The Villain Purchased the Heroine

There's nothing on the arena.

No large barriers to hide behind, no rough little grains of sand.

The only things in that space are three figures.

Liam, Alicia.

And a judge standing far away.

"..."

It's just her.

Without any outside interference. It's the first time Liam's view is filled only with Alicia.

Her hair sparkles as if woven from stars. Her skin is as white as snow, full of life.

The gaze of a herbivore clashes oddly with the large sword she holds.

"Is this really how it should be, Miss Alicia? I don't want to fight you."

Whether she's holding a weapon or not, Liam didn't want to confront Alicia.

There was no reason to fight.

Sure, he had to monitor Vargan after entering the Research Society, but in the grand narrative.

She wasn't a villain from the novels he'd read; she was the heroine. Originally, she should have been meeting up with the protagonist prince by some serendipitous chance.

But now she was bound, defying the fate that should have unfolded, dancing to the tune of a villain.

"For some reason I don't understand, you're under Vargan's thumb. Sadly, to someone like him… I want to save you."

"..."

"Just one word. Just one word is enough. Please say you need help. Let me free you from the shackles he's put on you, so you can live as a whole person. Just say it."

"As a person…?"

"Yes, as a person. You have all the right to do that, and it should be the way things are!"

As Alicia, who had been tightly shutting her mouth, began to show some reaction, Liam immersed himself in drawing out her emotions to convince her.

Right now she was chained. If breaking those chains was beyond her power, he could. Moreover, he could borrow the power of Academia.

According to Academia's rules, current students cannot have servants. They can't bring in family servants, nor can they make a lower-status student into a servant.

This was to minimize outsiders entering internally for safety and to reduce discomfort among classes.

"The current situation is not right."

"That's not right."

Vargan is cleverly avoiding this rule that also applies to royalty and nobility by claiming that a servant who was already working previously has simply enrolled.

Alicia has been Vargan's servant since before her admission to the Academia, so she's not an outsider, nor is she a current student who became a servant.

Thus, the fact that he has Alicia as a servant is awkwardly tolerated.

It's the first time a servant has enrolled at the Academia, so they are unable to respond properly.

They likely never imagined that they could surpass the elites who have been preparing consistently, even though opportunities to learn are limited and daily work is overwhelming.

However, that doesn't mean there isn't a way to restore her status to what it originally was.

"There is a way to escape the current situation. If only Miss Alicia would say the word asking for help right now!"

Really, just that one word is enough.

That one fact would wield tremendous power.

If she raises the issue of freedom and equality that the Academia values, and simply expresses that she's being unfairly held and does not want the servant relationship, then there would be a valid reason to confront it somehow.

She could persuade the authorities of the Academia and even the students about her situation to form a force and gather strength.

"Miss Alicia, please be honest. Just say you need help. Even if it's hard now, I'd be fine with later. I will wait for you…!"

"Liam."

Alicia calls Liam.

It's the same as usual, but with a tone that's different from the norm.

"To you, Liam, I wasn't a 'person', was I?"

"Huh?"

The statement that slipped from Alicia's lips was completely different from what Liam was expecting.

Such chill, such anger.

Liam had not seen this coming at all.

"You told me earlier when I apologized, didn't you? 'You started working at Schugenhartz,' you said."

"Yeah, you did… But why is that relevant now…?"

"Isn't it strange? 'You started working'—I've been at Schugenhartz for over six months now. It's not exactly long, but it's certainly not short either. Yet you speak as if I just began working at Schugenhartz, or as if you know me before I started working. Even though we only met not long ago."

"…!"

"But that could just be a simple mistake in your word choice, so it's okay. It's not really a point for me to argue about."

With a somewhat surprised look, Alicia spoke to Liam in a kind yet somewhat chilling voice.

What she truly wanted to say to Liam starts now.

"Earlier, I spoke a bit aggressively, but I understand what your intentions were when you said, 'Let me live as a person.' I can sense that for some reason, you genuinely want to help me."

During their conversation, Alicia shifted her posture. She slid one foot back and tilted her body slightly to the side.

To her, Liam is an incredibly 'good and righteous' person. Someone willing to step forward for a stranger.

"I truly appreciate it. I'm still not used to receiving kindness from others, so it isn't easy to notice, but Liam, your warm heart has been conveyed well."

"It's still hard for me to get used to receiving someone's goodwill, so it's not easy to notice, but Liam's warm heart was well conveyed."

"Well…"

She began anew.

"Liam, you're misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding…?"

"Yes, I'm satisfied with my current life. No, that was the wrong way to put it. I'm living happily beyond what I deserve. Every night when I lie down in bed, I wonder if this isn't a dream. If it is, I hope it never ends. I pray as I fall asleep."

"That's…"

"I understand that Vargan can easily be misunderstood. Sadly, people tend to judge others based on just one side they see."

"...."

"I don't know why the two of you dislike each other so much, but there's one thing I'm sure of."

As Liam was about to ask, Alicia steadied her movements and took a complete stance, at the same time.

"...!!"

"That Liam has lost."

⎯Kwarijijijijik!

With a gust of wind, Alicia dashed towards Liam, aiming to put the tip of her sword against his neck.

Alicia's aura, filled with mana, reacted strongly with the thick magical barrier she had prepared.

The battle of spear versus shield ensued without any concessions. Liam, recognizing the situation a bit late, pushed aside Alicia's sword, trying to create some distance, but—

Biiiiiiiiiing⎯⎯⎯!

From the moment the magical barrier activated, the match was over.

The high-pitched sound akin to a horn and the following mechanical noise made him realize the harsh reality once more.

『5:40 PM. Arena A-23. Winner: Alicia. Winner: Alicia.』

*

A shiver ran down his spine.

He almost let out a scream, losing the dignity of a noble. If it weren't for my strong self-control, I would have been eaten alive by my emotions like those other fools.

The battle just now was truly—

"More disgraceful than I could imagine. That useless bastard didn't help at all!"

Having finally set the stage for an opportunity to duel Alicia, he ended up chatting her up and let his guard down.

It was painfully hard to watch.

If it was someone like him, it was a pathetic and contemptible match. Ah, just thinking about it made my anger rise again.

At this rate, comparing the current states of Liam and Alicia would just be a waste of time.

Wait, isn't it safe to say I've already confirmed this? Regardless of skill, in that state, there's no way Liam could defeat Alicia.

I can only pray that Liam regains his senses and becomes active again. Not that I believe in God.

"Well, still. I didn't come away empty-handed."

I could see at a glance what Alicia thought of Liam.

Just as Liam presented himself in a way even worse than a bug, Alicia's feelings towards that bug were even more negative than expected.

⎯I could treat him like a monster.

Her words before entering the rank match still echoed in my ears.

There are aspects of her feelings I don't fully understand, but rather, it's a positive element for me and will be more helpful for my plans.

"Young Master!"

Alicia, now dressed in her school uniform, called out to me from a distance and hurriedly approached.

Once she arrived, she seemed to realize she wasn't maintaining her composure and slowed down, straightening her back.

She must be pretty excited.

"Young Master, I won in the first rank battle! Cattia went up by 10 to become 20 Cattia! It's all thanks to you setting up the opportunity!"

…Correction.

She seems to be 'really' excited.

If she had a tail like those from the Darek Union or demons, it would be wagging like crazy.

"Yeah, good job. The match ended absurdly, but it was nice to see you take advantage of the openings and strike mercilessly. You're growing remarkably sneaky, Alicia."

"Thank you! Oh… excuse me? Young Master? Are you complimenting me or…?"

"It's a compliment."

Now, finally, a cornerstone has been laid to withstand the storms of this rough world, so praising her is only right.

Her weak and naive nature might move a bit towards a better direction because of this.

"As a result of this match, Emily will be joining the Research Society, while Liam won't."

"That was the condition, after all."

Adding Emily's situation into the mix.

If Liam had won, he would gain the right to join the Research Society while Emily would participate in all of its activities 'voluntarily'.

If Alicia won, Liam wouldn't be allowed in, and Emily would have to participate in all the activities under the 'control' of the society president.

In simpler terms, the annoying Liam is out of sight, while the incredibly stubborn Emily can be summoned and forced to participate whenever I want.

If he's gone, it's like having a scheduled demise, but I want to check on something.

One more value that might be lying dormant within her, something that wasn't explored in the original work.

It sounds more appealing to check it out and think about a better future than die as prophesied.

"Well then, now that the rank battle is over, let's go back and drag Emily, who is comforting that useless Liam over there. Serena and Finn will be waiting in the Research Society Room."

"Yes! I understand! Oh, ugh. Just thinking about starting the actual Research Society activities is making my heart race!"

"If you keep bouncing around excitedly, you'll return with a red forehead."

"Ah… I'll keep that in mind."

Alicia reflexively touched her forehead and asked.

"By the way, I don't think I've heard the name of the Research Society yet. What will it be called?"

I replied to her, looking up at me with those sparkling eyes.

"It's the Student Council."

"Oh… I might be overstepping, but doesn't 'Academia' already have an organization called the 'Student Council'?"

"Then let's just add 'New' in front of it."

It might be a bit extreme, but for now, that will do.

The top priority is to gain attention, after all.

The Student Council is the perfect signboard for that.