How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 97

Chelsea initially kept her mouth shut as Professor Beroen spoke, seemingly looking for any excuse to criticize her.

“From your position, saying that someone has an issue or danger with their mana output method is foolish and arrogant. Am I wrong?”

“……”

“No answer. Assistant, what do you think?”

“Me? Uh, well…”

Why do they keep dragging me into their petty squabbles? I didn’t think Professor Beroen’s behavior was right or normal, but in this situation, it’s best to act like an uninformed bystander.

“Assistant?”

“Well, I…”

As I tried to formulate a response, Chelsea, who had been biting her lip, finally spoke up with a cold gaze and voice.

“There seems to be a flaw in your statement, Professor.”

“…?”

“Chelsea?”

Chelsea, who had remained silent until now, spoke firmly for the first time.

“What? You say there’s a flaw in my statement? What is it?”

“The speed at which I cast my spell and the danger in Kamon’s mana output method are completely unrelated. It’s merely a difference in proficiency.”

“Ridiculous. Are you playing word games with me? That’s not a matter of proficiency but of talent. Therefore, your issue…”

Chelsea cut him off before he could finish his sentence, shrugging as if he found the situation absurd.

“Even if it’s a matter of talent, it still has nothing to do with my point. Kamon’s mana output method has a problem.”

“…”

Beroen was speechless as he glared at her. The tension in the classroom was palpable, and I could feel cold sweat running down my back.

‘Chelsea, what are you doing?’

This wasn’t like her. Chelsea Artin, who had always been the model student aiming to maintain her top grades, now dared to challenge a professor who held the power to determine her grades.

And the reason was me?

‘This is crazy!’

“Fine, Chelsea. Let’s hear your nonsense. It is also an educator’s duty to correct the ignorant.”

Suddenly, Beroen’s mocking expression turned serious. His eyes were cold and sharp, as if he were about to devour her, making the other students feel suffocated. But Chelsea, unperturbed, began to speak confidently.

“Kamon’s current mana output method overloads the mana pathways, the mana routes. Each time he uses magic, the powerful internal mana surpasses the pathway’s capacity to respond to the external mana. Hence, the speed and destructiveness are overwhelming, but there is a risk that the mana routes might collapse or fail to hold.”

“So?”

“It’s best to prohibit the current output method and switch to a standard method.”

Chelsea’s unwavering gaze and voice sent chills down my spine.

‘My body might fail?’

The pathways might not be able to hold up?

That can’t be good.

Just then, Beroen’s voice resumed.

“Alright, I’ve heard your opinion. But let me ask you this first.”

“…?”

“What do you think a mage is?”

“What? I don’t understand the question.”

Chelsea frowned slightly, confused, while Beroen’s lips curled into a smirk.

“Which mage uses magic in a completely stable manner every time? We usually use magic in combat or emergency situations, don’t we?”

“We often use magic in daily life as well.”

“And does everyday magic require an output that overloads the mana routes?”

“No, but…”

“Let me rephrase the question.”

Without letting Chelsea finish, Beroen continued.

“Why are you learning magic at this academy?”

“That’s obvious…”

“Yes, to defeat enemies, protect the empire, and defend your territory. So is this all part of everyday life or combat?”

“……”

“A mage must be able to cast powerful spells quickly and effectively in any situation. Thus, a mage must always be prepared for emergencies and crises. That’s why people consider us the ones who are always ready.”

Beroen’s voice grew sharper.

“But who can always be perfectly prepared for every situation? Do you mean we should use magic peacefully even in unprepared crises?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“Every mage endures some sacrifice and pain. It’s essential and inevitable for a mage to accept certain risks and problems.”

“But…”

“Enough! Chelsea, you are disregarding a mage’s pride.”

“No, that’s not what I meant! I never disregarded a mage’s pride!”

Chelsea’s voice rose, unable to contain her emotions, and Beroen smiled faintly.

“Kamon Vade.”

“Yes?”

“Are you saying you won’t use magic just because it might endanger your body?”

“…”

“Are you afraid of your body breaking down, so you’ll become a coward who can’t use magic?”

His continued questioning gave me a headache.

‘If my body is at risk, I obviously shouldn’t use magic. What kind of question is that?’

Only a fool would continue using magic recklessly.

But if I said that, this petty man would undoubtedly retaliate against me.

So…

“From the moment I chose the path of magic, I discarded fears of my body breaking down. However…”

“However?”

Beroen’s sharp gaze turned towards me, and I quickly added.

“In truly dangerous situations, I would be cautious. That doesn’t mean I would abandon the path of magic.”

“I see.”

Satisfied with my answer, Professor Beroen nodded slightly and then addressed the rest of the class.

“What about the rest of you? Do you think like Chelsea and avoid using magic? Are the students I teach such cowards who tremble at the thought of danger?”

“…”

Raising his voice, he demanded an answer from the entire class.

“Answer me!”

“No, sir.”

“We’re not afraid!”

The other students quickly shook their heads and responded, and Beroen turned his twisted smile towards Chelsea.

“So, Chelsea Artin, do you still believe your opinion is the only correct one?”

“…”

Chelsea gritted her teeth and glared at him in silence.

“Hmm? No answer again.”

Beroen’s mocking smile deepened as he continued.

“Of course, it’s not shameful to be jealous of those with talent. Anyone can feel jealous. But acting on that jealousy in such a foolish way is extremely stupid. So…”

Beroen turned his gaze to me.

What now? Why is he looking at me?

“Apologize to the assistant, Kamon Vade.”

“…?!”

“Admit that your foolish jealousy and greed led you to undermine his talent and apologize, Chelsea.”

I was taken aback by the sudden turn of events and quickly waved my hands, looking at Chelsea with concern.

“Professor, it’s fine. You don’t have to…”

“Shh! I am educating Chelsea Artin right now.”

Speaking firmly, Beroen looked back at Chelsea and muttered softly.

“Why? Can’t you apologize?”

Chelsea, trembling with anger, clenched her fists and continued to glare at Beroen. Then,

Clang, thud!

“Chelsea!”

Unable to hold back any longer, she stormed out of the classroom.

* * *

Chelsea, having stormed out alone, wandered aimlessly around the academy, trying to suppress her rising emotions.

A mage’s pride?

The difference in talent?

Each of those irksome statements felt like a sharp blade piercing her heart.

“Sigh.”

She let out a deep sigh and sat on a nearby bench, covering her face with her hands.

“You’ve gone mad, Chelsea. Truly mad.”

She knew better than anyone how foolish her actions were if she thought about them rationally.

“These are just the same words I’ve always heard.”

When had she ever let such words hurt her and sway her emotions?

For the past two semesters, she had maintained her position as the top student due to her clear self-awareness.

‘I lack talent.’

Whether it was using her body or using magic, she possessed no outstanding abilities or potential.

‘But so what?’

Not trying just because she lacked talent would be a form of self-deception and an excuse. She believed that she had to put in all her effort and go as far as she could.

“I will never give up.”

So, Chelsea pushed herself even harder. With clear self-awareness as her foundation, she sought the best path she could take. Not to achieve the impossible, but to reach the maximum extent of her capabilities.

In magic, in swordsmanship.

She diligently worked to excel in both fields, never letting anything slip by. Even if she couldn’t reach the pinnacle in either, she wanted to prove how far she could go with effort alone, not talent.

Then,

– You’re quite an interesting child.

Jamie Hasellion, the Yellow Mage, approached her with an intrigued look and took her on as a disciple. She muttered as if amused by Chelsea’s determination to not give up on anything.

– The Magic Swordsman is theoretically possible, but no one has succeeded so far. Yet you still want to try?

Many had tried, but no one had mastered both fields, let alone excelled in them. But Chelsea thought,

‘If it’s theoretically possible, then it’s possible in reality.’

With that belief, she was determined to pursue her unique path.

If she, someone without talent, could reach an unprecedented level, it would be the ultimate proof of her efforts.

But,

“Why couldn’t I hold back there, you fool?”

Bang!

Chelsea hit her forehead and muttered. She then thought of one person.

Kamon Vade.

“Idiot.”

He looked at her with contempt, not even denying Professor Beroen’s words.

‘He must think the same of me.’

She had spoken out about the danger to Kamon because she was concerned. He might get seriously hurt if he continued that way.

She knew he was far more talented than she was, but still.

‘What if he wasn’t lying about not being able to use magic?’

“……”

The memory of the dungeon practical test came to her mind, and she shook her head.

Clap!

“Enough.”

She lightly slapped her face and stood up. Her expression and gaze were now much more composed.

“Who can I blame? These were all my decisions.”

Muttering to herself, Chelsea began walking somewhere with a determined stride.

______________

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