How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 145

The sight of lush meadows and villages scattered across rolling hills. At the center of it all stood a grand castle, not overly extravagant but elegant and harmoniously blending with the surrounding environment.

But there was one problem.

Biiiiiing!

A strange sound was emanating from within the castle, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

“What’s that noise?”

“…Could it be a territorial battle?”

As the townsfolk exchanged worried words, the knights and soldiers around the castle began to move frantically, as if preparing to repel an invasion.

Inside the castle, beside the throne reserved for the ruler of this land, a middle-aged man questioned a kneeling knight.

“Kamon Vade, you say?”

“Yes, this sound only occurs when a member of the family bearing the mark of excommunication arrives.”

“A bloodline with the mark of excommunication… So that brat has returned?”

“We can’t be certain of that yet, but it’s confirmed that someone with the mark has entered the estate’s territory. Since you’re the only one left who bears the mark…”

“Do not call that brat a ‘young master.’ He is no longer part of this family!”

“S-sorry, sir.”

The middle-aged man who barked out the harsh words was Rowan Vade, the younger brother of the Marquis of Vade, currently acting as the lord of the estate.

“Could his appearance now be related to the ‘Novice Challenge’?”

“Yes, it seems our estate has been chosen as the target for this year’s ‘Novice Challenge.’”

At the mention of Kamon being the target, Rowan Vade’s expression shifted strangely.

“I thought it was unlikely, but this could be interesting. So he’s returned to the family because of the ‘Novice Challenge’…”

Rowan muttered with a bitter laugh before quickly issuing another command.

“Get an accurate assessment of the situation and report back immediately.”

“Yes, sir!”

The knight, having received his orders, quickly ran out of the hall.

Now alone, Rowan Vade mumbled to himself in the empty chamber.

“A brat exiled from the family dares to return, and even more, he’s coming to steal something from our house? Ha!”

Boom!

He stomped his foot forcefully, causing the surrounding building to shake slightly.

“No matter what, there are limits, nephew. This is outright disrespect.”

After muttering to himself, Rowan shook his head and corrected his words.

“No, no. This isn’t him disrespecting us. It’s more like the academy underestimating us.”

With a twisted smile, he lightly stroked the sword hanging from his waist.

“I guess we’ve been too quiet for too long.”

The Vade Marquisate, one of the Empire’s five pillars, could not be taken lightly by anyone.

Eventually, his gaze turned toward the grand throne, a seat reserved only for his elder brother.

“No matter what, it doesn’t matter.”

Until now, the ‘Novice Challenge,’ an unofficial tradition usually held for first-year academy students, was treated lightly by the chosen families or factions. They never seriously hindered or blocked the challengers, merely presenting them with a ‘test’ to maintain appearances.

Even so, the success rate was notoriously low.

However…

“Is anyone out there?”

At Rowan Vade’s call, a couple of knights quickly rushed into the hall.

“Yes, Commander.”

“You called for us?”

With a firm tone, Rowan Vade gave them their orders.

“Summon the entire ‘Griffin’ knights.”

“Huh? The entire order?”

“Yes, all of them. Issue a full mobilization order.”

“U-understood, sir.”

The ‘Griffin’ Knights, the elite order of the Vade Marquisate, usually only operated with a portion of their strength unless in a dire situation.

But a full mobilization?

‘This isn’t a normal situation.’

As this thought flashed through the knights’ minds, Rowan Vade continued his orders.

“Also, inform them that this is a situation akin to wartime. Tell them to prepare accordingly. Understood?”

“Yes, sir!”

The two knights hurried out at a quick pace, nearly breaking into a sweat.

Watching them leave, Rowan Vade turned his gaze toward the massive banner and emblem representing the Vade Marquisate.

“It’s time to remind the world just how sharp the blade of the Vade family truly is.”

* * *

“From now on, stay alert. We’re now entering Vade family territory.”

As Princess Francia calmly warned us, we finally managed to enter the Vade Marquisate’s domain.

‘We made it somehow.’

[Indeed. Although I still don’t know how we encountered so many incidents along the way.]

Thanks to my cunning cooperation with the Jealous Spirit Airsya, we managed to avoid most of the dangers and safely reach our destination.

But even that had its limits.

No, to be precise, the path and direction were not the problem…

‘Damn that protagonist’s passive!’

At some point, unexpected events and accidents began to occur.

For instance, we were ambushed by crazed monsters late at night, rescued merchants in danger, and even encountered a group of elves—a rare sight, one that people might not see even once in their lifetime.

‘We parted ways with the elves without so much as a greeting, though…’

Fortunately, none of these incidents were directly related to my leadership, but it did slow us down more than I’d like.

“We don’t have much time left. We need to move as quickly as possible.”

Chelsea’s firm words echoed the urgency of our situation; there was no time left to waste.

Then, Fabian spoke up in a playful tone.

“We wouldn’t be in this situation if someone hadn’t gotten us caught up in that dungeon.”

“Sorry. I didn’t know it was a trap.”

Kyle, the source of all these incidents, scratched his head and awkwardly apologized.

Fabian smirked at Kyle, then shook his head.

“Well, it’s not your fault we triggered a hidden trap. But the person who led us there might be.”

“…”

Fabian’s constant jabs and his antagonistic gaze had been getting on my nerves.

[I don’t like him.]

The Jealous Spirit Airsya seemed to have sensed Fabian’s true intentions and openly expressed her displeasure.

‘I feel the same way.’

However…

‘The problem is that I don’t have time to deal with him right now.’

With just about a week left, it was going to be tight to reach the Vade Marquisate’s estate, find the targeted item, and return to the academy.

[That guy’s eyes have bothered me from the start. Are you really going to let him be?]

‘Yeah, ignoring him is the best option for now.’

I decided to ignore Fabian’s provocations and irritation until I could complete the ‘Novice Challenge.’

Then—

“Kyaaaaaaah!”

A scream suddenly echoed from somewhere nearby.

“Over by the east.”

Chelsea quickly pinpointed the location.

“It’s a group of monsters. It seems some children from a nearby village are surrounded.”

Princess Francia, who had used her spirit to quickly assess the situation, reported back.

“I’ll go take care of it quickly, Kamon.”

Kyle asked for permission to go, determination in his eyes.

‘Damn it, we don’t have time for this.’

I cursed inwardly, but my words came out differently.

“If we get delayed here, it could mess up our schedule. Are you still going to go, Kyle?”

“There are children in danger.”

Kyle answered as if there was no other option, leaving me with no choice but to sigh deeply.

“If you get caught by the Vade family while we’re…”

But before I could finish—

“Tsk, Kyle. You don’t need his permission. I’m going first.”

Thud, thud, thud!

Fabian took off running, without even waiting for permission.

“Hey, Fabian?!”

Kyle called out in surprise, but soon nodded as if making a decision and shouted back to me.

“Kamon, I’m sorry. Hey, Fabian, wait up!”

Thud, thud, thud!

And with that, Kyle chased after Fabian at full speed.

“…”

I stood there silently, watching them go, as Princess Francia approached me.

“There’s nothing you can do. Try to understand them, Kamon.”

Her words were meant to console me, but Chelsea quickly voiced her objection.

“But what if this delays the ‘Novice Challenge’? What if we fail because of them?”

“We can’t just ignore innocent people in danger. They’re citizens of the Empire…”

As Princess Francia spoke from a perspective befitting an imperial princess, Chelsea bit her lower lip before shaking her head and muttering.

“I don’t know. If we keep getting involved in every little thing and rescuing people, when will we ever accomplish our goal?”

“Chelsea, that’s…”

“I’m not against saving people. But when we’re given a choice later, will we keep focusing on immediate crises?”

Chelsea’s sharp tone silenced Princess Francia, who no longer had a response.

[Why are these two fighting all of a sudden? I don’t know, but it’s pretty entertaining.]

Ignoring Airsya’s unnecessary commentary, I turned to watch the two women.

Chelsea had a point.

If we were on a mission to defeat the Demon King, would we still risk exposure and death by rescuing innocent civilians when we weren’t prepared?

‘Kyle probably would.’

That’s why he’s the protagonist of the novel and chosen as a hero.

But for ordinary people like me, it would be different.

“The reason we’ve been delayed so far is because of similar incidents. I think it’s an issue we’ll have to address sooner or later.”

Chelsea’s final, assertive words left Princess Francia with a bitter smile and a nod.

“Yes, you’re right. At some point, we

’ll need to adjust how we handle this. But…”

Just as Princess Francia was about to continue—

“How long are you going to keep talking? Are we that free on time?”

“…”

“Kamon!”

I cut in, ending their conversation.

“Let’s go. Who knows what kind of trouble they’ll cause, but the sooner we wrap this up, the better.”

The topic of conversation between Princess Francia and Chelsea was one without a clear answer, a difference in opinion that ran in parallel.

In the original story, Chelsea eventually relented and helped Kyle, but…

‘We don’t have time for this now.’

Whatever happens later is Kyle and the other characters’ problem.

Right now, I have to get through this ‘Novice Challenge’ at all costs.

‘It’s the only way to find out what’s causing the issue with my body.’

Recalling my conversation with the Red Mage Beatrice, I moved forward with a detached expression.

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