How To Live As An Academy Extra Villain.

If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02

"This is the last time. Apologize. How dare you show such an attitude towards me."

"…No. What did I do wrong…"

Even in the face of intimidation directed at her, Eugenia stood her ground without flinching. Her face still flushed, her courage, fueled by alcohol, seemed unyielding.

"Ha…Since he's your friend, I tried to resolve this amicably…"

At Eugenia's refusal, the red-haired female student snorted derisively. Then, in an instant, she composed herself, her expression changing abruptly.

The identity of the red-haired student was unmistakably Claudia Acelus.

Although she had her back turned, Acelus' signature fiery red hair was unmistakable; that arrogant tone too.

Even though I wasn't the target, there was something about hearing her voice that instantly grated on my nerves.

Claudia glared at Eugenia and moved in very close. She then raised her arm, attempting to slap Eugenia's cheek.

Seeing that action, the previously self-assured Eugenia shrank back a bit. When Claudia's hand dropped, she flinched and tightly shut her eyes.

"Acelus. Is this any way to treat someone else's partner?"

"And who are you… Let go of me…? How dare you touch someone's body so recklessly…! Ugh…! It hurts…! Ah…!"

I cautiously stepped forward and grabbed Claudia's wrist. Her arm, which had been falling, lost its momentum weakly.

Caught off guard by the unexpected interference, a look of shock flashed across Claudia's face. But she quickly regained her composure and yelled at me, raging.

"You…ugh."

And only then did Eugenia notice me. Her eyes went wide, and she tried to call out my name but covered her mouth tightly with both hands instead.

Turning my head, I saw the two maidservants who had earlier escorted Eugenia to the antechamber, still trembling in the corner. 

"You two, go and inform others of this situation. Make sure no one comes near here."

"Y-Yes…yes…!"

Hearing my words, the maidservants instantly fled the antechamber. Until they bring the guards, I have to deal with the woman in front of me somehow.

Claudia was still struggling with all her might to push me away.

"Agh! Let go! I said let go!! Ugh…!"

Claudia Acelus.

A haughty beauty with fiery red hair the color of blazing flames, and eyes of the same shade. Eugene's second woman.

Her house, Acelus, was a prestigious magical lineage renowned for developing many original and powerful spells; though not as illustrious as the Silla, the Acelus family had also formed another powerful lineage, independent and influential in its own right.

Given such a background, coupled with her own talents, Claudia had found it difficult to find equals and had consistently shown disdain for others with her arrogant attitude at the academy.

Her only interest lay in achieving higher levels of magic, and she had no qualms about disparaging those who did not meet her standards; even if they were from the same noble birth,

Moreover, her prodigious talents made her nigh unmatched — few students dared question Claudia's arrogant bearing.

However, on one fateful day during a practical magic class.

Due to her overconfidence, her casting mistake caused the direction of the spell to be aimed towards where the students were gathered.

It could have led to a disaster, but Eugene quickly intervened and redirected the spell, thankfully concluding the incident without any casualties.

For all her self-assuredness and pride, this incident and subsequent harsh disciplining plunged Claudia into an uncharacteristic, prolonged slump she struggled to emerge from.

It was by chance reunion with Eugene later that his offhand remark inspired Claudia, ultimately leading her to perfect the azure flames — the pinnacle of Acelus magic.

This event helped Claudia regain her confidence, and she gradually grew closer to Eugene.

Realizing that there were many enjoyable things in the world besides magic, she began to undergo subtle changes in her personality: though increasingly enamored, mindful of decorum Claudia maintained propriety in public, framing her intimacy as a benefactor's mentorship.

And even after Eugene was chosen as a hero, Claudia seamlessly joined his party based on her skills.

What Claudia symbolized in her relationship with Eugene was redemption — the sight of a high-born noblewoman falling for a commoner and giving him her heart, and then wholeheartedly looking only at him, was quite entertaining for those who saw it.

However, seeing her treat Eugenia in such a high-handed manner suggests that she only showed that kind of attitude to Eugene.

Come to think of it, she wasn't on good terms with Patricia either. They were from different factions and had completely opposite ideologies, so even considering they were rivals, their fights were quite serious, as I remember.

At least Patricia operated within certain moral bounds, but with Claudia's capriciousness, one could never anticipate her next incendiary transgression. I never much cared for that aspect of her personality, but seeing it from an outside perspective truly drives the point home viscerally.

I'm not sure how Eugenia and Claudia ended up meeting here, but from their conversation, it seems like Claudia is taking issue with Eugenia's attitude.

From Eugenia's perspective, there might be valid reasons, but Claudia wasn't someone to bother with such things.

Originally, the two would have just been acquaintances at the ball with Eugene. And after Eugenia announced herself as a spirit mage, while she might have held grudges in the past, Claudia wouldn't be openly disdainful like now. She was rather generous to those she acknowledged as skilled individuals.

But now, their impression of each other must be the worst, right?

Unlike the princess, Claudia has no idea who I am, so perhaps venting her anger onto a fictional target might be the better choice.

Regardless, the two will eventually need to work together toward a shared purpose later on.

"Let go…! I said let go!!" 

Claudia continues thrashing and shouting, but I still lack certainty about releasing her.

With her uniquely warped mentality coupled with formidable magical prowess, if she were to cast a spell on us after removing the bracelet, there would be no turning back.

I turn to Eugenia. "Are you alright? No injuries?"

"Y-Yes…I'm okay…" she replied meekly to my inquiry.

"If you're able, could you please explain what happened here?"

"I don't know…I just came to my senses and that woman was there…then she suddenly demanded I apologize. I kept refusing and…" Eugenia grimaced.

Glancing back, Claudia looks increasingly aggravated and uncomfortable.

"Acelus. Isn't this enough? Look at the state of my partner. Even if you have a grievance, wait until she regains consciousness…"

"....."

Claudia didn't respond to my words. She just kept muttering something while staring at the bracelet.

And as her muttering continued, the bracelet, which had fit snugly on her wrist, gradually returned to its original size.

"Ugh…it hurts…! I said it hurts…! You…!"

But as I applied more pressure on her wrist, she stopped murmuring the incantation and glared at me with a pained expression.

So she really did try to unbind the restraints after all.

To willfully remove these anti-mana bracelets here risked severe punishment, even for an Acelus.

I had tried to reason with her just in case, but it seemed persuading her was impossible. Perhaps Eugene was the only one who can control her right now.

If the bracelet were to come off, there will be no stopping her from lashing out.

As a last resort, injuring her wrist may be necessary to….

"What do you think you're doing…! Get away from her!"

But just as I prepared to tighten my grip, someone grabbed my arm from behind, forcibly prying me away from Claudia.

A blonde, blue-eyed man glared at me with open hostility.

* * * * *

Whether he came searching for Claudia or simply crossed paths with the maids, such encounters now seemed inevitable.

And though it was irritating, perhaps this time, his appearance might make the situation a bit easier to resolve.

"Claudia…are you okay? Your wrist?"

"…I'm fine."

Eugene, who pulled me off, immediately approached Claudia and checked on her. Claudia's face was flushed red, indistinguishable from her hair.

Assured of her condition, he turned back to me with a stern look. "…You'll need to provide an explanation for this. Otherwise…"

"…Don't say anything to him. He was only protecting me."

"Huh…?"

Suddenly, at the familiar voice, Eugene's momentum died down instantly. He finally noticed the presence of the emerald-haired girl standing behind me.

"Eugenia? Why are you here…"

"…That woman tried to hit me, so Ed…my partner intervened to stop her. He did nothing wrong."

"She tried to hit you…?"

Hearing Eugenia's words, Eugene turned his gaze back to Claudia.

"...."

However, Claudia remained silent. Perhaps she didn't want to show the same side of her in front of Eugene.

Looking at her, Eugenia continued her words.

Her voice was filled with sobs and resentment, but she didn't leave out anything she wanted to say.

"…She demanded an apology for my attitude earlier… So I refused… But is that such a mistake…? To the point of trying to slap me…? You're always hanging out with those people, leaving me alone…! What did I do to deserve that…"

If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02