How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 1

“……So, I’m now possessed in the world of a novel.”

For quite some time, I continued walking, mumbling to myself.

“And of all people, I possessed Kamon Vade?”

A moment later, a hollow laugh escaped my lips.

“Wow, this is seriously twisted.”

Honestly, whenever I read novels or watched comics with themes like regression, possession, or reincarnation, I didn’t not imagine, ‘What if I ended up in that situation?’

“But now that it’s become a reality, it’s a bit dumbfounding.”

Muttering this, I unconsciously put my hand in my pocket.

“Oh, right. I don’t have it.”

I couldn’t help but scratch my head at the absence of my smartphone, which would usually stick to my hand like it belonged there.

“Hoo, this is driving me crazy.”

The novel I was possessed in was titled .

As the title suggests, it was a typical novel where the protagonist, chosen by the holy sword, saved the world.

“……Though it received a lot of flak due to its crappy developments.”

The novel, which followed the basic storyline of a chosen hero defeating the demon king, was left with only the final Chapter.

Well, up to this point, it was okay.

It was within a comprehensible range, and being possessed in a novel I was reading was quite an intriguing situation in itself.

But the problem was……

“I’m a third-rate villain who exits early in the story.”

Kamon Vade.

He was a character with no significance, used as a one-time consumable to highlight the protagonist’s early achievements.

Yeah. Frankly speaking, it’s not like I didn’t have any complaints about being possessed in such a character, but I tried to be as understanding as possible up to this point.

However……

“Why did it have to be at this timing?”

It was right after I committed an atrocious blunder by attacking none other than the imperial princess.

In other words, I had been possessed after committing a heinous crime of attacking a high-ranking national figure whom I absolutely should not have touched.

“Isn’t it normal to be possessed way before such an event or right before it happens?”

That way, at least I’d have a chance to do something!

What am I supposed to do, waking up in such a worst-case scenario?

“Hoo.”

Eventually, I shook my head and looked up at the high, blue sky.

“Alright.”

Since it’s come to this, there’s no use complaining about it.

“The important thing is, how I live from now on.”

Muttering this, I soon fell into deep thought.

What happened to Kamon Vade in the original story?

“……”

I tried to recall, but nothing came to mind.

‘Kamon Vade was never mentioned in the novel after the princess attack incident……’

Well, he was expelled from his family, so it’s understandable, but isn’t it common for minor villains used in the early parts of a story to be reused later?

But there was no mention of him at all?

“Could it be…… he died?”

It’s only natural.

If a criminal who attempted to assassinate the princess was expelled without any protection, the ending is obvious……

“No, come on. That doesn’t make sense. Why would he die?”

I quickly shook my head, denying the possibility I had come up with.

There was no mention in the novel that he died, just that he didn’t appear anymore.

So.

“……He didn’t die. He won’t die. No, he must not die.”

Muttering like a spell to reassure myself several times, I then shook my head once more to rid myself of the thought.

“Enough, no more pointless thoughts. Let’s think positively.”

There’s no point in trembling over something that won’t be resolved by worrying.

Maybe being possessed in Kamon Vade’s body was a good thing.

There wouldn’t be any annoying issues related to the family or any tasks the character must accomplish.

Besides.

‘I might be able to learn magic or spirit arts.’

Compared to the 21st century, this place had its disadvantages, but there must be better aspects if I look for them.

“So anyway, for now……”

Looking around, I saw a dirt road and grassy fields stretching endlessly.

The path I had come from led to the mansion of the family I was expelled from.

Deciding what to do next wasn’t that difficult.

“Let’s go to the academy.”

The novel I was possessed in was a medieval fantasy academy novel.

‘All the story content I know from here on out is centered there.’

Besides.

“The academy must be safe.”

As long as I maintained my student status, the academy had the duty to protect and ensure the safety of its students.

So, the safest and most reliable place right now was undoubtedly there.

“For now, let’s secure safety at the academy first, then figure out what I can do.”

Just as I decided my direction and was about to take a step.

“Wait a minute, but……”

I stopped in my tracks, recalling a problem I hadn’t considered.

“How do I get to the academy?”

* * *

After walking along the road aimlessly, I finally found a small village that looked like a settlement.

‘Oh, as expected.’

I thought there would be a village if I followed the path people naturally used.

Finding a village where people lived gave me some relief.

First, I needed to gather some necessary supplies here and ask for directions to the academy.

As I hurriedly tried to enter the village, an elderly man noticed me and approached.

“Ka, Kamon young master?”

“……Yes? Do you know me?”

At the old man’s sudden call, I tilted my head and looked at him.

The old man quickly continued, recognizing me.

“Of course, how could I not recognize the heir of the Vade family, young master Kamon. I am the village chief here.”

“Oh, you’re the village chief.”

Yes, a village chief should recognize the heir of the lord governing their territory.

But now I’m not an heir anymore……

Well, that doesn’t matter now.

I quickly asked the chief for directions to the academy.

“Do you mean the Flance Imperial Academy?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Why, why all of a sudden……? And you don’t have any attendants with you?”

The old man looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Oh, that’s because I planned to take my time visiting the surrounding territories alone this time, but somehow I got lost. Ahem.”

Recalling Kamon Vade’s position, I quickly made an excuse, and the old man nodded.

“Oh dear, is that so. Then, should I just tell you the way to the nearest village?”

“No. That’s okay, just tell me the safest and fastest route to the academy.”

“Pardon?”

The old man tilted his head and asked again.

“Didn’t you say you were going to look around the surrounding territories?”

“Well, yes……. But as I kept traveling around, I got tired and felt it might be a bit dangerous to move alone. I can always continue that later.”

“Haha, I see.”

The old man nodded with a smile.

“If you want the fastest and safest route to the academy…”

He pointed to the left among two diverging paths.

“Go that way. You’ll have to cross a mountain midway, but there’s nothing particularly dangerous, so you should be able to cross it quickly.”

“Oh. So, I just need to follow that path straight? By the way, how far is it to the academy?”

“Well, as folks from a small village, we’ve never ridden there, so we don’t know exactly, but it usually takes about three to four days on foot.”

“Oh…”

Three to four days on foot?

For people living in this kind of world, it might not be a big deal.

‘This might be quite tough.’

I’d have to camp out, and watch out for wild animals. And in the mountains, there’d be a lot of bugs, right?

Ugh.

Thinking about it, I lowered my head.

“Haha. Anyway, thank you. Thanks to you, I can get there easily.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I feel bad that this old man can’t be of much help…”

The village chief, who had been responding to my gratitude, suddenly seemed to remember something and mumbled hurriedly.

“Wait, if you’re leaving empty-handed, just wait a moment. I’ll get some camping supplies from my house.”

“…What?”

I opened my eyes wide at the old man’s words.

“Oh, no. You don’t have to go that far…”

“Haha. I’d feel uneasy sending the young master off empty-handed.”

Saying that, the village chief brought me all sorts of camping supplies like a portable tent, emergency food, flint, and a water bottle.

“I’m indebted to you. Thank you. You’ll be blessed.”

“Haha. This old man is glad to be of help, even in this way. Take care on your journey.”

“I won’t forget this kindness.”

After expressing my gratitude several times to the village chief, I left the village, bowing my head repeatedly.

Following the path the village chief had told me, I soon found myself on a mountain trail.

“Surely, people in the countryside have a good heart.”

Having only experienced selfish modern society, I couldn’t help but smile at such a nice experience.

‘I’ll definitely repay this kindness if I get the chance.’

Resolving this, I continued on my way to the academy.

* * *

Boom!

“I…finally made it.”

I fell to my knees, muttering with a tearful voice.

‘Ah, it’s warm.’

The warm sunlight shining down from the sky felt like a gift prepared just for me.

It was as if it washed away all the pain and injustice I had suffered…

“…Or not. I seriously thought I was going to die!”

According to the village chief, it was supposed to be a mountain I could cross in three to four days.

But.

“What do you mean three to four days? It’s been over a week!”

And the journey was anything but smooth.

I had to avoid traces of all sorts of wild animals, and I became a free blood donor for insects.

At the end, I even…

‘Got chased by a bear.’

Thanks to that, I lost all my belongings and barely managed to escape with my life.

“You said it was safe. You said there were no dangerous elements!”

As I was complaining to no one in particular…

Clip-clop, clip-clop!

I heard the sound of a passing carriage and…

“Mom, look at that man.”

“Don’t look, dear. He’s a strange person.”

I heard the voices of a mother and her child passing by quickly.

‘What? Man?’

Hey, ma’am.

I might look a bit strange, but I’m not an old man, you know?

I’ve just entered the body of a fresh teenager who hasn’t even gone to the army yet, and you call me a man?

…Well, despite my complaints, I wasn’t actually feeling too bad.

‘Just being able to meet people right now makes me so happy.’

Human civilization is a fence one should never leave.

Look at all those people and buildings.

This is heaven.

If my knowledge isn’t wrong, this place should be the city ‘Velium,’ right before entering the Flance Imperial Academy.

“Sniff! Sniff!”

At that moment, an incredibly delicious smell stimulated my nose, and I couldn’t help but turn my head.

And there.

Sizzle, sizzle!

I saw the image of a chunk of meat cooking with a sound that made my ears happy, along with various appetizing dishes being prepared at a restaurant.

“Gulp.”

Having lost all my belongings while being chased by a wild bear, I hadn’t eaten properly until now.

Growl.

My stomach, which had been quiet, suddenly roared loudly, announcing its presence.

Then, one of the chefs cooking food with the big window open came out and our eyes met.

“Hmm…?”

I quickly turned my head to avoid his gaze, but…

Growl.

I couldn’t stop the sound coming from my stomach.

“Hey, you, beggar.”

When I turned my head again at the chef’s voice from behind…

“Here, take this.”

I saw him holding out a bowl with some food in it.

“Th-this is?”

“I don’t know what happened to you at such a young age, but eat this.”

“But I don’t have any money…”

“I’m giving it to you for free, so just take it!”

“Th-thank you.”

As I reached out for the steaming bowl, the warmth seemed to transmit to my heart.

“…I’ll eat well.”

I hurriedly put the food the chef handed me into my mouth.

And with the savory yet sweet flavor, the delicious taste of the meat stew made me shout without realizing.

“Delicious!”

“What?”

“Ah, I mean it’s incredibly tasty!”

“Really? Then I’m glad. I have a child around your age, so I couldn’t ignore you.”

The chef mumbled, rubbing his nose at the compliment, then continued with a puzzled look.

“But what on earth did you do to be in such a state at your age…”

“Swallow. Well, I got lost in the mountains. I even lost all my belongings.”

“Mountains? That’s a dangerous place to pass through. Where did you come from to cross a mountain?”

The chef tilted his head and asked curiously.

“Well, I came from the territory of Marquis Vade. I heard it usually takes three to four days, but I got lost midway and it took me over a week.”

“What? You came from the territory of Marquis Vade? Then why did you cross the mountain? If you took the open road, it would have taken at most two days.”

“Pardon?”