I Became the Savior of the Academy’s Villains Chapter 65

'Why did she suddenly calm down?'

The moment I mentioned the Ideal Magic, I had felt a powerful intent to kill from Herote. But after making eye contact with her, it instantly vanished.

'This feels like it's happened before....'

A strange sense of déjà vu washed over me. But that wasn't what mattered right now.

'Finally, I've made it here.'

There had been ups and downs, but I had achieved my goal for now. The one who has reached Ideals—Herote Marcato.

If I could secure her cooperation, I'd definitely be able to hit back at Demons.

"I'll say this upfront, but no matter what you claim to have heard from the divine, if you lay out some half-baked plan fit for a first-year student, I'll ignore you."

"... Yes."

That is, if I could get her cooperation.

'Well, no matter what kind of woman she is, she'll have no choice but to listen to me now. She doesn't have any information.'

Luca organized his plans in his head, then slowly began to explain.

"First, I'll need you to answer a few questions."

"What are they?"

"The first is: as the dean, you should be capable of monitoring the entire academy. Why aren't you doing so?"

At Luca's words, Herote pursed her lips with visible dissatisfaction.

"It's simple. Headmaster Eltima told me I shouldn't."

"Even during an emergency like this?"

"Yes. Headmaster Eltima said that even in an emergency, the students' freedom must not be infringed upon."

Herote licked her lips lightly and gave a wry smile.

"She also said that if you create even a single exception, you'll inevitably create more exceptions from then on."

"... I see."

Truly, those were words worthy of the noble hero Eltima Crossdown. Luca clicked his tongue and continued questioning.

"Second, you—"

"Wait."

"?"

Herote suddenly cut him off. Luca wondered why she would interrupt at this point.

"You keep calling me 'dean'—it's getting on my nerves. Just call me Herote."

"... What?"

Luca's expression soured at her unexpected demand.

"I'm only called dean when handling boring academy administrative work. I hate that title."

"Then... Herote..."

"Don't even add 'ma'am'—it sounds heavy. While you're at it, might as well drop the honorifics completely? You managed just fine earlier."

Herote's tone was light. Luca's eyebrows twitched as he looked at her.

'Was she always like this?'

The Herote I knew was extremely calculating and rational—a cold-hearted woman.

She had only shown her emotions at the very end, when she perished together with the devil of wisdom. Yet she was now acting so casual.

'I did have a hunch because of Kryphi, but this... is head-spinning.'

As Luca fell silent, Herote frowned.

"Are you thinking I'm a middle-aged woman who can't act her age?"

"... Not at all, Herote."

When he dropped the formalities, Herote seemed pleased and smiled sweetly.

"Hm~ So you can pull it off. Dropping the formalities already, nice."

"..."

"So, Luca, what's your second question?"

With the relaxed atmosphere that came from speaking more informally, the tense situation from just before felt like a lie.

"I heard the headmaster is investigating Martin Curves. Is that why the headmaster's currently away from the academy?"

"That's right. I heard the headmaster went to those so-called 'Order' people. The headmaster asked me to handle things for the Founding Festival in her absence, so that's why I'm here."

"I see."

At these words, Luca became certain.

'So the future changed due to Martin's case, after all.'

Herote, who originally should have been in her lab, was instead left in charge of the festival because of Eltima's absence, and that must have altered the future slightly.

"Lastly, do you know how far Demons' influence has spread in the Academy?"

"No. Not at all. I don't know a thing."

"..."

Luca's expression became blank, and Herote smirked.

"It can't be helped. Eltima believed that if I knew even a little about Demons, I'd be too distracted to focus on my research. So the headmaster never told me a thing about them."

"Huh..."

"Of course, it always bothered me a bit. But I trusted Eltima would handle it well, so I stayed out of it."

Her strong faith in Eltima was clear. But that didn't change the fact that her answer was unhelpful. Luca asked again.

"Do you really know nothing?"

"I understand what you're getting at, but I truly don't have any information."

Herote counted on her fingers as she summarized.

"The most I know is that Demons are a cult that worships devils, that they're like cockroaches hiding out all over the continent, and that they're gathering relics."

Luca sighed to himself. Of course, that much he already knew.

'Not helpful at all.'

It was now certain that all the events in the 'Savior of the Academy' arc were caused by Demons.

To counter that, information not found in the original was necessary.

'There's nothing I can do. For now, I have to handle this situation and figure out the rest later.'

Having made his decision, Luca looked at Herote.

"That's enough. Now I'll tell you my plan."

"Alright. Let's hear it. Show me how grand your plan is."

Herote leaned in, looking expectant. Luca spoke blandly.

"It's nothing grand—just a simple plan. I'm going to be the bait."

"?"

As Herote looked puzzled, Luca explained his plan in detail. After hearing everything, Herote had a subtle expression.

"I get what you're thinking. It's not a bad plan. But do you really have to go that far?"

"Demons are meticulous bastards. If you don't take risks, you can't even step on their tails."

Luca twisted his lips.

"No, actually—the tail you think you've caught might just be a lizard's tail that'll drop off anyway."

"..."

"So when the opportunity comes, even if it means losing something myself, I have to act as if I'm grabbing the main body. Otherwise, I'll end up with nothing at all."

At least, the Demons Luca knew were like that—cruel, meticulous, and cowardly. He spoke in a chilly voice.

"Wishing to catch a beast without getting scratched is greedy."

"... Eltima would never approve of this. She's not the kind of person who'd just watch a student walk into danger."

Herote leaned back again and continued, wearing a seductive smile.

"But I don't dislike your method, and I very much like your resolve."

"So, you'll go along with my plan?"

"Yeah. I don't like that I can't get involved directly, but... your plan seems like it'll draw the Demons out more thoroughly."

Herote took out a rectangular device the size of a credit card.

"This is a communicator for personal contact with me. Unless it's a mage more powerful than me, it can't be tapped. So feel free to use it."

"Oh."

"I'll behave as usual. If you ever need my help, contact me with that."

Luca inspected it in awe before putting it into his inner pocket.

"I'll make good use of it."

"I'll at least send you to the dorm safely. Don't worry; no one will notice."

"Actually, send me to the infirmary, not the dorm. Well... I'll accept that gesture, at least."

Whirr—

Instantly, a magic circle appeared above the heads of Luca, Bella, and Whistle. Herote smiled.

"Well then, I hope you enjoy the festival."

Whoosh!

With that, they were transported to Luca's infirmary room.

"That really is impressive."

"... Young master, are you really serious about that plan?"

As Luca was admiring the teleportation, Bella looked at him with a grim face. Luca replied with a listless tone.

"Don't worry. It's not like I plan to just die."

"But..."

"In any case, those bastards are targeting me. Even if I sit still, sooner or later they'll kidnap me, torture me, and force me to submit with devil magic."

Just look at the case of Celestial Etherna. It's the obvious outcome.

Whether the fate of the original Luca Traverse—who would have become a perverted noble's sex slave—is any better, isn't obvious at all.

Luca had no intention of accepting that kind of ending quietly.

"Sitting back and taking it isn't my style. I'd rather bite first before I get bitten."

"But if you tell the family head, he'll definitely find a way to protect you!"

Bella's face was grave, as if she wasn't willing to let the plan go forward. But Luca still showed no emotion.

"Bella, didn't you hear my conversation with Herote? Even a great hero like Eltima Cross couldn't stop them."

"But..."

"It's possible their henchmen have even infiltrated our family."

Bella bit her lip. Since even Hernan Academy was in their grasp, she couldn't deny it completely. Luca spoke indifferently.

"Anyway, I'm hungry. Bella, bring me a late-night snack."

Since he clearly didn't want to discuss it further, Bella paused, then offered a wry smile.

"... Yes, young master. Is there anything you'd like?"

She was Luca's maid. She had no choice but to obey him.

After Bella left, Luca turned to Whistle.

"Whistle. There's something I need you to do."

"Something I need to do?"

When Whistle tilted her head in confusion, Luca twisted his lips.

"That's right. I can't just sit and take what the Demons do."

* * *

The long eve of the festival ended, and at last the first day of the Founding Festival dawned.

As soon as he woke up, Luca washed up and got ready to head out.

"Bella. Don't stick right next to me."

"Yes?"

As she was also getting ready to go out, Bella looked flustered by his words.

"I mean don't stay right at my side. Go deal with the people watching me."

"Ah, right! That was the plan!"

Remembering yesterday's conversation, Bella nodded and slipped away into the shadows.

'No matter how many times I see that, it's fascinating.'

Even seeing it up close, her disappearing technique was always amazing to watch.

After inwardly expressing admiration, Luca headed for a certain place—a tea shop right next to the dormitory.

"Hm~ hmm~."

There sat a tall beauty with strongly wavy, golden, twin-tailed hair, humming as she sipped tea. Luca sat across from her.

"How have you been, Pasmo Ti-e?"

"Oh my~ Luca. Is your body alright?"

Pasmo Ti-e. She smiled sweetly at Luca.

"I wanted to visit you, but it was forbidden, so I couldn't!"

"Sorry about that. The injuries were pretty bad, so I even had to skip classes."

At Luca's flat reply, Pasmo Ti-e giggled.

"It's a relief to see you so healthy!"

"More importantly, Pasmo Ti-e... The promise we made last time still stands, right?"

At those words, Pasmo Ti-e looked a little surprised.

"Oh my, you want to keep that promise in broad daylight?"

"... No matter how I am, I wouldn't do something to spoil the mood."

Luca retorted curtly and took out a piece of paper he had prepared.

"You haven't made any plans for the Festival Talent Show yet, right?"

"Maybe I will, maybe I won't~."

She spoke playfully, and Luca handed her an invitation.

"Pasmo Ti-e, I'm naming you as my dance partner for the Festival Talent Show. I won't accept a refusal."

"Hehe, okay. I'll accept."

Pasmo Ti-e blushed faintly as she took the invitation. Hugging it to her chest, she smiled softly.

"This will be my first time attending the Festival Talent Show!"

"... What did you do last year?"

"Unfortunately, I attended an event at the imperial capital last year."

Luca looked puzzled at her words.

"The capital?"

"Hehe, despite how I look, I am a 'young lady,' you know."

The Little Lady Pasmo Ti-e—she was from the Ducal Tie family of the Ramata Empire. It was no surprise she would attend a national holiday like the Founding Festival.

"That doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm attending this year's Festival Talent Show."

"Any other plans for the festival?"

"Unfortunately... truly unfortunately, I was assigned to give a key presentation for the Heteromorphic Alchemy Society, so I'm not sure I'll have time."

For once, Pasmo Ti-e had a genuinely apologetic expression. Luca shrugged and took out his student notebook.

"I'll give you my comm code. Contact me if you're free."

"Hehe, I finally get Luca's comm code."

"It is a bit overdue."

They had never had a chance to exchange comm codes before. Pasmo Ti-e looked at her student notebook and laughed behind her fan.

"Well then, have a wonderful festival!"

"Yeah. See you later."

After seeing Pasmo Ti-e off, Luca sighed.

'I'll have to complete this plan successfully—if only for the Festival Talent Show.'

There were two reasons he'd asked her to be his partner. One was that he genuinely wanted to see her.

The other was to plant a certain impression in those watching him.

'Bella must have finished dealing with the Watchers by now.'

Thinking this, Luca called Ottbo on his student comm.

BZZ BZZ BZZ.

"...?"

The call was going through, but Ottbo wasn't picking up.

'What? Did something already happen to him?'

Ottbo would answer his call even while asleep, so Luca was a bit alarmed that he wasn't picking up.

'Was Milia not by his side? Damn, is Milia in trouble too?'

Just as Luca was getting flustered, his student comm vibrated.

BZZ BZZ!

"?"

It was Ottbo calling. Luca answered, feeling sour.

"Ottbo?"

—Ugh... Luca... sorry... I just... woke up...

"... You're late this morning."

Hearing that tired voice, Luca chuckled despite himself.

—Went to bed late last night...

"You stayed up? Why?"

—Well... I found a magic stone bomb...

For a moment, Luca didn't understand what Ottbo was saying.

"Are you talking in your sleep?"

—Ah... No, seriously... I found a magic stone bomb.

"...?"

He'd almost thought it was just sleep talk.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Damn, Ottbo working really hard.

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】