I’m the Slit-Eyed Character at the Academy, but I’m not the Mastermind

Chapter 145

Here is the text with Scarlet's pronouns corrected:

Scarlet was slightly annoyed.

Left here to fend for himself, his workload taken away, and now, out of the blue, he was being told to run a restaurant?

This wasn't about being a rat; it seemed they wanted to use him as a chef.

It was essentially a demotion. Being worthless as a rat, he was now being assigned a different role.

'After all I endured through that insane training...'

And it's not like he did anything wrong.

Despite the many shortcomings of his situation, Scarlet had always done his best in his duties as a rat.

But to be demoted, and to a chef at that?

The reason Scarlet had decided to become a rat, almost akin to being scouted through kidnapping, was because it somewhat aligned with his 'goal.'

But to work as a chef?

That was unacceptable and shouldn't be accepted.

"Why do I have to do this?"

"..."

"Ah, no! I mean, there must be a reason for being demoted, right? Wouldn't it be less unfair if I knew the reason? Hahaha!"

Scarlet quickly changed his demeanor, pretending as if nothing was wrong.

'This idiot!'

He chastised himself simultaneously.

Emotional restraint is one of the fundamental qualities a rat must possess.

But expressing it externally?

That's a failure as a rat. No matter how irritating the situation, one must learn to laugh it off as if nothing's wrong.

'Well... there is one bigger reason.'

The reason behind Scarlet's sudden change in demeanor.

Sneakily looking up, he caught sight of Caron's stern face.

The face filled with scars was intimidating, but the aura emanating from his entire body was truly terrifying.

An invisible, intangible power.

Scarlet, being more sensitive than most, could feel it.

Yes. This was the real reason behind his sudden change in attitude.

The man in front of him.

'Because it's Caron.'

Swallowing dryly, he recalled information about him.

Caron, the rat of the empire.

A name that sent shivers down the spines of not just the empire, but the sacred kingdom and neighboring kingdoms as well.

The official count of people he's assassinated numbers in the dozens.

Unofficially, it would be hundreds.

Though he became less active after showing himself in the sunlight to nurture his successors, his nature hadn't changed.

'He could get rid of someone like me in an instant.'

Yet there he was, questioning him with 'Why do I have to do this?'

Was it the monotony of the repetitive daily life? There must have been something wrong with his head.

Regardless, Scarlet snapped back to reality.

He became aware of his situation, all it took was one glare from Caron.

Was it that he noticed? Caron slightly clicked his tongue and spoke.

"Tch, it's a mission."

"...A mission? It wasn't a demotion?"

"What kind of fool would use a rat he painstakingly trained as a chef?"

...It seems like one is right in front of me?

But he couldn't say that out loud.

Scarlet's mind raced.

'A mission? Not a demotion, but a covert operation?'

The society of rats Caron ran.

Here, a mission wasn't something just anyone could undertake.

Gender, age, physique, knowledge, skill, experience, etc.

A mission was assigned in a manner that fulfilled several stringent criteria, to the most suitable rat.

In other words, a rat given a mission was, for that mission alone, considered 'the best fit.'

For the record, Scarlet hadn't received any official missions since becoming a rat.

His expectations couldn't help but rise.

'Hehe, it seems the information I obtained last time was quite useful.'

Information on Count Volomov's affair.

That must have brought in a significant benefit.

'They had no choice but to acknowledge my capability even in this wasteland... even making a direct visit.'

However, he couldn't be entirely pleased.

His first official mission. The success or failure of this mission would determine his future treatment.

'In other words, this mission is both a reward and a test for moving on to the next stage.'

This was to see whether it was a stroke of luck or if he was genuinely a capable rat.

'I might have lost some points by showing my emotions... but I can make up for it with this mission.'

An opportunity to prove himself as a capable rat, to leave this miserable area.

Not just that. Being recognized as a capable rat would also grant access to higher-level information.

And he would be able to achieve his true 'goal.'

"So, what role do I need to play?"

A covert mission disguised as a restaurant chef?

Approach a noble lady to form connections and extract information?

Or perhaps, an assassination mission.

'Given that Caron, the rat of the empire, came in person...'

Whatever the mission, it wouldn't be easy.

'Bring it on! I'll perfectly complete any mission!'

Scarlet was resolved, his eyes shining, when he said,

"...The children will come. Just treat them to fine cuisine."

"I see. Fine cuisine... Children tend to let their guard down with delicious food. So, it's a covert operation. What information should I extract?"

"...Nothing."

"...?"

Scarlet stopped writing in his notebook, using code for the mission details, and looked up at Caron.

But there was no change in his demeanor. He was serious, not joking.

"I apologize. I got ahead of myself. What should I do while serving the food?"

"Just carry it out diligently."

"And then?"

"Nothing."

"...?"

Scarlet's mind was filled with confusion.

'What's this? Is this a test in itself? Or a loyalty test?'

How diligently one would carry out an absurd mission.

A test to check loyalty.

If not that, then.

"Is it hospitality?"

There were occasions when he had to entertain high nobility.

But it was unlikely for a low-rank rat like himself to be assigned such a task, especially not in a low-grade tavern.

And since the clients were children, there was no reason to entertain them.

"It's not hospitality. It's more profound than that..."

"What is it?"

"They are children worth watching closely. I simply wanted to ensure they get at least one good meal."

Scarlet's brows furrowed involuntarily.

Caron moved himself for such a trivial reason?

If this wasn't a test, then there's only one other reason left.

'He's gone mad.'

No matter how he thought about it, there was no reason for the empire's rat to care about feeding children.

Perhaps due to his skeptical gaze, Caron scratched his head.

"Hmm, well, you could say it's a kind of investment. There's a promising kid among them."

I see. So, there's a child worth using as a rat?

He understood the situation. However,

"So, you're telling me to basically become a children's chef!"

Scarlet couldn't help but get angry.

He understood the whole situation.

It was an embarrassing request to make of other rats, so they disguised it as a mission and dumped it on the lowest rank.

"Hmm..."

Knowing how embarrassing it was, Caron was quick to clear his throat.

Seeing this, Scarlet was simply flabbergasted.

'Is this the Caron I know?'

The one who would betray him right after a conversation.

Caron, who had a wonderful(?) character, was now concerned about children's meals and making such requests under the guise of a mission.

'Well, what can I do? I still have to do it.'

He had to endure it. Until he achieved his goal, he must bear it.

This humiliation was nothing.

Scarlet, who could endure far greater humiliations, sighed lightly before speaking.

"I understand the situation. I'll carry it out diligently. Any specific instructions?"

"I'm not sure how many will come. But one cute girl and one boy with eyes so small they're barely visible. These two will definitely come."

"A cute girl and... a boy with slit eyes confirmed... And?"

"Just prevent him from acting improperly towards the girl."

"Improper actions... Like what?"

"Everything."

That's too broad. Scarlet was about to question further but stopped himself as Caron emitted an immense aura.

'I'm not sure what it is... but it's clear he dislikes the boy with the slit eyes.'

After marking him as a person of interest, he spoke again.

"If other children come along, I might not be able to distinguish the girl. Could you give me a clear description of her?"

"I told you. She's cute."

"Any other features?"

"She's charming."

"And?"

"She's popular."

"..."

All abstract characteristics. Names, hair color, physical appearance.

It would be helpful to have something more concrete.

'Is he intentionally hiding it? Or is it a test of perception?'

Despite the vague descriptions, he decided to let it go.

He should be able to handle this much to be called a rat.

"The boy with the slit eyes. You said to stop him whenever he attempts improper actions... What's permissible?"

"Everything except killing him. Well, if you can, that is."

Scarlet's eyebrows involuntarily raised.

He might be low-ranking, but he was still a rat.

Moreover, he had experience surviving in the dirty underworld.

For him, restraining a child would be easier than eating.

"No matter how closely you watch these children... you're overestimating them."

"Kuku. Do you think so?"

Caron chuckled.

Seeing his laughter, Scarlet felt even worse.

It was a scoff. A scoff directed at him.

"You seem full of complaints."

"If that's what it seems to you, then it must be so."

"Ho... Your arrogance is not less than his, it seems."

Caron paused for a moment, then, as if an amusing thought had struck him, he smiled and said,

"Fine, you're a rat. I'll give you a mission. The boy with the slit eyes. If you find out information about him, I'll consider the mission complete."

"What kind of information are you looking for?"

"The past would be preferable. The difficulty of the mission... Yes."

Caron's eyes sparkled.

"Well, it'll be classified as a top-level mission."

Scarlet swallowed hard.

'Top-level.'

Information on rats is classified from grades 1 to 9.

From grade 3, less than ten rats have the clearance to access the information.

And now, information classified higher than that as top-level.

'The authority to access higher information, and possibly leave this place.'

Scarlet clenched his fist.

Such an opportunity had come. He almost felt like bowing in gratitude to the boy with the slit eyes.

Having organized his thoughts, Scarlet closed his notebook.

Only one thing remained.

"But when are they coming?"

"...I don't know."

"...?"

"Being students, they might only come on weekends. But it's not impossible on weekdays. Always be prepared."

With that, Caron left, leaving a stunned Scarlet behind.

For reference, the tavern was a secretive place.

When alcohol is involved in such a space, it's easy to become careless.

Distinguishing the occasional truth mixed among the various rumors was precisely Scarlet's mission.

If it were decorated like a regular restaurant, he wouldn't be able to gather even the trivial information he was getting now.

Thus, his routine became dressing it up as a tavern by night and a restaurant by morning.

But that was the story for the first 1-2 weeks. Lately, he had given up on preparing.

It was under these circumstances that the children appeared.

'This is big!'

Completing this mission successfully and moving a step closer to his goal was one thing.

'Failing a mission from Caron! It wouldn't be strange if it ruined my body!'

Scarlet started to move busily.

To preserve his own life.

*

"A tavern pretending to be a restaurant... I never imagined such a scoundrel would exist in my area."

Tap, tap.

She was ready to burst in as soon as the door opened.

"I won't let it slide. From hygiene to taxes, and any other illegal activities. I'll inspect everything thoroughly."

Rodelin's determination blazed fiercely.

So powerful was her resolve that I could feel its heat standing next to her.

I took a step away from Rodelin. Being too close might result in getting burned.

Bang! Crash!

Inside the tavern, the sound of something breaking in abundance echoed.

Convinced that it was hiding crimes, Rodelin's eyes sparkled.

Normally, I would have joined her in her detective play, but that was impossible now.

My attention was entirely elsewhere.

'I've seen that face somewhere...'

A game where the main characters only had one or two illustrations, making them rare.

That game was "Hero of the Academy."

And I remember a face? It must be a character of significant importance.

The problem is.

'I can't quite place who it is.'

I feel a sense of unfamiliarity as if I've seen it somewhere, but there's no 'That's the one!' realization.

I, who remember every illustration in the game down to the pixel level, find it strange that I can't immediately recall.

'Could they be related to someone? That seems to be the most likely possibility...'

That's when it happened. The curtain by a window near us was pulled back.

"Oh, we're almost ready to open. Please wait just a little longer!"

The man bowed to us before hurrying back inside.

Behind him, a status window appeared.

Because I used the [Information Window] skill.

[Lv. 28 Scarlet]

'Scarlet?'

As soon as I saw the name, his image overlaid with the illustration I remembered.

At the same time, I was able to remember who he was.

'Merchant Scarlet.'

Known as a peddler, he roamed the continent selling all sorts of mystical artifacts and tools, as well as herbs and information.

'...He looks much younger than the illustration.'

It wasn't just because of his age.

It was because of the 'accident' he had experienced, leading him to live a life hardly resembling that of a person.

Scarlet, who appears in the mid to late game, was in a near-ruinous state, and the reason behind his condition is revealed in the very late game.

A story that brought many players to tears.

'To think I'd see that Scarlet here.'

The fact that he worked under Caron was information never revealed in the game.

Well, considering Scarlet's 'goal,' it's not strange.

Scarlet's goal, that is...

'Wait a minute... Could this be useful?'

A great plan came to mind.

Not only to prevent Scarlet's mishap but also to reap tremendous benefits.

--TL Notes--

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