How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 95

I had quite a hard time shaking off Lady Cecilia, who persistently followed me around. However, her actions didn’t weigh heavily on my mind or feel irritating. It was merely a mix of pranks, jokes, and slight annoyance.

On the other hand,

“This midterm exam is a group project. Everyone is aware of that, right?” said Beroen Clarence with his handsome and pale face. He looked alternately at me and Chelsea with his low, sunken eyes.

Seeing him like that, I felt a strange discomfort in my stomach.

‘What trouble is he planning to cause this time?’

Snap!

As soon as he snapped his fingers, a milky liquid floated in front of us.

“……?”

All the students’ gazes focused on it, and Professor Beroen, who had summoned the liquid, spoke lightly with an expressionless face.

“What I just summoned is ‘the purest water.’”

Is that supposed to be water? It looks like milk to me.

While I tilted my head in confusion, Professor Beroen continued his explanation.

“‘The purest water’ refers to a liquid composed entirely of mana. It’s a substance that contains no impurities, just pure, transformed mana.”

Snap!

With another snap of his fingers, the milky white liquid disappeared without a trace.

“Until today, you’ve learned about the operation, application, and transformation of mana in this class. This midterm exam will test all three methods.”

Speaking in a clear tone, Professor Beroen picked up a piece of chalk and started writing something on the board.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

[⁊⁋∵A6≋∑2∱₂∝ǚ]

“This is the formula to transform mana into ‘the purest water.’”

Everyone held their breath at the appearance of yet another incomprehensible alien language.

“So, I don’t need to explain what the topic of the midterm is, right? Now, I will announce the groups.”

At Professor Beroen’s signal, I quickly stepped forward with the pre-prepared poster and attached it to the board so that everyone could see it.

“Check your group assignments.”

Following Professor Beroen’s instructions, the students hurried to the front to check their groups.

“Wow, amazing. We’re in the same group.”

“What the heck. This is awesome!”

“Is this for real? Why are the groups like this?”

From all around, cheers and exclamations, or voices filled with despair and disappointment, erupted. Of course, there were those who were satisfied with their group composition, and those who were not, but it didn’t matter here.

The only problem was…

“Hmm.”

Chelsea looked at the group assignment list with a peculiar expression. I followed her gaze to the list. Most of the names in her group belonged to students who couldn’t keep up with the intermediate magic class and were failing.

“……”

‘That bastard, he did this on purpose, didn’t he?’

Since all group compositions were solely at Professor Beroen’s discretion, I had a hunch that this was his sly and devious doing. However, Chelsea didn’t seem to have any complaints about it and soon started greeting the members assigned to her group.

At that moment, Professor Beroen’s voice continued.

“Everyone, remember, this midterm exam is a group project. If even one person in the group fails the magic demonstration, the entire group will fail.”

“Ah……”

“Failing because of one person? That’s a bit harsh.”

The students reacted differently to Professor Beroen’s strict grading method. I, too, thought,

‘What? The whole group fails if one person fails?’

Isn’t that a bit unfair?

Especially…

With that thought, I naturally turned my gaze towards Chelsea. But,

“I don’t think it’s bad. We can do it.”

Chelsea seemed more motivated than ever, her eyes and expression filled with determination to get the highest score in this midterm exam.

‘She’s really not normal.’

* * *

“If you do it slowly and calmly, it’ll be fine.”

Chelsea, with a much softer voice than usual, guided the members of her group.

“Am I doing it right like this?”

“Convert the mana here?”

Most of the students were close to failing grades, so they were earnestly trying to handle mana and create ‘the purest water’ following Chelsea’s guidance. Among them was Crollin, a familiar face from the Monster Trio.

“One more time, how do I do it?”

At his question, Chelsea approached Crollin again and began explaining each step slowly.

“First, gather the mana and then convert it using the transformation formula we learned before, and then…”

As Crollin, with a deeply furrowed brow, struggled to focus and make an effort, a voice called out from behind.

“Chelsea.”

“Elaine?”

Elaine, who was also in the intermediate magic class but assigned to a different group, called out to Chelsea. Chelsea tilted her head in curiosity and asked,

“Hmm, what’s up?”

“Hey, can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Of course. Just a second.”

Chelsea quickly asked her group members for a moment and headed to a quiet corner of the classroom.

“Why do you want to talk all of a sudden? Is something wrong, Elaine?” Chelsea asked cautiously, her concern evident as Elaine, who had been scanning the surroundings, looked at her and asked,

“Chelsea, are you okay?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, the professor keeps picking on you. Look at this group composition. Everyone but you has poor grades.”

“……”

Chelsea couldn’t help but smile faintly at Elaine’s worried expression. However, Elaine continued with an even more frustrated expression.

“This won’t do. Should we talk to the head professor? It might be better to request a change in the class.”

“No, I’m fine.”

Chelsea felt warmth in her heart, knowing she had a friend who cared for her this much. She shook her head and muttered,

“I don’t mind who I’m grouped with.”

“But still, the grading system is based on the entire group. If one person messes up…”

“We’ll just have to do our best to prevent that.”

Chelsea was determined to make sure every student in her group succeeded in the magic demonstration. She had the confidence and a plan to back it up.

“We still have time left, and everyone is motivated.”

Chelsea nodded as she spoke, but Elaine, shaking her head again, seemed unconvinced.

“But…”

“Elaine.”

“Y-yes?”

“It’s too late to change or complain about unfairness now. Even though I don’t like Professor Beroen’s behavior or attitude either.”

For a moment, a cold fury reminiscent of how she looked at Kamon Vade flashed in Chelsea’s eyes.

“Phew, but I’m still worried. What if something goes wrong?”

“It’ll be fine, Elaine. And thank you…”

Just as Chelsea was about to express her gratitude,

Clap! Clap!

“Attention, everyone!”

The sudden shout from Professor Beroen drew the attention of Chelsea and Elaine from their secluded spot.

And there stood,

“……”

Assistant Kamon Vade, with an expression that clearly showed he was uncomfortable with the situation.

“From now until the midterm exam, this assistant here will be overseeing all of you. If you have any questions or issues, direct them to the assistant.”

Leaving instructions to continue practicing in groups until the midterm, Professor Beroen then left the classroom.

“What the heck, is he really gone?”

“So we’re just supposed to work on our own?”

“…The assistant will manage us, apparently.”

The students looked at Kamon with bewildered expressions. Kamon, equally taken aback, stared blankly at the spot where Professor Beroen had stood.

“He’s got it tough too.”

“Huh? You mean Kamon?”

“Oh, no. It’s nothing. Let’s get back to practicing, Elaine.”

With that, Chelsea and Elaine returned to their groups and resumed practicing the magic to summon ‘the purest water’ for the midterm exam.

* * *

“You want me to handle that?”

“Yes, it’s not a difficult task, is it? Just manage the students and check if there are any problems. Why, is there an issue?”

“Well, it’s not that…”

“Midterm and final exams are waived, and as a teaching assistant, it’s something you should naturally do, don’t you think?”

I was left speechless, staring blankly at Professor Beroen who spoke with a faint smile. He then unilaterally informed the students and left.

‘What the hell is this all of a sudden?’

It was like having my nose cut off while I was wide awake.

Reflecting on how Beroen Clarence had arbitrarily handed over the class and management duties to me before leaving, I could only shake my head.

And a while later,

“Ugh, seriously… What the hell is this?!”

Left alone in the empty classroom, I grumbled while dealing with the aftermath.

“Am I supposed to just continue like this?”

Of course, it was true that I was caught off guard by Professor Beroen’s unexpected actions. But the bigger problem was…

“Management? Answering questions? How am I supposed to do that?”

As soon as the class ended, several students came to me with questions about magic, which was incredibly frustrating.

‘I have no idea what they’re talking about.’

The only answers I could give were limited since I didn’t understand any of the theory.

– Just follow the textbook and the formulas the professor taught.

– …….

Of course, the students left dissatisfied, staring at me with discontent.

What do they expect me to do?!

“It just worked when I did it without thinking. What more can I explain?”

Thanks to being possessed by the talented Kamon Vade, I could cast magic without understanding the theory or formulas.

‘Of course, I can’t exactly tell others that.’

If I did, I’d become the center of the biggest controversy in the academy in no time. Given my already infamous reputation, there was no need to attract more attention.

“I’m more worried about the future.”

I sighed deeply and shook my head. With the classes continuing and the likelihood of students with problems or struggles coming to me for help, it seemed inevitable.

‘Damn it. I shouldn’t have agreed to be a teaching assistant…’

So what should I do now?

Should I call Bren for extra study sessions?

Oh, this is driving me crazy.

______________

Rate us on Novel Updates to motivate me translate more chapters.