How to Survive as a Villain in a Novel

10 – Disciplinary Committee

In the basement of the Orbis headquarters.

The waiting room, with its metallic interior, exuded an atmosphere of chill and intimidation.

[ Disciplinary Committee Interrogation Room ]

From inside the cold iron door with such a sign, the voices of the professors exchanging preliminary opinions were heard.

“The treatment for a distinguished guest is bad.”

Standing alone in this cold waiting room, I fell into deep thought.

What kind of villain should I be today?

How can I effectively play the villain?

How should I decorate the meeting room with blood so it looks hip?

You know, the usual kind of worries.

‘Would it be better to splatter more vivid bloodstains?’

While I was coming to such a conclusion.

“Are you Lee Han?”

A woman’s voice echoed.

The rustling of fine, soft fabric.

The smell of a luxurious and slightly overwhelming perfume.

Clearly, she was a woman of considerable wealth.

“Judging by your blindness, you must be him. My name is Seo Yukyung, Chairwoman of the Sunyang Group Social Contribution Foundation.”

She was, as expected, the mother of the student council president, Seo Hayun. No doubt, her daughter must have asked for her assistance in pressuring the professor. It’s ridiculous to think that calling her mother at her age for help in school isn’t embarrassing.

Nonetheless, as the wife of the Sunyang Group chairman, she seemed to be a cultured individual who knew how to play her role. In public, she seemed as amiable as her daughter.

“I’m Lee Han. You’re the mother of Council President Seo Hayun, right? I’ve heard about your reputation.”

The trick to deciphering the intentions of such people quickly is simple. Humble oneself and flatter them. After all, such people are accustomed to barking orders and giving offhand comments.

“My, my. You’re a more well-spoken child than what I’ve heard.”

With a laugh that sounded contemptuous and condescending, Seo Yukyung continued the conversation.

“Let’s get right to the point shall we?”

“Please proceed.”

“Good, I like you, kid. Listen well, this might be an opportunity to change your life.”

“What’s your matter?”

“Lee Han, if you drop out of school, I’ll make sure you don’t have to worry about living.”

“……”

“I mean with a sum of money that a commoner like you could never earn in a lifetime.”

Well, that’s just the way it is. They truly are people with no scruples. I couldn’t stop a smile from forming.

“…are you laughing now?”

“Yes.”

“…do you even know what kind of group Sunyang is?”

Whether it’s Sunyang or not,

if I get expelled from the academy, I’m dead.

“A company with some old lady serving as a director.”

“What? Ah, an old lady?… Are… Are you saying this about me?”

“Is there anyone else here?”

“You…!”

She could only manage gasping noises for some time.

Don’t die from suffocation here, ma’am.

After some incoherent mumbles, Seo Yukyung managed to spit out her words.

“You really show signs of growing up parentless. No sense of restraint.”

She even researched about my background.

She must’ve wasted quite some effort on little old me.

“Better than having parents like you.”

“What?”

“Coddling an adult child like this.”

“…?”

“Your kid will be crooked later on. Ah. It’s already twisted.”

“Hey!”

– Eek.

Seo Yoo-kyung’s face wrinkling up as if being torn apart alongside a piercing high tone.

With the sound of furious footsteps,

The deep scent of a luxurious perfume stimulates the tip of the nose.

“Do you think I came here empty-handed? You be prepared. Even after you’re kicked out of the academy, I’ll make sure you’re worn out. You must be an ignorant little brat. Once the news is out, it’s the end… I will somehow…!”

Yes. Yes, do just that.

But, should’ve received a call by now.

– Rrriinng!

Hmm. As expected.

I slightly raised one side of my mouth.

“Shouldn’t you answer the phone?”

Zing.

After a moment of skin tingling, Seo Yoo-kyung’s voice is heard on the phone.

Is she not pleased with the call content?

Her voice gradually becoming high-pitched.

“…What do you mean you can’t come? Are you messing with me, reporter Kim? Fine! I called multiple places anyway. Your newspaper should brace itself!”

She hangs up with a triumphant look,

The phone rings straightway again.

– Rrriinng!

“What? Sudden gate? Just break through…Hello? Hello, reporter Song?”

Hoh.

I was slightly impressed. Han Chayoon seemed to have efficiently severed Seo Yoo-kyung’s route.

Kuuh. The Black Cat Order’s performance is really remarkable.

– Come in!

Just at that moment, I heard a call summoning me.

* * *

As with all other prestigious academies,

Orbis’ ‘Disciplinary Committee’ is infamously stern.

Merely being expelled is ordinary, whereas an honorary punishment is considered voluntary withdrawal.

From the start, as a school advocating student autonomy, the committee existed to severely penalize when their rules were crossed.

‘This time, we’ll see the face of Ms. Jo Yookyung.’

Therefore, Prof. Emaneok was confident of his victory. Once reported to the Committee, the virtual decision of making Lee Han withdraw is just around the corner.

…Indeed, it should have been.

“Do you see the focus in my eyes? I am definitely blind.”

At some point, the disciplinary committee’s atmosphere began moving in a very strange direction.

Exactly from the point when Lee Han spread the logic that ‘Since I am blind, I did not secretly photograph.’

In fact, the argument does not make sense. He may have taken the video for money or for threats.

However, due to Lee Han’s actions so far – actions that made it hard to believe he was blind – concentrated the professors’ curiosity in one place.

“Is that guy really not blind?”

Thanks to this, the subject of the committee meeting has completely shifted to ＜Is Lee-Han really blind?＞.

A professor of somewhat gloomy impression muttered.

“Just because he has no focus, it doesn’t prove that he’s not blind.”

Despite the annoying gesture of resting his chin on his hand, his words had weight and even sparked an academic discussion about visual impairment, turning the atmosphere of the disciplinary committee in a strange direction.

Professor Lee Man-Beok felt the same way. He actively argued that Lee-Han was ‘pretending to be blind’, but he felt a bit uneasy about it.

‘I need to wrap this up quickly.’

With that resolve, Professor Lee Man-Beok banged on the desk roughly.

– Bam Bam Bam!

Feeling the surrounding gazes focusing on him in an instant, he called out to a professor.

“Professor Elpia!”

“?”

“Didn’t you have a practical class recently? I heard that student, Lee-Han, performed quite impressively in it.”

“Yes, he showed a decent performance in the Dalian practical class I was in charge of.”

“What exactly did he do?”

“He successfully suppressed a first-rate toad sorcerer in close combat using a wooden sword.”

A murmur of admiration went around the committee at Elpia’s words.

“Is that really true?”

“If it’s true, it’s amazing.”

“He barely learned swordsmanship a year ago.”

Most of the professors sent their words of admiration.

All except one.

Professor Lee Man-Beok frowned.

“Now is not the time to be surprised at such things!”

“…?”

“The words of Professor Elpia serve as circumstantial evidence that this kid is pretending to be blind! Professor Kain! Is it possible for a student who has never held a sword before, to overpower a magician with swordsmanship in just one year?”

“It’s likely to be difficult.”

At the words of the professor of swordsmanship, several professors nodded their heads.

Indeed, a year is too short a time to master swordsmanship while not being able to see.

“So, Lee-Han. Can you prove that you are blind?”

At his words, Lee-Han’s head tilted to the left.

“Why should I have to prove that?”

Are you deaf?

A slightly puzzled Professor Lee Man-Beok asked back.

“What?”

“Aren’t you holding an innocent person here and asking him to prove that he didn’t commit a crime? Even though a committee is supposed to be held based on solid evidence.”

“That’s not the issue here!”

“No, it is.”

“?”

“If you go by your logic, chairman, why don’t you prove it once? That I’m not blind. Then I’ll accept it.”

Each of his attitudes and tones had no respect, which caused Professor Lee Man Eok to feel absolutely livid for the first time in a long while.

And, as one would fan a house on fire,

Lee Han stood up from his seat and crossed his arms.

“Try hitting me once. I’ll see if I dodge it or not. Then I’ll surely know.”

Lee Han’s provocative words whilst looking directly at Lee Man Eok.

Moreover, Lee Han’s expression was akin to an uncompromising face asking, ‘Are you scared?’

– Thud.

Professor Lee Man-Eok felt as if a line of rationality was severed in his mind.

“Oh yeah. I’ll show you.”

Feeling the movement of Lee Man-Eok getting up from his seat,

Lee Han smirked.

* * *

‘This kid!’

Anger surged on Professor Lee Man-Eok’s face.

This was the first time Lee Han had ever challenged him so directly.

‘Can this rascal bear it?’

Even if he wasn’t a professor in a combat field, understanding and utilization of professors’ power was not something that mere students could stand against.

Before any other professors had time to intervene, he directly marched up to Lee Han.

And then he swung his fist.

– Whoosh.

The fist stopped right in front of Lee Han’s eyes.

However, Lee Han’s expression did not change at all.

“Hah. This guy?”

Lee Man-Eok swung his fist once more.

This time it was a bit faster.

Yet, Lee Han stood there unperturbed.

‘He knows I won’t hit him, doesn’t he?’

Once again, Lee Man-Eok’s swinging fist.

This time it reached his eyebrow.

Still, Lee Han merely stood there stiffly.

“Professor Lee Man-Eok, maybe now is the time to…”

“Shut up.”

Obviously he is just enduring it with gritted teeth.

Why is he so bravehearted?

What is he trying to achieve?

Such thoughts breezed past.

Professor Lee Man-Eok, unknowingly, was already drawing upon his power.

“Professor Lee Man-Eok!”

Someone shouted but he couldn’t hear it.

Because the corner of Lee Han’s lips perked up just a smidgen.

It was as if he was saying ‘Take a look at this’.

“This bastard!”

“Calm down, Professor Ee Man-eok!”

A fist, charged with power, flying at an incredible speed.

Only then did Ee Man-eok realize his mistake.

If he hit Ee Han like this, the problem wouldn’t be Ee Han’s penalty, but the end of his career as a professor.

‘Damn it.’

Ee Man-eok quickly tried to retrieve his power.

But.

— Kwa aaa!

With a tremendous crash, Ee Han flew into the wall.

From the mouth of Ee Han, stuck on the wall.

Blood was flowing out.

“Choking sound!”

Splatters of blood from a violent cough filled the floor.

“Goodness! What have you done.”

“Professor Ee Man-eok! Are you in your right mind?”

The professors checked Ee Han’s condition in a panic.

Professor Ee Man-eok’s face turned pale.

Anyone could see this was his fault, right?

“No. I was pulling my strength…”

He tried to make an excuse, but it was useless.

The meeting room was already in chaos.

Because another mouthful of blood spilled out from Ee Han’s mouth.

“Gul…lurk. Gul…lurk…. Grrr.”

What the hell is going on right now?

While professor Ee Man-eok was still lost.

– Screech.

The door of the meeting room opened.

“I’m late. I’m sorry everyone. Huh…?”

[PRESS]

A reporter with a yellow pass on his left arm.

In his sight.

A professor throwing a punch.

And if you follow his line of sight.

There’s a student at the end of it, stuck to the wall and bleeding.

– Click.

He instinctively pressed the shutter.

“Grrr!”

Perfect timing,

The blood that spewed out of Lee Han’s mouth thoroughly drenched the wall.