The Villain Bought the Heroine

Chapter 28

“Our class must win. Got it.”

Louisa’s strong determination resonated throughout the classroom.

Not long after the class began, she mentioned the upcoming class competition, less than a month away.

Academia is divided into five classes per grade.

The first-year students, like this year, are divided into classes 1 through 5. The number of students in each class, perhaps due to the novel’s setting, is exactly twenty-five for the first-year students.

“Safety first. While other classes may babble nonsense, our class is different.”

There is nothing on the ground. Focus on winning more than your own body. Louisa, who was saying this, suddenly bit her tongue and winced in pain.

The space vibrated with the magical kick.

“Especially, let loose on class 3. If anyone from class 3 causes trouble, I’ll knock some sense into them, so be prepared.”

Class 3 is led by Professor Paula. It’s clear why she’s so angry without needing to know the details.

It was a bet made while drinking.

It’s undoubtedly because Paula teased her pride and things escalated.

“Of course, the highest score for a class that doesn’t win, Katia, is 20. Additional Katia may be given based on individual performance, but that’s merely supplementary. I know it’s not just Katia that concerns you. However, if you recklessly step forward to stand out and end up causing harm, be prepared.”

Louisa’s gaze is intense. She’s threatening everyone.

If you jump into the fray recklessly and end up eliminated, you might not break your skull, but at least a rib could really snap.

Currently, I have 20 Katia. Since my entrance exam score was the highest, there’s no one in the first year with higher Katia than me at the moment, but this episode could easily turn the tables.

“The rules will be announced on the day. I’d love to reveal it now, but sadly, I too don’t know how it will proceed. Annoying.”

She clicked her tongue and looked at me among the students.

I have a sense of what she’s about to say.

“Schugenhartz. Since you’re the head, take responsibility and lead the group. Prepare strategies and tactics thoroughly, and if there are any slackers, report to me immediately. I’ll straighten them out.”

Some students are taken aback by the mention of straightening them out.

Even though it’s just the beginning of the semester, it seems like they’ve already received special training from her.

I pretended to ponder for a while before slowly speaking up. If you rush when the bait is set, the fish will flee.

“So, does that mean I can assume you’ve transferred the authority for this class to me?”

“The professor won’t be able to attend the class. Judging by your words, you seem quite a remarkable fellow.”

“There’s a world of difference between experiencing something firsthand and not.”

I let out a light chuckle.

Louisa let out a heavy sigh, then spoke firmly.

“Fine, I won’t pass on the authority for this class to you. You’re the leader this time.”

Leader. It’s a nice word.

There’s a reason I insisted on a clear answer like this.

“Understood. I’ll do my best to live up to it.”

I nodded.

Hiding the smile that was creeping in.

***

“So, why are you here?”

In a small room obtained through the research society, the presence of an uninvited guest irritates me in this cramped space.

“I asked for Liam to join as a condition for me entering the research society. With the class competition nearing, it’d be good to have at least one more person become stronger, right?”

“I didn’t ask your opinion.”

“Ugh, anyway. Just…”

If Liam is a childhood friend, he is one, but not a guardian. And he’s not a mute.

“It’s okay, Emily. I’ll speak.”

“Make it brief.”

I leaned back. The chair with a soft cushion supported my body.

“I’ll join the research society with Emily. The theme of this research society is personal development, so it applies to me as well…”

“No. Get lost.”

I asked to keep it brief, but why so many words?

“According to the purpose of establishing this research society, there shouldn’t be a reason to refuse, right? Unless the theme of personal development is just a facade and there’s a hidden agenda?”

Even though his own words were cut off in the middle, he continued without showing any signs of annoyance.

The facade isn’t the theme of the research society, but rather the reason you’re trying so hard to avoid it. Who’s fooling whom?

“You’re a liar.”

“What?”

“What you said is just an excuse. In reality, aren’t you here to monitor me?”

“That’s a misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding… Is it really?”

I glanced briefly at Emily.

As our eyes met, she slightly looked away with a surprised expression.

“Your childhood friend didn’t believe my prophecy-like words. Instead, he warned you not to talk such ominous nonsense.”

Until then, Emily had expressed her refusal to join the study group. However, that changed overnight.

Unless there was a reason, it wasn’t natural.

“As if forgetting the past, you’re shamelessly dragging yourself here to apply for membership. It feels awkward as if someone intervened. So, who could have influenced her?”

I pointed at myself.

“Me? No, impossible. I wouldn’t go that far just to bring in a woman with modest talents.”

This time, I pointed at Alicia.

“Then, Alicia? No. Not her. I can confirm her every move. I haven’t had any contact with Emily since our class ended yesterday. As for Finn and Serena, they are out of the question. That leaves only one person in the end.”

My finger stopped at Liam.

“You.”

A slight crease appeared at the corner of his mouth.

It wasn’t a surprised reaction at being caught but a response to the uncomfortable truth being exposed.

Although Liam’s understanding and mine differ, there are significant commonalities.

The tragedy at Academia a year later. It can be said that we both share the main thread of the story.

The guy who is already trying to figure out my identity heard the unsettling prophecy I made through Emily. According to the information he knows, there’s no mention of Emily’s death.

However, he does know about the tragedy at Academia.

“It seems you’re quite concerned about me.”

Liam’s boldness might not be so strange. He has caught on to the fact that I am a suspicious figure, so he’s likely to attack.

“…Alright, I admit it.”

Liam says.

“In fact, I’m joining the study group to keep an eye on your actions.”

“My actions?”

“You’re the kind of guy who would do something like that at the entrance ceremony. I’m monitoring you to prevent any future incidents.”

“I don’t understand what benefit you get from moving like that. Even if that’s the case, I doubt someone like you can stop me.”

“Well, I think it won’t be easy.”

That statement implies it’s not entirely impossible.

“Boasting.”

I look around.

There are many characters in this space paying attention to our conversation. He took a step back from what he truly wanted to say.

He may seem like a completely empty-headed guy, but he’s not as simple as he seems.

Nevertheless.

“I do not approve of your membership.”

“So, Bargan…”

“But suddenly, I’m curious.”

I turned my gaze from Liam to Alicia. She looks perplexed as the spark of conversation shifts to her.

“If your guy and my ally Alicia end up together in the current situation…”

I suggest.

If Alicia wins in a duel against your guy.

“Who would emerge victorious?”

I will allow the membership.

The ranking battle is part of the Academia system, one of the means by which students can secure Kartia.

Once a month.

Academia ranking gap with opponents less than 20.

Maximum bet of 10 Kartia.

When these conditions are met, students can hold a ranking battle with mutual consent. This is an officially recognized combat within Academia, with a separate space designated for ranking battles.

“Do you tremble?”

“Ah, Sir.”

Alicia, dressed in light combat attire, appeared in the corridor of the arena.

Since the semester had just begun, they could immediately rent the arena without a reservation.

Alicia, with a practice sword on her back, had a slightly tense expression.

“As this is the first battle with Kartia at stake, it seems natural. Before engaging in combat, I will be fully focused, so please don’t worry.”

“If you win here, it will be your Kartia at stake.”

I entered as a senior, receiving an initial 20 Kartia, but those who didn’t rank in the top 10 even after passing the entrance exam receive only 10 Kartia.

Alicia and Liam both possessed 10 Kartia. The 10 Kartia at stake in this match.

Losing this match would mean the loss of all Kartia currently held.

“In case. Don’t show any disappointing behavior like hastily making decisions due to worries about the damage Liam might suffer.”

It was a concern that arose from the reasonable possibility with Alicia.

“There will be no such thing. I will show the best results to prevent any disappointment on your part.”

“Then it’s settled.”

This battle is necessary.

Liam’s current level is unremarkable, but the performance of his abilities is beyond this world.

Based on the original work, in terms of growth rate alone, he is comparable to or slightly exceeds the talent of the insane genius Alicia.

Therefore, this battle is the first step.

If Liam wins, it will be difficult to surpass Alicia’s growth rate without forcibly connecting their progress, unless she overtakes Liam’s pace.

In that case, additional manpower beyond Alicia would be needed to subdue Liam alone. This is like using two pieces to counter one of the opponent’s chess pieces.

Truly inefficient and with limited resources.

It is crucial to set this first step well for the subsequent progress to proceed smoothly.

So far, they have followed my plans well, so I believe everything will be fine.

The only thing that worries me is Alicia’s inherent issue. Regarding this, she has given assurance, so I have to believe… no, move on.

“Um… Sir?”

“Why do you hesitate?”

“After just giving such an answer, I apologize for asking this question, but even though it’s a practice sword, it’s still a blade, so isn’t there a risk of serious injury if something goes wrong?”

“The Academia medical team and veteran judges are on standby, so it’s fine. If a major impact is expected, the judges will activate pre-prepared magic to nullify the attack and stop the battle.”

“Ah, I see.”

She said there would be no disappointment, but then showed such a reaction. Perhaps I faced her and Liam too early.

As a slight sense of regret began to surface,

Alicia, nodding in understanding, muttered softly. There seemed to be a shadow on her face.

“Well then… I guess I can go all out like hunting a monster.”

For a moment, I doubted my ears.

When I suggested having lunch together with Erica, I wondered about her feelings at that moment.

『17:30. Stadium A-23. Grade 1 Alicia. Grade 1 Liam. The grade-level match is about to begin. Players, please enter the stadium.』

As I tried to call out to her with surprised eyes, a mechanical voice struck my ears.

Alicia stepped forward, turning her head slightly, and showed a bright smile.

“Young master, I’ll be back soon.”

It seems like I underestimated her.