How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 56

“That’s it for today.”

At Professor Beroen Clarence’s words, I let out a deep sigh of relief as the anxiety that had gripped me eased.

‘Phew, thank goodness.’

Not only did I not understand any of the alien words thrown around during the entire class, but I also felt suffocated, constantly wary of Professor Beroen and Chelsea’s reactions.

Of course, I don’t necessarily need to care about them.

‘Still, a person should have some sense of decency. I feel like they lost points because of me.’

That thought made me feel uncomfortable every time I saw Chelsea.

Anyway, now that the class is over, I should leave quickly…

“Kamon Vade.”

At that moment, Professor Beroen’s voice startled me, making me turn around in shock.

“Yes, yes? Me?”

“I need to talk to you for a moment.”

“Oh, okay. I understand.”

His sudden call left me very flustered, but I couldn’t just refuse him outright.

‘Why is he suddenly wanting to talk now?’

Unable to grasp the situation, I felt like livestock being led to the slaughterhouse as I followed Professor Beroen to his office.

Creak, thud!

“Sit wherever you feel comfortable.”

Professor Beroen Clarence’s private office was spotless, not a speck of dust in sight.

People do say that a person’s environment reflects their personality, and this neatness matched his demeanor perfectly.

Carefully sitting on one of the sofas, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Why did you want to see me separately?”

“Do you want something to drink first?”

“Oh, no, I’m fine.”

“Really? Then wait a moment.”

Thud!

He then proceeded to take out a teacup and put some dried tea leaves into it with practiced movements.

“……”

As he gazed at the slowly steeping tea leaves, Professor Beroen finally spoke.

“How was today’s class?”

“Excuse me? Oh, it was good. Very good.”

I nodded immediately and replied.

I had a broad smile on my face, but inside, I was seething.

‘Damn it, what am I supposed to say to such a blatant question?’

I was obviously filled with annoyance.

“Really? What did you like about it?”

Ugh, seriously.

Why is he so curious about everything?

“The freshness that I didn’t feel in previous classes, perhaps? The way you succinctly summarize the key points made me realize why you’re Professor Beroen.”

Desperately trying to find words that would please him, I offered my response, and Professor Beroen took a sip of his tea and lightly nodded.

“I see.”

‘Did it work?’

Flattery is no easy task.

If you’re not careful, it can make the other person uncomfortable.

In that sense, the sycophants who made a name for themselves in history were truly impressive… No, this wasn’t the time to be thinking about that.

“……”

Just as I was silently observing Professor Beroen and waiting for him to speak, he finally did.

“The reason I called you is simple.”

“……?”

“I need a student to assist with my classes. You could say a teaching assistant.”

“What?”

“As you might have noticed, my classes are a bit different from other professors’. But I believe you can handle this role well enough…”

Thud!

Trailing off slightly, Professor Beroen placed his teacup down and continued.

“From now on, I’m counting on you, my new teaching assistant.”

What?

T-Teaching assistant?

* * *

“……”

Having left Professor Beroen’s office, I wandered aimlessly without saying a word.

‘What is this?’

Professor Beroen Clarence’s sudden request for me to become his teaching assistant.

Of course, I immediately refused.

However…

‘I am not making a suggestion, Kamon Vade.’

Professor Beroen had firmly insisted, and as a result, I found myself reluctantly becoming the assistant for Intermediate Magic Studies.

“Damn it.”

Why does everything have to go this way?

As a magic assistant, there will undoubtedly come a time when I’ll have to use magic, right?

But I can’t use magic right now.

If something goes wrong…

“I’m really screwed.”

Rumors had already been circulating within the academy for a while now that Kamon couldn’t use magic.

I had barely managed to quash those rumors during the seminar.

And now, here we are again?

“Fuck.”

Another obstacle, an endless series of absurd challenges that left me at a loss for what to do.

“Hoo.”

But even so, there wasn’t anything I could do about it right now.

‘I should just keep studying theory until I get the ‘Orb’ so I can at least keep up.’

The unexpected need to study magic like a madman was extremely stressful.

Growl!

“Alright, let’s eat first.”

After practically inhaling my lunch, I left the cafeteria, patting my distended belly.

“Ah, I’m full.”

With a satisfied smile, I left the cafeteria and began to think again about the role of a magic class assistant.

However.

‘Ah, whatever. There’s nothing I can do about it right now anyway. Let’s study theory first.’

If I could use magic properly, being an assistant wouldn’t be so bad. I’d be exempt from midterms and finals, get an automatic A grade, and…

‘Didn’t they say I could give bonus points or deduct points from the students?’

The authority of an assistant wasn’t insignificant. If that’s the case, it might be worth it.

Having sorted out my thoughts, I remembered my appointment with Bren and Elliot and headed towards Lupinus Café.

The distance from the commoners’ cafeteria to Lupinus Café was about 15 to 20 minutes on foot. It was a perfect distance to walk off lunch.

Step, step.

“I’m full, the weather is nice. It would be perfect if I didn’t have any worries.”

Enjoying the warm sunshine and the leisurely afternoon, I was suddenly interrupted by an unexpected taunt.

“From the look on your face, life must be pretty good, huh?”

Turning slightly at the sound of the provocative voice, I saw Diana Fren glaring at me with sharp eyes.

“Oh, Diana?”

I raised my hand casually, pretending not to be surprised at all.

“Diana? Is that how you address a senior? Whatever.”

Muttering to herself, Diana signaled to her attendants with a tilt of her chin.

“Huh?”

In an instant, a wall of people formed around us in the middle of the academy, isolating the space where Diana and I stood.

What’s going on? Is she planning to confront me right here?

Amid the sudden situation, Diana’s voice reached my ears.

“You took my necklace, didn’t you?”

“What?”

At Diana Fren’s sudden mention of her necklace, Elliot’s face flashed through my mind.

‘No way, did that bastard already spill the beans?’

“Necklace? What necklace?”

Feigning ignorance, I shrugged my shoulders and asked back. Diana took a step closer, speaking in a cold voice.

“Give me back my necklace, Kamon Vade, while I’m still asking nicely.”

Her confident voice left me momentarily flustered.

‘What, did she really find out?’

But how?

Knowing Elliot’s personality, he wouldn’t have told her. Could there be some kind of magic involved?

If there’s a theft prevention spell or a tracking spell on it…

‘Damn, that would be really bad.’

Realizing this, I shook my head internally.

‘No, she doesn’t know yet. She has no evidence.’

The person standing before me was Diana Fren. And the necklace I stole was her deceased mother’s only keepsake.

There’s no way she’d let the thief go easily.

‘In this situation, I have to feign ignorance no matter what.’

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about, Diana…”

I muttered, looking at the human barrier as I continued.

“But I’m a bit busy right now. Can we talk later?”

“……”

Despite my words, Diana continued to glare at me silently.

“Diana?”

“No matter how I think about it, you’re the only one who could have taken it, Kamon Vade.”

“Hmm, me?”

“That necklace wouldn’t come off my neck unless someone forcibly took it. And.”

As she explained, her voice grew colder, and her eyes darkened.

“The necklace disappeared right after I lost consciousness in Dranthe’s Secret Vault. Considering the timing, location, and circumstances…”

I could make an accurate judgment of the situation.

‘She doesn’t know yet. She has no proof.’

Diana was here solely based on a process of elimination.

In that case, there’s no reason for me to get dragged along by her.

“So, you’re accusing me without any evidence?”

“What?”

“I mean, that’s the situation, isn’t it? You have no concrete evidence or witnesses, but you come to me and demand the necklace?”

“No. I’m certain you took it, Kamon Vade. There’s no one else who could…”

“Look, I get your situation, but if you’re so upset, just report it. Don’t waste time by falsely accusing someone.”

Mocking her, I approached the human barrier and spoke lightly.

“Excuse me, can you move? I have an appointment, and I need to go.”

“……”

Diana, who had been glaring at me like she wanted to kill me, sighed deeply and nodded.

“Hah, fine. Open it.”

Snap!

With a snap of her fingers, the human wall moved aside, creating a path for one person to pass through.

‘Phew, let’s get out of here quickly.’

“Well then, excuse me…”

“Kamon Vade.”

But at that moment, Diana’s voice called out again from behind.

“This time, you can get away because there are many eyes watching and the situation is like this, but next time, I promise it won’t be the same. This is your last chance.”

Her voice was much higher than usual, probably because of her rising emotions. Smirking, I nodded.

“Yes, yes, got it.”

And quickly slipped through the gap in the human wall.

Outside, several students were already gathered, looking on with interest and a bit of concern.

Well, it’s natural.

Who wouldn’t be curious if a human wall suddenly appeared in the middle of the road?

‘But Elliot said his family support was cut off, so why does she still have so many attendants?’

Just a rough count showed over a dozen people…

Realizing that Diana’s influence and power were still strong, I shook my head and continued walking.