucky to be third."

"If you have potential, we'll recruit you; otherwise..."

"We'll crush you. He's not just arrogant, you know."

They say such terrifying things without a care.

As you can see, the decision about my punishment has been postponed until the practical test next week.

'I must obtain the Divine Imitation. Otherwise...'

I was imagining being dismembered by the kids.

Luna tapped my shoulder.

"Hey, where are you going today?"

"Huh?"

"You've been running around for a few days. Whenever I ask, you just say it's a secret."

Actually, I didn't need to bring Luna around.

The condition for receiving a skill from the jester was a minimum of two people, and it was just an action to build a minimal rapport with Rodelin.

'And you need to speak properly. I didn't bring you; you followed me!'

Maybe it's because I'm her only friend.

She followed me like a cat hoping to be chosen.

"Hmm, I found something strange."

"Strange? What is it?"

"Hehe, it's a secret."

"...Ah, I see?"

Luna smiled, but her face quickly turned demonic.

The demon started gnawing on my ear.

What did I do wrong!

Telling you wouldn't help the hidden piece progress! You have no intelligence to understand it!

Beep- Beep!

"Improper interaction with the opposite sex is grounds for demerits!"

"That's not the case! We're not like that!"

Rodelin instantly exorcised the demon.

Rodelin, as always, was impeccable.

But then she frowned.

"Zero, you always seem to cause trouble."

"It's a misunderstanding. I'm the victim here."

"I know the truth. It was a joke."

Rodelin smiled.

Ah, she can joke too? Today is full of surprises.

"Devil! Devil!"

The parrot suddenly dropped from the sky and perched on my shoulder.

The kids backed away at the sight.

How can you say that and sit there? It sounds like you're calling me a devil!

"Hehe, Mr. Parrot. That's not a good thing to say. People will think it's strange."

"Devil! Save me! Devil!"

"...Stop it."

The parrot pecked my cheek with its beak.

Yes, I understand, calm down. I'll take care of it this weekend.

Rodelin, who had been watching us, spoke.

"Have you become friends with Mr. Parrot? That's interesting."

"Hehe, it just happened..."

"This year's first-year class is full of interesting kids. It's fortunate for the empire's future."

Rodelin gently stroked the parrot.

Watching her, I thought about the timing.

'It's time to have more interactions with the protagonist, Alex.'

The kid Rodelin called interesting was likely Alex.

'I should finish this by this weekend.'

This strategy requires a skilled person like Rodelin.

But the game's story is likely progressing even now.

Starting next week, the chances of having free time are low.

I'll have to hang out with Alex.

'The problem is that I can't force it.'

The characters in front of me are living people, not just characters.

To move together, I need a valid reason.

So, I'll throw out a bait that Rodelin can't resist.

"Hehe, actually, I have something I want to consult about."

"Consult... I hope it's not as absurd as last time."

Rodelin crossed her arms over her chest.

Luna's expression became peculiar as she watched us.

Don't do that. It makes me look like I'm up to no good.

Before Luna turned into a demon again, I quickly threw out the bait.

"Anyway, I... think I've found traces of a devil."

"Devil? Explain in detail."

Rodelin's eyes became serious.

She's a character with a strong sense of justice, like the protagonist.

Her aversion to 'devils' is immense.

They're not just illusions.

In the game "Hero of the Academy," devils actually exist.

Devils.

Beings that take pleasure in corrupting human minds.

They have significant restrictions on coming to the middle world from the demon realm.

So, they often satisfy themselves by making contracts with humans or possessing them to play various pranks.

'For humans, these pranks are more like disasters.'

Even low-level devils are transcendent beings to humans.

Sometimes, they directly descend to declare the extinction of humanity.

So, it's not surprising that Rodelin takes my words seriously.

'Besides, the Lucid family, Rodelin's family, has a deep connection with devils.'

The weight of responsibility and pride.

She couldn't help but take the bait.

"Even if it's a wild guess, it's fine. Explain quickly. I'll make the judgment."

"Hehe, would you like to take a closer look at Mr. Parrot?"

I took the parrot from my shoulder and held it with both hands.

It kept repeating 'devil' loudly but didn't resist.

Revealing the existence of the devil...

'Is what this parrot wants.'

Rodelin carefully examined the parrot.

"His skin isn't naturally black; it's been dyed black by something. Dyed? Or bullied by students?"

The parrot had a peculiar appearance, with half its body dyed black.

"It's not dyed. It's a sign of 'erosion.'"

"...Erosion!?"

Erosion, the worst of the devil's pranks.

Rodelin's expression turned to shock.

But she quickly regained her composure.

"No, this isn't erosion. It's different from what I know."

Rodelin shook her head firmly.

That's right. She has seen 'erosion' with her own eyes.

I'll explain erosion later. I'm busy now.

"What if... this is an early form?"

"...An early form?"

"More precisely, a research form."

"Research... form?"

"Yes. Compared to the erosion spreading in the borderlands, this is much slower. In fact, it's stopped."

"True. If it hadn't stopped, Mr. Parrot would have died long ago."

"Exactly. It's different from erosion, but not entirely. What if we assume this is an early form... a prototype of erosion?"

Rodelin was silent.

But this is enough.

Our Rodelin is a very smart kid, unlike someone else.

"Hey, what were you thinking just now? It seemed like a very inappropriate thought."

"Hehe, Luna. It's a misunderstanding. I wasn't thinking anything."

"Something seems off..."

"Ah, Luna, what do you think of this?"

"Blackened pork cutlet?"

"..."

Ah, I see.

Pork cutlet... delicious.

Maybe she was thinking of a well-fried pork cutlet.

I turned away from Luna, who was drooling slightly.

Rodelin's eyes lit up.

"The empire first encountered erosion 15 years ago. And this parrot is estimated to have appeared 20 years ago."

"Correct."

"Then, someone must have experimented with erosion, and the experiment site was here... Andwood Academy. The traces were accidentally left on Mr. Parrot's body?"

Clap clap.

Applause burst out. It was a perfect deduction.

Even I, a seasoned player, was initially stumped by this deduction.

"If we find the research records of the prototype... we might discover a way to eliminate the erosion spreading across the continent."

"Hehe, it's not certain yet."

"But it's worth investigating. No, it's more than enough!"

Rodelin was visibly excited.

I understand why, but I need to calm her down a bit.

"I don't want to make a big deal out of this. You understand the reasons."

"...Right. There's no need to inform the academy yet. It's just a hypothesis and assumption for now."

"Hehe, a rational judgment."

My goal is to obtain the hidden piece.

More people would just be a hindrance and a waste of time.

In the worst case, I might lose the opportunity to obtain the 'Devil's Fragment.'

"I plan to search the academy for more traces by the weekend."

"Understood. I'll look around when I have time."

"Then, for now, let's keep this between us..."

"Wait, Zero."

Rodelin interrupted me.

Why is she doing this suddenly? Did I make a mistake?

"Yes, what is it?"

"How did you know this was an early form of erosion? Normally, people would just think it's a black spot."

Oh, that's a very sharp question.

Normally, people would think it's a disease or a black-skinned parrot.

But it's okay. I have the best excuse.

Leaning close to Rodelin's ear, I whispered.

It's...

"A secret."

"Zero! This is a serious matter. It's not something to joke about!"

"I'm serious. Everyone has secrets. We're not close enough to share everything."

"...I already deeply trust you. I have no secrets to share."

"Hehe, is that so? Then you can share your family's secrets too?"

"Family's secrets...?"

Leaning even closer, I whispered in her ear.

In a voice only she could hear.

"The Lucid family is cursed by the devil?"

"Yes, you... how did you...!"

Rodelin's face turned pale.