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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Assassination Attempt
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"For now, it looks like all communications to the outside are cut off."
Such words slipped from Elnor as she fiddled with the devices around them.
"Don't worry too much. The academy side is surely taking measures as well."
Of course, the students weren't panicking much even in this situation thanks to Elnor, who was maintaining control with calm composure.
To call it calm might be an understatement—her expression hadn't changed since earlier, almost to a frightening degree. I wondered if this woman even knew how to show emotions.
"So, are we just supposed to wait here?"
A particularly fidgety student with a small build asked that. Judging by the tiny wand and robe, he was probably an aspiring Magic Faculty student.
"No. I don't think so."
Eliya, who had been silently crossing her arms and observing until now, responded like that.
When Elnor turned to look at her, Eliya continued with a grin.
"We probably need to move spots quickly, or things could get really bad. Don't you agree?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're probably sensing it too, President. We're not the only ones here right now."
At those words, Elnor's expression soured slightly.
The other students looked baffled at this reaction, which meant these two had already grasped the general situation.
"..."
How did they do that?
Sure, I had the quest window, but were these people sensing killing intent like some wuxia novel masters?
The protagonist and final boss weren't just anyone, it seemed.
"It doesn't look friendly at all, right? Especially since the Student Council President is here."
"What do you mean?"
"You're from a prestigious house. That's more than enough reason to target you, wouldn't you say?"
On the surface, it sounded like he was talking about a crime aimed at a high noble's heir, but this was sarcasm.
Implying that something nasty was happening because she was from the Tristan Ducal House, which committed shady deeds as naturally as breathing.
Elnor seemed to interpret it that way too, as her gaze turned icy in an instant.
"You'd better watch your words, freshman."
"Ah, no particular meaning behind it."
But seeing Elnor's demeanor grow hostile, she was pulling back with that same grin.
Come to think of it, she was pretty sly in the original story too. She had a knack for subtly needling people like this.
"Anyway, wouldn't it be better to move somewhere rather than just waiting here?"
"...I think you're right."
The largest-built guy in the group said that in a deep voice.
From his attire, he was probably from a barbarian tribe in the eastern imperial regions. The massive axe on his back was striking.
"The atmosphere definitely feels off. We don't know what might happen, so we should head to terrain more favorable for combat."
At his words, the other students' expressions gradually shifted.
Not so much fear, but more like steeling themselves.
Even faced with something ominous, they were quickly adapting and seeking solutions—befitting top-tier students.
And looking closely at the members, it was clear they weren't just any elite group.
Warrior Luca, mage Falco, healer Trisha, archer Grid. Plus Eliya as the party leader and hero role.
'The original protagonist's party.'
Thinking about the scenario progression, this was their first meeting.
They'd shown great synergy during the entrance exam, budding camaraderie that carried them to the ending.
In other words, everyone here except me was a key player in the scenario.
"..."
Alright, then.
I'll proceed with my plan.
"The central assembly hall looks like the best option."
As I spoke up, all eyes turned to me.
Ignoring that, I pointed to the building map right beside me and continued.
"There should be all sorts of equipment and first-aid supplies inside, and above all, it's spacious. Much better than these ambush-prone corridors."
Everyone nodded seriously at my words. Well, it was the most logical choice. They could all agree up to here.
The issue was this.
"And I'll head off that way."
Pointing to a completely different spot on the map, I declared it confidently, and silence blanketed the area.
It was a heavy quiet that took quite a while before someone voiced their baffled question.
"...Why are you going there alone?"
"Because I need to."
"Why?"
"There are reasons."
I'd look like a madman. Who goes off alone when a fight could break out anytime?
But I wouldn't explain. No intention to.
Why?
Because this was me bailing solo.
"..."
Of course, the event itself was about protecting Elnor.
But let's think rationally.
'Who's protecting who here?'
Right now, we had the full original party including the protagonist, plus the final boss herself, who could single-handedly slaughter a squad of assassins.
Did a all-stats F like me need to risk my life among them?
Just shove them all into the central hall to draw the assassins' aggro, and I hide until it blows over?
"I can't reveal it now, but it's important. I'll explain later for sure."
I declared it with the most earnest, persuasive tone.
Hey. Not even a lie.
What could be more important than saving my own skin?
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"This is working."
I muttered that as I walked the dim corridor.
Honestly, I'd been worried if it'd fly, but apparently, my rep for one-shotting Eliya had worked wonders. Credibility really comes from results, huh.
Goal now: hide quietly until the event ends. The assassination target was Elnor anyway, so odds were they'd ignore me completely.
Just chill somewhere and kill time—
"Hold on, student!"
—yeah, no such luck.
Classic me. Luck's always crap.
Chewing on that thought inwardly, I turned toward the voice.
A scrawny middle-aged man was rushing toward me.
"You're alive, thank goodness...!"
He soon stood before me, spilling words.
The badge on his chest marked him as faculty staff. He said his night vision was poor, making it hard to navigate here.
His awkward movements seemed genuine enough.
"So, could you help? Just guide me to the place I'm talking about, and I'll seek help from others."
"...All power inside the building is cut off."
"Heh, a trifle like this I can fix in a snap. We restore that first, right?"
I stared silently at the faculty member as he replied.
Hmm.
This guy's fishy.
[ A crisis situation is detected. ]
[ No direct threat felt yet, but clearly hostile intent is judged present. ]
[ Skill: Desperate Situation applied at F-rank. ]
Doesn't even blink while lying so smoothly.
Shit.
'Assassin, right?'
In this situation, who else could have 'hostile intent' toward me?
No, I'd just herded everyone else together to avoid aggro on me, so why run into one now?
Talk about rotten luck.
"...Shall I?"
I replied with a fabricated smile.
Still, somehow.
I could handle it.
If my guess was right.
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'This is going smoother than expected.'
Hasmed thought that as he eyed the student before him.
He looked like utterly ordinary guy with zero standout features. Falling for his lie without suspicion made him seem a bit dim, too.
Of course, his acting was top-notch—even the sharpest would fall for it easily.
Hasmed of the Crescent Moon.
Leader of this infiltration assassin squad.
Famous for hijacking victims' forms and perfectly replicating them.
And his next target was this very student.
'A fellow academy student—even the Tristan Duchess would let her guard down.'
He'd heard the advance team had been wiped by that devilish woman.
A student or not, she was no one to underestimate.
But even she wouldn't be hard to handle with lowered vigilance.
Hadn't this student fallen for his faculty disguise hook, line, and sinker?
"Yeah, this ahead is the equipment room."
Hasmed smirked inwardly at the student's words.
He'd asked this kid to guide him precisely to gauge his skill up close.
A pro assassin could tell one's level just from movement.
And this guy was a total greenhorn.
Perfect for tormenting at leisure like his favorite hobby before killing.
'Take this body, then kill the Tristan Duchess.'
From comms, she'd gathered with other students at the central hall.
When his subordinates struck there, creating chaos, he'd slip in this form and ambush—easy pickings.
"Yeah?"
Hasmed grinned, drawing a hidden blade from his sleeve.
"Then you've done well. Time for your reward."
He raised the blade with a sinister tone.
Of course, the 'reward' was dying and surrendering his skin.
Usually, victims went: doubt and confusion, denial, then terror.
His favorite part was savoring that—
"Ah, what a relief. It's really you, Hasmed."
"..."
The student said it like he was relieved.
No fear, no doubt, no confusion—crystal clear.
He even sighed, brushing back his hair like genuine relief.
"If it'd been some half-decent strong guy, that could've been dangerous. Lucky."
"...What the hell are you babbling about?"
"Truth is, you looked the part no matter how I sliced it, but I wasn't sure, so I kept watching. If it was some mid-tier I'd have to subdue awkwardly, it'd be riskier. I'd have bolted if the assassin was iffy."
"What?"
"But the rhinitis sniffle, finger twitching, that bow-legged gait... all matched the habits I knew. So I relaxed."
"...!"
Hasmed's face stiffened.
While he'd sized up the kid, the kid had been scanning him too?
Unthinkable.
He, always the hunter, getting read by prey!
'Can't kill him quick.'
He'd spill every detail first, then die.
Vowing that, Hasmed charged.
Knowing that much changed nothing—combat-wise, the kid was a weakling. End it in one!
"Let's see, Desperate Situation at A-rank..."
But this crazy-seeming guy was muttering nonsense even as he lunged.
He even picked up a random stick from the floor nearby. Like he could do something with it.
'Absurd.'
Hasmed scoffed inwardly, swinging the blade. A fatal blow for sure.
But.
The spectacle that followed was utterly beyond his expectations.
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