How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 4

“So, you must leave here immediately. If you don’t have any personal belongings to pack, we will send them to you later.”

I clenched my fists at the maid’s firm explanation.

No, I couldn’t just leave quietly like this.

Though I usually preferred to let things go smoothly, this was a time to be persistent, even if it meant being a nuisance.

I couldn’t just give up such a wonderful dormitory!

‘They say even a hated person gets an extra rice cake. It’s worth trying at least once.’

“Wait a minute. Why? Why are you suddenly telling me to leave?”

“Well, that’s because…”

The maid hesitated for a moment, then continued with a faint smile.

“The academy administration has issued a forced eviction order. This dormitory is only for ‘high-ranking noble’ families.”

She then spoke in a businesslike, decisive tone.

“Currently, Master Kamon is not part of the Vade family, so you no longer have the right to stay here.”

“But usually, dormitory contracts are on an annual basis, right? So, until the end of this school year, I…”

“Sorry to interrupt, but dormitory contracts are per semester. Moreover, the academy can terminate the contract at any time due to changes in status or circumstances.”

Oh… um…

Really? Is there such an unfair contract?

Just then,

“Excuse me.”

Another group of maids entered through the open door.

“Wait, but…”

But they ignored my cries and started inspecting and moving everything they considered my personal belongings out of the building without any hesitation.

“…”

Seeing them proceed without hesitation, cutting off my feeble resistance, I felt a slight sense of helplessness.

“Ha, seriously…”

I had hoped, but it turned out as expected.

First, the Monster Trio incident, and now being kicked out of the dormitory.

All because I was no longer a noble…

‘Right, this is the medieval era.’

Maybe this was just the natural order of things.

A world where one’s status determined everything about a person.

I had somewhat guessed this would happen.

Having been expelled from the family, the ensuing backlash was bound to be severe.

‘Hoo, stay calm.’

It’s not like it was something I hadn’t expected, right?

“Then where will I stay now? If I’m kicked out of the dormitory, do I have to sleep on the streets?”

At my question, the maid raised one eyebrow slightly.

Then,

“Master Kamon has already been assigned another dormitory room. You will move there now.”

Another dormitory?

This was a dormitory for high-ranking nobles, so it must be a dormitory for commoners over there, right?

Sure enough.

“…Is this really the place?”

“Yes, this is the dormitory building where you will stay from now on, Master Kamon.”

Wait a minute.

I think the maid misunderstood my question…

‘Is this really a building where people can live?’

The old, decrepit high-rise building looked like it could collapse at any moment.

As I stared at the shabby dormitory with a bewildered expression,

Creak!

‘What’s that sound?’

Thud!

“……”

Something that looked like part of the building materials fell from the other side.

“Did you hear that… No, wasn’t that from the building?”

The maid maintained her businesslike attitude and spoke firmly.

“This place does not have the support of the staff. Please keep that in mind and let us know if you have any questions.”

“No, I mean, did you hear that sound just now? Didn’t that fall from the building?!”

“Well, I sincerely hope you have a pleasant stay. Excuse me.”

The maid, who only said what she had to, bowed slightly and left.

“Ah…”

I stood there in a daze, watching her walk away.

And then,

Creak, creak.

The terrible sound that followed seemed to symbolize my future.

* * *

A dorm room filled with a musty and damp moldy smell.

“This place is worse than the tiny room I lived in as a kid.”

Crackle.

The floor looked like it would break with the slightest pressure, and the ceiling accessories seemed like they could fall at any moment.

“Wow, can people really live here?”

Squeak, squeak!

Oh, there were even some friends living here?

I shook my head quickly as I stood there, overwhelmed by the horrendous surroundings.

“No, let’s think positively. Positively.”

Plop!

I plopped down on the bed, which seemed somewhat usable, and scratched my head, trying to compose myself.

“At least this is better than sleeping outside like before…”

The image of Elijah Hall flashed in my mind.

“…No, that’s nonsense. Damn, this class discrimination is ridiculous. Damn medieval era!”

What? A world full of knights, magic, romance, and adventure?

Don’t make me laugh.

This place is hell. The worst hell that exists in reality!

How can a person’s treatment and environment change so drastically just because of their parents’ status?

‘And why am I stuck in this world, suffering like this?’

Growl.

At this moment, my stomach growled loudly, reminding me of my hunger.

“Ha, now I’m hungry too?”

Anyone would think I was a beggar.

Growl!

Once the hunger hit, it was surprisingly intense.

“…Let’s get something to eat first.”

In the original novel, the academy had a cafeteria for students.

The problem was, I had no idea where it was.

“What do I actually know?”

I knew the story but had no practical information.

I had no idea about the layout of the academy.

“Hmm, let’s go outside and ask.”

Having made that decision, I looked around.

Soon, I found boxes containing Kamon Vade’s belongings.

“Oh, this will do.”

Satisfied with the sight of a high-quality hoodie, I nodded and muttered to myself.

“Did they even have hoodie designs in this era?”

Ah, who cares.

What does it matter now?

After all, having air conditioning and showers in a medieval era didn’t make sense either.

This is a fictional world, so anything is possible.

If I pull the hood down over my head and cover my eyes…

Standing in front of the mirror stained with smudges, I couldn’t help but shake my head.

“Doesn’t look much different than I thought.”

Oh well, whatever.

With that thought settled, I opened the door and stepped outside.

Creak.

As soon as the door opened,

“Oh my, what’s going on?”

“So, she said…”

I saw students noisily coming and going in the hallway.

With my hoodie pulled low over my head, I tried to slip past them quietly…

“Isn’t that Kamon Vade?”

…but as soon as I heard someone’s words,

“Huh?”

“What?”

Several students in the bustling hallway turned their eyes toward me.

And then…

“……”

The hallway fell silent instantly.

“…It really is Kamon Vade?”

“Wh-what is he doing here? This is the commoner dorm.”

They mumbled with pale faces, quickly trying to distance themselves from me.

‘Seriously, even with the hood, they recognized me this quickly?’

Feeling the need to scratch the back of my head, I raised my hand.

But then.

“Eek!”

A nearby female student screamed in surprise and stumbled backward.

“Oh no! Watch out!”

I quickly reached out to grab her as she fell.

“Oops?”

Ah, I was too late…

Thud!

She hit her head on the hallway wall and collapsed to the floor.

“J-Jane!”

“K-Kamon did it again…”

“…She fainted.”

The atmosphere turned icy, and fearful eyes turned toward me.

“Wait a minute. You saw it too, right? I didn’t do this. She just tripped.”

“Jane… Sniff.”

But the other girl, who seemed to be her companion, burst into tears, making my excuses sound hollow.

‘No, seriously, it wasn’t me!’

Feeling utterly wronged, I grabbed the shoulder of the crying student.

“Hey, you saw it, right? She just tripped!”

But she, too…

“Urrk.”

Overwhelmed by fear, she foamed at the mouth and fainted.

“What, again?!”

Startled, I let go of her shoulder.

Thud!

Two unconscious girls lay on the floor of the hallway.

“……”

Everyone held their breath and watched me in silence.

I sighed deeply and tried to reach out to them.

“Can someone call for help…”

But my actions only caused more panic.

“K-Kamon is going berserk.”

Someone’s terrified shout echoed, followed by,

“R-run!”

“Ahhh, Kamon Vade! Please don’t kill us!”

“S-Somebody save us!”

Everyone fled in a frenzy.

Thud, thud, bang!

Thud, thud, thud, thud, bang!

Students rushed into their rooms with the speed of blood surging through unclogged arteries.

Whoosh!

In an instant, the bustling hallway emptied, leaving only the two unconscious girls.

“……”

I stood there silently for a moment, then carefully moved the two girls to the end of the hallway.

Growl!

My stomach growled loudly again, and I sighed.

“Hah, guess I have no choice.”

Muttering, I headed to the end of the crumbling building’s first floor.

—

[Dormitory Office]

—

Arriving at the dormitory office, I knocked without hesitation.

Knock, knock.

“…Yes, come in.”

An unexpectedly familiar and clear voice responded from inside.

‘Huh? That sounds like a woman.’

I checked the nameplate on the door again.

“This is the dormitory office, right? But why…?”

Is the manager a woman?

Not that it matters, but it’s still surprising.

With that thought, I cautiously opened the door.

Creak.

And immediately,

“Oh, I didn’t expect you to come so soon, Master Kamon.”

Seeing the manager recognize me and greet me, I couldn’t help but look puzzled.

‘This person is…’

It was the maid who had guided me from Elijah Hall to this dormitory.

“I’m here to see the manager.”

“Yes, you’ve come to the right place. I am the manager here.”

She smiled faintly and asked,

“How can I help you, Master Kamon?”

So she was the manager here? Is that why she ignored my questions earlier?

Many thoughts crossed my mind, but I shook my head and asked what I needed to know.

“I’m trying to get to the cafeteria, but I don’t know the way. Could you tell me how to get there?”

“You mean the way to the ‘cafeteria’?”

“Yes, the student cafeteria.”

“…Of course. I can certainly tell you.”

Phew, finally.

I could finally go to the cafeteria.

Growl.

“So, how do I get there?”

The manager, who had been staring at me, gave a meaningful smile and began explaining.

“To get to the cafeteria, go straight out here, then you’ll see the main road…”

She kindly explained the directions to the cafeteria in a way I could understand.

‘Huh? She’s more polite than I thought.’

Although a bit self-centered, she doesn’t seem like a bad person.

…At least, that’s what I thought at the time.