The Villain Bought the Female Lead - Ch. 21
“This is unexpected.”
After the entrance ceremony, the tranquil night in the dormitory welcomed me. I checked the group members listed on the paper and quietly smiled.
First, Alicia, whom I had designated. It was a foregone conclusion that she and I would be in the same class and group.
If my sword were used elsewhere, would there be any point in grooming it so carefully? Naturally, these factors were considered for why I claimed the top spot this time, and well, that was a given, so I would leave it at that.
I read the names of the other group members.
Serena, Finn, and… Emily.
Except for Finn, the group members were quite different from those I knew. Granted, Alicia’s grades fluctuated, but it was strange to have hers unchanged.
“I didn’t expect to be in the same group as Emily.”
Emily, Liam’s childhood friend and one of the heroines. This was quite the twist of fate.
That guy Liam must be losing his mind by now. From this deviation from the original narrative to my existence, which complicated everything further, to Emily being his only ally being torn from him.
The interesting part was that Liam, and I were both in Class 1, and most of the students in the class were still following the original narrative. Yet Alicia and Emily had been shifted to my side.
Things got more interesting. If I used Emily’s affection for Liam skillfully, I could enrich the existing picture I had prepared.
“Is something good going on, Master?”
Lost in thought, the girl approached me in the academy uniform instead of her usual attire as a servant and inquired.
Her eyes were round, and her small smile seemed to have a peculiar calming power over those who saw it. It only deepened more over time.
“I’m just looking forward to life in the Academia from now on.”
“Oh, I think so too! Thanks to your grace, I was able to join safely and stand here. I’m truly grateful.”
“I’ve had enough of your gratitude. I’m tired of hearing it. No matter how good the words or gestures, hearing them often diminishes their value.”
If it weren’t for me, you’d still be here. You’d be free.
I waved my hand dismissively, stopping Alicia’s act of bowing her head. She paused and stood upright then continued.
“Um… may I ask something?”
Alicia’s peculiar way of phrasing questions.
I bet it had something to do with the entrance ceremony. I hadn’t explained the details to her, so she must have been as surprised as the other students.
“It’s fine to cast a group-wide curse. It’s something I’ve pre-approved with the academy beforehand; otherwise, it would have been impossible to cast even a minor curse without interference.”
Logically, if I had suddenly cast a curse on the students without any prior notice, there would have been intervention. This place wasn’t so lax to allow such a thing.
“Looks like that was the case?”
“Yes, that uneasy look tells me you have more questions?”
Hearing my words, Alicia awkwardly smiled and continued.
“… yes. May I ask why you’ve gone to such lengths with the nobles?”
Basically, she was asking why I went out of my way to create enemies in public.
“I’m impressed by how curious you are. Fine, I’ll tell you specially.”
The students who were embarrassed by the curse were just minor characters. However, they were arrogant nobles who enjoyed showing off and tarnishing the academy’s dignity and reputation, causing negative effects… that was the superficial reason.
The real reason was quite clear.
“I simply didn’t like them.”
“Yes…?”
“I couldn’t stand seeing those unsophisticated bastards getting puffed up.”
“Ah…”
That was the true reason. No matter how much flowery language you attached, the essence was this.
Even the stupid protagonist, who couldn’t properly use his abilities, was included.
Alicia paused, seemingly at a loss for words, and then nodded thoughtfully.
She hadn’t entirely put together all the pieces yet.
“Well, even if the Academia hadn’t permitted it, I wouldn’t have refrained from embarrassing them.”
I’d have done it in a more meticulous and dirty way. The soil in the shadows was always stickier.
Alicia seemed to engage in her own interpretation, lost in thought, but there were still pieces of the puzzle missing.
“There wasn’t a problem even if there was no permission, but I still find it hard to understand why the Academia approved it. I know you’re a member of a prestigious family and were the top student, but still, as just another newcomer among many… ah! I’m so sorry, Master! I didn’t mean to insult you.”
Thwack!
A clear sound echoed from Alicia’s forehead. Her bangs were long enough to obscure it, but a tiny hint of redness appeared between them.
“Alicia, you’re treating as if your Master is narrow-minded. The reason I’m uncomfortable is because of your unnecessary backstory.”
“I wasn’t trying to offend you…”
Honestly, what were you thinking of me? I was the epitome of nobility!
Ignoring Alicia’s varied reactions, I tuned into the flow of mana around me.
Time had already passed quite a bit.
Even with a master-servant relationship, keeping Alicia in my room this late could spread rumors. I needed to send her away.
“Just leave. I’ve finished checking up on you, so there’s no need for you to be here.”
“Yes, understood. I’ll retire now.”
After receiving the dismissal order, Alicia quickly gathered her things and bowed deeply.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night, Master.”
“Sure.”
Sending her away, she carefully left without making any noise.
When her presence had completely disappeared, I recalled the schedule in my mind. It wasn’t time for sleep yet. I could use this remaining free time wisely.
“I guess that’s what I’ll do.”
I would spend this remaining time expanding my mana pool. What else would I do if I was just sitting around?
***
Click-clack.
The morning sunlight bathed the long hallway of Academia. Louisa walked with long strides, her well-trained body creating a powerful echo with each step.
‘It’s definitely him.’
Her friend and longtime rival Paula’s prodigy amongst the two, whom she had mentioned with pride.
If one was from the Schugenhartz family, then it was easy to guess who the other was.
‘He’s weirder than I thought, though.’
An easy wide-area spell from him, consuming a lot of mana and having a prolonged activation time—yet the top student executed it with hardly a movement of his foot. His nonchalant air seemed to match it.
Louisa quickened her pace. The memory of that first encounter replayed in her mind.
Before the entrance ceremony, he barged into the meeting room and declared his plan. Being a noble with manners, he did not immediately disrespect the assembly, but coming in without any prior notice was already an uncouth action.
The principal and all the faculty were in a meeting at the time, but they accepted his rude intrusion and listened.
Louisa figured his tone and purpose seemed to convey something like this.
“I will cast a curse on the new students during the opening ceremony, so don’t interfere.”
It wasn’t exactly worded that way, but it was close. Many professors had instantly reacted in anger, shouting that it was nonsense.
She, along with the others, felt that this was an outrageous statement.
But he didn’t shrink back. Instead, he stood firm, as if expecting this reaction.
“Let’s bring fear to these rotten leaves this time.”
Adding to his declaration, he appeared more confident than anyone else. She wondered why he had made such a bold decision.
Academia was an institution for training heroes, but at the same time, it was a prominent place to mingle with the elite and the talented. It was inevitable for water to collect in such an elite group.
It was true that many entered not to become a hero, but to elevate their own selfish interests and lineage.
Louisa had always disliked these types who did not have the right mindset from the beginning, and if possible, she wanted to expel them from Academia.
If his plan went forward, while she couldn’t forcibly drive out those who had already been accepted, she could restrain their swaggering and avoid seeing their arrogance.
Just imagining it made her feel refreshed.
So, she raised her hand and cast her vote in favor. No matter the outcome, it was flowing in a direction that was not bad for her.
‘Heh, you may be a spoiled, high-ranking aristocrat, but if you’re coming out like this, you must be confident in your abilities. Then show us your so-called prowess.’
That was also underlying his thoughts.
If he didn’t cast the spell properly, it would be he who was embarrassed. She was fine with using his hand to blow her nose, so why not?
After he left, everyone discussed the newly proposed bill and as usual, they voted on it.
The professors were split evenly, which was quite significant. Half supported his statement because he had the right to speak freely, and he promised to take responsibility for all the consequences later.
The scion of the Schugenhartz family made the announcement and everyone in the conference room witnessed it. It wasn’t a formal contract, but it wasn’t a light statement either.
While everyone focused on the headmaster, he spoke with all the attention.
“Let’s give it a go, as he says.”
It was accepted on the condition that the professors would intervene if necessary.
And as a result, he played out his scenario as promised.
He acted like it was a given.
Clack.
Louisa’s steps stop. She forced her excitement down and turned down her upturned corners. She tried to look harsh.
First impressions on students were crucial. Especially considering the group she had gotten might be problematic in various ways, she had to be extra careful.
Creak.
Louisa opened the door and called out, receiving countless stares. She greeted the young, pale-faced guys.
“Hello! I’m your professor.”
The buzz in the air died down with her entrance.
Her sight took in the students as they registered her.
And among them, there was a particularly overwhelming presence, someone who outshone anyone she had seen before, with a cocky expression.
‘You, especially. I’ll keep an eye on you, Schugenhartz.’
She forced down her lip, which wanted to curl up.