How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 113

“Hoo.”

I took a deep breath to calm my trembling heart.

“Why are you looking so tense?”

Jamie approached me, chuckling, and I forced a smile.

“Now that I’m here, it feels like a waste. It feels like I haven’t prepared enough.”

“What?”

Jamie looked at me incredulously and shook her head.

At that moment, Chelsea, who had been quietly meditating with her eyes closed, spoke in a low voice.

“No, you’ve done enough.”

“Huh?”

“We did everything we could in a week, so there’s no need for you to think like that.”

Her words made me nod unconsciously.

“True…”

A bitter smile appeared on my face as memories of the past days flashed through my mind.

‘Since being transmigrated into this world, it’s the first time I’ve worked and trained so relentlessly.’

Driven by the single goal of breaking Kyle’s sword, I trained like a madman, not taking a moment’s rest.

‘Chelsea and Master also gave their best to support me.’

And thanks to that…

My waist and the pockets inside my cloak were filled with various magical tools and items, and I had calculated precisely how and when to use them.

“Chelsea.”

“Yeah?”

“I’ll be able to break his sword, right?”

Though the duel had not yet started, the anxiety was still there, so I asked Chelsea.

She nodded and answered firmly.

“You can do it.”

“Thanks.”

Screeech!

I stood up from the chair to get ready, and Jamie approached, patting me on the shoulder.

“Hey, my lousy student.”

“Yes, Master.”

“You remember what I taught you yesterday, right?”

Ah, that?

I recalled the previous night after finishing the final training session with Chelsea when Jamie had suddenly asked me to stay behind.

* * *

“I’ll teach you just once.”

“What is it?”

“The most powerful magic that can break and destroy everything.”

Jamie spoke grandly with a look of importance, but then she chuckled and continued.

“…Well, not exactly, but it’s nearly the strongest magic at your level.”

“What kind of magic all of a sudden?”

“Well, your plans or strategies might go awry.”

She mentioned a terrifying scenario lightly and then, with a serious expression, chanted a spell.

“Gladys Sector Caelum.”

Suddenly, a tremendous wind began to swirl around Jamie, and a giant, elongated sword of light formed in front of her outstretched hand.

“Ugh!”

The sword of light exuded an overwhelming aura that seemed to push everything away, making me gulp unconsciously.

At that moment.

Thud!

Without hesitation, Jamie grabbed the sword of light and struck it downward.

Swiiish.

And as soon as the light touched the ground.

Boom!

“…!”

The entire surface of the clearing split in half with a thunderous noise, as if an earthquake had struck.

Then.

Thud!

With a light gesture, the sword of light vanished completely.

Jamie then looked at me with a bright smile.

“So, did you see it clearly?”

“W-What is this?”

I could only ask, my mouth agape at the sheer power of the sword of light that seemed to cleave the world in two.

Jamie laughed heartily and explained.

“Didn’t I say earlier? It’s a magic that can break and destroy everything.”

I trembled as I spoke again, my voice shaking from witnessing the terrifying power of this magic for the first time.

“But the power…”

“Hey, student. Didn’t I tell you earlier? At your level, this is the strongest magic. It’s a unique spell created by Jamie Hasellion, the Yellow Mage.”

“W-What?”

A unique spell?

“Yeah, the name of this spell is ‘Sword that Splits the Sky.’”

“If you were going to teach me, why not do it earlier? The duel is tomorrow…”

“Stop whining and try casting it once.”

Jamie cut off my words sharply, and I soon learned the spellcasting method, mana arrangement, and incantation.

And then.

“Gladys Sector Caelum!”

I chanted the spell exactly as she had, trying to create the sword of light.

However.

Swiish, zzzzing!

“W-What…?”

Seeing the light gather and distort in the center, I hurriedly stopped the spell, but the accumulated light exploded and shot straight at me.

Vwoom!

I was horrified to see the giant beam of light rushing towards me.

‘If that hits me, I’m dead.’

But it was too late to dodge or block it…

“Barrier.”

At that moment, Jamie’s clear voice rang out, and a translucent shield formed in front of me.

And then.

Swoosh, boom!

The beam of light exploded against the barrier, shaking it.

“Gah!”

Even though the barrier blocked the beam, the impact was immense.

“What the heck is this…”

I muttered in pain, and Jamie giggled.

“Hehe, I knew it.”

“…?”

“This isn’t a spell you can easily cast, even with endless practice.”

“Huh?”

I looked at her incredulously.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m telling you this as a last resort for the worst-case scenario.”

“A last resort?”

“Yeah. It’s a sort of final ace up your sleeve.”

“…”

“If you hadn’t stopped the spell, the light would have gathered more, and its power would have increased. Of course, Kamon might get hurt or take damage, but it would probably break his sword too.”

“…”

I could only stare blankly at Jamie as she explained.

“I’ve taught you all I can. The choice is yours.”

Jamie’s words made me understand why she had shown me such a powerful and overwhelming spell.

‘If the situation becomes dire, she wants me to use a method that might result in mutual destruction?’

I understood her intent, but there was no need for that.

‘As long as I follow the plan and stick to what we’ve prepared, there won’t be any need to use that magic.’

If I moved according to the training and plans made with Chelsea, there would be no need for such drastic measures.

* * *

“Lousy student, aren’t you going to answer?”

Jamie’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I nodded vaguely.

“Yeah, I remember it.”

“Good. Then there’s nothing to worry about!”

Jamie patted my back again, sending her own kind of encouragement with a bright smile.

“Fight well, student. Don’t lose like last time.”

“Yes, understood.”

Whether it was encouragement or a curse, I nodded in response to Jamie’s words.

And then.

“Just do as you practiced, as you planned.”

Chelsea spoke, her expression showing a bit of tension.

“Yes, got it.”

Though we had become senior and junior disciples by chance, Chelsea had dedicated her time and effort to me, and thanks to her, I saw a path to survival.

So.

“Chelsea Artin.”

“…?”

“Thank you, sincerely.”

I conveyed my genuine gratitude to her, then pushed away all unnecessary thoughts and feelings, heading straight down the corridor.

Thump, thump.

Soon, I would reach the dueling ground, where the protagonist of this world, Kyle Ferrion, would be waiting.

A being showered with the creator’s love and endowed with all sorts of cheat abilities.

‘I can do this.’

I kept repeating the same words to avoid falling into defeatism even before the duel started.

As I stepped out into the open, dazzling light hit my eyes.

“Waaaaaaah!”

The overwhelming cheers assaulted my ears.

“Kyle, go for it!”

“Fight hard and crush him!”

“Show him what you’re made of!”

Most of the shouts were curses directed at me and cheers for Kyle.

“Come on, Kamon!”

“Show them the power of magic!”

Amidst the cacophony, I couldn’t help but twitch my lips at the occasional cheers for me.

‘Well, it doesn’t feel bad.’

With that thought, I raised my right hand high.

“Waaaaah, Kamooon!”

“Destroy them all! Show those swordsmanship bastards the true power of magic!”

“But still, having Kamon as our representative is a bit…”

“Why is he raising his hand? Annoying.”

Cheers and curses rained down on me from all directions.

And then.

“…”

I saw Kyle in the distance, already on the dueling ground, warming up slightly and smiling at me.

“Let’s see how long that smile lasts.”

* * *

“Everyone, take note. Killing is prohibited in an honor duel. Any problems will result in consequences, so be mindful. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“Got it.”

The large professor, who seemed to be the referee for this honor duel, spoke, and Kyle and I answered simultaneously.

“That should cover the precautions. Any last words?”

At the referee’s question, Kyle quickly spoke up.

“May I have a moment to talk with Kamon?”

What? Right now? What could he possibly need to talk about?

“Now?”

“Yes, there’s something I really need to say before we start.”

“Hmm…”

The referee frowned, seemingly taken aback by the sudden request. But then he nodded.

“I’ll give you a minute. Go ahead.”

The referee, showing some flexibility, stepped back, and Kyle and I faced each other on the dueling ground, under the gaze of many spectators.

“…”

I was a bit taken aback by the sudden situation but didn’t show it.

‘What nonsense does he want to spout now?’

The tension made me feel like I needed to go to the bathroom.

“What’s the deal now, Kyle?”

My tone naturally became a bit irritated, and Kyle’s face showed a hint of apology.

“There’s something I need to say.”

“And what is that?”

“I’m sorry for suddenly breaking our agreement.”

“What?”

Of course.

“What are you doing?”

“Hurry up and fight! Why are your greetings so long?!”

Impatient shouts erupted from all sides.

But Kyle seemed unaffected, staring at me and continuing.

“It may sound like an excuse now, but I have a reason for breaking my promise.”

“A reason?”

“I wanted to prove something here today.”

“…”

Prove something? What nonsense is he spouting now?

“So let’s have a proper fight.”

“What?”

“Alright, time’s up. Everyone, return to your positions and prepare for the duel!”

Thankfully, the referee intervened at the right moment, allowing me to escape from Kyle.

‘Prove something? Have a proper fight?’

Ridiculous.

‘Enough with the useless thoughts.’

My focus should be on one thing.

“Breaking his sword.”

As I muttered that, the referee’s voice rang out again.

“Now, we will begin the duel!”

With that shout, a circular blue barrier formed around the dueling ground.

It seemed to be a protective measure by the professors to prevent the outside from being affected by what happened inside.

However.

“Waaaaah!”

“Fight! Fight now!”

“Kamon! Kamon! Kamon!”

“Kyle! Kyle! Kyle!”

The cheers and shouts from the crowd weren’t blocked by the barrier.

And then.

“Fireball.”

Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh!

As I chanted the spell, dozens of fireballs materialized around me.

The first step in my plan to break Kyle’s sword.

“I must take the initiative.”

Dozens of fireballs flew towards their single target, Kyle.

Swish!