How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 71

Princess Francia, having urgently summoned the election committee members, asked in a voice colder than ever before.

“When was our official pledge announcement day?”

“The official pledge announcement is in five days, Your Highness.”

“And the pledge to abolish status discrimination?”

“Well, that… it’s still under discussion, so it was decided to be postponed until the last day…”

“No, the situation has changed. Let’s announce the pledge to abolish status discrimination quickly. Tomorrow afternoon would be good.”

“What?”

“Y-Your Highness. What do you mean all of a sudden…?”

The abrupt declaration to change the pledge selection and announcement schedule left the other election committee members bewildered.

“Your Highness, is something the matter?”

As Vice President Obern quickly stepped forward and asked, Princess Francia looked at him and countered.

“Does something need to be the matter?”

“No, it’s not that, but…”

“Announcing a pledge that hasn’t even been fully discussed internally poses a significant risk.”

Rosen Ravenia, who usually opposed Vice President Obern on every matter, also voiced her confusion.

“A significant risk?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Although most of us here sympathize with and understand the purpose of the pledge, other students might not.”

“Right. They might feel like we’re suddenly taking away their candy.”

For the first time, Vice President Obern and Rosen Ravenia agreed on something and spoke in unison.

“…….”

The pledge to abolish status discrimination that Princess Francia mentioned was aimed at prohibiting the implicit discrimination between nobles and commoners within the academy. It was a very radical and progressive policy that would abolish the clause preventing commoners from harming nobles, and unify the separated dining halls and dormitories based on status.

Therefore, even within Princess Francia’s election committee, there were heated debates and discussions about the feasibility of this pledge and the potential voter reactions.

Then, Princess Francia, who had been silent, spoke again.

“There’s one thing I’m curious about.”

Muttering this, she continued with a faint smile.

“Can we really reach an agreement on this pledge before the election ends?”

“……!”

Everyone looked at Princess Francia as if they had been struck on the back of the head.

Indeed, assessing whether this pledge would be advantageous or disadvantageous before the election was an extremely challenging task.

Vice President Obern finally opened his mouth, his voice lacking confidence.

“But still, we have to try…”

At that moment, Princess Francia’s voice interrupted again.

“The pledge to abolish status discrimination between nobles and commoners is the most dangerous card we have.”

“…….”

“But at the same time, it’s the most powerful card to attract everyone’s attention.”

Speaking in a determined tone, Princess Francia looked at the other election committee members.

“I learned that in elections, only those who seize the issues can win. Therefore, since the election began, we’ve been trying to seize issues continuously, whether they were good or bad.”

As she continued to speak, all the election committee members kept their mouths shut and quietly listened.

“But right now, we’ve lost that issue.”

“That’s…”

“You’re right.”

“When President Alex declared support for Lady Cecilia, most of the students’ attention shifted there. So don’t we need a corresponding response from our side?”

The key point of this pledge was that, regardless of its impact on the election, the content of the pledge itself would become a powerful issue that could attract people’s attention.

“Once lost momentum is hard to regain. That’s why I want to proceed with this as a decisive move.”

With Princess Francia’s firm determination, Vice President Obern, one of the most influential figures in the meeting, slowly spoke.

“I understand your intention, Your Highness. Then let’s proceed as…”

“Wait a minute, senior.”

Suddenly, Rosen Ravenia interrupted him.

“Certainly, as Her Highness said, there’s nothing like this to seize the issue and draw people’s attention. But still, this pledge is too dangerous. If we’re not careful, we could face an uncontrollable backlash. Moreover…”

“Moreover?”

“Not everyone in the election committee agrees.”

“…….”

Vice President Obern, looking deeply troubled, spoke again after staring at Rosen Ravenia.

“You’re saying we shouldn’t proceed because we haven’t reached internal consensus?”

“Yes, if we’re not careful, some committee members might oppose or resent Your Highness.”

“Rosen Ravenia!”

Vice President Obern shouted her name loudly, speaking in a stricter and more determined tone than ever.

“Who dares harbor such thoughts against Her Highness? We are the election committee members gathered to make Her Highness the student council president. If anyone wavers over such a pledge, it would be better if they just leave.”

“No, senior. Please stop saying such frustrating things…”

“This isn’t frustrating, it’s the right principle.”

“Ah, someone who likes principles so much got betrayed by the previous President you served?”

“What?!”

As the two began arguing again, the expressions of the other committee members darkened.

At that moment.

“Both of you, stop.”

Princess Francia, mediating between Vice President Obern and Rosen Ravenia with a firm tone, solidified her stance with unwavering eyes.

“Even if there isn’t internal consensus, I intend to proceed as planned. We will revise the existing plans entirely. I will personally announce the ‘Pledge to Abolish Status Discrimination between Nobles and Commoners in the Academy’ tomorrow afternoon.”

“As you command.”

Vice President Obern immediately bowed his head and responded.

“Ugh, this is so frustrating. If that’s the case, why did we have internal meetings at all? Do as you please!”

Bang, bang, bang!

Rosen Ravenia shouted in an annoyed voice and stormed out of the meeting room.

* * *

“Does anyone know what this formula is?”

[Þⁿ∑ʓA/2⇌я㍵+8⦡]

Pointing to another alien script written on the blackboard, Beroen Clarence asked in a cold voice. A girl with aquamarine hair raised her hand high, but Professor Beroen ignored her and looked directly at me.

“Assistant?”

“Uh, it’s a formula for optimizing heated mana.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

With a sly smile, he nodded. Meanwhile, Chelsea, the girl who had raised her hand, glared at the professor with discontent. However, Professor Beroen continued his explanation without paying any attention to Chelsea’s gaze.

“As Kamon said, this is a formula for optimizing heated mana. Is there anyone here who doesn’t know what heated mana is?”

‘Why does he keep picking on me?’

Caught between Professor Beroen and Chelsea, I was the one getting unnecessary attention. Who cares what heated mana is anyway? I couldn’t even understand what they were talking about in this class.

I was just…

‘…memorizing the textbook word for word.’

Then, at that moment.

“Just in case there are any idiots who don’t know, let’s hear a more definitive answer.”

Oh no, surely it wouldn’t be me again?

But what was heated mana again? I don’t think it was in the textbook.

“Alright then, Assistant…”

Damn, I knew it.

As I faced another crisis, cold sweat started to pour down, making it hard to think straight.

‘This is bad. What the hell is heated mana?’

As my mind began to go blank.

“…Heated mana refers to mana refined into a mana heart. It’s the state before magic conversion.”

‘Thank you, Chelsea!’

Chelsea’s voice rang out, saving me with an answer I hadn’t even thought of. However,

“Who said you could answer without permission?”

Professor Beroen shouted sharply, shaking his head.

“Points deducted. Assistant, make a note of it.”

“Ah, yes, Professor.”

Without mercy, Professor Beroen deducted points from Chelsea, whose expression hardened once again.

‘Chelsea, can’t you just stay quiet? Stop getting into pride battles with this crazy professor.’

Despite being obsessed with grades, she kept clashing with this lunatic professor.

“Alright, let’s start today’s practice. Today we will handle heated mana…”

Professor Beroen’s voice was about to resonate through the room again.

Knock, knock!

The sound of knocking was followed by the classroom door opening, revealing a familiar face.

‘Huh? Master?’

One of the professors from the Magic Studies faculty, Jamie, who was acting as Jace, had arrived.

“Professor Jace? What brings you here all of a sudden?”

“Oh, there you are. Professor Beroen, I’d like to borrow a student.”

“A student? Who do you mean?”

“Student Kamon.”

“What? The assistant, Kamon?”

Jace’s soft voice filled the entire classroom, directing all eyes toward me.

“May I ask why you need him?”

“I need Kamon’s help with a personal research project.”

“Hmm. Kamon is my assistant, so I don’t usually let him leave during my classes…”

Though his voice carried some dissatisfaction, Jace smiled lightly at him.

“I’ll make sure to compensate you for this. Please excuse him just for today.”

“Well, if you insist. Kamon!”

“Yes, yes!”

“Professor Jace is calling for you. I’ll relay today’s lesson to you later, so you may go now.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

“Then, I’ll be going.”

“Yes, Professor Jace. Let’s have tea sometime if we get the chance.”

“If you invite me. Let’s go, Kamon.”

Jace gave a brief nod and led me out of the classroom.

Step, step.

“Kamon.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Call me Professor here.”

“Ah, yes, Professor.”

“How are things going?”

“Yes, Professor. It’s not certain yet, but I should be able to get it soon.”

“Really?”

His smile deepened, and he lightly tapped my forehead with one finger.

Whoosh!

A cool breeze seemed to sweep through my entire body.

With a serious expression, Jace spoke in a low tone.

“Your body is changing again. At this rate, you might become a ticking time bomb ready to explode.”

“…….”

“I’ve already prepared everything. As soon as you bring the Princess’s artifact, we can start the process.”

“Yes.”

“Move as quickly as possible. We don’t have much time.”

“Thank you, Master… I mean, Professor.”

“No need to thank me. And take this.”

Flick!

“What is this?”

“A single-use invisibility tool. If all else fails, just take it by force. You’ve already attacked once, so a second time shouldn’t be too hard, right?”

“…….”

Couldn’t you just do it yourself, Master?

“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s impossible. If I get involved, things will get… complicated. Very much so.”

“Ah, yes.”

“I’ll see you later.”

With that, my master—Jamie, or rather, Jace—walked away quickly.

“Not much time, huh?”

No matter what, living a life with a deadline never got easier.

I struggled desperately to survive, but it felt like a net tightening around my neck.

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I took a deep breath.

“Alright, just keep going like this.”

I looked at the small clip in my hand.

Seeing that Jamie had given me a tool to use in case of emergency, it was clear she was doing her best to help me.

So.

“I will get it.”

Resolving myself, I strengthened my determination to take the artifact from Princess Francia.

______________

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