How To Live As An Academy Extra Villain

✦ Chapter 122 ✦

「Translator – Creator」

𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝

Three days after receiving permission to leave, I returned to the academy and stepped through its front gates. Fortunately, upon my return, I wasn’t summoned by the Principal or anyone else.

Varion had promised to keep my involvement a secret. However, those who already knew about the princess’s condition, like Tespira and the Principal, would naturally be suspicious.

If they learned that the princess had recovered after my visit, their attention would turn to me even more intensely.

To avoid unnecessary attention and the risk of leaking information, I hadn’t told anyone about the memories regained. But I could feel that this secrecy was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

If suspicions continued to grow, it would be hard to escape them with mere silence. I just hoped that when the time came to reveal the secret, I would have trustworthy people by my side.

“Darren, Department of Magic!”

— Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

— Woo!

The day after my return to the academy, all the students gathered in the grand hall. Today was the day to announce the revised curriculum to the first-year students.

Upperclassmen lined both sides of the grand hall. As the first-years were called and moved to their respective groups, boos and cheers erupted from each side.

“Ash Cryer, Department of Martial Arts!”

— Look at that idiot! He’s going to the Department of Martial Arts!!

— Shut up! Can’t you smell that stench?!

In the academy, first-year students received integrated education to build a broad foundation. Starting from the second year, they were divided into the Departments of Martial Arts and Magic based on their preferences.

By the second year, students were somewhat accustomed to the academy life, which made them a bit more tolerant of each other within the same major. While the specialties were further delineated, the primary identities remained largely within those two branches.

However, the recent turmoil had led to a significant overhaul of the curriculum, drastically reducing the time spent on basic education in the first year. From the second semester onward, students quickly began their specialized studies and were even allowed to carry weapons, increasing the practical aspects of their training.

The level of training was such that professors warned of potentially life-threatening situations. Surprisingly, the backlash from students and parents was not as significant as expected.

As it turned out, there were fewer parents who doted on their children like precious chicks than one might think. In these troubling times, they preferred their children to grow up quickly.

Young and reckless students, driven by a hunger for adventure and heroism, simply clutched their excited hearts.

“I can’t believe it… why am I…”

“Flos! Stop complaining! It seems you’ve already forgotten your father’s letter from yesterday. ‘I always knew you would struggle due to my useless son’s failures. It fills me with joy to hear about the new changes at the academy. Rather than living aimlessly and wasting food, a more honorable death during training would be preferable…’“

— Hahaha!

— What the hell!

However, not everyone accepted the current situation so easily. Some who had been murmuring complaints blushed furiously and scurried away upon hearing the voice reciting the letter from the professor.

Of course, despite the grumbling, not a single student chose to leave the academy. Such a decision would mean forfeiting all the advantages that came with graduating from the prestigious institution.

Not to mention the inescapable label of ‘coward’ that would follow them for the rest of their lives.

“Eugene, Department of Martial Arts!”

—Woooo!

However, when a certain name was called, there was hardly any jeering. Even those who didn’t like him kept their annoyance to themselves.

After his duel with me last time, Eugene experienced a significant fall in his standing. He faced not only ridicule but also challenges from numerous students who saw it as an opportunity to test him.

Yet Eugene managed to salvage some of his reputation by winning every duel against those challengers. Strange rumors that evoked sympathy also played a solid role in his recovery.

Additionally, neither the Saintess nor Eugene’s patrons made any public statements. To his supporters, Eugene was a tragic hero who had lost his fiancée.

At least now that we were in different departments, our paths would cross less frequently. Unless I sought him out, of course. It was for the best.

“Edwin Reed, Department of Magic!”

— Woo! Welcome, Edwin!

— Trash!

— Remember you have a week to change your mind! Come to the Department of Martial Arts instead!

— Die!

And then… my name was called. The reaction was… explosive. Unlike Eugene, both cheers and jeers erupted from both sides.

The grand hall descended into chaos, a cacophony of conflicting emotions. I began walking towards the Department of Magic’s side, the uproar echoing in my ears like a prelude to the challenges that lay ahead.

* * * * *

“Edwin. Today’s the last day to join a club. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“…Ah.”

Professor Erasmus frowned slightly upon hearing my sigh. Even though class divisions were no longer a thing, professors still had the responsibility of monitoring students.

“Tsk tsk. I asked just in case… You are the only first-year student left who hasn’t submitted a membership form.”

“…I’m… sorry…”

I distinctly remember that I had plenty of time. That’s why I had put Senior Efania’s invitation to join her book club on hold. But in the midst of all the recent turmoil, time had slipped away from me like grains of sand.

“It’s alright. Don’t apologize to me. Hurry up and find a club to join. If you don’t, I’ll have to assign you to one with the fewest members…”

“…Do I have to join a club?”

“It’s a student’s duty to find relaxation in daily life and cultivate themselves through club activities. It’s also a tradition of the academy for over a hundred years. I believe you aren’t suggesting breaking this tradition?”

“…But in times like these…”

“This tradition has endured even through the advent of the Great Demon. Do I need to elaborate further?”

“……………”

I couldn’t argue with that. I began sifting through the stack of parchment in front of Erasmus.

To be honest, I wasn’t really interested in joining a club. I had no hobbies, and I didn’t particularly need any friendly seniors to help me out.

All I wanted was a club where I could just… exist. Senior Efania’s book club would technically fit the bill. But her presence… it made me uneasy. It wasn’t that I disliked her. But there was something… off-putting about her, something that sent shivers down my spine whenever I was around her.

I didn’t hate her, but I also didn’t want to get too close to her.

I searched through the list, but most of the clubs were already full. The remaining clubs either required me to engage in activities I wasn’t interested in, or… well, they were just plain weird.  What was I going to do? Maybe I should just join the book club…

“Huh?”

And then… I saw it. A club with a single vacancy, a club whose name seemed… appealing.

‘Constellation Observation Club.’

* * * * *

The Constellation Observation Club was located in a dilapidated, secluded stone tower. To join, I needed the club president’s approval, and there was very little time left. I adjusted my appearance and knocked on the door.

Knock—! Knock—! Knock—!

Bam—!

“What brings you… Edwin Reed?”

A very unexpected person opened the door. A girl with pink hair, her face contorted in a grimace.

“…Pamela Landis.”

The girl was Pamela, Iris’s best friend. I had no direct connection with her; I merely remembered seeing her a couple of times when I met Iris.

But it was clear that she didn’t have a favorable impression of me. Understandable, I suppose, considering how much pain I had caused her friend.

During the ball, she hadn’t recognized me because I wore glasses. But now, the situation was different. Pamela spoke in a curt voice.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to apply to the club. I… haven’t chosen one yet.”

“What? You’re just now… wait, you want to join?”

Her frown deepened, and then her eyes widened in surprise. She quickly composed herself, her expression hardening.

“…No. Absolutely not.”

“…? What right do you have to say that? It’s the club president’s decision…”

“I’m telling you, you can’t join. Go away. Go find another club.”

“Pamela? What’s going on? Who are you asking to leave?”

She was about to slam the door shut when a voice called out from behind her. Pamela flinched, her hand hovering over the door knob.

She turned, and I saw a couple approaching us, their expressions friendly.

“It sounds like you were trying to turn away an applicant… Did I mishear something…?”

“I… senior… it’s not like…”

Pamela stammered, the sharp edge in her voice replaced by a nervous uncertainty.

“We were just saying that we’re short one member, and the funding… oh my! It’s Edwin Reed!”

“…Hello.”

The girl turned to me, a look of recognition on her face. She was wearing a second-year badge.

“My goodness. The famous first-year student himself. I’m Carne Lynn. What brings you here?”

“You just said it yourself. I’m hoping to join…”

“My, my. This is… unexpected…”

“I don’t seem to be very welcome here. I’ll just…”

Pamela, from what I’d heard, was a sociable and outgoing girl, even holding the position of vice president of the Student Council. I had never expected to encounter her here, of all places.

To be honest, it was quite a dilemma. Even if I didn’t plan on being an active member, no one likes to constantly run into someone they feel awkward around.

And seeing Pamela would naturally remind me of Iris.

But the thought of joining the book club and inadvertently becoming Senior Efania’s junior didn’t appeal to me either…

“What? Don’t be ridiculous! Luno, hold her back!”

“Carne…”

But Senior Carne was insistent, almost dragging me inside. The male student she addressed simply chuckled awkwardly. He was also wearing a second-year badge.

“Um…”

“Don’t worry. You must have fallen for the charms of the constellations too, right? Don’t worry about Pamela, I’ll take care of it.”

“……….…”

“No time to waste. Just wait here a moment. I’ll get the application form…”

—Crash! Thud!

“Hey… gasp.”

Just as Carne brushed past Pamela and opened the door to the stone tower, the sound of something collapsing echoed from inside.

Carne peeked inside, her expression shifting. She abruptly clapped a hand over her mouth and nodded silently a few times. Then she closed the door and turned back to me.

“…Hmm, there’s a slight problem inside. I’ll submit your application form to the professor. Could you come back tomorrow? I’ll introduce you to the club members then.”

“I understand. Then…”

“Oh! Senior! Really…”

“Be quiet! What would we do if I hadn’t come?”

I turned around and left, listening to the sounds of Pamela and Carne shouting at each other. Maybe this solved things? Since Carne said she’d handle Pamela…

* * * * *

“Uh… hello…”

The next day, I returned to the Constellation Observation Club’s stone tower. A small, frail-looking male student with soft, grayish-brown hair and eyes extended a trembling hand towards me.

His voice was quiet, almost a whisper.

“I-I’m Hertie Knox…”

— End of Chapter —

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