The Villain Purchased the Heroine

"Well, this is something I didn't expect."

In the quiet night of the dormitory after the entrance ceremony, I checked the names of my group members on the paper and smirked to myself.

First up was Alicia, whom I had personally chosen. It was only natural that she would be in the same class and group as me.

If my sword is used elsewhere, what was the point of all the effort put into sharpening it? Naturally, this consideration was part of the reason I secured the top spot. Well, that's just how it is.

I read through the names of the other group members.

Serena, Finn, and… Emily.

Everyone except Finn was completely unexpected. Although it would be weirder if Alicia's and my grades didn't change along with some of the group composition.

"I never thought I'd be grouped with Emily."

Being in the same group as Emily, who was Liam's childhood friend and one of the heroines. What a twist of fate, huh?

By now, Liam must be losing his mind. Just the fact that I exist, alongside his familiar narrative, must be confusing enough for him, and now even his only ally is split from him.

What's interesting is that both Liam and I are part of Class 1, with most of the class members following the original story. However, Alicia and Emily have been neatly separated to be on my side.

Things just got more entertaining. Since Emily has deep feelings for Liam, I can leverage that to embellish the plans I had originally set up.

"Young Master, is there something good happening?"

While I was lost in thought, a girl not dressed in the typical servant uniform but in the academy's school uniform approached me.

Her round eyes and a gentle smile seemed to strangely calm anyone who looked upon her. Her emotional depth was clearly developing as we went along.

"I'm just looking forward to life at the Academia."

"Oh, I think so too! Thanks to your grace, I was able to enroll safely and stand here. I sincerely thank you."

"I've received enough thanks to last me a lifetime. No matter how nice the words, they lose their value when heard too often."

You would've stood here even without me. In fact, freely.

I waved my hand to halt Alicia, who was bowing her head in gratitude. She paused and straightened her posture. And then continued.

Alicia's attempt to bow was interrupted. She hesitated and straightened her posture. Then she continued.

"Umm… Is it okay if I ask something?"

Alicia's unique way of expressing curiosity.

It's probably about the entrance ceremony. She wouldn't know the details, so she must be just as surprised as the other students.

"It's fine to cast a group curse. I had received prior permission from the Academia. If I hadn't, even the smallest curse couldn't have been executed to the end."

Logically speaking, if the top student suddenly cursed the students without notice, someone would've intervened. This place isn't so weak that it would stand for that.

"Ah, so that's how it was?"

"Seeing that expression of yours, I can tell you still have questions."

When I said that, Alicia awkwardly smiled and continued her inquiries.

"…If it's not too much trouble, may I also ask about the reason for taking such actions against the nobles?"

She was asking why I would go out of my way to make enemies of them in such a public setting.

"You're quite curious, huh? Well, I'll tell you this time."

The ones embarrassed by the curse weren't significant side characters. However, they degraded the nobility's dignity and value, negatively impacting the Academia… that's the surface reason.

The real reason is clear.

"I didn't like them."

"Eh…?"

"It was unbearable to watch those trivial fools strut around."

"Ah…."

That's the true inner thought. No matter how much flowery language I might use, the core is this.

Including that foolish protagonist who can't even utilize his abilities properly.

Alicia seemed to pause for a moment as if she was speechless, then nodded as if she understood.

Though she didn't express it in words, it seemed she thought it was quite justifiable.

"Well, even if the Academia hadn't permitted it, I wouldn't have held back from embarrassing them."

In fact, I would've tormented them in a more meticulous and despicable way. Isn't the soil in the shadows all the more muddy?

After understanding somewhat, Alicia fell into deep thought and continued her own interpretation, but it seemed there were still pieces of the puzzle that hadn't been fully addressed.

"Even if you say nothing happened, I still don't quite understand the Academia's permission. Of course, you're the heir of a prestigious family and top student, but still, as one of many new students… Ah! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to insult you, Young Master! ⎯Oops!"

Thwack—!

A bright sound rang on Alicia's forehead after a long time. Though it was covered by her bangs, it quickly flushed red through a small gap.

"Alicia, you think very little of your master. My unease comes from your unnecessary commentary."

"That wasn't my intention…"

Honestly.

What does she take me for? The model of nobility is right here!

"Look at this. This is the very model of a noble."

Ignoring her varied reactions, I focused on the flow of mana around us.

Time has indeed flown by.

Even if our relationship is that of master and servant, it would be unwise for rumors to spread about a girl being in the male dormitory at such a late hour. I should send her off now.

"That's enough, you can go. There's no need for you to be here any longer since I've checked your condition."

"Yes, understood. I will take my leave now."

As soon as the summoning magic faded, Alicia hurriedly prepared to leave, soon gathering her belongings and bowing deeply.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Have a pleasant night, Young Master."

"Yeah."

I waved her off casually.

Even as Alicia exited the room, she moved cautiously to avoid any noise from the door closing.

Once her presence completely faded, I conjured a mental timetable in my head. I still had time to sleep. What should I do with the remaining free time?

"That would be good."

Let's spend this remaining time expanding my mana reserves. What good is sitting still? It's better to make use of it, even if just a little.

*

Clip-clop.

The morning sunlight streamed into the long hallway of the Academia. Louisa strode down the corridor with her trademark long strides, the thudding of her well-trained body echoing with each step.

'No doubt about it, that's him.'

He was one of the two students her friend, Paula, proudly claimed as her disciple. Since he worked at Schugenharz, it was natural to assume one of them would be from there.

'He's even more eccentric than I thought.'

He was the one who effortlessly cast extensive magic. Though consuming a lot of mana and typically taking a long time to manifest, that top student just waved his foot. With that tiny motion, he cast the spell.

Louisa put more force into her pacing, the memory of when she first saw him flickering through her mind.

Before the entrance ceremony, that top student had barged into the conference room and revealed his plans out of nowhere. While he maintained a noble's politeness in his speech and actions, the very act of showing up without prior notice was downright rude.

The chancellor, who was in a meeting with all the professors, decided to listen to the words of this impolite noble. In a way, the chancellor was quite the extraordinary figure too.

The audacious but rude fellow stated his opinion bluntly.

"At the upcoming top student speech, I will cast a curse on the new students, so do not interfere."

It might not have been his exact words, but that's how I interpreted it. It seemed I wasn't the only one, as several professors listening nearby shot up and yelled at him, questioning what kind of nonsense he was spouting.

She didn't openly insult him like the other professors but thought to herself it was absolute madness.

However, rather than flinching, he raised his head even higher as if he expected such a reaction.

"I'll snuff out the breath of the rotten leaves coming in this time."

With this addition to his statement, Louisa couldn't help but be intrigued. He spoke of a solution to the itch she had been pondering.

He talked about a plan to scratch.

The Academia is an institution that trains Heroes, but it is also a prominent place where high-ranking individuals and talents gather. It's inevitable for such an elite group to attract some stagnant waters.

It's true that many have entered not to become Heroes, but to satisfy their own selfish desires and elevate their families' status.

Louisa has always disliked those who lack this basic mindset and would love to throw them out of the Academia if she could.

If things go as he said, even though she can't forcibly kick out those who have already passed, she could at least suppress their swaggering around and avoid seeing their pretentiousness.

Just imagining it made her feel relieved.

So she raised her hand and cast a vote in favor. Regardless of the outcome, it would flow towards a direction that was not bad for her.

"Sure, you might be a spoiled brat of a high-ranking noble, but you must be confident in your skills to come this far. Well then, let me see that impressive power of yours," was the underlying thought.

After all, if he couldn't cast magic properly, it would be him getting embarrassed. She could sit back and wipe her nose with no effort.

After he left, everyone discussed the newly proposed agenda and, as usual, decided to put it to a vote.

The professors' opinions were split down the middle. Quite a few high-ranking individuals accepted it, likely because the top student had the right to speak freely and claimed he would take responsibility for everything afterward.

A noble heir from a family like Schugenharz made that declaration, and everyone in the conference room witnessed it. They didn't enter a formal contract, but it was no light matter.

While everyone focused on the Chancellor's opinion, he spoke, drawing everyone's attention.

— Let's proceed as he suggested.

The condition for accepting his proposal was that the professors would intervene immediately if any issues arose.

As a result, the top student executed the scenario he described without giving the professors a chance to interfere.

He did so nonchalantly, as if it was a matter of course.

Click.

Louisa's footsteps halted. She dropped her previously cheerful smile and forcefully furrowed her brow to remove any excitement from her body.

The first impression on the students was important. Especially since her class seemed to be filled with troublesome problem children for various reasons, she had to be more cautious.

Creeeak. As soon as Louisa opened the door, she shouted, welcoming the fresh-faced kids with countless eyes upon her.

"Nice to meet you! I'm your assigned professor."

With her arrival, the minor background noise vanished into thin air.

As Louisa entered their view, the students also entered hers.

And among them,

A particular individual radiating overwhelming presence. With a cocky expression, he surpassed anyone she had seen thus far.

'I'll be keeping a close eye on you, Schugenharz.'

Her previously downturned lips turned back up again.