WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Surviving the Assassin Academy as a Professor

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 7: Black Dragon Division (3)

They want me to become their supervising professor?

My answer was set in stone from the start: no freaking way.

The reason was simple.

I was still not free from their assassination attempts. Becoming the supervisor of cadets who were beyond my control would be like digging my own grave with an excavator.

Even so, I watched Kaiser with my arms crossed, remaining silent instead of giving an immediate answer. I couldn’t think of a way to refuse. 

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kwan: Hah! He’s still maintaining that high-handed attitude after hearing our offer? 】

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Elize: Please do it. 】

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Gray: Why isn’t the professor answering? Say some more stuff to convince him, Kaiser. 】

Receiving the cadets’ gazes, Kaiser leaned back against the sofa.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: This silence… Is he testing us…? 】

I wasn’t testing them. I simply couldn’t think of anything to say.

“If you’re dissatisfied with our suggestion, please allow me to briefly explain our plans.” Kaiser continued. “If you agree to guide us, our short-term goal is to form an assassination team. With that, we intend to overturn the assassination industry.”

An assassination team?

That was a storyline that would normally start in their fourth year, yet they were already planning it this early.

But then, I read something in the text box that was even more intense than their plan to form a team.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: …And afterward, we will assassinate the tyrannical emperor of the empire. 】

Assassinate the emperor?

That was a dangerous train of thought in many ways.

The empire’s ruling family dictated the rules of the continent—rules that even the players had to follow. In other words, this was a storyline that didn’t even exist in the main game.

“You all bear a lot of weight on your shoulders,” I said.

“…Yes, I suppose we do,” Kaiser admitted.

These young prodigies had the bold dream of killing the emperor of the Central Empire. Whether they would succeed or not, I had no idea.

“And to succeed with our plans… we need your help, Professor.”

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: With this, we've put our cards on the table and revealed one of our secrets. You’re forced to give us a worthwhile answer now. 】

What a tricky situation.

Kaiser had just made rejecting them even harder by revealing a secret.

“Well, whatever you do is none of my business.”

“Pardon...?”

“I don’t have any intention of controlling cadets,” I said flatly. “My stance is influenced by neither the White Path nor the Black Path.”

Kaiser remained silent, listening. 

“I simply do the work assigned to me as a professor. And I do not see why I should become your supervisor.”

In other words, I was rejecting their proposal.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: …A true assassin down to the bone. Even now, he’s not budging since he sees no benefit for himself. He wants to be paid, is that it? 】

Wait, why is he making that assumption?!

“Then, how about—”

“Enough.” I cut Kaiser off before he could mention any sort of payment. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear anything today.”

If Kaiser mentioned money, it would make it much harder for me to refuse. Assassins were professionals, after all—they would do anything as long as they got paid. 

“Anything else?” I asked, meeting Kaiser’s gaze. 

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: So it’s a no. But wow, he sure is intimidating… 】

From my perspective, Kaiser was the truly intimidating assassin. But despite his poker face, it seemed he was also nervous deep inside.

Was it the right time to leave now?

I slowly started to stand up, hoping to escape this nerve-wracking room.

“I seriously can’t sit back and listen to this bullshit.”

Kendrake, the huge cadet, stood up first, his voice filled with frustration. 

“Leader, why do we have to take such a submissive attitude? We don’t even know if this professor is qualified to teach us.”

Kaiser frowned. “He is more than qualified. What more do you want?” 

“What more do I want?!” Kendrake turned to me, his gaze sharp. 

“Look at me, Professor. Do you seriously think you’re qualified to teach us? During the first semester, I realized that even the senior professors weren’t qualified to teach me. If you’re so confident in yourself, prove it to me.”

He pulled out a weapon from his subspace—a massive battle axe glowing red with mana.

“I challenge you to an assassination face-off.”

This was tricky. I had to answer carefully. 

There was no chance of survival if we fought. My power level was basically zero, after all.

The cadets all tensed, nervously glancing at each other. The atmosphere grew heavy. 

I finally opened my mouth. 

“…Pathetic brats. Did you really call me here just to play such childish games?”

I couldn’t think of anything else to say. Maybe I was digging my own grave at this point.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kwan: …! 】

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Elize: Wow. 】

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Balmung: Such pressure… 】

The cadets were astonished by my words.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kendrake: What’s with the tough guy act? I already challenged you, so just get up and fight me! 】

Unfortunately, there was one person who didn’t fall for the bravado. Kendrake took a stance, preparing to fight. To make matters worse, his confidence was influencing the others.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Gray: I’m curious now. I wanna have a go as well… 】

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kwan: I’ll help you, Kendrake. 】

Some of the other cadets began drawing their weapons, ready to lunge at me.

Shit! This is a disaster! These battle-crazed fools!

Just as I started panicking, I saw something surprising in the text box. 

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: Damn it…! I’ll end up getting dragged into the fight if they duke it out inside the building…! 】

Huh?

That was strange… Kaiser—the boy who looked like a secret, evil mastermind—was having oddly weak-willed thoughts.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: Look at those fearsome eyes. He’s got to be a true serial killer! 】

Wait a second…

Kaiser—the leader with the truly terrifying eyes—was showing signs of fear.

An idea popped up in my head.

I slowly turned my gaze toward him and stared. 

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: Stop… Stop looking this way…! 】

I glared even more intensely.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: Ugh…! 】

Just a little more…!

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: D-Dammit… I can’t take it anymore…!! 】

A flash of realization surged through my mind. Kaiser still wore a calm expression on the outside, but his thoughts were full of terror.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: Fuck, he’s terrifying…!! How am I supposed to negotiate with such a monster…?! What else can I even say?! 】

He then turned to Kendrake with a composed expression, but that was just a front. He was trying to avoid my gaze.

This is it… This is my way out!

“Gray, Kwan, Kendrake. Take one more step, and you’re dead,” I declared to the three, who had been about to move covertly. I didn’t shift my eyes off Kaiser. 

They froze, glancing at each other in shock. It was as if their minds and intent to vanish and kill me had been perfectly read.

Which, to be clear, was exactly what had happened thanks to my text box.

“Kaiser,” I called out as I continued locking eyes with their leader.

“Please, speak.”

The boy had long black hair, slit-pupil eyes, a limp, and a cane in his hand. Anyone could tell he looked more like a villain than I did. In fact, according to the school records, he was even responsible for the deaths of four professors.

“Was it your decision to call me here and test me?”

“That is correct.”

“Cocky kid.”

The other cadets tensed up again.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kwan: He’s messing with the wrong person…! Kaiser’s far crueler than Kendrake! He killed three extra professors even after securing his diploma… He’s a bloodthirsty monster! 】

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Elize: Are they going to fight…? 】

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Balmung: Even if he’s a professor, this is reckless. Kaiser is our leader for a reason. But if they fight, our dormitory will be in ruins… 】

Even their boldest cadet, Kendrake, spoke with a slightly subdued tone.

“P-Professor… I’m the one who challenged you, you know?”

But unlike the others, Kaiser remained calm. He quickly shot back, “Cocky? Perhaps you’re right. But why should I confine myself to the standards of others if I’m aiming to achieve great things?”

His voice was tranquil, his posture relaxed. There was something abyssal about him, and his body language revealed nothing. 

But I wasn’t limited to his body language. I had a handy little text box.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: Dammit… Please stop staring at me… You’re so scary! I’m begging you, don’t bring me into this! Just fight Kendrake!! 】

I was now certain. This kid was just like me.

I had no idea how he became the division leader, but he was definitely just as weak as I was.

“Is that why you killed four professors?”

“Why do you ask? There’s nothing strange about it. It is the Assassin Department’s tradition, after all.”

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: I didn’t actually kill them!! I’ve got a limp and don’t know how to assassinate in the first place! They just ended up dying for some reason…! 】

“Wrong answer,” I said.

Kaiser frowned slightly. “What do you mean?” 

“You cannot fool my eyes, Kaiser. How long will you continue your ‘act’ in front of me?”

Stunned, he failed to answer.

“I’m going to have to punish you.”.

Eventually, he scoffed. “You? Punish me? Hah!”

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kwan: His ‘act’...? Wait, has Kaiser been secretly using his Formless Poison? 】

I had spoken ambiguously on purpose, ensuring the other cadets would misinterpret my words as Kaiser having been secretly using his Formless Poison.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: Oh no! He must’ve noticed that I’m actually weak…! I’m so fucking dead! 】

And just as I had hoped, Kaiser was the only one to understand the true meaning of my words.

It was confirmed now. Kaiser was the same as me.

Again, how on earth did he end up as the Black Dragon Division’s leader?!

I had no idea what he had been through to end up here, but one thing was certain—he was just as weak as I am.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kwan: Oh my god… The professor is overwhelming Kaiser, the strongest one of us…! 】

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Gray: Whoa, what’s going on?? 】

The cadets were astonished.

Perfect. The setup is complete.

I had nearly finished grasping and tugging at my lifeline to escape this situation.

“I want everyone to leave the dormitory. Everyone except for Kaiser.”

But Kaiser wasn’t your ordinary brat either. He immediately raised his cane and placed it on his shoulder. “You don’t have the authority to order us around.”

He was defying me.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: I can’t let them leave!!! I’m so gonna die if no one is around to help…! 】

But since I could read his true intentions, it was easy to manipulate him.

“If you don’t use your authority as the leader to send everyone out, you’ll face the outcome you fear most, Kaiser,” I said.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: No way…!!! (╥﹏╥)(╥﹏╥)(╥﹏╥)(╥﹏╥) 】

Huh, I didn’t know the text box could show emoticons too.

Still, I couldn’t help but admire Kaiser once again.

Despite being cornered like a rat, his outward composure was incredible. His guts were twisting in stress, drowning in a sea of tears, but his expression remained unshaken.

“…Everyone, please wait outside,” he said at last.

As the cadets slowly got up and left the room, Kaiser’s text box went out of control.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: I’m screwed. I’m so fucking screwed…! I somehow managed to come this far and survived while tricking everyone, but this is it. The gig is up! This is the day I die… How did my life get to this point? I just wanted to live quietly and normally without standing out, but without being an outsider either. I just wanted to make some friends, have some fun, and live a stable life as a civil servant… I wanted to marry a normal girl, raise a child normally, and die a peaceful death on my bed from natural causes…! Assassination? Fuck that shit! I’ve never even harmed an ant in my lifetime! Lord in heaven… Why do you hate me so? Today’s my birthday, and now you’ve made it my death anniversary too…!! 】

Once I confirmed all the cadets had left through the mini-map, I spoke in a much softer tone than before.

“It’s all right.”

Kaiser stayed silent, not understanding my words.

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: ???????????????????? 】

To my surprise, his face showed no visible shock despite his thoughts.

Kaiser still gazed at me with an air of arrogance. “Just what do you mean by that?” 

“You don’t need to try so hard to keep up the act. Even if the whole world is oblivious, I can see your situation clearly.”

Kaiser just stared. 

“Don’t worry. As a professor, I respect you as a person. I have no intention of ruining your life.”

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: Huh??? You can see my situation? But you’ll pretend like you don’t know…?? 】

His thoughts were in complete shock.

I knew exactly what I had to do. I had to show my respect to the boy, for he had risen so high despite his weakness.

“I’ll keep this short. I have no intention of teaching any of you. There are two reasons for that. Firstly, I don’t have the time to dedicate myself to training anyone.”

I paused before continuing.

“Secondly, if any of you were to be taught by me, one of you would undoubtedly die by my hands. As my lessons get more advanced, the risks to your lives increase.”

“Why would that concern yo—?”

Kaiser began to ask something, but stopped, his brow furrowing. 

“Wait, are you…?”

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: …worried for us? 】

I was just saying random bullshit. That was how you interpreted it? Well, I suppose it’s a fair assumption.

I had to develop this idea further.

“As a professor, I don’t want my cadets to get hurt.”

His eyes shook with agitation.

It was working. I just needed to push a little more. 

“I’ll say it again, I respect you all. As long as you don’t cross the line, you’re free to do what you want.”

“But then, you could—”

“I refuse. However, I wouldn’t mind helping you out personally. Here’s my crystal ball number. Feel free to contact me whenever you need guidance.”

“…Oh, thank you. Then allow me to—”

“Don’t bother. Stay where you are. I’ll walk over to you.”

I stood up and approached him, stopping him from moving since he had difficulty walking. His eyes widened as I got closer.

I bent down in front of him, kneeling, and placed my wrist crystal ball against his.

< [Kaiser]’s number has been registered. >

Despite everything that had happened, the boy still maintained his poker face.

However, the text box displaying his thoughts went completely blank…

【 Black Dragon Division, First-Year, Kaiser: …… 】

As though his brain had short-circuited.

“But you still have some explaining to do.”

“Pardon?”

“What is the poison in my tea?”

“...I only added a harmless amount of diluted poison to trick my friends into thinking it was dangerous.”

He casually pulled the teacup closer with his cane and took a sip, proving it was safe.

Ah, I see…

So the system had some flaws. Even a weak, diluted poison was still recognized as “deadly poison” because it had been intended to poison me.

“I’m really sorry… But to think you detected it is incredible…”

He seemed to have mistaken me for someone extraordinary.

Honestly, I had just been putting on a show to survive in this world. But since he was in a similar situation, why not help each other out? We were in the same boat, after all.

I saved his number and started heading out, leaving him with a final remark. 

“Happy birthday.”

Kaiser’s poker face cracked for just a moment.

Without another word, I left the building. Outside, the cadets stood waiting. 

They were about to stop me from leaving, but Kaiser soon joined them and told them to let me go.

Eventually, I made it back to my residence. I slumped against the door to my room and let out the deepest sigh of my life.

“I survived…!”

It had truly been a long, dreadful, and hellish day.

┃ Main Quest [First Day on the Job]

┃ Reward: Star Shards ×1,000 (Special DLC Purchase Bonus)

Finally, the reward that came with the special bonus had arrived.

Later that evening, I received a message on my crystal ball.

——

- Kaiser: Thank you, Professor…

- Kaiser: I will be contacting you from time to time in the future. We are still weak and have a lot to learn. Please correct us if we ever stray from our paths.

Black Dragon Division - END

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