How To Live As An Academy Extra Villain

✦ Chapter 114 ✦

「Translator – Creator」

𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝

As I heard Cecila’s question, I felt drained. I thought she had something important to say, coming at this hour.

“Is that what you wanted to ask?”

“…Yes.”

“Sigh… Why are you curious about that?”

As I sighed heavily, Sicella responded sharply.

“It’s because, obviously…! Huff, because the rumor makes no sense. There’s no way you would have forced that…”

“……………”

“Or could it be… you actually liked it…?”

I pondered briefly on what to answer Cecila, but then thought it might not hurt to tell her the story. After all, it wasn’t something I had to hide.

“Um… “

“You won’t tell me, huh? Fine. Then I’ll have to find out for myself.”

But today, Cecila’s patience was running thin. Even before I could speak, she made her next move.

“Cecila? What are you… “

—Flash!

The moment our eyes met, something bright shined from Cecila’s eyes like a gleam. I felt something warm and clear probing every corner of my body.

“Hmmm… Just as I thought.”

The light that covered the floor vanished in an instant. When the blinding glare subsided, there was Cecila, nodding with a satisfied smile.

“…What was that…”

“Insight of Purity. It’s a holy skill that every Saint… I mean, every significant figure in the Holy Kingdom can use.”

“What?”

“Don’t blame me this time. It’s purely your fault. You should have told me sooner.”

Cecila showed no signs of backing down. On the contrary, her audacious demeanor, especially as she turned the blame on me, was truly bold. Though just moments ago, I was about to explain the situation, her reaction made me feel embarrassed, and she averted her gaze with an awkward cough.

“…Ahem. So you’re saying you concocted this scheme to break off the engagement…? Just for that…?”

“It’s not just that. There are political reasons and some personal ones too.”

“But still… against the Hero…”

“Anyway, that’s all there is to it. Satisfied now? There’s none of that nonsense you talked about.”

“Then what about the marks on her body? It’s not just bruises from being hit… They’re from… sucking, right? That’s what Fiore said…”

“That’s none of your business. Don’t ask any more about it. I won’t answer.”

“How can it not be… Ugh…”

Feeling a prick of guilt, I avoided answering her question. Cecila seemed like she wanted to shout but soon calmed down and sighed deeply.

“So what are you going to do now…? Eugene refused to break off the engagement, right…?”

“If he doesn’t agree, I’ll have to force him to. If everything goes as planned, there will be a Trial by Combat soon. Then…”

As the word “Trial by Combat” came out of my mouth, Cecila muttered with a horrified expression.

“A Trial by Combat? Is such a barbaric custom still around…? It’s been banned by doctrine for ages…”

“The academy even has a dueling club. Customs don’t disappear easily. I’m fine with it, but be careful what you say elsewhere, especially in front of nobles who are sensitive about traditions.”

“Sorry, I spoke too harshly… But won’t you be at a disadvantage in a duel? I mean, even last time…”

Cecila asked with a slightly worried tone. Indeed, she had been present during the last spar, so she might be thinking that my chances of winning aren’t that high.

Still, It was awkward to explain the entire plan in detail. I gave a vague answer.

“Well, we’ll see when the time comes.”

“…Alright. I get it…”

Cecila let out a deep sigh. As if she didn’t have more to say, she stood up and fastened her robe.

Just before she opened the front door, she turned back towards me and spoke quietly.

“…Anyway, do your best. I’m still not… quite sure myself.”

“About what?”

“…Never mind. I’m leaving now, okay?” 

Waving her hand, Cecila walked out the front door.

“Cecila…”

“Ugh…”

Fiore, who had been sitting forlornly by the door, started to sob as she ran towards her. Cecila frowned and quickened her pace to disappear quickly.

After closing the door and turning around, I remembered the bird I had tucked inside my shirt. Gently reaching in to take it out, the bird now seemed calm and looked up at me as if nothing had happened.

—CHIRP…!!!

* * * * *

The plan proceeded smoothly. Under pressure from Cilla, the lord of Redville approved the Trial by Combat. And since Redville was quite far from the academy, a proxy and a letter of delegation were sent to the academy.

Whenever more than two students gathered, they talked about the duel. Bets on the outcome were being made everywhere, but most people were betting in favor of Eugene.

“…Edwin Reed.”

The day before the Trial by Combat with Eugene, a female student called out to me as I was on my way home. Her hair, blazing red like fire, swayed with each step. 

“…Claudia Acelus?”

The person with the awkward voice was Claudia. She was one of the heroines of this story and a scion of the noble Acelus family, alongside Cilla. However, I had almost no direct connection with her. We had only briefly met in disguise at a ball and had never interacted otherwise. Just the fact that she called my name was quite surprising.

“…Follow me. He wants to see you.”

“…This is surprising. The illustrious Lady Acelus now serves as a messenger?”

“…I volunteered to help.”

There was no need to ask who she meant by ‘he.’ Claudia turned to leave but stopped in her tracks upon hearing my words.

“And don’t speak ill of him in my presence. He’s my client. There won’t be a second warning.”

“…Apologies. But should I follow just because he’s calling? Shouldn’t the one with the request come to me?”

Claudia glared at me with cold eyes, obviously irked by my words. She let out a sigh and created a blue flame in the palm of her hand; the blue flame was unique to the Acelus family, supposedly perfected under Eugene’s inspiration. It was around that time that Claudia had started to fall for Eugene.

The flame flickered as if blown by wind and then shot into the air suddenly.

I pondered my options briefly but decided to face whatever came next. I was curious why Eugene, who had been avoiding contact before the duel, now wanted to see me.

And regardless of preferences, Eugene and his group were fundamentally uninterested in scheming.

“…Edwin Reed. Honestly, I hope you win this Trial by Combat.”

“…What?”

Claudia, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke up. When I asked for clarification, Claudia continued calmly.

“I want him to have fewer women vying for his attention. Shouldn’t a hero focus on honing himself rather than chasing skirts?”

“What are you talking about…?”

“I wish Patricia Austin would disappear too, but that’s probably too much to hope for. For now, getting rid of one lowly girl would be a significant victory.”

“…I don’t know? If I win, it might leave a significant blemish on his reputation as a Hero. Wouldn’t that also greatly embarrass you and Austin who support him?”

“It doesn’t matter. A bit of embarrassment is nothing. On the contrary, it might strengthen our bond. I can comfort him in his sorrow. Although, I don’t think he’ll lose…”

Claudia responded nonchalantly to my words and then suddenly turned her head; the blue flame she had sent off earlier reappeared and vanished upon returning to her hand.

A moment later, a blond boy appeared.

“Eugene…! Here…!”

“Claudia…!”

The change in Claudia’s expression on seeing Eugene was surprising. She walked over to him and whispered for a while before disappearing down the alley. Eugene, having seen Claudia off, turned and approached me.

“…Edwin.”

“…Get to the point.”

Eugene’s eyes still held anger as he looked at me; there was a hint of resentment as well.

However, his demeanor was somewhat different from usual. After hesitating for a long time, he finally spoke.

“…Please. Let Eugenia go.”

“I thought it was something important. If that’s all, I don’t need to listen any further—”

I hadn’t expected Eugene to use the word ‘please.’ On one hand, it was a bit deflating. Of all things to say the day before the Trial by Combat, this?

“…If she’s not by my side, Eugenia will suffer and die in agony.”

But Eugene’s next words were shocking enough to stop my thoughts in their tracks. What was he talking about? I barely managed to pull myself together to respond, but Eugene continued with his explanation.

“…This is ridiculous. The pain she’s endured so far is because of you—”

“I know. I heard everything from Eugenia. What she went through while I was away. I felt sorry, and it became clear that Eugenia really considers me a friend. So, I even thought about breaking off the engagement.”

“Why then…”

“…Dreams.”

“What?”

“I sometimes have dreams. At first, I didn’t understand them at all, but after joining the academy, I realized what they meant. What I see in my dreams is my destiny.”

I had some idea about what Eugene was talking about — his tale was segmented into several parts, and each part always began with a dream that Eugene had.

It was like the prologue of a story.

However, it didn’t predict everything. I remember it showed a single, unmoving scene like a picture.

“People always approach me like a dream. I drew the Holy Sword just as the dream showed. Dreams… always came true. The Saintess said it was one of the Hero’s abilities…”

While I was deep in thought, Eugene continued speaking alone.

“…And last night, I had a new dream. Two dreams. One where Eugenia was happily smiling beside me and another where she was dying from an illness. Lying alone on a bed, coughing up blood… and eventually meeting her end…”

“……..”

“I know I’m at fault. But… wouldn’t it be better than dying in pain…?”

Eugene pleaded with me earnestly. It definitely wasn’t a lie that he had dreamed. But… had the reality changed, causing the dream’s content to change as well? I don’t think Eugene ever dreamed of Selene…

“If it was before I got the Holy Sword, I might have been torn. But not anymore. I can make everyone happy now. It won’t be easy right away, but eventually, even Eugenia will understand my feelings. So, Edwin. Please, let Eugenia go.”

I could somewhat understand Eugene’s feelings. His dreams never showed him the process to reach the end, only the definite result.

“…Sorry, but I can’t do that.”

Listening to Eugene, I fell into deep thought. The fact that his dreams always came true was terrifying. But no matter how much I pondered, the conclusion was always the same.

His request was something I could never agree to.

I’ve come to realize something as well.

“…If everything had flowed according to fate, I wouldn’t be standing here right now.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Blindly following isn’t always the right answer. You want me to give up what’s mine because of some dreams? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“It’s not just a stupid dream! It’s real! If she’s not with me, Eugenia will eventually…!”

“I don’t know. Maybe your dream didn’t account for meeting me.”

“…You… don’t care if Eugenia dies painfully…? Were you just playing with her…?”

I rejected Eugene’s request. But it wasn’t just without reason.

I still had a considerable amount of elixir left. No matter what disease or curse Selene might contract, it could completely restore her to her original state. I didn’t see her dead, just ‘dying,’ which meant there was still time to act.

However, Eugene seemed to think I was dismissing his concerns. The pent-up anger he had been suppressing finally showed as he gritted his teeth.

Could I calm his anger? Could I guide the situation in a rational direction?

…And conversely, if I hadn’t known his story, could I have believed in the dream?

“If I told you I have a medicine that can cure all diseases in the world, would you believe it?”

“What…!! Edwin, you… until the very end…!!”

“…I figured you’d react like that. Further conversation seems pointless. I don’t want to waste more time, so I’ll take my leave now.”

“…I had a slight hope. Just a little hope that…”

“………….…”

“As expected… you…”

I turned my back and left. Behind me, I could hear Eugene muttering in frustration and anger.

Now, all we had left was a single night.

— End of Chapter —

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