[Raul's POV]
The Grunbelt Academy Tournament has ended; Princess Alisha is the first outsider to win this tournament. In the final round, she defeated Brian very easily, without any resistance at all.
This time, the Plot Armor he possesses did not work at all, did it?
Currently, I am heading to the main hall to attend the opening of the graduation ceremony for the third-year students. Upon arriving there, it appears many students have already arrived at this place. I then sat in one of the seats that was still empty. At the side of my field of vision, I saw a blonde-haired man who was looking down with a gloomy face. Beside him, Ariel was seen comforting him with encouraging words to make him cheerful again.
It seems Brian still cannot believe his defeat against Princess Alisha in the final round a few days ago. He always believed he could overcome all the obstacles he faced to achieve that dream of his. If following the scenario that exists in the game, it is indeed true that Brian would be the one to win this tournament. However, in this reality, Princess Alisha suddenly came to the academy and then caused the storyline to change.
I think this will be better to make him self-aware in the future. If Princess Alisha were not here, then I already planned to do it to Brian myself eventually.
After a few moments, Headmaster William was seen entering the hall and then walking toward the podium. The academy students then fell silent to listen to what the old man was going to say.
"My students, we are present here to celebrate the graduation for the third-year students of this academy!" said the Headmaster, delivering the opening speech.
"They have gone through stages that drained energy, mentality, and time to reach this point," said the Headmaster, smiling at the seating columns for the third-year students. "However, do not relax just yet because greater challenges await you! The real struggle is when you become knights out there maintaining security, when you become wizards who struggle to make the lives of the people better, and when you become healers out there who struggle to save the lives of others."
Hearing the Headmaster's words, the third-year students puffed out their chests with pride for having successfully passed all this.
"But I am certain you will succeed in passing all the challenges that will await you later. That is because you are special people who have successfully graduated from the most famous academy in the entire world!" the Headmaster said, sounding proud. "I—as the representative of the academy—say, congratulations to you who have graduated from this academy!"
The Headmaster then began to clap his hands, followed by all the Instructors and students present in this main hall.
"Now, we will call the students one by one and present these graduation badges," said the Headmaster, who then stepped down from the podium. "We will call the students based on Ranking, from the top!"
If I'm not mistaken, the highest-ranking third-year student only occupies the third position overall. That is because the second rank is occupied by Elena and the first position is occupied by Valeria.
"With a total of 1003 points and occupying the third rank of this entire academy, Emilia de Cataluna!"
After her name was called, a woman with short brown hair was seen standing up and then walking toward the stage in front. It appeared her expression did not look happy despite being the best in the third academic year. The Headmaster then pinned a badge onto her uniform; after that, she was given a graduation certificate with her rank stated there. This certificate is what the students use to apply to the Knight Orders or magic towers they wish to join later.
"Next, Luis de Cantabria!"
The graduation ceremony lasted for six hours; after that, the students would usually party to celebrate this graduation. However, my focus was only on one person at this moment.
Vlad mel Dracus...
***
[Vlad's POV]
In the evening after the graduation ceremony ended, I went toward the room of the student I had previously manipulated. Lately, my mood has been very chaotic because of being defeated by that bastard during the tournament.
How is it possible that a man that weak could know the Profound Codex ability I possess? Everyone in this academy has witnessed my defeat and my ability. I will not allow it; it is time to perform a slaughter in this academy.
Upon arriving in front of that student's room, I knocked on his door. Not long after, the student I manipulated earlier appeared.
"What is it, coming to see me this late at night?" the student asked.
"Do you remember my promise to you regarding the way to get instant power?" I replied to him.
Hearing my words, he then smiled slyly. "Of course, is it already time for you to give me that power?"
"Of course; wait for me in Eldwood Forest," I instructed him. "I will take the item first and then meet you in that forest."
"Alright, I'll head there immediately."
Hahaha! Instant power? Don't joke! How could a loser like you become strong like me just by eating some fruit? Truly a fool who can be easily deceived. After he eats that fruit, it is true he will become stronger. However, his body will mutate into a bloodthirsty monster and lose his sanity.
***
[Raul's POV]
At night, I am currently following Vlad, who is heading toward Eldwood Forest. For some reason, seeing his behavior look calm without seeking trouble makes me suspicious. I am also wearing The Masquerade mask to hide my true identity. However, actually, I have another purpose for why I am wearing this mask now.
After following Vlad into the forest for a while, I saw him approach a student who looked familiar. Isn't that the student who at that time intended to kill the students who bullied him? That means Vlad is currently going to give him what he promised at that time.
Not long after, Vlad took out a fruit that had a unique pattern on its skin. As I suspected, he possesses a Devil Fruit.
Devil Fruit is the result of a failed experiment by the Demon race on the DNA they possess. At that time, they wanted to multiply their troops to fight the humans in this world. However, they could not produce strong demons directly. That is why they conducted this experiment—to create a strong army instantly. They began to extract their DNA into a fruit and then forced humans to eat it.
The result: those humans possessed power similar to demons, but their minds became insane due to the mismatch of the demon DNA entering their bodies. If it is true, then Vlad's plan is certainly to destroy and kill everyone in the academy without having to get his hands dirty at all.
I must stop him before it's too late. Walking slowly toward them, Vlad and the student turned toward me.
"Who are you!? What do you want her—"
Vlad's voice was cut off; that was because he was shocked that I suddenly appeared out of the shadow he possessed using Shadow Link.
"Radical Blow!"
I began to beat his face and stomach with a barrage of attacks until Vlad was unconscious. In a shocked and caught-off-guard condition like this, Vlad could easily be toppled by me. I then took the Devil Fruit from Vlad's hand and then approached the student.
"P-please don't kill me! Please spare me!" the student said, screaming hysterically in fear.
- Bam!
I hit his face hard until he fainted.
Devil Fruit, huh...?
It seems I must visit the Kingdom of Draconia eventually to investigate this. I suspect Vlad would not have obtained an item like this on his own. There must be someone who gave it to him, and I am certain he is one of the Heretic groups sought by the Authority of the Temple of Goddess Diana.
Devil Cult...
They are a group of Demon worshippers who constantly wait for their return to this world. I must destroy them sooner or later. If not, then they will cause quite a large problem later on.
However, right now is not the time to think about their group. There is someone I must meet tonight. I am certain he will definitely come to me tonight if I wear this mask for a long time. After settling the problem here, I then went outside the academy territory to meet one of them.
.
.
.
Currently, I am on top of the clock tower in the center of the Capital. A drizzling rain fell after I left the academy territory.
- Teng ...! Teng ...! Teng ...!
The sound of the bell rang, signaling it is now 12 midnight. I have been waiting for the arrival of one of them for three hours, but there are no signs they will approach me at all. It seems they still cannot detect me even though I have worn this mask for quite a long time.
I then stood up to leave this place. However, suddenly someone landed right in front of me from out of nowhere. A man in a black cloak carrying a doll in his hand, with red hair and wearing a mask the same as mine. No doubt about it, he is one of The Masquerade group.
"Who are you?" I asked him, pretending not to know.
"Don't pretend to be stupid," he replied coldly. "I have been watching you for a while; you appear to be waiting for one of us to approach you, which means you know who we actually are."
As expected from one of the most dangerous Antagonist groups in the game, none of them are stupid.
"You are the heir to the mask of The Fool; our group wants you to replace the previous The Fool who died due to a duel with one of the Holy Knights," the man in front of me said. "What is your answer?"
If I were to refuse his offer, it is certain he would immediately kill me. With my current strength, it is very clear that I am no match for this person. The strength of each of them is even nearly equal to a Grand Espada—the seven strongest Knights in the Empire.
However, this is a decision I had planned beforehand. By joining this group, I will obtain an additional Profound Codex that can make me stronger. The risk of entering this group is only one: I will be hunted by the Authority of the Temple of Goddess Diana. However, this is a quite cheap price compared to the benefits I will gain.
As long as I can keep my true identity, then this will not be a problem. That is why I always hold back from using the Nature Mana I possess in public as Raul de Garcia. If they knew Raul possesses the same magic as one of the members of The Masquerade, then my true identity would be exposed. That is why I am very careful when using it.
"Very well, I will join your group."
Hearing my answer, the man threw something at me. I caught it and then saw a ring that had been given several Runes.
"That is an artifact that can connect the souls of all members," said the man. "That ring will glow when the Keeper calls us. If we answer it, then our souls will automatically be summoned to a Soul Room that has been prepared to hold a meeting."
Exactly, that is why The Masquerade group is very difficult to track and capture in the game. They are very skilled at hiding their identities and traces so that they cannot be easily tracked.
"You can call me Puppeteer," the man said while staring directly into my eyes. "We use aliases so that our true identities are difficult to find. Even among the members, none of them know the real names of their respective colleagues."
The Masquerade has a total of seven members, with each of them possessing very unique abilities. Their call signs are inspired by circus performers.
"From now on, you will be my colleague," said Puppeteer, who turned his body. "What should we call you in this group?"
Hmm... A call sign for me, huh? Honestly, I am the least talented at making a name. However, I think this one will be very suitable for me.
"You can call me, Joker."