How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 96

“Why isn’t this working?”

“Isn’t the application of the formula wrong?”

“Damn it, this is so annoying.”

“Hey, let’s just ask the assistant.”

The students, continuing their group practice, came to find me once again.

“Hey, Kamon…”

“How do you do this?”

“We’re drawing mana like this and converting it, right? But why isn’t it summoning?”

As the days passed, the frequency and intensity of their questions increased. My face began to show the strain and fatigue from these relentless inquiries. How many days had it been without the professor? Twice, thrice? No, this was the fourth time.

“……”

Feeling that this could go on endlessly, I finally made a big decision.

“Hey, everyone, look over here.”

Gathering the students who came to ask questions, I began to explain slowly.

“From now on, I’ll show you how to summon ‘the purest water’ step by step. Watch carefully and don’t miss a thing, got it?”

Over the weekend, I came up with the simplest and most effective solution to this problem.

‘I’ll just keep showing them the magic itself.’

Since I wasn’t a professor or an instructor, there was no need to break down theories or formulas one by one. And since this was a test, if they couldn’t understand or follow, they’d just have to accept the points deduction.

“Okay, watch closely.”

Having found the easiest and most convenient method, I stood before them and gently closed my eyes. I solidified the mana flowing around me and focused it to one side. Then, using the application method that Professor Beroen had explained, I amplified the mana and applied the transformation formula.

‘Of course, I still don’t quite understand how it works.’

I just moved the mana around as my body and mind guided me.

And then…

Swish!

‘Wow, it worked again.’

Seeing the milky liquid formed in the air, I nodded with a satisfied smile.

“See that? That’s how you do it. Got it?”

“Wow, amazing.”

“He summoned it in one go.”

“Why can’t I do it?”

“Kamon, can you explain in more detail?”

I shook my head at the students’ various reactions to witnessing my magic.

“Just follow what the professor taught. That’s what I did.”

Not really, but who would know?

Being in the spotlight as an assistant and dealing with students wasn’t easy.

‘I might have been better off just taking the magic exam like the other students.’

It’s not difficult; just do it, and it works. But since this exam was group-graded, maybe it’s better to have the exam waived.

‘Hah, I don’t know.’

As I organized my complicated thoughts and looked at the ‘purest water’ I had summoned,

“Kamon.”

An all-too-familiar voice called out, and turning around, I saw Chelsea, who had recently been at odds with Professor Beroen.

“Chelsea?”

I responded with a puzzled look at her unexpected call. Chelsea approached me slowly and spoke in a low voice.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“Talk? About what?”

“It’s not something to discuss here. Let’s step outside.”

Though slightly taken aback by her sudden request for a conversation, I didn’t mind talking.

“Sure, let’s step outside.”

We walked out of the classroom together.

“Kamon, are you okay?”

“Huh? About what?”

With a serious expression, Chelsea looked me over from head to toe.

“What is it? What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

With suspicion in my voice, I asked, seeing her peculiar actions. Chelsea shook her head slightly and answered.

“No, it’s not that. The magic you just performed…”

“Oh, that? I just showed it to the students. Why?”

Could it be that Chelsea also couldn’t perform that magic? I remembered how Chelsea had struggled with Professor Beroen’s mana application method and smirked inwardly.

‘So that’s what it is.’

Did she call me out to ask for help separately? It makes sense; it would be a bit embarrassing for the top student to ask a peer for guidance.

As her senior apprentice under the same master, should I give her a lesson?

“Chelsea, are you…”

At that moment, Chelsea spoke with a cautious tone.

“You’re in danger.”

“Huh?”

“The way you deploy your magic is problematic. It’s quite dangerous.”

“Problematic?”

I tilted my head in confusion at her sudden warning.

‘My way of deploying magic is dangerous?’

What’s the issue?

“What do you mean by problematic?”

After a moment of contemplation, Chelsea continued with a serious demeanor.

“Of course, Kamon, you know that the way you handle mana is different from normal.”

“Huh?”

“So, even if others try to follow your demonstration, no one will be able to execute it.”

“……”

When I didn’t respond, Chelsea spoke again.

“They can’t replicate your mana output method.”

Oh, really?

So that’s why.

But what does she mean by dangerous?

At that moment, Chelsea spoke again, addressing the part I was most curious about.

“Of course, your method isn’t entirely wrong, Kamon. But if you keep using that output method, it will put a significant strain on your body…”

But before she could finish,

“Wait, isn’t it class time now?”

At the familiar voice behind us, both Chelsea and I turned our attention in that direction.

“Professor Beroen?”

“…”

He hadn’t shown himself for so long, and now he appears just at this moment. Was this deliberate?

Step by step, Beroen Clarence approached us with an ominous look in his sunken eyes.

“Talking outside the classroom before class is over? What were you discussing, assistant?”

After glancing at Chelsea, he directed his question at me, and I quickly tried to brush it off.

“Uh, it’s nothing major. We were just discussing the midterm exam.”

“And what exactly were you discussing?”

As he continued to press with more questions, I frowned slightly and was about to speak again when Chelsea answered firmly.

“We were discussing Kamon’s mana output method.”

“What, mana output method?”

“Yes. Kamon demonstrated the midterm project magic just now, and his mana output method seemed a bit dangerous, so we were talking about it.”

“Hah.”

At Chelsea’s straightforward and honest response, Professor Beroen’s eyebrow twitched slightly. He wore an expression as if he were looking at a disgusting bug and then laughed dismissively, shaking his head.

“Unbelievable.”

“……?”

“Can’t you do something about that vile and dirty mindset, Chelsea?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, don’t let your dark and ugly jealousy towards Kamon manifest in such ways.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden…”

Chelsea’s face hardened as Professor Beroen’s words escalated out of nowhere.

“Chelsea, remember that no matter how much you slander or undermine him, his brilliant talent will still shine through.”

“No, Professor!”

Unable to contain her rising emotions, Chelsea began to shout at him, and I quickly intervened.

“Professor Beroen, you’re here to check on the class, right? Let’s go inside.”

“…”

His cold eyes lingering on Chelsea, Professor Beroen finally smirked and walked into the classroom. Chelsea, left behind, clenched her fists and trembled slightly.

‘Just ignore him, Chelsea.’

Unlike Professor Beroen, I had no intention of doubting or dismissing Chelsea’s words.

‘I need to ask her properly later. It’s not good if my body is at risk.’

With that thought in mind, I took a deep breath and followed Professor Beroen back into the classroom.

By the time I entered, Professor Beroen was already standing at the podium.

‘What is this atmosphere? It feels tense.’

Given his recent confrontation with Chelsea, I doubted he would let things slide easily.

“Attention, everyone.”

Professor Beroen’s voice was cold as he addressed the class for the first time in days.

“Are you all preparing well for the midterms? Isn’t that so?”

“Yes.”

“…We are.”

With a slight smile, he nodded at the students who responded wearily, some with visible dissatisfaction.

“Good. I’ve heard you’ve been giving the assistant here quite a hard time. So, has it been effective?”

Why is he bringing that up?

“…”

“…”

Naturally, most of the students remained silent with less-than-happy expressions. No one had really benefited from my assistance.

Professor Beroen seemed to enjoy their reactions, his smile widening.

“Judging by your faces, it doesn’t seem like it. I understand.”

Nodding as he spoke, Professor Beroen pointed at me and continued.

“Talent differences are boundaries that no amount of effort can cross.”

What did he just say?

In an instant, the students’ gazes turned sharp and hostile, not only towards Professor Beroen but also towards me.

‘Why are you looking at me like that? It wasn’t me who said it.’

Drawing unwanted attention to both of us, Professor Beroen continued speaking.

“I heard an amusing story just now. Someone giving advice and worrying about someone else, an absurd tale.”

With a chuckle, he turned to me and shouted.

“Assistant!”

“Yes?”

“Cast a spell right now.”

“What?”

“Summon ‘the purest water.'”

His stern voice left me no choice but to comply.

‘Damn it, this is ridiculous.’

Though annoyed, I couldn’t ignore his command and thus cast the spell.

Swish!

The milky liquid formed in front of me.

“Wow, that was fast.”

“Is that really talent?”

“Shut up. What talent difference?”

The students reacted differently, and both Professor Beroen and Chelsea watched me with varying expressions.

“And Chelsea, do you still hold your opinion?”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Then let’s see your magic.”

Biting her lip, Chelsea nodded and began to focus. After a moment of concentration,

Swish!

She, too, summoned the milky liquid, albeit with more time.

“But slower.”

“Pardon?”

“It was significantly slower than the assistant’s. Does that mean there’s a problem with your mana output method?”

______________

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