I Got a Fake Job at the Academy Chapter 849

Chapter 849 – Side Story 122: The Phantom Thief (1)

The bustling banquet hall was dizzying just to look at. People wearing luxurious and expensive accessories bustled about.

They were ladies adorned to make themselves look more attractive and beautiful. Every time they moved, they scattered radiance in all directions, intertwining with the light of the chandeliers.

It was as if all the beautiful peacocks in the world had been gathered for a beauty pageant.

It wasn't just visual elements. The coquettish laughter and flirtatious tones tickled the ears of countless men, and the perfume they subtly sprayed stimulated the nose, further paralyzing reason.

The drinks consumed during conversations were the same. A moderate state of intoxication was enough to further incite desire.

The atmosphere was heating up intensely.

Even among all this, there was a couple that particularly caught people's attention—none other than Rudger and Casey.

The two were sticking close to each other, leisurely sipping champagne.

That alone was noble and beautiful, like shooting a pictorial. Casey, already beautiful, shone brighter than any other woman in the banquet hall, having added makeup to her natural beauty. No matter how expensive the jewelry adorned, it couldn't replace the unique atmosphere subtly emanating from a mage who had surpassed a certain level.

The same was true for Rudger. His facial features looked as if carved with delicate sculpture, and his outfit matched to the banquet hall—splendid but not excessive. That alone was enough to catch the attention of not only the opposite sex but also men.

Though his expression was dry and indifferent, as if bored with such banquet halls, women sent envious glances at his affectionate appearance as he subtly looked after Casey beside him.

The couple, drawing such attention, conversed quietly with each other, paying no mind to the surrounding interest.

"Do you remember the gaze we felt a little while ago?" 

"Yeah. If I didn't feel it wrong, it seemed to be very blatantly wary of us." 

"That wasn't all. It seemed a bit interested too. Since the world's most famous detective has appeared, they must be nervous while also feeling their petitive spirit ignite. After all, if they're a phantom thief, that's inevitable. With their personality of subtly showing off, they'd see this as even more of an opportunity." 

"......You know that in quite some detail?"

At Casey's incredulous question, Rudger gave a small cough.

"But it seems they really are a phantom thief. Not only did they cleverly hide among people to watch us, but they also slipped away in an instant to avoid having their tail caught." 

"I'm feeling that too. I was thinking of catching them right away, but should I say they're quick, or should I say they're sharp. Honestly, I was worried they might not have skills matching the rumors, but it's actually the opposite. It seems the rumors were somewhat downplayed."

The phantom thief who had sneaked onto the cruise ship was far more skilled than expected. From the act of blatantly announcing their crime, confidence in their abilities could be felt, but to think they'd be several levels above expectations.

Casey smiled as clear as pristine water. It was the smile she made when genuinely happy. Since she had been living busy with work lately and was bored, it was also a smile Rudger was seeing after a really long time.

"Right. This is what a phantom thief should be. If they were mediocre, I would have been disappointed instead." 

"You seem quite motivated." 

"The stronger the opponent, and the more difficult the case is to solve, the more fired up I get."

Casey was like water, but sometimes when she showed this temperament, he thought she was really fiery. It must have been because of this aspiration that she was able to rise to the position of the greatest detective.

"So what are you planning to do?" 

"There aren't enough clues yet. I don't know if we can secure any, but given the phantom thief's personality, they'll try to move as carefully as possible." 

"What if you try to find them first?" 

"That's not a good choice. We're attracting too much attention right now. If we stir things up here and there trying to find the phantom thief in this state, it'll only add to the confusion and the banquet will bee a mess."

Rather, such a chaotic situation might present an even greater opportunity for the phantom thief. Actions meant to prevent theft would actually be helping. So moving around during the banquet trying to find the phantom thief was not a good judgment.

"But during all that, the phantom thief might be continuously moving and preparing?"

At Rudger's question, Casey let out a small laugh.

"Isn't it too much to ask that when you know it's not the case?" 

"Oh my. I've been caught." 

"I can roughly guess, but still, I'd like to hear it from your mouth this time. What do you think you'd do if you were the phantom thief?"

Rudger, who was about to retort "I'm not a phantom thief," sighed and stroked his chin with his hand.

Rudger thought for a moment. If he were a phantom thief who had to steal the Black Diamond, what would he be doing right now?

"I also wouldn't do anything." 

"Oh?" 

"I'd just naturally blend into this banquet hall. I'd make small talk with people, trying to create a kind of alibi. Because I'd need people who would bee witnesses when the crime occurs." 

"Mm-hmm. Why do you think that?" 

"Because the preparations would already be plete."

Rudger's conclusion was this.

"The phantom thief probably already knew that the jewel they intended to steal would be displayed on this cruise ship. Because investigation of the target is essential to steal something. By analyzing their usual behavior and tendencies, they could have sufficiently guessed they'd pull off something like this."

Rudger raised one finger.

"Despite showing quite ostentatious behavior, the phantom thief would be thoroughly prepared. The fact that they stole treasures from other magical families means not only skill but also that there was thorough investigation of the magic-related protections and security at the time. Applying this to the current situation, there's a high possibility that they've already identified the structure of this cruise ship and even the location where the treasure is kept. In other words, the preparations are already plete." 

"Would that be possible amid such tight security?" 

"Even in tight security, gaps are revealed. Their abilities would also be extraordinary, so there would have been no chance of being caught."

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the banquet hall had ripened. Benjamin's voice echoed through speakers installed throughout.

[Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much for participating in the party on board that I hosted today. As the host, the fact that such excellent guests have gathered makes my shoulders rise with pride.]

Benjamin Berhem was standing at the center of the stage. Holding a microphone, he continued speaking.

[Thank you all for enjoying the banquet happily. But this isn't what you want, is it? I'd like to let the time ripen a bit more before proceeding, but wouldn't that be too boring?]

Responses erupted from various places. Some held their breath and sparkled their eyes brightly.

[So today, I want to show you the reason I invited you all.] 

"It's starting."

Benjamin Berhem was about to reveal his Black Diamond in front of everyone.

It was a kind of showing off. There wasn't anyone who didn't know that the phantom thief had sent Benjamin a warning letter at this gathering. Gossip was their pleasure, and the phantom thief's warning letter was the best entertainment.

Benjamin knew this too. So he chose a frontal breakthrough. He was trying to reveal the Black Diamond faster than scheduled, in front of hundreds of people.

"He used his head somewhat. Originally, he should have revealed it 10 minutes later, but he moved up the time. He must have been thinking of catching the phantom thief off guard. To not give them time to steal it."

Casey nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, the surrounding lights went out and the stage lighting illuminated Benjamin's position.

When Benjamin stepped aside, the center of the stage where he had been standing split apart. From below the stage that split about 1 meter, the Black Diamond contained in a glass case slowly rose.

"Ooh!"

Admiration flowed from the banquet hall.

"That's the Black Diamond!"

Jewels are substances that stimulate human desire. Among them, the symbolism of diamonds was particularly strong.

Beautiful and possessing immortality that doesn't change over long years. Such a diamond was tinged with a subtle black color instead of brilliant white.

Usually, when called a black diamond, it's black because graphite or iron minerals are mixed inside. But that was fundamentally different enough to make such things seem trivial.

The diamond cut in brilliant style was shining with a subtle black color. What was contained within wasn't impurities like graphite or iron. It was a natural jewel that occurred naturally when mana derived from the magical spirit liquid found underground in the desert region near the southern Fatima dynasty seeped in.

That's why the energy moving in real-time inside the diamond was clearly visible even from afar.

Just possessing that showed the person's wealth. Women gazed at the Black Diamond with ecstatic eyes.

Rudger asked Casey.

"Do you want it?" 

"No thanks. A jewel, really."

Casey, who was answering, opened her eyes languidly and said.

"If you steal it or anything, I won't let it slide." 

"I'm saying I won't."

However, if she had said she wanted it, he had thought about maybe moving once, remembering old times. Of course, it remained just a thought.

Benjamin looked at his Black Diamond with satisfaction and said.

[Some people tell me. That a phantom thief is targeting this, so shouldn't I be more careful? You all here probably know too. That the phantom thief who's been making headlines recently is targeting me. But what's the problem with that? I don't care. The phantom thief? They're wele to e as much as they want. No, I hope they'll please e. e on, let's see that great theft skill of yours in front of everyone watching like this.]

Wahahahaha!

Laughter erupted from the audience at Benjamin's mocking joke. He was deliberately provoking the phantom thief to listen. It was a statement he could make because he knew they were inside.

Rudger and Casey watched the scene with interest.

[Ah! As it happens, the detective of the century, Casey Selmore, has also attended this banquet hall! I ask everyone to wele her with applause!]

Naturally, the stage spotlight illuminated Casey. Despite the sudden focus of attention, she didn't panic and showed a smiling face, waving her hand.

However, inwardly, she must have been cursing Benjamin quite a bit.

'Deliberately trying to drag this side in too.'

This was also sending a warning to the phantom thief, but it was also a very intentional action to shift the responsibility to Casey if the phantom thief stole the jewel.

If a theft occurred when the detective of the century was present, people couldn't help but think of the detective's responsibility.

[Now then, everyone! Please enjoy looking at this Black Diamond to your heart's content! Oh, of course, touching is not allowed. Hahaha.]

Wahahahaha!

The moment Benjamin raised the atmosphere of the banquet even more.

Thud.

The stage lighting that had been illuminating the Black Diamond went out as if a switch had been flipped. In an instant, darkness descended over the entire banquet hall.

"Uh-uh-uh?" 

"What's suddenly happening?"

People panicked at the sudden power outage. The waiting security guards moved.

"What are you all doing! Turn on the lights quickly!" 

"Check the emergency power!"

Just as everyone was about to move busily.

-Flash!

An intense light that burned through the darkness rose. That light was ing from Rudger's palm.

People's gazes naturally focused on Rudger.

In the darkness, alone floating a sphere of light and brightly illuminating the surroundings, that appearance was like a savior approaching lost lambs.

Rudger said to the security guards who were staring at him blankly.

"I'll help, so turn on the lights." 

"Ah, yes, yessir!"

Immediately, emergency power was activated and the lights in the banquet hall returned.

The citizens were relieved, and Rudger immediately extinguished the light.

[Ha, haha. This, it seems a power outage suddenly occurred. But who are we? Thanks to the hard work of the employees that Berhem pany is proud of, we were able to turn on the lights right away. How about it? Isn't it amazing?]

Benjamin barely caught his breath and joked.

"Ah!"

Then someone pointed at Benjamin, or more precisely, at the Black Diamond beside him.

Everyone's gaze turned to the glass case containing the Black Diamond.

It's gone. The contents of the glass case were pletely empty.

"It's the phantom thief! The phantom thief has stolen the jewel!"