How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 131

Flance Imperial Academy received about a week of holidays to celebrate Demeter’s Birth Festival. On the very first day of this short break,

“Wow, there are so many people.”

“They say this ‘Novice Challenge’ has the highest participation rate in history.”

“I heard almost 90% of the freshmen are participating.”

As other students murmured, they watched the first-year students fill up the athletic hall, usually only this packed during large events.

“By the way, did you hear the princess is competing this time?”

“They say she formed the strongest freshman team… There they are.”

“Whoa, Kyle and Chelsea? They’re pretty famous. No wonder people are calling it the strongest team.”

Those who nodded and discussed soon frowned at a familiar face among the crowd.

“Huh? Isn’t that Kamon Vade?”

“What?”

“Kamon Vade, the crazy guy who attacked the princess?”

“Wow, it really is him. But why is he there with them?”

“His skills are good enough to be with them, but…”

“But didn’t he just have a huge fight with Kyle not long ago?”

Everyone looked puzzled by Kamon Vade’s presence, and soon, they began to voice their negative opinions.

“Why is that bastard there?”

“The nerve of him, being among people he’s had conflicts with.”

“Even if they chose based on skills, this doesn’t seem right.”

“But didn’t the princess pick all the team members herself? Does that mean she chose him too?”

“That’s true… Could she have been threatened?”

“What, a threat?”

“That bastard needs to be dealt with!”

“That makes sense. There’s no way the princess would pick him otherwise.”

No one anticipated that Princess Francia had personally sought out Kamon Vade and proposed the idea to him first. Naturally, given Kamon Vade’s infamous reputation, the general consensus was that he had either threatened the princess or forced his way onto the team.

“Our poor princess, what should we do?”

“What if they fail because of that bastard?”

“…Watch closely, Kamon Vade.”

While the outside audience expressed their unease and dissatisfaction, the actual participants, including Princess Francia, didn’t seem to mind much.

“Is everyone ready?”

“Yes, Princess.”

“Of course.”

Except for one person.

“…Yeah, I guess.”

Unlike Chelsea and Kyle, who responded immediately, Fabian answered with a sour expression.

‘That guy keeps bothering me.’

I recalled Fabian constantly picking fights with me, but I shook my head.

‘Forget it. After this, there’s no reason to get involved with him.’

Fabian, after all, was part of the protagonist’s team that would comfortably lead me through the ‘Novice Challenge.’

So, even if he was annoying, I decided to just ignore and endure him.

As I turned my gaze away from him with that thought,

A red dress fluttered onto the stage.

“Nice to see everyone.”

Beatrice greeted with a bright smile, drawing everyone’s attention.

“I know this break must be precious to you, but with the ‘Novice Challenge’ being held during this time, it’s unfortunate that you can’t fully rest.”

She started speaking in a gentle tone, then made statements that excited everyone.

“But don’t worry. This year’s ‘Novice Challenge’ will be far more rewarding than just relaxing.”

She winked.

“Although it may be tough now, think of it as an investment for your future.”

She then turned her gaze to the students from other grades watching.

“And for those not participating this time, there will be equally good opportunities, so don’t worry too much…”

Trailing off, she spread her arms wide and continued.

“As long as I’m the dean here, I will make sure you become the best. Think of yourselves as my disciples from now on.”

“Disciples?”

“We’re going to be the tricolor mage’s disciples?”

“…Amazing.”

In the eyes of the students listening to her, a flicker of anticipation began to rise.

“Now, let’s begin the 67th ‘Novice Challenge’!”

“Woooo!”

“It’s starting!”

With Beatrice’s powerful shout, all the first-year students of Flance Imperial Academy cheered loudly.

And then,

“Shall we get going too?”

Princess Francia’s calm tone cut through the surrounding excitement, and everyone nodded and prepared to move.

I quickly approached Chelsea, the most familiar person here.

Step, step.

“Chelsea.”

“…?”

“Let’s go together.”

Despite getting closer to her after the honor duel with Kyle, she coldly cut me off.

“No. Mages should stay in the rear.”

With a firm and cold tone, she walked away.

‘What’s up with her suddenly?’

Surprised by her unexpectedly chilly reaction, I stood there blankly for a moment.

“Kamon, come over here. Let’s go together.”

Kyle, smiling brightly, beckoned me over.

“Stop saying nonsense and just go. Why do we have to go with that bastard?”

Fabian, in an irritated tone, pushed Kyle.

“Come on, why not? It’d be nice to go together.”

“Didn’t you hear Chelsea? Mages should stay in the rear.”

“We haven’t even started fighting yet.”

“Just go!”

Finally, Kyle, pushed by Fabian, walked ahead, but kept looking back at me, shouting.

“Kamon, come up front later, okay?”

“…”

No matter how much time has passed since I read the original story and lived in this world,

‘I still can’t understand that guy.’

The protagonist Kyle Perrion’s mentality was beyond my grasp.

How could he act so friendly again after our honor duel fight?

* * *

Rustle!

The endless expanse of tall trees and the scent of nature filling my nostrils made me feel somewhat refreshed. Well, just the feeling…

“Are we sure this is the right way, Princess?”

“Yes, it is.”

“The path seems really rough, though.”

“It’s just continuous undergrowth.”

To complete our ‘Novice Challenge’ mission, we had left the academy and followed Princess Francia into the vast northern wilderness. Of course, Chelsea, Kyle, and Fabian’s behavior remained consistent.

“……”

I still didn’t understand their thoughts or actions.

‘Well, does it matter?’

Right now, there was no need to nitpick. What mattered was that I could comfortably hitch a ride on this ‘Novice Challenge’ bus.

Just then, Princess Francia’s voice rang out again.

“This way is correct.”

Our current destination was the port city of ‘Califa,’ located in the northeast of the empire.

“This is the fastest route to Califa. Even if it’s tough, let’s move as quickly as possible.”

As she spoke, I continued to think.

‘It’s more different from the original than I expected…’

According to the original story and my own knowledge, we should have known the goal and destination of the ‘Novice Challenge’ as soon as we left the academy. But…

‘Since that would be boring, we’ve introduced a different approach this time.’

Beatrice’s sudden declaration had changed the basic rules of the ‘Novice Challenge.’

‘A box containing the goal and destination is placed in different cities. To obtain the box, you must complete a specific task.’

I understood the purpose and intention behind this method. It was to deliberately create intermediate goals, making the ‘Novice Challenge’ more difficult. With increased participation, the pass rate had to be adjusted accordingly.

However…

‘I don’t know if this is a good thing.’

The situation was increasingly deviating from the original story, making it unclear how to utilize my knowledge.

‘In the original, the protagonist Kyle was supposed to fail this.’

Hey, let’s not overthink it. Just make sure to lose to a stronger opponent, right? If I keep worrying, I won’t be able to do anything.

Besides…

‘I must pass this ‘Novice Challenge.’

Just as I was sorting my thoughts with a determined heart, I suddenly heard a scream.

“Kyaaaaah!”

“Stop.”

However, no one among us was particularly surprised or flustered. We just exchanged glances.

“Again?”

“Which side? It sounded like it came from the left.”

“What is it this time? Bandits? An ambush? An assassination? No, we’ve already experienced those, so maybe a trap…?”

Fabian joked, having apparently gone through similar situations multiple times, with more annoyance than worry or tension.

Princess Francia furrowed her brow and spoke.

“Fabian, stop with the useless talk. Kyle, can you check it out?”

“Yes, I’ll be right back.”

Kyle, following her command, quickly moved in the direction of the scream. As Kyle disappeared into the undergrowth, Fabian grumbled while lightly swinging his spear.

“Seriously, isn’t this too much? How many times have we encountered these things since leaving the academy… six times already?”

“Actually, it’s seven.”

Chelsea corrected him.

“Oh, really? Anyway, that’s not the point…”

I turned my head away, trying to suppress a laugh at Fabian’s irritated reaction.

Well, I understood.

‘It’s not unreasonable for him to be annoyed.’

Since leaving the academy to complete the ‘Novice Challenge’ mission, we had encountered all sorts of incidents. We faced bandit attacks, helped people attacked by monsters, and even found lost children.

‘But what can you do, this is the protagonist effect.’

Random encounters and incidents are essential elements for the protagonist in a story.

“Let’s wait a bit. We need to confirm what’s going on anyway.”

Princess Francia’s expression wasn’t particularly bright either, as the continuous incidents were delaying us.

Although we were supposed to reach ‘Califa’ in two days, at this rate, it would take at least three days.

After a while,

“Thank you for saving us. I am Shane Barton, the eldest son of Baron Barton’s family.”

We found ourselves in a clearing amidst the forest where a fierce battle had taken place, accompanied by a sickly-looking young man who introduced himself as the heir to the Barton Barony.

“You’re from the Barton family?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“This is quite far from your estate. Why are you here…?”

Princess Francia asked, tilting her head in curiosity, and I thought to myself,

Isn’t it obvious? This is just an event set up for our protagonist, Kyle. A typical scenario where you save a noble heir in distress from an attack and form a connection, leading to a bigger plot.

“Ha, ha. We had our reasons.”

Shane replied awkwardly, scratching the back of his head, while Princess Francia murmured,

“So the ambush earlier wasn’t just a random incident?”

“Well, that is…”

Shane hesitated, looking troubled by her sharp observation.

At that moment, one of the knights nearby interjected,

“This is all the doing of Ted Barton, the younger brother of the current Baron and Shane’s uncle. How could family do such a thing…?”

“Ah.”

Everyone present had the same thought.

‘This is a dispute over the family succession, isn’t it?’

It was clear that this was a struggle between blood relatives over the heir’s position, with a sickly and seemingly weak nephew being targeted.

Getting involved in such a fight could jeopardize the ‘Novice Challenge,’ and everything could go up in smoke.

“I see. Then we’ll be on our way. We hope you have a safe journey back.”

Princess Francia bowed slightly and began to step back.

But,

“Uh, excuse me!”

“…?”

“I’m sorry, but could we ask for your company?”

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