How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 155

Princess Francia’s face turned pale as she shouted in disbelief.

“Chelsea! Why are you joining in on this too?”

Chelsea responded calmly, her voice devoid of any emotion, “It seems like they were bound to clash at some point anyway. It’s better to clear things up now rather than let it fester.”

Princess Francia looked stunned, unable to find the words to respond to Chelsea’s cold logic. Sensing that her reasoning had landed, Chelsea turned to Fabian and me, asking, “So, what are the conditions of the duel?”

Fabian quickly replied, “If I lose, I won’t interfere with anything Kamon Vade does from now on.”

“And if you win?”

“That goes without saying, so no need for any special conditions.”

Fabian’s confident tone made me shake my head lightly.

“Hmmm, no, that won’t do.”

“What?”

“If you lose, Fabian, you’ll apologize for everything that’s happened so far and promise to fully obey my orders from now on. That’s my condition.”

“……”

Fabian fell silent, glaring at me intently before finally agreeing.

“Fine, I accept your condition. But I’ll add one of my own.”

“What is it?”

“If I win, you’ll obey my orders from now on, Kamon Vade.”

Fabian’s insistence on the word “obey” clearly stemmed from a bruised ego, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Alright. It’s a deal.”

“Then both of you, prepare yourselves and meet in the backyard in twenty minutes,” Chelsea announced, turning on her heel and heading back into the hall without waiting for a response. Fabian then shouted at me.

“Kamon, keep your word.”

“Of course, but you know that applies to you as well, right?”

“Ha, yeah.”

Fabian’s unwavering confidence in his victory made me smirk as I responded.

‘Twenty minutes? That’s more than enough time.’

[Hmm? Enough time for what?]

‘To get ready for a flawless victory in this duel.’

I answered Airsya’s question lightly as I began stretching.

***

Fabian found a quiet spot to sit alone, taking deep breaths and falling into meditation. Although he had lost control of his emotions and impulsively challenged Kamon Vade to a duel, he had no regrets.

Though his rational mind had returned, he didn’t question his decision or actions. Instead, he focused on the upcoming duel.

Just then.

“Hey, Fabian!”

Kyle’s familiar voice echoed as he appeared before Fabian, who responded in his usual tone.

“What now?”

“Why the sudden challenge? What’s this duel about?”

“Why? Can’t I do it?”

“What?”

“You fought him too, didn’t you? I want to have a proper fight with him.”

“……”

Kyle, momentarily at a loss for words, shook his head and shouted.

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

“What do you mean then?”

“I get how you feel, but there’s a time and place for everything. We’re a team in this ‘Novice Challenge’!”

“So what?”

“What?”

“It’s just a simple duel. Think of it as a sparring match.”

“Hah, I don’t get it.”

With a sigh, Kyle dropped down beside Fabian, his tone more subdued as he called out to him.

“Fabian.”

“What?”

“Kamon is strong.”

“……”

Fabian stayed silent as Kyle, just like before, continued to speak highly of Kamon Vade, showing him respect. Fabian, however, couldn’t comprehend why Kyle thought so highly of him.

‘What the hell is so strong about that piece of trash?’

Having witnessed Kyle and Kamon’s duel firsthand, Fabian knew it was a one-sided fight.

And.

‘If Kyle had been serious from the start and hadn’t been interrupted, he would have won.’

Fabian believed that the fight had been marred by political and external factors rather than skill.

‘So, I’ll show him.’

Fabian had only ever acknowledged one person as strong—Kyle. He was someone Fabian thought he might lose to 99 times out of 100 in a one-on-one fight.

But now that person kept insisting that Kamon was stronger than him.

‘I’ll prove him wrong.’

If Fabian could defeat Kamon Vade, Kyle would no longer hold him in such high regard. Fabian decided to seize this opportunity to achieve multiple goals.

“Be careful, and don’t underestimate him, Fabian.”

Seeing that Kyle was still concerned, Fabian flashed him a confident smile and nodded.

“Don’t worry. I’ll win this fight.”

***

“A duel, just like that?”

“They’re saying it’s just a duel? Must be like one of those drunken brawls between friends.”

“Wow, this is going to be quite a show.”

“They’re academy students, right? Must be pretty strong then.”

“Magic and swordplay? Clang, clang, clang. This is going to be fun.”

While the adults spoke lightly of the situation, Sherry looked genuinely worried.

“Why the long face, Sherry?”

“I don’t know, it just feels strange that they’re fighting all of a sudden.”

“But isn’t it normal for academy students to spar as part of their training?”

“Is it?”

Despite being somewhat swayed by her friends’ conversations, Sherry couldn’t shake the worry that nagged at her.

Especially for the gallant mage who had once saved her.

Even though others called him the “Rogue Lord” and criticized him, to her, he was a hero. Just thinking of him made Sherry blush slightly.

‘He might not be a prince from a fairy tale, but he’s my savior.’

Of course, Kyle, with his princely demeanor, seemed more fitting for that title, but strangely, Sherry found herself more drawn to the Rogue Lord.

As most of the villagers gathered in the backyard of the town hall, eager faces were everywhere, excited about the sudden event.

Twenty minutes later, right on time.

Clack!

Chelsea appeared in the backyard, holding a small watch. Standing at the center, she prepared for the duel, while Princess Francia, clearly stressed, stood behind her with her eyes closed, pinching her brow in frustration.

And then.

Tap! Tap!

From the right, Fabian appeared, carrying a massive spear. He spoke to Chelsea as he arrived.

“I’m ready.”

“Okay.”

Chelsea nodded in response and then looked to the opposite side. With no sign of Kamon yet, despite the time, she frowned slightly and called out in a clear voice.

“Kamon Vade, if you don’t show up within five minutes, you’ll be disqualified.”

At that moment.

“Ah, wait!”

A familiar voice echoed from a distance. Soon, Kamon came running into view.

Tap, tap, tap.

“Sorry, I was preparing something, so I’m late.”

“…It’s fine. You’re here on time.”

Chelsea acknowledged his arrival and then looked between the two men as she spoke.

“Alright, here are the rules: No lethal blows, and no attacks that could cause serious injury. If the fight gets too intense, I will stop it and declare the match over.”

Though it was an impromptu duel, Chelsea outlined the basic rules, and then she explained the victory conditions.

“Whether by magic or weapon, if one of you lands a strong, decisive hit or three solid blows, the duel will end immediately. Do you both agree?”

“Agreed.”

“Yep.”

With both sides confirming the victory conditions, Chelsea asked again.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

“Ready.”

With nods from both Kamon and Fabian, Chelsea shouted out.

“Begin the duel!”

Whoosh!

With her shout, Fabian thrust his spear toward Kamon with terrifying speed.

Swish!

The spear cut through the air, carrying the force to break through anything in its path. Kamon quickly dodged by pulling back.

But.

Swish, swoosh!

Fabian’s spear relentlessly followed Kamon, aiming for any opening with deadly precision.

“Oh my.”

“He’s completely on the defensive from the start.”

“This is too one-sided.”

The villagers murmured in amazement as Fabian pressed his overwhelming attack. Kamon, a mage, wasn’t even given the chance to cast a spell or take any other action.

Voom, whirr!

Each swing of Fabian’s massive spear produced a fierce sound, cutting through the air with such force that everyone held their breath.

And.

‘This isn’t good.’

Sherry watched with bated breath, her hands sweaty. Fabian was pressing Kamon far harder and faster than when Kamon was under the dryad’s mind control, making her legs tremble in fear.

‘Is he really going to get hurt badly?’

The outcome of the duel didn’t matter to Sherry. All she cared about was that her savior, Kamon Vade, might get hurt.

“Oh no, if that lands, it’ll be bad.”

“They’re supposed to be friends, so why is he going all out?”

“…This is intense.”

Just like the others were noting, Fabian’s spear was imbued with all sorts of powerful energies: killing intent, fighting spirit, and sheer force.

The pressure of his attack, which seemed capable of inflicting a fatal injury with even a glancing blow, kept everyone on edge as they watched.

“Stop dodging and fight, Kamon!”

Fabian shouted in frustration as he thrust his spear again. Kamon, who had been on the defensive from the start, was too focused on avoiding the spear to do anything else.

Swish! Thunk!

To everyone watching, it seemed clear that the duel was already decided, with Kamon on the losing end.

“Should we keep watching this?”

“I’m worried this might end in a serious accident.”

As concern grew among the spectators, Fabian, who hadn’t yet landed a solid hit despite his dominance, decided it was time to end things. He began gathering powerful mana into his spear for a final attack.

“……!”

“W-what’s that?”

As the massive spearhead began to glow blue, it became clear that an overwhelmingly powerful attack was about to be unleashed on Kamon.

And then.

“Fireball!”

Out of nowhere, a dozen fireballs appeared in the air and rained down on Fabian.

Whoosh, boom!

But.

Zzzing!

The mana gathered around Fabian’s spear dispersed the magic, neutralizing the attack.

“Wow.”

“Magic doesn’t work on him!”

The crowd cheered as they watched the display of power, but Sherry, who had secretly become a fan of Kamon, silently pleaded.

‘Please, just give up.’

Despite Fabian clearly preparing a powerful attack, Kamon just stood there, muttering quietly.

“It’s not working.”

Even with Fabian’s formidable preparations, Kamon merely stood still, seemingly unbothered. Then.

“……!”

Sherry, the only one focused on Kamon instead of the glowing spear, saw it—a smile spreading across his face.

‘He’s… smiling?’

In such a situation, seeing Kamon Vade smile left Sherry utterly confused.

‘What’s going on?’

At that moment.

“Try dodging this, Kamon Vade!”

Fabian finally completed his preparations and swung his spear, shouting as he did so. Sherry couldn’t bear to watch and closed her eyes tightly.

‘Please, please…!’

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