Episode 6
“Then, Master, I’ll return to my post now.”
“Wait.”
Normally, I wouldn’t want to act suspiciously, but… this time, I had no choice.
“Before you leave, we should go over the plan one last time.”
“A final check… sir?”
I wanted to review the plan again. It’s not something the old Jairon would’ve done, so it might raise suspicion—but whatever. It’s fine this time.
After all, the person in front of me isn’t Reaper or Yodala. He’s just a low-level officer who barely made it into the organization.
“If it’s not rude to ask… may I know why, sir?”
Luckily, I had a good excuse ready.
“Hm. The original plan got a little tangled. Things with Princess Aris got a bit complicated. We need to adjust the plan to account for that.”
“Ah, so that’s why you didn’t dodge my attack earlier and ad-libbed like that…”
“Exactly.”
If I’m right, Princess Aris plays a key role in Jairon’s original plan. So if our relationship changed, the rest of the plan must change too.
“I understand what you mean.”
The doppelgänger nodded seriously.
“Then, how should we adjust the plan?”
This is the tricky part. I need to say something that makes him come up with the scenario himself.
“If possible, I’d like it to be more impactful than the original… but I’m not good at this sort of thing. I’m not creative.”
“Y-you want something even more dramatic?”
“Yes. You used to be a writer before you joined us, didn’t you? I’d like to hear your opinion.”
Before joining Black Night, the doppelgänger was a writer. I’ll use that to get more information out of him.
“You mean… you trust my writer’s instincts?”
“Heh. Would I have asked you if I didn’t trust you?”
His eyes trembled with emotion.
“I trust you.”
“Ah…!”
He looked deeply moved.
“Yes, of course! Please leave it to me. I’ll repay your trust!”
Now his eyes were burning with passion.
“There are three ways we can adjust the scenario to make it more intense. Please choose whichever one you prefer.”
“Go on.”
“Yes. First scenario is…”
As he explained the three adjusted plans, I could also get a general idea of the original one.
‘So the original plan was basically a romantic fantasy.’
From that, I learned a lot—especially about Jairon’s true goal.
‘I can’t believe his final goal was to marry Princess Aris.’
He didn’t just want to gain her favor or build a connection.
His real plan was to marry Aris, the third princess of the Kanarion Kingdom, and enter the royal palace as her husband.
Then, eventually, help her become queen and rule the kingdom from the shadows.
‘Seriously? A 500-year-old guy plotting to marry a 17-year-old? That’s disgusting. But… I gotta admit, it’s a clever plan.’
The Kanarion Kingdom is large, but it’s a mess inside. The current king is incompetent, and his poor leadership weakened the kingdom.
So getting Aris to the throne isn’t impossible.
‘But why the third princess? Why not the first prince or first princess?’
Controlling the first prince would be way easier and faster. So why go the roundabout route with Aris?
‘Maybe it’s because of her hidden talent?’
In the game Spiritual Monarch, Aris is one of the top three strongest characters.
I never played without her. That shows how powerful she is.
Maybe Jairon recognized her talent early and planned to take both her and the kingdom.
‘But how? Her talent is completely hidden right now because of her “misfortune.”’
In the game, her true ability only awakens in the third year—after her misfortune is resolved.
Right now, there’s no way anyone could see that hidden power.
‘Did he have some secret way to see it?’
I’ve played the game a lot, but I’m still just a player. I don’t know everything.
It’s possible there’s something I missed.
‘I really want to know. If he saw her talent, how did he do it?’
While I was lost in thought…
―“Everyone, quiet down.”
A middle-aged man appeared on the stage. He seemed to be an instructor.
―“The 127th class of Garam Academy entrance ceremony will now begin.”
‘Looks normal.’
The ceremony was pretty standard. Instructors introduced themselves, the head instructor explained the school system, and the vice-principal gave a speech.
‘Why are all entrance ceremonies so boring?’
Yawn.
Just as I was yawning from boredom…
―“Next, we’ll introduce the two student representatives. First, Aris Vel Kanarion.”
Clap clap clap!
Aris, with her familiar red hair, walked up on stage.
‘Wait, two representatives?’
Isn’t there usually just one?
While I was clapping like everyone else…
―“Next, Jian Velomata.”
‘…What?’
Why was my name called?
‘That wasn’t part of the doppelgänger’s scenario…’
Maybe he didn’t mention it because it wasn’t important?
‘Actually, yeah. It’s not something that needed to be explained.’
Can’t change it now anyway.
―“Jian Velomata?”
Called again.
…Well, since they called me, I guess I have to go.
[Your EX-Rank Mind stat calms your anxiety.]
My heart jumped at first, but I quickly calmed down.
Being in front of a crowd? No big deal.
I walked confidently onto the stage and stood next to Aris.
“…”
She looked surprised. Like she never expected me to be the other representative.
‘Surprised? Me too.’
I already knew Jairon’s goal was to graduate top of the class. But I didn’t expect things to start off this flashy.
―“Aris Vel Kanarion. Jian Velomata. Turn around.”
We turned to face the students.
―“These two were chosen for their excellence in academics and combat.”
All eyes were on me.
Old me would’ve been sweating bullets. But not anymore.
[Your EX-Rank Mind erases nervousness, fear, and anxiety.]
I was calm. Totally calm.
―“First, the combat representative: Jian Velomata. His performance was the best in the last ten years…”
That’s when the doppelgänger, disguised as my older brother, shouted.
“I—I object!”
His face red with anger.
“That trash? As a representative?! No way! There must be some mistake!”
His acting was excellent. No one would think it was fake.
“What’s wrong with him?”
“Crazy guy…”
Whispers from the crowd showed that his acting was very convincing.
“There’s gotta be corruption! Bribery or… something!”
―“Oh?”
The instructor’s eyes sparkled with amusement.
―“So you’re saying our school chooses reps based on bribes?”
“N-no! I didn’t mean it like that!”
Even in his anger, he still cowered before authority. Classic third-rate villain behavior.
“I-I made a mistake! I take it back!”
―“Normally, words can’t be taken back. But I’ll let it slide—just this once.”
Looks like the instructor didn’t want the ceremony ruined.
But then…
“But there’s definitely something wrong! He couldn’t even react to my attack earlier!”
―“Oh? So you’re the one who caused trouble this morning.”
Instructor’s face turned cold.
“Please give me a chance! I’ll prove he’s fake—with a duel!”
―“A duel, huh…”
The instructor looked at him coldly, then glanced at the vice-principal.
Finally, he sighed and nodded.
―“Fine. You’ll duel Jian.”
‘Wait—they accepted that?’
They could’ve just dragged him out. Why agree?
“Th-thank you! I’ll reveal his true nature!”
―“But.”
The instructor’s eyes narrowed.
―“If you lose and Gian proves his strength, you will be expelled. Immediately.”
‘…This is way more intense than I expected.’
The plan I was told was simple:
[Doppelgänger calls me a fake in front of everyone and challenges me to a duel.]
Didn’t expect “in front of everyone” to mean the entrance ceremony.
‘Sigh.’
As I sighed…
“I didn’t expect your brother to go that far.”
Aris entered the room.
“I never thought someone would cause trouble at Garam Academy’s entrance ceremony…”
“…It’s my fault.”
I stared into the air, defeated.
“I knew my brother would lose control if I became a rep… but I didn’t know my mentor made me one.”
One piece of info from the doppelgänger: I, Jian, have a powerful mentor. They made me a representative.
Didn’t catch the name, but it’s someone important.
‘It also explains why I acted weak earlier to save Aris, but now seem strong.’
Aris nodded like it made sense.
“So… you didn’t choose this position yourself.”
“…No.”
Perfect. No more suspicion.
“Jian Velomata. Three minutes left. Time to come out.”
Instructor called me from outside.
“I’ll be going now.”
I stood up and headed for the door.
But—
“Wait.”
Aris grabbed my hand.
“One last question. I want to ask you something. You…”
At that moment:
[Your EX-Rank Mind repels “The Cursed Child” effect.]
Suddenly, something was pushed out of my mind.
[Aris Vel Kanarion’s unique ability “Loved by All Things” awakens.]
[“Loved by All Things” blesses anyone she touches.]
And I received a blessing.
‘…Huh?’
