I Possessed a Character in an Academy Without a Protagonist – Chapter 13

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“What are you doing now?”

“Ah.”

Emilia glared at me with a chilling gaze. Only then did I realize that I was gripping her wrist too tightly, and I let go.

Emilia rubbed her reddened wrist and continued to glare at me. …… That’s probably an act of pretending to be angry too, right?

“Miss Emilia. Where do you draw the water from?”

“From the well in the back.”

“It seems the water source is contaminated.”

“…… Pardon?”

Following the black tea, even plain water was contaminated with paralytic poison. If that’s the case, there’s a high probability that the water source itself is contaminated.

Leaving behind Emilia, who was putting down the cup with a dumbfounded expression, I left the mansion. The well in the back probably refers to……

‘That one.’

It must be referring to that small well within the grounds of the single dormitory room. I walked over to the well and looked inside.

At a glance, it looked like a well with clear spring water, without any apparent abnormalities. But if I used View……

‘View.’

[Well]

[Status: Poisoned]

[Description: The water from here can be drunk without separate purification. It is contaminated with fatal paralytic poison. It seems it will take more than a year to naturally purify.]

“As I thought.”

As expected, the well was contaminated with poison. Seeing that Emilia was about to drink it unknowingly, it wasn’t her doing.

If Emilia had intended to kill me, she would have only needed to put it in the cup, not go out of her way to contaminate the water source. Then who did this?

“Mr. Hainkel.”

“Ah, yes.”

“How did you know the water source was contaminated?”

“About that……”

How should I explain it? I don’t want to reveal that I have a cheat-like ability called ‘View’.

“I have a keen sense of smell.”

“Sense of smell…… you say?”

That’s a bit of a stretch. In this world, no matter how good one’s sense of smell is, who can distinguish the smell of poison?

Even drug-sniffing dogs can’t do that, dude.

“Hmm. I see.”

However, Emilia nodded her head in understanding.

Come to think of it, the Kingdom’s Intelligence Agency was a place where only superhuman-level people gathered……

Perhaps they assumed that someone who could distinguish poison by smell was plausible, seeing such superhumans all the time. Fortunately, there was no risk of my ability being exposed.

“It seems you were right about it being contaminated with a toxic substance.”

“……?”

Turning around, I saw Emilia crouching down with a cup of water. A frog was lying in front of her, having convulsions.

“It died after drinking just a few drops.”

“……”

Even though she’s a character I created, she’s really…… psychopathic. Did she really have to confirm it like that?

“I will report this incident to the academy. Until the well is purified, let’s drink water from a different source.”

“Yes. I understand.”

It was a quite serious matter. To think someone would attempt to assassinate the top 1st-year student before the semester even began.

Even in the original work, there were few forces that would resort to such extreme measures from the very beginning. Were they that displeased with a commoner becoming the top student?

The culprit was probably one of the noble families…… But which one? Lichtenburg? Byrne? Flechette? Or if not them, a lower noble family?

‘Ah, I don’t know.’

For now, there were too few clues. There was almost no way for me to find out with my own power, so there was no choice.

I had no choice but to let it slide for the time being.

“Miss Emilia.”

“Yes.”

“I’m going out now. Would you like to come with
me?”

“What? No. While you’re out, I will stay and do
the housework.”

“Don’t do that and come with me. I need someone to talk to.”

“Ah…… Then I will gladly accompany you.”

The assassination attempt wasn’t targeting only me. The fact that they contaminated the water source meant they intended to kill Emilia as well.

So it was dangerous to leave Emilia alone in the mansion. If they found out their poison operation had failed, there might be additional assassination attempts.

Sensing that intention, Emilia obediently followed my words without further objection.

*

“What did you say? Someone put poison in the well?!”

When I reported the incident, a burly middle-aged man came out and made a fuss. Sergey von Freust.

Although he was from a minority race in the frontier, he had proven his abilities in the war and even received the title of marquis, becoming a retired 5-star general.

Despite the military’s opposition, he had stubbornly retired and was now teaching combat magic at the Imperial Academy.

“That’s not what I said. I only said the well was contaminated with poison.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“It’s different.”

I had to be careful here. Although it was clear from the circumstances that someone had intentionally put poison, I shouldn’t say that.

If the culprit was an influential family, the incident would be wrapped up ambiguously, and I would be subjected to media play, accused of witch-hunting nobles in search of a non-existent culprit.

“Hmm, I understand for now. I want to investigate this solely with the Imperial Academy’s Investigation Department without notifying the Imperial Police. Is that still okay?”

“Yes. No problem.”

Sergey’s troubled expression eased a bit. He probably didn’t want to provide any more material for gossip when all sorts of rumors were already circulating due to the commoner top student.

The Imperial Academy’s Investigation Department was upright and capable enough to slap the Imperial Police three times over, so there was no need to worry much.

I was sure of it since I had created it with that setting.

“I’m sorry for allowing such an unpleasant incident to occur. This is a clear failure of the Imperial Academy’s security.”

“No, it’s fine. How can you constantly monitor all outsiders? I understand.”

“Thank you for understanding. By the way…… Hahaha! Schlus Hainkel! You’re more broadminded than you look!”

“Ugh.”

Sergey suddenly changed his way of speaking and slapped my back. It didn’t seem like he hit very hard, but a loud smack rang out, and my back straightened.

If I took off my clothes later, there would probably be a bright red mark left……
“Yes…… Thank you.”

“That’s right. Are you doing well in college life?”

“The semester hasn’t even started yet.”

“Hahaha! That’s right! If you have any difficulties during college life, come find me anytime!”

“Yes. I will do that.”

“I was worried because you were a commoner, but you’re an unexpectedly polite fellow! Hahaha! I don’t need to worry about you at this rate!”

“Ugh. Ugh.”

In the end, I could only be freed after getting slapped on the back a few more times by Sergey.

I had also formally requested an investigation from the Investigation Department.

For the time being, the Imperial Academy would deploy additional security around the single dormitory room, so I could rest assured about being assassinated.

“Are you finished with your business?”

“Yes. But……”

When I came out of the Investigation Department building, Emilia was waiting in front of it. But her outfit was still the maid uniform.

I was sure I told her she could change clothes before coming.

“What about your clothes?”

“I thought this attire would be appropriate for accompanying you on an outing as an attendant.”

“That’s not it, so go change into casual clothes.”

“……”

“Miss Emilia, could it be-”

“Yes. I don’t have casual clothes.”

This is driving me crazy. She was really going to walk around in a maid uniform?

Isn’t it embarrassing?

Ah…… Come to think of it, it would be embarrassing in the modern world, but it’s probably normal here.

Well, it shouldn’t be a problem, but I felt embarrassed for some reason.

“I’ll buy you an outfit. From now on, wear casual clothes when going out.”

“What? Then from my salary-”

“I’m not deducting it from your salary. As the attendant of the top student, you could become a target, so I’m giving it to you to make it harder to identify you outside.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Only then did Emilia seem to understand and nod her head. The money for the clothes…… would 1000 tirions be enough?

Honestly, my living expenses were getting a bit tight, but if I started saving from now on, there wouldn’t be a problem. Food ingredients were relatively cheap in this world.

Since Emilia cooked every meal, there was no need to eat out, so I could save a lot on food expenses.

*

After leaving the school, we first stopped by a clothing store. Since I had a hopelessly poor sense of fashion, I told Emilia to pick.

She seemed a bit hesitant due to the price, so I chose the clothes she only glanced at without touching.

When she tried them on, her face brightened even though she grumbled that they were too expensive, so I bought them for her.

This was probably all an act to make me buy expensive clothes for her. She was really meticulous, I tell you.

“I…… um……”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you. I will wear them well.”

When Emilia came out of the clothing store, she fidgeted and hesitated, then bowed her head slightly.

Wow. No man would be unmoved by this.

But you know it’s all an act, right? The Intelligence Agency’s orders to Emilia probably included seduction.

But since she’s a character I created, she feels like my child, so I don’t have any such thoughts at all.

“Shall we stop by a cafe since your legs hurt?”

“Yes. I will follow you.”

The place we were heading to now was the real destination of today’s outing. There was a reason we came all the way to this clothing store.

It was to naturally enter while making an excuse about stopping by because my legs hurt.

I pretended to look around to see if there was a cafe and entered an alley.

Before we knew it, we had left the new part of the capital and were in the old part of the city, full of winding alleys and old buildings. Vines covering the walls without gaps.

The warm sunlight shining through the cracks between the buildings. It was really the exact scenery I had imagined when writing.

Even though I had never been here before, my feet moved on their own. As if it was a path I had walked many times.

After walking for a bit, we arrived in front of a small store deep in a narrow alley.

It was a store that one could never imagine being a cafe at first glance, as it was in a basement and had no signboard.

“Are you sure this is a cafe?”

“Who knows? Shall we go in and see?”

“It could be a dangerous place. It would be better not to enter……”

Emilia chattered worriedly behind me. Her voice was quite urgent, so it didn’t seem like an act this time.

It made sense. From Emilia’s perspective, she definitely wouldn’t want to let me in here.

Because this place was one of the secret bases of the Kingdom’s Intelligence Agency.

“It is a cafe.”

“So it is……”

Opening the door revealed the interior of a cafe with an antique atmosphere. At a glance, it also looked like a bar, which wasn’t wrong.

This place turned into a bar at night.

“Sit down.”

“What? But I-”

“Order a drink. I’ll treat you.”

“No. As an attendant, I-”

“I’m uncomfortable. Sit down, please.”

“Yes. I understand.”

When Emilia stood behind me with her hands clasped, I made her sit next to me. Having never ordered someone around in my life, I felt really burdened by that attitude.

“How would you like to order?”

“A cup of Darjeeling tea.”

“I’ll have a cup of Earl Grey, please……”

The owner put the cups in the cupboard and stood across from us. The name of this middle-aged man with a mustache that suited him was Eric Faust.

He was the director of the Trud Kingdom’s Intelligence Agency. He was in charge of operating this base disguised as a cafe and bar.

“Please wait a moment.”

Eric left without even making eye contact with Emilia. It was an act that would make others think they were strangers if it had been anyone else.

Emilia also sat calmly without showing any signs of anxiety.

I was also sitting here, pretending not to know anything, but it was actually an extremely dangerous situation.

It was almost like crawling into the headquarters of the Intelligence Agency. Both of them could kill me at any time if they wanted to.

This cafe was surrounded by an ultra-high-output barrier, so no one would hear my screams.

Still, the Intelligence Agency had no reason to kill me yet, so I could rest assured.

Yet.

“Here are the two cups of black tea you ordered.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you students of the Imperial Academy by any chance?”

“Yes. That’s right. How did you know?”

“I can tell by your uniforms.”

“Hahaha…… That’s true.”

“What are your names?”

“Schlus Hainkel.”

“Schlus Hainkel…… Ah! Could it be that you’re the top student?”

“Haha. That’s right.”

Eric pretended to be surprised. He probably knew I was Schlus Hainkel from the moment I entered the cafe.

“Wow. I’m meeting a celebrity.”

“A celebrity, you say.”

“You are a celebrity. All the media is going crazy right now.”

“Haha, is that so? I’m also tired to death because of that. There was even an assassination attempt today.”

“An assassination attempt? Could you tell me more about it?”

“Well, this morning……”

Eric skillfully tried to extract information from me. I gave it to him as it was since he would find out about today’s assassination attempt through Emilia soon anyway.

I had to firmly establish the perception that I was a pushover who readily shared information.

That way, I would be excluded from the Intelligence Agency’s assassination targets.

“Oh my. That must have been a big deal.”

“I’m telling you. Phew. Shall we go back now, Miss Emilia? The well should be purified by now, and security should be deployed around the mansion.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Owner. The tea tasted good. I think I’ll come often.”

“Thank you. I’ll be waiting for your next visit.”

After exchanging simple greetings, I left the cafe with Emilia. Coming up the stairs and outside, the sun was already setting.

Currently, this world had already deviated a lot from the original work.

First, Hertlocker, the protagonist, had failed to infiltrate the Imperial Academy, and Iskandal had been attacked and killed.

Judging from the circumstantial evidence alone, it would look like the Empire’s counterintelligence agency was tracking the Intelligence Agency.

There was a good chance the Intelligence Agency would get scared and withdraw from their existing bases.

That’s why I deliberately visited this place and hinted that I would come often.

The Intelligence Agency wouldn’t easily give up on a pushover who was the top priority surveillance target and spilled information like crazy.

So even if they had to take some risks, they would choose to maintain this base at least. I had induced that.

If the Intelligence Agency moved all their bases, there was no way I could track them with my current abilities.

So I induced them to move within a range that didn’t deviate too much from the original work.

So that I could raid them at any time. So that I could wipe them out the moment they crossed the line and carried out terrorism.

And that was no exception for the protagonist either. It was ridiculous to even weigh the named characters of this world against the protagonist, but if I had to choose, I would mercilessly abandon the protagonist.

If I had to choose between the Empire and the Kingdom, I would destroy the Kingdom without hesitation. So I sincerely hoped that the protagonist and the Intelligence Agency would not cross the line.

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