The Villain Purchased the Heroine

"I'm really sorry…!"

Without caring about the gazes of others, Alicia completely bows her head.

As more people around started to wonder what was happening, a flustered Liam hurriedly tried to stop her actions.

"No, it's okay! It's fine, so please lift your head!"

"But…."

"The more you do this, the more sorry I feel!"

Alicia showed signs of inadequacy, but Liam felt a bit burdened by her attitude.

With Liam's intervention, Alicia straightened her back again. Her eyes were looking slightly down, avoiding direct contact with him.

Unlike before, seeing her cautious demeanor made Liam feel somewhat relieved.

"In the first place, it was an unexpected incident caused by me forcing things. There's no need for you to apologize, Alicia."

"But… I acted violently by holding a sword to your neck. This isn't something that can be simply forgiven."

"No, it didn't even result in a wound, and it was just a threat. And I understand that you had no choice but to act that way."

"Really…?"

Alicia, who had been staring at the floor without confidence, suddenly looked up, showing a puzzled reaction.

Liam finally managed to see her eyes properly.

"I heard you're working at Schugenharz now. So, you would have to protect the members of that family, whether you liked it or not."

"Oh… yes…."

"I might have approached him too hastily, so I understand why Vargan would feel displeased. After all, we had never met before."

"...."

"Alicia?"

Noticing that Alicia might be feeling slightly upset for some reason, Liam called out to her.

Alicia put on a calm smile as if nothing had happened, but her momentarily shown expression was definitely not fake.

To prevent Liam's thoughts from extending, she continued to apologize.

"I also want to say sorry to Emily. I believe my actions must have hurt her. I sincerely apologize."

Alicia moved closer to Emily, who had been awkwardly maintaining her distance.

As Alicia's pitiful gaze followed her, Emily found it hard to ignore her any longer.

"Oh, this is so embarrassing. I'm fine too, really. Of course… I was angry that you were trying to hurt Liam, but I also threatened you, so I'm not innocent either."

"About what happened with Emily's precious person, even if I had ten mouths…"

"Ah, ah! It's over now! Let's just pretend it never happened. We'll be in the same team, and I really hate feeling awkward every time I see you!"

Emily desperately covers Alicia's mouth with both hands, her face slightly flushed as she looks at her.

Seeing Alicia hesitate to continue, Emily removes her hands and stops, holding out one hand.

"Though there were twists and turns, let's forget it all now. I'm sorry too. And…"

She suddenly became shy.

"Uh… that, that thing. It's a bit funny in this situation. Ahem! You know, that thing…"

Alicia stares blankly at the hand she's offering, looking completely lost.

"Um… what's that…?"

"Ugh, seriously embarrassing."

Emily grabs Alicia's hand firmly, turning her head to the side to avoid eye contact.

"Now you understand what that means, right…?"

"Ah…!"

Alicia fully grasped what Emily was doing.

With wide, startled eyes like a rabbit, she shakes Emily's hand.

Emily can't help but almost laugh at Alicia's innocent reaction.

"Let's speak casually with each other. We're the same age, after all."

"Casual speech? Casual… right, I guess I should use casual speech…?"

"You can stick to polite speech if that's comfortable for you. Just call me casually."

"…Umm."

Alicia thinks for a moment with a serious expression before saying.

"…I've never used casual speech before. I'll try, but for now, I'll stick to polite speech."

"As I said before… you really are something else in many ways…."

While Emily is dumbfounded by Alicia's remarkable personality, a change occurs in the party hall.

"Huh?"

The surrounding lights dim.

Those who notice the change gather towards one spot, their faces filled with anticipation.

"What's… happening?"

"Just look. It's that. It seems the timing's right too."

As Alicia shows a bewildered reaction, Emily responds.

"That thing?"

"Yeah. It's the ball. Since they said the top ten from the entrance exam would be paired up to dance, I think that Vargan… guy? Anyway, he should be here too. Didn't you know?"

"No, I haven't heard anything about it…."

The spotlight focuses on the central stage on the first floor. New students are standing in a group around a circular platform.

"We got a good spot. We're right on the second floor where the stage is easily visible."

"Yeah, true. Liam."

Alicia steps forward, heading closer to the stage that is drawing everyone's attention.

Ten protagonists appear amidst the cheers of the crowd.

Five men, five women.

The gender ratio is exactly equal, so no one is left without a partner.

On stage, Vargan and his partner greet the audience together.

The crowd erupts with excitement, claiming they are a couple engaged to be married, with some saying it's destined.

They possess a vintage charm, like the most precious treasures in the world. The engagement that ties the two together.

To such an extent that even memories of Vargan's words at the entrance ceremony fade. The majestic pair exudes something that stirs the emotions of onlookers.

"That person stands out even from there. Oh, not in a bad way! Please don't misunderstand."

"Even from over there, you stand out. Ah, I didn't mean it in a bad way. Please don't misunderstand."

Emily's attempt at clarification didn't reach Alicia.

Alicia's gaze was solely focused on Vargan, completely fixed and showing no signs of moving.

And then.

The heavy sound of string instruments announced the beginning of the ball.

The previously silent hall erupted into exclamations of awe.

"Oh, oh!"

"Everyone looks so graceful!"

The protagonists took to the stage.

The two moved as if they were one.

With each step, their movements were large. The situation continued where they almost collided with one another but somehow didn't.

The man led his partner while the woman gracefully surrendered to the flow, showcasing her brightness.

Like flowers blooming all around. It was splendid.

Vargan and his partner especially moved in perfect harmony.

Not forceful or arbitrary.

Firm yet gentle. They moved in such a way that the opponent didn't get lost or feel uncomfortable.

Despite a noticeable height difference, it didn't seem to matter at all.

It seemed like they knew how each would react and what they wanted, as if they had practiced together for a long time.

The two resembled each other.

Captivating eyes. An air of confidence.

They occasionally whispered to each other, focusing only on their conversation amid the noisy hall.

Vargan smiled slightly.

A different smile than the one he usually wore to mock others.

"..."

Until the end of the performance, Alicia felt a strange prickling sensation in her chest.

*

"Get a grip, Alicia."

"Ah!"

A clear sound rang out.

Today, yet again, a red spot appeared on Alicia's forehead.

Emily, shocked by the scene, hugged Alicia tightly and glared at me, suddenly scolding me about what I had done.

I responded in disbelief.

"What's wrong with punishing my servant? It's not even that painful, so don't start any unnecessary arguments."

"Just what do you think…!! Didn't you hear the sound? I thought your skull was cracking!"

"You're being dramatic."

"This…!"

Emily flared up to retort, but Alicia stopped her, and she lost her momentum.

By the way, that guy started speaking informally to Alicia since yesterday, and now he does it to me too. It wouldn't have mattered much since I would have experienced it anyway, but being treated like this by a mere commoner is not pleasant.

"I'm sorry, Young Master. I got lost in thought for a moment and didn't pay attention to your words."

"You didn't not do it; you chose not to, Alicia."

"…I understand. I'll be more careful moving forward."

I dislike having to repeat myself.

But since the most important person missed it, I have to say it again. What on earth was she thinking at such a critical moment?

"I'll say it one more time, so listen carefully."

I spoke to the group members who were looking at me.

These people here are the necessary personnel for what I'm about to say.

"I'm going to create a 'Research Society.' Naturally, all of you must join."

"The 'Research Society' you say…."

You can think of it as a club in the Academia.

However, the difference is that it's far more systematic and professional than clubs in the real world.

"The theme of the Research Society is 'Personal Capability Development.' In simpler terms, it's a process designed to raise your level."

"It's about 'personal capacity development.' Simply put, it's a process to raise your levels."

"As I said before, why do we have to join that research society against our will?"

"What qualifications do you have to spout such nonsense when you're the least helpful in the group alongside Finn?"

"Th-that's…!"

Emily, unable to come up with a rebuttal, momentarily settles back down.

At least she has the basic concepts down, so that's a relief.

Alicia raises her hand, trying to get the opportunity to speak.

This is a custom she recently learned while attending classes at the Academia.

"Speak."

"Aren't you supposed to be joining the Student Council, Young Master? I heard that those who rank from first to fifth in entrance scores are granted entry into the Student Council. Ah… it seems I might have been mistaken. My apologies."

As I made a face like I just bit into a bug, Alicia concluded her words with an apology.

A proposal had come from the Student Council.

However.

"I won't step into such a pointless place."

Especially since that group's current leader is 'that guy.'

Right now, the priority is to drag the members' levels up by their hair, and it's also the groundwork for the picture that will be completed in the future, so going this way makes sense.

"I'm fine with it! No, I'm honestly grateful!! Vargan-san is going this far for me…!"

"Ugh, she's doing it again. Huh? Serena, you're not seriously considering joining, are you?"

"..."

Finn's excessive reaction surprised Emily, and she shifted her gaze to the quietly seated Serena.

Serena just nodded her head slightly without a word.

"I'll do my best! Right now my abilities are pitifully grasping at Vargan-san's ankles, but someday I'll surely—!"

"Finn, I've heard enough of your enthusiasm; quiet down."

Toylen Troa Finn.

He's a noble, but his situation is such that he hasn't received any proper support. His passion is always at maximum, but he's a sad extra with no actual results.

In the original work, Finn was in the same group as Vargan, and even though there was a bit of a shift in rankings this time, they ended up in the same group once again.

Moreover, astonishingly.

Just like in the original, he entered with the lowest entrance score.

This was the first score he received, but for me, it was the second time witnessing him enter at the bottom.

So, is he going to struggle along and then bloom his talent at the last moment?

No. Not at all.

He puts in tremendous effort but receives no reward at all. He's someone completely devoid of talent.

"The research society… well, sounds good. The chief is personally making an effort for us, so there's no reason to refuse. But let me ask you one thing."

Emily continues, unable to shake off her doubts even as she reluctantly agrees.

"Why are you doing this? It doesn't seem like it's just to raise the levels of the members we'll be working with."

"You really talk a lot for someone who doesn't know the topic. You should be thankful and bow your head instead."

"…I'm sorry for not knowing the topic. But could you at least answer my question?"

He's still as rude as ever, but fine. I'll tell him.

"If you don't do this, you and Finn will die in a year.