How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 30

Already, a small booklet lay open in front of me.

“For this demonstration, you’ll be performing the spell ‘Nine Rings of Fire.’ It’s a bit challenging, but considering your usual abilities, you should be able to handle it just fine.”

“…”

Excuse me. But I’m currently incapable of using any magic. How am I supposed to perform a magic demonstration in front of an audience?

No, I can’t do this. I need to tell him straight up that it’s impossible. If I get caught up in this, it could lead to the worst-case scenario.

Surely, refusing to do this one thing won’t get me expelled from the academy, right?

“Um, Professor. I’m currently having some issues…”

Just as I was about to confess my predicament,

Bang!

“P-Professor Xavier!”

The office door burst open, and someone rushed in.

“Hmm? Genjin?”

A middle-aged man, who appeared to be a fellow professor, shouted urgently.

“Did you hear the news… Oh? Are you in a meeting?”

“Yes, this is Kamon, the student who will be handling the magic demonstration at the upcoming seminar.”

“Oh, the demonstration. Is this the student recommended by the princess?”

What? The princess? Why is her name suddenly coming up here?

“Cough, recommendation. Kamon’s name was already on the list.”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

Nodding in agreement with Professor Xavier, the man then lowered his voice and muttered seriously.

“Professor Xavier, I need to discuss something…”

“Is this about that scoundrel Elmon?”

“Y-yes. How did you know?”

“I just heard about it myself. That damned Elmon is trying to shut down my society?”

“P-Professor, there’s still a student here…”

“It’s fine. He’s a member of our society. He should know.”

“Apparently, Elmon is using the dissolution of the society to undermine you. Given that our society’s performance hasn’t been linked to any tangible results, he’s exploiting that.”

“Elmon is really showing his age. As you said, he’s trying to maintain his power by checking others.”

“So, we need to make a strong impression at this seminar. Show everyone the history and power of our magic society.”

“Indeed, you’re right, Genjin.”

Professor Xavier nodded and then turned to me.

“Kamon, you heard that. A lot is riding on this magic demonstration.”

Suddenly?

“The upcoming seminar will have many important guests and dignitaries attending. So…”

Wait a minute. If I say, ‘I can’t do it because I can’t use magic,’ what would happen?

I don’t need to think too hard to know it would be a disaster.

“So, our society’s fate is in your hands. Don’t disappoint me.”

“…”

“What’s the matter? Can you give that bastard Elmon a proper smackdown or not?”

“Well, actually…”

“Professor Xavier, he’s still a student. Putting such pressure on him might be too much. It’s better to encourage him.”

The middle-aged professor, Genjin, interjected.

“Right, of course, he’ll manage. His skills are reliable. I trust you, Kamon Vade.”

Muttering to himself, Professor Xavier looked at me sternly.

“But remember, if anything goes wrong at this seminar, you will be held accountable. Understand?”

“Yes, I understand.”

I had no choice but to nod at the imposing Professor Xavier.

What else could I do in this situation?

“You may go now, Kamon. Genjin, as I was saying…”

Without further ado, Professor Xavier dismissed me, and I quickly left the office.

Let’s recap.

Professor Xavier assigned me the magic demonstration for the society seminar. And the person who recommended me was…

‘Princess Francia, that damn lunatic?’

“Damn it.”

I couldn’t help but curse. What the hell am I supposed to do now?

* * *

After learning about the unexpected magic demonstration, I was racking my brain, trying to find a way out of this predicament.

‘Damn it. Should I learn magic somehow? But I can’t even sense mana.’

I had one unresolved question.

Kamon Vade originally could use magic and was a highly talented individual.

‘So why can’t I even sense mana now?’

This fundamental question might be the root of my biggest problem. But it was a problem I couldn’t solve immediately.

“I can’t ask anyone either.”

How could I admit that Kamon Vade can’t use magic? It would be disastrous.

Though I had no choice but to confide in Chelsea, reducing the risk of exposure was the wisest course of action.

“Sigh.”

If only there were a clear solution…

Growl.

“Forget it. I’ll think after I eat.”

Plodding along, I noticed many students were still around, perhaps because of the short break.

Seeing them carefree and moving in groups, I couldn’t help but mutter inwardly.

‘How carefree they are…’

I was projecting my frustration onto the innocent students when,

Thunk!

In a split second, someone slammed into my shoulder with a strong impact.

“What the hell?”

I immediately yelled out, glaring at the person who bumped into me. A slightly scruffy-looking student, not particularly large, stood there with a few friends who looked like his buddies.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t see you.”

The student quickly apologized, and though I frowned, I decided to let it go.

“Whatever, just go.”

The student nodded slightly and headed back to his friends, while I resumed my walk toward the dining hall.

Step, step.

But then, I overheard their whispered conversation from behind.

“Heh, crazy. Did you really do it?”

“Yeah, but what if Kamon had snapped and beaten you up?”

What? That guy bumped into me on purpose?

I was about to turn around when I heard something even more shocking.

“I told you, the rumors are true. Kamon can’t use magic anymore.”

“Right? If he could, he would have exploded in flames by now.”

“Still, isn’t it a bit much to provoke Kamon Vade like that? What if he actually retaliates?”

“Nah, if he’s no longer a noble and can’t use magic, he’s just a weakling. Why should I be scared?”

What? There’s a rumor going around that I can’t use magic?

“…”

Step, step.

Stunned by the unexpected revelation, I couldn’t even muster the courage to look back. I had to move quickly.

‘Fuck, what’s going on?’

Being forced to perform a magic demonstration was already a headache, but now there’s a rumor that I can’t use magic?

Could it be Chelsea? Or Bren?

Potential culprits of spreading the rumor popped into my head, but I quickly shook it off.

No, that’s not important right now.

If the entire academy finds out I can’t use magic, what will happen?

All the notoriety Kamon Vade had built up would come crashing down on me.

Could I even survive?

Feeling a chill run down my spine, I clenched my trembling fists.

“No, I need to find a solution. I have to figure out how to use magic again, no matter what!”

* * *

Back at the dormitory, I sat at my desk and began to analyze the current situation.

“Let’s break this down one step at a time.”

I only had about two weeks left. At the end of the break, I had to perform a magic demonstration at the society seminar. Meanwhile, rumors were spreading that I could no longer use magic.

First and foremost.

“I need to be able to use magic.”

Whether it was possible or not, without this premise, nothing else mattered.

Let’s assume I manage to regain my magic abilities through sheer effort. Then what?

I’d need to skillfully perform the ‘Nine Rings of Fire’ spell in front of an audience…

“Sigh, can I really do that?”

It was a rhetorical question, born out of sheer disbelief.

Even if I managed to overcome the two hellish prerequisites, the most daunting issue was…

“I can’t sense mana at all.”

Through my private lessons with Bren, I had confirmed that I couldn’t even see mana.

To cast magic, I needed to learn it first. To learn magic, I needed to sense mana. If I couldn’t sense mana, then…

It was all pointless!

“Ugh, this is driving me insane.”

With a deep sigh, I realized the only option left in this situation.

“Should I just run away?”

But I quickly shook my head.

“No, that’s not an option. The outcome would be the same.”

If I fled, I might end up disappearing without a trace, just like the original Kamon Vade.

So the only remaining option was…

“I need to find out why I can’t sense mana anymore, even though Kamon Vade could.”

Having identified the core issue, a name popped into my head.

“Jamie Hasellion.”

One of the few contenders for the strongest character in the original story’s universe.

Known as the Yellow Mage, part of the trio of mages designated by primary colors—Red, Blue, and Yellow. Jamie was the Yellow Mage, one of the continent’s top magicians.

“And currently a hidden character in the academy.”

For reasons not revealed in the novel, Jamie was hiding in the academy during the early chapters.

Although in the original story, Jamie didn’t play a significant role—only appearing occasionally and then fading away without much impact…

“At least Jamie might know the cause or a solution.”

From the original story’s knowledge, Jamie was the closest and potentially most helpful figure I could reach out to.

But…

“I really didn’t want to do this…”

Despite knowing about Jamie’s existence, I had postponed this option until now for a simple reason.

“The author certified her as one of the craziest characters in the novel.”