How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 60

“……”

Watching Princess Francia disappear quickly, as if running away, I soon let out a deep sigh.

“Phew, this really isn’t easy.”

Since hearing that I needed to obtain the ‘unique’ grade highest-level artifact ‘ring’ from Princess Francia, I had been deeply troubled and unable to sleep.

How on earth could I get that?

Stealing or snatching it was impossible.

So I had to receive it naturally…

‘Considering my relationship with her, getting it as a favor is out of the question.’

In such a worst-case scenario, I could consider this a reasonable success.

“Ah, damn it, I wanted to go about this more easily.”

The whole reason I bowed so low, almost to the point of groveling, was to choose the best possible course of action.

But.

“She really is a damn brat.”

Remembering Princess Francia’s mocking eyes as she watched me bow, I shook my head.

Who was it that had provoked and annoyed me from much earlier…?

‘During the dungeon exam and with Diana too.’

In any case, I provoked her, and in the end, I succeeded in drawing her into the bet, into the arena of this duel.

‘It seems I’ve managed to handle it for now, but…’

“Damn it.”

Of course, I felt frustrated that this problem, which could have been solved more easily, had become so tangled.

‘But can I turn this around?’

Until now, I had managed to resolve and overcome issues using the knowledge of the original story.

But this time, the essence itself was different from the previous problems.

I was directly changing the content and the outcome of an episode.

Moreover.

“I’m not even sure if making Lady Cecilia the president is the right move.”

A simple description of Lady Cecilia from the original story would be this:

[A girl from a prestigious noble family, with her head in the clouds, zero social skills, pure or stupid, somewhere in between.]

Thanks to this, in the original story, Princess Francia won the student council president election without any issues.

But for me…

‘I have to make someone like her the president.’

“Ah, damn it! Why did I have to get reincarnated into this third-rate novel…!”

Can’t I just ride the bus comfortably too?

Why do I keep facing such trials and unreasonable hardships?

“Ah, fuck it. Whatever!”

Having come this far, what else can I do?

If I have to argue, it’s all because I got reincarnated as Kamon Vade in the first place.

Still, since things have turned out this way.

“I will make her the president no matter what.”

Whether the original story twists or the difficulty level increases.

I will pour everything I have into making Cecilia the student council president.

* * *

“The current situation is that contact has been lost with both the Marquis of Fenelli and the Marquis of Ravenia.”

At the sharp-eyed man’s report, the beautiful woman in a luxurious yellow dress bit her lower lip hard.

“What… what’s going on all of a sudden…?”

“It was unexpected for Your Highness to run for the position. But news from your home should arrive soon, so there’s no need to worry too much, Lady Cecilia.”

Despite the secretary’s attempt to reassure her, Lady Cecilia’s expression did not soften at all.

“The fact that they are acting simultaneously suggests that something was prepared in advance. Report this to my father accurately, Albion.”

“Yes. I have already reported it, my lady.”

“Hoo.”

Sighing deeply, Lady Cecilia reached out, picked up a small teacup, and gazed out at the academy’s scenery.

Grit.

She clenched her teeth hard.

In her mind’s eye, she could see Princess Francia’s confident stride and her serene smile that seemed to embrace everything.

“She’s always like that.”

Recalling how Princess Francia always got under her skin, Lady Cecilia irritably ran her hand through her hair.

Unlike her own dull hair color, Princess Francia’s platinum blonde hair shone brightly, and her smile alone had the charm to attract people.

“Should I dye my hair too?”

“Yes? My lady?”

“Nothing, forget it.”

Waving off her secretary Albion’s reaction, Lady Cecilia thought again of her rival, Princess Francia.

The atmosphere of the election, which had seemed decided, was rapidly changing, and it looked like the outcome might shift.

If she did nothing, Princess Francia would easily snatch the student council president position from her…

“No, I will never let that happen.”

Lady Cecilia, who had grown up without facing any difficulties or hardships, found Princess Francia, who constantly clashed with her, to be a thorn in her side.

“Oh, by the way, my lady, there is one more thing to report.”

“What is it?”

“A student named Kamon, who was expelled from the Marquis Vade family, is waiting outside to see you.”

“Kamon Vade?”

“Yes, the one who attacked Her Highness before…”

“Yes, I know.”

Lady Cecilia was already familiar with the name Kamon Vade.

She had felt a certain satisfaction knowing he had managed to get one over on Princess Francia, and had once used him to irritate her further.

‘But didn’t he get demoted to commoner status?’

“It would be best to refuse, so I will handle it…”

“No, wait.”

Normally, she would never have allowed a private meeting with someone of commoner status.

‘They said he’s not on good terms with Her Highness, right?’

“Alright, I will meet him.”

“M-My lady?”

“Tell him I will see him.”

“Yes, understood.”

* * *

“……”

“……”

The man and woman sat opposite each other in the drawing room, quietly sipping tea without exchanging a word.

Thud!

“Are you going to continue sitting there without saying anything?”

The first to speak was Lady Cecilia.

‘I really don’t like this guy at all.’

The mere fact that she was having a private audience with a commoner was already a huge concession for her. Yet here he was, sipping tea arrogantly and remaining silent?

It reminded her that people should associate with those similar to themselves…

“Are you planning to hand over the position of Flance Academy’s student council president to the princess?”

“What?”

“I asked if you plan to give up the student council president position to Princess Francia.”

“……”

Cecilia was momentarily speechless at Kamon Vade’s sudden, direct question.

‘What is with this guy?’

Regardless of his status as a commoner now, shouldn’t someone from a noble family adhere to basic etiquette and protocol? The way Kamon spoke so rudely left her flustered.

“What… what are you talking about?”

“The people who were supposed to be part of your election team have sided with Princess Francia, and the general student consensus is already expecting her victory.”

“……”

“If you continue to do nothing like this, won’t the position naturally go to the princess?”

Lady Cecilia felt anger for the first time at Kamon Vade’s remarks, delivered with a faint smile.

“So, what exactly are you trying to say?”

“My point is this: Are you okay with Princess Francia taking the president’s position?”

“……”

Lady Cecilia, now silent, looked at him with eyes dark with anger.

“Kamon, you are an incredibly rude person.”

“Pardon? Rude?”

“How can you ask such brutal questions so casually…”

“Ha, is that so?”

Kamon chuckled and nodded, prompting Cecilia to respond in disbelief.

“You’re… you’re laughing? Do you find what I said funny?”

“No, it’s not funny. However.”

“However?”

“I can understand why people would easily leave you and side with the princess.”

“What did you say?!”

Unconsciously, Cecilia stood up, her barely contained anger now fully visible. Never in her life had she encountered someone as rude and shameless as Kamon Vade.

‘Disgusting, dirty, and too much!’

With her anger reaching a peak, tears began to form in her eyes.

At that moment.

“But I am different from them.”

Kamon continued speaking, not erasing the smile from his face.

“I intend to make you the student council president.”

“……!”

For a moment, Lady Cecilia felt as if she were falling from a great height.

‘What is this feeling?’

“I’ll ask again. Will you give up the president’s position?”

“……”

Lady Cecilia stared at him for a moment before shouting firmly.

“No! I won’t give up. Why should I give up?”

Her voice had risen to a higher pitch, and she glared at the person who had shaken her so much.

“You’re right, Kamon. The situation has certainly become difficult. But I will try my best and make sure I secure that position.”

Princess Francia and Lady Cecilia’s rivalry was an inevitable fate, a clash between the royal faction and the noble faction. The election for the next student council president of Flance Imperial Academy was an extension of this competition.

“Especially if the opponent is Princess Francia, I definitely don’t want to lose.”

Thud!

Kamon quietly placed his teacup down and spoke.

“Hard work alone doesn’t guarantee success. If that were the case, everyone who worked hard would achieve their dreams and goals.”

“What are you saying?”

“But the determination not to give up is very important.”

With a slight smile, Kamon continued.

“I will help you win this election.”

“……?!”

Lady Cecilia’s body froze in place, surprised by his sudden offer.

And then.

“Why all of a sudden?”

“It’s not sudden. I have a plan to ensure your victory in this election.”

“……”

Cecilia was momentarily speechless at his baseless confidence.

“You’re lying.”

“What?”

“You’re mocking me. Because people abandoned me, someone like you is making fun of me…”

“Lady Cecilia, I am not lying, nor am I joking.”

Kamon’s response was more serious than ever.

“I understand that it’s sudden and hard to believe. So…”

Kamon nodded calmly and continued with a serious expression.

“Listen to my plan first and then decide.”

“A plan?”

“Yes, a very innovative strategy to make you the president.”

Kamon Vade spoke with a confident smile, leaving Lady Cecilia feeling an inexplicable sense of unease.