How to Survive as a Villain in a Novel

17 – Entrance Ceremony

The entrance ceremony at Orbis Academy has quite the charged atmosphere.

Firstly, with the magnitude of Orbis, a lot of new students are selected, so the number of freshmen is substantial.

Moreover, it’s not just about having a lot of people in terms of numbers. Each and every one of them is a skilled talent certified by prestigious Orbis.

Just by standing there, you could feel the freshers radiating confidence and pride.

– “Everyone, please move to the empty seats! The entrance ceremony is about to start soon!”

In contrast.

I am standing quietly in the corner.

“……”

There are several reasons for this, and the most significant reason is obviously to hide from Ryu Seo-ah’s gaze.

She, undoubtedly, is a person who loathes me and she would certainly consider me to be her father’s nemesis.

‘There is no benefit to being caught in her view at this moment.’

Seeing me would likely shake her mental stability.

‘That’s not good.’

In the event that happens soon, she needs to shine so that things would be easier for me.

Anyway, is it about to start already?

For the sake of saving time, I activated my heart that was turned off.

– “The entrance ceremony has started! Please fill the remaining seats quickly! We don’t have enough room!”

To the organizer’s words, murmurs of complaints could be heard, like “We’re in an open area; we should spread out more.”, “If it’s going to be like this, why have it outside?” among the new students who change their complaints as soon.

From a group approaching my area, one person suddenly pointed out to a friend.

“Hey. That’s him.”

“Hmm?”

“That’s Lee Han. Let’s go somewhere else. Quickly.”

“Why does a re-entrant come to the entrance ceremony? It’s so unlucky.”

Children sneaking away from the area.

Hmm.

[‘Malice’ has been collected.]

I actually feel better.

It would have been great if they came closer and insulted me.

Unfortunately, the surrounding area filled up with either friendless kids or those unaware of the rumors.

– “The boundary will be activated! Please be careful!”

With the cry of the organizer, a large dome-shaped transparent wall surrounds the outdoor event venue. A gigantic boundary, almost the size of a soccer field.

Freshmen’s eyes widen at the sight.

“…Is this exactly what Orbis is?”

“Wowww!”

Really now, where else would you see something like this?

If not in a battlefield, it’s simply a waste of magic force.

There even arose kids who applauded and hollered over the overwhelming display of magical power.

What those looks appeared like to me…

‘Idiots.’

It looks like chicks frantically clapping about. What to do with these adorable newbie Orbis?

That’s the barrier meant to cage you guys in.

Orbis isn’t such a leisurely place.

This is said to be the starting point of some event.

Now it’s going to get started.

How will they serve up the sense of terror?

I focused on the proceedings of the event with curiosity.

‘Before we proceed with the actual matriculation ceremony, we would like to inform you…’

A loud voice echoed throughout the barrier.

The growing heat in the venue.

‘We sincerely celebrate all of our freshmen who have enrolled, and we will mention a few rules that you must be aware of.’

But the enthusiasm shrank rapidly with the word ‘rules.’

“Ah. I was really looking forward to it.”

“Ugh. It’s already so boring.”

“I’m sleepy. So sleepy.”

“All entrance ceremonies are the same anyway.”

At those words, I accidentally let out a snort of laughter.

Why wouldn’t it be the same?

Listen carefully, kids.

‘Also, between 4am to 5am, we beg you to refrain from entering or exiting the first basement of the auxiliary building. We should remind you beforehand that if the regulations mentioned aren’t adhered to, Orbis holds no responsibility.’

Everyone is just listening with one ear and letting it out the other due to lack of interest. Only kids who kept their ears open out of boredom sensed that something was off.

“… Hey. Are the rules a bit weird?”

“Huh? What is it? I didn’t hear.”

“No. What is this… It feels like it’s more creepy than a rule.”

‘Additionally, there are no open-air venues in our school. If you are currently attending an event in an open-air venue, please leave the venue immediately. Leave… leave… leave.’

The broadcast began to stutter as though it were broken.

This is a bit creepy.

‘Outdoor… venues… leave… leave…!’

Only then did freshmen start focusing on the broadcast.

Gradually, fear spread throughout the venue.

“Is the broadcast broken?”

“What… What is it? Isn’t this an open-air venue?”

“What the hell.”

With no room for confusion, a deafening noise pours forth.

– Screech!

– Emergency.. evacuation immediately… #$!(@#

The terror peaks.

“Arghhh!”

“Runnn!”

– Evacuate…

– …….

Fear quickly spreads, everyone thrown into chaos. Everyone begins to sprint towards the barrier, using their powers.

“……”

Well, as for me.

I was already near the barrier, so I had no need to run.

This is the leisure of a first-class villain.

Just as all the students were crowded on the outskirts of the barrier.

– Boom

A giant golem rises from the centre of the event ground.

– “Ahhhhh!”

– “Open it!”

I watched this whole scene with my arms crossed.

“Oh.”

I can’t help but express admiration.

“This is indeed a blockbuster production.”

It is the start of the ＜Freshman Entrance Exam＞.

* * *

The barrier confinements for students.

The chilling broadcast.

The screams of flustered students.

The golem that emerged as the pinnacle of the spectacle.

Surprising, but all of this is a deliberate production by Orbis.

“Crack!”

“Boom! Open the door! Open the barrier!”

The freshman students might be flustered but if you look closely, that golem doesn’t have any power. In fact, if you’re at the level of an Orbis freshman, you could defeat an enemy stronger than that.

It is just that they are engulfed in fear and confusion.

Orbis is an academy that strictly focuses on practical skills.

To Orbis, practical abilities mean skills and crisis management.

Of course, you can improve your skills through a variety of curriculum. However, the skills needed for crisis management can’t be increased merely through lessons.

That’s where the ‘surprise events’ came in as the solution.

The aim of these ‘surprise events’ is to train the students’ ability to handle a crisis by continually surprising them in various ways.

The ‘Giant Golem’, that was played out in front of them, is also part of these surprise events.

To put it precisely, shall we call it an ＜Admission Ceremony Surprise Test＞ intended to evaluate the crisis management ability of freshmen?

And sure enough.

Every group inevitably has outliers that deviate from the universal norm.

In one corner, a red light flashed in a straight line.

― Kwaang!

Blasting off one of the Golem’s wrists.

“……”

The sudden occurrence enveloped the room in silence.

All eyes were drawn to the direction where the magic was cast.

Red hair fluttering in the shockwave.

“What is it, Ryu Seo Ah?”

“Why suddenly provoked the Golem… huh?”

“Wait, I think that golem isn’t filled with mana?”

Someone exclaimed.

“They said there are many surprise events in Orbis. Might be one of those.”

If that’s the case, this is an evaluation!

Finally, the students who turned their heads rushed towards the golem.

Usually, whoever acts first in these situations tends to receive a better evaluation.

Some quick-witted ones might have thought,

‘Would they have brought a golem so strong it could kill people?’

It’s an obvious point.

No matter how important it is to surprise the students, it is not permissible to hurt or kill them.

― Paang!

― Kwagagagagang!

The newly joined kids started to hit the golem without hesitation.

Well, that’s the thing about golems.

If it doesn’t contain mana in its core, it’s just a good old sandbag.

That’s the safety feature of this ＜Admission Ceremony Surprise Test＞.

‘The problem is…’

There’s a trap hidden.

In this surprise event.

Too easy to utilize maliciously.

For instance, like this.

Let’s say you planned an event to surprise your friend on his birthday by throwing cake on his face. But what if someone hides something sharp in the cake?

‘Uh-uh. So cruel.’

If you can only obtain information about the surprise event in advance, it’s too good to exploit maliciously.

Like a knife hidden in a surprise party cake.

There is a horrifying mechanism hidden that could sweep away all the fledglings who recklessly charged the golem at once.

― Tting!

[Accurate Judgment! A quest will be given.]

[ Scenario Quest: Destroy the Golem’s ‘Contaminated Core’ ]

◆ An unidentified force, alerted by sudden events, has contaminated the golem’s core. Destroy the contaminated core.

◆ Reward: ???

“Just as I thought.”

What am I doing, knowing this fact?

“……”

I’m watching from afar.

‘I can destroy the golem’s core anytime I want.’

I knew this quest would come up. I’ve already made some preparations.

‘But the problem is’

I can’t perform in a place with so many eyes watching.

The golem is currently perceived as a clear 『evil』.

If I handle that golem, it will be judged as an unconditional ‘good deed’. There are eyes other than mine here. This means getting a penalty due to the quest resolution and the ‘Dignity of a Villain’. Damn dilemma.

As I was pacing anxiously,

“!”

Ryuseo, floating above the golem, is staring directly at me.

Oh no. Have I been caught?

I was well hidden among the people… Never mind.

Everyone went to destroy the golem.

The light in Ryuseo’s eyes turning pale.

Her skin prickles with rage and hostility.

A message pops up simultaneously.

[ ＜!＞ ‘Evil’ has been clearly collected. ]

Ah.

An idea flashes in my mind.

A scheme to resolve the quest without incurring a penalty for the villain’s dignity.

‘This should work.’

– Smirk

I respond to Ryuseo’s passionate gaze with a villainous smile.