How To Live As An Academy Extra Villain

✦ Chapter 105 ✦

「Translator – Creator」

“………….”

A fleeting impression of turbidity and darkness crossed my mind as I caught Selene’s gaze once more. However, the look didn’t linger. She quickly changed her expression, offering me a smile before waving her hand slightly and disappearing into the crowd.

“Hm? What is it?”

“It’s nothing. But why did you call me?”

“I just called because I was glad to see you. Let’s go for a walk. It’s been a while since we’ve had a proper conversation.”

I nodded in response to Cecila’s suggestion and we left the grand banquet hall, bustling with people, and Cecila led me to the serene lakeside in the academy grounds. When I hesitated upon realizing our destination, she tilted her head quizzically.

“Edwin, is there a problem?”

“… No. Let’s go.”

This was an area I had avoided throughout the first semester. It was here that I had ended things with Iris, so it couldn’t possibly evoke pleasant feelings. Back then, the trees were just beginning to sprout tender new buds, but now all the leaves had turned a deep green.

The surroundings were remarkably quiet, likely because almost all the students were gathered in the grand banquet hall. Cecila approached a bench and settled at one end. As I took a seat at the opposite end, she resumed speaking.

“It’s been confirmed that a new branch of the Inquisition will be established in Madehaven. Someone will probably visit your family’s territory within this month.”

“Really? To be honest, I was half-doubting it. But it really happened just as you said…”

“I told you to trust and wait, didn’t I, Edwin? Don’t you have enough faith in me?”

She turned her head away, her expression feigned disappointment. However, by now, I was no longer fooled by her antics. I understood that women often employed their emotions as weapons when seeking attention, and she was no exception.

“I’m sorry. I was just so happy. Establishing an Inquisition branch is a significant achievement. Words can’t express how grateful I am…”

“…Ahem, well, it’s not like you need to be that thankful… between us…”

Cecila’s tightly pursed lips gradually relaxed, and her eyebrows returned to their usual graceful curve. I wasn’t just flattering her. It was true that our territory owed her a great deal, and I genuinely felt deep gratitude.

The mere presence of an Inquisition branch alone could significantly curb the activities of heretics. Most incidents of that nature occurred in small to medium-sized territories that lacked an Inquisition branch.

Moreover, despite sharing such a significant experience, it was rare to find someone willing to exert such influence for my sake, especially when their own interests weren’t directly involved. If only there were more individuals like Cecila, perhaps the Holy Kingdom wouldn’t have fallen into such a state of disarray.

“I’m not just being polite; I truly mean it. It’s far from adequate as a gesture of reciprocation, but if you ever need my help with anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do whatever I can to assist you when the time comes.”

“Oh my, hearing such words from the infamous young master feels quite novel…”

Cecila widened her eyes in mock surprise, covering her mouth with her hand. A glimpse of a mischievous smile was visible through the gaps of her fingers. Her face was now full of playfulness, and she deliberately chose provocative words to tease me.

“You said you’d help to the best of your ability, didn’t you? Now that you’ve said it, there’s no taking it back, right?”

“…It’s nothing strange, is it? Even so, that kind of thing…”

“Hehe, who knows? Even I’m not sure what I might ask of you.”

Cecila chuckled, making a soft giggling sound.

“By the way, Edwin. Since we’re on the subject, may I ask you one more thing?”

“What is it?”

“Why do you act like that at the academy? Do you know how difficult it was for me to adjust to your behavior in the South? Even doting on your little sister like that.”

Cecila had always been perceptive. She had likely begun to sense something at the academy, and now that she had visited our territory, she seemed to have grasped the entire situation.

Since I now considered us to be fairly close, there was no need to hide anything from her.

“…Just think of it as repentance. My past self is beyond defending, even to me.”

“Repentance? That’s interesting. Are you trying to be Saint Marcus or something?”

“Who’s that?”

“He’s one of the church’s great figures. There’s a legend about him abandoning his wild youth and eventually rising to become one of the 13 Guardians.”

“…There are all sorts of people, I suppose. Anyway, that’s how you should understand it. But the situation at the academy is a bit different…”

Although I had long since ceased my rogue behavior, the reputation I had built up continued to cling to me like a stubborn stain. Without realizing it, I had become an unwilling member of the nobility faction, and rumors persisted that the next generation’s leadership would reverse the current trend.

Even Estelle seemed to harbor subtle expectations after hearing these rumors.

Naturally, people’s attitudes towards me became divided. Among them, those expressing the most vehement rejection were students of commoner origin.

Commoner students generally fell into two categories — those with ambiguous talents who would likely become retainers to various houses after graduation, and those with exceptional abilities who continued to soar higher.

The former group wasn’t much of an issue. They would choose whichever side treated them well, regardless of faction. These individuals showed little interest in political matters, focusing instead on honing their skills to increase their value.

The latter group, however, posed a problem for me. They aligned themselves with central powers represented by figures like Austin or Robinette, clashing with local nobles. They raised their voices against people like me, constantly advocating for the expansion of their rights.

The scale of these conflicts varied, but they occurred both in the academy and the imperial parliament. After all, these were people who understood that the more they could take from the pie, the more would come to them.

Whether intentional or not, Eugene could also be broadly categorized in this group. Moreover, if he were to be selected as the Hero, their voices would gain even more strength.

This was why the voices of criticism and rumors directed at me never ceased. They weren’t fabricating baseless accusations; I was simply perfect prey for them in my current state.

I summarized these thoughts and shared them with Cecila. Although I thought she might express some aversion, to my surprise, she nodded in understanding.

“…It’s not bad at all… You have an unexpectedly cold side…”

“What’s not bad?”

“…It’s nothing. But Edwin, what do you think about what Lady Evangeline said earlier?”

“What? About the Hero and the Holy Sword?”

“Yes.”

Cecila nodded. Her intense gaze, urging me to answer, felt somewhat uncomfortable.

“I don’t have any particular thoughts. I’m sure a suitable person will be chosen.”

Although I gave a noncommittal answer, she frowned as if something displeased her. She pressed on with another question.

“What? How can that be? Don’t you want to become the Hero?”

“What are you talking about? Is becoming the Hero something you can achieve just by wanting it?”

“Think about it carefully. Are you going to speak so carelessly in front of the Saintess? Don’t you think the Saintess would be greatly disappointed?”

Cecila’s words reminded me of the Saintess, whom I had momentarily forgotten. The Saintess was initially expected to transfer to the academy at the start of the second semester, but her plans remained uncertain. Perhaps the answer to my dilemma lay in Cecila’s words.

“Cecila, is the Saintess coming for the Sacred Sword Ceremony?”

“Of course. Who else would preside over such a ceremony if not the Saintess?”

“And what about afterwards? Principal Evangeline mentioned that the Hero would continue their studies, so does that mean the Saintess will also transfer to the academy? Surely she wouldn’t leave the Hero behind.”

“I suppose that’s likely. Why? Are you looking forward to it?”

“Why on earth would I look forward to something like that? Stop saying such strange things. I just asked because I was wondering if I should thank her for her help last time if we ran into each other.”

“…Tch.”

Cecila pouted, her expression sulking. Whenever the topic of the Saintess arose, she became overly engrossed, almost as if projecting her own aspirations onto the revered figure. Her devotion was almost admirable.

As the time flew by, the conversation drifted to trivial matters. Cecila eventually stood up, brushing off her seat, and showed a regretful expression.

“…I should get going now. If I stay away too long, Fiore will start to worry. She’s such an overprotective sister…”

“Fiore?”

“You know, the girl who always accompanied me in class…”

Her words reminded me of when I first encountered Cecila in the classroom. Cecila had thoughtlessly blurted something out, Eugene had joined in, and a conflict had ensued. We even received disciplinary action because of it. I remembered there was a female student trying to restrain her.

I had wondered if she had brought a maid with her, given how excessively flustered the girl seemed, but Cecila treated her like an ordinary friend, which I found quite puzzling at the time.

“I think I know who you mean. You should go. Stop making her worry.”

“…I told you she’s overprotective…! Anyway… I’m really going now. See you in class?”

Cecila bristled as if wronged, then turned abruptly and left. The silence that followed her departure suddenly felt lonely. I hadn’t conversed like this with Celine or Ellie on campus, which might be why it felt particularly so.

Not long after Cecila left, I also got up. There were no lectures today, so I planned to return straight to the mansion.

As I was walking towards the school gate, students began pouring out of the grand banquet hall, the opening ceremony apparently over. Among the crowd, a familiar-looking female student caught my eye.

Iris Robinette’s beauty shone distinctly even amidst the throng. Almost at the same time as I spotted Iris, she noticed my presence. Unlike our moment in the ballroom, her eyes were now intensely cold. She hesitated briefly, contemplating her next move, then quickly turned and disappeared in the opposite direction.

Though it was just a fleeting encounter, my mood instantly plummeted. Everything related to Iris remained complicated, like an unravelable knot.

Tap! Tap!

It was then that I felt a light, ticklish nudge on my shoulder. I saw a small, light green spirit perched on my shoulder, bouncing its body. The two bounces were the girl’s signal, calling me to the usual meeting spot.

— End of Chapter —

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