How To Live As An Academy Extra Villain

✦ Chapter 112 ✦

「Translator – Creator」

𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝

On the academy grounds, on the way to Class-C, the gazes of those around felt particularly sharp today. And the reason was likely the green-haired girl walking beside me, perfectly in sync with my steps.

Selene had her arm linked with mine, her body pressed completely against me; though hidden by the school uniform, beneath the thin fabric, yesterday’s marks remained stark and clear.

True to her assurance, those marks had turned a deep purplish-red; to an uninformed observer, it might have looked like she had been assaulted, but upon closer inspection, the shapes were somewhat different.

“Ughh”

Selene lowered her head and let out a small whimper. Her embarrassment was evident as her ears flushed red. Though she had proposed this herself, she couldn’t overcome her shyness.

“What is that…?”

“Oh my…”

I could hear passing students whispering; their expressions varied depending on the person.

Those who knew me wore looks of shock, while those who guessed the nature of the marks averted their gaze slightly as they walked by. Each time the murmurs arose, Selene’s grip on my arm tightened, but she made no effort to cover the marks.

“Are you okay?”

“…It’s a bit embarrassing… but it feels good too… hehe…”

“What’s good about this? That’s the sound of your marriage prospects dwindling…”

“…Hmph.”

Seemingly displeased with my joke, she made a huffing sound and pretended to be upset. As we continued walking, we arrived at the foot of the Class-C tower. The real journey was just beginning, and I felt a tinge of nervousness; there was no turning back now.

“…Selene. Really think about this. Once we enter, there’s no turning back…”

“…I know. And it’s fine.”

I asked for her intention one last time, but her resolve was firm. I couldn’t dissuade her anymore. As I pushed open the wooden door, the classroom came into view. Selene still did not let go of my arm.

Some students were about to greet me, but upon seeing Selene like this, they all startled and stepped back. Even those who had been averting their gaze from afar hurriedly whispered to their friends upon seeing this sight.

I moved towards my usual seat at the back. And as always, Cecila was already seated next to my spot. She tilted her head, puzzled at the sight of Selene sticking close to me. When she noticed the bruises, her puzzlement turned to shock.

“…..…??”

“Hello, Cecila .”

“Oh… hello…?”

As I greeted her and sat down, Selene silently took a seat right next to me. I was caught between the two of them, and Cecila kept glancing back and forth between Selene and me. Then, she tore off a piece of paper and began frantically writing something with her quill.

‘What happened? You didn’t hit her, did you?’

Cecila slid the piece of paper toward me. After reading the hastily scribbled note, I couldn’t help but laugh dryly. I shook my head to respond, but her curiosity remained unsatisfied.

Sqzzzz—!

A sudden pressure on the arm where Selene clung to me caught my attention; turning my head, I saw her pouting at me.

‘Why?’

I asked Selene, my mouth barely moving, but she still didn’t change her sulky expression.

Creak—!

The sound of the wooden door opening caught everyone’s attention. Finally, the person at the center of it all appeared in the classroom. A blond-haired boy entered. It didn’t take him long to notice us. The boy, who had been greeting his friends, suddenly looked at us in disbelief. Then, he frowned and strode towards us.

“…You. What is this?”

“Our esteemed hero doesn’t know manners? No greetings, just straight to ‘you’?”

I stood up and responded to Eugene’s words. Tespira’s potion was definitely having a strange effect. I still disliked him, but the boiling emotions seemed somewhat subdued. A few deep breaths were enough to calm me down significantly.

“That’s not what I mean. Why is Eugenia next to you? And what are those marks?”

“I don’t know. And what does it matter to you?”

“How does it matter! Of course, I am…!”

I could definitely maintain my composure, but my attitude towards him hadn’t changed. In fact, I consciously mocked him even more. Watching Eugene get riled up brought a small sense of pleasure. Is this my true nature…?

“…Stop it.”

Just as Eugene was about to retaliate, Selene stood up, interrupting him. Taken off guard by her unexpected move, he could only stare at her in surprise. And when Selene made her next move, his surprise turned into shock.

“…Eugenia…?”

Selene, who had stood up, stood beside me. She put her hand between my arm and hers, assuming her usual clingy pose.

“…Eugene, I have something to tell you. I want you to listen carefully this time.”

“…………”

Eugene just stood there, still in shock. Selene sighed deeply and spoke calmly, looking at him.

“Eugene. I can’t be engaged to you.”

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

“…I belong to this man now. Both body… and heart.”

I felt Selene tighten her grip on my arm. And with her final declaration, the classroom descended into chaos.

“What…?”

Eugene still couldn’t grasp the meaning behind Selene’s words. One of his friends, who had been whispering from behind, approached him urgently. As soon as he whispered something in his ear, Eugene’s face turned red with anger; the anger, now understanding the meaning of the bruise, was unmistakably directed at me.

“You!! Edwin!!!”

“Stop it already!!”

Selene’s shout halted the volcano-like rage just before it erupted. Eugene, with a look of utter dismay, muttered while looking at her.

“Eugenia…?”

“I told you, I don’t want to get engaged to you!! We’re just friends, not that kind of relationship!! Please just listen to people for once!”

“But…”

“There are no buts. I really don’t want to get engaged. And everything I just said is the truth. He already owns all of me. My body and my heart.”

“Why… of all people, him…”

Eugene muttered under his breath as he looked at me; there was still a faint flicker of anger in his eyes.

“Because he fulfilled me. There’s no room for anyone else. So… please let go of me.”

Selene implored Eugene with a heartfelt intensity. Eugene, however, was left without words, while Cecila at the next desk stared at me as if I were a villain.

* * * * *

“I told you. Your friend won’t be persuaded by such things…”

“…I really thought it would work…”

After lunch, Selene and I walked across the academy grounds together. She muttered with a tone full of regret. Eugene had not responded to Selene’s bold declaration. He had just postponed the issue, suggesting they talk about it later. Selene’s confident plan had burst like a bubble.

“How did it even come to this… He definitely used to think of me as a friend… Things have been weird since the ball…”

“The ball…?”

“Yeah… After that, his attitude changed, and I thought it was weird…”

Selene sighed deeply.

“This is such a headache…”

According to her, their engagement had already been guaranteed by a local lord. It was quite unusual for an engagement, not marriage, to get such a guarantee, but one of the parties involved was a Hero, so it was treated as an exception.

In such a situation, if either party refused, the engagement couldn’t be easily broken. They could pursue a legal route, but the onus of fault was on Selene, making the prospect of a favorable outcome slim, especially with the other party being a Hero.

“What should I do…? If this continues, I’m really…”

Selene’s face was full of gloom—it was as if all the world’s troubles and despair were etched into his expression.

“Don’t worry. I’ll figure something out.”

I had somewhat expected this from the moment Selene first brought up the topic. I knew that merely that would not be enough to shake Eugene’s firm stance. We needed a decisive move to challenge him, and for that, I would likely require the cooperation of someone else.

* * * * *

At the square bustling with activity near the academy, beside the fountain, I spotted a woman standing. Her hair fell in a cascade of long, black locks, and her eyes were concealed behind sunglasses.

She was the one I was set to meet today. As I walked towards her, I saw a young man approaching her. Judging by the academy uniform jacket he wore, he was a student.

“Excuse me… beautiful lady? Would you allow me the honor of spending this day with you…”

“Hey. Get lost.”

I watched the scene unfold with a rising anger. Without hesitation, I walked over, grabbed the man by the shoulder, and pushed him aside firmly. He recognized me immediately, and his face lost all color.

“E…Edwin Reed…”

“How dare you be so presumptuous…”

I was about to lambast the student further when the woman with sunglasses reached out, grabbed my shoulder, and slowly shook her head. In that moment, the student quickly scampered away.

When I turned around, I saw a woman smiling with satisfaction.

“Huhu. How dependable. When did my little brother become so grown up?”

“Sister. You should have driven off such a scoundrel right away.”

“It’s alright. Such nuisances are to be found everywhere. Besides, what concern should I have when you’re by my side?”

She affectionately ruffled my hair — the woman was Estelle. She had used magic to transform her hair black and wore sunglasses to disguise her presence for today’s meeting. She was the one I had sought to assist with Selene’s issue with her engagement, to help us gain leverage over the other influential powers involved.

“Sister, perhaps we should find a quieter place first…”

“Before that, there’s something I need to ask you.”

I was about to move us away from the square, but Estelle caught hold of my sleeve suddenly. She took off her sunglasses and looked at me intently; her eyes blazed with an inner fire.

“Just who is she? That wretched woman who seduced you with her debased charms.”

— End of Chapter —

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