How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 193

‘The Essence of the Archmage?’

Just hearing the name of this legacy made my heart race even faster.

At that moment—

*Shiiiiiing!*

A sudden, strong wind swept over me and the old man who had been talking in front of me.

And then—

*Pasa-sak!*

The old man, who had taken human form just moments ago, suddenly shattered like puzzle pieces, transforming into particles of light that scattered in all directions.

Simultaneously—

His voice resonated in my ears.

*Saaaaak!*

The dispersed light particles began to pour down toward me.

***

When I came to my senses, I found myself back in front of the rusted door where I had originally been.

And naturally—

“Chelsea.”

Beside me, Chelsea lay unconscious on the ground.

I hurriedly leaned down to check on her condition.

*Seogun, seogun.*

Her breathing was soft, as if she had simply fallen into a deep sleep.

“Phew, thank goodness.”

Relieved to see her peacefully sleeping without any issues, I let out a sigh of relief.

At that moment—

[What the hell just happened, Kamon?]

[Master, are you alright?]

Airsya and Frilla’s voices echoed in my head, pulling me back to reality.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Nodding lightly, I replied and then asked them a question.

“Was I just standing here the whole time?”

[Yeah, you were just standing still, holding Chelsea’s hand. It was like your soul had left your body.]

[It did seem like your energy was being drawn into the door, but are you really alright?]

“I said I’m fine.”

I waved my hand dismissively, a satisfied smile spreading across my face as I felt the overflowing energy in my head.

‘So this is what the Archmage’s essence is?’

The tiny particles of light that had merged into my body were fragments of everything Archmage Katryzin had learned and mastered over her life.

Now that they were all inside me…

‘I feel like I finally understand something.’

I was suddenly flooded with knowledge—everything from how to use healing magic to advanced insights into all kinds of spells.

Especially, my understanding and application of basic magic had surged dramatically.

“Fireball.”

The moment I spoke the short incantation—

*Puh-boom! Fwoooosh!*

White flames flickered into existence, different from before.

[What the…? Why did the color of the magic change?]

[…The temperature is much higher.]

The fireball I summoned was far hotter and more powerful than any I had cast before. It couldn’t even be compared to my previous spells.

With this overflowing energy and knowledge, it felt like I could replicate the sword-splitting magic that Jamie had demonstrated—exactly as she had shown it.

However—

‘I need to calm down and make this fully mine first.’

Though I had gained the Archmage’s essence and inherited Katryzin’s progress, it didn’t mean I had mastered it all.

To be precise, what I received was more like a blueprint for future growth and a hint at my ultimate destination, rather than an immediate elevation to that level.

‘No wonder even the Red Mage would have coveted this.’

It made sense that the previous Red Mage, one of the strongest beings in this world, had gone to such lengths—capturing and sealing the Spirit of Sloth, forcing its power to be converted—to obtain this.

The legacy left behind by the legendary Archmage was valuable enough to justify any means.

“…”

I sat down next to the unconscious Chelsea.

A sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me.

I had only come here to investigate the ‘Vishran’ hot springs and learn more about the former Red Mage ‘Anne.’ But things had escalated, connecting me to all sorts of events and incidents.

Well, at least I got back at Diana properly, and, thanks to that, I encountered this incredible stroke of fortune, gaining the Archmage Katryzin’s essence.

But now the only thing left was figuring out how to slip away quietly…

“I still need to pay back that bastard, Duke Romanoff.”

I mumbled to myself as I glanced at Chelsea, who was still deep in slumber, and then shifted my gaze to the white fireball floating in the air.

“I kind of just want to go all out and cause some real chaos.”

If I were a mage with the same skills and power as Jamie or Beatrice, how would I handle the current situation?

I’d probably take down Duke Romanoff and act with complete disregard for anything else.

“Heh, am I turning into Kamon Vade?”

I chuckled to myself at the thought.

Living as Kamon Vade in this world had influenced me more than I realized.

“Haah, let’s rest for now.”

Sighing, I muttered softly, and then addressed Airsya and Frilla.

“If anything happens, wake me up immediately. I’ll just rest for a bit.”

[You’re going to sleep here?]

[Yes, Master. Rest assured, we will notify you right away if anything comes up.]

Ignoring their contrasting reactions, I closed my eyes.

***

“…Is this really the right thing to do, Rosen?”

Cecilia, her voice tinged with fear, spoke cautiously, “Is this really the right thing to do, Rosen?”

Rosen Ravenia responded with a firm tone, “So what, are we just going to sit here and keep getting pushed around?”

“It’s not that, but…”

“All the student council members sent here with us have been detained. And your father—he’s trying to harm Kamon. Are you seriously going to just stand by and watch?”

As Rosen continued, Cecilia’s expression grew grim, and she shook her head resolutely.

“No, we have to act. We have to do something, whatever it takes.”

“Exactly. So from now on, don’t be afraid, and follow my lead.”

Cecilia nodded firmly at Rosen’s words.

*Creak.*

The two of them opened the door and stepped outside, walking confidently towards Duke Romanoff’s office. The eyes of the servants and the knights stationed for security were drawn to them, but neither Cecilia nor Rosen paid them any attention.

*Thud. Thud.*

As they marched forward, a knight cautiously stepped in front of them.

“Where are the two of you headed at this hour?”

“To see my father. We need to talk,” Cecilia replied calmly.

“…”

The knight looked at her curiously for a moment before speaking.

“The Duke is currently out. Even if you go to his office, you won’t be able to meet him.”

“We’ll wait inside. Please send word to my father.”

“What? But—”

As the knight hesitated, attempting to express his disapproval, Rosen swiftly cut in.

“Just inform the Duke that I’m with her. He’ll come.”

“…”

The knight, still unmoved by Rosen’s words, looked back and forth between the two.

Seeing this, Cecilia’s expression hardened.

“Are you trying to stop me from seeing my own father?”

“My orders are that you, Lady Cecilia, are not to be wandering around like this.”

“But all I’m doing is going to see my father. Is it wrong for me to meet with him?”

“No, that’s not it, but…”

Startled by Cecilia’s unusually fiery outburst, the knight seemed flustered.

Rosen seized upon the opening and quickly added, “You don’t need to worry about Cecilia. I’ll be with her the whole time. Once you inform the Duke, he’ll understand.”

“Hmm.”

The knight responsible for keeping an eye on Cecilia hesitated, clearly deliberating over Rosen’s words.

And just then—

“Allow them to proceed, Sir Tern.”

“Uncle Sihen?” Cecilia exclaimed in surprise.

The voice belonged to an old butler who suddenly appeared. His unexpected arrival caused the knight blocking their path to make a strange expression.

“…Sir Sihen.”

“I will personally ensure the safety and well-being of these two. Let them pass.”

With the unanticipated intervention of the elderly butler, Sihen, Cecilia’s tense expression softened, and the knight, Tern, who had been opposing them, gave a small nod.

“If Sir Sihen says so, I have no choice but to comply. Very well. I trust you, Sir Sihen.”

With that, the knight stepped aside, clearing the way.

The old butler, Sihen, smiled gently and bowed respectfully toward Cecilia and Rosen.

“I shall guide you to the place you desire. Please follow me this way.”

In a soft whisper, Cecilia said, “Thank you, Sihen.”

“Haha, I’m only doing what needs to be done.”

Under the guidance of the old butler, Sihen, they finally made their way toward Duke Romanoff’s office.

“…”

However, Rosen continued to eye him with suspicion.

As they approached the vicinity of the office after walking for some time, Sihen suddenly spoke.

“There is no need to be so wary, Miss Rosen.”

“…?!”

“I may serve the Duke, but I have also watched over Lady Cecilia since the day she was born.”

Sihen’s words carried multiple meanings, and Rosen quickly scanned her surroundings.

Thankfully, there was no sign of anyone nearby.

“Don’t worry. There’s no one around here right now,” Sihen added with a faint smile.

Despite the reassuring smile, Rosen couldn’t shake her doubts and asked bluntly, “How can we trust you? How can you be certain this isn’t a trap set by the Duke?”

“Rosen?!” Cecilia exclaimed in shock, trying to calm her friend.

“Rosen, we can trust Uncle Sihen. He’s been with me since… forever.”

“That’s exactly why we should be more cautious, Cecilia. Did you ever think your father would turn his back on you like this?”

“Th-that’s…”

Rosen’s cold logic left Cecilia speechless, her gaze dropping as she averted her eyes.

Sihen, as if expecting such questions, nodded with a calm smile.

“You don’t have to trust me, Miss Rosen.”

“What?”

“In truth, I was never originally the Duke’s personal butler.”

“What do you mean?”

“I once served Lady Feril, Lady Cecilia’s mother.”

“…!”

At Sihen’s words, Rosen immediately understood why he was helping them.

“Lady Feril’s last words to me were to take care of her daughter. From that moment on, my most important duty in life became watching over and protecting her.”

“Uncle Sihen…”

Cecilia gazed at him with deep emotion, clearly touched, while Rosen sighed and shook her head, unable to deny the situation any longer.

“Haah. So what you’re really asking for is for us to trust you.”

“Haha, is that how it sounds?”

“…I suppose we don’t have a choice. We’ve come this far, so trusting you is all we can do.”

Rosen, her expression serious, nodded, and Sihen chuckled before speaking again.

“In that case, allow me to offer you a piece of advice.”

“Advice?”

“What you’re looking for will likely be behind the office, at the bottom shelf of the bookcase. Look for a small switch there.”

“…!”

Rosen stared at him in astonishment, while Cecilia quickly hugged the old butler, saying, “Thank you so much, Uncle.”

“I live to serve you, Lady Cecilia.”

Sihen replied in a calm tone before opening the door to Duke Romanoff’s office.

“We don’t have much time. You should move quickly.”

With those words from the old butler, Cecilia and Rosen nodded and swiftly entered Duke Romanoff’s office.

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