How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 172

Anne Carson.

The former Red Mage and a prodigious master of curses.

A genius, but also an eccentric with a strong rebellious streak.

This was the information I gathered about her from the Academy library.

‘Is that why she clashed with the royal family?’

The more I researched her, the more I had a strange feeling that the shadow organization might have been involved.

‘Could the shadow organization have something to do with her disappearance?’

But why?

No, the shadow organization had always feared confronting the Triadic Mages.

There’s no way Anne, as the Red Mage, would have been defeated by them.

My thoughts spiraled, connecting one idea to another, but soon I found myself shaking my head vigorously.

‘Damn it. Why am I even…?’

But there was no turning back now. I had already made a promise with Acting Dean Beatrice to help find her mentor.

Besides, if I wanted to survive in the immediate future, I had no other choice.

“Sigh.”

I stepped out of the library to get some fresh air and decided to visit a café by myself.

“Oh, Kamon?”

Suddenly, Elliot, Bren, and Lois surrounded me, forming an impromptu barrier.

“What have you been doing in the library all the time?”

“Yeah, you’ve seemed really out of it lately.”

Their string of questions prompted me to shrug my shoulders as I shook my head.

“What do you mean? I’ve just been busy.”

“Ha, look at that. Told you! Ever since becoming an Academy star, he’s gotten cocky, hasn’t he?”

“Now that he’s famous, he probably doesn’t care about us anymore.”

Elliot and Lois exchanged teasing remarks as they grinned at me, but only Bren looked at me with concern, asking again.

“Are you sure nothing’s wrong, Kamon?”

Yeah, there’s a whole lot wrong.

“No, nothing at all.”

Telling them about my situation would only complicate things. Instead of getting help, I’d probably just drag them into unnecessary trouble.

So, I maintained a calm expression and reassured them. Bren smiled, relieved.

“Come to think of it, isn’t it tomorrow? The ‘Novice Challenge’ reward announcement?”

It had already been a week since the Novice Challenge ended, but we still hadn’t received the proper rewards.

I wasn’t entirely sure of the details, but it seemed like the professors who opposed Acting Dean Beatrice were deliberately causing delays, even though she had proven her competence.

“Kamon, what are you going to choose?”

“Huh?”

“For those who scored the highest in the Novice Challenge, they’re giving out a choice, right?”

It seemed like word about the rewards had already spread throughout the entire Academy.

If even Elliot knew about it, that meant just about everyone did.

“A magical artifact from the ‘Brisel’ Tower or an artifact from the Academy treasury. Either way, they’re both incredible.”

“Yeah, other students are only getting a choice from the Academy’s treasury.”

Lois and Bren chimed in enthusiastically, but I just made an ambiguous expression.

‘Both options are kind of useless.’

What I needed right now was a large sum of money.

I already had more than enough magical tools, like the bracelet and the ‘Orb’ ring I got from the Vade family.

Sure, you can never have too many good items, but there’s also a point where enough is enough.

I wasn’t even fully utilizing the items I had. Choosing something new would probably be more of a burden than a benefit at this point.

Not to mention, I still had artifacts I obtained from the Port City of Califa that were plenty useful.

‘Right now, I need to focus on covering my tuition and dormitory fees first.’

“So Kamon, which one are you going to choose? The Tower or the Academy treasury? I’m leaning towards the Tower myself.”

“What are you talking about, senior? Obviously, the Academy treasury. Do you even realize how many treasures are stored there?”

“Idiot, magical artifacts from the Tower are the best.”

“There are ancient and heroic-grade artifacts in the Academy treasury, you know?”

As Elliot and Lois continued their back-and-forth, I let out a quiet sigh without saying anything.

Soon, Bren, with his usual bright smile, handed me a drink.

“Kamon, here’s a grapefruit juice.”

“Thanks, Bren.”

Not long after leaving the café without giving a proper answer to the others, I found myself forced to change my original thoughts.

It was all because of a surprise visitor who arrived at my dorm.

“…Princess?”

Clink!

She had come with the Swordmaster Edin Berzen and poured out a bag of gold coins in front of me.

“Here, this is your payment.”

“Excuse me?”

“The fifty thousand gold you demanded last time was too much. But I managed to get you close to half that, so it’s still quite a decent sum, isn’t it?”

“…”

Princess Francia had brought about twenty thousand gold with her and said this so nonchalantly, leaving me staring blankly at her.

Seeing my expression, she sighed deeply and continued.

“Ha, don’t look at me like that. Fifty thousand gold is an overwhelming amount even for me. It was tough enough to gather this… Whatever. Our deal ends here. Understood?”

“Yes, uh… Thank you.”

Though I hadn’t expected this at all, the sight of the glittering pile of gold coins before me left me no choice but to nod.

As I kept staring at the coins, Princess Francia gave a faint smile and continued.

“Anyway, you did well. If it weren’t for you, this challenge would have been much more difficult.”

“It was nothing. I was just doing my job.”

Of course, my eyes remained glued to the gold as I replied.

Hold on. Twenty thousand gold should be enough to cover me until the start of the third year.

I can take my time earning the rest, so at least I’ve put out the immediate fire.

As I was lost in thought, Princess Francia’s voice broke through again.

“And also…”

“Yes?”

“Th-Thank you.”

Princess Francia’s stammered words made me tilt my head in confusion.

Her face turned a light shade of red as she continued.

“You know, when you took the assassin’s blow for me… and saved me…”

Her voice grew softer, almost as if she were whispering, and she avoided looking at me.

“……”

Regardless, there was genuine sincerity in Princess Francia’s thanks.

‘Come to think of it, this is the second time, isn’t it?’

It wasn’t the first time the princess owed me her life. Maybe I could use this as leverage later to squeeze more out of her.

But I didn’t show that intention, instead shrugging lightly as I replied.

“It’s fortunate you didn’t get hurt. That’s all that matters.”

“…”

Princess Francia fell silent at my words.

“That’s all I came for. Get some rest, I’ll see you at the reward ceremony tomorrow. Let’s go, Edin.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Take care.”

As I watched her leave my dorm room with Edin Berzen, I turned my gaze to the pile of gold coins on the desk and muttered quietly to myself.

“Sweet, this is awesome!”

***

“…For the students with the highest marks, there will be an opportunity to choose a reward.”

Isabel, the steward assisting the Acting Dean Beatrice, explained the reward selection process on her behalf.

“So, what will you choose?”

Just as the rumors had said: a magical artifact crafted by the Tower of ‘Brisel,’ or a treasure or artifact slumbering in the Academy’s vault.

Of course, I could also reject both and demand a large sum of money instead.

But thanks to the gold pile Princess Francia had just handed over, I didn’t need to worry about that anymore.

‘Tsk, should I just go for an artifact?’

As I debated, Princess Francia chose an artifact from the Tower.

Kyle and Fabian, on the other hand, chose items from the Academy’s vault. Chelsea hesitated for a moment before opting for a Tower artifact as well.

And then.

“Lastly, Kamon Vade?”

I was the only one left to make my decision.

“Hmm.”

As I appeared deep in thought, Isabel patiently waited for my response.

Then, out of nowhere—

[Kamon.]

‘…?’

A familiar voice echoed in my head.

[If you haven’t decided yet, how about trusting your big sis this time?]

It was none other than Acting Dean Beatrice.

‘What’s she plotting now?’

[Forget about those worthless Tower trinkets. Choose something from the Academy’s vault. I’ll make sure you get the best treasure.]

Her voice nudged me, and I found myself glancing over at her.

Beatrice sat there, silently smiling at me. But her eyes were practically screaming at me to follow her advice.

‘Sigh, fine. We’re in this together now, after all.’

To find her mentor, Anne Kashron, I had chosen to align myself with Beatrice.

“Kamon Vade? It’s time to make your choice.”

Isabel’s reminder brought me back to reality, and I slowly nodded as I opened my mouth.

“…I’ll choose something from the Academy vault.”

[Good choice, Kamon!]

Beatrice’s voice, now brimming with excitement, echoed in my head. I gave a subtle nod in response, making sure no one else noticed.

“Then it’s settled. Kyle and Fabian, along with Kamon, will head to the Academy vault. Princess Francia and Chelsea will receive artifacts from the Tower of ‘Brisel.'”

With that, Isabel officially declared the reward distribution for the top students of the ‘Novice Challenge’ concluded.

“Those receiving artifacts, please follow Professor Selton. The rest of you, follow me.”

Princess Francia and Chelsea disappeared with the professor, while Kyle, Fabian, and I followed Isabel toward the Academy vault.

The vault was located deep beneath the Academy’s main building, so it took quite a bit of walking to reach it. And yet again, Beatrice’s voice filled my ears.

[The moment you enter the vault, go straight to the third shelf on the right, and pick the necklace on the far right. No matter what, you *must* choose that necklace, Kamon!]

What? A necklace?

Great. Just great.

I already had the ‘Orb’ ring and the bracelet from the Vade family. Now she wanted me to add a necklace to my collection?

The thought of myself covered in all these accessories made me shake my head.

‘What am I, some kind of jewelry-clad girl?’

[Hey, Kamon. You’re listening to me, right?]

Despite the considerable distance between us, Beatrice’s voice came through loud and clear. I sighed and nodded slightly.

‘Fine, I got it.’

“Sigh.”

Kyle, walking beside me, tilted his head in confusion.

“Huh? Kamon, why the sudden sigh?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Leave him alone, Kyle. It’s not the first time he’s acted like this.”

“Still, as a friend, I should at least ask.”

“Do whatever you want.”

Fabian’s snide comment seemed meant as a joke, judging by the slight smirk on his face. He even chuckled softly as he looked at me.

Just then.

“We’re here.”

Isabel’s words marked our arrival at the vault. As we entered the Academy’s underground vault, I immediately looked at the third shelf on the right, just as Beatrice instructed.

And there, I found a silver necklace adorned with a large ruby.

‘Is this it?’

As I reached out and touched the artifact Beatrice had recommended—

*Ziiing.*

A radiant light burst forth from the necklace.

At the same time—

[Oh, it’s connected. Ah, ah. Can you hear me, Kamon?]

Beatrice’s voice came through, louder and clearer than ever.

“What the hell is this now?”

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