The Villain Bought the Heroine

Chapter 29

There is nothing on the stadium.

No large cover to hide, no tiny grains of sand.

The only things in that space are three figures.

Liam, Alicia.

And the referee standing far away.

“….”

She’s alone.

Without any interference around. It was the first time that only Alicia came into Liam’s view.

Hair shimmering like stars. Skin as white as snow.

The eyes of a herbivore are alienated by the large sword she holds.

“Is this really necessary, Miss Alicia? I don’t want to fight you.”

Whether she’s holding a sword or not this time, Liam didn’t want to confront Alicia.

There’s no reason to fight.

Although it’s true that he needs to monitor Baragan in the Research Council, looking at the big picture.

She was not a villain but a heroine in the novel she read. Originally, she should have been continuing her encounter with the prince as the main character due to a chance meeting.

However, the current her is imprisoned, defying the fate that should have been. Being manipulated by a villain.

“I don’t know for what reason, but you are bound to Baragan. Unfortunately… to such a person… I want to save you.”

“….”

“Just one word. Just say help. Release him from the binding and let him live as a whole person. Please say it.”

“As a human…?”

“Yes, as a human. You have the authority to do so, and it’s the right thing to do!”

As Alicia listened with sealed lips, Liam focused on persuading her, trying to evoke her emotions.

The current her is bound by chains. If her own strength is not enough to break these chains, then she. Furthermore, if she borrows the power of the Academy, it should be sufficient.

According to the Academy’s rules, enrolled students are not allowed to have a servant. They cannot bring a family servant or make a low-status enrolled student a servant.

This was to minimize the entry of outsiders for safety and reduce the sense of hierarchy between classes.

“The current situation is not right.”

Baragan is cleverly avoiding this rule that also applies to royalty and nobles, by claiming that his former servant has enrolled.

Since Alicia was Baragan’s servant even before entering the Academy. She is neither an outsider nor a student turned servant.

Therefore, the fact that he keeps Alicia as a servant is being tolerated due to a sudden circumstance.

It’s the first time at the Academy that a servant has enrolled, so they are unable to handle it properly.

They couldn’t have imagined surpassing the elites who had been preparing diligently day by day.

However, that doesn’t mean there is no way to restore her status.

“There is a way out of the current situation. If Alicia says one word asking for help, right now!”

Just that one word will be enough.

Because that one fact will wield tremendous power.

If she, a student, is unjustly detained and expresses her unwillingness for a relationship with the Academy, emphasizing freedom and equality, somehow a pretext for confrontation will arise.

The authorities of the Academy, as well as the students, could build influence and gather strength by exploiting her situation.

“Alicia, please speak honestly. Tell me you need help. Even if it’s tough now, it’s fine even later. I will wait for you…!”

“Liam.”

Alicia calls Liam.

Unusual from the usual, in a different tone.

“Am I not a ‘person’ to Liam?”

“What?”

The sentence that escaped Alicia’s lips was completely different from what Liam expected.

Such coldness, anger.

Liam never anticipated this.

“When I apologized to you before, you said something like this, right? ‘You started working at Shugenhardt.’ You said.”

“Yes, but… why now…?”

“Isn’t it strange? You said I started working there. It’s been over six months since I entered Shugenhardt. It’s not a long time, but certainly not short either. But Liam, you make it sound like. It’s only been a short while since I started working at Shugenhardt. Or, you spoke as if you knew me before I started working. Even though it hasn’t been that long since we first met.”

“…!”

“But maybe it was just a mistake in word choice, so it’s okay. It’s not something I should dwell on.”

Alicia, with a somewhat surprised look, spoke kindly but with a hint of menace in her voice.

What Alicia wanted to say to Liam was now the main point.

“Earlier, I was a bit aggressive in my words, but do you know why Liam told me to ‘let me live as a human’? Somehow, I can feel your sincere desire to help me.”

During the conversation with Liam, Alicia changed her posture. She pushed one foot back and turned her body slightly to the side.

In her eyes, Liam is a very ‘kind and righteous’ person. Someone who willingly steps forward to help a stranger.

“I’m really grateful. It’s still not easy for me to recognize human kindness, but I felt your warm heart well.”

‘But.’

She changed her tone.

“Liam, you misunderstand.”

“Misunderstand…?”

“Yes, I am satisfied with my current life. No, I misspoke. I am living happily beyond what is necessary. Every night when I lie in bed. I wonder if this is a dream. If it is a dream, I hope it never ends. I fall asleep praying.”

“That’s…”

“I know Baron Doyle can be easily misunderstood. Sadly, people tend to judge others by seeing only one aspect of them.”

“….”

“I don’t know why Baron and Liam dislike each other so much. But one thing is certain.”

As Liam was about to ask about it.

Alicia, who had been adjusting her movements little by little, straightened up completely, and at the same time.

“….!!”

“It’s the fact that Liam has lost.”

⎯Zzzzzip!

With a gust of wind, Alicia rushes towards Liam, swiftly approaches him, and attempts to thrust the tip of a blade into his neck.

Alicia’s aura filled with magic, and the thick magical barrier prepared in advance reacted strongly.

A fierce battle between the unyielding sword and shield continued. Liam, who realized the situation a bit late, tried to push away Alicia’s sword and create distance, but…

Siiizzz⎯⎯⎯!

From the moment the magic barrier was activated, the match was over.

The shrill sound followed by mechanical noises once again made the reality sink in.

『5:40 PM. A-23 Arena. Winner, Alicia. Winner, Alicia.』

***

It sent shivers down my spine.

I almost lost my noble composure and nearly shouted. I managed to control myself well, but if it were someone else, they would have shown signs of being consumed by emotions.

The battle just now. Truly.

“It was more disgraceful than I could have ever imagined. Utterly useless!”

I finally found my footing to challenge Alicia, but ended up being caught off guard due to excessive chatter and complacency.

It was truly hard to believe.

It was a pitiful and contemptible battle, fitting for the pitiful creature he was. Ah, just thinking about it makes me angry again.

So, I ended up unable to compare Liam and Alicia’s current states.

No, the assessment is probably already concluded. With skills like that, there’s no way to defeat Alicia.

Let’s pray for Liam to come to his senses and perform sooner. I don’t believe in gods, but…

“Well, still. It’s not like I gained absolutely nothing.”

I could see how Alicia viewed Liam.

Just as Liam appeared more despicable than imagined, Alicia’s feelings towards that despicable sight were even more negative than expected.

⎯It seems like it’s okay to treat him like a monster.

The words Alicia said before entering the ranking matches still echo in my ears.

While there are parts of her emotions that I don’t understand, it might be a positive factor for me and could further aid my plans.

“Young Master!”

Alicia, dressed in a school uniform, called out to me from afar and quickly approached.

Then, she seemed to realize she wasn’t maintaining proper etiquette, so she slowed down and straightened her posture.

She seems quite delighted.

“Young Master. I won my first ranking match. My Katia has increased by 10 to 20 Katia! It’s all thanks to you for providing me with the opportunity!”

…Let me correct that.

She seems ‘very’ delighted.

If she had a tail like the Direk Union or the demons, it would have wagged rapidly.

“Well, well done. The match ended unbelievably quickly. It was impressive how you seized the opportunity and ruthlessly went in. You are growing remarkably and dangerously well, Alicia.”

“Thank you! Oh… Yes? Young Master? Are your words a compliment or…”

“It’s a compliment.”

Finally, a foundation has been laid to withstand the storms of this harsh world, so praising her is only right.

Her delicate and kind nature, with a little help, might steer towards a better direction.

“With the outcome of this match, Emily will join the Research Society, and Liam will not be able to join.”

“That was the condition.”

Adding Emily’s situation, of course.

If Liam wins, he gains the right to join the Research Society, and Emily can participate in all the Society’s activities ‘voluntarily’.

If Alicia wins, Liam won’t be able to join the research society, and Emily will have to participate in all the activities of the research society under the ‘control’ of the society president.

In simple terms, the annoying lad Liam will be excluded from sight. Emily, who doesn’t listen properly, can be called upon and forced to participate when needed.

Without it, she might be of help in her destined death, but there’s something she wants to check.

In the original work, something that was only hinted at but not retrieved, another value that might be inherent in her.

Rather than dying as planned for the future, the idea of checking and thinking of a better outcome is more appealing.

“Well, the grade battle must be over. Let’s take Emily, who’s consoling the insignificant Liam over there, and head back. Serena and Fin must be waiting in the research room.”

“Yes. Understood! Ah, I’m starting to get excited at the thought of officially starting activities in the research society!”

“If you keep running around all excited, you’ll end up going back with a red forehead.”

“Oops… I’ll keep that in mind.”

Alicia, reflexively stroking her own forehead, asks.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t heard the name of the research society yet. What is the name of the society?”

I answer her, looking up at her with a puzzled look.

“It’s the Student Council.”

“Oh… This might be meddling beyond the point, but doesn’t Academia already have an organization called the ‘Student Council’?”

“Well, then, just add ‘New’ in front of it.”

It may be somewhat extreme, but for now, that will do.

The top priority is to gain attention.

The Student Council is the perfect signboard for that.