Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight

Chapter 153 : Hell Party [1]

At Eldain Academy, countless students, and excellent ones at that, are admitted every year. But if you were to ask whether everyone graduates safely, I’d have to say definitely not.

Since the academy trains students to hunt demons, and the curriculum is extremely demanding, many end up dropping out due to the excessive pressure. Even if they can become honored knights or wizards praised by everyone, most of the entrants are nobles.

These students have lived their entire lives as rulers, lording over others, most of them treating commoners like slaves.

Now, they’re forced to study in the same space as commoners, breathe the same air, and even team up with them. It can’t be helped that many of them drop out despite their desire for glory.

Is that all?

When facing demons, before they know it, they realize their own powerlessness. Whether they hit the limits of their own talents or feel frustrated by someone more talented, such situations occur frequently here. This is exactly what Eldain Academy is.

Thus, feeling worried or hurt after listening to a such circumstance, Seeing such a thing, it’s only natural that students end up leaving, creating vacancies. Therefore, Eldain has a solution for this.

Every year when about 30% of the new students drop out, They fill those spots with qualified transfer students

Of course, mainly, most of these are noble recommendations, so commoners rarely get this opportunity.

But, the possibility is definitely there.

‘Moreover, in this transfer, the academy’s admission rule of allowing only three students per family has been completely abolished.’

And, I utilized this and successfully enrolled all my units into the Eldain Academy. There was no reason to hesitate since this would be of great help later on.

‘Allen and Hats, the twins from the Reinhaver family, will probably enroll soon. The admission criteria for transfer students were relaxed only recently.’

Considering Priscilla’s personality, who dotes on her children, it would be strange if they didn’t come here.

I just hope that the academy’s reputation doesn’t suffer.

Anyway, they aren’t my concern.

If there is one problem for me, it’s the rather excessive personalities of my units that sprawled out in front of me.

Each of them is insane, and I’m in a position who has to control them… So what can I do? I’ve trained my body for moments like this.

From the olden times, for those who don’t listen, a good beating is the answer.

Sitting in a secret cafe in the inner part of commercial district, I began speaking to them as they looked at me.

“First, I welcome you all here. But before we get to further discussion, keep one thing in mind”

I said in a clear voice.

“If you defy me, you will be dismissed.”

As if exhaling a stream of cold, white air. A chill, cold as a winter wind, swept over the units in front of me. They must have sensed that a tough journey had begun.

But it cannot be helped.

Their fate was set in stone the moment they became my units.

—————————————-

Noah von Trinity. The dean of Eldain Academy, was currently troubled by a number of issues.

The first was the recent darkness that had infiltrated the academy, the demonkin (Majin) [see note below] and the interference of the royal family. Lately, the first prince, Louis von Arkheim has excessively changed the power balance with his interference.

The “Foolish Emperor” Esteban. Her former comrade from the past, the emperor had already become a fool. He collapsed along with his lost wife. And Noah seemed to know who was behind this.

‘The royal family.. No, to be more precise, you can say the culprit is the demon who infiltrated Royal family and made Esteban a fool’

The once wise emperor’s downfall and corruption, the one that instigated this was definitely a demon.

‘But what will happen if that child learns the whole truth?’

This wasn’t about Nox. But it was about someone just as important as him, Someone deeply connected to Esteban von Arkheim, who currently ends up as a puppet ruler.

As Noah thought this, she shook her head. There wasn’t time to worry about that now.

“The demons are expanding their influence. There is news of more lands being corrupted, and people losing their minds and going on rampages.”

The incident at the Avilat gambling house was the same. If Nox hadn’t shown up, the tragedy would’ve been much worse.

Though it’s frustrating for Nox that wherever he goes, a major demon appears…

‘Well, it’s his fate. But…’

Noah, crossing her legs, popped a stick of candy into her mouth.

Crunch—.

As she swallowed it, a thought crossed her mind.

‘What if he is deliberately throwing himself into the midst of demons?’

The idea seemed far-fetched.

Even someone as talented as her hasn’t been able to develop a tool to track demons. She had skilled alchemists working on it, but there had been no success. This was why she hadn’t been able to hunt down a demon currently disguised as a professor at Eldain. All Noah could do now was follow the stench.

So there was no way Nox had some ability to track demons. Of course, there’s never a 100% certainty, but…

The thought still seemed far-fetched.

Therefore, Noah decided to keep watching him a little longer.

If. If Nox got involved in another incident related to the 72 demons? She should consider that he may possess a radar to find a demon. She will ask Nox directly when that time comes.

With that in mind, Noah finished her candy and got up from her seat.

“Anyway, the priority is to help Nox improve his skills. That woman… she will teach him well, right?”

Though Noah was the dean, she was terrible at teaching, which is why she brought in her friend. She hoped she could help Nox.

Before she knew it, Noah was becoming a dean who was devoted to her role as a teacher. even if she didn’t think of herself that way.

—————————————-

“Seriously, young master, you don’t look happy to see me at all! How can you be so rough with my poor ‘pretty’ ears when it’s been so long since we last met?! And now I’m not even just a maid for the mansion. I’m your personal maid! You should treat me more preciously!”

As expected, Rona de Nero was loud when we reunited.

But seriously, weren’t you volunteered to be my personal maid? Why are you blaming me?

Absurd. I answered dismissively

“You’re noisy. And if you don’t stop talking just like Christopher, I won’t let it slide. Got it?”

“Young master!”

Rona fumed, but it didn’t matter to me. After all, I’ve seen this behavior countless times, so it doesn’t faze me anymore. Such a situation can’t even make a light scratch to me, who know Rona well since I’ve seen her in this world twentieth times

Clatter.

At the same time, I can see a man setting down a teacup. A young man with rare red hair, red eyes, and bronzed skin. Another familiar unit, Kushan Adrian.

“Haha. Today’s just as lively and warm as ever. Our ancestors teach us that a good ruler attracts good people and I think that’s definitely true. Serving young master, is the greatest fortune of my life”

‘What? Gross…’

I recoiled, startled.

Kushan gave a satisfied smile, apparently under the delusion that the atmosphere among the units was harmonious.

I’m dumbfounded.

Does this really look harmonious to you? There’s no way the eyes of the unit I carefully recruited are that blind, right?

For your reference. Zitri is busy assessing the current situation. Her eyes are darting around is the proof. I’m not sure. She’s probably trying to figure out where to start and how to manage this insane group of people, this chaotic bunch of units.

Besides, she’s dealing with a penalty right now.

Zitri, who can handle Christopher with ease, can’t bring herself to criticize one particular member of this party.

Rona de Nero.

Of course, while I wonder if she is actually a garbage unit that should be scorned, Zitri doesn’t think the same. Surprisingly, Rona has a warm side to her.

She was the only one who reached out to Zitri when no one else believed in her. And she even helped Zitri get along with other maids within and outside the family. So, Zitri can’t treat Rona harshly or push her away.

For me, it’s a bit a shame.

Suddenly a suspicion arose. How did such harsh words come out of such a small, delicate-looking girl? Even I, who’s cleared the Inner Lunatic 27 times, still can’t fully understand it.

‘haa….’

A sigh slipped out of me before I realized it. My eyes briefly met Zitri’s, and I could see the dark circles forming under her eyes. We’re probably both dealing with similar worries, but she’s likely also thinking of me as someone to keep an eye on, given how I’ve been sneaking out lately and getting into all sorts of dangerous situations.

She’s probably thinking, ‘The young master isn’t a ruffian, but he’s still dangerous.’

‘Of course, the others are much worse.’

I quietly took a good look around at the units. To sum it up, it was a complete mess.

“Noo… hiccup! Husband… I really hate studying… of all things, why did you bring me…Hiccup….to a school like this… hiccup”

“Erina! Here, this is hangover medicine! Take it quickly!”

“Don’t want! I don’t wanna eat something bitter…! Mmph!”

“Noisy! open your mouth!”

May is doing her best on the front lines, so Erina should snap out of it and wake up soon. Thank goodness. I couldn’t help but sigh in relief. Zitri had the same reaction. She’s a maid who connects very well with me.

Even so, it was impossible for May to control a unit she just met.

“As expected, isn’t the whole ‘young master from a noble family’ thing a lie? How could you gather such a bunch of people like this if you’re not a gangster?”

That last comment was from Prim, by the way.

Whack!

“Ow!”

I smacked him right on the head. This brat’s secretly trying to take advantage of the chaos to get ahead.

My mind became overwhelmed in an instant, but I endured with grit and determination.

‘If there is a good thing, is that no one outside this room will hear the conversations happening here.’

But even that’s not perfect. I can sense a strange mana around. While it doesn’t seem hostile towards me, it’s clearly testing me.

“For now, everyone shut up.”

Since they were being so noisy, I decided to speak up like the ruffian I am. All gazes were instantly concentrated on me. I kept going as if it was natural.

“First off, I want you all to know there’s a reason I’ve gathered you here at Eldain Academy. Each of you has a role to play here, and you’re going to support me.”

“Support…”

May clenched her fists with a determined look on her face. She’s clearly eager to help me. As expected, she’s the only normal unit in our party.

What would I do without Zitri and May?

‘I don’t even want to imagine.’

From the olden times, thinking about the worst-case scenario gives you hope. I was relieved that the grim future without these two wouldn’t come and calmly looked ahead.

“Your objective….. What exactly do you need us to do?”

Kushan raised his hand slightly as he asked. I slowly lowered my eyes and scanned him and the others as I spoke. My words were slow but precise.

“There’s a demonkin (Majin) hiding here at the academy. A demon, and not just any demon, but one who’s made a pact with one of the 72 demons. They’re hiding their true identity and spreading their evil influence.”

The chatter among the units suddenly died down after my shocking revelation. Their gazes turned towards me, filled with thick fear and dread, and an intense hostility towards the demon.

“Young master, is that… really true?”

“Yeah.”

I answered Rona’s question nonchalantly. Then, I clenched my fists and added with determination.

“I’m going to kill them. And for that, I need you all to be here.”

Their gazes hardened. Now they finally understand who they got under. They knew what kind of ruffian they were serving.

This crazy hell party has a very simple goal.

‘To wipe out all demons, I need to build my faction and strengthen my units. To do that, I have to start by taking over everything here at Eldain, the main stage where the events unfold.’

To put it simply, that’s it. I’m about to enjoy my medieval fantasy school life…

Making friends…no, subordinates, monopolizing the academy’s key episodes and hidden pieces. Well, stuff like that.

just like a trivial game-like stuff? …. it would be something like that…

Of course, it’s the worst game filled with tough demons and nerve-wracking battles, but still.

—————————————-

Eldain Academy has many facilities for students, but none are as popular as the cafe ‘Afternoon Teatime.’ It’s located right in the middle of the 4th Commercial District.

Just a moment ago, a woman with a voluptuous figure visited this place. Astrid von Kaliud. She’s a longtime friend of Noah von Trinity [‘Witch of Ice’] and one of the last surviving dragonkin, those who inherited the blood of a dragon believed to have gone extinct. Existence that known as the last survivor.

Astrid, with her orange hair glowing faintly, was staring intently at one place. The boy she had followed into the cafe. It was Nox von Reinhaver, whom she was meant to look after.

And she knew.

Nox von Reinhaver.

The cheeky brat already knew she was watching him. He had already sensed her presence and figured out her magic.

‘This is going to be fun, isn’t it?’

Astrid smiled. Yes, she was just as crazy as Noah. That’s how it is with those known as the “Four Sages.”

Meanwhile, Nox smirked.

‘So, she’s finally here. One of the current Four Sages, [Flame Mage] Astrid von Kaliud, who’s going to become my master soon.’

Nox had already figured everything out. He knew Noah would assign her as his magic instructor.

‘Things are about to get interesting.’

Nox smiled.

How much could he squeeze out of this time? With that thought, Nox felt like he wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.

Like a child holding onto cotton candy, he was excited like a child who had a screw loose somewhere. As if he had long craved a twisted sense of power.

Just like Noah in the past.

—————————————-

Note/Question

Can anyone tell me what “majin” translates to in English? You know, like in Majin Buu, etc? I felt “demon” would fit, but it could be confusing since “majin” means “demon person” in a more literal sense. Whereas in the novel “demons/akuma” and “majin” are different entities

—————————————-

Main [마인] = Majin [魔人] = Manusia iblis. Ada yg tau bahasa inggrisnya manusia iblis? Kayaknya kalau ‘demon person’ kurang pas ini ’_’

Thanks