Chapter Chapter 49: 7. Is your backside safe? (1) (2/2)

But, he’s exempting me from it.

And only me at that?

“It, it definitely won’t be for free. What do I have to do?”

“As expected, vice-president. You catch on quickly.”

As I saw Professor Nicerwin nod with a satisfied expression on his face, I thought my predictions were right on the money.

To Professor Nicerwin, nothing is free in the world.

You give something for an appropriate price, but nothing is ever free.

And even more so if it’s related to night study!

“All you have to do is side with the teachers during tonight’s night study.”

Now what is this supposed to mean. In a word, he’s telling me to commit betrayal? Why?

“There have been countless wars throughout human history. The race that has the most history related to warfare compared to every other race are humans. No, even in the wars of other races whether large or small, the majority of them had humans in them somewhere.”

Looking at my expression, Professor Nicerwin smiled and said to me in a sagely voice as if he was retelling an old tale.

“And because of that, humans, despite having the one of the poorest base capabilities, have developed countless strategies and tactics.”

“Wh, what does that have to do with my betraying the other students…”

“Divide and conquer.”

“Huh?”

“Divide and conquer. Out of the countless strategies developed by humans throughout history, this is one of the most effective strategies in the history of human warfare. Honeytrap the enemy commander, sow discord between king and loyal follower so the king kills his follower with his own hands, a very simple yet very effective tactic.”

No, I know what divide and conquer means.

But why at an academy, and to the student council vice-president of all people does he want me to pull this off?

“It seems that you still don’t quite fully understand. What if, hypothetically, there happened to be spies from other academies in this school?”

Now what sort of bullshit is this?

Even if we compete with each other in the imperial festival and other events under the banners of the four great academies, I wouldn’t think it’s anything worth deliberately sending spies in for.

“A what if. Just a what if.”

“That would be problematic then.”

“Indeed, it would. Because the betrayal of an allies always causes great chaos. Even more if said ally’s position is a high one.”

Despite the fact that I just said whatever came to mind, Professor Nicerwin nodded as if satisfied.

“And, to prepare for that scenario, I wish for you, Risen, to side with the teachers.”

“…And that’s the condition that you will exempt me from tomorrow’s night study for?”

“Yes, it is.”

What should I say. Should I say something as to why a school’s curriculum includes this sort of material?

I’m the normal one for thinking this, right? No matter how much people say that I’m the weird one, I’m the normal one here, right?

-Yes you are. As someone called the maverick among the gods, I can guarantee you that this academy is absolutely insane!

There we have it, a god’s seal of approval. Damn it, why did the academy have to go to cuckooland in my final year!

And worse, he’s telling me to betray, yet why does it sound so good? It’s seriously tempting?

He’s saying that he’ll exempt me from tomorrow’s night study of all things!

“Ah, of course I will also exempt you from the after-school club activities and the study sessions as well. Same with attending school. Although it’s limited to tomorrow only, since there are no morning classes tomorrow you will be able to come to school at ten and leave at five.”

What, what are these things that were a part of daily life we took for granted last year, but feels like such a distant dream now.

“…Really?”

Swoosh!

At my question, the silver devil got up and closed the curtains behind Professor Nicerwin.

The room darkened instantly, and Professor Nicerwin’s expression turned solemn with it.

“Indeed.”

The single word that came with the change in speech.

What is this short yet trustworthy answer?!

“Victory in this year’s imperial festival is all but certain. In that case, is it not better to look after your own profits?”

Urk, yes it is! I can’t ever imagine Yugrasia right now losing at the imperial festival!

But!

“But my comrades…”

I think of the President that pretends to be stern yet does dumb things with me anyway.

I thought of the vice-president who I always fight with but sometimes think of.

And the Treasurer that sometimes chases me with an invoice whenever I sneak away some of the student council funds, or his tearful face whenever I offload my work to him.

And the countless comrades-in-arms(students) that I fought with on countless battlefields(night study)!

“Some of your comrades have already decided to side with us.”

Kuurgh, they’ve betrayed us? Already? Were there already traitors before me!

Even though we swore together to escape the night study together, and just for this!

‘Or maybe it’s not something you can call ‘just’ this…’

Damn it, for the fourth years these conditions were just simply too good. I can’t help it. But I!

“Now, now. This is also a good learning experience for the other students. It’s hard to experience betrayal on the battlefield outside of real life-and-death war. Having experienced this in advance, even if they are betrayed in the future, they will have ample knowledge of how to deal with this situation.”

But Professor Nicerwin began to cut off my escape routes.

“Moreover, who knows what may happen in the imperial festival. It will be good to experience a situation where you have lost a few key members in advance.”

“Kurrghh… th, then…”

“Now, what will you do.”

Ahhh, It just can’t be helped. I can’t do anything about this! But, but even so!

“Krrrrk… wha, what if I don’t agree to these conditions…”

“Well, you will not be penalised. I just hope you would keep it a secret.”

Damn it, it’s done. Everything’s been set up, I have already fallen for his trap.

Then it simply cannot be helped!

***(3)

“Why?”

I looked down at the student council member that was looking at me with wide eyes, unable to understand what was happening.

The back lines, where the weakest yet the most important forces of the student council were.

I ambushed the summoners that were capable of healing and knocked them all out.

Now there is no one on the eighth floor capable of healing. Although I can feel the pricks of guilt it’s already too late!

“Isn’t this too far for a joke, Risen?”

I felt the guild weigh down on my shoulders as I saw the vice-president with uncharacteristic tears in her eyes, but I couldn’t help it.

“Kurrgh… how… how could you!”

And finally, I felt like another dagger of guilt stab into me as I watched the president collapse, shaking in betrayal.

It hurts. It really hurts.

But!

“Yee~ yahoo!”

That pain was perfectly treated by skipping the following day’s night study.