Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

Chapter 475

When I heard the question about something strange happening, I reflected on my recent daily life.

‘Lucy. This part...’ ‘Try thinking about it this way.’ ‘Now, let’s move on to the next.’

My recent life at the academy felt a lot like my high school days in my past life.

In other words, it was filled with books, texts, and studying.

In fact, when I studied with Joy, she would stick close by, monitoring if I was studying properly, which made me feel drained as I got through each day.

Given the situation, it was difficult for me to notice if something was happening at the academy.

“You don’t seem to know anything.”

“What can I do? I—”

“Don’t say it, please?”

Tch. What’s the big deal with being called “aunt”? Just a little teasing could help me release some stress.

“Anyway, a lot of things from the outside are flowing into the academy. There’s so much of it that it can’t just be resources for midterm preparations.”

A while ago, when Karia returned to the academy district, she made sure to spread her network of information both inside and outside the academy.

She had done some preparation before, but realizing it wasn’t enough, she poured everything into reinforcing her network, even sacrificing the lives of herself and her subordinates to do so.

Why do I know this? Because I overheard a conversation between Jackal and Chester complaining about it.

They were already struggling with the academy's studies, but Karia’s tasks piled up so much that they couldn’t find time to train themselves.

The way they sighed as if hoping I’d intervene and stop Karia’s work made it clear, but I ignored them.

Right now, I was struggling too much to worry about anyone else!

Do they think they’re the only ones struggling?! I’m struggling too! If I’m struggling, how dare they think about taking breaks!

Ahem. Anyway, Karia had detected something strange based on the information network she had built.

While she didn’t know exactly what it was, she was certain something was going on at the academy.

“The connections come from the First Queen’s side, but I don’t think those under her will cause a ruckus among themselves.”

“So what you’re saying is that the crazed queen might be up to something?”

“…Yeah. That’s right.”

The forces under the First Queen rely heavily on her as the central figure.

So, unless the First Queen gives an order, they won’t act on their own.

In other words, if they are moving, it’s likely because the First Queen has done something.

Karia’s speculation made sense to some degree, but on the other hand, it felt a bit far-fetched.

“Why would the crazy queen do something like that?”

“…That’s…”

“Why would a mad queen kill the people who might one day help the country?”

It’s true that the First Queen’s faction had once picked a fight with me, but after a certain point, they had no further involvement with me.

They watched from a distance, but that was all. They didn’t try to test me or provoke me.

If I had made the first move, they would’ve tried to avoid it, which suggests there was something going on at the higher levels.

Why, then, are they suddenly targeting me?

“I’m not doubting the information you brought, but it would be so sad if the abilities you worked so hard to build became useless, like some crumbling old thing. But this time, you’re being too hasty, Karia.”

What Karia brought me was likely true.

There’s definitely something happening at the academy.

But to immediately assume it’s connected to the First Queen is premature.

Karia isn’t foolish; she wouldn’t act like this without solid evidence.

“…Sorry. Maybe when it comes to the First Queen, I can’t think rationally.”

Karia admitted her mistake without a word of protest.

If she were a fake pretending to be Karia, I’d be in trouble, but apparently, that’s not the case.

Thank goodness.

“Anyway, something’s definitely being prepared. And it’s clear that it’s being routed through the First Queen’s connections. So please be careful about anything related to her, Master.”

“Instead of worrying about others, you should be worrying about your own future. You’re getting older each day, so that’s why you’re in such a rush. Should I ask Papa to get you a seat on the council?”

“That’s my problem! Don’t worry about it!”

“You can’t do it on your own, can you?”

“I can! Stop bothering me! I’ll figure it out!”

As Karia threw a tantrum, she quickly turned her back and made her way toward the servants.

How can she switch like that so quickly? How does she manage to do it without any powers? Truly amazing.

<Lucy, why are you acting so strange today?>

‘…Huh? What do you mean, “strange”?’

<Why are you talking like a smart person? This isn’t like you!>

‘Uh, what?’

I was talking like a smart person? Did I say something like that just now?

<Damn it! You, give me back my Lucy!>

‘Grandpa, did I really look that okay?’

<Am I joking? Do I look like I’m kidding!>

‘Stop playing around. Seriously.’

<...Well, fine. I can say that the way you noticed Karia’s anxiety and even gave advice was quite intellectual.>

‘Really?!’

What? Did Grandpa ever talk to me like this before?!

No! Something’s different today, right?!

Am I really improving my intelligence? Is it because I’ve been training with Joy and my intelligence stats are rising? Is that what’s happening?

Until just now, I thought I was being dragged into hell, but after this brief conversation, my thoughts changed.

A hardship with no end results is just suffering, but if there’s something gained from it, it’s real training!

Alright! Let’s work hard today! I’ll raise my intelligence!

<Well, I guess…>

‘What was that, Grandpa?’

<No, it’s just that… shouldn’t you ignore what Karia just said?>

‘That? Of course, I should be concerned. If Karia thinks something’s off, then something’s going on.’

<Are you going to go investigate yourself?>

‘No. That would make me too noticeable.’

I don’t know what the intention is behind bringing resources into the academy, but if their goal is malicious, they’re definitely keeping an eye on me.

Even if I set aside everything I’ve done up until now, the power I hold and the people around me can’t be ignored.

That’s why it wouldn’t be wise to move and investigate personally.

<Then what are you going to do? >

‘I’ll give something for Grandma, who’s probably bored, to do. There are suspicious areas, so I’ll ask her to sneak around and check it out.’

There’s a limit to what can be done with a secret resource collection at Soul Academy.

The night at Soul Academy isn’t entirely dark.

While the student who had been determined to study all night eventually ended up dozing off with their head on the desk, the academy’s research lab was still glowing brightly.

Adri, watching the scene of people desperately shaking off sleep with every magic and potion they could think of, felt pity for them.

Even necromancers wouldn’t go this far while training their summoners.

As she observed these people, she remembered what Lucy had told her and quietly moved to another place.

It had already been almost a month since Adri settled in Soul Academy.

Every night, while Bishy was asleep, Adri would sneak around the academy to check out the lay of the land.

Lucy had told her to look into something related to a professor named Luca…

But.

Adri had to stop suddenly as she was moving through the walls.

There was some kind of barrier ahead.

If she passed through it, her presence would be detected.

Curious whether she could deal with the barrier herself, Adri examined it but soon realized she couldn’t even begin to understand its structure and gave up on trying.

What was being hidden behind this much effort?

She was curious, but decided it wasn’t worth the risk.

Stepping away from Luca’s office, she moved to check another location Lucy had mentioned.

Unfortunately, Adri didn’t have many places she could go.

Every place Lucy had pointed out had some form of barrier similar to the one at Luca’s office.

In addition, there were various security measures set up by the academy’s professors scattered around, so Adri couldn’t uncover much.

Ugh, if I go back empty-handed, that brat is going to start calling me useless and incompetent!

Just thinking about it made my teeth grind, but there was nothing Adri could do.

She chose to abandon her dignity instead of throwing herself into danger.

By morning, when Adri came to me and delivered her findings, I was convinced that this situation had something to do with Luca.

I had suspected it ever since I heard that something was being routed through the First Queen’s faction. If anything is happening through her connections, Luca surely knows about it.

But the fact that he hadn’t said anything to me and kept quiet meant he was probably involved in some shady dealings.

And then, I learn that every place I asked Adri to check had strange barriers set up?

This is a definite connection.

Without a doubt.

Luca, that crazy guy, must be doing something to achieve his own goals.

[Trial of Luca]

After confirming the quest that had been assigned to me shortly after the academy reopened, I stretched and started preparing to head out.

<Are you planning on barging in?>

‘Whatever happens, it’s the fastest way.’

I’ll confront the traitorous dog trying to betray its master.