NOVEL NEXT Chapter 277
<277 - An Irresistible Offer>
The final exams were over.
“Lies. That guy was a total loser just like us. What kind of trick did he pull to get such high scores?”
“I heard he also joined the Organization that Plays with Oknodie.”
“That place is just a bunch of gatherers and herbalists fishing for bugs without any answers, right?”
Last midterm, it was Ishtar who caused a stir, but this time, the students from the Organization that Plays with Oknodie were the ones creating a sensation.
“Could the answer sheets have been leaked?”
“Yeah. It doesn’t make sense any other way.”
“There were rumors that the rogue Professor Bronze, Oknodie’s mentor, stole the answer sheets from another professor’s quiz. If that’s the case, then he definitely stole!”
“Let’s confront them.”
“The professors will surely give us demerits!”
Students couldn’t accept that those who were no different from them, and who, if anything, spent their time playing outside, got higher scores.
Amidst such students, there were also some with ambitions to gather support and establish a new organization.
“Everyone, may I assist you?”
“Prince Hector!”
“What country’s prince?”
“Uh, the prince of the small southern country Troy.”
“The prince who is known as the only son of the founding king and a renowned general, but compared to his father, is said to be less impressive…?”
A prince indeed, but one from a powerless small country.
Students who had been feeling burdened let their guard down.
“Good opportunity. Oknodie surrounds Kasia, and influencing her is not a chance that comes easily.”
Kasia’s arch-enemy.
One who has repeatedly grown stronger alongside followers, waiting for the day of revenge.
Prince Hector and his followers quietly observed most of the significant events within the academy, unlike other organizations that sought influence.
They didn’t draw any attention or face any checks from anyone.
Simply, they stealthily recruited talents who would strike Kasia and those who bore animosity towards Oknodie.
“If it’s funding, you can leave it to me. While not as influential as the Dark Trading Company, the power of my name, Yui Organization, is not to be underestimated.”
In the original story, Yui took the merchant position instead of Jezel.
Having failed to advance to the upper class under Dorothy’s pressure, she came under Hector.
Despite her lack of moral integrity, she was somewhat a tier-two supporting role, the NTR heroine merchant Yui, who smoothly expanded the wealth of Hector’s faction and greatly increased their influence.
His backup wasn’t personal but organizational.
For students who were going to confront the professor out of pure jealousy, she was neither too overwhelming nor a high-power ally.
“What’s the problem with that?”
But this crazy professor, wearing flowers in her hair, had an open mindset as revealing as her scanty attire.
“Theft in nature is a survival strategy that risks one’s life. If caught, you’ll get ripped to shreds by an angry predator, but if you don’t get caught, you could achieve unprecedented results.”
“…Are you condoning academic dishonesty?”
“Isn’t it admirable? That a mere first-year managed to succeed in what even seniors fail at. I look forward to the future of brave tricksters daring to challenge the great nature.”
What kind of graduates is this person trying to produce?
Their faces were twisted in disbelief.
The expressions of the students gathered behind also became unsightly.
“If we’d known, we would have cheated too.”
“Why study hard?”
“Seems like someone has a misunderstanding.”
Professor Weird opened the window and reached out, and a beautiful butterfly, flitting outside, perched on her vine-like fingers.
The gorgeous moment, showing communion with nature, left the stupefied students awestruck, gazing at the butterfly at her fingertips.
Hector couldn’t distinguish between the butterfly and the dazed students.
“You fundamentally misunderstand the Gift Academy.”
“Misunderstand…? This is the greatest educational institution gathering the world’s top talents as professors. It’s meant to nurture the world’s best!”
“No.”
“Huh?”
“The professors are indeed the best. But they do not intend to nurture all of you into the world’s best talents. That level is only permitted to those lucky enough to have talent and effort.”
Normally, she was a perverted professor wrapping herself in plant stems and flashing her leaves inappropriately, but at this moment, she was different.
Before them stood a true educator, one who teaches students what they need to learn.
“There will always be those who fall behind in the world. Many plants and animals become extinct in nature. We aim to cultivate talents who can adapt to every situation, ensuring those who pass through the academy are not left behind in society. At least for the lower classes, anyway.”
“And how is that related to the cheating followers of Oknodie?”
“For instance, let’s say the Emperor of the Holy Central Empire sends a messenger to relay a decree about a territory war. Typically, nobles would try to gain a little more for themselves before the decree arrives.”
Hector simply nodded.
He believed that was common sense.
If it was advantageous, they’d take as much land as possible; if it was disadvantageous, they’d grit their teeth and stick it out.
“But graduates of the academy would be different. Let’s ask a third-year student.”
Professor Weird pulled a senior buried under a pile of stones out with one hand.
“What would you do? If you provide a satisfactory answer, I’ll overlook the crime of trying to sell the practice stone without swallowing it.”
The dirt-covered senior answered.
“I would create a fake messenger to deceive the enemy or assassinate the messenger with their weapon to incite the Emperor’s wrath. If that’s impossible, I’d send a guard to escort the messenger or destroy the routes or roads to adjust the arrival time.”
“Did you hear? There are no students among your seniors who simply sit and wait. Those who are incompetent and stubborn are simply desperate. Such beings deserve to be naturally selected out.”
As Professor Weird lightly patted the senior’s shoulder, his dirt-covered uniform became as clean as new.
The elated senior cheered and thrust his arms up, only for the ground to suddenly sink again, burying him.
“I’ll overlook the crime of trying to sell the practice stone. Now, pay the price for yelling, ‘Devil of chalk dust, writing witch!’”
“…”
The responses from the senior and Professor Weird left Hector and his followers shocked.
Following the rules alone will lead to the elimination of those lacking in abilities.
To survive, the weak had to mobilize all kinds of wisdom and strategies.
Sticking to Oknodie to steal answers.
This was also part of the strategy.
If caught, one should be prepared for a punishment equivalent to at least being buried alive for N hours.
Using the stolen answers through some means.
This could only be undertaken with considerable resolve.
“Looks like I was still insufficient to confront Kasia or Oknodie.”
Hector’s gaze changed.
To not get eliminated, he would adopt any means, with an almost mad gleam in his eyes.
That gaze resembled the intimidating look of those third-years.
“During the summer vacation, you can go outside the academy. However, if you fail to return by the start of the second semester, there will be severe penalties ranging from disciplinary action to suspension, so please be mindful of this.”
Professor Mahabharata delivered the announcements to the upper class students before dismissing them.
Students started discussing their plans for the break among close friends or gathering their belongings to head back to their main houses.
“Would you all like to come to my house?”
Then came Oknodie’s suggestion, startling many of the students.
“Oknodie’s house?”
“The lair of the Foundation?”
“To the main base of the Evil Organization?”
Dorothy hesitated, looking overly frightened.
“Uh, can we refuse that? I’d like to swing by the hometown forest along with Rockbell for a bit.”
“If you don’t want to, we can’t help it! Still, Papa prepared gifts for friends after a long time, so I’d feel sorry for him!”
“…Gifts? What kind of gifts?”
“I heard it’s something very special! He said everyone would definitely be happy. He also mentioned that if it’s not received on time, you’ll regret it greatly!”
Although Oknodie spoke casually, like Professor Mahabharata when making announcements, the contents felt anything but light.
‘That’s definitely a threat…’
Dorothy looked like she was about to cry.