I Became the Savior of the Academy’s Villains Chapter 88

After figuring out the rules of the hints, something odd occurred to him.

'Come to think of it, there was one more hint about an individual.'

The eccentric alchemist, Bern Doyner.

As Luca mentioned before, he never actually appeared in the original story.

His traces alone were left to help the protagonist.

'That too appeared as something of a gag element.'

The flavorless potion made from "mop water", the capsule shooter that made cute sounds.

He was always used as a minor comedic element whenever he came up.

'So does that mean the rule of hints is faulty, or did he, too, end up becoming a villain in some way?'

Considering the case of 'Imitator', there's a chance he became a main villain in a way Luca was unaware of.

And the reason Luca think that scenario is even more likely is because of his apprentices, Hav and Moula.

'It's suspicious that those two never appeared in the original story.'

Luca had never seen Moula's Magic Power Beam Cannon in the original.

There's really only one reason something so impressive would not make it into the original story.

Moula must have died before making it to the story.

'Hav and Moula both died before the protagonist arrived.'

If Luca entertained that assumption, multiple possibilities come to mind.

'First off, there's a good chance Bern Doyner was a central figure in the Hyperhemia experiments.'

Bern Doyner's potion has life-restoring effects, and the Doyner family name has been blacklisted among alchemists.

'Even if he wasn't the central figure, it's certain he was involved.'

Research on life is strictly forbidden; there's no way it would be allowed to run rampant anywhere.

So the forbidden act Bern Doyner committed likely pertains to the Hyperhemia experiments.

'And yet, neither Bern Doyner nor his apprentices Hav and Moula made it into the original? That definitely means something will happen to them this year.'

Whether they die off, or get dragged off by the Demonz, Luca didn't know, but clearly something bad is destined to happen.

'Above all, since the Marquis Kisen family—confirmed to be minions of the Demonz—are still conducting Hyperhemia experiments, there's a good chance they'll need Bern Doyner's expertise.'

In the original, there was never an enemy who transformed into a giant, like Donovan's phase 3 form.

Which means Donovan was the only perfected result of the Hyperhemia experiments.

So the experiments were not yet complete at the time.

'There were things like proto-lifeforms, which resembled the stage 1 transformation, but... Anyway, one thing for sure is that something went wrong and the research was never completed.'

So Luca's guess was that Bern Doyner was either kidnapped or killed, and his research was stolen.

'Well, even if it turns out he had nothing to do with Hyperhemia, that's fine. Just developing a potion that restores life force without side effects is impressive enough.'

If he did that independently, with no ties to the Kisen family, that's even more remarkable.

'I need to ask him to help restore my life force.'

Bern Doyner would surely be able to help heal his life force.

'On top of that, I feel like he'll be able to help in multiple other ways too. The important thing is to complete the hint related to him first.'

Whether he's a villain or not, for now it was important to follow any hint.

Whatever happens, it would help Luca in some way.

"Ah... So what you're saying is, you need to meet someone in order to treat your body, and that could be dangerous?"

"That's right."

"Whew... I thought you were asking me to go on some kind of dangerous warrior's pilgrimage or something."

Having listened to Luca's explanation, Ottbo let out a sigh of relief.

Then he scratched his cheek.

"Uh... I appreciate the invitation, but... will I actually be of any help?"

"You will. Much more than you think."

"In what way?"

Unlike before, when he doubted his own usefulness, this time Ottbo asked out of pure curiosity.

That difference made Luca feel a little more at ease.

"The most important thing is, we might have to use the auto-carriage to travel to an unregistered area."

"Ah, I can definitely be of help there. Heh heh."

Ottbo laughed in his easygoing way.

Luca observed him with a strange expression.

"I can't tell you everything, but I'm sure you'll provide other crucial help as well."

"Uh... really?"

"Yeah. So, are you going or not?"

In response, Ottbo grinned widely.

"Okay! This is my first time going on a trip with a friend! I'm excited."

"Just remember one thing. It won't be as fun and exciting as you're expecting."

"...... Huh?"

Having dashed Ottbo's expectations, Luca smirked and squinted at something in the distance.

"...... A commoner is a commoner, after all."

"What... do you mean...?"

Luca's words were extremely perplexing.

Ottbo frowned awkwardly, and Luca stayed silent.

'I meant, well, a noble wouldn't have done, but the nuance is weird.'

In the end, Luca said nothing, striding forward toward someone.

"Are you deliberately avoiding me? Why is that?"

"Uh, uh? Wh-what are you saying, Luca? Why would we be avoiding you?"

"......"

It was Hav Erid and Moula Prington, the childhood friend couple from the countryside.

Hav fumbled over his words in reply to Luca.

"I needed to talk to you two anyway."

"Oh, about what?"

Hav asked uneasily.

Luca answered flatly.

"What do you plan to do during the month-long closure of the academy?"

"Uh... well... I guess... we'll have to camp out."

"...... Camp out?"

Luca, not expecting that answer, was taken aback.

Hav hesitated, biting his lip.

"We can't help it. All first years not participating in special activities are told to go home, but it would take us nearly two months to walk back."

"...... You'd walk for two months?"

Again, an unexpected answer.

Hav frowned, his pride stung.

"We can't help it! We can't afford the Magic Power Train!"

"......"

"Besides, even if we ride the Magic Power Train, it doesn't go near our place. Even if we get off at the closest possible station, it would still take us a week on foot. We'd rather camp out nearby and hunt monsters or wild animals to survive."

It was a rather sad story.

Luca clicked his tongue and then said,

"I'll arrange a Magic Power Train ticket and an auto-carriage for you to get home."

"...... Really?"

Hav's eyes widened in surprise.

But there was still a guarded look in his eyes.

'Why?'

Hav's eyes seemed to demand further explanation.

Luca replied, deadpan.

"In exchange, introduce me to your master."

"...... Master? For what?"

Hav's expression immediately turned wary.

He looked ready to resist if he sensed any ill intent.

Luca just shrugged.

"I've heard it'll take a long time for my body to heal. I plan to ask your master to treat me."

"What? The doctors here are good at healing injuries."

"I know. But like I said, it'll take too long. I need to recover immediately."

Luca subtly revealed the flask of "mop water" from inside his clothes.

"If they were able to make something like this, they must have a potion for healing the body without side effects, right?"

At the sight of the mop water, Hav finally let his guard down.

He hesitated for a moment, then tilted his head thoughtfully.

"Um... There's probably... something."

He seemed to have an idea.

Luca drove the point home.

"I realize your master is involved in some shady business, but that has nothing to do with me. After all, I am a swordsman. All I want is to heal the injuries I sustained while protecting you."

"Uh... ahem."

It was well known that Luca was seriously injured while protecting them.

With that topic out in the open, Hav had nothing more to protest.

"If I wanted to, I could easily learn your master's location by force. Didn't you yourself already mention your hometown's name? It was Potro, right?"

"What? Wh-when did I—?"

"...... You did, Hav."

Moula, standing beside him, quietly chimed in.

—All right. I'm Hav of Potro. In thanks for putting me in the same group, I'll bring you victory!

—...?

—Po-Potro is the name of our home village.

He'd said it during the team exercise.

Hav blinked, then heaved a sigh.

"Haa. Fine. I actually wanted to visit home anyway."

"I'll take that as your agreement."

"But the auto-carriage doesn't go all the way to our village. If we walk, it's at least one week from the last stop."

Luca just smirked and pointed behind him.

"Don't worry. There's an expert on that subject right here."

"Expert?"

Hav followed Luca's gesture.

Ottbo was there, wearing a somewhat sulky expression.

* * *

After making plans with the Hav–Moula couple, the festival proceeded without incident.

In the Magic Engineering Department exhibition, you could get a glimpse of modern sensibilities.

The Alchemy Department showcased more of a fantasy vibe.

And the Magic Department's exhibition... well, Luca couldn't make heads or tails of it.

Most of all, when the crowds thinned enough to finally visit the Magic Department's displays, Luca was shocked beyond words.

"What is this... Is writing something half-heartedly on the chalkboard supposed to count as an exhibit?"

"Lu-Luca, don't say things like that out loud..."

"I don't even understand what I'm seeing. Did all those people really come just for this?"

Unlike the Engineering and Alchemy Departments' flashy displays—because they needed investor funding—the Magic Department's exhibition seemed more like a private brag for insiders, which made it rather dull.

Not only was it bland, but the way they took pride in things only they could understand was appalling.

"There are a lot of mages in our empire. Most people here probably recognize it."

"Whew..."

With a sigh, Luca turned to look at Milia, who was eating ice cream.

"Don't tell me I'll have to endure this hell again tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow's the highlight."

"There's worse hell than this?"

Milia giggled at Luca's despair.

"Tomorrow's the last day of the festival, so it's mostly performances instead of exhibits. They'll be much more exciting than the ones at the vigil."

"Ohh."

Luca let out a sound of admiration at the mention of performances.

He hadn't been able to enjoy the opening night because of the terror incident.

Now that things had calmed down, he wanted to attend, despite the trouble.

"Hmm...?"

At that moment, Ottbo stared at a map with a curious look.

Milia asked him,

"Why is he looking at a map?"

"He's planning a route for where we need to go during the break."

"Where are you going?"

To this, Luca unobtrusively touched his chest.

"I'm going to restore the life force I lost in recent incidents."

"Ah... That can't be helped."

She had no comment on someone going for treatment.

She knew what Luca had gone through, so she held back from saying more.

Just then, Ottbo tilted his head and spoke,

"Something's odd. Luca, I think we need to double-check their location."

"What's wrong?"

At Luca's question, Ottbo pointed to somewhere on the map.

"Their family's territory isn't here. Or more precisely, it's already been nationalized."

"Nationalized? What does that mean?"

"In simple terms..."

Ottbo scratched his cheek.

"The noble family ruling their territory has been wiped out."

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

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