How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 35

The exterior of the grand mansion known as ‘Petrine Forest’ was incredibly luxurious. The gardens adorned with dragon statues spouting water and vibrant spring flowers, and even the white marble path leading into the building, exuded opulence. There wasn’t a single spot that wasn’t extravagant.

Tap, tap.

Inside the mansion, down a long hallway decorated with beautiful angel sculptures, walked someone.

“…”

The young man, armed with a tidy uniform and neatly groomed hair, had impressive dark circles under his eyes. Despite his appearance, which suggested he was a competent and stylish servant, he had an air of weariness about him.

At that moment.

Tap, tap, tap!

Other servants quickly passed by him. They weren’t running, but their brisk pace was evident. Their destination was clear—the most grandiose and imposing door at the end of the hallway. The young man with the notable dark circles also headed towards the closed door.

“Sigh.”

Upon reaching the door, the young man checked his appearance one last time and cautiously knocked.

Knock, knock.

A tired voice answered from inside.

“Don’t knock, just come in.”

Creak!

“Excuse me.”

“Oh, Clark. Just wait a moment, I’m in the middle of some paperwork.”

The office was as grand and magnificent as the mansion itself, filled with antique furniture. The soft textures and rich colors of the high-quality wood were impressive, but the most striking feature was…

A large portrait hanging on one of the walls. The painting depicted a beautiful young woman with a radiant smile. She wore a black dress, her silver hair and emerald eyes sparkling enchantingly. Her beauty was so ethereal that it almost seemed otherworldly.

But what drew even more attention was…

“…”

The countless servants lined up in front of the massive wooden desk.

Swish, thud!

“This one’s done, next.”

The girl sitting behind the desk, working quickly with her hands, was the same person as the one in the portrait.

“Here it is. But you need to process this quickly…”

“I’m working on it, can’t you see?”

She snapped irritably. Unlike the dreamy figure in the painting, she had greasy, slick hair and wore large glasses that covered half her face. The dark shadows under her eyes gave her the look of someone who was utterly worn out and burdened by reality.

Scratch, scratch.

“Here, take it.”

“Thank you, Miss.”

The servant bowed and took the document she handed over, revealing the endless line of others waiting their turn.

“Sigh, it’s never-ending. Never-ending.”

Knock, knock!

“Just come in! Stop knocking!”

At the sound of another knock, she reacted irritably, causing the servants to flinch with fear.

She was Diana Fren, the owner of ‘Petrine Forest’ mansion and a contender for the successor of the Fren Merchant Guild.

Creak!

“And leave the door open; more will be coming anyway!”

Clark, watching her shout at the servant who had brought more documents, carefully spoke in a low voice.

“Miss, are you alright?”

“Hmm? Clark? Oh, right. What is it?”

“A student named Kamon Vade is here to see you. What should I do?”

“What? Kamon Vade?”

Thud!

She put down her quill instantly, her expression turning into a deep frown.

“Why is that trash here again? Does he need money again?”

“He said he heard about our recruitment of mercenaries for our business.”

“What? Mercenaries? That guy wants to be a mercenary? Ridiculous.”

Diana let out a derisive laugh.

Squeak.

“Sigh, really…”

She let out a deep sigh and held her head in her hands before heading to the luxurious sofa on the opposite side of the room.

“We have a guest, so leave the documents for now. Everyone except Clark, leave.”

“Yes, Miss!”

At her command, the other servants quickly exited the office, leaving only Diana and Clark behind.

Thud!

Slumping onto the sofa, Diana pressed her fingers to her temples and asked.

“So, what’s his real reason for coming? Did he ask for money again?”

“No, he really mentioned mercenary work.”

“What’s his game now? He was kicked out of his family; ignoring him might be better.”

“Shall I do that, then?”

“No, never mind. That was just a thought. Picking a fight with that lunatic could cause more trouble.”

Diana stopped Clark and retrieved something from the drawer next to the sofa. She lit a small tobacco pipe and took a light puff.

Sizzle.

“Sigh.”

The smoke from her lips enveloped her, giving her a slightly ethereal look reminiscent of her portrait.

“Bring him in.”

“…”

“We need to hear what he wants. Sigh.”

She took another deep puff of her pipe, looking at Clark with a tired expression. Clark bowed and immediately went to fetch Kamon Vade, who was waiting outside.

Left alone in the office, Diana tapped the armrest of the sofa with her finger, taking another deep drag of her pipe.

“Kamon Vade… What should I do with this guy?”

* * *

‘Is this really a mansion for a rich family?’

In the grand mansion named ‘Petrine Forest,’ a place that could be the setting for a novel, manga, or drama, I couldn’t help but be awestruck by its opulence. Diana Fren, one of the successors of the Fren Merchant Guild, resided here. The mansion had been selected as the finest dormitory within the Flance Imperial Academy, though it served only her needs.

“It’s even grander than Elijah Hall.”

Compared to the dormitory where Kamon Vade originally stayed, this place was far superior.

‘Indeed, money is king everywhere. Social status can be overcome with enough wealth.’

The Fren family held the title of viscount, but the power of the continent’s top merchant guild was evidently stronger than most high-ranking nobles.

At that moment.

“Please follow me. She’s waiting inside.”

The voice of the butler, who looked utterly exhausted, opened the door.

Creak!

‘Phew, is this the beginning?’

I never thought I would come to see Diana in person…

I used to imagine what I would do if I were the protagonist in a novel. Every time, I thought the last thing I’d want was to get involved with Diana Fren.

‘Now here I am, seeking her out myself.’

Life truly is unpredictable.

Step by step, I followed the butler down the corridor, marveling at the interior of ‘Petrine Forest.’ Naturally, a mansion this grand would have all its interiors filled with luxury items… right?

Wait, why is it so empty?

The interior, contrary to its lavish exterior, was surprisingly sparse and spacious.

And…

‘Isn’t that a folding bed? Why are there so many in the hallway?’

The corridors, with their high ceilings, had several single-person folding beds scattered about.

‘This feels off…’

The odd and overwhelming atmosphere of Diana’s mansion made me increasingly tense.

A short while later.

Knock, knock.

“Miss, your guest has arrived.”

“Come in.”

Creak.

The butler opened the door without hesitation. Inside, a girl was sitting on a very plush-looking sofa.

“…You’re here?”

‘Is that Diana Fren?’

The girl with large glasses covering half her face, silver hair tied back, and bloodshot eyes was quite different from the iron-willed woman depicted in the original story.

“…”

She looked like a complete mess, not the perfectionist and iron-blooded woman I had expected.

“I’ve brought him, Miss. This is Kamon Vade, the student who…”

“I know. I just saw him. Sigh.”

Thick smoke billowed from the pipe held between her lips.

A pipe?

“Have a seat. We’re not going to talk while standing.”

Her voice, slightly cold, prompted me to walk slowly to the opposite sofa and sit down.

‘Huh? Is this because I’m Kamon Vade?’

Her eyes and expression radiated strong hostility and annoyance.

“So, why are you here?”

“…?”

“You came to see me for a reason, right? Why did you come?”

“Of course, I have business…”

“Business?”

Her eyebrows twitched slightly before I could finish speaking.

Wait a minute.

Did this guy already know Diana?

Judging by the current atmosphere and reactions, it seemed likely.

Then naturally…

“Busi…ness.”

I took a deep breath and managed to switch my tone to a more casual one at the end.

Despite the awkwardness, it seemed my last-minute switch to informal speech worked, as Diana’s eyebrows settled back down.

“Of course, you’d have business. So, what is it? You’re not here to ask for money, are you?”

She exhaled another puff of smoke from her pipe.

“Could you hurry up? Do you know how much time I’m wasting just talking to you?”

“Dranthe’s Hidden Vault.”

“What?”

“I want to help with the excavation, Diana Fren.”

I spoke as firmly as possible.

“Huh, that’s your aim?”

Her lips curled slightly into a smirk as she nodded.

“So, how will you help?”

“Uh?”

“I mean, you want to help me, right? How will you assist in the excavation?”

“Well, obviously…”

I was planning to navigate the traps and quickly reach the Orb.

“Obviously?”

“As someone with some expertise in magic, I’d like to take a key role in the excavation.”

“Ah, so…”

Holding her pipe in one hand, she exhaled a thick cloud of smoke before continuing.

“You, the renowned Kamon Vade, will personally assist in making the excavation smoother and more perfect?”

“Yes, exactly. That’s what I mean.”

Contrary to the initial hostile atmosphere, she seemed to be receptive. I smiled, relieved.

But then.

“Ha, fuck.”

What?

Fuck?

“This guy is hilarious.”

Diana Fren’s voice turned sharper and harsher.

“Kamon Vade, are you playing games with me?”