episode_0084

After revealing to Iris the means by which I could deceive and surpass others within the Ardent Academy, a strong sense of reality hit me hard, causing me to momentarily lose my composure.

‘Perhaps I should have proceeded forcefully even if my weakness was exposed to Cineriana or Black Moon.’

By abstaining from classes due to poor health, they would be excluded, ensuring that others within the academy wouldn’t know.

However, if Cineriana were to catch on that I am merely a flawed half-baked swordsman, I could not predict how her stance on the Ardent Academy might change, leading me to conclude that this was the best course of action.

Despite this, as frustration lingered within me, Iris nudged my shoulder, signaling the completion of her work.

“It’s all done, so take a look.”

Raising my head at Iris’s words, I saw a doll dressed in the academy uniform, looking exactly like me, standing where there had previously been only a lump of magic and mana.

Meticulously comparing it to my body, I found no differences, down to the smallest detail, sending shivers down my spine.

With an astonished expression, I glanced at Iris, who, somewhat incongruously, crossed her arms confidently and spoke.

“Why are you making such a surprised face? I put quite a bit of effort into this. It was meticulously crafted based on delicate scanning magic, matching not only the appearance but also internal organs and other parts perfectly, making it imperceptible to those monitoring you, let alone ordinary people.”

‘It’s more impressive than I thought. Even with heightened senses, without prior knowledge, one wouldn’t easily discern it as a decoy.’

What’s even more astonishing is that the doll’s magical energy flow and quantity within the body are almost identical to my current state.

Those who have reached a certain level tend to rely more on mana-based detection rather than their five senses, making it even easier to deceive them.

Confirming that Iris’s manipulations matched various actions she had instructed earlier, such as simple walking and meditating, I spoke up after noticing even the smallest gestures were identical.

“I didn’t expect it to be completed so intricately. It exceeds my expectations. If I didn’t know it was a decoy, I wouldn’t have easily realized it wasn’t human. Thank you for accommodating my request.”

“Just remember, Yukal, I’m helping because I sense you won’t misuse this for frivolous purposes. So, don’t try to exploit it.”

“Of course. I’ll be cautious to prevent other academy students from getting involved and won’t use it for personal gain, ensuring the concerns of the Headmaster do not materialize.”

Upon hearing my words, Iris chuckled and momentarily paused manipulating my decoy.

“Don’t worry too much; I’ll remove it once this is over. Besides, if I’m not around, there aren’t many capable of manipulating it properly. From my perspective, being able to secure the body data of an inspector at the level of a few hundred years is quite satisfying.”

“Thank you for your consideration. Apart from this occasion, there probably won’t be much need for extensive use, I presume.”

As the conversation naturally transitioned, Iris’s final words struck a chord with me.

‘What exactly does it mean that she has secured my body data?’

At least, knowing Iris, the Headmaster of the Ardent Academy, I felt she wouldn’t engage in anything untoward, but with a lingering unease, I had no choice but to speak up further.

“Um… Headmaster, what exactly does it mean that you’ve secured my body data? It’s bothering me a bit.”

“Quite literally. Individuals with talents like yours don’t come by easily, so gathering relevant data might prove helpful in teaching similar students in the future or enabling those who aren’t naturally gifted like you to develop such skills later on.”

Recalling a movie where a robot roamed around looking identical to herself, Iris’s urgent attempt to speak was thwarted by her discouragement.

“Don’t worry. There are no plans to mass-produce or utilize artificial life forms that look exactly like you for military purposes. It’s merely for potential scenarios that closely resemble reality.”

Seeing my lingering unease, I could finally relax after confirming her dedication and pledging allegiance to her magic.

“You’re subtly demanding for someone in your position.”

“I apologize. However, I couldn’t just let it slide feeling uncomfortable as it is.”

“No need to apologize that much. Your concerns about others having your physical information are understandable. It might even benefit my faction, hence my personal feelings weren’t entirely absent.”

Though I couldn’t quite catch Iris’s muttered words behind me, being considerate of the attention she was giving me, further conversation seemed impolite beyond mere courtesy.

“A bit demanding. Considering you’re asking a favor of me.”

“I’m sorry. But I couldn’t just let this discomfort pass, thinking it was necessary to address.”

“I don’t mean it that way! Stop right now!”

Despite my outburst of anger due to her sudden attack, Iris wore a puzzled expression.

“Given the body scan earlier, all your physical information is already stored in my mind. So feel free to check without any reservations. I believe you are more than adequate, even exceptional, so you should be confident.”

“That’s not the point! Please stop this at once!”

In the end, an unexpected assault from Iris left me mentally disheveled, but ultimately, the dummy was properly created, and with help from various minor details, the plan proceeded smoothly.

*

As the dummy resembling me, manipulated by Iris, left the principal’s office, I simultaneously engaged my heightened senses to their fullest.

Concurrently enhancing my sensory abilities along with physical reinforcement, I could accurately pinpoint the locations of my dummy and Black Moon Dormitory 4 on the map.

As my dummy moved towards the boys’ dormitory, I could confirm the corresponding movement of Dormitory 4.

“Just as I expected, fortunate that things are unfolding as planned.”

With changes in the stat stone indicating a new direction and despite the hastily devised plan, progress continued smoothly without major issues.

Due to the clandestine conversations using mist-like fog emitted today, all eyes, including Laika and the entire Dormitory 4, were fixed on me, moving in close proximity.

Confirming the lack of surveillance elsewhere due to everyone focusing on my dummy, I deactivated my heightened senses and manipulated the newly changed stat stone to transform my body with a creaking sound.

After enduring considerable pain, Iris quickly changed clothes and received her identification before leaving a grateful farewell in the opposite direction.

She could reach the girls’ dormitory in no time since she hadn’t weakened without Claire’s buff despite changing her appearance.

‘In reality, there’s no need to hide with this appearance…’

Feeling uneasy, I used my heightened senses to bypass all the students, security guards, and staff guarding the dormitory and reached Claire’s door cautiously.

I couldn’t help but sigh at the slight self-disgust as I cautiously knocked on Claire’s door.

“Who is it?”

Claire, who had opened her dorm room door, showed a slightly tense and guarded reaction to the unfamiliar figure.

In her hands, there was a well-maintained white plate, perhaps from cooking or doing dishes.

“Excuse me, may I know your name? Judging by the uniform, you seem to be from Ardent Academy, but I don’t recall meeting you before. If possible, I’d like to hear your name and the purpose of your visit first.”

In response to her reaction, I answered with a wry smile, speaking in a thin, high voice different from my usual deep tone.

“It’s me, Claire, Yukal. I didn’t expect things to turn out like this, but I came straight here because I can solve all the problems right away. Surprised, right? Sorry for coming like this.”

-Clang!

Upon realizing the identity of the person standing in front of her, Claire was so shocked that she dropped the plate she was holding.

As the sudden sound of the plate breaking echoed, and it became apparent that people from neighboring rooms were about to come out, Claire, now at eye level with me, grabbed my hand and swiftly prepared to push all the shards of the plate away, ready to divert attention.

“It’s difficult to reveal everything right now. Let’s go inside, and I’ll explain.”

Before hearing Claire’s response, I led her inside and closed the door, preventing other students from discovering us.