The Villain Purchased the Heroine

"New Student Council? Is that even a thing?!"

A middle-aged man slammed his fist on the table and stood up angrily.

His opinion was that while a student council already exists, it's absurd for a research society named New Student Council to be established.

"Does Professor Louisa even have a brain?! Allowing such an unsavory group! Plus, isn't the head of that so-called New Student Council the troublemaker from the entrance ceremony?! This should have been shut down!"

The middle-aged man shouted while pointing fingers at Louisa.

People around him tried to calm him down and suggested he sit, but it seemed he was not in the mood to listen.

Louisa, looking annoyed, began to speak.

"…Naming the research society is the students' right. While the authority to grant permission to establish it lies with the professors, the real issue is whether the purpose of that research society is appropriate. I—"

"Absurd! So are you saying the existence of this so-called New Student Council is justified?!"

Louisa felt quite upset that her words were interrupted. Considering the place and time, she tried her best to keep her composure, but her brow couldn't help but furrow.

"That's just the name! Their claim about the New Student Council is personal development. They promised to regularly report and undergo inspections regarding their progress, so if they show real results based on their founding purpose, then what can I—"

"All they have to do is scribble some nonsense and submit it! What if they regroup in secret to undermine the official student council?! Then, Professor Louisa, will you take responsibility?!"

"If they were to operate clandestinely, that applies to other research societies too, doesn't it? And if they truly had such intentions, it would be unreasonable to think they would choose such an obvious name—"

"Has Professor Louisa forgotten about that incident at the entrance ceremony?! He's not in his right mind. Looking at this normally is a mistake. That's what I'm saying."

"That's true. I also had a tough time because of his personality while I was at his mansion."

Paula, sitting next to Louisa, nodded in agreement with his words. However, upon sensing the murderous glare of her long-time friend, her face drained of color.

"A, um, that's not what I meant…! But a clever student wouldn't openly reveal their thoughts… that's what I meant! Louisa, calm down!"

"I'll see you later."

As Paula clung to her, looking pitiful, a middle-aged man erupted in anger again.

Louisa's body temperature began to rise, reaching a boiling point.

"Anyway, I absolutely cannot tolerate the existence of that scoundrel. Chancellor, dismantling that research society is the way forward for Academia—"

"Oh, now you're really pissing me off."

Startled by her sudden voice, the middle-aged man looked at Louisa with a "What kind of madness is this?" expression.

"P, Professor Louisa, what did you just say?!"

She tossed her hair with one hand and began to unleash the anger she had been holding back.

"Do you think I feel good when you keep interrupting me and just push your own words? Aren't you ashamed for someone who's old enough?"

"Professor Louisa! What are you saying at an official gathering?! Please think before you act!"

The middle-aged professor's words only ignited Louisa's fury further.

Louisa glared at him as if he were her sworn enemy.

"I couldn't hold back because I was sick of your pitying attitude for the Student Council being harmed. Is it fair for the supervising professor to stay quiet while badmouthing my students?!"

Zingggg—!!

With Louisa's fury, mana exploded. Those with low resistance felt as if they were being constricted.

A dense blue flame manifested around Louisa's body.

"Y, you! Calm down! At this rate, you'll get punished just like me!"

Huff, huff!

Paula blew air to try and extinguish the flames, but Louisa's mana wouldn't be quelled by such means.

Just as Paula was sweating and trying to extinguish Louisa's mana with her own, a voice emerged.

"Now that I understand the professors' intentions, let's sit down for now."

The voice sounded like that of a frail old man, but its essence was fundamentally different.

Deep and terrifyingly vast, it seemed like something that Paula could never reach even if she devoted the next 100 years to magic.

The words of the Chancellor, who was also her mentor, were filled with slow and timeless magical power.

Everyone focused on him.

Even the two who had stood in anger sat back down like well-behaved pets.

The Chancellor, showing a kind smile typical of an elderly man, opened his wrinkled mouth.

"In my view, this matter is not something for the professors to intervene in."

He stroked his long white beard.

He brushed his long, white beard.

His voice was relaxed and kind, but there was undoubtedly a sense of authority felt deep within.

"What does the Student Council President think? Given your close connection with the New Student Council Research Society, I'm curious about your thoughts."

The Chancellor, who had been silent until now, placed the decision in the hands of the Student Council President.

This statement from the Chancellor was essentially a promise of his strong support for whatever decision was made.

Now everyone's attention turned toward the Student Council President. His words would determine the outcome of the matter.

"I…"

With his sharp gaze and black hair, he seemed to embody a specific person.

The eldest son of the Schugenhartz family.

Schugenhartz Troa Rheincarven slowly revealed his thoughts.

*

"You've come to see me. Tomorrow, the sun will rise in the east, I see."

"I didn't come because I wanted to… But isn't the sun supposed to rise in the east?"

"I expected you would come."

Vargan smiled faintly as he led her into the laboratory. Erica stood still, refusing to follow Vargan's lead.

"…How could you possibly know that?"

"It must be the Student Council President's doing. I can fully expect that person to act this way."

"Tch. Blood can't lie, I guess."

Eric clicked her tongue, seemingly displeased that her actions had been anticipated.

Vargan teased her slightly, making a suggestion.

"Wouldn't it be better to join my Research Society than to be that guy's dog?"

"Both options are terrible. I'd rather stay in the Student Council than join your Research Society."

"I'd rather not see my fiancée following the orders of the eldest son, but… I have no choice."

Shrugging his shoulders, Vargan let Erica move into the laboratory to carry out her assigned tasks.

She waved the list she had brought and looked around the lab.

"The name of the research society is the New Student Council… still absurd even upon second glance. How can such a name pass? There are a total of 5 members. Hmm? Where are three of them, leaving just two?"

"They're off doing something else. By now, they're probably rolling around in the dirt and covered in soil."

Currently, there were only three people visible here, including Erica. It looked like the other members were busy with tasks assigned by Vargan.

Upon hearing this, Erica shot him a skeptical look and stepped closer.

"Hmph. So you were left here alone with the maid while the other members were abandoned somewhere else? I'm starting to understand why you created this odd research society."

The petite Erica, now standing beside the larger Vargan, felt even smaller. Without the fierce eyes and atmosphere, she would have easily been overlooked based on appearance alone.

"There's no need to be jealous. Nothing has happened with Alicia that you might imagine, and nothing will."

"Jealousy? Nonsense. And you never know what happens between men and women."

Ignoring Vargan's words, Erica walked past him.

Erica let the words flow past one ear. She brushed past the standing Vargan.

Continuing on, she inspected the laboratory and checked the items.

She was rummaging through places rather meticulously, as if desperately hoping to find something.

"You can look around all you want, but you won't find anything to your liking."

"Don't mind me. Just do your own thing. Study with that servant or practice your mana, or whatever. I couldn't care less."

"⎯Eh?!"

The white-haired woman, pretending to read a magic book, was taken aback by Erica's sharp retort.

She quickly covered her mouth, bowed her head, and pretended to continue reading, but it was all in vain.

Her ears were already bright red, and her eyes darted around in a panic.

Ignoring her, Vargan leaned back in his chair. Then, as if he had just remembered something, he spoke while fixating his gaze on Erica.

"Oh right, Erica. I'm sorry for the sudden change, but I think we'll have to reschedule next week."

"Reschedule? What…?"

"The lunch appointment on Wednesday. I'm going to be a bit busy around that time. Besides, we have the same class on Wednesday morning, so I'll let you know a different time then."

"...."

Unlike the previous two proposals that were downright refused, Erica hesitated a bit this time.

I thought she'd question why we're postponing a promise that hasn't even been set, but it wasn't like that.

She and Vargan locked eyes for a long moment. Erica soon shifted her gaze to the woman eavesdropping on their conversation.

"...."

Turning her eyes back, she broke the silence with a slightly reluctant tone.

What she said was unexpected.

"…I'll think about it."

*

Three days after Erica's visit to the laboratory.

It was late at night, long after dusk.

As I was looking over the list of current students at the Academia, I heard a knock on the door.

At this hour, there were few people awake, so who could be knocking at this ungodly hour?

I paused my training and returned my senses to normal, trying to detect the mana of the person outside.

What is she doing here?

I opened the door and confirmed the figure in the hallway with my eyes.

The familiar sight was of her, dressed in pajamas, entering my room.

"Vargan, Young Master…."

"...."

She, with her lively white hair, immediately wrapped herself in my arms. The door closed behind us, and we were in the same space.

I could hear her soft breathing. It seemed she didn't intend to pull her face away from my body, wanting to hear the sound of my heartbeat.

"What the heck are you doing?"

I broke the silence.

She looked up at me with those sorrowful eyes and began to speak.