The Heroines All Want to Kill Me

"Lord, would you like to be my sparring partner?"

"Oh, I think I'm more suitable to be the lord's sparring partner." As soon as the break time came after Isolte's class, the noble students surrounded me, pleading to spar with me. There were so many people gathered that if an onlooker saw this scene, they might think I was a deeply sinful villain. Well, to some extent, that was true... but the situation wasn't really like that at the moment.

"...I will go all out and use my excellent acting skills to help you get higher scores!"

"I've learned social skills, and my acting skills can even deceive the examiners. However, Lord Frey, please make sure to'remember' my face." These people weren't trying to step on me because they hated me; instead, they were doing this to curry favor with me. In the past few days, I had casually interacted with the noble students who had gathered around me, and they thought I had accepted them. As a result, they spontaneously formed small groups.

It seemed that as members of the Frey faction, they believed it was appropriate to carry out the "score - farming" task as their first mission. In this regard, they also believed that I had used dark magic when I subdued Isolte last time. After all, they didn't dare to act against Isolte easily because of her status and "strength." So, it was only natural for them to believe that I had used the brooch to cast dark magic. Of course, I had just shown my true strength at that time.

"Thank you all for your kindness, but I already have a sparring partner in mind..."

"Mr. Frey, if you don't mind, would you be interested in having a match with me?" Anyway, I had to duel with Irina, so I declined the students' offers. Just then, a female student came towards me with a charming smile.

"Didn't you hear what I said? I already have someone I like in my heart..."

"...I can even accompany you for a night battle."

"....." I was momentarily speechless upon hearing this. Several other female students nearby also came over and started winking at me quietly. It seemed that these girls not only wanted to please me with points but also intended to get serious.

"...This is crazy." Presumably, these female students behaved like this because they had heard that I was a madman obsessed with women. However, this rumor had spread widely throughout the entire empire. It would be more surprising if they didn't know about it. Of course, this kind of infamy was helpful for killing the Demon King, so I didn't take any measures to clarify it. But whenever I heard those ridiculously absurd rumors, I couldn't help but want to deny them loudly. What kind of rumors were circulating? For example, there was a large group of sex slaves kept in the basement of the Starlight Duke's family, and they only received the minimum amount of food. Or, I had had romantic affairs with all the noble ladies below the count level. Or, the royal family didn't dare to offend the Starlight family easily because I had an affair with the princesses, and with just one word from me, the whole continent would be plunged into scandal... Such absurd rumors were spreading everywhere, and as a result, there were often groups of women around me who came because of these rumors. Of course, I had no interest in women who approached me just because of my status.

"What do you think? If you're willing, we can do it tonight..."

"Another time, let's talk about it another time. I'm not feeling well right now."

"Oh, are you choosing a partner?" So, when I frowned and refused, most of the female students left tactfully. But the woman who had initially tempted me directly leaned in and started to act coquettishly towards me.

"No... Why are you like this..."

"Thank you so much for choosing me as your partner, the Silver - Haired Lord."

"...Silver - Haired Lord?"

"Yes, this is the nickname that the female students in the academy gave you after seeing Lord Frey's silver hair and handsome appearance. Ah, don't you know that, Lord Frey?"

"....." I had no idea what this girl in front of me was talking about. When the students in the academy talked about me behind my back, the nicknames they used were things like the Mad Dog and the Disgrace of the Starlight Family... definitely not something as cheesy as the Silver - Haired Lord.

"Anyway, please take care of me in the future. My name is..."

"...Sorry, the lord already has another sparring partner."

"...Huh?" I resisted the urge to ask where she got that excuse, forced a smile, and was trying to figure out how to get out of this awkward situation when Kania suddenly interrupted.

"...Excuse me, may I ask who you are?"

"I'm the housekeeper of the Starlight family and also Lord Frey's servant, Kania."

"Ah... That maid from an orphan background?"

"...Yes." The woman who had tried to seduce me raised the corner of her mouth and humiliated Kania. Kania gritted her teeth and replied.

"...However, what do you mean by saying that the sparring partner has already been designated?"

"The young master has already agreed to spar with me."

"Oh, is this true, Lord Frey?" Kania replied coldly, and the female student showed a surprised expression as she threw the question at me.

"...Yes."

"Hehe... I see..." I replied with a stern face. She looked at us with great interest and then said, "...The Silver - Haired Lord and the Gray - Haired Commoner, what an unexpected combination."

"Is that so?"

"If I dye my hair black, will you accept me?"

"...You really have some nerve."

"Sorry, I'm the kind of person who will do whatever I've set my mind to once I make a decision." Ignoring my cold tone, she squinted and smiled, lifted the hem of her skirt, and curtsied slightly.

"...Then, I'll come to visit you after I dye my hair."

"..." After saying this, she turned and walked towards the door.

"Hey, I've remembered your face."

"...Ah?" Hearing my words spoken in a low voice, she slowly turned her head and said with a smile on her face, "That's truly an honor. Then my name also..."

"...I already know your name, Isabel."

"Oh... So it was all a test." Seeing my calm expression, she said with an understanding look. "Then, I'll come to visit another day."

"...Mmm."

"Ah, and I've decided not to dye my hair after all. Actually, I hate black." As she spoke, she glanced at Kania and then left the classroom, leaving behind the words, "...Because it's a dirty and lowly color."

After that, there was a brief silence between Kania and me who remained in the classroom.

"...Kania, about what just happened..."

"You don't have to apologize." I quickly opened my mouth after looking around to make sure no one was there, but Kania coldly interrupted me.

"...I just did what I had to do."

"But... Uh."

"...Master?" I was about to say something to her, but I stopped for a moment due to the sudden intense pain in my back and heart.

"What's wrong with you?"

"It's nothing serious. I'm just a bit stressed about that girl, and my head hurts a bit. I should be fine after taking a rest..."

"...I see. Then I'll take my leave first."

"Where are you going?"

"...I have something to deal with." After saying this, Kania left the classroom without looking back.

"Sigh..." I sat there in a daze for a while, lowered my head weakly, and muttered to myself, "...This is really terrible, truly."

Because of the false story I made up for Kania, although she didn't hate me as much as before, she still harbored hatred towards me. I could tell from her cold expression and eyes just now. Even so, she still stepped forward to help me who was in trouble today. It seemed that Kania had made up her mind to help me, a person she despised deeply but who was burdened with the destiny of defeating the Demon King. Of course, if I didn't defeat the Demon King, the world would be destroyed, so she had to help me... But even so, after hearing my made - up false story that ignored the pain she had suffered, Kania still decided to help me, which was enough to prove how kind she was.

However, I had solemnly promised Kania that I would do my best to treat her well in the future, but when she was insulted, I didn't stand up for her. I was afraid that if I stood up for her, that arrogant female student would think I was doing it for Kania. I was also afraid that this already shaky body of mine would completely collapse, even though I had only received the punishment once. As a result, Kania gave me a cold look and walked out of the classroom.

'...Although this kind of thing happens often, it's especially sad today.' I lowered my head and thought for a while. Before leaving the classroom, I silently took out the envelope from the drawer and mumbled her name that I had found out using the information search skill.

'...She probably thought I wouldn't dare to touch her casually. She's completely wrong about that.' Where on earth did that female student get the audacity to be so arrogant? It turned out that she was the daughter of a quite prestigious marquis family. Come to think of it, according to my memory, the engagement between the eldest prince, who was first in the line of succession to the throne, and the female student who had just left the classroom was probably being pushed forward at this time. Of course, judging from the situation just now, she was a woman who changed men as often as she changed clothes, so the engagement would soon fall through.

'...Since I've remembered her face, it's time to make her fall into the abyss.' Although I couldn't help Kania just now, at least I had to avenge her secretly and wash away the humiliation she had suffered. Of course, generally speaking, as the daughter of a long - established marquis family and with an engagement to the first prince, it would be extremely difficult to take revenge on this highly regarded young lady who was about to become the empress. But I was from the Starlight family. Moreover, I had already experienced the previous timeline. So, although I couldn't expose the fact that this marquis family would be the first to defect when the Demon King's army invaded... I could expose their various acts of corruption and embezzlement.

'...They were already the top target for expulsion on the empire's blacklist. Well, now they've brought themselves to a shorter lifespan.' With these thoughts in mind, I began to anonymously write down the corruption and embezzlement of the marquis family in the letter. Of course, the empire and the royal family were already quite corrupt, and ordinary corruption could be tolerated. But these guys had even embezzled the royal family's budget. So, with the current style of the royal family, they would definitely be jealous enough to strip the marquis family clean.

"...Alright, this should be about right." Soon, this letter would be anonymously sent to my father. Although his memory had been tampered with, his innate sense of justice was still strong. After seeing this letter, he would definitely report it to the royal family immediately. Moreover, such a punishment should be appropriate for the family that had taken the lead in destroying the empire in the previous rounds and for the young lady who had insulted Kania.

'...Well, it's time to cause trouble for Irina.' In this way, I slightly relieved the guilt in my heart and walked out of the classroom, ready to cause trouble for Irina. It seemed that the guilt that I had with great difficulty unloaded was going to pile up again.

....."...Hey, could you please move aside?"

"You'll end up suffering a great deal if you keep this up."

"You, get away!!"

"Ari... an..." It wasn't difficult to find Irina. Due to the depletion of her magic power, she couldn't use force or cast magic, so she became the target of bullying for those nobles who were helpless against commoners. As a result, it had become a regular occurrence for her to be bullied by the nobles in the academy's backyard. The commoners were afraid of getting into trouble by offending the nobles, so they turned a blind eye to these things. And Isolte carefully concealed the bullying Irina endured from the nobles, so she couldn't offer help either. Of course, if Irina asked for help, Isolte would definitely lend a hand. But as a proud great mage, Irina's self - esteem wouldn't allow her to ask for help. Therefore, when she was struggling to hold on under the magic attacks, only her friend Ariana, who was proficient in protective magic, could protect her.

So, where was I and what was I doing when she was being bullied?

"Ah, Lord Frey. You're here?"

"...You're a bit late today. That damned commoner has already put up a shield."

"Sigh... Every time it's just getting interesting, that presumptuous The guy comes to mess things up...." Of course, I had also bullied her along with those nobles. And I had even taken the lead in it.

The primary reason I did such bad things was that I could get generous points. Irina hated me so much that she had cast an instant - death spell on me at the cost of depleting her magic power for a year. So, every time I tortured her, I could get a considerable number of evil points. In other words, she was simply a point cash machine on par with Kania.

Secondly, it was to minimize the harm she suffered. Although it might sound ridiculous to say that I was reducing the harm while leading the torture, that wasn't the case. This was crucial because I had to mediate moderately to prevent those noble students who regarded commoners as insignificant from casting deadly magic on Irina or doing something excessive. So, I deliberately walked in front, poked her with the scabbard of my sword, and teased her. Only in this way would those nobles not cast severe magic on her for fear of hurting me, thus buying time for Ariana to arrive.

Of course, some might think that if I didn't take the lead, Irina wouldn't be bullied. But I started to take the lead in teasing her because I had once witnessed her walking down the corridor, covered in bruises and trembling, under the attacks of the noble ladies. She had already been completely targeted by those nobles. Therefore, I judged that if I didn't lead the bullying and reduce its intensity, she might unknowingly suffer a fatal injury, or even be forced to drop out of school or die.

Of course, it would have been much simpler if I had ordered to stop bullying her... But if some stupid noble thought that I was protecting Irina out of pity, the punishment mechanism would be triggered, and I would be finished. So, I had always bullied Irina in front of her in a way that wouldn't cause her too much pain as much as possible while secretly blocking all the attack magic aimed at her.

'...However, all of this will end today.' That's right. As I had just thought, from today on, I would stop bullying her.

The first reason was that I no longer had enough physical strength to take the attack magic for her. The punishment for the loss of health points was more terrifying than I had imagined. Therefore, I planned to be as cautious as possible in the future. That is to say, the act of taking the attacks for her and torturing her should come to an end.

The second reason was that I was worried about her mental state. No matter how strong her self - esteem was or how proud she was, it was impossible for her to maintain a normal mental state under such continuous torture. So, even though I could earn a large number of points, since I had come up with a way to end the torture of her without revealing my identity as a Pseudo - Villain, I should stop it immediately.

The third reason was exactly the "way" I had just mentioned. From now on, I was going to take advantage of this situation and become her sparring partner in the practical assessment. Of course, this method was a bit despicable, but I had no other choice. If I rashly asked her to have a battle, she, who was in a state of magic power depletion, would definitely think that I was trying to humiliate her and refuse. To be honest, I didn't want to go this far... But in order to start the main - line mission, reverse the plot, and save everyone, I had no other way. And that "everyone" naturally included Irina, who was now staring at me with eyes full of hatred.

「...For some reason, it seems that my ability to rationalize myself is getting better day by day.」Before officially taking action, I thought this with a bitter smile. Even though I was shoulder the lofty mission of saving the world, I couldn't change the fact that I was making Irina in front of me suffer at this moment. It was precisely because I had experienced so much pain like this in the previous reincarnation that I always rationalized myself repeatedly before acting as a Pseudo - Villain. Perhaps, this was also the destiny of a Pseudo - Villain.

"...Drop the defensive barrier, Ariana." I made up my mind and said coldly. Ariana, who had just put up the barrier and was glaring at the nobles, trembled all over and then stared at me with sharp eyes. In the class, I had supreme power even higher than that of the princess. And she dared to show such an attitude towards me just to protect her friend. I couldn't help but think that one day, I also wanted to have such a friend.

"Please stop this behavior. What on earth has Irina done to you..."

"But that girl has a low birth and no strength, doesn't she?"

"...What did you say?"

"A useless waste who can't even be a tool doesn't deserve to stay in the academy. So, we've come to clean up the trash ourselves... You should feel honored, shouldn't you?" When I said the lines that only a third - rate villain would say with a despicable expression, the nobles around me nodded in agreement. Seeing this, Ariana widened her eyes and shouted loudly, "Irina is a student several times better than you! Don't insult her casually!"

"...Enough. Move aside quickly, do you hear me?"

"I will never move aside!!!" Ariana shouted as she expanded the protective shield even wider. As a result, several nobles who attempted to approach her were knocked down by the gust of wind, causing a commotion.

"...Is that so? What a pity," I said coldly, watching the scene with a blank expression. "...Then there's no other way. I'll have to target your sister."

"...What did you say?"

"You've always been getting in my way, and it really pisses me off. So, I made some inquiries... and found out that your sister is a maid in our duke's mansion."

".....!!!" Upon hearing this, Ariana's eyes began to waver. I looked at her, the corners of my mouth curling up slightly as I continued, "So... I'm planning to transfer your sister to work in the basement of our duke's mansion in a few days."

"Wh, what do you mean by that..."

"You know what I mean, right? Your sister is quite pretty... I'll 'put her to good use'."

"Ah, ah..." As soon as I finished speaking, Ariana slumped to the ground with a vacant look in her eyes. At the same time, Irina rushed out from behind the defensive barrier and grabbed my collar.

"You, you... piece of trash!! Have the guts to come at me!! Have the guts to hold me!! You damned brute!!"

"...What a touching display of friendship," I said, raising my hand to signal the nobles who were about to step forward to pull Irina away to stop. Then, I said in a cold voice, "However, a fierce woman like you isn't my type... I have no interest in holding you."

"You, you bastard..."

"However... I have to give you credit for having the courage to curse the eldest son of the duke's family. I admire that." I roughly pushed Irina away from me. Watching her plop down on the ground, I looked down at her and said, "I have a proposal for you."

"...A proposal?"

"Exactly. Considering your remarkable courage, I'm especially offering you a grace - like proposal. You should be grateful." Upon hearing my words, Irina clenched the dirt on the ground, her teeth gritted. I looked at her and continued, "Be my sparring partner in this practical assessment."

"...What?"

"Then, how about we make a bet based on the outcome of this sparring match?" When she heard the word "bet", Irina furrowed her brows and tilted her head in thought. I then presented her with an offer she simply couldn't refuse.

"If you win that duel... I'll transfer a part of my magic power to you." As soon as I said this, the surrounding nobles started whispering among themselves. Well, after all, in the eyes of the world, "Starlight Magic Power" was top - tier magic power that couldn't be bought with money. Such a reaction was only natural.

"If a talent - less person like you could possess the magic power of the great Starlight family, perhaps you could really create a miracle. Of course, only if you can beat me," I sneered. Irina then widened her eyes and retorted, "And if I lose?"

"Either leave this school or become my exclusive slave."

"...Exclusive slave?" She furrowed her brows and asked. I grinned slyly and replied, "Think about it. Gradually taming a stubborn person like you might be quite interesting."

"...Hmph."

"Well, are you in or not? Decide quickly." Pushed by my urging, the trembling Irina suddenly screamed, "I'll do it! I'll do it, okay!!"

"...Very well. Then, swear a death oath."

"...What!?" Irina looked horrified. At the same time, I started tapping the black brooch that I had picked out from the brooch box during the break and pinned to my chest.

"Lower - class people like you have no idea of the weight of a promise... That's why I always carry this with me just in case." As soon as I finished speaking, the brooch activated, and black energy flowed out, tightly entwining Irina and me.

"...What are you all looking at? Haven't you all unknowingly sworn similar oaths to your servants?" The nobles around stared at me blankly. I scanned them with a cold smile and then turned my gaze to Irina, asking, "I'll ask you one more time. Do you really want to make this bet?"

"...Ugh!" Irina bit her lip in anger, and blood began to seep out. Finally, she replied in a much weaker voice than before, "Iri... Irina... Don't swear that oath. I'll figure out a way to deal with my sister's situation..."

"...I agree. I said, damn it."

"No! No, Irina!!"

"Very good." At that moment, the black energy penetrated into our hearts.

"...You know that breaking the oath will lead to death, right? Fool?"

"....."

"Seems you're well - aware. Then... We'll have our showdown another day." After saying this, I withdrew from the group of nobles, stopped, turned around to look at them, and said in a low voice, "...From now on, don't touch that woman. She'll soon be my exclusive slave and serve me... It would be troublesome if she gets hurt." Hearing my words, the nobles nodded silently and then quietly followed me towards the exit of the backyard.

"Woo, wuwuwu... Irina... I'm sorry... It's all because of me..." As I listened to Ariana sobbing while holding Irina, and watched Irina pat her on the back while glaring at me coldly, I turned around and left the inner courtyard, thinking to myself, '...Before the duel day, I must accumulate as much magic power as possible.' It seemed that I was about to be busy again soon.

....."...Lady Kania! Lady Kania!!"

"What's going on?" At the same time, Kania was strolling along a quiet corridor. When she saw Pelosh running towards her in a hurry, she tilted her head and asked what had happened.

"I've found out a top - secret piece of information about Frey...!"

"...Top - secret information?" Pelosh looked solemn as she leaned close to Kania's ear and whispered that she had found out top - secret information about Frey. After hearing this, Kania asked with a serious expression, "So, what exactly is that top - secret information?"

"Don't be shocked... Frey... actually... actually...!"

"...Actually?"

"Is a woman!!"

"....." At this point, the saintess shouted nervously. Kania was taken aback for a moment, stared at her blankly, and then replied with a relieved expression, "...I see."

"As, as expected, Lady Kania, you already knew!!" At the last gathering, Klara had spent a full five hours explaining that whales were mammals, not fish, but Pelosh still tilted her head in confusion. Having witnessed this, Kania secretly made up her mind never to get involved in such things. So, she nodded silently.

"Right... Frey is actually a girl! It seems we've caught... no, found one of her weaknesses." In that moment, the saintess finally became convinced of Frey's female identity. She clenched her fists, delighted with her discovery, and suddenly turned to Kania, asking a question, "By the way, do you know where the infirmary is?"

"...Why do you want to go to the infirmary?"

"Ah, well... I just heard that Miss Isabel suddenly collapsed, clutching her stomach... I want to see if there's anything I can do to help..."

"If it's about that, I don't think you need to go."

"...Why?"

"A cat that wags its tail randomly... always needs to be taught a lesson to behave," Kania said in a low voice.

".....???" Pelosh was confused by Kania's words and tilted her head in thought. Kania then added in a low voice, "...And one cat is enough." After saying this, Kania gently stroked Pelosh's head, which was still tilted in confusion, and began to purify the remaining black energy in her hand. This was simply a perfect crime.