The Author's Playground
Chapter 55: I’ll pave the way, you just need to tell me (2)

Chapter 55: I’ll pave the way, you just need to tell me (2)

(Flash back to what happened back in the first dungeon. From Chapter 26)

With Victoria resting her head on his shoulder and Lucian sprawled across his legs, Elijah could only sigh.

(’Those people are taking too damn long to find us...’) His entire body ached, exhaustion seeping into his bones. (’I can’t even feel my legs anymore.’)

How was he supposed to carry three people back to the academy?

Should he leave them here and go find help? Probably. But was it really safe to just let them sleep on the cold, muddy ground?

Carrying them? Hell no. He could barely manage one person, let alone two.

(’Maybe I should just drag them...’)

Before he could entertain that absurd thought any further, a voice cut through the stillness.

"Anyone here?!"

Elijah’s head snapped up. Relief crashed over him as he shouted back, "We’re here!"

The bushes ahead rustled violently before Headmaster Percival emerged, flanked by several professors. Their expressions shifted from concern to utter shock as they took in the battlefield around them.

Murmurs spread through the group.

"This place..."

"Don’t tell me... the boss area was cleared by these children?"

Elijah squinted at them, exhaustion tugging at his features, but he still managed a grin.

"It wasn’t me," he admitted, tilting his head toward Lucian and Victoria. "They did it. Shouldn’t you be helping them instead of standing around?"

Percival held his gaze for a long moment before exhaling sharply.

"...Bring in the medics."

At last, Elijah managed to stand, finally free from the weight of Victoria’s and Lucian’s unconscious bodies. He stretched his arms, feeling the stiffness in his muscles, and let out a deep breath.

"Phew."

Before he could relish the relief for too long, Headmaster Percival approached him with an unreadable expression.

"You..." her eyes bore into him. "Who are you, really?"

Elijah glanced sideways, then smiled. "Headmaster, you’ve already tried prying, haven’t you? Didn’t get the intel you wanted yet?" His voice showed amusement. "Did you really think I wouldn’t notice when someone tried digging into my hiding spot of meal?"¹

Percival remained silent.

"But it’s fine," Elijah continued with a casual shrug. "Go ahead and keep trying. It benefits me just as much."

The headmaster studied him for a moment before speaking again.

"Elijah Noe Shahrazad," she said firmly. "Join the S-Class."

Elijah blinked. Then, a laugh escaped him. "Me? Pfft—" He barely held back his amusement. "No way! My mahika barely scrapes the level of an F-rank, and you want me to sit with the top elites?"

"I can make an exception."

"Pfft." Elijah shook his head. "Instead of me, take her." He gestured toward Victoria. "That woman is stronger than most of your S-Class students."

Percival frowned. "A B-rank mage... No matter how impressive her feats, placing her in S-Class is too much."

"I could say the same about your proposal," Elijah countered smoothly. "Besides, it’s not her mahika that makes her special—it’s the blessing she received."

"Divine blessings might be rare, but they don’t change a thing—"

Elijah cut her off.

"The ███████.¹"

Silence fell between them.

Percival’s posture stiffened, her expression momentarily unreadable.

Elijah’s gaze sharpened. "The only one blessed by ████" he murmured. "Someone who might even have a connection to the ████."

"How do you know that?"

"It’s up to you whether you believe me or not," Elijah said lightly. "But you do know that the barrier wasn’t just coincidentally destroyed by Victoria’s magic."

Percival let out a long, resigned sigh. "I can’t believe I was single-handedly outmaneuvered by a mere student."

Elijah grinned. "Yay, victory for me." Then, as if brushing off the entire conversation, he added, "As for your proposal... I might consider it one day."

*******

"So basically, I’ve decided to accept your proposal," Elijah replied with a smile.

Percival raised a brow. "Took you long enough. I was starting to think you’d grown too attached to Class F—what with all the rumors about your... eccentric behavior."

Elijah grabbed a nearby chair and dragged it in front of her desk, plopping himself down with an easygoing grin.

Resting his chin on both palms, he leaned forward. "Now, now, Headmaster, I just need a tiny, winy favor in exchange."

"No," Percival said flatly.

"Ah, why not? Aren’t you desperate to get me into S-Class?"

"Not really."

"Tsk. I guess there’s no other choice... I’ll have to use that after all," Elijah muttered, biting his thumbnail. Then, as if flipping a switch, he straightened and smiled.

"I have another proposal, then."

The moment he spoke the first word, Percival’s eyes squinted.

"The Aegis."

Then, her attention snapped to him.

"I know how to fix it," Elijah continued. "And I know where to find the materials."

(’Heh, let me flex you the greatest cheat of someone who wrote this story.’)

For a moment, Percival didn’t speak. When she did, her words slightly doubting him. "How can I trust your sources?"

"Oh, come on," Elijah sighed. "You can listen to what I say and then consult the other professors—ah, especially the Head Alchemist. If you do, I guarantee he’ll be interested."

A beat of silence. Then Percival exhaled sharply.

"...Alright. Talk."

"Nuh-uh." Elijah clicked his tongue. "Not yet. First, you need to hear my terms and sign a contract. Can’t trust adults in business, you see. Tsk, tsk..."

A vein visibly popped on Percival’s forehead.

"Fine. Be quick."

"Hmm... let’s see..." Elijah leaned back, tapping his chin in thought. "First—give me money. I want a personal expense account, and everything I buy is covered by the academy."

"You little sh— Fine."

"Second," he continued smoothly, "I want access to all the intel you’ve gathered about me. Don’t worry, I won’t even stop you, I won’t even bother hiding my tracks from you."

Percival narrowed her eyes. "Why—" She sighed. "You know what, I never understand how your logic works, so... Never mind. That’s easier than the previous one."

"Lastly," Elijah said, his expression turning serious for the first time, "I know you’re trying really hard to cover up what happened at the Succession Ceremony."

Percival didn’t react, but the tension in the air sharpened.

"Sean Favian," Elijah said, meeting her gaze. "I want him to stay as a professor."