The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 75

Wait. Come to think of it, didn’t Adrian say something strange too? I was too flustered then to think deeply about it, but… What did he say? I couldn’t remember exactly since I had only half-heard it, but when I asked how he knew I was a new medical student, I think he said something about me “lacking self-awareness.”

So this wasn’t just a day or two old.

‘No, I really don’t understand. How long has it been since I enrolled? What’s all this fuss about?’

If I hadn’t met the president, I would have been going around without knowing anything. He’s an unpleasant guy, but he ended up being helpful. Which made me even more annoyed.

‘I’ll solve everything.’

And I will have the academy life I wanted. A peaceful life watching over and supporting Luwen.

“…You mean, there’s more than one rumor about me?”

I looked at them with a shocked face. They visibly panicked, and Norman and Cadin simultaneously looked at Nadian. At this behavior of passing the buck, I also stared at the big guy.

“Uh, well. If you can call it a rumor.”

Nadian scratched his cheek, looking troubled.

I need to press this guy. I stood up from my chair and grabbed the big guy’s arm, acting as if I was pleading.

“Please. Tell me.”

He froze for a moment and swallowed hard.

“Well… it’s not much really.”

No way. I’ve heard something, so how can it not be much?

“There was a rumor going around that a really pre-pretty new student had entered the medical department. That’s you, No-Norman.”

…This is a different kind from what I expected? I caught people’s attention from the moment I enrolled? No, there are many handsome and pretty people in the academy. So why just me? The vice president herself was a cute beauty, and Adrian wasn’t bad either. Not to mention Luwen.

‘There should be many, especially in the swordsmanship department… Ah. Is it because I’m in the medical department? Is that why I stood out?’

Whatever the case, it means I couldn’t stay quiet from day one. I felt deflated at this belated realization.

“I didn’t know… What else?”

Let’s move on from this for now, since it’s not something I can control, and it’s not malicious content. What else is there? Spit it out.

“You might feel bad hearing this, but I think it’s good for you to be aware, so I’ll tell you.”

Ah, it seems like the content I know is about to come out. But what does he mean by being aware? Is he telling me to be careful? Does that mean he believes the rumor too?

‘I should try to clear up the misunderstanding, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll need to find another card to play.’

While I was quickly thinking, the big guy opened his mouth.

“There’s a rumor going around that you’re easy to seduce because you’re a commoner. I think it’s better if you don’t stay alone with strangers…”

“Huh?”

“S-sorry. Was I being too presumptuous?”

“No, that’s not it. Is that… content correct? Not the opposite?”

“Huh? The opposite?”

The big guy rolled his eyes, seemingly not understanding what I was saying.

“I don’t know. What do you mean by the opposite?”

What’s this? Is this a brand new, hot-off-the-press rumor? One that only a few people know, not even having reached the big guy’s ears yet? Or…

‘Could it be a rumor that bastard president is about to spread from now on?’

I needed to confirm which it was.

“I, what I heard was… that I enrolled to se-seduce people…”

“What? No. There’s been no such talk at all.”

The big guy waved his hands frantically, seemingly surprised.

“But, you might not have heard it yet. I definitely heard it…”

“It’s a bit awkward to say this myself, but I have a lot of close friends. Including senior students. There’s no rumor I wouldn’t know about.”

The big guy thumped his chest confidently. His confidence was trustworthy, but I still couldn’t be certain. I needed to know exactly, as I planned to deal with whoever spread the rumor. I couldn’t go after an innocent person.

“…I thought you guys were keeping your distance because you believed that rumor-“

“No!”

“Gasp, absolutely not!”

“Whoa, you misunderstood. No, no.”

They cried out urgently before I could finish my sentence.

“Then why…”

“Well, um.”

The big guy scratched his head vigorously. Then he turned his head as if seeking help from the others, but they all avoided his gaze. Finally, Nadian sighed deeply and opened his mouth.

“Come to think of it, it’s understandable that Norman would misunderstand. We did that because… you were intimidating.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. You seemed like someone from a different world than us… I guess we felt intimidated. We couldn’t approach you comfortably.”

They weren’t ostracizing me, but were being cautious? …Come to think of it, it did seem that way. Why didn’t I notice? Have I been living without paying much attention to other people’s feelings and emotions?

“I’m not that kind of person…”

“I know. Seeing you today, you seem just like us.”

Nadian smiled brightly. Thanks to showing an emotionally vulnerable side, his internal affinity towards me seemed to have increased unintentionally.

“But where did you hear that story? Didn’t you go to the student council room?”

Unexpectedly, the big guy steered the conversation at the right moment. As we returned to the original topic, I shook my head hurriedly, acting as if I had been caught off guard.

“Ah, no.”

“No way. Judging by your surprise, it seems true? Who was there? There are only a few people in the student council room. Who was it? Who said such nonsense?”

Yes. Actually, you’re right. Thanks for following along so well, big guy.

“That person must have misunderstood too. If I explain properly next time, they’ll surely clear up the misunderstanding.”

“That person? Did they say something to you even after you explained?”

Both earlier when he changed the subject and now, the big guy was quick-witted. I thought he might miss the hints I threw, but he caught on well. Moreover, he seemed to have a strong sense of justice, getting angry on my behalf.

“Why did they tell such an unpleasant rumor directly to the person involved in the first place? I don’t understand that either.”

That’s exactly what I’m saying. I think we could become good friends. Let’s get along well.

“Well… No, it’s nothing. I just need to study hard. They misunderstood because my grades aren’t good…”

“What? That’s even more wrong! What nonsense are you talking about? You were crying because you were upset. Who is it? Can I ask the senior directly if you don’t tell me? I don’t think someone like that should be in the student council.”

Wow. I like this big guy. To think he’d mention the president.

“Senior…? Could it be the president?”

“Yeah. I told you I’m close with the seniors, right? If Senior Alteo knew there was such a rude person among the student council executives, he’d probably be ashamed.”

He absolutely doesn’t think it’s the president. I wonder what kind of face the president showed in front of the big guy to earn such trust.

But this is even better. Either way, whether the big guy believes him or me, it will help me find the answer I want. If he trusts the president, he’ll look for evidence to clear his name and explain, and if he believes me, he’ll likely step up to put an end to the rumor.

All that was left was to firmly let the big guy know who had said such things to me. I hurriedly grabbed him.

“No! Don’t tell them. I’ll, I’ll just solve it myself. I just need to study. It’s because I’m stupid, if I work hard it’ll be fine.”

The big guy’s face suddenly hardened. He opened his mouth as if he had eaten something wrong and frowned.

“Don’t tell me… the ‘them’ you mentioned is the president?”

“Ah, no? I said it’s not. Let’s end this conversation here. Please…”

I hung my head, gripping his hand tightly. I heard a sigh from above. If he pushes me away, it would mean he’s on the president’s side. If that’s the case, I just hope he pushes gently. There’s a chair and desk behind me, so I might get hurt if he’s not careful.

‘I can’t get hurt because Luwen would worry if I get injured.’

I was determined to at least protect the visible parts of my body. But the big guy didn’t push me away.

‘Is he on my side?’

Still, I remained tense just in case. If I let my guard down and fall, I could get seriously hurt.

The other kids were quiet too, seemingly watching the big guy’s reaction. After a prolonged silence where only breathing could be heard, Nadian spoke in a calm, settled voice.

“The president isn’t someone who would do that without reason.”

Oh no. I quickly raised my head and agreed with his words.

“You’re right. I know that too. It’s all my fault. It’s my fault-“

“It’s not your fault either.”

“…Huh?”

Nadian tried to smile. Although he looked visibly confused, not understanding the situation, he still tried to smile. It was clumsy, but it seemed like an attempt to calm me down.

“It seems like someone with bad intentions is trying to slander you. I really haven’t heard such a rumor. But if the president knows about it, the culprit must be someone close by. I’ll look into it.”

As he spoke, it seemed like he came to a conclusion, his voice becoming firmer towards the end. His belief hadn’t been shaken.

…Is he the type who doesn’t easily waver once he trusts someone? I didn’t expect him to choose the option of believing both me and the president.