Chapter 28
Both Spy #1 and Spy #2 were in Class B. That means their target is probably in Class B too.
Of course, no one in my class has the name “D.”
I haven’t memorized all the names, but I’m sure no one has that strange name.
Could it be a nickname? Is there anyone with a name related to “D”?
Well, it’s definitely not me. I’m Ray Granble. Both my first and last name have nothing to do with “D.”
I should ask Professor Totten to show me the class roster later, using the team selection as an excuse. Maybe if I look at the names slowly, I’ll find something.
But it’s strange… there’s no information about me in the spy orders.
They must know I survived. That happened months ago. Or maybe they didn’t know I got into the academy?
“Spy #2 must’ve made a report… we were in the same class for two weeks. Maybe the order Spy #2 got isn’t here… Oh, wait, here it is.”
It was there after all.
On the last page of the order sheet, my name finally appeared:
“Ray Granble, listed in Class B, is the last survivor of the Granble family… suspected to have survived Poison Cave #1.”
Poison Cave #1? So, there were other poison caves?
“However, gathering info about ‘D’ is the top priority. If possible, gather additional information on Ray Granble. This is a direct order from the White Hand leader…”
Now I was just curious.
Why is this “D” person so important? They think this “D” is more important than me—even though I survived the resurrection ritual of the First Poison King?
Well, at least the leader of the White Hand is keeping an eye on me.
The White Hand—it’s a special unit of the Poison King Cult where the spies belonged.
There wasn’t much else in the documents:
- Watch “D” and gather info
- If there’s time, gather info on me
- Start brutal murders in the slums around the academy
- Keep the jar safe when it arrives (probably the one with the 100-Year Poison)
That was it.
I closed the second drawer and opened the third one halfway.
Creak…
But then I immediately shut it.
The third drawer was completely empty.
Disappointing.
I was hoping to find hidden spy money—gold bars, silver, loads of cash…
But there was nothing.
Maybe I expected too much?
Even the last drawer was filled with just old, torn rags.
“Haa…”
These guys must really be poor.
How is the Poison King Cult funding their spies? Do they seriously go around begging in these rags? Though begging doesn’t suit them—robbery sounds more like it.
Still, I didn’t come out empty-handed.
I’m not talking about the strange root I found.
That jar with the 100-Year Poison is definitely valuable.
That means someone will come here eventually to take it back.
It’s like bait walking into my mouth.
I don’t need to keep going on dangerous night missions.
I just need to wait here like a spider in a web, and the prey will come.
“Next time, I need to control it better so it doesn’t melt…”
I need to take my time and make the most of it. After all, life isn’t just about food.
Suddenly, I noticed a familiar bump on the wall next to the drawers.
It looked just like the one in the built-in cabinet earlier.
When I pulled it the same way, a hidden door appeared in the wall.
Creak…
A hidden room inside a hidden basement?
I knew it!
There must be secret funds in there!
But no…
Splash.
“…Water?”
There was water inside.
Across the secret passage was a small underground pond. It took me a second, but I figured it out.
It was a well.
The bottom of the well behind the dorm was connected to this basement.
I looked up and saw the opening of the well far above.
“Ah, there you all are.”
A red orb floated near the top of the well.
I waved at it to come down.
“Over here! Come down, everyone! There’s something here that’s hard to carry out alone. Just come down for now…”
The next morning, I left the dorm looking almost normal.
Maybe my face and hands were still a little swollen. If anyone asks, I’ll just say I had a late-night snack. Not that anyone in class is going to care…
When I arrived at the academy and walked through the halls—
“You idiots! The professor isn’t here, so stop messing around!”
A familiar voice was yelling in front of Class C’s room.
“This isn’t the time to be fighting! The city’s in danger! My little brother said he saw a poison man walking around the city!”
“…What?”
“A poison man?”
“What are you talking about, you orphaned freak?!”
“What? You wanna die today?”
There was a loud crash followed by screaming from the classroom.
Phil, as usual, was full of energy this morning.
Wait… a “poison man”?
I couldn’t ignore that. I stopped walking and focused all my hearing.
“…Hmph. That guy was nothing. Anyone else want some? Come on!”
“Hold on, Phil. What are you talking about?”
“That guy’s punch… seriously hurts…”
“But what did you say? A poison man?”
“Yeah, a poison man. My little sister said she ran into a murderer last night, and the poison man saved her.”
The whole class erupted in noise.
“A murderer? The serial killer people are talking about?”
“The poison man saved her from the killer?”
“What? Are you joking?”
“Is your sister crazy?”
“Crazy? You wanna get punched?”
“No sir. Sorry. Please don’t hit me.”
“Anyway, Melissa’s my smartest sister. She doesn’t lie. She said a huge monster-looking guy showed up and took out the killer.”
Melissa.
So that girl’s name was Melissa.
But… Melissa? She already told people?
What happened to our silent promise that night?
“Sigh…”
I thought we had a moment of understanding. I guess I was wrong.
Anyway, a mysterious poison man walking around the slums…
Soon, the rumor will spread. The city guards will act fast.
The Sword King family might ignore a mystery killer, but not a mysterious poison man.
I should avoid night outings for now.
As long as I stay quiet, nothing should happen. My appearance and voice are completely different anyway.
By the way, Phil seems to get along well with his classmates despite all the brawling. I’m a bit jealous.
Another day passed.
I attended lectures, did some light practice, got called to a professor’s office, and attended another class.
After school, I brought an unexpected guest back to the dorm.
His name was Giel Craven.
“I thought you were joking… but you were serious?”
Giel grumbled the whole way.
“Grave Mountain? You really want to do the succession duel here? Are you insane?”
“Yep. My mind’s perfectly fine.”
“This place is cursed! You think you can fight well here? The ley lines are messed up!”
“Ley lines?”
I had no idea what he was talking about, so I asked Phil.
“Are the ley lines messed up here?”
“Hm?” Phil closed his eyes briefly, then shook his head. “Not really. Pretty normal, like at the academy.”
“Normal? You’re clueless! Who are you, his servant or something?”
Giel sneered. Phil’s forehead twitched.
“Can’t you see my uniform? I’m Phil Lucabrae from Class C. I’m your classmate.”
“Classmate? Please. We’re in different classes. Don’t act like we’re equals. Don’t get close to me, you stink.”
“Ray?”
Phil whispered quietly, “Is he strong?”
“Hmm? He’s average in Class B.”
“Stronger than you?”
“Probably not.”
“Good. Beat him up for me.”
“Don’t worry. But is there really something wrong with the ley lines?”
“Nope. And if there is, it’s very minor. He’s just making excuses in case he loses.”
Phil spat on the ground and stepped back. I nodded.
Aura isn’t just human strength. It’s power drawn from ley lines deep in the ground.
The flow of ley lines changes based on region. There are even special areas called “Forbidden Zones” where ley lines are weak or undetectable.
But that doesn’t matter to me—I have zero aura sensitivity anyway.
“Ah, that’s it! Granble, your aura is only 1-star, right? You picked this place to make it easier for yourself!”
“That’s enough talking.”
A middle-aged man, who had arrived earlier, finally spoke.
“The Sword King succession duel begins now.”
His name was Grick Serces.
He was the overseer of the duel and director of the Bryce Succession Authority. He was also my dad’s old academy classmate—so he must be around 42.
“Giel Craven. First-year, Northern Academy. Succession rank: 160th. Stand to my right.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Ray Granble. First-year, Northern Academy. Succession rank: 96th. Stand to my left.”
“Yes, overseer.”
“Let me explain the rules.”
Grick looked at both of us.
“This is a lower-tier duel. It will be a short match based on the overseer’s judgment. When I say stop, the fight ends. No arguing. Understood?”
“Yes, overseer.”
“Prepare for battle.”
“Hup!”
Giel raised his wooden sword and shouted.
Vwoooom!
A soft shimmer appeared around his body.
Aura.
To people who can use it, it looks and feels very different. To me, it’s just a faint ripple.
–Giel’s aura… Hmm, let’s see. 3-star aura, 2-star sword skill.
That’s what Professor Totten “accidentally” let slip in his office.
Aura 3-star means someone can push the limits of human speed and strength.
It also gives strong poison resistance. Not that it matters right now.
“Hmm.”
Grick cleared his throat and looked at me.
“Ray Granble. Prepare for battle.”
“I’m ready.”
“…”
Grick frowned in silence.
It’s not what you think, sir.
This really is my full strength.
I’m not holding back my aura. I literally can’t use it.
