Became the Villainess’s Guardian

The future had changed.
But could it be called a change?

Everything else remained the same, merely the aggressor had been reversed.

“Freugne?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Freugne followed Edan with an awkward, stiff gait, her expression puzzled.

Edan seemed to sense something was amiss, but his mind was already overloaded simply from processing the bizarre scene he had just witnessed, leaving no capacity to dwell on trivial matters.

‘I just need to close my eyes, and say this one line.’

‘I want to join you.’

This was the second time.

Why was she making such a proposal to Edan despite knowing he would refuse?
More importantly, what did this ‘join you’ proposal even entail?

At the very least, she understood she wouldn’t meekly accept being shot, but her supposed countermeasures made even less sense.
By any observation, the people she had hired were restraining Edan. No matter how charitably interpreted, it appeared to be an abduction.

So, as the situation unfolded thusly, a thought gradually emerged.

‘…Could there be something wrong with me?’

It seemed inconceivable that her future self would repay the person who had rescued her from the fire, sent her to school, and provided patronage, with kidnapping and confinement. She was hardly such a depraved human.

Though she attempted to rationalize it inwardly, her visions had never misled her to suffer any detriment thus far.

‘I’m sorry, but this is the only way I can proceed.’

‘But you also bear fault for driving me to such lengths……’

Perhaps those murmurings, which it seemed no one else could hear, were directed at her past self watching the events unfold.
If they were rebuking her present belief that she could never commit such actions as presumptuous, then what was she supposed to do?

Inevitably, she could only hope her future self would provide a cogent explanation later.
Otherwise, she would have to continue searching for clues while placing faith in the slim probability, grasping Edan’s hand at random intervals in an attempt to peer ahead.

Having spent half the night with eyes half-open, Freugne finally acknowledged there was only one course of action available for now.

“Um, mister.”

“Yes?”

“…Could you hold my hand for a bit?”

Edan was oblivious.
He likely just assumed she was affection-starved.

Freugne’s daily life was monotonous.

She would study at home in the afternoons, and Edan would occasionally teach her in the evenings.
While she had tried to glimpse further into the future, there had been no significant progress. The most useful information she could glean was a few stock names that would plummet if Edan happened to shout ‘gazaa’.

Of course, as a counterbalance, she could also foresee stocks that would soar.
Freugne’s future notebook was steadily accumulating such insights daily. She instinctively felt the time to utilize it was not far off, as it had become quite a comprehensive compilation destined for use eventually.

And just like that, a month flew by.
By September, autumn had arrived, but the sun remained scorching as the enrollment period began.

While government bureaucrats decided the administrative district names, they naturally also named the public schools.
Hence, the official designation of the school near Edan’s residence was the straightforward [East Londinium Primary Public School].

“Have a good day at East.”

“Yes, mother!”

Of course, being so long, everyone simply called it East School, and among the students, even that was shortened to just East out of laziness.

“If any of the other boys bully you……”

“I’ll immediately inform the teacher and parents!”

“What nonsense, you’re supposed to beat them up and win.”

“…Ah!”

The national rule of academia.
All students enrolled in an academy are equal.
A cliché known to the heavens, the earth, and even recorded in the Gohyeosu Bagdo of the Gakka Records.

Excluding hereditary titles like baronies or knighthoods that were conferred almost ceremonially, there were long-standing noble families in Londinium.
But they knew that the moment they flaunted their status to make demands, they would earn the reputation of being ‘remnants of the outdated feudal system begging for scraps.’

Hence, with aristocratic ranks like marquis or count having lost all significance beyond their nominal titles and faded into historical obscurity,
One could finally say that the public schools considered academies had achieved true equality.

And at an age more easily swayed by emotion than reason, fists naturally took precedence over laws.
Overhearing a passing family’s conversation, Freugne discreetly asked Edan,

“…Is that for real?”

“Pay no heed to such talk. If anything happens, you must tell me directly.”

“But showing your true colors is……”

“No, you must report to me, your patron, first. Only then can I resolve the matter for you.”

For it would only needlessly complicate matters otherwise.

While lacking formal class distinctions, reality remained unforgiving.
Students were unconsciously divided into new strata based on their parents’ wealth and social standing.

In that sense, Freugne could be considered to have had a relatively advantageous start.

If not a father, having a patron acting as a guardian was deemed roughly equivalent.
And in that position was a somewhat socially renowned magician with actual achievements.

More than anything, it was why Edan could rest assured that Freugne would not face unjustified bullying.

“Ahem, I’ve heard of your mentor’s name.”

“For what reason?”

“The Ceres Palace recently unveiled an invention called the ‘air…conditioner?’. Although I do not invest myself, I’ve been deeply interested and kept abreast of the news.”

“Well, I’m quite abashed. But more than the factory models, I’m planning to produce smaller home units, so perhaps I should install some at the school in time for next summer’s heat.”

In an era with virtually no child labor laws and where the concept of human rights was unfamiliar,
A student’s circumstances differed little from others.

Hence, parents visiting to establish minimum safeguards was a basic parenting skill for their children’s wellbeing.
Of course, Edan was Freugne’s patron and temporary guardian, but for the orphan, it amounted to little difference from having actual parents.

“So don’t worry too much. While achievements are good, you needn’t be overly preoccupied with them.”

“But I still want to do my best.”

“Very well. But those are moments that won’t come again, so make lots of friends too.”

After ruffling Freugne’s hair, Edan sent her off to school. As her guardian, that was the extent of what he could do.

Briefly ruminating on his words, Freugne nodded vigorously.
She had indeed intended to make many friends. Though perhaps not quite in the direction Edan had envisioned.

Instead of eagerness for the new semester or apprehension about unfamiliar encounters, a subtle resolve burned in Freugne’s eyes.
While they reflected Edan’s image, her mind was overlaying a particular future atop it.

For she would not become the kind of depraved person who repaid kindness with enmity.
Thus, she needed the ability and background to distort that fate.

Originally, Freugne should have started her academic career in the lowest-ranking class.
However, my return was not merely idle chatter with the principal, so I could take a slight shortcut.

‘As long as she demonstrates a minimum level of competence, enrolment in a higher grade should not pose a major issue.’

‘In fact, even that might not be necessary – her age alone could suffice.’

There were concerns about whether she could integrate well with her friends. That was an aspect beyond my influence.

And come the following July, upon completing the year of education,

“The child is quite bright. Where did you find such a gifted young one?”

“While most finish with just the basics, she seems capable of advancing to the next stage. How about considering high school admission for her?”

Freugne had grown splendidly, of her own accord.
And contrary to any apprehensions, her growth had been remarkable.

By the end of the summer term, Freugne had progressed a full grade, and on weekend mornings, she would wake early to play with friends.

Some claim people cannot be rewritten.
But I did not necessarily think it was impossible.

Just look at our potential dark queen.
Was she not leading a healthy, wholesome daily life?

Peering through the window below, I could see Freugne frolicking amidst her peers.

Skipping basic education altogether, it was a moment I had never experienced, nor would experience in the future.

“How delightful.”

Edan’s assessment had not been mistaken.
Freugne’s peer relationships were as smooth as at the orphanage, and her conduct was impeccable.

Thanks to the teachers’ ‘consideration’, she quickly adapted to this unfamiliar lifestyle, and her academic performance consistently led the ranks in response.

Initially, the very notion of taking exams had been foreign, placing her scores in the middle ranks. But by the end of the autumn term, she ranked among the top few in their class of sixty.
And upon completing the spring and now summer terms, she had finally secured the number one position – affirming Edan’s judgment at the orphanage that she had shown promising seedling potential.

Yet she had not solely focused on academics.
As Edan had wished, she made many friends too. With her cute looks and kind demeanor, it had hardly been difficult.

However, if there was one peculiar point he had failed to notice amidst this exemplary life,

“Freugne!”

“Ah, sorry. Were you waiting?”

It was that her bonds went beyond simple friendships.

“What shall we do today, Chief?”

“I told you not to call me that……”

More stringent and systematic than such affable sentiments.
While youths yet inexperienced in the world might not comprehend, this was what was termed ‘loyalty’ within social organizations.