Chapter 25

25. The Jester, the Hero, and the Parrot (7)

Elesster continued speaking.

"The noble class makes up less than 3% of the empire's population. If the very few who make decisions only pursue policies that are as fleeting as clouds, what will happen?"

"...It will fail."

"That's right. Therefore, we must think from the perspective of the commoners and the lower classes, and improve and reform the system. Do you all understand?"

"Yes!"

Elesster had returned to his kind teacher persona.

He looked at me and said,

"Zero, that was an excellent answer. I'll give you 2 points in the shop. And I'll give Teron and Yuridia 1 demerit each."

"Yes!?"

"Why... why...?"

"Don't underestimate the duties of a noble. You must take responsibility for your words. That's what being a noble means."

Teron and Yuridia turned their heads sharply to look at me.

Their eyebrows were twitching intensely.

Only then did I realize why my favorite teacher, Elesster, was doing this.

'...He's trying to mess with me.'

It wasn't a misunderstanding.

Teron and Yuridia's answers were 'excellent.'

Rodelin's was 'very excellent.'

And mine was 'extremely excellent.'

On top of that, he treated my parrot's squawk as the correct answer.

His intention to favor me was clear.

I couldn't understand his motives, but...

"Exerting invisible pressure to take away other students' speaking rights doesn't look good either. Be more careful from now on."

"..."

"I have very high expectations for all of you. I hope you can work together and achieve good results. That's all for today's lesson."

Elesster left.

The classroom was filled with a cold atmosphere. No one dared to speak out of turn.

"Hey, you must be feeling good? You got points in the shop."

Except for our Luna, who was oblivious to the tension.

"Are you going to be first in the mid-term exams?"

Teron and Yuridia's shoulders twitched simultaneously.

They were not only the leaders of their groups but also carried the honor of their families.

Failing to be first or second would be a significant blow.

Besides factional fights, they always cared about their grades, and he had just touched on that.

Luna had to clean up the mess.

"Luna, I have more demerits than points. How can I...?"

"Oh, the ones you got from Mr. Caron? But he said if you do well in practice, he'll remove the demerits and give you points. With your skills, you'll probably get double the points."

Clunk!

Thump thump!

Teron and Yuridia stomped out of the classroom.

The other students followed, somewhat flustered.

Of course, they didn't forget to glare at me as they left.

In an instant, the classroom was empty.

Luna scratched her head at the sight.

"What's with them? Are they hungry?"

Yeah, Luna.

Why are you treating me like this?

* * *

"Hmm, you're here."

"Yes, I just returned."

Caron bowed slightly to Elesster.

"What did he say?"

"He said we can't remove him immediately. As you know, leaking exam questions isn't enough of a reason..."

"That's understandable. Still, keep the evidence. Small things can add up to something powerful."

"Understood."

The investigation into the incident at the academy.

At the same time, finding a reason to remove the current principal, 'Dwener.'

That was Elesster's purpose for being here.

'I knew he was a parachutist, but... he's even more incompetent than I thought.'

Perhaps because he lacks ability, he doesn't act rashly.

He only follows orders.

But those orders are so trivial that it's embarrassing to even mention them.

This is the Annwood Academy, where future talents are cultivated.

To think such an incompetent person was appointed here. It's unbelievable.

'His Majesty must be worried. But why did the Heriges appoint such a person to this position?'

A question that had been on his mind since meeting the principal.

Elesster decided not to think too deeply about it.

It might be their strategy to make him overthink.

"...The atmosphere is strange."

The elite class, right after the lesson ended.

The students who poured out of the classroom naturally split into two groups and walked down the corridor without any tension.

Caron immediately sensed that their mood was off.

"Hehe, I seasoned Zero with some very tasty seasoning."

"...Is that so."

Caron swallowed hard.

This was why he feared Elesster.

A weasel in the noble political world.

His magic skills were impressive, but he used his tongue to exploit others' weaknesses and toy with them.

Solid logic, innate gaslighting, and a love for conflict and debate.

For Caron, who lived by his body, it was a tough situation.

Especially since Elesster had orchestrated this.

"...You seem to have taken a liking to that boy."

"Hehe, not really. I just have a slight, very slight interest in him."

Elesster enjoyed seeing a favored child grow in extreme situations.

Moreover, this was an academy, not the political world.

He could protect Zero from most issues.

Zero would gradually grow under his protection.

'Or break in the middle.'

Elesster was a good person, but not a kind one.

Caron knew this well.

"Soon, the first choice will come. Which side do you think he'll choose?"

"Probably Teron's side."

"Hmm. It could be Teron or Yuridia. Or..."

Elesster's eyes gleamed.

"He might create a third group."

"...That's speculation. It's impossible."

Caron wanted to say more but closed his mouth.

It was impossible, not just because it had never happened in the academy's history, but because it was practically impossible.

'In the history of the academy, it has never happened.'

Every year, the students split into two factions, one side collapses, or they graduate in a stalemate.

'If it were possible...'

It would only be Rodelin.

In fact, the current second-year class was in a very unique state.

Last year, they split into two factions as usual, but they couldn't fight.

'Because Rodelin stopped them.'

She told them to study or train instead of fighting.

Some argued, but no one does anymore.

She had nearly killed anyone who challenged her.

Both factions expressed their willingness to serve under Rodelin, but she left, questioning their motives.

The Lucid family was the Emperor's sword.

A family more interested in combat and magic than politics.

Asking her to lead their faction probably sounded like a joke to her.

In the end, the two factions of the second year were living quietly to avoid Rodelin, the lioness.

In a way, it might be more impressive than creating a third group.

Because Rodelin did it alone.

"But this world isn't a place where one can live alone. In that sense, Rodelin is a big minus."

"Do you think a child who creates a third group is more impressive than Rodelin?"

"Yes. Especially creating a new group and competing with two existing large groups?"

It would be someone born for politics.

"Actually, I'm hoping for something else."

"What... Are you thinking of unifying the academy?"

"Haha! I never even considered that. It would be interesting, though."

"I think it's possible. If Rodelin decides to..."

Seeing Caron's expression, Elesster thought,

Who knows?

Someone who creates a third group might

put a leash on Rodelin, the lioness.

* * *

"Let's go play!"

"Hehe, denied."

I pushed Luna's forehead with my arm as she lunged at me.

"Th, this!"

Luna flailed her arms, but they didn't reach me.

We have a height difference of at least 25cm.

"Devil! Devil!"

As soon as we left the classroom, the parrot perched on my shoulder.

"Hehe, you're here? The operation is tomorrow. Be prepared."

"Devil! Help me! Devil!"

Feeling better, the parrot flapped its wings wildly.

'This will be our last day together.'

I felt a bit melancholic.

It wasn't because of the sadness of parting. Something was weighing on my chest...

'It's because of them.'

I saw Elesster and Caron watching from a distance.

Caron's eyes were burning, as if he could kill with a glance.

My heart couldn't help but race.

'Perfect. I needed insurance anyway.'

Lowering my shoulder slightly, I whispered in the parrot's ear.

"Parrot, remember these two well. When I ask, bring one of them to me."

"Devil?"

"Hehe, yes. It's teamwork. Understand?"

"Ti! Team! Play!"

The parrot clicked its beak and struggled to say it.

Yes, I knew you would remember.

Because you're programmed that way.

Now,

all preparations for the 'Devil's Fragment' strategy are complete.

* * *

Parrot's Memory #1

"Say it! Say it!"

"Chirp! Chirp! Say! Say!"

"..."

A sigh escaped me.

This one is the same. It doesn't think or speak.

It just

'repeats what it hears.'

I spread my wings.

With a flutter of my colorful wings, I could easily soar into the sky.

Yes, I have wings.

Of course, I do. I'm a parrot. But,

'Why can I think while the others can't?'

I knew I was special even before I could fly freely.

A parrot that could think like a human.

My speech was a bit slurred, but communication was possible.

The problem was that other parrots couldn't do this.

'They're too stupid.'

Eating, defecating, sleeping, and breeding.

That's all they cared about.

So I decided to leave.

I couldn't fit in with them. I was a special being.

'I'll find a friend. A friend who suits me!'

Thus, a long journey began.

I met and parted with many parrots, but none were like me.

The more I moved, the longer the journey, the worse my condition became.

But I didn't give up.

The desire for a friend was stronger than the fatigue.

'Could there really be no one like me in this vast continent?'

During my journey, I arrived at a place.

An academy, I think they called it.

It was a place with many children.

'I'll use this as my base for now.'

There were some bad kids, but more were good.

I wouldn't have to worry about food.

While scouting the area, I saw a child being bullied.

Punches, then kicks.

It was a common sight, so it didn't feel special.

I couldn't understand why they treated their own kind so poorly.

"Got it? Quit. I can't even stand to look at your face."

"Ugh!"

The long, yet short, bullying ended.

The child who had been hit got up, brushing off the dust.

He was smiling. Smiling after being hit.

I thought he was a strange one.

"Hi?"

He greeted me.

Only then did I see his face clearly.

I immediately understood why the other children bullied him.

He had small eyes and was a peculiar child.

But a human who greeted a parrot.

'Is he crazy?'

Yes, he was definitely crazy.

The best course of action was to avoid crazy people.

Just as I was about to spread my wings,

"Will you be my friend?"

Friend?

The word's resonance, no, its tremor, was enough to stop my movement.

This was Luther.

Our first meeting.