Broken Possessors of Infinite Regression Academy

“Kyaa?!”

A cute scream echoed as the slash from Eternity shattered Aria’s defensive magic and carved a large gash right next to her left foot. Pushing through the dispersing defensive magic, I charged at Aria. She began to draw another magic circle at the tip of her staff aimed at me, but it was already too late.

I swung Eternity. As soon as the blade touched her neck, a warning sound blared, and we were both forcefully separated. Aria, momentarily dazed, then gave a helpless smile as if admitting defeat.

“Winner, Mira Crate,” declared Professor Jake, signaling the end of the midterm practical duels. From the audience, I heard the groans and cries of those who had bet against the odds. Even if someone had bet on me, they wouldn’t have won much considering the odds were less than 1.1.

“Congratulations on your win, Mira. As expected, I can’t beat you,” Aria said with a bright smile as she stood beside me after the duel. Although she had almost used up the time limit, she likely knew it was because I had gone easy on her. Her face showed relief rather than disappointment.

I instinctively reached out to pat her head as I had done with Priscilla earlier but stopped midway. However, my hand was already half-raised. While I was awkwardly frozen, Aria moved first.

“Here,” she said, gently taking my wrist and placing my hand on her golden hair.

It struck me how close we were, but pulling my hand away seemed impolite, so I ran my fingers through her soft, shining hair.

“This is cheating! It’s unfair!” Brynhild, who had been revived by Rosalia’s divine healing, burst in, complaining about the unfairness of the match, but the result was already final. Aria, in her usual gentle and soft-spoken manner, firmly said that it was a done deal. Brynhild lowered her head in defeat.

“That’s so hard to get…”

What was the name of that limited edition dessert again? Strawberry cream marshmallow choco muffin cake, or something like that.

“Want me to help you get it?”

“…Really?”

Brynhild, who had been despondent, brightened up instantly and clung to me with shining eyes. She glanced at Aria, worried about her reaction, but Aria seemed surprisingly indifferent.

“It was an unfair bet with a predetermined outcome. I can afford to show that much mercy.”

“…Just you wait, Aria. I’ll get you back for this,” Brynhild declared, her desire for revenge clearly reignited.

After parting ways with them, I returned to the club room and found Ibrante waiting there. Judging by her appearance, she hadn’t even had dinner and had been waiting for some time. For some reason, Roxanna had accompanied her and was whining to be let in too, but I ignored her and sent her away. After all, we couldn’t discuss strategies against succubi in the presence of a half-succubus.

Inside the room, Ibrante’s stomach let out a loud growl as soon as the sweet aroma of desserts hit her. Rosalia offered her a plate, and Ibrante devoured it quickly, her eyes sparkling with unprecedented excitement.

“Hello, Ibrante. Sorry for the late greeting,” I said.

“Gulp! Ah, hello… Oh, right! The dessert was delicious… I mean, thank you!”

I spoke to her when the plate was almost empty. Ibrante, startled, quickly swallowed what was in her mouth and hurriedly gave her thanks.

“We’re about the same age, so you can speak casually. No need to be formal.”

“No, I’m more comfortable with this. Besides, you’re not just a classmate but also my client…”

“Well, suit yourself. Do what you like.”

There was no need to insist on it. She declined my offer, so I didn’t push further. I handed Ibrante the prepared documents. The promise of earning two platinum coins just for accepting and the possibility of doubling that amount upon completion made her hands tremble as she took the papers.

“Before you look at it,” I said, holding the papers firmly, “you should know that once you see the contents, you can’t back out. This is your last chance to refuse.”

“I swear, I won’t refuse! I’ll do it no matter what!” Ibrante frantically shook her head and pulled the documents. I let go before they tore. Finally, Io held the papers close and began to review them.

“These people… they’re all nobles, aren’t they?”

“They’re nobles, but not of particularly high rank. At best, they’re barons or viscounts. And they all have one thing in common: they’re very bad people.”

Specifically, they were individuals under the influence of succubi, causing trouble as the minions of the Astriere family. Given their history in the original storyline, it was safe to assume they hadn’t turned into decent people due to my actions.

“I don’t care if they’re good or bad. I just kill and take the money…” Ibrante said, her voice coldly detached as she continued to scan the documents.

“Do they have any family? Even I’d hesitate to kill children… unless the payment is really, really high, then maybe…” she added with a mischievous smile.

“They’re all single. It’s written there—no family,” I replied.

“Oh, right. Sorry, I missed that.”

These nobles were prime targets for succubi due to their lack of family ties. It made them easier to manipulate without raising suspicion. Ibrante carefully examined the documents with a more serious expression before tucking them into her inner pocket.

“Alright, I’ll do it. But just to be clear, once this is done, I expect the full payment. No delays or excuses.”

“Of course. As long as you complete the job, the payment will be made promptly.”

Ibrante nodded, seemingly satisfied with the arrangement. She stood up, looking determined and ready to take on the task.

“Good luck, Ibrante. I’ll be looking forward to hearing about your success.”

With that, Ibrante left the room, leaving me to prepare for the next steps. The mission against the succubi and their pawns was now set in motion.

“Confirmed. I’ll start the job next Monday. I need to take my exams first…”

“Do as you please. Aren’t you going to ask anything else? Like why we want those guys dead, for example.”

“No need.”

Ibrante shook her head firmly.

“I just need to finish the job and get paid. I don’t want to know unnecessary information that doesn’t help with the job. The more I know, the higher the chances of being silenced.”

“Smart.”

She had the right attitude and knew her place. From an employer’s perspective, mercenaries obsessed with money are the easiest to handle. The idiots obsessed with honor often fail because of their unnecessary honesty, and the ones chasing the thrill or pleasure of the hunt are often the ones who get caught. Priscilla had assured me she’d be useful before being taken over by the demons.

“Here. Your advance payment.”

“Gah! Th-thank you.”

I took out two platinum coins from my pocket and tossed them to her. Ibrante let out a cute scream and hastily caught the falling coins.

“R-really, platinum coins… It’s my first time seeing one…”

Seeing the silver-like but slightly different-colored coins in her palm, Ibrante trembled. Her legs were shaking uncontrollably.

“Keep today’s business a secret. I can’t guarantee what will happen if you talk. Obviously, all future contracts would be cut off. And I assure you, employers as generous as me are rare.”

“…Does that mean we can keep meeting in the future?”

“If you show me your skills properly.”

“Got it. I’ll see you after it’s done. I won’t disappoint you, so don’t worry.”

Ibrante carefully pocketed the platinum coins and gave a deep bow.

I demanded that she return without being seen by anyone, and Ibrante faithfully followed my instructions, opening the window and disappearing into the shadows.

“Why, is someone watching?”

“Roxanna was with her when she arrived. I sent her away, but she might still be around.”

I don’t want to risk messing up the plan, so caution is necessary.

“But why are you suddenly trying to kill these guys? Did you find something?”

“No. That’s why I gave it to Ibrante.”

“…I don’t quite understand.”

“Did you forget how finding the possessed people progressed in the original story?”

“Ah.”

In the original story, the hero ambushes the Succubus Queen, severely injuring her. While the Queen is focused on healing her wounds, the hero disrupts her plans and uncovers evidence to expose the traitors.

That’s how thorough it is. Even with my knowledge of the original story, I can’t accuse them without evidence. It would be much more difficult now that their influence has grown significantly.

Even half-succubi wandering the human world were ‘handled,’ making it impossible for human technology to reveal their demonic nature.

“So we need to go all out. They won’t know who killed them anyway, so why not?”

“You’re really something.”

Rosalia shook her head in disbelief and suddenly remembered something.

“Can Ibrante really kill nobles without being caught? She’s just a student…”

“She can.”

Priscilla answered with confidence instead of me.

“She’s not 18, she’s 48.”

“…What?”

“She looks 18 because of an ancient artifact she has. The siblings she claims to care for are all orphans. She’s been a mercenary for decades, changing her face and body. Of course she can do it.”

“That… I mean…”

The shock left Rosalia stuttering for a while before she finally managed to speak.

“Why did she join the academy at that age?”

“For the money.”

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.

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Soon, the last day of midterms arrived. It was Friday evening.

Priscilla, knowing we might not see each other for the next two nights, clung to me all day. Even up to the very last minute, I promised repeatedly to come back as soon as possible before she finally let me go.

“Alright… got all the necessary gear.”

Since the schedule changed abruptly, the school provided more than basic supplies. Bringing additional items was also allowed.

I packed various survival items and headed to the gathering point. The square was bustling with first-year students, and Instructor Jaina was guiding students, sword and staff in hand.

“Alright, alright! We’re starting! No pushing, go in order!”

The exam began shortly, and students started disappearing one by one through the teleportation magic circle. The entrance order was determined by grades, so Brynhild, Aria, and I went last again.

Though it was only a difference of about five to ten minutes.

“Good luck, Mira! You too, Aria!”

“Good luck to you too, Leona. Mira, do your best.”

Aria and Brynhild entered the dungeon first. Since this was an individual test, we wouldn’t see each other for a while. Left alone, Instructor Jaina smirked at me.

“Why are you smiling like that? It’s unsettling.”

“I’m just excited to see how quickly our great future top student will clear the dungeon.”

I wanted to ask if she had rigged the dungeon but held my tongue. No matter her expression, she wouldn’t mess with a midterm exam.

Standing on the magic circle, I was transported to a rough stone corridor. I looked around. The path behind was blocked, but the corridor ahead was clear. They wouldn’t play tricks with the path right from the start, it seemed.

“I need to move quickly.”

For Priscilla’s sake, if nothing else. Just as I was about to use physical enhancement and dash forward.

“Where are you rushing off to, Mira Crate?”

The Demon King appeared right in front of me and spoke.

My instincts were quicker than my thoughts. I reached for Eternity. As I moved to swing my sword, the Demon King raised both hands to head height, signaling surrender.

“I didn’t come to fight. How about calming down? I just seized the opportunity to meet you.”

“How can I trust you?”

“Let me ask you instead. What would it take for you to trust me?”

“…”

If she’s coming this far, I might as well propose something and see her reaction. I can decide what to do based on his actions. Unless this whole situation is a trap.

“Let’s start by taking off your coat. I don’t know what you might be hiding under it.”

“…Starting with such a mischievous request.”

For some reason, the Demon King’s cheeks reddened slightly as she reached for her thick gray coat.

Without moving her fingers, the front of the coat slid open and fell naturally to the floor, revealing the figure beneath. From the shoulders down, the woman’s skin was gradually exposed.

Yes, it was a woman’s skin.

“…”

I hesitated for a moment. The outfit underneath was so unexpected, far from what a Demon King should wear, that I was taken aback.

The coat looked thick enough to hide weapons for a surprise attack, so I asked her to take it off. I never imagined she would be dressed like this.

“D-don’t stare so intensely… Even I feel embarrassed…”

The Demon King’s voice echoed sensually in the corridor.

P.S. Demon king outift Elysier