The Villain Bought the Heroine

Chapter 22

I have picked up Alicia and am smoothly guiding her growth. I entered the academy as the top student and revealed my existence to Liam.

Since the initial goals have all been achieved, it’s time to move on to the next step.

I might be forgetting, but just like the novel I possessed turned into a possession, there is also a protagonist for Liam from my perspective.

It’s like a framed composition. Referring to the fake guy when talking about the real and fake protagonists.

Originally, our dignified and graceful prince should have confidently entered as the top student, but I intercepted it.

Even though I didn’t show it, he probably felt a blow to his pride. He dislikes losing and being pushed by others, especially since he’s hardly ever been in such a situation.

For our prince, it’s fine to slowly pluck one nose hair at a time as we go along. There’s no need to rush. Just creep along slowly.

Slowly.

Leisurely.

By doing so, the right timing will come. Let’s wait patiently with composure.

The leading characters among the first-year students. A time for them to unfold everything they have and collide properly.

Since the end-of-term exams for the second semester are still far away.

Let’s savor each episode before that.

Capture the talented individuals we’ve marked.

And quietly sow discord among the group that annoys me.

Then, understand the situation as it unfolds. Act flexibly.

A plan alone is stiff and cannot function properly.

The cartilage of chance that smoothly moves between plans is absolutely necessary.

“Young master, young master.”

Standing in front of the classroom, Louisa continued speaking, projecting a hologram in the air using a beam projector as if presenting.

Except for the hologram, it was a dark space, so most students were attentively watching that sparkling magic.

However, the person speaking to me was not Louisa.

“It’s like a constellation in the night sky.”

Whispering softly as if in a side conversation, a faint voice kept coming.

The owner of the voice was Alicia, who was slightly amazed, with her eyes twinkling, at the phenomenon.

“Hmm?”

I sense the surrounding gazes. Looking around again, some students who seemed captivated by Alicia’s appearance were staring blankly at her instead of focusing on Louisa.

Well, since Alicia doesn’t have an easily approachable appearance⎯it’s not that I don’t understand, I just don’t want to.

Such people are fellow freshmen like me.

“It’s as if those people will be entrusted with supporting roles.”

As I send them a disdainful glance, those who feel it start moving their eyes quietly as if they were already focused on the professor, or look surprised like someone caught in the act.

They are not even memorable by name, let alone their characteristics.

As if avoiding their gazes, I too am killing my curiosity about them. Among the extras, there was a familiar gaze different from the others.

“Who is this?”

Unlike the other extras who were looking at the protagonist, he wasn’t looking at Alicia but at me.

Perhaps the reason was not that I was more noticeable than Alicia, but maybe to confirm ‘that.’

Facing Liam, my brain worked frantically, trying to analyze and understand the current situation no matter what, as evident from his gloomy expression.

The darker Liam’s expression became, the more my mood escalated like a seesaw. Strangely, I really seem to dislike that guy.

Even though it’s not even Bargan’s emotion but my pure emotion from reading novels.

“Milord, can I also use that kind of magic?”

Alicia, like a child as always, slightly tugged on my sleeve, seemingly surprised. Unconsciously, she doesn’t seem to realize that she’s holding onto me.

Come to think of it, originally Alicia would have sat next to Liam and had her first conversation with him. It would have been an impressive scene in a novel. Well, now I’m just absorbed in the magic unfolding before me, paying no attention to who the protagonist is or anything else.

“…?”

Detecting that I was looking at her, Alicia’s head tilted slightly, then she lowered her gaze, realizing she was holding onto me, and startled, she quickly let go of my hand.

Since I’ll probably end up apologizing again, there’s no point in talking to her. Let’s just focus on the professor.

“…So, becoming a first-year student means that the two final exams, class battles, etc., are the best opportunities to earn the ‘Cattia’ points required for graduation. You should know that Cattia is an important criterion when you become a hero.”

As the hologram image changed, the light filling the dark classroom also changed. Louisa continued confidently and familiarly in her unique tone.

“Currently, the difference in Cattia divided by admission grades may not be significant, but after just a few months, you may find yourself not lagging behind when compared to others.”

Adding that no one listening to her presentation was exempt from this subject, she showed a satisfied expression as students looked disgusted, enjoying their discomfort.

Clap!

Then, she clapped her hands and turned the lights back on.

“That’s roughly the end of the explanation. Any students with questions? I don’t think there are any, but procedurally, I’ll ask anyway.”

Since she won’t entertain questions out of annoyance, Louisa turned around, satisfied that none of the students understood her intention, nodded her head and moved on to the next topic.

An incredibly faithful reflection of the original character. Perhaps he was Paula’s friend? I wonder.

“Afterwards, there is a schedule for team training among members, but it’s not our turn yet. So, what should we do in the meantime?”

Louisa pointed to a male student nearby and asked. Judging by the lack of impression and speech, he is likely not a key figure.

“Uh… so that means… talking about the Academy alumni who are active as heroes…”

“Oh, right, right. I was about to say exactly that.”

Louisa laughed heartily, patting the student who answered on the back.

The student, who received a pat on the back from the hands trained through rigorous training, felt a considerable shock throughout his body but showed a bright complexion, perhaps due to receiving praise.

“In that sense, go to the armory and receive practice weapons. Team leaders will report on which weapons each member has chosen.”

“Uh… what about the alumni…?”

“Come on, quickly gather with your team members and get moving.”

***

We moved to the spacious and bright armory, each choosing practice weapons that were deemed suitable for our respective aptitudes.

This was a measure to prevent newcomers from freely carrying real weapons. It would be troublesome if those who couldn’t handle them properly swung them around and caused accidents.

“The sword has many shortcomings in terms of weight and intensity.”

Alicia chose the claymore, which looked most similar to Nias, and after swinging it a few times, she expressed dissatisfaction.

“Carrying only Nias, a 1st-grade artifact, and then picking up this shabby lump of iron, it’s only natural to feel this way.”

Even if she was a country girl, after encountering a few precious things, it’s natural for one’s eyes to become discerning. Her evaluations were bound to rise after seeing and experiencing things and items that ordinary peasants couldn’t throughout their lives.

“Make your choices quickly, too. There’s plenty of time, but no need to waste it.”

Since becoming a member of the group, I addressed Emily, who maintained a consistently dark complexion, and Serena, who hadn’t uttered a word, let alone seen her open her mouth. I spoke to the two women.

On the other hand, the male member, Finn, was completely the opposite, energetically moving around.

When I urged her, Serena glanced a few times and quietly reached for a bow nearby. It seemed she had found something to her liking from the start.

Meanwhile, Emily continued to act absentmindedly, as if her mind was elsewhere, likely still reeling from the separation with Liam. Or perhaps, could it be that joining the same group as me was a shock to her?

“After all, the person you fancy isn’t from the same group, is he? How long do you intend to daydream like this?”

“W-What… What do you know…”

Even though she spoke like that, life began to return to her previously lifeless eyes as she mentioned him. Quite an emotional one, I must say.

“Do my eyes look like decorations to you? I know that whenever you get a chance, you sneak a peek at males from other groups. And when you first arrived, you sat next to him. In other words, it’s highly likely you two are acquainted.”

“I-I didn’t sneak a peek! Just… no, wait. Why am I even explaining this now.”

Emily walked over with determination, selecting a Valkyrie sword from the display. It was a sword of moderate length that could be wielded with both hands.

“This should suffice. After all, I’m designated for close combat as a member of this group.”

“Forget about that. Choose something like a shortsword or a cutlass, easy to handle and thrust with.”

“Longswords are more common and familiar than daggers.”

“I have no intention of accepting less exceptional choices just because others do. Consider what your specialty is, what would be most effective.”

She would soon realize the sword that suited her temperament, but there was no harm in giving her a heads-up.

Emily looked uneasy, but knowing she would have another chance to change weapons later, she decided to follow this time. It’s a good attitude to try something you haven’t properly experienced before.

“If you don’t like it, you can always change it… Understand?”

Her speech was so frustratingly formal or informal that it was clear. The difference in status between her and me was evident, making it awkward to use such ambiguous language.

At the Academia, classmates were designated to use informal language or light honorifics regardless of their status, which was an exception.

Normally, not a rule I favored, but considering I would break many rules in the future, I could overlook this as a noble’s tolerance.

“Did you learn to speak like that in your backwater village?”

“It’s just awkward, our village isn’t strange…!”

“….”

Alicia, who had been watching this pathetic scene from the side, met my eyes.

Though not verbally expressed, her expression showed confusion about how to respond.

“Special circumstances. Abandon the foolish idea of speaking informally to me.”

“I-I never had such a thought! I was just worried about what to do!”

“Indeed. Alicia. The day you dare to speak informally to me will be a dreadful moment for you.”

“That day will never come, I assure you. I will be cautious… Umm, Lord Haon, what weapon have you chosen?”

In response to her question, I revealed the item I had concealed in my embrace.

There was nothing worth picking from this junkyard, but if I had to choose, this was the most rational item in my opinion.

“Lord…? I apologize for saying this, but could it be that you’ve chosen incorrectly…?”

『The leaders of the completed groups come and report. We should head to the unified training ground soon.』

Before I could respond to Alicia’s doubt, Louisa conveyed her message to everyone using magic-infused language, and I also acted accordingly. I gave Alicia a brief reply.

“I’ll go and come back first.”

I wonder if that fellow Finn has chosen his weapon. If he hasn’t yet, he’s just a supporting role, so I’ll have to put something down at random.