Chương 74: Chapter 71-Chosen Tries To Crime

Crime. According to the Empire, a lot of things can be considered a crime. Stealing some food is a crime. Extorting some sorry sap is a crime. Living in the sewers is a crime. A lot of things can be considered crimes, but for me, that list is longer than most. Vashrins are not allowed to own property. It's considered a crime. We aren't allowed to work for the Empire. It's considered a crime. We aren't allowed to [Level Up]. It's considered a crime.

As you can see, crimes can cover a wide range of actions, but as my sister said once, 'Crime? What crime? There ain't no such thing as a crime when you're trying to survive.' and she, as always, was right. Which brings us to my current predicament of crawling up in the rafters. Now, you may judge me, but to put it simply, I had to [Steal] this for my survival. It's a necessary expense, one that I have no joy in taking. Not even a spark of joy. Not even a flicker of it.

This actually pains me, but nobody is using it. It's just sitting there on a pedestal in a dingy storage room, asking to be stolen. Who am I to deny its sole purpose? It being the gem-encrusted necklace, of course. I had heard whispers that this thing existed, but to think the school actually had an Environment Adapter just lying around in storage. Do you know how much this thing would fetch on the streets? A lot. A whole lot.

In fact, the real crime here isn't the theft of this necklace, but instead the negligence of the security around it. If you look at it in a certain light, I'm actually doing the school a favor. I'm giving them a wake-up call. Shake 'em out of their complacency. Ya know? Now, enough rationalization. With this magic item in my possession, I can survive even the extremes of that lava floor from earlier, and the tundra we're currently in would be like a walk in the park.

The school can consider this a donation to The Chosen One and the fight against the forces of evil. Which is why I would love more than anything to just steal that necklace and be on my merry way, but there's a problem. A glaring one. One I have decided to name, Shady. Shady is cloaked in dark cloaks as they shadily make their way over to the pedestal. Amateur, I mean, look at them. Shady's oozing an evil aura. You're supposed to hide that. Not to mention those clothes.

Were they trying to stick out like a sore thumb? And don't even get me started on this approach. From the ground, really? At least gain some elevation. Lying on one of the rafters, I let out a sigh. What is a Chosen to do? Work with Shady to [Steal] the necklace? Shady accidentally knocks over a vase, shattering it.

"Ah, shit. Who put a vase there?" he asks the empty space. Nah, that's out of the picture. Apprehend him? Maybe I could get an award out of him. In fact- Midthought the door to the storage room opens with a heavy swing. A large human with tan skin bursts through with a calm expression. I think I recognize him. Who is he?

"Stop. In the name of the Student Council. I, Mavis Blinc, urge you to turn yourself in," Mavis orders. Shady freezes in place.

"Mavis Blinc, the infamous Disciplinary Head of the Student Council. To think I would meet you so soon. I don't think I'm ready," she says with a hint of bashfulness. That's definitely a woman's voice, but I was almost certain- Wait a minute. I cock my head sideways as I look her up and down. She's dropped a couple of inches in height. Barely noticeable, but it's there, or rather not. The cloak might have hidden her features, hells I might have misheard her earlier with the vase, but her height?

Nah, that's not right. There's a [Skill] a foot.

"Thief, what have you come to steal!?" Mavis orders. Shady lowers her hood to reveal a seemingly sweet and captivating appearance.

"To tell you truly, I came to steal your heart." Ugh. Does Shady really think this is goin-"Nonsense. I, I- I'm far too young for that," Mavis, the Fourth Year says with a bashful look. You've got to be shitting me. Mavis, you were so cool when I first met you. What is this? She bats her eyes, and you're blushing, really? Come on, man. Shady steps forward as a flicker of silver hides behind her back.

"I understand it's wrong. You're bound to the rule of law, and I'm bound to break it, but maybe for just a moment we… could… forget about all that?" Mavis, the Disciplinary Head of the Student Council, turns beet red.

"Ah, we shouldn't. In fact… I… should bring you in. This is a crime. A crime of-""Can it really be a crime if it feels so good?" Ok. I'm done listening to this. With a swift leap, I land without a sound and [Throw] a rock at Shady's hand. Shady drops the knife.

"Ok, Mavis, get your shit together. She's obviously trying to distract you so that she can kill you! Get your head in the game," I say, exasperated.

"Mavis, who is that? Is he going to hurt me?" Shady asks. Mavis looks extremely embarrassed as he clears his throat.

"I knew that, Chosen One. I was just lulling her into a false sense of security before apprehending her," he lies.

"Yeah, I'm sure that's the case. Well, have you considered apprehending her, now?" I say as I lean against the pedestal.

"Yes, of course. I'm sorry, Ma'am, but you're going to have to come with me," Mavis says as he goes to grab her.

"Ahh, No. Don't hurt me. I… was forced to do this. I didn't want to," Shady pleads. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Mavis stops.

"Chosen One, it seems like she might have some circumstances worth considering." I blink hard and let out a sigh.

"Mavis, how do you do your job?" Vivi's green hair bobs around the corner.

"Finally found you, Mavis. What are you doing in the storage rooms?"

"I was patrolling because I sensed an evil aura, but all I found was this woman and The Chosen One," he says, clearly not sensing the evil aura emanating from Shady. Vivi looks at the woman and then at me.

"Mavis, you know you're not supposed to patrol by yourself. Where's David?" she asks.

"It's his anniversary with his girlfriend. So, I didn't want to bother him. I thought it would be fine. I was just patrolling for evil," Mavis says as Shady slowly starts to sneak away. With a flick of Vivi's hand, Shady stops in place as the shadows in the room wrap around her.

"You could have called me. I'm not as busy now that the Class War is over."

"Well, I wanted to give you a break after how hard you worked during the Class War."

"Oh, um, thanks for noticing," she says. The room grows awkward as Mavis and Vivi avoid eye contact. At the same time, Shady struggles against the shadow bindings.

"Not to interrupt, but can we deal with the thief?" I ask as I [Steal] the necklace and swap it with another similar-looking one.

"Oh, sorry, Chosen One. I forgot you were there. What are you doing here?" Vivi asks.

"Well, I showed up to stop this thief," I [Lie], pointing at Shady.

"How did you know there was going to be a theft?" Mavis asks with suspicion.

"I'm The Chosen One," I [Lie]. Mavis nods.

"That makes sense. Now back to you. Who's forcing you to do this?" he asks Shady.

"A very powerful and strong gang leader in the city. He said if I didn't steal that necklace, then he would kill my family and me," Shady pleads.

"Well, that's a crock of shit," Vivi says, surprising even me. I didn't think a noble would speak like that. Hells, now that I think about it. These nobles sure do act weird. Eh, who am I to judge?

"I… don't understand. I'm not lying. Mavis, help me. These hurt," Shady says as she struggles against the shadows. I grab a torch and walk over.

"Don't listen to her, Mavis. I can tell this one is bad news," Vivi says as she tightens the shadow bindings.

"Should we-" I light Shady on fire. Mavis, Shady, and Vivi look over at me in surprise. The flames envelop Shady in an instant. Vivi retracts her shadow bindings as the now on fire Shady runs around in circles.

"Chosen One, what was that for!?" Mavis yells.

"She was restrained!" Vivi yells. Shady's clothes and skin burn away to reveal a grey-skinned and white-eyed creature. Guess I was right. Another Shapeshifter.

"A Shapeshifter?!" Vivi and Mavis yell in unison. Shady looks back at us in anger.

"To think you would see through my masterly crafted disguise, Chosen One. It seems the bounty on your life wasn't for show," he says. Vivi looks over at me.

"Bounty?"

"Yeah, the forces of evil put out a 99, 999 Gold bounty on my head. Honestly, I think they're being cheap. One more gold would make it an even 100k," I joke.

"Isn't that worrying for you?" Mavis asks.

"Not at all. They were going to try to kill me anyway. Actually, I'm flattered that they think so highly of me," I say as I watch Shady grab the necklace.

"Not so fast," Vivi says as shadows go to grab Vivi.

"I've seen that trick before," Shady says as he throws down a pouch that fills the room with a blinding light. The shadows are immediately dispelled by the overwhelming light. As soon as the light disappears, Shady is long gone, and so is the fake necklace.

"Damn it! Mavis, can you track her?" Vivi asks.

"No, their aura suddenly disappeared. They probably used a [Skill] to get out of the range of my detection," he explains. Vivi clicks her tongue.

"Great, now we're going to get in trouble for losing that Shapeshifter." Mavis looks around.

"That is a shame, but there's nothing we could've done. Right, Chosen One?" he asks as he gives me a friendly slap on the back. The hefty slap sends the necklace flying out of my pocket and onto the ground. Clearly visible to all who can see. Vivi and Mavis look down at the necklace and back at me.

"Well, thanks for the help, guys. Without you, my plan wouldn't have worked," I [Lie].

"What plan and why do you have the necklace?" Vivi asks with suspicion.

"It's simple, really. I knew that stopping that Shapeshifter from stealing the necklace would be difficult. So, preparing for that, I switched out the real necklace with the fake necklace," I [Lie]. Mavis picks up the necklace.

"By the Gods. To think you managed to trick not just the Shapeshifter, but us as well. Thank you, Chosen One." Vivi sighs.

"To be honest, I thought for a second you might have stolen it, but I am glad that my suspicions are wrong. Thank you, Chosen One."

"No problem." The clock tower chimes six times.

"Well, if you would at the time. I need to get to club. Have a lovely day," I say as I walk. Damn it. I really wanted that Environment Adapter. Damned forces of evil. What did they want with an Environment Adapter anyway? Who cares? Tomorrow's going to suck with the cold.