How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 57

“Kamon!”

“Over here, over here!”

Upon arriving at Lupinus Café, Bren and Elliot, who had already secured a spot, greeted me warmly.

“Hoo, I’m tired.”

“Why? What happened?”

“What’s with that look on your face?”

Bren and Elliot, noticing my expression, began to question me curiously. I gave them a vague account of my recent encounter with Diana.

“D-Diana Fren?”

Bren mentioned her name with a darkened expression, as if he had heard something unspeakable.

“What’s up, Bren? What’s wrong?”

“N-Nothing… She’s one of the heirs of the Fren Merchant Guild, right? I’ve heard she’s terrifying.”

“Yeah, that crazy bitch is indeed scary.”

Elliot nodded in agreement, murmuring in a supportive tone.

“C-Crazy bitch? Elliot, what if someone hears you?”

“What if they do? She is a crazy bitch.”

“Elliot, there are lots of people from the Fren Merchant Guild at the academy. Stop it, please.”

“Alright, alright… Mmph! I said I got it! Let go! I won’t say it anymore!”

“…”

What’s up with him?

Doesn’t Bren know that Elliot is from the Fren family?

They’ve been hanging out long enough that he should’ve picked up on it by now.

Shaking my head at Bren’s cluelessness, I took a sip of the drink they had ordered for me.

“Oh, right. Kamon, I wanted to clarify something just in case you misunderstood. I…”

“I know.”

“Didn’t tell you… Huh?”

“I know you didn’t tell me.”

“Oh, okay. As long as you know.”

Elliot responded with a slightly embarrassed expression, and Bren interjected again.

“Huh? What are you guys talking about? What didn’t you tell?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. You don’t need to know. Shoo, shoo.”

“Elliot, why are you like this? Tell me what it is.”

“There’s nothing to tell to a junior who clamped his senior’s mouth shut.”

“I didn’t do it on purpose!”

Elliot laughed and teased Bren, who looked flustered and didn’t know what to do.

Watching the two of them getting closer day by day, I thought to myself.

‘How can they be so close and still not know each other’s identities?’

“Fine, if you don’t want to tell me, keep it to yourself.”

Bren shouted in frustration, then turned his head away from Elliot and looked at me.

“Oh, right, Kamon. Did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“Princess Francia plans to run in the upcoming student council president election. If she wins, she’ll be the first freshman president in the academy’s history…”

“No, that’s unlikely.”

Elliot, who had been ignored by Bren, interjected in a firm tone.

“I wasn’t talking to you, senior.”

“Our lovely junior is sulking again.”

“I’m not sulking.”

“Sure, sure, you’re not. Hehehe.”

Elliot laughed and teased Bren once more before continuing the conversation.

“Anyway, even if Princess Francia runs, it’s hard to see her becoming president.”

“Why?”

“Because her opponent is Lady Cecilia.”

“Lady Cecilia?”

“Yes, she’s the treasured daughter of Prime Minister Wade, who’s known as the head of the empire, and the niece of Grand Duke Axelion, who’s called the ‘North Wall’ of the empire.”

“Grand Duke Axelion? Isn’t he from the current president’s family? So she’s the current president’s relative?”

“Yes, Lady Cecilia has the support of students across all grades and many professors. From birth, she’s been a fierce competitor and a natural rival to Princess Francia. So, no matter how much of a princess Francia is, it’ll be tough to win.”

“…”

Already knowing the original story, I knew who the actual winner would be.

Even though Lady Cecilia had such an impressive background and conditions…

‘The protagonist’s buff is unbeatable.’

Since the outcome was predetermined, there was no need for me to take an interest in the fight. I sipped my sweet drink and pondered whether to get another dessert.

At that moment.

“Kamon Vade.”

“Huh?”

A familiar voice called from behind.

Turning my head quickly, I saw…

“Chelsea?”

It was Chelsea, who had been fiercely clashing with Professor Beroen just a while ago, making her appearance. I was momentarily taken aback.

“Oh, why? What’s up?”

“Professor J…is looking for you. You’d better go quickly.”

“What, my mentor?”

Whoosh!

But as soon as she said that, she ignored my follow-up question and walked away.

“What’s with her?”

Tilting my head in confusion, I watched Chelsea walk away, leaving Jamie’s message behind. I took another deep sip of my drink and said,

“Bren, Elliot, I have something to take care of, so I’ll be leaving first.”

Screech!

“Okay, see you later, Kamon.”

“Alright, let’s meet in Bren’s room tonight.”

“Why my room again?”

Leaving behind Bren, who protested in frustration, and Elliot, who teased him, I quickly headed off to meet Jamie.

* * *

Responding to Jamie’s call, I hurried to her office.

And then…

Thud, slam!

I opened the closed door without hesitation and shouted.

“Mas…ter!”

Inside was a young male professor wearing a monocle, Jace.

He was sitting, holding a book as if he had been reading something. He glared at me sharply and spoke coldly.

“Wouldn’t it be more polite to knock before opening the door so abruptly?”

“Oh, I’m sorry…”

“And I’m not your master. Right now, I’m a professor at this academy.”

‘Well, you’re the one hiding your identity. Why do I have to play along?’

Swallowing my dissatisfaction, I slightly bowed my head and cautiously opened my mouth.

“Yes, Professor Jace. I heard you were looking for me…”

As I mumbled, Jamie—or rather, Professor Jace—nodded and gestured to a chair opposite him.

“Sit there.”

“Yes, Professor.”

I quickly plopped down on the chair he indicated. Then, Jace slowly placed his book on the desk and snapped his fingers.

Snap!

Instantly, the surroundings changed, and I found myself sitting in Jamie’s lab, which I had visited before.

“Hah, now I can breathe easier.”

Jamie’s voice, now in the familiar form of the green-haired young girl, filled the room.

‘If being in disguise is so uncomfortable, why bother? Just don’t hide.’

“What’s with that weird look? Come over here.”

Jamie beckoned with her fingers, and I quickly approached her, speaking up.

“So, did you finish researching the ‘Orb’?”

“Yes, it’s finished.”

Wow, it’s done. Finally.

Now I don’t have to worry about my body exploding anymore.

Just knowing that made me incredibly happy.

“As expected of my mentor! I knew you’d succeed!”

“Why are you so happy? I haven’t explained everything yet.”

“Come on, it’s obvious. The continent’s strongest mage in charge of yellow among the primary colors has completed the ‘Orb’ research… That means I’m no longer in danger, right?”

If Jamie’s research was truly complete, it meant that the threat of death no longer loomed over me. And being able to use magic through the ‘Orb’ was a bonus.

But then…

“Huh? That’s not it.”

“Pardon? What’s not it?”

I quickly asked, seeing Jamie’s puzzled expression.

“My research results don’t mean you’re safe.”

“What?”

“Simply put, if things continue as they are, you’ll die.”

Wait a minute.

What is this…?

Come on, stop joking. That’s not funny at all.

“That’s not funny. Stop joking…”

“I’m not joking.”

Jamie cut me off with a firm tone and continued.

“I have never once joked with you. And this is based on solid research data. If things continue, you will die, Kamon.”

“…”

What?

How did this happen again?

There’s no way.

I brought the ‘Orb.’

It definitely resolved the mana built up inside me!

Then why… why do I have to die?

‘Shiiiiit.’

At that moment, as if reading my mind, Jamie’s voice echoed in my ear.

“It’s true that the ‘Orb’ temporarily resolved the mana buildup in your body. But forcibly drawing out mana like that must have left significant shock and damage in your body.”

As Jamie continued her explanation, I listened silently.

“Repeating that method of drawing out mana is very dangerous. If it only leaves scars, that’s one thing, but if you keep it up, the paths and links where mana flows could be completely destroyed, leaving you crippled.”

“…”

So, while the ‘Orb’ temporarily alleviated my mana buildup, it was more of a painkiller than a cure?

Then what am I supposed to do now…

“But there’s no need to worry too much. There’s a solution.”

“What? A solution?”

Hearing there was hope, I quickly lifted my head and asked.

“Yes, a solution.”

Snap!

With the sound of her snapping fingers, a milky white orb appeared in the air.

“This ‘Orb’ can absorb and release mana, functioning as a sort of ‘power source.’ But because it enforces this function, it places a heavy burden on the user. Hence, a safety device to reduce that burden is necessary.”

“A safety device?”

“Yes, something to absorb and release mana freely through the ‘Orb,’ while cushioning the resulting backlash. With that, your anxiety and danger would be mitigated.”

Jamie’s words prompted me to ask urgently.

“So what exactly is this safety device?”

“It’s a kind of artifact. A device that allows you to use the ‘Orb’s’ function more safely.”

“Oh, do you have this artifact, by any chance?”

“No, I don’t have it.”

“Then… can you make it?”

“I could, theoretically.”

After this round of Q&A, I finally got the answer I wanted and nodded, speaking up.

“Then please make it…”

“If you can wait at least ten years, that is.”

“What?”

That just means you can’t do it.

In ten years, my body would have already exploded and rotted away.

“…”

“You don’t have to be so disappointed. I was talking about creating something from scratch.”

“Then…?”

“If we have a top-tier magic artifact, converting it into a safety device would be much quicker.”

“A top-tier artifact?”

“Yes. At least an artifact of the ‘Unique’ grade.”

A top-tier magic artifact of the kind Jamie mentioned was a treasure so rare it could be counted on one hand across the empire, or even the continent.

Even in the original story, ‘Unique’ grade items appeared only towards the end, and only a couple of them.

‘Hah, I should’ve known. When she mentioned Dragon Hearts and Lich Gems, I should’ve seen this coming. What next, ask me to bring the Spirit King’s soul?’

Just as I was sinking into despair from Jamie’s explanation…

“Fortunately, there’s one artifact of that caliber here at the academy.”

“What? In the academy?”

Even knowing the original story, I had no idea such an item existed here now.

And Jamie knew?

‘Does it matter?’

Whether I knew or not was irrelevant.

If there’s a top-tier magic artifact hidden here, I just have to find it.

‘I’ve done well so far. Just go to a dungeon or labyrinth and find it. So now…’

“Yes, the item is currently in Princess Francia’s possession.”

“The Princess?!”

Why, oh why!

Couldn’t it be hidden in some dungeon or labyrinth?

Why does it have to be with Princess Francia?

At the unexpected revelation, I could only stare at Jamie in a daze.

“She probably doesn’t know the true value of what she has. So Kamon, you need to somehow get that artifact—a ring.”

“A ring?”

“Yes, a ring.”

Jamie nonchalantly continued, her lips twitching into a smirk.

“That’s the only way you can survive, Kamon.”

This is driving me crazy.