How To Live As An Academy Extra Villain - Chapter 113



113 – Expression (5)

My energy disappeared upon hearing Cella’s question. I thought she had something important to say coming at this hour.

“Is that what you want to ask?”

“…Yes.”

“Sigh…Why on earth are you curious about that?”

As I let out a deep sigh, Cella responded with anger.

“Of course…! Hmph, naturally because the rumors are absurd. There is no way you would force yourself to…to do that…”

“…”

“Or could it be…that you really enjoyed it…?”

I hesitated for a moment on how to respond to Cella, but perhaps I could let her in on my true feelings. It wasn’t something worth hiding.

“Sure…”

“I won’t tell you, right? Fine. Then there’s no choice but to confirm it myself.”

However, today of all days, Syrella’s patience had reached its limit. Before I could even open my mouth, Syrella began her next move.

“Syrella? What are you doing right now…”

– Flash!

The moment our eyes met, something bright and radiant seemed to burst out from Syrella’s eyes, like a gleam. I felt a warm and clear sensation that stirred my whole body.

“Hmm… I knew you would do that.”

The light that covered the floor disappeared in an instant. As my eyes adjusted from the blinding glare, I saw Syrella there, smiling satisfactorily and nodding her head.

“…What is this all about…”

“It’s a pure insight. The magic of the Holy Maiden… No, the skilled individuals of the Holy Empire all know this skill.”

“What?”

“Don’t say anything to me this time. It’s solely your fault. You should have told me sooner.”

Syrella showed no signs of retreat. Instead, she boldly questioned and confronted me.

However, when I tried to explain the situation, she merely coughed awkwardly and avoided eye contact.

“…Ahem. So, is this why you’re trying to break off our engagement? Just because of that…?”

“As an afterthought. There are political reasons, as well as personal reasons.”

“Even so… to go against a hero…”

“Anyway, that’s all there is. Is it over now? There was no such thing as what you mentioned.”

“Then, what about the bruises on your body? They weren’t caused by a fight… They say they appear if one sucks the blood… The Fiores…”

“…That’s none of your business. Don’t ask any further. I won’t answer.”

“It does concern me…! However… sigh…”

Feeling guilty, I evaded Syrella’s question. She seemed about to cry out in frustration, but soon calmed down and let out a sigh.

“…So, what do we do now…? The hero… No, Eugene refuses to break off the engagement…?”

“If he doesn’t agree, we’ll have to force him to understand. If everything goes according to plan, the duel trial will take place soon. Then…”

When the words “duel trial” came out of my mouth, Syrella muttered with a disgusted expression.

“A duel… Such barbaric customs still exist…? It’s been forbidden by doctrine for so long…”

“But there’s even a Duel Club in the Academy, right? Traditions aren’t easily erased. And I’m fine, but be cautious about saying such things in front of nobles who are sensitive to tradition, especially in other places.”

“…Sorry. I was being excessive with my words… but wouldn’t a duel put you at a disadvantage…? Like… last time…”

Cecilla asked with a slightly worried tone. Cecilla was definitely present at the previous duel. So maybe she didn’t think the odds were in her favor.

However, explaining the plan I had prepared felt a bit burdensome. I gave a suitable response.

“Well, I guess we’ll have to see.”

“Hmm. I understand for now…”

Cecilla let out a deep sigh. It seemed like that was the only question she had, as she got up from her seat and tidied her robe.

Right before opening the front door, Cecilla turned her body and spoke to me in a low voice.

“Anyway, do your best. I still… don’t really understand.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Well, then, I’ll go?”

Cecilla waved her hand and stepped out of the front door.

“Cecilla…”

“Yuck…”

Fiore, who was sitting desolately next to the door, rushed over with a trembling voice. Cecilla looked disgusted and quickly disappeared with quick steps.

After closing the door and turning around, I finally remembered the bird I had put in my coat. Carefully putting my hand in, the bird looked at me with a calm expression, as if to say, “What’s wrong?”

-Tweet…

***

The plan progressed smoothly. Under Silla’s pressure, the Lord of Redville approved the start of the duel trial, and since there was a considerable distance between Redville and the Academy, the delegation and representative were sent to the Academy.

Whenever two or more students gathered, they talked about the duel. There were also bets being made on the outcome, but most of them favored Eugene.

“…Edwin Reed.”

The day before the duel trial with Eugene. A female student called me while I was on my way home. The girl’s hair flowed like fiery flames, an intense red.

“…Claudia Asellus?”

The owner of the awkward voice was Claudia, the heroine of the story and the noble daughter of the Asellus family, who served alongside Silla.

However, it’s safe to say that I have no connection with her at all. We briefly encountered each other in disguise at the ballroom, and we never had any separate interactions before that.

Just the fact that she called my name was surprising enough.

“…Follow me. He is looking for you.”

“…This is surprising. Are you now treating the beloved of the famous Grand Acelerus as a mere servant?”

“…I offered to help first.”

There was no need to mention who Claudia was referring to. After finishing her announcement, Claudia tried to turn away, but upon hearing my words, she abruptly stood still.

“And don’t speak carelessly in front of him. I am an esteemed Clientes, after all. There won’t be a second chance.”

“…Apologies. But do I have to go with him just because he is looking for me? Shouldn’t he come to where the matter is?”

My words seemed to displease Claudia as she sent me a cold gaze. Then, she sighed deeply and extended her palm, conjuring a blue flame.

The blue flame was Acelerus’ creation, undoubtedly inspired by Eugene. It was said that Claudia truly fell for Eugene during that time.

The flame swayed back and forth as if being blown by the wind, then suddenly flew into the air.

I hesitated for a moment, but decided to meet him head-on. I was curious about why Eugene, who had been avoiding contact until the duel, was looking for me.

Regardless of preferences, Eugene and his group seemed to be distanced from scheming and conspiracies.

“…Edwin Reed. Honestly, I hope you win in this duel.”

“…What?”

Claudia, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke. I asked if I heard her correctly, and Claudia calmly continued her explanation.

“I just wish he redirected his attention to another woman. If he’s a warrior, he should focus on honing himself instead of chasing after women, don’t you think?”

“What does that…”

“In my opinion, it would be great if he lost interest even in Patricia Austin, but sadly, that would be too much to ask. Even getting rid of one cheap woman right now would be a great achievement.”

“…I see. But if I win, wouldn’t it tarnish the reputation of being a warrior? And wouldn’t you and Austin, who support him, also suffer great disgrace?”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s just a little disgrace. In fact, it will make our relationship even stronger. Soothing his heart in sadness, you know. Well, not that he would lose though…”

After casually retorting to my words, Claudia suddenly turned her head. The blue flame that had disappeared before reappeared and vanished above Claudia’s hand.

A moment later, a blond boy appeared in sight.

“Eugene…! Here…!”

“Claudia…!”

Claudia’s expression upon seeing Eugene was extremely surprising. After approaching Eugene and whispering to him for a while, she disappeared down a side path. Eugene, having bid Claudia farewell, turned around and approached me.

“…Edwin.”

“…Speak.”

In Eugene’s eyes, there was still anger. It seemed to reveal a hint of resentment.

However, his attitude was somehow quite different from usual. After hesitating for a while, his mouth finally opened.

From Noble mtl dot com

“…It’s a request. Release Eugenia.”

“I knew I had done something again. I don’t need to hear such nonsense anymore…”

I never expected Eugene to use the word “request” toward me. On one hand, it was quite surprising. After all, he came to me on the eve of our duel and said something like that.

“…If she’s not by my side, Eugenia will die in agony.”

But the next words that came out of Eugene’s mouth had a shocking impact that stunned my mind for a moment. What is this suddenly?

I managed to gather my thoughts and spoke, but Eugene continued with his own statement.

“…It’s unbelievable. You have caused pain all this time…”

“…I know too. Eugenia told me about it. What happened when I was absent. I felt sorry, and I also realized that Eugenia truly considers me her friend. That’s why…I even considered breaking off the engagement.”

“But why on earth…”

“…A dream.”

“What?”

“I occasionally have dreams. At first, I didn’t understand at all, but after entering the academy, I came to know. Dreams show me my destiny.”

I had a rough idea of what Eugene was saying. His story was divided into several parts, and each part always began with a dream Eugene had.

It was like the prologue of a story.

However, it didn’t predict everything, but rather showed a scene that seemed frozen like a painting in my memory.

“People have always come to me like dreams. I drew the Holy Sword as shown in the dream. Dreams…always came true. The Saint said it was one of the abilities of a hero…”

While I was consumed in thought, Eugene continued speaking on his own.

“…And last night, I had a new dream. Two dreams. One where Eugenia was happily laughing by my side, and the other where Eugenia was dying from illness. Alone in bed, coughing up blood…a dream that eventually reached its end…”

“…”

“I know it’s largely my fault. But…it’s still better than dying in agony…”

Eugene pleaded with me in a sincere tone. Surely, the fact that he had dreamed was not a lie in itself. However…did the contents of the dream change like the altered reality…? Eugene had never dreamed of Selene before, as far as I could recall…

“Maybe I would have pondered before obtaining the Holy Sword. But not anymore. I can make everyone happy. It might be difficult now, but Eugenia will eventually understand my heart. So, Edwin, please release Eugenia.”

I can somewhat understand Eugene’s emotions. Although his dreams never showed the process of reaching the painting, the results always came true.

“…I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

I listened to Eugene’s words and fell into deep contemplation. It would be a frightening thing for me as well if his dreams were to come true.

However, despite countless deliberation, the conclusion was always the same.

His request is something I can never fulfill.

Now I also have come to realize to some extent.

“…If everything went according to fate, I wouldn’t be in this position right now.”

“What do you mean…”

“It’s not always feasible to blindly follow. Give up my own belongings for such a trivial dream? Don’t say something absurd.”

“It’s not a trivial dream! It’s true! If I had been separated from her, Eudenia would eventually…!”

“Well, maybe in your dream, you didn’t meet me.”

“…You…don’t care if Eudenia dies in agony…? You were just…playing with her…?”

I rejected Eugene’s demand. It wasn’t as if I said such things to him without any basis.

I still have a generous amount of elixirs left. No matter what illness Celine contracts or whatever curse befalls her, I can restore her to her original state perfectly. I haven’t even witnessed death, only seen one on the verge of dying, so I have plenty of time to handle it.

However, Eugene seemed to think that I didn’t take his words seriously. He gritted his teeth, unable to control the anger he had briefly suppressed.

Can I calm his anger? Can I guide things in a rational direction?

…On the contrary, if I hadn’t known his story, could I have believed in his dream?

“If I had a medicine that could cure all the world’s diseases, would you believe me?”

“What…!! Edwin, you…until the end…!!”

“…I expected that kind of reaction. Further conversation seems meaningless. I don’t want to waste any more time, so I’ll be leaving.”

“…I had a slight hope. Just a slight hope…”

“…”

“As I thought…you…”

I turned around and left. From behind, I could hear Eugene muttering in anger.

Now we only had one night left for us.