Surviving as a Villain at the Academy - Surviving as a Villain at the Academy chapter 172

172 – Something’s Off.

It’s strangely peaceful.

Even if this chapter’s main villain is me and Asti… the academy was unusually tranquil. It’s never been like this before.

The main villain is, after all, the one who carries the main flow of the story. But the story doesn’t always revolve around just the main villain.

In between, there are certainly minor villains and incidents.

But now, a month after returning from the holy kingdom and capturing the chimera.

The academy was remarkably peaceful.

“Something’s off…”

“What is?”

To Asti, who had become even more affectionate after our relationship deepened, I shook my head as if it was nothing. She was looking at me with deep eyes from my bedroom.

…That look, it definitely means she wants to make sure it happens today. Come to think of it, I’ve been neglecting her lately because of the academy’s midterm exams.

She must be really looking forward to it, so I’ll have no choice but to roll around in bed with her today.

Of course, I don’t dislike it. What’s good is good.

But the more it happens, the more I feel like I’m sinking into a swamp, and that brings an inexplicable anxiety.

“It’s just… too peaceful.”

“Isn’t peace a good thing?”

“It is, but… something’s off.”

“Well, honestly, we’ve been too busy lately, haven’t we? How about thinking of it as a break that’s finally come our way?”

“I don’t know. Normally, around this time, minor incidents should be happening…”

Strictly speaking, since I’ve twisted the original world line, it’s all hypothetical. The current tranquility might be a result of that… but why?

A strange anxiety keeps poking at my back.

A sense of foreboding, as if something major was about to happen.

For reference, around this time in the original work, all sorts of demons would spring forth within the Academy. As if I had just possessed this world in its early days, a situation arises where the demonic realm opens, leading to all manner of casualties.

Even as the Academy’s faculty tries to contain the situation, the number of demons emerging only increases… Consequently, the Empire finds itself requesting aid from the Holy Kingdom.

In the midst of this chaos, demons seeking to profit from the Academy’s turmoil intervene, and with the Holy Kingdom’s involvement, their true identities are exposed, leading to the Academy’s utter devastation.

The ‘minor villains’ I mentioned refer to these demons.

It’s typically the season for such demons to run rampant… but now, it was eerily quiet.

Like the calm before the storm.

As I’ve said time and again, this world is a mess. How can one feel at ease when no disastrous events unfold in such a place?

One might argue that the original story has twisted, and therefore, it’s possible… But the fact that the original has twisted means that an even more messed-up situation should arise for it to be considered normal.

That’s why I felt even more anxious. And what drove the nail deeper into my anxiety was the fact that I didn’t know much about these demons. Human memory is such that,

It feels like something is about to burst somewhere unknown to me.

“Asti.”

“Yes?”

“I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Could you check if there are any demons infiltrated within the Academy?”

“Why?”

“If there are, I want you to monitor their movements. I just need a rough idea of what they’re up to. With that, I can steer their actions in the direction I want.”

“That’s not too difficult. Just keep an eye on those with exceptionally strong magical powers. But you seem to be living quite a busy life.”

“There’s a need to control variables. I’d prefer to avoid any unforeseen complications as much as possible.”

“Isn’t the future already full of variables that have changed?”

“True. But that doesn’t mean I can just sit back and wait for something to happen.”

“Hah. That’s so like you.”

Asti sighed. I wondered why she sighed, and it seemed likely because I was always thinking about work.

“Like me?”

“Always thinking about work first. Well, now I’ve come to think of it as one of your traits.”

And she was right. Honestly, if I were someone else, I’d find myself frustrating. Always work, work. Never resting even when there’s work to be done… It was natural for Asti to seem a bit angry.

“If you’ve known me for a while, you should understand, right?”

“I know. That’s why I honestly don’t want to do you this favor… But what can I do? The one who falls first is the loser. Alright. I’ll look into it as much as I can.”

She sighed repeatedly and then reluctantly agreed.

“So, how do you plan to respond if they pull something?”

“If the situation is serious, I’ll step in, but if it’s not, I’ll just leave them be.”

“You’re always consistent, you too.”

“I told you. It’s no use if only I succeed. How can one person handle a global crisis? We need to cultivate capable people. And once they’re on track, I won’t have to struggle like this, right?”

“…Still, it seems like your struggles won’t change.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Why? Look at what you’ve done. Ever since you signed with me, you’ve been working non-stop. The very picture of a workaholic.”

At Asti’s words calling me a workaholic, I couldn’t deny it. To anyone looking at me, I was the very picture of a workaholic.

But what can I do? My survival is directly at stake.

I wasn’t a workaholic before I fell into this world. On the contrary, I was rather lazy. But that damn survival instinct made me this way.

“It’s not that I don’t want to rest, but… what can I do? You have to do whatever it takes to survive. It’s better than dying, right?”

“That’s true, but it seems like you’re suffering too much.”

“I appreciate your concern, but honestly, no matter how hard I work, I’ve reaped a lot and consistently trained, so I’m not particularly tired.”

“Really? Then that’s a relief. Oh, if you have such an abundance of energy… then there’s no problem, right?”

Asti gave a sly smile. Ah, I’ve dug my own grave.

“It’s not the energy that’s the problem, it’s the time. But still, if you keep a close watch on the demons’ movements, my workload will decrease, right?”

As soon as I said that, Asti’s eyes sparkled. Like a hunter with prey in sight.

“Then you should have said that from the start. If you had, I would have followed your words without any fuss or worry.”

“…How good was it, really?”

“To be honest, it was ecstatic. You, thanks to the giant’s blood, don’t get tired, do you? Honestly, every time it’s mind-blowing, and it’s so ecstatic that… I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it. Didn’t you like it?”

“I loved it too. But it’s too addictive. Better than I expected, so much so that sometimes it’s all I can think about.”

“Hehe. So, what do you say, should we increase the frequency? As long as I work harder, it’s fine, right?”

“Do as you please. If there’s time to spare, I’d welcome it. And… just in case I’m saying this, I’m really happy that you’re demanding a relationship with me. It’s just that I have so many worries that I can’t actively respond… If you’re ever disappointed or upset by my reaction, let me know.”

At my honest words, Asti’s expression softened.

From noble mtl dot nete

“You speak so beautifully. No wonder I can’t help but like you. Don’t worry. I know very well the situation you’re in and the efforts you’re making.”

“Thanks for understanding.”

“And the best thing about you is, you don’t keep things bottled up inside. Usually, other humans are too embarrassed to say such things. But you, if something’s on your mind, you say it. That’s what I like.”

“It’s just frustrating otherwise. And… it’s right to say what can be said. Of course, there are things that shouldn’t be said.”

“I see. Then, Praha.”

“Hm?”

“Let’s do it. Today, I want it even more.”

As I saw her eyes sparkle, I couldn’t help but nod. If I shook my head here, I felt like I’d end up tied up and forced to do it anyway.

At least, if we’re going to enjoy ourselves, we might as well do it thoroughly. I changed my attitude, pulling Asti into an embrace.

“Eek!”

I threw her onto the bed. If that’s what she wanted, I’d hold her until she fainted. As my eyes shone, Asti trembled with anticipation.

* * *

Before I knew it, it was morning. This is the problem. Time just gets erased.

Of course, as long as Asti works hard, it doesn’t matter. A day or two is nothing.

For now, if Asti checks on the demons’ movements, all I have to do is wait. Once I know what the demons are up to, I plan to convert it all into experience points for Ruslan and me.

But then again, considering the original story has already twisted beyond recognition, it seems unnecessary for Asti and me to play the villains…

Yeah. That’s right. After all, Asti and my image are now far from villainous. There’s no need to play the villain anymore.

Surely, as the flow has changed from the original, other demons will spread their wings… It seems better to turn that into experience points for Ruslan. There’s no need for Asti and me to become Ruslan’s experience points.