The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen - Chapter 351



351 – The Bet -1-

Malik, who had leaked information to Yuria, spoke in a low voice with a smile on his lips.

“Before that… we need to finish the ranking match first.”

“…!”

“This time, the members of the Healing Department will also participate in the ranking match.”

Malik’s fist brushed Yuria’s cheek. A bitter smile formed on his lips as he watched Yuria’s agile movement to avoid it. He was glad he had quit being a swordsman.

Although he wasn’t without talent himself.

-Swish…

‘…’

-Whoosh!!!

Being surrounded by budding talents made him acutely aware of it. There were many outstanding monsters in the world.

He was looking forward to it.

The events that would unfold in this ranking match.

The second son of a prestigious swordsmanship family who was sharpening his blade. And Mikhail, who was chosen by the Holy Sword. Lastly, the one who would show the rebellion of the healer. He thought there would be plenty to see in this ranking match.

“Not bad.”

Malik, who had dodged Yuria’s punch, nodded with a small smile. He thought that this time, they should strengthen the security to prevent any interference from the heretics.

‘Come to think of it. That guy was there.’

-Are you talking about during the vacation?

-Yes. We should also commend him for his contribution to this matter, so let’s have him come to the capital.

-Are we going to see the Emperor?

-Do you want to see him?

-No. I have no interest in seeing an old man. If it were a young woman, maybe.

-That’s a reason to be arrested for insulting the royal family.

-Just kidding.

Since they were calling him anyway, he thought it would be good to assign him to security during the ranking match. With him around, he could sleep with both legs stretched out.

Malik thought about writing a letter when he returned to the office and smiled slightly.

“Just lie down for now.”

“What?”

Malik’s fist quickly dug into Yuria’s abdomen. Judging a person based on their gender during a sparring match was not respectful. He had hit her with a certain amount of force.

With a ‘thud’ sound, Yuria’s legs gave out, and Malik, watching her, turned his back with a faint smile on his lips.

-Whoosh…!

I steadied myself again after dodging the punch that grazed my hair.

“Impressive.”

A smile crept onto my face.

“Does this mean I’ve become a reliable punching bag now?”

Yuria was holding on with a faint smile.

“I… hit you once.”

“…Ha.”

“The promised scholarship and meal voucher…”

Yuria, clutching the spot where Malik had hit her, finally couldn’t hold back her words and collapsed to the ground, signaling the end of the sparring match.

Malik clicked his tongue and muttered to himself.

“I can’t just stand by idly either.”

Although he was currently focusing on his business, having set aside his sword for a while, he couldn’t let his disciple surpass him.

Malik, with a satisfied smile, spoke softly.

“I should ask to be included in the special lecture too.”

A few days later, on the day the special lecture began.

Malik deeply regretted this decision.

The day of the ranking match dawned.

The students’ faces were tense, especially those from the Healing Department, who looked particularly worried.

Originally, the department had ranked students based on exams evaluating their healing abilities, but due to the discretion of the senior director, they were now participating in the ranking match.

It wasn’t entirely decided by this match.

They didn’t want to give the fledgling Healing Department too harsh a trial. The original method would be maintained, but with a 30% weight given to the ranking match.

Of course, it didn’t matter much to me, a dropout…

Standing on the railing of the massive circular arena, I fiddled with the Caliburn at my waist and let out a low sigh.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here.”

When I came to the academy to open a convenience store, I had only been inside the buildings. I hadn’t been here… Seeing these old memories, I smiled faintly, lost in nostalgia.

I had fought Mikhail here too.

-You coward…! Throwing sand in my eyes!

-The world of competition is inherently cruel.

The place, filled with memories of knocking down academy students like sprouts, wasn’t so bad.

Just as I was immersed in my thoughts, I heard footsteps behind me. The elegant and graceful footsteps told me who it was without needing to turn around.

There was only one person in my memory whose wealth could be felt just by their footsteps.

“Boss.”

“…How did you know without looking?”

“There are ways to know.”

“…Amazing.”

Malik, who approached and leaned against the railing, asked about my recent activities with a small smile.

How have you been since the Holy Sword competition?

Is your new business going well?

Do you have any good business ideas?

While exchanging such conversations and learning about each other’s recent activities, Malik asked about the lady.

“By the way, where is Lady Olivia?”

“I couldn’t bring her to the academy, so she’s spending time with her family at the duchy.”

“Hmm…”

“She is probably playing airplane with the head of the family right now.”

“Airplane…?”

“Ah…”

I looked up at the clear sky and smiled slightly. There was no concept of an airplane in this world.

“It’s flying with magic.”

“…”

“It’s a game the lady likes, so the head of the family often does it for her.”

“Does the head of the Desmond family do such things?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

Malik chuckled and shook his head, muttering to himself that it was nothing.

– We will now begin the final match of the first semester!!

Hearing the host’s voice, I awkwardly asked Malik. It seemed different from the ranking match I knew.

The previous ranking match was divided into 1st and 2nd years and 3rd and 4th years, but this time, it seemed different as all grades were mixed.

“This ranking match seems to be conducted differently. It’s held before the vacation, and mixing students from the healing department and all grades is different from the usual method.”

“This time, it’s approached more as a competition rather than a ranking match.”

“Hmm… I think the students will strongly oppose this.”

“That’s not my problem to handle, is it?”

“Puhat. That’s true.”

“And… people go crazy for money.”

Before Malik could continue, the host’s voice boomed loudly.

– The students who take the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in this ranking match will receive a full scholarship for the duration of their time at the academy and a choice of one of the academy’s treasures! Moreover!!! They will also receive a personal scholarship from the senior director!!!!

I let out a hollow laugh at the host’s words.

“Did the president do this?”

“I did push the student council president a bit.”

“Puhaha!!!”

He is a person with remarkable execution ability.

He knows how to place big bets.

I playfully said to Malik that even I would want to participate with such prizes.

Malik let out a hollow laugh at my words and shook his head.

“Don’t. The kids will drop out.”

– The first match is between first-year Healing Department student ‘San’ and third-year Swordsmanship Department student ‘Bella’.

Leaning against the railing, I asked Malik if there wasn’t an essential element that shouldn’t be missed in such events.

“President.”

“Why are you calling me?”

“Shall we make a bet?”

“A bet?”

Malik looked at me with interest and smiled.

“Sounds fun.”

“If you guess the first place, the loser pays 100 gold. How about that?”

“100 gold… hmm…”

Malik shook his head and said that 100 gold was too small a bet. He suggested raising the stakes.

“Money doesn’t seem to mean much to either of us, so how about this instead.”

“I’m a corpse without money.”

“The loser introduces one of their connections.”

“Connections?”

“Yes. When expanding a business, the most important thing is connections. I don’t intend to make an unreasonable request. I just need an introduction.”

“But I don’t have any connections.”

“That can’t be.”

Malik let out a hollow laugh and denied my words. Among the people he knew, there was no one with connections as strange as mine.

“You have apostles and heretics, don’t you? And the Desmond family too. And… most importantly, you.”

“Such compliments make me embarrassed.”

“Endure it. It’s only natural.”

“You are very good at saying embarrassing things, boss.”

“Thank you.”

I let out a hollow laugh and spoke to Malik. It’s better to set clear boundaries.

“Our lady is not available.”

“I don’t want to get to know the princess.”

“I won’t introduce you to any women. I’m very greedy.”

“…I married my dream.”

“Eunuch.”

“Shut up.”

“Puhat!”

From noble mtl dot com

While having a small chat, I gave a positive answer to the bet. It seemed like it would be fun.

“Alright. Let’s do it.”

“Okay.”

“Then, who will you choose? I’ll let you go first, boss.”

Malik looked down at the arena with a serious expression. After contemplating for a while, looking at Mikhail, Hannah, and Yuria, Malik chose the rising star.

“I’ll go with Mikhail.”

“That’s too much.”

“It can’t be helped.”

“Sigh… Then I’ll…”

I glanced down at the arena and called out a name.

“I’ll go with □□□.”

“Are you planning to lose?”

I gave Malik, who was being sarcastic, a vague smile.

“Indeed.”

“…”

“I don’t fight losing battles.”