Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight

Chapter 56

The two women sit side by side in Talia’s room.

The tension between Talia and Eleanor is stifling.

“Do you mind if I ask what that…… business is?”

Eleanor’s blue eyes rippled at Talia’s words.

The reason was simple.

Her reaction wasn’t what she expected.

Why?

She seemed strangely angry… almost as if she’d touched something she shouldn’t have.

Moreover, Talia has a very serious face. Even though she’s mumbling, there’s a hint of determination in her tone as she spits out the words.

Eleanor’s brow creased for a moment.

‘I didn’t expect to be asked this here, but… was Miss Talia always like this?’

As far as Eleanor knew, Talia was not this direct.

If anything, she could be described as timid.

She might appear to be naturally carefree, but that’s not the case.

He has a lot of fears, as evidenced by her arachnophobia.

Although she seems to be friendly, she doesn’t really open up to many people. She doesn’t like to speak directly to people.

Eleanor has already done her research; all of the things and even the things she doesn’t know about herself make up Talia von Steiner.

As a merchant, this entailed gathering information about your opponent before sitting at the negotiating table.

And, as far as she knew, it always worked.

…However, today was somehow different.

Talia hadn’t been as friendly with Eleanor as she’d been when she’d seen her earlier in the day.

Not very friendly, just an awkward distance?

It was definitely different from her reaction now.

Eleanor chewed her lip and tensed for a moment.

If the person you were dealing with suddenly changed their behavior, you were most likely the variable.

‘Am I missing something?’

Am I not getting enough information?

Her mind raced as she continued to think.

But Eleanor couldn’t help but shake her head in denial.

‘No, this information came directly from Rick, so its authenticity is assured. There’s a reason Talia von Steiner is giving me answers that are outside the scope of my predictions. It’s up to me to figure it out and get the information out of her.’

She trusted Rick, or more accurately, his abilities.

She had never opened up to anyone before, so trust was based solely on her ability for Eleanor.

In that sense, Rick was a pretty good squire.

Eleanor was a good trader, too, as evidenced by her mastery of psychological warfare.

As did Rick. She knew better than anyone what to do in a situation like this.

Returning to her normal expression, she smiled nonchalantly.

“Nox, he’s dangerous; for one thing, he’s a member of the Third Dark House, and his reputation isn’t exactly great.”

Talia’s expression immediately darkened at the news. Talia answered Eleanor’s question as calmly as she could.

“…I don’t think Nox is such a bad person.”

“Do you think the others think so too?”

At that moment, Talia’s gaze became strangely sharp.

Was it the peculiar pressure she saw in the knights?

‘No. It’s something else.’

Eleanor thought, immediately gauging Talia’s reaction.

Her emotions were too clear to hide now.

Anger.

She was genuinely angry, at herself.

But the underlying question remained.

Why?

Why was she siding with Nox?

As she pondered, Talia spoke up.

“Let me be clear. I think he’s clumsy, but I don’t think he’s a bad person. He’s blunt and can be misunderstood… but that’s only part of him.”

Once again, the unexpected answer came from Talia. This time, Eleanor stopped acting and was genuinely puzzled.

He wasn’t a bad person?

An evil person who unleashed a barrage of verbal abuse on her. Nox von Reinhafer?

‘Sure, he saved in the entrance exams… but I still don’t trust him. He must have something up his sleeve.’

Over the years, Eleanor has met and dealt with many people.

In doing so, she has come to realize that people are all different, but they are all the same.

Wealth and power are the same.

Whether they’re black or white, they’re all trying to get what they want.

Whether it’s power or money.

What they value varies, but in the end, everyone Eleanor has ever met falls into this mold.

‘Maybe that’s what we’re all like.’

Even if it was herself.

Once again, Eleanor was sure of her thoughts.

There had to be a reason why Nox had saved her, and there had to be a dark side to it.

Somehow, she’d get to the bottom of it.

It didn’t take her long to come to a conclusion.

‘I’ll have a chance to prove Nox’s evil side soon enough, and I’m sure Miss Talia will trust my word.’

The Steiner family is a ducal family looking to make a deal.

Moreover, Talia von Steiner would be the backbone of the family.

‘She may not be the next in line for the title, as her sister Celle von Steiner is… but that’s no reason to hate her.’

We can’t afford to lose an important client with a slip of the tongue here. It’s better to wrap it up and move on.

But even as she thought this, Eleanor couldn’t help but ask one question.

“Miss Talia. Do you mind if I ask you one more question?”

“Yes. By all means.”

“Why are you siding with Nox von Reinhafer?”

“……what?”

Making up her mind, she fiddled with her teacup.

“……I’m aware, of course, that Miss Talia had an altercation with the man, but you don’t have to cover it up for me; you know, this floor isn’t that smooth, and it can turn over like the back of a palm at any moment.”

Sometimes it’s the trader who needs to be blunt.

Eleanor had no desire or inclination to blush with her over this, so she chose this method.

To get as much of her honesty as possible.

However, the answer that came back was enough to surprise her once again.

“…To be honest, I don’t really know what Eleanor is talking about right now… but I can tell you one thing for sure.”

Talia raised her eyes and continued, her tone slightly more fierce.

“Eleanor would have died that day if it wasn’t for Nox, so why are you looking at him with suspicion before gratitude?”

“…….”

At that moment, Eleanor’s expression went blank.

For as much as Talia’s words were true, they were also true of something she didn’t want to admit.

No matter how she felt about it, Nox von Reinhafer saved her life in the end.

And that she owed him a debt of gratitude in some way.

But Eleanor didn’t want to do that. She sent a nominal gift, but it was completely insincere.

Nox was supposed to be the bad guy, at least in Eleanor’s mind.

At least in Eleanor’s eyes, he had to be the bad guy, or she’d grit her teeth and decide it wasn’t worth it to come this far.

Nox is one of the things that made her rise to her current position as a merchant. Along with her father, the disdain he showed her finally helped Eleanor’s talents to blossom.

To question everything, to look human greed in the face.

Fearing that it might crumble, Eleanor hates Nox even more.

It may have been just a childish prank, but she’s convinced he’s a bad man and that he saved her for a reason.

She cut others down to size. If you tell someone what’s going on, you’ve done what anyone would call terrible.

But.

“I think we’re done here for the day, and I apologize if I offended you.”

Doubt.

That was the trader’s way.

To make statistical analyses from past behavior, changes, etc.

To fluidly anticipate changes in the market.

Because that’s how wealth is made.

And, she firmly believed, it also applies to people.

‘Nox von Reinhafer……. I’ll find out within a semester what you were thinking, somehow, that saved me.’

Eleanor de Rivalin.

She did not believe in people.

* * *

The next day.

I made my way to District Three, where the professors’ research buildings were concentrated. Noah’s office was on the top floor.

I stood in front of it and knocked.

“I heard you wanted to see me about something.”

“Uh-huh… Welcome in!”

Inside the room, Noah called out in a pleased voice.

I stepped inside with a graceful stride.

The dean was still there, looking dour and pale.

She was pretty, but somehow, she still looked angry. It was like looking at a younger sister who wouldn’t listen.

“Yum yum…! Come on, sit down!”

Noah said, patting the brown leather sofa in the center of the room. As expected, she’s eating a lollipop, just like the first time we met.

I had read in the article that a new flavor had been released, so it must be that.

I duck my head as I step inside with a humbled expression on my face.

With a light bow, I sit down on the couch and wait for Noah to sit down.

For a moment, I allow myself a pleasant thought.

‘I’ve finally opened the door to actually getting stronger. The [Skill Enhancement Scroll] I’m going to get this time will help me grow a lot; there’s no question about that.’

It couldn’t help but be positive.

The item Noah was going to give him this time had a tremendous value.

An item for those who found a black gem and won first place in the entrance exam.

It was an item that could increase the effectiveness of a skill.

It was called the Scroll of Skill Enhancement.

It was a one-time scroll that increased the power of a skill by 1.5 times, and players could only use it once.

In other words, it’s best to use it on skills that are most effective when used. …….

For gamers, moments of choice like this cause a lot of thought.

They can’t help but think.

What is the most efficient use of a scroll that can only be used once?”.

But I’m different.

I already have all the answers.

I calm my pounding heart and ask myself.

What skill will help me grow the fastest right now?

Hour of Genius, of course.

What skill would give me the best chance of survival when hunting down demons or engaging in hand-to-hand combat?

Without a doubt, Hour of Genius.

Its only drawback is that it lasts about five minutes, but it’s the only skill that will give you an edge against creatures that are more than a few ranks above you.

As an Inner Lunatic, I dare say there is nothing more scroll-worthy than this.

‘With a 1.5x skill duration increase… I am unstoppable for approximately 7 minutes and 50 seconds.’

That’s not all.

I already have one of my hidden stats, Dexterity, at 7.

It’s a stat that works well with Hour of Genius, even though it doesn’t show up in the status bar until it reaches 10.

A skill that makes enemy attacks seem “always” slower.

This stat increases the effectiveness of your sensory stats.

When all is said and done, you’ll be able to fight for about 10 minutes while your enemies move slower. At the very least, you’ll never die from a blind hit again.

“The scroll is here! You can use it anytime!”

Noah didn’t seem to enjoy talking at length.

Thankfully, I was given the scroll in short order.

Zing.

(pajig.)

The moment the scroll was in my hands, I felt a strange tingling static electricity, but I maintained my aristocratic demeanor as best I could.

It was a sign of grandeur that I wasn’t going to be fazed by any of this.

“Thank you.”

[You have acquired the consumption item ‘Scroll of Skill Enhancement’].

[Displays the information of the acquired item].

__________________

[Basic Info]

Name: Scroll of Skill Enhancement

Classification: Consumable

Rank: Top

Attributes: -.

Stats: –

Wear Restrictions: –

Special Effect: Increases the effect or duration of a skill by 1.5x when used.

__________________

I instantly strengthened my skill without dragging it out.

[Use the consumable item ‘Scroll of Skill Enhancement’ on the active skill ‘Hour of Genius’].

[Active ‘Hour of Genius’ has been enhanced!]

[Skill name changed to ‘Hour of Genius+’].

The skill buff was successful.

The efficiency of the skill has been increased by a whopping +, allowing it to activate for 7 minutes and 30 seconds.

Noah watched me curiously from the front.

She probably wouldn’t know what skill I’d enhanced anyway, but having her stare at me felt a little weird.

Was something wrong?

Or is she trying to caution me for giving her an artifact to pick on the others…….

While I was lost in my thoughts, an unexpected word came out of Noah’s mouth.

“Nox-kun, are you acting like an asshole on purpose?”

“……What are you talking about?”

I couldn’t help but be taken aback by Noah’s suddenly serious tone, and if it weren’t for the fact that I’m a ‘master of acting’, I probably would have immediately shown agitation on my face.

I managed to swipe my heart away and keep my gaze steady and forward.

I replied as calmly as I could.

“…I know it’s rumored about me, and I don’t feel like bothering to deny it right now. There’s no reason to delay, and since the dean’s question is pointless, I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear it.”

“Is that so, lol? Hehe. I didn’t mean to give you away!”

Noah nodded nonchalantly and brought a slender finger to the corner of my mouth. She skimmed her lips and spoke quietly.

“That’s weird, though. Usually, assholes don’t say they’re assholes. Why is that? It’s almost like you’re trying to be an asshole, Nox-kun.”

My heart sinks.

Goddammit.

My goddamn interpersonal and coping skills are on full display here.

‘But that doesn’t mean I’m putting on an act. It’s best to just play it cool here.’

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

It can’t be helped.

Noah smiled wryly.

“Anyway, I hope the students aren’t hated for what they do, yay! The same goes for Miss Eleanor’s……! To be honest, I wish I could say I saved her life! It would have been nice!”

“I think you’ve said everything you need to say, so I’ll take my leave.”

I said and stood up, feeling like I was going to be swept away if I sat there any longer.

Noah waved to me with a smile on her face.

“Goodbye then! I’ll see you again soon, hee-hee!”

I felt like I’d heard something scary but tried to ignore it.

I didn’t think dealing with Noah would be easy, but this was unexpectedly more difficult.

Apparently, she’s quite interested in me.

Why?

Probably because of my performance on the entrance exam.

I mean, an overwhelming first place.

But I would have been in trouble if it wasn’t for this scroll.

Here, I had to sacrifice the top spot somehow, even if it meant revealing my hand.

A small sacrifice for the greater good.

‘I couldn’t let Eleanor die, so what I did was the best thing I could do at the time. Of course, it’s different from here.’

I shake off my thoughts.

For now, I need to focus on class.

Orientation isn’t over yet.

* * *

As Nox von Reinhafer leaves the room. Noah’s expression subtly changes as she munches on her pastry. Her eyes were calm and downcast as she muttered.

“Nox…… is the only student who hasn’t been fazed by my magic. Funny, I almost want to keep him. Maybe I’ll lock him up in my lab.”

Hmm, I’m sure Theo wouldn’t like that, would he?

She giggled a little as she said it.

Such innocent words on an innocent face.

This was the true face of the Frozen Witch, the one people admired and hailed as a hero.

Of course, she was still in the form of a child, having not yet regained her full strength.

She thought back to her conversation with Nox earlier.

Noah had covertly infused him with strong magic power.

She cast a spell to drain him of his power, making him feel exhausted when he touched the scroll, a power that would have killed the untalented.

But it didn’t work on Nox at all.

He was simply nonchalant.

It was as if he had known all along that this would happen.

Noah thought.

How long has it been since I’ve encountered someone this talented?

It was hard not to be amused.

She clenched her jaw and popped another lollipop into her mouth.

“I don’t know what kind of monster he’ll grow up to be, but he’s a tasty one to teach, don’t you think?”

Oops. Oops.

(odog)

Only the murderous wailing of lollipops filled the dean’s office.

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