How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 169

“Kamon Vade is here!”

“Ah, our esteemed friend Kamon, who has achieved such a great feat.”

“You really worked hard, Kamon.”

As soon as I entered Lupinus Café, Elliot, Lois, and Bren greeted me with over-the-top enthusiasm. I couldn’t help but shake my head in disbelief.

“Come on, stop it. Everyone’s watching.”

“So what? Everyone already knows about it.”

“The eldest son, who was kicked out of the Vade family, stole their symbol? What could be more entertaining than that?”

While Elliot and Lois made a big fuss, Bren, standing beside them, gave an awkward smile and tried to calm them down.

“Guys, let’s not get carried away.”

But—

“Oh no, Bren. You stay out of this. We’re here to keep singing the praises of our heroic Kamon, whose name will go down in Academy history.”

“Yeah, we’ve got to give a proper welcome to the one who set a record in the ‘Novice Challenge.’”

As Elliot and Lois continued their playful antics, acting as if they had accomplished the mission themselves, Airsya, clearly unimpressed, muttered in disgust.

[Who are these idiots?]

‘They’re my friends.’

[Friends?]

I nodded silently, suppressing the urge to sigh as I responded to Airsya.

“Seriously, you guys never change, do you?” I said to my friends.

“Kamon, people die if they change. Do you not understand how difficult it is to remain as you are?”

“Exactly. Consistency is something to be praised, not scorned.”

Elliot and Lois exchanged nods, their teamwork perfectly in sync as usual. I gave up on trying to argue further.

Bren, noticing my defeat, gave a light chuckle and asked, “So, Kamon, how are you feeling? I heard you were seriously injured.”

“Oh, I’m fine now. All healed up.”

Fortunately—or maybe unfortunately—the truth about the attack from the shadow organization during the mission hadn’t spread around the Academy yet. Only key figures like Beatrice, the interim head of the Academy, and a few others knew about it, and they’d chosen to keep it quiet.

Even the Vade family had no reason to make a fuss about the incident, so they agreed with the royal guard to handle it internally.

‘And we were told to keep our mouths shut as well.’

As a result, my injuries were reported as something I suffered while performing the mission during the ‘Novice Challenge.’

“Still, I heard the success rate for this year’s ‘Novice Challenge’ was much higher than usual,” Bren commented.

“Probably because there were a lot more participants than usual. But I doubt any mission was tougher than Kamon’s,” Elliot chimed in.

“Of course. I mean, how could any first-year students pull off raiding one of the Elector families of the Empire? If it weren’t for Kamon, it would’ve been impossible.”

“Kamon wasn’t the only one who did it. Kyle, Chelsea, Fabian, and even the princess were part of the team,” Bren pointed out.

“Well, sure, but Kamon was still the main player. Right, Lois?”

“Absolutely. I couldn’t agree more.”

Lois nodded vigorously, and just as I started to feel a headache coming on, they both turned toward me.

“Now, tell us the real story, Kamon. We want the details—the stuff nobody else knows about.”

“That’s right. We’ve been dying to hear it straight from you.”

As Elliot and Lois eagerly awaited my recount of the mission, I groaned.

“If I tell you guys too, this will be the third time I’ve had to repeat the story. Can’t you just let me rest?”

“No way! That’s not happening. Stories like this have to be heard directly from the source.”

“Elliot is right. We were cheering for you the whole time! You have to tell us today.”

[Amazing, Kamon. Since when did you start hanging out with such idiots?]

“……”

I had no words left. These guys were relentless.

[Forget them. You said this place is a café, right? Why don’t you get a nice drink?]

‘A drink?’

[Yeah, something tasty. I prefer something moderately sweet, refreshing, and maybe with a bit of a tang…]

Airsya’s voice trailed off as she dreamed of her ideal drink.

*Sigh.*

As I looked at Elliot, Lois, and now the additional nuisance of Airsya, I couldn’t help but think that I’d rather face another ‘Novice Challenge’ than deal with this situation.

After surviving an exhausting conversation with Elliot, Lois, and Bren, I now found myself sitting in the student council room in front of Lady Cecilia and Rosen Ravenia.

“Kamon,” Cecilia started, “the whole Academy has been buzzing about you and your teammates lately.”

“Well, we did complete a nearly impossible challenge,” I replied casually.

“That’s why, in the name of the student council, I was thinking of giving you an honorary award—”

“No, that’s not happening. Rejected,” Rosen cut in sternly before Cecilia could even finish her sentence.

“W-Why? I’m the president! As student council president, I can commend a student for an outstanding achievement!”

“Then wouldn’t we have to give an award to everyone who passed the ‘Novice Challenge’? That would only be fair.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Cecilia’s frustrated expression as she trailed off made me smile.

‘These two are as lively as ever.’

“Besides,” Rosen added, “even if we don’t give you a special commendation, the Academy will take care of you and your team. Headmistress Beatrice said so herself.”

I remembered the ceremony where Beatrice, in her role as headmistress, had congratulated Princess Francia and the rest of our team, promising us the finest rewards for completing the ‘Novice Challenge.’

‘I should ask about those soon…’

[Hey, Kamon. Try that cookie on the table. I’m curious what it tastes like.]

Airsya, with her usual gluttonous enthusiasm, was practically drooling again. For some reason, she could taste a portion of whatever I ate or drank, and she sure had an appetite.

‘Are you sure you’re a spirit of jealousy?’ I teased.

[What did you say? I am the mighty spirit of jealousy!]

‘You sure? You seem more like the spirit of gluttony.’

[Kamon! How dare you!]

Airsya was fuming, hopping up and down in rage. But the moment I picked up the cookie and took a bite—

[Mmm, delicious!]

—her anger evaporated, replaced by contentment. I chuckled at the sight.

“So, Kamon,” Cecilia’s voice drew me back to the conversation.

“Yes, President?”

“Could you tell us how you managed to complete the ‘Novice Challenge’?”

“Uh… what?”

[Ah! The cookie! How could you drop it?]

I dropped the cookie in surprise as Cecilia made the request. Before I could respond, Rosen spoke up with a frown.

“Cecilia, you’ve already received the official report. Why are you bothering him with this again?”

“Well, reading a report isn’t nearly as thrilling as hearing it directly from the person who lived through it.”

“Fine, but save that for later when you two are alone. Kamon?” Rosen addressed me in a more formal tone.

“Yes, Rosen?”

“Although the Academy will be giving out official rewards, we’ve noticed that this year’s participation and success rates in the ‘Novice Challenge’ were remarkably high. In recognition of that, we’re thinking of offering some extra support to a few of the successful students.”

I couldn’t help but perk up at Rosen’s unexpected words.

“Support? What kind of support?”

‘Scholarships? Items? Maybe tuition exemption?’

I looked at Rosen eagerly, and I saw the corners of his mouth twitch in amusement. But it was Cecilia who answered.

“During the upcoming vacation, the student council will be organizing an expedition to the ‘Vishran’ hot springs, and we’ll be selecting a few of the ‘Novice Challenge’ participants to join.”

“Wait, the Vishran hot springs?”

“Yes. You remember, Kamon? It was one of the campaign promises I made when running for student council president. Now that I’m president, I have to keep it.”

“But that’s…”

“Fortunately, aside from the random selection, we can recommend one student based on merit, and we chose you, Kamon.”

“…What?”

The seamless back-and-forth between Cecilia and Rosen left me dumbfounded.

With a playful wink, Cecilia smiled and said, “So, Kamon, you’ll be coming with us to the Vishran hot springs. At my family’s estate—the Romanoff Duchy.”

“…”

***

“I’ll be taking the banner back now.”

Marquis Baran, Kamon’s father and head of the Vade family, spoke as he glanced at Beatrice, the interim headmistress of Flance Imperial Academy and a Red Mage.

“Of course, Marquis,” she replied.

Beatrice handed over the golden banner with a polite bow, and Baran took it without further conversation.

“Do you need anything else, or is there anything you’re curious about?” Beatrice asked.

Baran shook his head lightly.

“No, that will be all.”

“I see.”

Though Beatrice answered simply, her eyes glimmered knowingly, as if she was aware of more than she let on. An awkward silence filled the headmistress’s office.

“Well, I’ve finished my business here. I’ll be on my way.”

“Of course, Marquis. Should the opportunity arise, I hope we can meet again.”

“I doubt it, but if you ever visit the Vade estate, you’ll be properly received.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Without further ceremony, Marquis Baran stood and left the office.

As he exited—

“Your guest will be with you shortly. Ah, here he comes.”

The academy’s secretary, Isabel, was speaking with a female student outside Beatrice’s office when she noticed Baran emerging.

Isabel approached him, saying politely, “Are you finished, Marquis? The person who accompanied you is waiting outside.”

But Baran’s attention wasn’t on Isabel. It was on the young student she had been talking to.

Specifically, the flower-shaped hairpin in her hair.

“…!”

Baran realized that the girl was one of the first-year students who had broken into his estate and stolen the golden banner.

He stepped forward, addressing her in a gentle voice.

“Excuse me, young lady.”

“Huh? Are you talking to me?” she replied, surprised.

“That hairpin—where did you get it?”

The girl, who was none other than Chelsea, hesitated briefly before answering quietly.

“It was a gift…”

“A gift?”

“Yes.”

Baran’s gaze lingered on Chelsea, deep in thought, before he nodded.

“I see. Thank you for answering.”

With a polite nod, Baran turned to leave without further questioning. Chelsea, slightly puzzled, resumed her steps toward Beatrice’s office.

But just as she was about to enter, Baran called out again.

“Oh, young lady.”

“…Yes?”

“I’m sorry, but could you tell me your name?”

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