"How did you know about Shiya?"
I knew this question was coming. And unlike the last time, I can't shrug it off. I have to answer him.
But what should I say?
'I read a novel in which you were a major antagonist. Then the author of that novel killed me, and I reincarnated here in this world as Lucas.'
Surely I can't just say it like that, right? Not only is it not believable at all, but it also sounds stupid.
"Haa," sighing, I began to reply. "I have my sources to get information."
"Lies!" Quinn exclaimed in discontent. "No one should know about Shiya's true identity as a turned vampire. To anyone else, she should look like any of my normal shadow slaves!"
"And yet, I know about her," I replied. "So clearly someone knows about her. And that someone supplied me with this information."
"Who is it? Who is the person who gave you this information?" Quinn questioned.
Good, he's buying my lies.
"Nope," I shook my head. "I can't tell you anything about him. If I do, he'll do more than just take my life."
Seeing me firmly reject his query, Quinn clicked his tongue. "I'll have you answer my question one way or another. But for now, answer my second question. H-How did you beat me?" with clear hesitation in his voice, he asked.
"What do you mean?" I frowned, confused.
"In the Mock War, how did you beat me?"
I was even more confused. "Dude, you were fighting me. You should know how I beat you!"
Quinn pressed a hand on his forehead as if he was dealing with a mentally challenged nine-year-old kid.
He repeated his question in a slow and annoyed tone, "How did you know I was the traitor? How did you beat me? It seemed as if you knew about everything that was going to occur in our battle beforehand. For example, you strategically placed those small flashing marbles that momentarily blinded me and left me stunned in the building, where we ended up fighting long before the actual fight began. Do you possess the ability to see the future? Is that your Gift?"
"Oh, so that's what you mean!" I replied, clapping my hands together in understanding. "No, I don't have a powerful and not to mention unique Gift like Future Sight. But I can let out a strong burst of magical energy from my body and create a mana explosion. You remember when I created that azure blast, and we fell to the bottom floor during the fight? That was my Gift – Mana Burst."
Quinn was even more confused than before, "Then how did you know I was the traitor and all the moves I would make?"
"I planned and predicted everything," I replied matter-of-factly. "I had a hunch that you were the traitor since you were acting suspiciously. It was a hunch derived from logical reasoning – a deduction with no proof, you can call it.
"You didn't object to Nero becoming the commander for the Mock War. I don't remember you objecting to any of his orders either. You're the type of person who wouldn't follow an incompetent leader on the battlefield. And while Nero is strong, he is not a leader. Oh, and do you remember in the cafeteria when Nero used his Bloodlust and choked nearly every person who was present there to death? You had a look of jealousy on your face then. But aside from that, you didn't kill even one enemy cadet during the war."
Quinn looked taken aback. It was clear that he couldn't believe he was outsmarted in a head-on battle by a sheltered, rich noble boy.
And to think I was also able to observe the changes in his expression amid that chaos? Of course, he was a little skeptical.
After a moment or two, he finally asked, "You confronted me based on these random hunches?"
"Well, yes," I admitted. "But it was a calculated risk based on my observations and analysis of your behavior. And as for the marbles, I strategically placed them beforehand, knowing that they would be useful in disorienting you during our fight. Then, I purposely led you to smash me into that building with your spell so that I could use those marbles– subtly manipulating the flow of the battle. It was all part of my plan."
Quinn's body shuddered for a second, and his breathing became erratic. He then shook his head and said, "No, it was more than that! Those Light Enchanted arrows! You had them in your smart bracelet, meaning you brought them with you knowing you'll have to fight someone with an affinity for darkness!"
I nodded and replied, "Well, yeah. As I said, you started acting suspiciously before the mock war even started. I just took some necessary preparations based on my hunch."
Quinn looked surprised and asked, "Wait, why are you talking like you've known me for years when we haven't even had a conversation before?! You talk about my behavioral change, but how do you even know who I am?!"
Of course I do. You were a major villain in the novel, which was based on this world.
But how the fuck do I tell you that?!
Sighing, I replied calmly, "I've been keenly observing everyone since the day academy started. By now, I can more or less tell what everyone is like."
Taking a deep breath to process all the information I'd dumped on him, Quinn stroked his forehead aggressively.
Of course it was a lot to take in.
He was doubtful before, but now I confirmed it.
The fact that I had manipulated our entire battle from the beginning, along with the claim that I successfully read him – analyzed his personality, and devised a plan to defeat him based on it long before he even made any move, left him speechless.
However, what irked me was that there was not a speck of hesitation, denial, or fear on his face.
Instead, with the calmest possible tone, he muttered, "You are a monster."
