How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 48

“Kamon!”

Professor Phelan, who had been watching, couldn’t help but shout out.

“……?”

Dean Elmon turned his gaze, bewildered by Phelan’s sudden outburst. At that moment, someone quickly approached the host on stage and whispered something in their ear.

Then.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome with a round of applause. Here comes the student who prepared this magic demonstration, Kamon!”

The host’s quick thinking smoothly continued the sudden situation.

“And now, the presentation will start with the magic demonstration. Also, don’t forget that today’s magician is a first-year student at our academy, known as a prodigy. Kamon, please come up on stage!”

With the host’s flowing voice, some researchers unconsciously began to applaud.

“Quite an impressive production. It’s captivated everyone’s attention.”

“What good is a production? We’re here to see research results.”

“Haha, let’s not be so harsh. After all, a magic demonstration is part of the research presentation.”

“But such a noisy display isn’t exactly pleasant. It feels like our magic research is being reduced to mere entertainment.”

The audience was divided into those who followed Professor Phelan and those who did not, exchanging their opinions.

Soon after, however.

“So, the magic this student will perform is the ‘Nine Rings of Fire’, right?”

“Yes, it’s the part I’m most looking forward to.”

“But that student’s name, it sounds very familiar…”

As someone muttered this, another who knew Kamon Vade’s identity shouted in a cold tone.

“Isn’t he the infamous perpetrator of the attempted assassination on the princess? The eldest son of the Vade Marquis family, who was expelled from his house.”

“Oh, the so-called magic prodigy…”

“Prodigy? He’s just a criminal.”

Kamon Vade’s notoriety seemed to be well-known among these VIPs and other researchers, leading to unfavorable judgments.

“Whoever chose such a problematic student for the magic demonstration also has issues.”

“……Nothing’s happened yet, but if something does go wrong, they will have to take responsibility.”

Of course, the true target of their words was not just a mere student like Kamon Vade. It was aimed at the head of the Flance Imperial Academy’s magic department and chief professor, Phelan Xavier.

“……”

However, amid the noisy situation, one person remained silent, only watching the stage.

‘Nine Rings of Fire.’

The one responsible for all this. One of the Seven Tables and the master of the magic tower ‘Glagos’, Saviel Partizan, silently repeated the name of the magic in his mind.

It was a very simple yet highly destructive and straightforward magic.

‘The significant amount of mana required is one issue, but more than that, it needs delicate control, sustained effort, and mental strength.’

Thus, unlike typical high-level magic, it wasn’t that the magic itself was difficult or complex, but rather the casting was tricky. Even apprentice magicians who had just entered the magic tower were often hesitant to cast the ‘Nine Rings of Fire’.

‘And a mere student is going to show this? I don’t know how well-prepared he is, but I’ll watch closely with my own eyes.’

“Please, don’t disappoint me, Phelan Xavier.”

Though people didn’t know it yet, Saviel Partizan, who once called Phelan his disciple, slowly turned his gaze to the student appearing at the entrance, Kamon Vade.

‘And if there really is a student who can successfully perform that magic, that would also be intriguing.’

***

‘W-what is this all of a sudden?’

I was taken aback by the barrage of stares directed at me the moment I rushed through the door. I was further shaken by the host’s call and the reactions around me.

“Well, this is…”

Though I had rushed madly for three days to get to the academy on time, it seemed I made it without being late.

‘What an amazing timing.’

I never imagined I’d arrive precisely when I was supposed to do something. This felt more like a scene from a movie or drama.

“Kamon, what are you doing? Please come up on stage.”

With the host’s repeated request, I had no choice but to step onto the stage.

Thud!

For some reason, my footsteps echoed loudly in my ears.

“……”

With all eyes on me, and remembering that most of them belonged to the magic community, I couldn’t help but feel stifled.

“Phew, let’s get a grip.”

Shaking my head to refocus, I looked at the ‘Orb’ in my hand.

‘I’ve done all the preparation I can.’

I memorized the magic formulas and methods, and I had obtained the ‘Orb’ that allowed me to use mana. Though more time to catch my breath would have been nice, wishing for that now would be greed.

‘Even with more time, there wouldn’t be much else I could do.’

Of course, I might have practiced a few more times. But whether this succeeds or fails…

Now, I should only focus on casting the magic.

With my thoughts organized, I began to recall the formula and application method of the ‘Nine Rings of Fire’ that I had memorized tirelessly.

‘To form a ring of mana, I need to control the mana flow. If I can shape the rotating flow, the ring’s form will follow my imagination…’

Once I succeeded in creating one ring, I could slowly create the next and then another.

“……Let’s do this.”

Nodding firmly, I removed the gloves covering my hands.

One thing I discovered on the way here was that the ‘Orb’ needed direct skin contact to work.

Thus, with bare hands holding the ‘Orb’, I closed my eyes and concentrated.

Woooooong.

“Ugh!”

As if in response to my actions, the ‘Orb’ began to absorb mana.

With my eyes closed, I started to sense the flow according to the theory written in the book.

Around the center of my chest, slightly to the right of my heart, something was flowing.

‘Is this the flow of mana?’

Finally feeling the flow of mana, I began to focus.

And soon.

Ssshing!

‘Oh?!’

I could sense the mana flow that had been heading to the ‘Orb’ slightly tremble at my fingertips.

Though it was only a fleeting moment, I noticed a change and concentrated even more.

Eventually, the unidirectional mana began to slowly change its direction according to my will.

‘Got it!’

Having finally induced a change in the flow, I started shaping it into a circular form around the ‘Orb’ as I had memorized.

A round, fiery ring in my imagination. Thick, powerful, and emitting intense flames.

‘It has to be bigger and thicker than the rings in a circus that lions jump through.’

“……!”

Suddenly, the mana flowing towards the ‘Orb’ began to rush like crazy.

At that moment.

“It’s a ring of fire!”

I heard someone’s brief exclamation.

But I didn’t stop there.

‘One isn’t enough. The magic I need to cast is the Nine Rings of Fire.’

As I imagined nine rings in my mind and focused,

Swooooosh!

It felt as if my entire body was being pulled into the ‘Orb’.

“Huh!”

Feeling as though all my strength was being drained,

“It’s really nine rings of fire!”

“But are those fire rings normally that big and thick?”

Amid the astonished voices, I opened my eyes wide.

Right in front of me were…

Whoosh!

Nine huge, perfectly formed rings of fire, much larger and more impressive than I had imagined, burning intensely while connected.

Looking at them, I muttered without realizing it.

“I, I created this?”

Kamon Vade, no, Kang Hyunsoo’s first created magic.

It was the ‘Nine Rings of Fire’.

***

“……”

“……”

Despite the tremendous magic displayed before them, the audience remained silent, not easily opening their mouths.

The nine rings of fire adorning the stage were significant for many reasons.

At that moment.

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

“He really succeeded.”

The applause breaking the silence came with the voice of Saviel, the master of the magic tower.

Perhaps due to his reaction, others began to speak up one by one.

“Indeed. I can’t believe this is possible…”

“I’ve never seen such thick fire rings in my life. And to think a mere student created them.”

“He’s a freshman, too.”

With someone adding this information, others’ mouths gaped open in astonishment.

As the chatter grew, Saviel quietly whispered to Dean Elmon.

“Dean Elmon.”

“Yes, Master of the Tower. What is it?”

“What was the name of the student who performed the magic earlier?”

“It’s Kamon. He used to be the eldest son of the Vade Marquis family but was expelled and lost his name.”

“Ah, expelled from his family?”

Dean Elmon could somewhat grasp Saviel’s intention from his intrigued tone.

“He is an exceptionally talented individual with great potential in magic. However, he has some issues with his character and behavior, making it challenging to guide him at the academy.”

“Haha, if he has the skills, character flaws shouldn’t be a big problem, right?”

“Still, he is a student at our Imperial Academy, so we must do our best to teach him. If the opportunity arises, I’ll introduce him to you personally, Master Xavier.”

“Introduce him? There’s no need. Just…”

Saviel smiled faintly and shook his head at Dean Elmon’s suggestion.

He then pulled something from his pocket and handed it to the dean.

“If you get a chance, please give this to the student.”

“This, this is?”

Dean Elmon’s pupils widened at the sight of the small pendant emitting a blue glow.

“Such a precious item,

how could you give this to a mere student?”

“If a young mage, not yet twenty, can perfectly cast the ‘Nine Rings of Fire’, he certainly deserves to meet me.”

The pendant given by Saviel Partizan, one of the Seven Tables and master of the magic tower ‘Glagos’, was a kind of invitation, granting the holder the right to visit and have a private audience with him.

“Then I’ll see you at the banquet later, Dean Elmon.”

With his business concluded, Saviel Partizan left, while Dean Elmon stood there, dazed, holding the pendant he had received.