The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 74

“Would you believe me if I said it wasn’t true?”

“Sorry. I trust Adrian more since I’ve known him longer. I know that guy well.”

So you have no intention of verifying the rumor.

“Will this… affect my graduation?”

“Huh? Ahaha. No. Graduation is judged solely on test results, regardless of your life goals. We don’t consider romance or personality. As long as it’s not a crime, you should be fine.”

Wow, such a roundabout insult. If I get angry at her light tone, I’ll definitely be seen as someone who’s sensitive to jokes.

‘Then it seems there’s no need to make any more excuses.’

Let them think what they want. I just need to achieve my goals and graduate. But I don’t intend to let the person who spread false rumors off the hook. I need to find out who’s been running their mouth about me.

“I didn’t mean to interrogate you. In fact, you’re not the only one who entered with such intentions. The reason I brought this up is that you’re likely to be chosen as the representative for the welcome party.”

“Me? I just entered, how could you…”

I deliberately calculated my academy test scores to be in the middle or lower-middle range. I’m not even the top student, so why me?

“That’s why. I’d prefer if it were someone who studies hard and is genuinely interested in medicine.”

The president looked me up and down, then shook his head.

…This is getting more and more irritating. As I managed my expression, the president continued.

“It seems it’s going to be you, that’s why I’m telling you this.”

“What kind of welcome party is it?”

“Come on, don’t pretend you don’t know. You know everything.”

No, I really don’t know. I don’t care if you believe the rumors or not, but this is frustrating.

“I really don’t know… And I don’t want to be that representative.”

I’ve already become noticeable because of the rumors, and I have no intention of standing out more. Rejecting it rather firmly for a Norman, the president tilted his head.

“You really don’t want to do it?”

“No.”

“You said you don’t even know who’s coming?”

“Yes. But my grades aren’t that good, you know. I want to apply for the next Knight Order subjugation team… I want to focus on studying.”

“Subjugation team?”

The president subtly raised his voice, then immediately put on a warm, benevolent smile.

“I see. There are many people aiming for that, but I didn’t expect you to be one of them. Work hard.”

He tells me to work hard, but he seems confident that his position won’t be shaken. It feels like he’s looking down on me.

The more I talked with him, the less I liked this president. I disliked him from the start, but now I disliked him even more.

“Yes. I’ll work hard.”

“Oh, and it looks like changing your dormitory room won’t be possible.”

“That’s okay. I’ll try to adapt well.”

It doesn’t matter since I’ve lost all desire to change rooms. To catch the person who spread the rumors and to counter them, I needed information and people.

Where else could I find better subjects for discreet conversations than my roommates? Even though they ostracized me, they didn’t seem hostile, so if I acted friendly, I could probably win them over quickly.

‘Especially that big guy.’

There was definitely a sense of familiarity when he called the president “Senior Alteo.” As if talking about someone he knew.

A freshman and the medical department’s student council president know each other? Unless they knew each other beforehand, it means one of them is overly meddlesome or very sociable. Or in this case, it’s more likely both. Whatever the case, I just need to find out from now on.

“Then, may I leave now?”

“Sure. Good luck with your studies.”

Receiving the president’s encouragement that wasn’t really encouragement, I bowed my head. I stood up and headed straight back to the dormitory. There was still time before lectures started. Enough for a brief conversation.

Standing in front of the dormitory room, I could hear laughter from inside. They seemed to be having an enjoyable conversation. I carefully examined the nameplate on the dormitory room door. If I was going to win them over, I needed to memorize their names first.

‘The big guy is Nadian, the freckled boy shares my name so he’s easy to remember, and the remaining one is Cadin.’

After matching the names and faces in my head, I forced out some tears. I wet my cheeks appropriately and rubbed my eyes vigorously with the back of my hand. My eyes should be bloodshot from the pain.

It would be nice if they approached me first, but it doesn’t matter if they don’t. I can take the initiative. They at least don’t ignore conversations, so I can figure out why they’re avoiding me and plan my approach accordingly.

‘Showing weakness might backfire, but it should at least pique their interest.’

I needed to naturally bring up gossip about the president, and the only one who could do that was the big guy. However, I had to be careful not to make it seem like I was trying to sow discord or slander if I brought it up first.

Still, since they seemed to be acquainted, I thought I could guide the conversation well. If things went as planned, they would become my helpers and witnesses.

Having quickly finished my calculations, I opened the door, curious about how they would react. The conversation stopped abruptly.

This much was the same as usual. But the atmosphere was a bit different. They usually acted as if I didn’t exist no matter what I did, but now there was a slight commotion. Even so, it was just at the level of mosquito buzzing, making it difficult to understand what they were whispering about.

I went straight to my desk and pulled out a chair to sit down. Then I hung my head low and made sniffling sounds while carefully monitoring the presence behind me.

‘Will they speak to me? Or not?’

After waiting for a while, they just kept whispering among themselves, not seeming likely to speak to me first. What should I do… Should I wait a bit longer before making a move? As I was contemplating, someone stood up from their chair with a creaking sound.

“Um, excuse me…”

It was the voice of the big guy, Nadian. I flinched as if startled by someone suddenly speaking to me. Then I quickly wiped away my tears with my palm and slowly turned around.

“This is clean…”

I stared blankly at the plain white handkerchief for a moment before slowly accepting it and smiling.

“Thank you.”

“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing. But can I ask what happened?”

Nadian looked at my face cautiously. Maybe he’s not a bad guy?

“Well…”

I hesitated and then closed my mouth. Ask me one more time. Then I’ll tell you.

“If, if it’s difficult, you don’t have to say.”

He backs down so easily? Isn’t he curious? But looking at him standing there awkwardly, he does seem curious. Judging by his attitude, it doesn’t seem to be mere interest.

‘What’s going on?’

I was confused because this wasn’t how someone who had ostracized me would act. I thought there was something about me they didn’t like, but now I’m not so sure. But if that’s not the case, I couldn’t explain why they would clam up whenever they saw me.

Anyway, what’s important is that I’ve caught their attention, so I maintained my tearful state and wiped my eyes with the handkerchief.

“Sometimes… when you’re upset about something, um, talking about it can make you feel better. Right? Cadin?”

“Huh? Oh! That’s right.”

When I turned my gaze towards Cadin, our eyes met. He nodded his head vigorously at an incredible speed. Doesn’t that make him dizzy?

Sure enough, not long after, he staggered and almost fell off his chair. Thanks to Norman quickly catching him, he avoided the embarrassment of falling from the chair.

Sensing this was a good point to lighten the mood, I let out a small laugh.

“Hahaha…”

Cadin’s awkward laughter followed. Norman laughed too, and Nadian joined in. The atmosphere gradually lightened as I had intended. Feeling this was the right timing, I forced out tears again as if overcome with emotion while laughing.

The air froze instantly.

“S-sorry…”

Worried that the flustered guys might run away, I added a word. All eyes were focused on me. Everyone was fidgeting, not knowing what to do.

‘What? It seems they didn’t really dislike me after all?’

I hadn’t felt any hostility from them before, so I just went along with it, but now I was curious about the reason. It was also an issue I needed to resolve since I had to get along with these guys from now on.

“…You know.”

As I started to speak, they quickly responded.

“Yeah! You can say anything!”

Nadian came forward enthusiastically.

“Y-yes!”

Norman replied timidly.

“Uh-huh.”

Cadin nodded his head again. I glanced at each of them before continuing.

“Do you guys… know about my rumor too?”

“Ru-rumor? What rumor?”

The answer is strange somehow. ‘What’ rumor? Isn’t there only one rumor about me?