How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 121

“Isn’t that Kamon over there?”

“Wow, look at his complexion. He looks great.”

“He said he was going to take a break for a while and rest, and it shows.”

“…How shameless to steal Kyle’s victory like that.”

On my way back to the dormitory, I could hear the murmurs of students who crossed paths with me. I had grown quite used to the stares by now, but it was rare to see such open hostility.

‘This is a bit new.’

Of course, no one directly approached me to confront me. They probably didn’t think I could hear them anyway.

‘It’s all because of my sharp hearing.’

Shrugging it off, I soon arrived at the familiar dormitory building.

Then,

Thud!

I threw myself onto the bed as soon as I returned to my dorm room for the first time in a while.

“Ah, this feels great.”

Stretching lightly, I recalled the unexpected appearance of a certain individual earlier, causing everyone to be taken aback, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Who would have thought Rosen Ravenia would show up there?”

Of course, Rosen’s appearance wasn’t a mere coincidence. She had come on behalf of Lady Cecilia to check on my discharge status.

– She mentioned inviting me to dinner sometime later… Well, personally, I hope you decline, Kamon Vade.

And she made it clear that she didn’t want me and Lady Cecilia to grow closer.

“Not that I have any intention of getting closer anyway.”

Not that I was in a position to say such things.

My goal was always singular.

‘To live quietly, like a mouse.’

Although right now, just my existence drew a lot of attention.

Eventually, where I needed to end up was to be as unnoticeable as air.

In that sense, getting closer to Lady Cecilia, the new student council president, was never a good idea.

“Well, setting that aside…”

While chatting and laughing over trivial stories and incidents wasn’t bad, it wasn’t what mattered to me right now.

What currently dominated my mind was something else entirely.

“…What was that really?”

A bizarre memory that surfaced before I woke up in the infirmary.

A dream or perhaps an unconscious manifestation, it felt incredibly vivid and realistic, as if I had actually experienced it.

And in that place,

“Kamon Vade handled everything alone.”

Kamon Vade demonstrated terrifying magic power, incapacitating the guards and escort knights with a wave of his hand. Although I didn’t see how the final battle with the protagonist Kyle ended, if it followed the original plot, Kamon Vade would have been defeated by Kyle.

Even so, the skill and talent Kamon Vade displayed were not those of a mere third-rate villain.

‘At least a mid-boss, if not the boss of a chapter.’

“How did they manage to subdue that? Was it the protagonist buff again?”

I sighed deeply as I murmured to myself.

“Ugh, well, I would know if it had been properly covered in the novel. What the hell did the author write?”

In the actual story I read, Kamon’s attack on Princess Francia and subsequent defeat by Kyle wasn’t described in detail. It was just mentioned briefly by a third party.

“…”

I was lost in thought for a moment, then shook my head.

“Forget it. No need to dwell on it.”

Whether the real Kamon Vade was incredibly powerful or a skilled magician didn’t concern me.

‘Actually, it should be seen as a good thing.’

If Kamon Vade was such a brilliant mage shortly after entering the academy, then I too could grow to be just as strong…

“Ah, forget it. What growth? My mana routes are blocked, and I can’t even use magic properly without an ‘Orb.’”

Muttering in frustration about my current state, I voiced another question that surfaced.

“But why are my mana routes blocked?”

It felt like there was a missing piece somewhere.

However,

“Never mind, don’t worry about it. It’s not important right now.”

It was better to focus on immediate matters rather than dwelling on complicated issues that wouldn’t be resolved anytime soon.

“Surviving comes first.”

Repeating to myself as if to remind me, I closed my eyes.

* * *

“Wow, how long has it been?”

Arriving in the city I had previously visited with Bren, I mumbled nostalgically. It felt like just yesterday when I had my final dungeon studies exam and first met Bren; time sure flies. As soon as the midterms ended, we, who hadn’t had proper fun in a while, decided to visit the city of “Velium” this weekend.

Elliot, looking at the crowd, mumbled in frustration, “Is it because it’s the weekend? There are so many people.”

“It’s always bustling here, even on weekdays,” Lois responded.

“Huh? Have you been here on a weekday, Lois?” Elliot asked.

“Yeah, I lived here for about a month before entering the academy.”

Bren, tilting his head, asked, “Lived here? Why?”

“My father made me.”

I wasn’t sure exactly what position Lois’s family held, but given their connections to both the Romanoff Duchy and the Ravenia family, they certainly weren’t insignificant.

“Then Lois must know this place well. Lead the way, Lois!” Bren said.

“Got it. Everyone, this way. Our reservation is at the ‘Hoguwan’ restaurant, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Following Lois, who confidently took the lead, we soon moved past the crowded center towards the outskirts. This area was unfamiliar to even me, despite having scoured the entire city with Bren in the past.

“What is this place? I’ve never been here before.”

“Yeah, but look at those buildings. They’re all fancy and impressive,” Bren said, glancing around.

Indeed, the buildings in this less-populated area were luxurious and grand, as Bren noted. The paths looked meticulously maintained, clean, and neat, suggesting that…

‘Oh, is this where the wealthy live?’

From behind, Elliot’s voice came, “Ah, this is the noble residential area.”

“Noble residential area?”

“Yeah, most of them hate noise, so they live here. But interestingly, the city’s most famous restaurants are all here, though they are quite pricey.”

“Elliot’s right,” Lois nodded, agreeing with Elliot’s casual shrug.

“So, Lois, did you live here?” Bren asked.

“Me? No, I stayed near the center. I don’t like quiet places; I prefer the hustle and bustle. I visited the restaurants here occasionally, though.”

I nodded silently at Lois’s response, lost in thought. ‘Of course.’

A place that sees daily maintenance couldn’t be ordinary.

“If we go this way… Yep, this is it. Everyone, welcome to the most famous restaurant in Velium, ‘Hoguwan.’”

Lois introduced the restaurant with the pride of showing his own home. In front of us stood a dazzling restaurant, its grandeur evident. At the same time, a man with a goatee hurriedly came out from the huge front door.

“…Hello, are you the ones who made the reservation today?”

“Yes, under ‘Lois Forte,’” Lois replied.

The goateed man checked his list, then smiled brightly and nodded.

“Ah, here it is. A party of four, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then please follow me.”

He bowed and muttered into his collar, “Party of four, coming in. Reserved seats are at Terrace C1. Please follow me.”

‘Wireless communication?’

It must be an application of magical engineering. Only top-notch restaurants could afford such conveniences.

As we followed the goateed man inside, we saw the interior adorned with lavish lights, sculptures, and expensive-looking artworks.

“Wow, this place is really fancy,” Bren commented.

“Indeed, a true high-end restaurant,” I added.

Lois nodded, “This is probably the largest and most expensive restaurant in Velium.”

Elliot, in a serious tone, added, “I’m treating today, so enjoy to your heart’s content.”

“Se-Senior!”

“Thank you, Senior,” Bren said, looking touched, and Lois smiled brightly.

I watched them silently, feeling something strange. ‘Have I ever hung out with friends like this?’

Reflecting on my past life as Kang Hyunsoo, I realized I hadn’t had such experiences. ‘I dropped out of college and had no time to socialize.’

It was an unexpected experience as Kamon Vade.

“Here you go,” said the man who would be serving us, replacing the goateed man. He was a sharp-eyed, small but strikingly handsome boy, greeting us with a stoic expression.

‘Hmm? He looks familiar.’

As I was trying to place his face, Bren and Elliot’s exclamations distracted me.

“Wow, the view here is amazing.”

“Is this place known for its food or the view?”

Sitting on the second-floor terrace with a view of the city’s beautiful buildings, I couldn’t help but nod in agreement. “It’s really nice.”

The server, in a low, cold voice, said, “This terrace is exclusively for your use. If you have any issues, please let us know.”

“Okay, can we get the menu first…?”

“Our recommended menu today is the ‘Black Kyvon’ steak, an A++ grade dish perfect for four. For seafood…”

As the server explained, I heard a familiar voice from below.

“Somehow, the Red Mage became the interim dean. Are you okay with that?”

“What choice do I have? It’s the board’s decision. Ahem!”

Peeking over, I saw a familiar elderly figure with a chaotic white beard and balding head—Professor Phelan Xaveir.

“But he’s just an interim dean, right? You’re the perfect fit for the dean’s position, so the board will come to its senses soon.”

“Hah, I hope so.”

Professor Phelan, mumbling something in his familiar voice, looked like his usual self, with his wild white beard and balding head.

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