The Villain Purchased the Heroine

I was certain.

Arterion would storm through the danger zone, with or without his little minions, and raid the base of Class 1 where I was hiding.

Though he seemed indifferent to everything, he was actually a fierce competitor who had never known defeat before the entrance exams.

But after entering the Academia, he faced the humiliation of being the runner-up, so he couldn't just sit quietly. This was the perfect opportunity for him to pay back for that last embarrassment.

However, it was rare for him to act unilaterally. If it wasn't related to someone special—like his old flame Alicia—he'd be even less likely to take such risks.

So, I used my video magic to reveal my location and give him a good "justification" for taking me down.

That I was the 'King.'

Of course, the video magic I showed was manipulated, and he must've clearly considered the possibility that I wasn't the king.

Yet, there he came, eyes blazing. Was he just that stubborn?

No, Arterion had physical talent along with decent judgment. Unlike that simple bug Liam, he broadened his perspective and weighed the probability that I might not be the king.

⎯Krrrl, cack!

"I understand your urgency, but please wait a moment. I'll soon grant you time to take revenge on the breed that has trapped you here."

I patted the head of a wild dog-like monster nearby to calm it down.

The creature, likely standing at 2 meters, looked adorably at me, its eyes sparkling and drool dripping. It was as hyper as if it had gotten an adrenaline shot, yet it barely restrained itself with a panting "huff" at my command.

It was so cute I almost wanted to pinch its cheeks.

⎯Grrr.

To explain the current situation, I was waiting in the forest near the base of Class 2.

On one hand, through my lovely twin owl familiars, I was keeping an eye on the situation in Class 1.

On the other hand, I was soothing the rough-breathing fifty monsters.

The shadows of the forest were thick with intent to kill.

Anger towards the human breed.

Violence and cruelty were at an all-time high.

I briefly took my gaze off them.

Then, my focus returned to the situation at the Class 1 base.

Arterion and Alicia were clashing, while Naias, who embodied me, was grinning as she watched.

Naias, who embodies me as she watches, is snickering.

Currently, Naias is participating in the Class Battle as a familiar capable of merely changing her appearance. Some of the professors are aware that Naias is a high-ranking spirit, but other students, except for Alicia, do not know.

Arterion still believes Naias is just a naive girl. This reconfirms the early plot point that he has a low resistance to illusions or phantoms.

Now, all that's left is to neutralize Fallon's familiar, who has the role of a support unit… Oh, just in time, Finn, following Naias's orders, has arrived at the destination.

Immediately, my familiar, hiding in Finn's shadow, reacted and swallowed his familiar whole.

With this, Arterion's communications have been severed.

⎯Grrr!!

In the dark forest, all sorts of monsters swarmed, their red eyes gleaming.

What was reflected in their eyes was a mix of hatred and the impulse to rush out.

They were holding back that intense emotion forcibly, waiting for the moment my permission would drop.

Yes, you've held on well.

You weren't consumed by such deep feelings.

You may be monsters, but you are not insignificant beings.

I will assure you of that.

Now, it's time for a proper reward for your patience.

I smiled and said.

"Let's charge in."

⎯Kuhhh!

As soon as the words left my mouth, the ground trembled violently.

The world was filled with cacophony.

*

The castle walls crumble like Lego.

A gigantic monster in the form of an ogre charged, creating a massive hole in the thick wall.

The base debuff magic did not activate for the monsters. They weren't human, after all.

⎯Kraaaargh!

The monsters screamed as they stormed in.

The prospective heroes shouted war cries or made bizarre sounds to stand in their way.

However.

Though they are the sprouts of heroes meant to protect humanity and even human species, they were still young.

Most of them had no experience fighting monsters or even Altipe, and those who did were facing this many excited monsters for the first time.

⎯Kyaaaaah!!

⎯W-what is this! What the hell is this!?

⎯Why is there no reaction from the Academia… This isn't a Class Battle anymore…!!

Surprise led to screams.

Screams formed fear.

Monsters are a lowly yet useful race.

They mostly inhabit dungeons, born to become people's familiars, risking their lives in place of their masters.

Unlike the violent and cruel Altipe, there are many docile individuals, making them suitable monsters to tame.

That was the general perception of monsters.

⎯This… this doesn't make sense… all these monsters… are due to one person's curse…? The total amount of mana should be impossible to manage. Is this even feasible…?

⎯Get a grip! That can't be true!! Open your eyes and assess it properly!

⎯B-but, every form of magic is based on the same practitioner's shape… Kyaaaah!

⎯Shit! They're already here. What are you all doing! Charge in!!

Oh ho, the female student holding a wand amidst the chaos has decent insight. It wouldn't hurt to take notes from her.

The girl holding this is quite insightful. It wouldn't hurt to take note.

On the other hand, the boy next to her… is he a bug? His form wielding the sword is just pathetic. Even the lagging Finn could reach that level with a few more months of practice. Just about that much.

There are plenty of guys like that lying around everywhere. Let's make sure to erase him from my mind right away, so I won't waste any space on him.

Oh, speaking of which, this guy is no exception either.

"P-P-Please… save me…"

Look.

There, a man with trembling legs has collapsed in fear, pouring out tears and snot in terror.

That ignorant noble who can't even give up his flashy accessories on the battlefield of the Class Battle.

That is not an accessory used by a magician, just a tool for decoration.

The monsters he has seen were probably well-trained and suppressed by humans. Those so-called obedient pets.

Oblivious to the strong hatred they harbor, and unaware of how the outwardly gentle demeanor and obedience come to be.

What a foolish person.

"Vargan! Vargan! This can't be happening! No matter who you are, this… this is too much!"

His ridiculous eyes turned toward me.

Though his tone was scornful, his expression seemed to plead for mercy.

A monster with sharp claws takes a step closer to him, snorting with excitement, as if it wants to tear him apart at any moment.

"W-Wait, wait just a second!!"

Perhaps this is the first time he has faced true hostility in his life.

As that intent to kill-filled gaze seems like it could devour him, he must be picturing his own arm getting bitten.

And so, he cries out in such a pathetic voice.

He keeps looking at me then back at the monster. No matter how much of a Class Battle this is, killing isn't allowed. He couldn't let go of the belief that I would stop that beast.

However.

As my interest in watching him dwindled, I turned away and moved elsewhere, he starts barking in desperation.

His voice was so frantic that I almost burst into laughter.

"P-Please! I surrender!! I give up!"

With extinguished will, another dropout occurred.

The monster that had been growling in front of him lost its aggression and vanished elsewhere.

Once the monster was no longer in sight, the noble began to realize the ridiculous state he was in.

With a face steeped in fear and shame, he tugged at his hair, still crawling on the floor.

That guy is not a king.

Maybe he's just dense, but Arterion entrusted this task again to the chosen one.

His shield.

No, not yet.

It was entrusted to a woman of strong will as the king in formation.

⎯Creak.

I opened the door and entered one of the many rooms in the castle.

Inside, there was a woman caught and immobilized by my Familiar.

Biting onto my property, a wolf-type Familiar, yet this woman's skills were not to be underestimated, so I didn't leave her to the monsters roaming the islands and took care of it myself.

It bit me, a large Familiar. I can't underestimate this woman's skill, so instead of leaving it to the monsters haunting the island, I decided to confront her directly.

She glares at me with sharpened eyes as if she could pierce through me.

It seems like she wants to curse me out for dragging this out, asking why I don't just finish it quickly.

Her mouth is sealed, unable to talk, so she's speaking with her eyes.

"There's a proper order to everything. Just wait a moment."

Arterion's shield. One of the heroines in the novel that Liam read. However, since she has no special connection to Liam, I can say she has now been relegated to a supporting role.

Osel Solus Lauga.

One of Arterion's loyal vassals, and ranked 9th in her entrance exam, she's the next strongest after Arterion in Class 2.

But right now, she's so tightly bound that even her proud swordsmanship is out of the question.

The only part of her that can move is her fingers wiggling from a hand marked with the king's crest.

In the corner lies the white gloves she had donned.

"From the looks of you holding such a heavy responsibility as a king, it seems you're quite trusted by Arterion."

This isn't someone who would charge blindly into Class 1's base.

He wouldn't have set her up as a king to use at his disposal without any impediments and placed her in a safe spot.

A move to acquire both spear and shield.

It's certainly not a bad thought.

Lauga is genuinely decent in skill, and her leadership and loyalty are recognized as well.

However, the fact that I could predict your actions is a serious flaw, Arterion.

"...."

Seeing that furious gaze reminds me of Erica. The atmosphere is completely different, but can I say it feels like I'm being looked at by an enemy?

Anyway, it's a sad thing when others harbor hostility toward me.

"I need to ensure that the audience watching the Class Battle remembers this scene clearly. So, there will be some bloodshed, but if you're a Hero, a scar or two is to be expected."

"…!!"

Despite my kindly explaining everything step by step, I still can't understand why she dislikes me so much. It's a mystery.

"What's there to worry about? If I thought actual murder or excessive actions would take place, I'd step out of the Academia."

While students caught in the ambush would automatically be out, isn't that better than dying?

"Anyway, just for a moment… Oh?"

With another perspective. While I was briefly checking Class 1's base, I spotted an anomaly.

Arterion was showing a red aura. Indeed, this will quickly knock Alicia out. Her skills have already been sufficiently proven to everyone in the Academia.

I was about to wait a little longer, but I should wrap this up now.

I approached her, who was glaring at me with fierce eyes.

"...."

As we moved closer, Lauga's gaze filled with vigilance.

Just when she wanted me to finish quickly, now that I approach, she's bristling like a cat. Such an uncultured creature.

"I'll do as you wish."

I reached out my hand toward her.