"There's no such unreasonable card as [Pain Proliferation]. Something like that required those rumored legendary time-controlling materials to complete.”
Dekan shrugged, looking helpless as he explained.
"Even if I could get the materials, I don't have the ability to create it."
"In fact, I didn't even use a pain attack, and I didn't even bring the Cursed Doll this time."
"Flatta was a fool and he had Pain Nullification on so he couldn't tell whether I inflicted pain on him."
Upon hearing Dekan's explanation, many people breathed a sigh of relief.
They gradually understood some of the inconsistencies.
Even if Dekan's card-making skills were exceptional, making two cards of the same tier within a week was still too exaggerated.
Moreover, the effect of [Pain Proliferation] was too terrifying, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a legendary card.
Only Flatta, who was mentally destroyed, had no idea that Dekan had used a scam card.
Now, Flatta was still trembling in the Shadow World, undergoing a public execution by all the viewers.
He seemed to be too scared to come out.
He would have to wait until night at the earliest.
But coming out at night was even scarier.
Even if he hid in the Phantom Valley for two or three days before coming out, it wouldn't be safe.
What if Dekan was a timing expert?
Flatta finally cried out in despair.
Croix looked at Flatta's appearance on the screen and didn't know how to evaluate it for a while.
Croix: "So, even if Flatta comes out, he won't actually suffer any injuries?"
Dekan: "That's right. I told him a long time ago that I wouldn't harm him. If he thinks evil of others, that's his problem."
Even Teacher Cat’s mouth twitched a bit upon hearing this.
Teacher Cat: "...Dekan, be a decent person, meow."
Dekan: "I am decent, alright? If I were a villain, who knows how many parts Flatta would be missing now."
Teacher Cat: "..."
Cornelia: "Food!"
Croix & Dekan: "Alright."
Teacher Cat: "??? What are you guys talking about, meow?"
Croix: "We're planning to visit the capital, and then we'll have dinner together in the evening."
Cat: "I want to go too, meow!"
Dekan: "Cornelia is treating, so you better thank her properly, at least let her touch you."
Teacher Cat: "I suddenly remembered I have something to do in the afternoon, meow..."
However, before it could start running, Dekan had already grabbed it by the back of its neck and lifted it up.
"Come on, don't be so modest."
"Meow, meow, meow!"
And so, Team Beautiful Heart’s second team-building activity began.
The last celebration banquet after returning from the Demon Academy only had Dekan and Cornelia. It also didn't feel as lively as in the cooking classroom at the Demon Academy.
This time was different.
More people, both human and non-human, were present.
Finally, Teacher Cat compromised and allowed Cornelia to hold it if she didn’t move.
Even Cornelia, who was mostly expressionless most of the time, showed a genuine smile.
Meanwhile, in the Phantom Arena.
It had reached nighttime but Flatta didn't dare to come out.
In the end, the alchemy college's technicians had an emergency meeting and used administrator privileges to forcibly transport Flatta out.
The moment Flatta came out, he screamed in shock, holding his head.
But the expected pain that would kill him did not appear.
In a state of shock, he stood there like he had malfunctioned.
He asked in a trembling voice, "Why... why am I okay?"
Alchemy college teacher: "...Dekan tricked you; that [Pain Proliferation] card was fake."
Flatta remained silent for a long time.
He cried and laughed.
Then, in a fit of anger, he turned his back.
...
One week later.
The streets of the capital, late at night.
The moonlight was occasionally blocked by drifting dark clouds, making the shadows under the streetlights particularly dark.
At this hour, the streets were mostly empty.
Flatta walked aimlessly, looking lost.
He, who usually dressed immaculately, was now casually wearing a coat, with the collar wrinkled and crooked.
He appeared disheveled, with his head hanging down and his hair messy.
Flatta had been absent from school for a week.
He didn't want to go back to school, and he didn't see the point of continuing his studies.
Now, he had become a laughingstock.
"Hehe~"
Just then, a mysterious figure had somehow walked beside him, and a bell-like laughter drifted into his ears.
"Do you want to crush Dekan under your feet?"
The woman's voice carried a seductive charm, like poppy flowers that could easily ensnare people.
Upon hearing her words, Flatta's body suddenly stiffened.
He raised his dull, lifeless eyes to look at the woman but didn’t answer.
"I believe you already understand that ordinary methods won't work if you want to deal with him."
"We can give you the power to rival him."
"Only darkness can resist the dark."
The woman circled around Flatta like a shadow before gently slipping a card into the pocket of Flatta's chest.
Then, she placed her hands on his shoulders and whispered in his ear:
"Flatta, if you ever come to your senses, you can find us anytime."
Afterward, the woman, accompanied by an elusive laughter, dissipated into the streets like dispersed black mist.
Leaving Flatta standing there, bewildered.
...
When the woman appeared again, it was already in a small alley on the other side of the street.
"A good pawn. With him, we can start to gradually erode Dekan."
With a murmur, she removed her disguise, which had been shrouded in darkness.
She transformed into a young woman wearing a linen dress, exuding a gentle and approachable aura.
This was her original appearance, her usual disguise in the capital.
She didn't give the impression of being a powerful cultist.
"Dekan, you are destined to fall into our embrace..."
A satisfied smile curled on her lips.
As she prepared to leave the alley and return home, she seemed to sense a faint disturbance in the air, as if something had rapidly passed by.
"Thump!"
Before her brain could analyze the feeling of unease, an unexpected blow made her faint instantly.
Crows were startled by the sudden commotion and took flight. With a loud noise, the sky darkened slightly.
Black mist began to spread in the alley, as if it had turned into the entrance to hell.
A red-haired girl leaped down from above and picked up the hammer that had just been thrown.
Then, she put a black cloth bag over the woman's head and tied it around her neck with a rope.
Dragging the woman's feet, she pulled her deeper into the alley.
"Hehe."
Dekan stood on a high point of the building at the edge of the alley, looking down at the scene, sneering and shaking his head.
Moonlight illuminated his back, casting the shadows on his face just right, leaving only his pupils looking exceptionally clear.
Beside him, Croix had also dispelled the disguise magic, and both of them, along with the Ruined Poet, took on their true forms.
"I had suspected that there would be people with ill intentions trying to manipulate the heartbroken young man. And here you are, caught by me."
