How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 68

The pivotal point that decisively changed the outcome in the original episode involving the student council president was the declaration of support for Princess Francia by the current student council president, Alexander Axelion.

His support of Princess Francia, despite his familial ties with Lady Cecilia, had a profound impact on many students.

“He’s just trash who likes to fool around with women if you really think about it.”

In fact, due to his messy affairs with women, he faced significant trouble later on, even causing the downfall of the Axelion Dukedom, renowned in the north.

With that in mind, I decided to act before Princess Francia could exploit his weaknesses.

*Knock, knock!*

“Wh-who is it?”

Standing outside the upper dormitories, I knocked on someone’s door and answered the cautious voice from within lightly.

“It’s Kamon Vade. I’m a fellow student staying in the same dormitory.”

“What? K-Kamon? W-why are you here?”

“I have something to discuss. Can you open the door, senior?”

*Knock, knock, knock!*

I knocked harder, and with a soft sigh from inside, the door cautiously creaked open.

Creak.

“What is it?”

A male student with large glasses covering half his face looked at me with fearful eyes.

“Let’s talk inside. It’s a bit chilly out here.”

“Ah, um… Okay, come in.”

Although he seemed unwelcoming, I forced my way in. The room, as always, was a mix of symmetry and obsessive cleanliness.

‘Just looking at it gives me the chills.’

“So, your name is Jack Galera, right?”

Gasp!

He inhaled sharply, looking at me with surprised eyes, and I smiled.

“Is that right?”

“H-how did you know that name?”

“Why are you so scared? Did you do something wrong?”

“N-no, it’s not that…”

His trembling hands and nervous response made me chuckle softly as I asked again.

“Then should I call you Senior Jack?”

“Huh? N-no. My name is Rond Galera.”

“What?”

“T-the name Jack is not my real name, it’s a pseudonym I use for my works…”

“Aha?”

So, the name Jack Malion Galera was a pen name or nickname? But that wasn’t important right now. I had a specific reason for coming to him.

“Alright, Senior Rond. I’m here to make a deal with you.”

“A d-deal?”

“Yes, a deal.”

“W-what kind of deal would you make with me out of the blue?”

“Do you have any interesting photos related to President Alex?”

“Huh?”

Shuffle!

Senior Rond took a step back, and I blocked the door to prevent him from escaping.

“I need photos of him. I’m willing to purchase them.”

“Haha, I don’t understand what you’re saying. Why would I have photos of President Alex?”

Feigning ignorance, he defensively denied it, and I glanced towards the bed.

“You seem to be mistaken.”

“…?”

“Should I open that?”

“N-no!”

He lunged towards the bed, determined to block it, showing his desperation. I shook my head slightly and spoke firmly.

“I already know everything, so stop doing foolish things. Do you think you can stop me?”

Whimper.

Seeing his body tremble with fear at my low tone, I slowly spoke again.

“So, I’ll ask again. Do you have President Alex’s photos or not?”

“…”

“Answer.”

“Yes, I have them. I’ll show you everything I have. Just please, Kamon, keep this secret. Please don’t report me…”

“Of course.”

“Huh?”

“We’re going to be doing a lot of business together from now on. Why would I report you?”

As I responded with a relaxed expression, Senior Rond, who was staring blankly at me, seemed to have finished calculating and moved quickly.

*Shuffle!*

He opened a secret compartment above his bed and took out several photos.

“You asked for photos related to President Alex, right? Here they are.”

“Thank you.”

Receiving the photos from Senior Rond, I smiled and examined the person in the pictures closely.

‘Perfect, these will do.’

* * *

“Huh? Alex? Why all of a sudden?”

“Just prepare a thank you speech for the day of the speech. Don’t ask why.”

“Wait, Kamon.”

Lady Cecilia stopped me, looking at me with clear eyes.

“Why shouldn’t I ask? Tell me honestly, what’s going on?”

“…”

Her persistent questioning reminded me of a child, and I paused for a moment. Then, shaking my head, I gave a brief answer.

“You’ll regret knowing.”

“It’s better than not knowing. Tell me. Hurry up!”

Slap!

I took the photos from my pocket and laid them on the desk.

“What is this?”

“You’ll understand once you see it.”

“Hmm?”

Her eyes moved to the photos I laid down, and a moment later, she was staring at them with wide eyes, more shocked than I had ever seen her.

“How can someone be so shameless…!”

“I told you it would be better if you didn’t know.”

“Is this real? It’s not a fabrication, right? This isn’t like the fake news or rumors we spread before?”

“No, these are genuine.”

“…”

Lady Cecilia, speechless, stared at the photos Senior Rond had handed over and then slumped into her chair.

“What should I do? My uncle will be terribly disappointed. And Lady Giselle…”

Seriously? Is she actually worried about Grand Duke Axelion and Giselle Kaisen right now? No, there’s a limit to being kind.

‘Shouldn’t you worry about your own situation first?’

At that moment, Lady Cecilia shook her head with a stern expression.

“This won’t do. I won’t accept Alex’s support declaration.”

“What?”

What kind of nonsense is this now?

“How can I thank a scumbag who does such shameless things while leaving his fiancée behind? I’d rather not accept it.”

“But, Lady Cecilia, we are in the middle of an election. You need to separate personal feelings from public duties…”

“No.”

“Lady Cecilia! If we don’t do anything now, President Alex will support Princess Francia. All the votes that favored him will go to her. Are you just going to let that happen?”

“Alex said he would remain neutral. Why would he support the princess?”

“That’s why I’m taking action now!”

“…”

Lady Cecilia pursed her lips and averted her gaze. Damn, stop acting like a child. What are we supposed to do if you start acting like this now?

“Fine. Then there’s another way.”

“Another way?”

“We’ll make these photos public. That will disappoint all of Alex’s supporters, and those votes will vanish. Even if he supports Princess Francia, it will backfire on him.”

“No, we can’t do that!”

“Why not now?!”

“Lady Giselle is my friend! She would be deeply hurt if she knew about this!”

Damn it. So what? Are you going to give up everything for your friend?

“So you’re giving up the presidential election?”

“No. Why should I give up?”

“Then why are you saying no to everything? Are you just going to whine like a three-year-old?”

Unable to hold back, I let out all the words I wanted to say. My sharp words seemed to shock Lady Cecilia, and she stood there, dazed.

Then.

Knock, knock!

“Lady Cecilia, you have a visitor.”

Lady Cecilia, who had been in a daze, snapped out of it and responded to her secretary Albion’s voice from outside.

“A visitor? Who is it?”

“Well…”

“Lady Cecilia, it’s me, Rosen Ravenia. Long time no see.”

Rosen Ravenia? Why is someone from Princess Francia’s campaign suddenly here?

As I was wondering, the door opened suddenly without permission.

“I’m coming in.”

Creak!

“Wait, hold on!”

Albion’s voice trying to stop her was heard, but I quickly grabbed the photos from the desk and hid them in my pocket.

And then.

Click, clack.

“Huh?”

Rosen Ravenia, who had already entered, looked at Lady Cecilia and me alternately before speaking again.

“Oh, you have a guest already. But I guess it doesn’t matter?”

Click, clack.

She then sat on the sofa with a faint smile and addressed Lady Cecilia.

“Is it alright if I stay here, Lady Cecilia?”

What is this crazy woman up to now? Seriously, why did this insane woman just barge in here without permission? I sighed deeply. Fine. I’ll come back later to persuade her.

“Since you have a guest, I’ll leave for now…”

“Oh, you’re Kamon Vade? The crazy guy who attacked the princess.”

The crazy one is you, you lunatic.

“What?”

“No wonder things have been weird around here lately.”

Rosen Ravenia muttered with a sly smile, propping her chin on her hands and continuing to speak.

“No matter how I think about it, it’s strange. An airhead suddenly uses a strategic broadside? No way. Someone must have been playing tricks behind the scenes…”

She then looked at me and winked.

“And the culprit is you. Gotcha.”

“What are you trying to do?”

“Huh? I’m not trying to do anything. I was just curious and came to visit, and then I found the culprit.”

“…”

I knew this world was full of lunatics and weirdos. But I didn’t expect even the characters who didn’t appear properly in the original story to be like this.

‘Is there not a single normal person here?’

At that moment, Rosen Ravenia spoke again.

“So, I want you to stop corrupting our pure and innocent princess. Can’t you?”

“It’s not something a filthy traitor who abandoned her master should say, right?”

“Oh my, you’re quite rude, aren’t you? But it’s fine. I don’t hate bad boy types.”

I felt my sanity slipping away as I watched Rosen Ravenia’s sly smile.

Staying here any longer would be unbearable, so I decided to leave.

“It’s best to avoid crazy people.”

“Lady Cecilia, I’ll take my leave now…”

Just as I was about to speak to Lady Cecilia.

“No, Kamon. Stay here.”

Lady Cecilia’s voice was more resolute than ever, stopping me in my tracks.

And then.

“The one who should leave my office is not Kamon, but that shameless trash sitting over there.”

“…?”

Did she just curse?