How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 91

“I knew they would call eventually, but it’s sooner than I thought.”

I muttered to myself as I looked at the letter in my hand.

“Anyway, things are progressing as in the original story, even though it’s a bit twisted.”

In the original story, Kyle receives three rewards for rescuing Princess Francia. One is an official award from the Empire, another is a token of gratitude from the Flance royal family, and the last one is…

“A letter of commendation and a recommendation letter signed by Dean Elmon.”

Of course, I never imagined that I would receive it too.

I turned my gaze to the small bear in front of me.

“Is this a spirit?”

This bear-like creature had suddenly appeared and delivered the letter to me while I was resting after class.

Although I vaguely remembered the wind spirit Princess Francia used, it was the first time I had seen a materialized spirit in person.

Not only did it deliver the letter, but it was also leading me somewhere. If I didn’t know the original story, I would have been quite flustered.

“Interesting.”

As I muttered to myself while watching the spirit guide me, it made a strange purring sound, as if it understood me.

“What? You understand human speech?”

Grrr!

The creature nodded as if to affirm my question, so I asked another one.

“If you’re an earth spirit, can you find things hidden underground or something?”

Grr! Grr!

It nodded repeatedly, as if I had asked a very obvious question.

“Wow, amazing.”

Come to think of it, doesn’t the academy have a few secrets hidden underground?

“Maybe I should learn spirit magic too.”

Purring!

At my words, the bear-shaped spirit made a strange sound, as if it found my idea amusing.

“What? Did you just laugh at me?”

Purring!

“Incredible.”

As I continued walking and exchanging pointless chatter with the spirit, I organized my thoughts again.

Some things had changed, but the overall flow of the original novel hadn’t deviated much.

After the second attack on Princess Francia, Dean Elmon resigns due to external pressure.

“Well, things are proceeding according to the original story so far…”

As I muttered to myself, a familiar voice called out.

“Kamon?”

Kyle approached, waving his hand cheerfully. Feeling a bit uneasy, I avoided his gaze and replied quietly.

“Oh, Kyle.”

The boy, who had been waving enthusiastically, looked at the small bear next to me with interest.

“So, the bear called you too. I have the same one.”

Beside him was a bear-shaped spirit identical to the one guiding me.

“This isn’t a bear; it’s a spirit.”

“A spirit?”

“Yes, an earth spirit.”

“Oh, really?”

At my words, Kyle looked at the earth spirit beside him, tilting his head in curiosity.

“Then, can you cut a spirit?”

“What?”

“Look at it. It looks exactly like a bear. So, shouldn’t it be able to be cut by a sword?”

“Spirits are beings from another dimension, so physical effects don’t work on them. It didn’t actually carry the letter; it transported it with magic.”

“Really?”

Shing!

Smiling, Kyle drew his sword, leaving me flabbergasted.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“Oh? I just want to see if it really can’t be cut. This is my first time seeing a spirit.”

Is this guy insane?

Even if that’s the case, drawing a sword out of nowhere?

So, are you going to cut everything you see for the first time?

At that moment.

“Spirit, I’m sorry!”

Shwooong!

Before I could say anything, Kyle’s sword swiftly moved, slashing through the bear-shaped earth spirit.

And then.

Grrrr!

“…”

The earth spirit growled at Kyle, showing its displeasure.

Kyle, puzzled by the unchanged spirit, mumbled.

“What? It felt like I cut something.”

“Sigh.”

Of course, an ordinary sword can’t harm a spirit… or so I thought.

Purring?

Suddenly, the earth spirit in front of us made a strange sound.

And then.

Crack!

With a splitting sound.

Crack, crack, crash!

“It worked!”

It split in half and turned back into ordinary dirt.

“…”

“It can be cut?”

This madman?

No, this isn’t Kyle’s fault.

‘The author is the problem.’

What kind of ability is it to slice through beings from another dimension with no special power?

No, it’s best to ignore this.

There’s no need to get involved with him. If I do, another unpredictable butterfly effect might happen.

‘Just ignore everything.’

Step by step.

With that thought in mind, I closed my mouth and walked forward.

“Oh, Kamon, wait up!”

Even though I heard his voice behind me, I ignored it and kept walking.

After walking for a while, I arrived in front of a building.

“Is it here?”

As Kyle, who had followed me, muttered that.

Creak.

The door opened on its own, revealing the inside.

“…?”

“The dean did say to meet here, right?”

As I wondered aloud about the dark building with no lights on.

[Come in.]

A strange voice echoed in my ears.

“Dean?”

Kyle asked in confusion, but the voice didn’t respond again.

Instead, in its place…

Purring.

The earth spirit in the form of a bear beside me was the first to enter the dark building.

“Is someone inside?” Kyle asked.

“I don’t know,” I replied, frowning at his constant chattering.

Step by step.

Thankfully, Kyle seemed to take my hint and fell silent. As soon as we stepped into the building…

Whoosh!

“Is this a trap?”

A huge magic circle was drawn on the floor of the building.

“Should I cut it?” Kyle asked.

“What do you mean cut—”

Before I could respond, the magic circle activated with a loud hum, emitting a bright light. The space around us seemed to warp, and the scenery changed.

“Teleportation?”

But then, I felt something strange. ‘What? Why is the mana…?’

A voice echoed from somewhere.

“You’re more reckless than I thought.”

“…?”

I turned toward the direction of the voice, and there stood an old man with a long, white beard, stroking it thoughtfully.

“Thinking you could cut a spirit, and now a spirit magic circle?”

It was Dean Elmon of Flance Imperial Academy, who looked at Kyle with amusement.

“Dean!”

***

Dean Elmon looked at the two students summoned before him. Both possessed exceptional talent and potential, having achieved significant accomplishments even as freshmen.

‘I used to enjoy teaching such promising sprouts.’

Although he was currently fulfilling his role as the academy’s dean, his true essence and passion lay in being an educator. As a young man, he had pursued his dreams of becoming an educator and eventually attained the highest honor in the field.

‘Well, it’s meaningless now…’

In truth, neither of these students entirely matched the academy’s ideal candidate. One possessed immense potential, outstanding talent, and a fully developed character that required no further education. The other was…

‘A troublemaker, known as a magic prodigy but causing endless problems.’

“Dean Elmon, what is this? This doesn’t seem like an ordinary magic circle.”

The student with emerald-green eyes who had asked the question caught Elmon’s attention.

“Hmm, not a magic circle? Why do you think that?”

“Well, the mana didn’t move. And it felt like… there’s a strange energy mixed in.”

“A strange energy? What do you think it is?”

“I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking you.”

Elmon nodded lightly at Kamon’s straightforward answer and turned his gaze to Kyle.

“Hmm. What about you, Kyle? What do you think?”

“Me? Uh, well…”

Kyle looked slightly flustered by the sudden question, then gave a sheepish smile and answered.

“Could it be spirit magic?”

“Correct, it’s a spirit magic circle.”

“A spirit magic circle?”

“Yes, magic circles and formations can be made using the power of spirits, though not all spirit magicians can use them.”

With a slightly bitter expression, Elmon shook his head and continued.

“But this isn’t why I called you here. Let’s get to the main point.”

Clap, clap!

At the sound of his clapping, several spirits were summoned, busying themselves with moving two heavy bundles.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a gift for you.”

“A gift?”

“Yes.”

Elmon nodded as he thought of the resignation letter in his pocket.

‘The last legacy I can give before I leave.’

“The reason I called you here is simple. You saved the princess and achieved a great feat.”

With a determined tone, Elmon continued.

“So, I plan to commend you for your achievements, as the dean of Flance Imperial Academy.”

Emphasizing his title, he looked at the two bundles the spirits were holding.

“Normally, someone who has accomplished what you have would be honored with a formal ceremony and rewarded in front of the entire academy. However, this time, it’s not possible.”

“Huh? Why not…?”

“I plan to resign in five days.”

“What? Why are you resigning all of a sudden?” Kyle asked urgently, while Kamon, beside him, muttered in a low, deep tone.

“Because he doesn’t want to take responsibility.”

“…!”

‘Oh?’

Elmon’s eyes sparkled with interest at Kamon’s reaction.

‘Has he been hiding his claws all this time?’

Seeing a different side of Kamon from what he knew, Elmon couldn’t help but laugh.

“Haha, I must be getting old.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. Anyway, I’m leaving soon.”

With a wry smile, Elmon shook his head and looked back and forth between Kyle and Kamon.

‘It’s a shame to leave such talents behind.’

A princess had been attacked twice. People would surely think,

‘Is the security and protection of the Imperial Academy so lacking? Can our children be safe there?’

If such anxiety and dissatisfaction continued, the Flance Imperial Academy’s reputation and prestige would be at risk.

Everything had to be seen as Elmon’s failure.

But…

‘What can I do before I leave?’

After pondering this question many times, Elmon had reached a single conclusion.

“I plan to reward you in my capacity as the academy’s dean.”

“…?!”

“Because it’s my duty and responsibility.”

Declaring this with a solemn voice, Dean Elmon exuded the aura of a master who had reached the pinnacle of his field.

______________

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