Chapter 097: Although Dekan is Strong, He is Too Cautious
“Dekan, it’s actually like this.”
Professor Arno coughed lightly twice.
“Every year, by the end of the year, there will be an exchange event between our two schools, so some students will also set out for Tristine Magic Academy on Monday tomorrow. You will go with them then, and you can rest assured about the safety aspect.”
“Is there such an event?”
Dekan scratched his head.
But upon deeper reflection,
He cared more about external intelligence.
He had indeed paid little attention to school activities like this one.
The Knight Academy didn’t even have relevant announcements.
“Generally, it’s the outstanding second and third-grade students from the Alchemy Institute who go, occasionally there might be students from the Mage Institute too, after all, it’s a technical exchange. Then at the beginning of the next year, students and teachers from the other side will come for a return visit.”
When Professor Arno reached this point, he looked at Dekan.
If one were to truly speak, among the best technical talents in the students, it would still be Dekan.
Even though he did not belong to the Alchemy Institute but rather to the Knight Academy filled with brutes,
Dekan had exceeded the scope of the school as both a technician and his achievements.
Thus, there was no need for Dekan to occupy a place.
Since he was going to Tristine Magic Academy as a special invitee from the Card Maker Association.
Professor Arno couldn’t help but feel a bit proud of Dekan.
Even though this guy was the strangest student he had ever seen.
“By the way, do you have the list of students going on this visit?”
Dekan asked.
If his half-sister from different fathers and mothers, Mia, was on the team, that would be quite good.
Although two poison technicians synergize extremely well when doing research, Dekan hadn’t tried doing things with her.
Eh, that’s wrong.
He wasn’t there to cause trouble.
He was visiting and secretly maintaining peace.
“I don’t have the specific list here, but I know Princess Alice will be going, so this time there will be a seventh-rank Knight Commander escorting you.”
The reason Professor Arno was sure this trip was very safe was precisely because Princess Alice was among the travelers.
Therefore, an additional seventh-rank Knight Commander was added as escort. Even if the Rebirth Church dared to attack, it would certainly be repelled.
Besides, the Tristin City side also particularly valued receiving the princess.
So everyone in the entourage would receive security of the same level.
There was almost no possibility of danger.
If there were a danger that could not be resisted, even the three-member team wouldn’t be able to handle it.
“Hmm… then I’ll go alone.”
Dekan rested his chin thoughtfully and said so.
The target the Rebirth Church was eyeing had one more possibility now.
But the probability was not high.
Once the royal family members were kidnapped, the king would absolutely not compromise with the kidnappers, but would turn into a mad dog to chase and kill them to death.
This was an unwritten rule of the Norton King’s royal family.
However, no matter what the target of the Rebirth Church is.
Since the Rebirth Church has evil intentions.
Dekan decided to meet them.
Bringing Cornelia and Chloix along would instead deter the people of the Rebirth Church.
If the fish gets scared away, that’s not good.
Dekan, with his kind heart, didn’t want to disrupt the carefully nurtured plans of the Rebirth Church at great cost of manpower and resources.
Besides,
Since Morion could deal with the Rebirth Church alone,
Dekan could do the same.
Sometimes it is a kind of strange competitive spirit among men.
“Dekan, I fully trust your abilities, but please don’t mind my verbosity. You absolutely must not antagonize the Ice Snow Princess.”
Professor Arno looked at Dekan who was thinking silently, feeling uneasy vertically and horizontally, and reminded once again.
“All right, you can rest assured. I act steadily at all times.”
Dekan was brought back to reality, his face showing a bright smile again.
His interest was even more pronounced, and he couldn’t hide his anticipation for the journey.
“By saying this, I’m afraid I’ll have trouble sleeping…”
Professor Arno covered his forehead, unwilling to see Dekan any longer.
He had a foreboding feeling.
Finally,
After President Reilen handed over some tickets and documents to Dekan, Dekan bid farewell to the two of them and left the office.
“Why do you have such a worried look, Arno?”
President Reilen observed the troubled expression on Professor Arno’s face and couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“Hopefully, I’m just being overly cautious.”
Professor Arno sighed deeply, stood up,
And prepared to leave the office with Reilen.
“Rest assured. I see Dekan always has decorum and etiquette in the real world, and he is a good youth.”
“… That’s true.”
The one causing the most trouble for Arno was Dekan, but the one Arno loved the most as an excellent student was also Dekan.
However, this was the first time Arno was sending Dekan on an assignment.
Professor Arno wasn’t sure if Dekan would pull off a major stunt.
Hopefully, Dekan would at least restrain himself in some aspects while he was in the real world.
…
On the early Monday morning,
The sky had not yet fully illuminated. Pale golden light filtered through the mist of dawn, shining into Dekan’s room.
It seemed there were a few crows flying past the window, slicing through the sky with sharp cries, leaving a feeling of unusual comfort in Dekan who had just woken up.
Looks like something good is about to happen today.
After preparing thoroughly, Dekan slung his pack over his shoulder and set off immediately!
He felt he was recently on an intensive tour.
Since coming to the academy, his entire experience could only be described as top-notch.
Dekan had originally intended to bring along Teacher Cat, but upon thinking about it, Cornelia would have to tackle the lessons alone for a whole week.
He was concerned she might not adjust well.
Therefore, Dekan assigned an important task to Teacher Cat ——these few days, to spend more time with Cornelia.
However, Flora now occasionally visited Cornelia to play, so she probably wouldn’t be lonely.
Mm, now he started worrying if she would ditch class with Flora or not…
Dekan shook his head.
Forget it, don’t think about it anymore.
He trusted Cornelia’s persistence.
Dekan arrived early at the dormitories of the Alchemy Institute, the agreed gathering place for the school’s visiting team.
As it turned out, several students were already waiting there.
Dekan immediately caught sight of an old friend, Mia.
He approached quickly to greet her.
“I was worried there wouldn’t be any familiar faces, but seeing you, Mia, is excellent. Ah, and Princess Alice too.”
“Hmph.”
Mia smiled silently, leaving the conversation space to Princess Alice and Dekan.
Princess Alice, on the other hand, glanced away, looking somewhat awkward as she hmm’ed and ahh’ed.
She had only found out yesterday that Dekan would also join their group.
Though the visit’s purposes differed, they would still travel together on the way.
“Princess Alice, please don’t hold my childish actions against me. My teacher always teaches me – a true master always has the heart of an apprentice. So that day, I sincerely sought your guidance.”
Dekan seized the rare opportunity to talk to Princess Alice at leisure.
He thought it might be a good time to resolve any lingering resentment she might have.
Last time, he had scared her unconscious in Mia’s dormitory, and Dekan truly felt a bit guilty about it.
“Were you really not mocking me then?”
Princess Alice could never forget the last smile Dekan gave her at the Cardmaker’s Association, which left her utterly humiliated.
She would often have nightmares featuring Dekan’s laughing face.
“Ah? What are you talking about? When I made a good card, of course, I would smile.”
Dekan wore a look of confusion.
“…”
Princess Alice half-believed Dekan’s explanation.
Though Dekan now looked incredibly sincere,
Princess Alice had witnessed firsthand how effortlessly Dekan could control his presence. His mannerisms felt almost like a carefully crafted mask; one could not trust even half of what he said!
But, if you don’t believe me and I don’t trust you, this will go on forever without any trust being established.
After hesitating for a long while, she sighed.
“Alright, alright, I believe you. Honestly, I wasn’t angry with you anyway. It was really embarrassing…,” Princess Alice said helplessly.
Whenever she thought about the poems Dekan quoted back then, it became very difficult for her to not dig her toes into the ground.
She had actually recited them aloud with such pride!
“Princess Alice, this is the mark of greatness—‘Holding the stars and plucking moons, there is no one like me in the world!’ This phrase suits you well.”
Dekan looked at Princess Alice with admiration as he complimented her.
“‘Holding…’ That’s enough!”
Princess Alice couldn’t help but recall that cocky line unconsciously again.
But suddenly realizing, she almost walked into Dekan’s trap again.
This man definitely wanted to add more bad history for himself!
Mia: “If you want to get along with Dekan, you must always be on guard.”
“This doesn’t make sense, I have no reservations with you.”
Dekan looked somewhat disappointed as he said this to Mia.
“Ho ho.”
Mia raised a hand to cover her mouth, laughing lightly.
Princess Alice: “Eh, I was wondering just now, do you two know each other well?”
Dekan: “Ah, we took the same elective course and were in the same group, our interests aligned, so we quickly became good friends.”
Mia: “Yes.”
Princess Alice nodded.
“Since you’re a friend of Mia’s, you are a friend of mine as well. In the future, please get along well.”
Princess Alice’s expression was serious and her eyes clear as she looked at Dekan and said.
Dekan momentarily froze.
With these words, it would be somewhat embarrassing to trouble Princess Alice in the future.
But indeed,
From the beginning, he didn’t find Princess Alice unpleasant.
She was a friendly person, and very tolerant.
Dekan sighed with a sense of release, smiling freely.
Dekan: “It’s a pleasure to become friends with you.”
Princess Alice: “I… also.”
Perhaps this was Dekan’s first genuine smile shown to Princess Alice.
The expression Dekan displayed when interacting with friends was completely unmasked.
Princess Alice could sense a change in Dekan’s demeanor, though she couldn’t articulate where exactly it was.
But she was certain, this was good.
She felt as though a knot in her heart had been untied.
…
While they three were chatting leisurely during the morning, the other participants gradually arrived.
Dekan was surprised to find that the leading teacher happened to be the familiar Professor Morgut.
The one responsible for live broadcasts and business cooperation in the alchemy department.
It seemed that this visit to the Tristine Academy also had big business opportunities to discuss.
Additionally, the seventh-rank Knight Commander responsible for escorting Princess Alice had already been waiting at the campus gate early.
Thus, Dekan, Mia, and Princess Alice boarded the ship with the team, making their way to the Magic Airship Transportation Center on the outskirts of the capital city.
A splendid magical vessel, glowing with rainbow colors, was floating at the open space.
At the sight of the gangway connecting the station platform and the cabin, Dekan stowed his bag in the luggage compartment and then joined Mia and others in the first-class cabin.
This time, they would take a wind-magic airship to Tristin City.
Riding the airship, it would take only three hours to reach Tristin City.
Although the airship’s speed wasn’t that fast, the distance between the capital and Tristin City was relatively short.
In the Norton Kingdom, only a few large cities close to the capital had magic airship routes.
In more remote border areas, it was impossible to take the magic airship.
First, the energy supply wasn’t sufficient, second, the cost was too high, and third, the safety couldn’t be assured.
“Why don’t we charter the entire ship if Princess Alice is traveling?”
Dekan thought about it and asked.
He had already dropped any formal titles when addressing Princess Alice without hesitation.
“The ship tickets can be reserved several months in advance, but the school only booked a fixed number of tickets ahead of time, and at that point, it wasn’t confirmed that Princess Alice would be going.”
Mia explained.
Though Princess Alice could use her exalted status to turn the wind-magic airship into her exclusive aircraft.
However, many merchants and tourists had already booked their tickets well in advance.
Saying to cancel their tickets out of thin air would be too tyrannical.
In the absence of knowledge about any possible attacks, it really wasn’t necessary to go to that extent.
…
Unknowingly, an hour had passed on the airship.
The speed of the wind-magic airship wasn’t high-speed like in his previous life’s airplanes.
The flight altitude was only a few hundred meters from the ground.
Therefore, it wouldn’t cause pressure on one’s eardrums.
The sky shone like a shiny satin. The wind-magic airship sailed amidst the clouds.
Dekan casually glanced out the window, and the azure scenery of the horizon relaxed his mood exceptionally.
For a time, he didn’t want to ponder about matters related to the Rebirth Church, wishing only to enjoy the comfort and beauty of the journey.
They had already left the territory of the capital and arrived at a neighboring province.
In another two hours, they would reach the magical metropolis of Tristine.
Dekan sat comfortably in the cabin, leisurely flipping through a book.
Since his ticket was randomly added by the Cardmaker Association,
His seat wasn’t with anyone he knew from Hewenlit Academy.
Even without familiar faces beside him to chat with, he wouldn’t feel bored.
If loneliness struck, there was always an old guy in his mind ready for a chat.
Hmm, looks like he’s sleeping.
Safe.
A few minutes later,
The peaceful journey was suddenly interrupted by a scream.
It appeared to be coming from the direction of the cockpit.
Subsequently, there was a violent shaking, making the entire cabin turbulent, then gradually regaining stability.
Sounds of fighting emerged once more from the direction of the cockpit, causing the ship security officers to rush to the front of the ship.
However, the seventh-rank Knight Commander remained by Princess Alice’s side, ready to protect her at all times.
“What’s going on?”
“Is someone attacking the cockpit?”
Unease enveloped all the passengers.
Even if one had to guess, it was evident that something ominous was about to happen.
Dekan raised an eyebrow.
It had come.
If the Rebirth Church planned to stir up trouble, the first critical juncture would be the magic airship ride from the capital to Tristin City.
This was an optimal opportunity to hijack the airship.
If they intended to abduct Dekan or Princess Alice, now was indeed the best moment for the act.
If Dekan were to plan a hijacking operation, he would have done the same.
Although Princess Alice didn’t know of the impending danger, the accompanying seventh-rank Knight Commander could certainly protect her safety without issue.
Therefore, Dekan didn’t need to worry about her side.
Thus, the chaos continued for a while.
The security officers sent to the cockpit direction were like pebbles dropping into an abyss – not a sound was heard in return.
When everyone’s panic and unease reached its peak,
“Ah, good morning, ladies and gentlemen.”
A clear voice echoed through the cabin.
A man dressed in formal wear appeared, dragging a security officer’s body from the cockpit direction.
The security officer collapsed helplessly on the ground, lifeless.
It was possibly already a corpse.
And the white formal wear of the man was tainted with a bit of alarming red, with blood on his neck as well.
He took confident, tranquil steps while displaying a gentlemanly smile, but his eyes had no traces of humor.
He scanned the passengers in the cabin.
His cold gaze regarded the passengers as if a butcher looking at pigs in the barn.
“N-no! I don’t want to die!”
“Don’t kill me!”
The tourists in the cabin turned pale with fear.
They began whispering in confusion.
Even if the man in formal wear had not stated his intention, anyone could tell that the airship had fallen into grave danger.
The lives of passengers might now be at the mercy of this man.
The seventh-rank Knight Commander had already drawn his weapon in moments.
However, the man in formal wear remained unperturbed, merely producing a card.
“Extinction Spark”
“Category: Spell Card”
“Rarity: Purple Rare”
“Rank: 5”
“Passive Effect: If the bearer is killed, it will trigger an intense fire attribute explosion damage.”
“Note: An early masterpiece of Minos of the Rebirth Church.”
“Vile!”
This revelation made the Knight Commander’s pupils constrict sharply. Despite gripping his sword tightly, he dared not make a move.
“If you don’t want all the passengers to die, please stay calm, Knight Commander sir.”
The man in formal wear smiled as he addressed the Knight Commander.
“Furthermore, if you dare come any closer, my comrades will make the airship crash down straight away in the cockpit.”
At the same time, this man produced another card, displaying it prominently.
It was as if this card was intended not just for the Knight Commander to see.
Especially when he pointed the card at Dekan, his lips curled with a dubious grin.
“Sentry Alert”
“Category: Spell Card”
“Rarity: Blue Rare”
“Rank: 3”
“Passive Effect: When the carrier is attacked, afflicted with an abnormal status, controlled, or loses consciousness, warning signals will be sent to other teammates within range who hold the same card.”
“Note: Fire, theft, and ambush prevention.”
This card was used to warn Dekan.
Not to attempt curses, poison, or mind control.
Apparently, this man had accomplices who had seized control of the cockpit.
The Knight Commander remained silent.
He merely moved a little closer to Princess Alice.
In the event of extreme situations, he would choose to shield Princess Alice and then jump off the airship with her.
At this altitude, with the help of magic and physical enhancement, a seventh-rank warrior like himself could indeed safely land with her.
However, in such a situation,
He wouldn’t be able to take care of the other passengers or students.
Most of them would perish.
“Relax! Why so serious? Our target isn’t the Princess. Nobody wants to be chased relentlessly by the king.”
The man in formal wear chuckled, finally looking at Dekan.
“Dekan, would you be so kind as to come along with us? The fate of all the people on this ship rests in your hands.”
“…”
Dekan continued reading, seemingly listening but uninterested in responding.
“Ah, Dekan, you’re in a really good state. Your mental fortitude is far superior to others. But we won’t harm you; after all, you’re going to be our future comrade.”
The man in formal wear seemed pleased as he observed Dekan.
It was impossible to snatch Dekan in the capital, but outside the capital, things were different.
Dekan closed his book, looked up, and raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the man in formal wear.
There was a trace of contempt in his otherwise indifferent smile.
“Do you think I would sacrifice myself for a bunch of strangers I don’t know?”
Dekan asked coldly.
It seemed absurd to consider the man’s question.
“We have observed your behavior in the Shadow World. You would never harm innocent people and you would even offer them help. This is your greatest weakness.
Certainly, if you choose to abandon them to ensure your own safety, it only aligns more with our doctrines.
No matter what you choose, you will be embracing our cause.”
The man in formal wear was like a solo performer relishing the spotlight.
He spread his arms wide, leaned back a little, and his smile grew even more audacious.
“Alas, you despicable fellows.”
Dekan sighed, appearing genuinely exhausted.
It was a feeling akin to accepting defeat after a minor mistake.
“I’ll go with you on the condition that no harm is done to any innocent people.”
Although Dekan’s tone remained composed, every word radiated powerlessness.
Killing, controlling, all of that probably came with measures prepared by the other side.
Even someone like Dekan was rendered powerless due to their extensive preparation.
“…”
The man’s face lit up with the pride of a victor.
He seemed confident in what choice Dekan would make.
After all, if Dekan had other options, he wouldn’t have been conversing amiably with him this far.
“Alright.”
Dekan felt enough time had been delayed.
He stood up without a word and slapped the man across the face with a resounding slap.
The sharp sound instantly resonated through the now silent cabin.
Not only was the man in white stunned, but so were the other passengers.
“Y-you?”
The man stared at Dekan, surprised.
Though he had been shielded from feeling pain, he definitely felt the force of Dekan’s slap, which should have left a red mark.
Even without looking in a mirror, he could imagine how ridiculous his face must look.
“Stop your little act. Do you think hijacking a plane makes you cool? Don’t you realize how foolish you look?”
Dekan’s eyes, filled with contempt, looked down at the man as if at garbage.
“Ho ho…”
Mia covered her mouth.
Despite being prepared to laugh beforehand, seeing the man’s frozen expression, and his scarlet half-face, she couldn’t help but giggle.
This is how it should taste!
Mia’s slight laugh seemed to pierce through the man’s remaining defenses.
“You bastard!”
The man roared with rage.
He immediately lost the elegance that had been displayed earlier, filled with anger and humiliation as he grabbed Dekan by the neck. He lifted his knee and forcibly rammed it into Dekan’s stomach.
“Ugh…”
A sound of pain escaped Dekan’s lips, his body collapsing lifelessly, seemingly losing consciousness.
Strangely, the man felt pain in his knee.
That hit definitely wasn’t like kicking a person.
He released his grip, throwing Dekan down like trash.
Dekan’s condition was peculiar.
It was like a stiff doll, falling limply to the ground.
“？”
The situation suddenly dawned on the man.
Something wasn’t right!
Could Dekan be fake?!
If Dekan were fake,
Even with all these hostages,
He had been threatening the wrong person all along!?
Before he could investigate the unconscious Dekan on the ground, Dekan’s body had transformed into a card.
“Substitute Puppet”
“Category: Summon Card”
“Rarity: Purple Rare”
“Rank: 3”
“Effect: Perfectly mimics the user’s appearance.”
“Note: Do not use this card for illegal activities.”
This card wasn’t uncommon; it occasionally appeared during explorations of the Shadow World where high-rank challengers sometimes chose it to confuse enemies.
However, this card had a significant flaw. The effigy’s combat prowess was extremely weak, and it could not use magic cards.
Considering its costly market price, whether its value was worthwhile remained a debatable matter.
“Aaaaahhh!!”
The man clutched his head, pulling his hair, eyes filled with red veins.
Though the airship was still under his control, the plan to capture Dekan had utterly failed.
Letting the bird escape after it had already been captured, he didn’t know how he would justify his failure once he returned.
He had confirmed that Dekan was jovially talking to Mia and Princess Alice before boarding!
Both he and his comrades kept a watchful eye on Dekan while he was boarding!
Where had it gone wrong?!
At what point did this kid replace himself with the puppet?!
It was insane!
Who the hell could be so bored, even to guard against the air?!
