Chapter 20: Professor Assassination: Proxy Assassination (2)"I'm sorry, Professor! I'm a little late, aren't I?"Three hours later, Adele returned, her arms full of shopping bags. She looked like she had thoroughly enjoyed herself today. "Let's go," I said."Okay~ I'll drive us home now."And just like that, our first shopping trip came to a happy end.If every day could be like today, maybe living in this world wouldn't be so bad after all...Or so I wished.【Assassin Department, First-Year, Baykee: < He's here. Everyone, get ready. >]Here we go again...Another professor assassination attempt was already unfolding the moment we got back to Zone 0.iAnd now the textbox was showing me their telepathic communications depicted with these <> symbols. But something was different this time.My minimap lit up with red dots.Two. Four. Six. Eight... Fourteen? What on earth?There was an abnormally large number of cadets targeting me."Adele, be careful," I warned."Pardon?"I opened my mouth to explain-CRACK-A large tree by the roadside suddenly snapped at the base and began to fall toward the car. "Hm? Huh?!"Adele slammed the gas pedal-CRASHIWe barely managed to swerve in time as the massive tree slammed down behind us.".. What was that?" she asked, her voice trembling in confusion.Fwoosh-Clang! Cling Clang!!A flurry of throwing stars flew toward the window but bounced harmlessly off the car's defensive barrier. Whoever was behind this wasn't letting up; they were still trying to stop the car.But soon enoughBOOM!The car jolted and sank ever so slightly, rattling violently as it moved forward."Eeek! What is going on?!" Adele cried out, slowly easing off the gas.We had run over a [Spike Trap], causing the tires to burst."Why is this happening all of a sudden? I'll step out and check the tires-""Stop. Don't go out." I said firmly."Huh?""Someone's attempting a professor assassination."
Adele stared at me, her eyes wide with shock"...A professor assassination? Today?"Her confusion was understandable. It was the weekend, after all Assassination attempts on professors usually happened only on weekdays, generally during class. First, I had to assess the situation.【Assassin Department, First-Year, Hadon: Stay sharp! He'll be stepping out soon!>]There were exactly 14 assassins gathered in the roadside trees.[Assassin Department, First-Year, Kata: << Make sure to keep your faces covered! >>]They were even wearing masks. Clearly, this was a pre-organized operation.So, what was their plan?[Assassin Department, First-Year, Balisong: Turn him into a pincushion as soon as he steps out!】[Assassin Department, First-Year, Qul: Come on, hurry... Come on out!][Assassin Department, First-Year, Kai: Ready to fire... We're definitely killing him today!]They were more aggressive than I expected.But it didn't sound like they had a coordinated strategy, just plans to unleash an all-out onslaught the moment I stepped outside. "What should we do? Is there anything I can help with?" Adele asked, still rattled."No. Stay put."Even if we were in a department dedicated to assassins, it wasn't a completely lawless school. There were rules and regulations. And trying to assassinate someone who wasn't a professor was a serious offense-one punishable by death at worst.Let's see...The car had tinted windows, so they couldn't see who was inside.In other words, they couldn't attack recklessly. They risked hitting a bystander.And they were right to hesitate. Adele was still in the car with me.But if I stepped out, I'd be showered with arrows, bullets, and shurikens....Still, something's off.A large number of cadets targeting me, their strangely excited energy, and the deliberate use of masks...Was this Marina and her crew's doing? Their way of getting revenge?[Moon Shadow Division, First-Year, Forte:...]Wait, why is he here?I narrowed my eyes as I read the cadet's name in the [textbox].It was Forte, the cadet who had tried to assassinate me on my very first day of work....For now, I'll sabotage their attempt.This wasn't like the first day. Back then, I was just scrambling to survive.But today? Today, I held the initiative.I had control.I had power.I closed my eyes and activated my ability.World Forgery: Spatial Forgery [Mist Veil]World Forgery: Form Forgery [Magic Sedan]World Forgery: Form Forgery [Dante] JENo ordinary cadet would ever consider assassinating a professor in a one-on-one fight. That was something only a Black Dragon cadet could attempt.So, most professor assassinations were carried out as a raid, executed by a team of assassins or an assassin squad, with multiple cadets targeting a single vulnerable professor.
That, too, was part of the art of assassination.Fourteen people recruited for this assassination... That's unprecedented.One of the cadets couldn't help but marvel at the number of participants.The most basic rule of group battles was to outnumber the opponent-the more people, the higher the morale.And now, they had the added presence of Moon Shadow cadet Forte, who descended from a family of genius snipers.A powerful ally like that only boosted their confidence even more.None of the cadets here had joined purely by choice. They were all people who had once been bullied by Joaquin, some currently, some in the past.So at first, they had gathered out of fear. But now that the target was right in front of them, adrenaline surged through their veins.If we kill him here, we get the professor's assets, 15 million hika, and guarantee ourselves a diploma.The 14 participants would evenly split the professor's assets and the 15 million hika. But the diploma? That would only go to one person. Graduating from the Assassin Department was a huge deal.For some, it was the achievement of a lifetime.For others, it marked the end of their cadet years.And for most, it meant receiving a pension from the Hiaka Royal Family for the next 20 years.To reiterate-they only had to succeed once.Just once... and they'd be set for life.We can do this.A more recent piece of information was fueling their confidence as well.The professor doesn't fight back.It was true. Dante Hiakapo hadn't retaliated during the recent incident involving Marina.And so, rumors began to spread that the professor could only dodge attacks and never counter them.If they could predict his movements, they could adapt and strategize accordingly.We blocked his escape route.And they had. The car was stopped, surrounded by traps. Cadets were positioned all around. No matter which direction he exited, they would kill him instantly. Just as they were beginning to feel certain of their success...A spark of mana flickered inside the car.
The cadets had not an inkling of doubt in their hearts. Today, they were going to turn the professor into a pincushion.But then, a strange phenomenon occurred.Mist began to rise from the edges of the forest.The surroundings turned hazy, as though engulfed in a smokescreen.Tiny fractures spread through their certainty."Huh?""W-What the-?""Mist? Did someone throw smoke bombs? But when_?"The fog thickened rapidly. Confusion crept in, unraveling the confidence they'd clung to, especially among those with little real assassination experience.<< Don't panic! > someone commanded telepathically.
The cadets perked up their ears.Suddenly..Vroooom!The car engine roared to life, vanishing into the mist.That way!
That way!Both of the front tires were blown out, so it couldn't get far.Was the professor really going to hide in the car like a coward?Weapons in hand, the cadets gave chase, leaping from tree to tree.It's pointless! You're dead meat!They had specifically chosen this straight stretch of road for one reason-another batch of traps was waiting just ahead.There was no way for the car to avoid them.Just a little more... and it'll fall into the pit!They were absolutely certain of their victory.Until the car passed right over the pitfall
The car glided effortlessly over the trap, almost like it was weightless.Was that another one of the professor's tricks?Something was definitely off.<< Don't panic! I said don't panic! >< Chase it! Go!»
But shouting "don't panic" didn't change the reality of the situation.Their triple-layered plan had collapsed, and the cadets were now overwhelmed by a creeping sense that something was going terribly wrong.It was a matter of momentum, and the flow of the battle was in complete disarray.This wasn't just a single misstep. There was a foreboding sense that even if they continued, they wouldn't succeed.Still, with clouded judgment and mounting confusion, the cadets chased after the rattling car.<< Huh? A-Ambush!>
Who's talking right now? What's going on over there? >> another voice asked, confused.
There seemed to be a traitor among them.While darting through the treetops, the cadet named Bargan had been attacked by another masked cadet wielding a dagger. He barely dodged in time. Now, two masked figures stood in a tense standoff atop the trees."Hey! Why are you targeting me?" Bargan asked aloud.No response."What are you doing? Snap out of it, man!" he called out again.Once more, silence enveloped the air. The traitor offered no response, merely shifting their stance, poised to strike at any moment. Suddenly, more frantic voices exploded through the telepathic channel.
< There's more than one?!>< Stop, or I'll kill you. Do you hear me?!>The cadets' excitement and adrenaline turned volatile.The mere idea that someone dared to stand in their way only triggered their violent instincts-to stab first and ask questions later.Could this be__?!Just as chaos threatened to descend upon the battlefield, one cadet finally put the pieces together.
Forte clenched his jaw as the realization hit him.This was Professor Dante's doing.Since we're wearing the same uniforms and masks, it must've been easy for him to replicate our appearances with illusions.But individual faces... those couldn't be mimicked without knowing them. The professor had no idea who actually showed up here today.Professor Dante Hiakapo specializes in Illusion Arts, too...? I thought he only knew Movement Techniques and Projectile Arts...!Forte sharpened his senses, quickly scanning the surroundings.From what he could hear, he estimated that roughly ten clones had infiltrated their group-a staggering number, given that illusion magic supposedly requiredintense mental concentration.Exactly 30 seconds had passed since the attack began. In that brief time, Professor Dante had already conjured a small army of clones, inserted them among the ambushers, and unleashed psychological warfare.He's a goddamn monster!There'd been whispers lately that the professor was secretly weak-rumors sparked by his lack of combat history and his unwillingness to fight back.But Forte's instincts now screamed that the rumors were dead wrong.This was just like that day... the day he'd foolishly tried to challenge this overwhelming monster on his first day at schoolBut Forte thought things would be different this time. He believed that maybe... just maybe things would play out in his favor since no one knew the professor's full power, and no one had fought him directly before.And now, the truth hit him like a punch to the gut. Oh, how foolish he had been.To think the gap in our skills would be this massive...The assassination attempt was crumbling.But we can't stop now...A drawn blade had to cut something.An assassination had to end with a death, no matter whose it was.
The cadets were unraveling, their thoughts clashing, and no one could agree.But Forte understood that someone had to take charge. Whether they liked it or not, the assassination was already underway. "Everyone, look at me!!"Standing atop the tallest tree, Forte tore off his mask and exclaimed aloud."It's okay! We can still do this! Take off your masks! These clones only mimic our outward appearance. Take off the masks, and you'll be able to tell the real ones from the fakes!"Forte's judgment was spot on. Even World Forgery couldn't replicate a face the caster couldn't imagine.Unfortunately, his reasoning didn't convince the panicking, inexperienced assassins.
Their fear and rising tension clouded their judgment.Then, silence fell over the telepathic channel, and suspicion began to bubble behind the masks.<...You're actually the most suspicious one here,» someone said."What? What kind of bullshit is that?!" Forte shouted in dismay.But like a spark igniting dry grass, doubt spread rapidly through the anxious cadets.>
You're trying to get us to stab each other!>«<< If this really is an Illusion Art, it'd make more sense to make just one fake clone instead of a bunch! That would be more efficient! >Everyone had their own logic and perspective. There were too many cooks in the kitchen and no one could reach a consensus."You fucking morons! Take off your damn masks!!" Forte yelled mentally.
< Yeah, get him!>Whoosh!Shurikens flew at Forte, and the boy dove to the side, narrowly avoiding them.>The thrill of assassination was long gone. Now, the group's aggression and confusion had spiraled into a volatile and toxic mix, exploding in all the wrong directions.Forte was absolutely furious at all these idiots.Morons! The lot of you! How can you know who's who if you don't even take off your goddamn masks?!But the battlefield had slipped from his grasp. And when some of the clones vanished after being struck, purely by coincidence, the chaos exploded even further. The spiral down only steepened.
The scream was cut off, drowned in panic and noise.Forte lunged forward to shield the real cadet from being struck.<< He's protecting a clone! He must be one, too!>
Forte couldn't contain his anger and roared, "I'm Forte, you morons! Get lost!""What? Then why are you protecting a clone?!""He's not a clone! He's a real person!"But the other cadets, relying only on the telepathic comms and driven by confusion and fear, ignored him and charged.Ten cadets hurtled toward Forte, weapons drawn.Pshk! Shhick! Pshtt!Shurikens pierced his body before they even reached him."You goddamn morons!"He could've dodged the projectiles. He should have. But he didn't.He had to protect the cadet behind him"Snap out of it—!" he yelled, desperately.And just as their blades came crashing toward him.A voice shattered through their minds."Stop."The assassins froze.Silence fell over the battlefield, the word rippling through the air like a shockwave. All heads turned toward the source of the voice. There stood Professor Dante Hiakapo.Wh-When did he...?!He approached them silently, each step slow and deliberate, his cold pink eyes devoid of all emotion.
The cadets instinctively stepped back.Wait... Is this our chance...?He's let his guard down!But herd mentality was a dangerous thing. Some cadets hadn't yet regained their senses. They saw only an opportunity to fulfill their ambitions to land a fatal blow and earn recognition.As a few began to draw their blades and activate abilities...Dante's brow twitched.Crackle!Mana surged from his body like static, and then something miraculous happened.The leaves falling from the trees froze midair.The dirt and dust in the fog, suspendedA bird in the sky. A cadet mid-leap. The world itself paused.Time stood still.Everything came to a halt, as though trapped in a dreamlike haze.EWorld Forgery. Spatial Forgery [Time Stop]]And in that moment of complete stillness, the situation was clear.A cadet collapsed in the center of the crowd, falling to his knees-blood trailing down his back, a dagger embedded deep.It was Forte.He gasped for air, eyes flickering, the weight of everything crashing down.Professor Dante's voice rang out in the frozen world-cold, curious, and echoing like judgment itself."Why did you not obey?"The cadet who had been shielded by Forte flinched. His hands, drenched in blood, shook violently. His entire body trembled, overtaken by panic and disbelief. "I'm certain I told everyone to stop."Even in a world where sound and movement had been suspended, Professor Dante's voice rang with terrifying clarity.