Surviving as the Third-rate Extra: I Can Plunder Talents
Chapter 69: Testing the Waters

Chapter 69: Testing the Waters

"It’s dangerous, Lord Delkira!"

Before the rise of the new Demon King, the Demon King’s castle would always be governed by its caretaker, who at this point was Delkira, also known as the Queen of the Dead.

Her pink-eyed, purple-haired right-hand woman, Phantasma, voiced the rational concern of infiltrating the Hero Academy.

If it’s any other demonkind, setting foot in the heart of the Holy Empire was tantamount to suicide, especially with the ongoing unrest due to what transpired on Ranaya Island, causing extensive security checks in every corner.

However, Delkira was certain that her bold plan would pose no problem. In fact, she thought it would benefit the demonkind and their future.

"Phantasma... Who do you think I am?" Looking by the window atop the Demon King’s castle, Delkira asked.

The foggy silhouette of the enigmatic entity shrouded by lingering darkness replied almost immediately, "The Queen of the Dead."

Delkira chuckled.

"That’s merely the title the others bestowed upon me since the last Demon King’s demise. You know that’s not what I’m asking."

Hearing her words, Phantasma bowed in reflex; her demeanor suddenly changed as though something flipped the atmosphere.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. If you willed it so, then so be it. But what do you plan to do with the puppet you collected?"

"Hmm? That Caelen, huh? Well, it wouldn’t be fun to just let him rampage to the human world and deal a massive blow to the reputation of the Hero Bloodlines by killing whoever he sees they swore to protect."

"..."

"Let him recover for now. It’s difficult to expel the holy power gnawing at his soul, which intrigues me. Even if that useless puppet blasphemed his Goddess, he wouldn’t be considered like us. So for the late True Hero’s sister’s divine power to eat away at his existence even if he’s still human... Hahaha!"

"Your Majesty, don’t you think it means there’s something amiss... with that girl’s divine power?"

"I’m not sure. But she’s surely a threat to all of us. That’s why you should prepare for my departure and oversee the matters in this place during my absence. The others would know to contact me in case there’s an urgent matter."

Phantasma’s figure in the dark lowered her head, "Yes, Your Majesty."

*

In the present, with the welcome of the late opening of the second semester due to the impact of what was supposedly an ordinary island exam, the new Class Mu’s orientation finished with ease.

Since they’re new students and hadn’t taken a semester, they would be put under an alternative curriculum to catch up with those who finished the first semester, which exactly didn’t go as planned, as another alternative test was set for them, something that everyone expected.

If there’s one thing, it would be practical and heavily guarded.

Delkira, with her body toned down to match a young adult’s appearance, was also chosen as the representative of the class as if it was meant to be. Well, her charm and demeanor were the main factors that drew the other students to her.

Am I that beautiful? Annoying pests.

Delkira inwardly seethed, unable to understand the human perception of beauty.

Arriving in the expansive student cafeteria, she looked for the next True Hero candidate, specifically the former True Hero’s sister.

Holding a silver tray of dishes, Delkira, momentarily standing alone yet had gazes on her because of her physical features, eventually found the person of interest, who was sitting with several girls.

"Can I sit here?" Alana, while facing Maya and the Imperial Princess across the table, looked at her side, seeing Delkira asking in a polite tone filled with subtle confidence.

The noisy one among the three nodded, "Of course, that girl needs at least a new friend with her lonely school life."

Followed by a chuckle, Maya gestured for Delkira to sit beside Alana, who remained silent but somewhat irritated by her daily mockery.

"Uhmm, hello..." Delkira smiled at Alana, who only nodded.

An awkward silence momentarily pervaded. After some time, one of them opened their mouth. Of course, it’s the same silly one, "So... What’s your name?"

"I’m Delkira... from the new Class Mu."

Delkira already had all the information available about the significant figures in the human world—the way demonkind referred to anything outside the Abyss Lands, even if they belonged to the same continent, including but not limited to the talented geniuses residing in the Hero Academy.

"Delkira? I like it. It sounds demonic."

"...?"

"Ouch!" Maya received an elbow to the side from the Imperial Princess Rosanna, who interjected.

"Forgive this woman. She’s just this rude to everybody when she gets the chance."

"It’s okay, Your Highness," Delkira said, showing respect to the Imperial Princess.

"Don’t call me that within the academy’s premises," Rosanna said, subtly reminding the newcomer of the rule that societal status meant nothing within these grounds.

"Ah! I apologize. It’s just difficult to get used to it." Delkira said. On the other hand, Alana and Maya silently munched on their afternoon dishes.

With the lunchtime going on, as they settled to eat without much talking, Delkira observed these three individuals on her watchlist.

Maya of the Infinitum Magic Tower.

Alana of the Astraea Bloodline.

Rosanna of the Divinia Royal Family.

’What kind of lonely group is this?’ Delkira thought.

She already heard the circulating rumors about the genius magician’s free-spirited behavior that didn’t regard one’s boundaries most of the time, as well as the late True Hero’s sister being a loner in class, which somewhat changed unknowingly from the others since one day, she just clicked with Maya.

’But this one’s interesting.’ Delkira inwardly mused, hearing an unusual rumor about the Imperial Princess, who seemed to instinctively hate the subject of [Theology of Luminosity] or anything closely related to the Goddess of Light.

But if that’s the case, how could she interact with the True Hero’s candidate?

Staring at Rosanna for a moment, Delkira commanded in her consciousness.

[True Devil’s Eye]

It allowed her to scrutinize Rosanna for a brief moment, which was enough to gauge the condition of her soul or to say, her entire being.

’What’s with this girl? I can’t penetrate with her sealed [talent]? But I feel that this person’s a ticking bomb.’

Hurting Bishop Jacob while teaching something about the Goddess of Light... Should I test the waters?

"Uhmm..."

The three’s attention was drawn by her reluctance. Delkira then continued,

"You know, Professor Jacob’s our acting advisor..."

With a mere mention of his name, the Imperial Princess flinched. Meanwhile, Maya and Alana glanced at each other, feeling an awkward atmosphere since Bishop Jacob was the center of their first unpleasant encounter.

"But I don’t know much about him... Is he good at teaching the word of the Goddess—"

That’s when Delkira sensed that the space around them was isolated. She didn’t know the specifics, but her senses were more than enough to know that Maya tampered with it, causing the surrounding students not to notice that something was amiss.

"Hey. Are you that dense? Why would a bishop sucks at teaching that subject?" Maya said.

With the Imperial Princess’ condition known throughout the academy, albeit superficially, Delkira’s query was insensitive. Well, if she’s a human, she would care.

Look at this princess. She’s fighting the urge to slam my face on the table.

But there’s no way ’that entity’ is behind her condition...

No. It’s not possible. It should not be.

Dismissing such a seemingly nonsensical assumption, Delkira, for the second time today, apologized.

"Ah! I’m sorry. I-I just thought maybe-"

"No, the rumor’s true. It can’t be denied anymore. So watch your words in front of this gal."

The reason why the memories regarding that day were not erased by having Bishop Jacob live. It was due to a confrontation between Maya and Alana.

After all, the former was ignorant at that time that the latter was not affected by her memory manipulation. In other words, before Maya could tamper with the memories of the other students again, she needed to eliminate Bishop Jacob and Alana together. But she couldn’t touch Alana at all, so there’s no point in eliminating the bishop if this one couldn’t be killed.

Delkira let Maya’s rudeness pass. Instead, her mind wandered,

’If it’s known, it’s possible her rival to the throne is planning something to sabotage her more... If there’s a surefire way, it’s to trigger this girl and let her reputation dwindle... But I guess that’s boring and only for desperate measures.’

"Excuse my rudeness..." Delkira then slightly lowered her head as the Imperial Princess gradually calmed.

"It’s fine... Just be careful next time."

Rosanna forced a smile.

*

In her assigned dormitory room, as the classes for the day ended, Delkira sat on her bed and tapped it before whispering, "Humans live cozily like this... Must be nice."

Seeing the moon above from her window, she continued to talk to herself as she lay down with her hands at the back of her head, "How long has it been... since I last set foot in the human world?

"Whatever. It seems there’s a potential puppet... Should I start playing?"