How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 25

Inside the gymnasium, where the test had not yet concluded, many students had gathered. Among them were the members of Chelsea’s team, who had already been eliminated.

“Chelsea.”

“…Are they still fighting?”

“Let’s just wait a bit longer.”

Melin, Elaine, Lois, and Claire—all of them were waiting anxiously with their hands clasped.

“What’s going on? Why isn’t it over yet?”

“…Could they actually be fighting the final boss?”

“That’s ridiculous, but what if they really succeed?”

“No way, that’s impossible.”

“I told you, it’s impossible.”

“What’s the time?”

“If they come out right now, they’ll definitely be first place. They’ll take the lead for sure.”

Other students were chattering, waiting for the exam to end.

And.

“I wish they’d just die in there.”

“Hey, someone might hear you.”

“…I was just kidding.”

Among them were the Monster Trio, hoping for Kamon’s misfortune.

In the midst of the mixed atmosphere, one person had a particularly displeased expression.

“How much time is left?”

“…About three minutes.”

Listening to the report, Princess Francia, arms crossed, kept her eyes fixed on the portal.

“They should be out any moment now…”

She was certain they had failed the dungeon raid and were just waiting for the elimination portal to summon them.

At that moment,

“It’s impressive they’ve held on this long.”

“Huh? What’s impressive?”

“They entered the final boss fight around the same time as us. The fact they haven’t been eliminated yet means Chelsea and Kamon must be pretty skilled.”

Fabian muttered with interest, causing Kyle to tilt his head and respond.

“Isn’t there a chance they might succeed?”

“What?”

Fabian looked at Kyle incredulously before bursting into laughter.

“Man, that’s a good joke. Really funny…”

“Yeah, I found it amusing too.”

Princess Francia, joining the conversation with a faint smile, continued.

“Well, even reaching the final boss shows how talented Chelsea is. Being the top student isn’t for nothing, after all.”

Kyle, noticing Francia’s deliberate omission of Kamon’s name, responded briefly.

“I wasn’t joking.”

“What?”

“I really think they might come out having succeeded.”

“Haha, really? Shall we make a bet on it?”

“Oh, I like bets. I’m in, Princess.”

Fabian and Francia mocked Kamon and Chelsea’s chances, certain of their failure.

Fabian especially was confident of his win in this bet.

‘They’ll never beat it, not even if they were willing to die.’

But who would sacrifice themselves?

Chelsea? Kamon?

He couldn’t picture it. Laughing softly at the thought, Fabian shook his head and muttered.

“Seriously, what a ridiculous thought…”

Even if by some miracle they succeeded, could they beat the current record?

[50:10]

Less than a minute left for the first clear record.

‘No way, they can’t beat that.’

With that certainty, he glanced towards the portal.

Princess Francia’s voice, almost triumphant, echoed.

“Time’s almost up. Looks like we’re going to get the highest score after all… huh?”

Bzzzz!

“The portal?!”

A massive beam of light gathered, and a blue portal opened.

“What? The portal opened?”

As the light coalesced, a girl carrying an unconscious boy over her shoulder appeared through the blue portal.

“Che-Chelsea?”

The girl emerging from the portal was none other than Chelsea Artin.

“Waaaaah!”

“Chelsea!!!”

The team members, who had been holding their breath, rushed towards her, almost in tears.

“Did you really succeed?”

“The second team has cleared it!”

At the same time.

“What’s the time?”

Fabian quickly turned to look at the clock.

[50:57]

“What? Fifty minutes and fifty-seven seconds?”

Fabian stared at the clock in disbelief, muttering.

“They beat us by exactly one second?”

And then.

“Does that mean Chelsea’s team is in first place?”

“What?”

“First place?”

The news spread quickly, causing a stir among everyone.

Soon after,

“Chelsea’s team beat Kyle’s team. Chelsea’s team is first.”

“Chelsea’s team got the highest score!”

“They came out one second earlier.”

The dramatic turn of events led to loud cheers and applause.

The team members, still holding Chelsea, looked up at the clock.

“Wow, we got the highest score!”

“We’re in first place!”

“Chelsea did it. Chelsea!”

They shouted with emotional voices and expressions filled with joy.

“Unbelievable!”

Princess Francia, who had been watching, could barely contain her disbelief.

“How could this happen…”

Stammering, Princess Francia muttered.

“Did I win the bet?”

Kyle asked with a light smile.

* * *

“Chelsea! Chelsea!”

“Of course, it’s Chelsea. I knew her team would get first place,” the students cheered, praising her.

However, Chelsea only managed an awkward smile, forcing herself to accept their congratulations.

Then,

“Chelsea!”

Finally, the team members who had fought alongside her in the dungeon arrived.

“Mellin, Elaine.”

“I knew you could do it, Chelsea!”

“Chelsea!!!”

Elaine’s tearful face was soon joined by Lois and Melin, who all hugged Chelsea tightly.

“Guys, wait. I can’t breathe!”

Chelsea felt suffocated by their sudden embrace and shouted, but they showed no sign of stopping.

“We got the highest score, the highest score!”

“We came in first place!”

From a short distance away, Claire chuckled at the scene, prompting Chelsea to call out urgently.

“Claire, help me….”

“Oops!”

Even Claire ignored Chelsea’s plea for help, instead joining the others, making Chelsea feel even more suffocated.

“…Ah.”

Despite feeling a bit betrayed by her trusted teammate, Chelsea couldn’t help but smile.

‘It’s over. It’s all over.’

Just as she had hoped, they secured the highest score in the exam.

Everyone was celebrating together, and Chelsea couldn’t help but smile in this situation.

But then, her gaze wandered.

‘Kamon Vade.’

She looked at the figure of Kamon, who was still unconscious on the floor.

Her true feelings.

The intense sense of inferiority he made her realize.

At the same time,

‘Could I have passed the Dungeon Studies exam without him?’

“……”

It was an unintended question, but she quickly shook her head.

What was the point of considering possibilities now?

Whether they could have passed or not, they had already done it the fastest.

‘What? He said he couldn’t use magic?’

“Lying until the end…”

Chelsea let out a small laugh and shook her head.

She still couldn’t fully trust his words, but for now,

‘I’ll let it slide this time.’

“Huh?”

Kamon, who had regained consciousness, was sitting dazedly, looking around with a drained expression before staring at the ceiling.

“……”

Simultaneously, a small smile appeared on his lips.

‘He had a lot riding on this, too.’

She suddenly remembered that if he failed this exam, he would be expelled from the academy.

So,

“Ka…”

Chelsea was about to call out to Kamon, but then.

“…?”

Kamon’s face, which had been smiling faintly, suddenly stiffened as he looked in her direction.

What’s with that expression?

At the same time,

“Chelsea! Over here, over here!”

“Wait, Mellin! Don’t push. Whoa!”

Melin’s excited voice caused Chelsea to lose her balance momentarily.

“Oh, sorry. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. Just give me a second to stand up.”

Chelsea hurriedly got up, but when she looked back in Kamon’s direction,

“……”

He was already gone.

* * *

“So, they passed after all.”

“……”

The assistant confirmed Chelsea’s team passing the Dungeon Studies exam, but Professor Delon remained silent.

“Impressive, considering handling a monster like that isn’t easy.”

“They were just lucky.”

“Oh, come on, Professor. You can’t catch a monster with just luck.”

“You think they did it with skill?”

“What else would it be?”

In response to the assistant’s question, Professor Delon fell silent, shaking his head.

“You, who caught a corrupted centaur in your first year, should know better. Most people would call that a fluke.”

“Well, that’s different. That’s why I’m here, slaving away under you for my troubles…”

“What? Slave? Troubles?”

“Haha, just a figure of speech. I’m always learning and striving under your guidance for personal research and development.”

The assistant awkwardly covered his slip and then cheerfully resumed organizing the documents.

“…Anyway, he won’t get expelled.”

“What?”

“Kamon Vade. He was at risk of being expelled if he failed this exam. But since he passed the dungeon first, he won’t fail.”

Handing the paper with Kamon Vade’s name to Professor Delon, the assistant continued.

“He avoided failing and getting expelled.”

Watching Professor Delon write something on the report card, the assistant nodded and spoke excitedly.

“Wow, he barely escaped failure. That student must be thrilled.”

“Who knows…”

Professor Delon, with a curious glint in his eyes, looked at Kamon.

“Pardon?”

“The kid who’s always relied on his family’s power, now without it, will he be able to handle his karma alone?”

“Um… What do you mean?”

Seeing the assistant’s confusion, Professor Delon chuckled and muttered as if talking to himself.

“You don’t need to understand. But it’ll be interesting to see. I wonder if he’s nervous, knowing this now.”