How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 16

“So, Angela stole Kamon Vade’s money?”

“Yes, that’s right. And because of that, she got thoroughly screwed.”

“Seriously, my brilliant sister shit herself right in front of the store.”

“…I’m going to kill that bastard, I’ll kill him! Sniff!”

Seeing Angela repeatedly muttering curses through her tears, Senbran, the branch manager of the dark guild ‘Velium,’ shook his head.

“So, what about the aftermath?”

“We handled it so there won’t be any issues. Instead of reporting us, we gave them what they wanted for free. Besides, the evidence was clear, so there wasn’t much else we could do.”

At the maid’s shrugging response, Senbran frowned and murmured.

“Of all people to mess with, she had to mess with Kamon Vade. So, is Angela’s condition that bastard’s doing?”

“I can’t say for sure, but from the looks of it, he didn’t seem to know either. If it was an act, then it was a damn good one. Anyway, we made sure no one will cause trouble for Angela in the future.”

“Good job.”

“Yes, boss. Angela, are you staying here?”

“I-I’ll kill him, sniff. I’ll kill them all… Hic.”

“Leave her be for a while. She brought it on herself anyway.”

Nodding again, Senbran’s words made the maid chuckle inwardly as she stepped outside.

* * *

“So, Bren, are these all top quality?”

“Y-yeah. These look really great, better than anything I’ve seen before. And they sell these in a shop.”

Paralysis mushrooms, mandrake roots, Graydon tree bark, white henbane powder, and even salamander feathers.

I succeeded in getting everything on my pre-prepared list in one place.

No, to be precise, I succeeded in getting them for free.

“But isn’t that place strange? At first, they said they didn’t have the items, but suddenly they did after Angela got involved?”

“W-well, we agreed not to report the pickpocketing, right? The maid said they helped because her sister was in trouble.”

“Hmmm.”

If you think about it positively, it makes sense…

“Wow, look at this feather. I’ve never seen such a shiny feather before.”

Seeing Bren mumbling as he checked the items’ conditions, I couldn’t help but tilt my head.

‘Can they really find and give away top-quality items like this so quickly?’

Even more, they handed over everything for free.

It feels a bit off…

Well, does it matter?

What’s important now isn’t some suspicious general store.

“Alright, let’s start preparing for the exam properly.”

* * *

All the students taking the dungeon studies class were gathered in a rather large gymnasium.

Screech.

At that moment, the familiar figure of Professor Delon entered through the front door and, in a loud voice, asked the somewhat nervous students.

“So? Are you all ready for the exam?”

“……”

Of course, no one answered.

“Whether you’re ready or not, the exam is today. So, get ready. Now…!”

Ziiiiing!

With Professor Delon’s signal, a rainbow-colored portal appeared in the middle of the gymnasium.

“Let’s start the dungeon studies final exam.”

Professor Delon announced with a grin.

“The first group is Shamus’ group. Please come forward.”

A few students approached the portal at the beckoning of the assistant who appeared out of nowhere.

And.

“…Still not here?”

“Yeah, Lois checked the dorm earlier, and he wasn’t there at all…”

“Is it happening again?”

Chelsea and her group members, located farthest from the center, were nervously looking at each other.

“He’ll be here soon. Didn’t they say you’d be expelled if you fail?”

“Sigh, Elaine. You still trust that crazy bastard? Kamon Vade doesn’t care about that stuff.”

“Maybe it’s because of that?”

“No way. He wouldn’t skip the exam for something like that. That doesn’t make sense.”

“Well, he could be in the bathroom…”

“Come on. It’s been days.”

Elaine responded to Melin’s words, but her expression hardened a bit.

Then, Lois mumbled with a troubled expression.

“W-wait a minute. What about the money we gave him?”

“Lois, is that important right now?”

“No, but… Ugh, if my sister finds out, we’re in big trouble.”

Lois stomped his feet anxiously, while Elaine glanced at Chelsea and spoke carefully.

“B-but if Kamon doesn’t show up…”

At that moment, Chelsea, who had been silent, finally spoke up.

“Maybe it’s for the best?”

“Huh?”

Everyone’s eyes focused on Chelsea at her unexpected words.

“Originally, the plan was for the five of us to do this. There shouldn’t be a problem.”

“R-right. It’s easier without him. Less hassle.”

“But if we’re short on people, won’t we be disqualified?”

Recalling the previous magic studies exam, Elaine asked in a worried voice.

“No, that won’t happen. I’ve checked the rules.”

“Really?”

“Yes, but let’s confirm it again…”

Reassuring Elaine with a slight smile, Chelsea turned her gaze towards the portal.

At that moment.

“Shamus’ group failed, next group get ready.”

With Professor Delon’s shout, Shamus’ group was summoned back around the portal.

“Already failed?”

“Is it that hard?”

Then, the assistant’s voice echoed again.

“Phelin’s group, get ready.”

The next group approached the portal with tense faces.

“……”

Watching quietly, Chelsea finally started walking.

Step, step.

And.

“Professor.”

“Hmm? Chelsea? What’s the matter?”

“We have a problem.”

“A problem? What problem?”

“……”

Chelsea glanced back before answering.

“We’re short on people.”

“Hmm? What do you mean…”

Professor Delon quickly moved his fingers to count the members of Chelsea’s group. Then he said,

“Five? Wait a minute. Where’s Kamon? Could it be…?”

“Yes, professor.”

Seeing Chelsea nod in response, Professor Delon couldn’t help but squeeze his eyes shut.

“Damn it. That bastard Kamon… Assistant!”

“Yes, sir.”

“When is Chelsea’s group scheduled?”

“Last, sir.”

“Is that so?”

Chelsea quietly waited for Professor Delon’s response, sensing something was going according to plan. Confirming the dungeon entry order, Professor Delon looked at Chelsea and tried to speak as gently as possible.

“Since there’s still some time before your group’s turn, let’s wait a bit longer…”

“What if he doesn’t come?”

“Huh?”

“What happens if he doesn’t show up by the time it’s our turn?”

“He’ll be disqualified.”

Chelsea nodded slightly at Professor Delon’s words but couldn’t help but ask again.

“Then what about us?”

“What?”

“Will we also be disqualified? After all, it’s a group test.”

Chelsea asked with a regretful expression, looking at Professor Delon.

“Hmm, that…”

“As far as I know, according to the academy rules, if a member of a group test is absent without a valid reason, even if the scoring is done for the whole group, they are treated as an exception.”

“Right, according to the rules. Even if Kamon doesn’t show up, you won’t be disqualified.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Having received the answer she wanted from Professor Delon, Chelsea immediately bowed her head and responded.

“Then let’s continue the exam. Has Phelin’s group entered?”

“Yes, they went in a moment ago… Ah, they’ve failed.”

Ziiing.

Seeing the students coming out of the portal, Professor Delon gave orders with a discontented look.

“Prepare the next group.”

“Yes, sir!”

Chelsea watched the assistant and Professor Delon’s actions and then quietly turned her head with a smile on her lips.

‘It’s more comfortable not to have any variables because of Kamon. So, if he doesn’t come…’

Bang!

Suddenly, a loud noise came from the gym’s iron door.

“……”

“……?!”

Everyone’s eyes turned toward the noise, and a person carrying a rather heavy-looking bag appeared.

“Ugh, so heavy!”

“…K-Kamon?”

“The exam hasn’t started yet, right?”

Kamon Vade asked confidently.

“You’re here.”

“Professor, what should we do with him…?”

“He arrived before the exam started, so there’s no problem, right?”

“N-no, sir.”

“Then, enter the portal with the next group!”

Ugh.

Chelsea couldn’t help but bite her lower lip hard.

* * *

“Next, Kyle’s group, get ready.”

Not long after I arrived, I saw the protagonist Kyle, the princess, and his followers enter the portal.

At that moment, a voice full of annoyance came from behind me.

“You look pretty confident for someone who’s late.”

Seeing Mellin glaring at me, I shrugged my shoulders and responded lightly.

“Should I apologize here?”

“What?”

“Don’t start unnecessary fights. I was late because I went to the bathroom.”

“B-bathroom?”

Mellin seemed a bit taken aback by my response.

‘What’s wrong with her?’

At the same time.

“K-Kamon. Are you okay? Aren’t you feeling well?”

Elaine asked worriedly, and I tilted my head as I answered.

“Uh, I’m fine.”

“G-good. That’s a relief. Hahaha.”

Elaine laughed awkwardly, and I shrugged again in response before putting down my bag.

Thud!

“……”

I immediately started sorting and checking the items I brought.

Rattle, clatter!

‘Thankfully, I didn’t forget anything.’

At that moment, I heard other students talking.

“This exam is really tough.”

“I overheard from the guys who finished early that it’s insanely hard.”

“But this group seems to be holding on for a while.”

I chuckled inwardly at their conversation.

Of course, it’s tough. In the original story, only one group passes this exam…

“Kyle’s group, pass!”

“Yeah, Kyle’s group is the only one… What? Already?”

Rattle!

Surprised by Professor Delon’s shout, I stood up abruptly.

“P-pass?”

“Wow, there’s actually a passing group!”

While the surrounding students voiced their surprise, I couldn’t afford to pay attention to them.

‘What…? They already passed?’

“Kyle’s group, fifty minutes and fifty-eight seconds. Pass!”

With the assistant’s shout, I dropped the item I was holding.

“Why, why is it different?”

In the original story, Kyle’s group passed the dungeon studies exam with a record of ‘one hour and twenty-three minutes.’

But what? Fifty minutes and fifty-eight seconds?

At that moment.

Ziiing!

The color of the dungeon portal changed, and the first passing group, Kyle’s group, appeared.

“Passers, please move to this side.”

Following the assistant’s instructions, Kyle’s group members started to move.

And soon, Princess Francia, a member of Kyle’s group, looked in my direction.

At the same time.

“Tsk!”

“…Princess?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just saw a funny face.”

“A funny face?”

“Yes, like the face of a worm wriggling on the ground.”

“What are you talking about…”

“Kyle, let’s go quickly. We’re going to be late.”

Click, click.

Watching her familiar footsteps walk away, I couldn’t help but clench my fists tightly.

‘That bitch…!’