Became the Academy Romantic Phantom Thief chapter 130

130 – Discussion

“That makes sense.”

“…Eh?”

I doubted my ears at Yulia’s answer.

Am I right now?

She was such an absurd bullsh*t, so of course, if she was more intelligent than anyone else, she would have noticed Drake’s black heart, but she never imagined that she would just casually affirm and agree.

No, this might be a trap that even I was tricked into. While pretending to agree with what the other person is saying on the outside, they are trying to induce their vigilance and let them express their true intentions.

“As expected, I believed that a friend would understand. The hero wants to abolish the corrupt caste system that is now eating away at Britain, and to ensure that everyone is equal and recognized as a worthy being.”

When the hell did I ever reveal such an idea? So far, the activities I’ve been doing as the thief Raven have been focused on just picking up jewels. In the first place, except for a few specific people, I have hardly ever even properly mixed words.

I understand your intention to use me, but the content just crossed the line.

Because Julia, who is being talked to right across the street, is the daughter of the Duke of Grace, the king of the caste system.

No matter how much she pretended to agree, if she was openly criticized like that, there was no way that Yulia would just let it go.

“It is difficult to agree with the opinion that Raven insisted on the abolition of the caste system.”

That’s right! As expected, Yulia wasn’t tainted with the real ideology, but was only arguing moderately.

“But I agree with the back story that everyone wants to be recognized as equal and worthy.”

“Friends. Of course, I understand that it is difficult to accept. But for true equality, the walls of status must be broken down.”

“No. If so, why would Raven be courteous to the princess? It contradicts what you said.”

“Because all change has a beginning. You can’t change everything at once, so you have to change step by step from the bottom up. Then, on the contrary, why would the hero rob the palace?”

The two collided sharply. Now I understand why, when Julia first visited the meeting, she said the atmosphere was like an academic conference. Just the two of them talking like this made the surroundings an academic conference.

Even the end of the discussion between the two started to attract attention from the people around them. The voices of the two people developed a sense of presence to the extent that the loud music sound was buried.

“Will everyone be happy if they abolished their status right away? Rather, the existing order collapses and only adds to the confusion. You have to look at the bigger picture than that. Just like Raven does.”

“You don’t know what. The moment each person’s class is determined by their status, change is impossible. It means that you will eventually hit the limit. Abolition of identity is a necessity, not an option. That’s what a hero means.”

Yes. It’s nice to have a lot of chatter and discussion among you guys.

Why do you keep inserting my name there out of the blue? When the hell did I ever talk about status and equality? It’s not a thief’s problem, but a matter for politicians and thinkers to care about.

Even after that, Yulia and Drake continued their discussion for a long time.

From a certain moment, people surrounded them and split into two sides, defending and opposing each other, and split like factions.

Caught exactly between the two, I only sighed and prayed that this time would end.

“I felt it the other day, but it seems like I learn a lot every time I talk to my friend.”

“Me too. I never thought there would be anyone who understands Raven so deeply.”

I don’t understand deeply. You really don’t know what kind of person I am, and you’re just messing around.

Honestly, Drake, I knew that he was using me as a tool anyway, so I was going to move on, but I didn’t understand Yulia’s reaction any more.

At first, I thought it was an act to deceive the other person, but when I listen to the story that comes out without a hitch, it seems to be 100% sincere.

What kind of existence is the phantom thief Raven in Yulia’s head? It makes me wonder what he usually thinks of me, why he pours out praises without hesitation.

“If you don’t mind, why don’t you listen to the second part of the performance that starts soon? It’s the highlight of the day.”

“I’m sorry. In fact, I was planning to go there soon after looking around a little bit today.”

“I’m sorry, but then I can’t help it. Then see you next time.”

We got up and got out of the basement. When the sound of music that had been tapping on my cochlea disappeared, it seemed that the world had become very quiet. It feels like you are in another world.

The sky had already become completely dark and it was midnight. Being underground, unable to comprehend the flow of time, he was trapped without knowing how much time had passed.

I managed to get out, but Drake’s last words made me feel uneasy.

I was hoping that Yulia’s interest in the changed underground landscape would fade, but the discussion with the last guy may have changed her mind.

“Do you plan to come again next time?”

“I don’t know. But, if not here, wouldn’t there be a place to talk openly about Raven…?”

In the end, what Julia wants is to talk about the thief and meet someone who shares her interests. If that’s the case, do you really need to attend this meeting?

I took her words out as carefully as I could.

“I am here.”

“… Huh?”

“Have you already forgotten how we first became friends? It was while investigating the Phantom Thief Raven as a group assignment.”

She was blank, then she nodded her head slowly.

“Isn’t that so…?”

“I thought we talked a lot about that subject in our own way. Was it my own misunderstanding?”

“That’s not it! Of course you are number one. But I also want to meet other people.”

“Not only me, but also Rachel and Sharon.”

To be honest, even when I said it, I felt a bit forced. It’s because I forcibly put together the kids I run into every day anyway. As an analogy, you say you want to make friends, but you bring your family and then force yourself to treat your family as friends.

“If you think about it, all three of us have different views toward the phantom thief, right? I’m more on the friendly side, Rachel isn’t particularly interested, and Sharon is…”

It’s safe to say that we are standing on the very hostile extreme.

As she listened to me, she narrowed her eyes and asked a sharp question.

“Crow doesn’t want me to come here?”

“…To be honest, I’m a little reluctant. The overall atmosphere of the basement and the man from before. I think it smells a bit dangerous. Of course, it’s just my intuition without any basis.”

“I understand that you think so. But I don’t think there’s any need to make a hasty judgment based on that alone.”

Fortunately, Julia accepted my concerns as sincere concerns, not annoying meddling.

But her mind seemed already set on visiting again.

“You heard about that man earlier. They insisted on the abolition of the caste system, but if they knew who you were…”

“So you can do harm. You seem to have a grudge against the nobles.”

“I don’t think it’s possible.”

This wasn’t a lie, it was the truth. Drake may use Yulia for his own extreme ideas. If you see me selling out my name, I’m a guy who can do that enough.

Yulia looked into my eyes for a moment and then she smiled. In that moment, she could predict what was going to come out of her mouth.

“Thank you for your concern. But it’s really okay. It’s not that I’m going to be a part of it, it’s just that I go there a few times and talk about it. I have no intention of revealing my name as easily as Crowe is concerned.”

It’s very frustrating. It is not a light problem that can be prevented unconditionally by being careful.

It means that you can enter the tiger’s den openly, but just because you are alert doesn’t mean you can live.

If you don’t want to be eaten by a tiger, the surest way is not to enter the tiger’s den.

“And I am not just interested.”

“So what?”

“Hmm. It’s a little bit of revenge for your uncle.”

Uncle? Why is Lord Grace suddenly out of here?

I have a rough idea of what happened between the two. Because I was there that day too.

But didn’t that end when I appeared? Was there something more left that I didn’t know about?

“I’m sorry. The details are related to the family. It’s not that I don’t trust Cro, it’s that I’m afraid I’ll be dangerous. Because I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Okay. I won’t ask any more.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Yulia smiled shyly as if embarrassed with a flushed expression.

“I’m so glad you’re by my side.”

“···What? I didn’t do anything today.”

“No. Just being by your side made me feel so reassured. Thank you for keeping your promise.”

The moment I heard her sincere thank you, I thought that the distance between her and her had become a little closer.

“Then let’s go now.”

“Yes. You must be tired from taking the test today, so get some rest.”

“You go in carefully too!”

We said goodbye and parted ways.

As I walked home alone, I was lost in thought.

In the end, Yulia’s primary goal of getting her attention failed.

In that case, the next best thing is to infiltrate the phantom thief followers and eliminate the bud called Drake.

There was just one way that came to mind.