How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 171

“What are you talking about?”

Of course, I had no choice but to ask again. If Beatrice was referring to her master, that must mean the previous Red Mage.

‘What does that person have to do with me?’

As I mulled over this thought, Beatrice chuckled softly.

“You look full of questions.”

“I don’t know your master, Beatrice. I’ve never met them.”

Even if I were the real Kamon Vade, there was no reason I would have had any connection with the previous Red Mage. After all, it had been a long time since Beatrice succeeded them as one of the Three Mages.

She nodded at my baffled reaction.

“Well, it makes sense that you don’t understand. I was a bit taken aback when I discovered the trace, too.”

“……”

“But here’s what’s important: that trace on your body was definitely left by my master. For some reason, you’ve been cursed by the former Red Mage.”

[Cursed? Are you cursed?]

Airsya seemed to be enjoying herself, spinning around as she chimed in.

‘Quiet.’

[Tsk, all you ever say is ‘quiet.’]

Ignoring her, I shook my head hard to clear my thoughts. Then, I looked straight at Beatrice and asked:

“If you succeeded your master as the Red Mage, then can’t you lift the curse that’s affecting my body?”

It was a direct question. Unfortunately, she shook her head, disappointment evident in her expression.

“No, it’s not that simple.”

“Why not?”

“Well, curses are unique to the person who cast them. They’re an extension of their own magical signature.”

Beatrice continued, standing up from her chair and pacing as she explained.

“And that signature inherently rejects interference from other types of magic. If I tried to tamper with it, you’d likely end up in a worse situation.”

“……”

“Of course, if the caster and the one attempting to lift the curse had a massive disparity in power, it might be possible. But I haven’t surpassed my master yet, so I can’t undo it. And no mage on this continent can, either.”

Her firm tone left no room for debate, and the sense of finality in her words hit hard. I could only ask in a faint voice:

“So… am I just supposed to live with this forever?”

“Hmm, not necessarily.”

She tilted her head, contemplating for a moment, before walking to the window, leaning against it as sunlight bathed her pale face.

As the light hit her, Beatrice exuded an alluring, mysterious charm, as if she were casting a spell herself.

“Kamon, do you remember what I said earlier?”

“Pardon?”

“I told you that you’re my only connection to my master.”

“What does that mean?”

Her cryptic statements were starting to wear thin. The longer she dodged the main point, the more irritated I became.

‘If you can’t lift it, just say so and stop dragging this out!’

The frustration of realizing my body’s condition was caused by someone’s curse only added to the growing sense of helplessness.

“You may not have learned this yet, being a first-year, but curses have a few key characteristics.”

“Characteristics?”

“Yes. One of the most important ones is this:”

She paused briefly, her gaze shifting from the window back to me.

“The curse ends when the caster dies.”

Her words lingered in the air for a moment before she gave me a sly smile.

“Do you understand what that means?”

“Are you saying the former Red Mage is still alive?”

“That’s right. The fact that your curse is still active means my master is alive. Even though the world believes she’s dead.”

[Oh, so we just need to find that person and ask them to lift the curse, right?]

Airsya chimed in again, but before I could process her comment, Beatrice walked over to me, placing a soft hand on my shoulder.

“Her name is ‘Anne.’ She disappeared thirteen years ago. That’s how I ended up in this position.”

[Disappeared? Tch, then it’s as good as her being dead.]

“……”

“And now, you’re standing here, proof that she might still be alive.”

Now I finally understood why Beatrice had been so interested in me. She had found traces of her missing master through me, which naturally piqued her curiosity.

But this was bad—really bad.

‘This is getting way too complicated.’

The shift in her tone and the intensity in her eyes made it clear that this was turning into a dangerous situation I should avoid at all costs.

And, as expected, she wasn’t done.

“So, Kamon.”

Hearing her say my name, I quickly interrupted.

“No, I’m fine. Really.”

“Huh? But I haven’t even said anything yet.”

“I just wanted to know what caused my condition. Since Master Jamie is already researching it, I’m fine.”

I shook my head, firmly cutting her off. Beatrice, though, only smiled wider and placed her arms around my shoulders from behind.

“Don’t be like that. Let’s work together.”

“No, I really don’t want—”

“Kamon, I might not be able to lift the curse, but I can strengthen it.”

“…What?”

Licking her lips, she continued in a calm, almost seductive voice.

“I’m more specialized in curses than Jamie, you know. If I enhance your curse, do you think she’ll still be able to undo it?”

‘This crazy witch is threatening me!’

[She is! That’s a threat, alright! If you don’t cooperate, she’ll make the curse worse and kill you!]

Airsya, always perceptive in moments like these, was right.

If Beatrice strengthened the curse affecting my mana channels, there was no doubt my body would eventually overload and explode.

“…Beatrice?”

“So don’t waste your energy resisting. Work with me to find Anne. I’ll make sure you get through this alive, Kamon.”

She smiled as if offering a deal, but it was a deal I had no choice but to accept.

‘Hah… damn it.’

***

“Anne? The former Red Mage?”

“Yes, Beatrice—no, I mean, the Headmaster—told me so.”

“Hmm.”

Jamie, after listening to my explanation, fell deep into thought, her expression serious. Then, after a moment, she nodded and spoke briefly.

“If it’s truly a curse from Anne, no one will be able to break it. But are you saying she’s really still alive?”

“According to the Headmaster, yes. She said curses naturally dissipate when the caster dies, but my mana pathways are still blocked, aren’t they?”

Luckily, Beatrice hadn’t stopped me from sharing what she had told me with Jamie. In fact, it felt like she encouraged me to consult with her. Perhaps she was confident that nothing would change even if Jamie knew.

“I remember it now. When she disappeared so suddenly, there was a lot of speculation. The Seven Table even officially declared her death, but can you really trust those old men?”

“……”

I stayed silent, listening carefully.

This ‘Anne’ figure they were discussing wasn’t someone who appeared in the original story. Well, not directly. She was a background character mentioned briefly in the lore, nothing more.

Yet, somehow, she was now deeply entwined with my situation. And according to Beatrice, she was still alive, which only made things more complicated.

‘Wasn’t she just supposed to be a plot device?’

Thinking about it, there were too many strange and unexpected twists in this world.

The “Orb” ring, which was supposed to just be a throwaway plot point, ended up having significant hidden powers. And now this Anne, the previous Red Mage, was still alive?

‘Fucking hell, that author.’

What kind of chaotic world-building was this? How many hidden layers and mysteries had they crammed into this world?

As I silently cursed the creator of this world, Jamie’s voice brought me back.

“Come to think of it, there were some issues between Anne and the Imperial family, as well as the Seven Table. There was even talk she might get assassinated.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. I didn’t care much about the politics at the time, but Anne was really into it.”

“Politics?”

“Yeah, she was always challenging the policies of the Imperial family and the Seven Table, pushing back against their decisions.”

Now that I thought about it, the current Three Mages seemed awfully peaceful, despite their immense power, authority, and influence. Jamie lived secluded within the Academy. Beatrice, although temporarily in charge of the Academy, cooperated with the central government. And as for the Blue Mage…

‘The Blue Mage is the leader of the Seven Table, so he’s probably the most politically savvy of them all.’

Jamie’s voice broke through my thoughts again.

“Anne always clashed with that old geezer, the Blue Mage. I had to intervene a few times, but Anne never listened to anyone.”

So, while the current Three Mages weren’t in direct conflict with the Imperial family, the previous Red Mage had been actively opposing them, until she mysteriously disappeared. And shortly after, her death was announced.

The whole thing reeked of conspiracy.

But more importantly…

‘Why is her curse on me?’

To cast a curse, the caster either has to be present in person or use a cursed object. However, there was no mention in the original story of Kamon Vade meeting Anne, and the timeline didn’t match up for them to have crossed paths, either.

That could only mean…

‘I must have touched something cursed that she left behind.’

As I pondered this, Jamie spoke again.

“By the way, Kamon, can I take a look at your ‘Orb’ ring and that bracelet for a bit?”

“What? All of a sudden?”

“Yeah. After hearing your story, I’m really curious about something. It’ll only take a few days. Is that alright?”

“Uh, sure.”

Without the ‘Orb’ ring, I wouldn’t be able to use magic. But…

‘It’ll only be a few days, right?’

I was going to stay at the Academy anyway, so I didn’t foresee any immediate danger. Plus, I was still in the territory of both Jamie and Beatrice.

[Wait a minute! Kamon, what about me?]

Airsya, panicked, called out, but without hesitation, I removed the ‘Orb’ ring and bracelet, handing them over to Jamie.

“Here you go.”

“Great. I’ll let you know once I’m done. Now go ahead and rest for a bit.”

“Thank you, Master.”

[Hey, hey! You’re just going to leave me like this? Kamon! KAMON VAAADE!]

Airsya’s desperate cries echoed in my mind as I walked out of Jamie’s office, pretending I didn’t hear her at all.

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