A Third-Rate Villain’s Sweet Life Exploiting Academy Bugs – Chapter 113

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Just after a cool autumn rain, while the overcast sky hadn’t fully cleared yet, the six of us embarked on a journey.

It was a practical dungeon investigation trip, with the five members from the Imperial Games, plus Selena, who joined at Lily’s recommendation.

Our destination, thus formed, was Neldaran, the large city hosting the L’Conta Festival.

Neldaran is a metropolis famous for its magic engineering, and also the hometown of the war hero, Heisman.

A city with a good foundation, it was easily accessible via the magic tower’s network.

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When we arrived via the dimensional gate, Neldaran greeted us with bright, sunny weather.

We boarded a magic-powered vehicle to head into the city center.

In the languid afternoon, enjoying snacks Yeriel had prepared and listening to the sounds around us, I felt refreshed and pleasantly drowsy at the same time.

It was a sense of leisure I hadn’t felt in a while.

“Lev! Lily can now control up to five golems!”

“Oh.”

“Next time we party up, I’ll show you my skills!”

Lily seemed to be in high spirits today, full of energy. She’d seemed to be lacking sleep lately, always immersed in training.

I didn’t know what had motivated her, but she had grown much faster than in the original story.

“That’s amazing. Five already…”

“Ahem!”

I praised her with a feeling of,

“Alright, alright, I knew you could do it!”,

and straightened her crooked wizard hat.

“It’s, it’s nothing… Since Lily can do it…”

“That’s right.”

Lily looked a little shy. In any case, it was very satisfying to see her steadily growing as a summoner.

Kaelan’s plan, according to the original story, had her taming a dragon—a task with high risks that even drained the caster’s life force.

To keep him in check, it was better for Lily to remain a summoner.

Then, Edwin smiled at us.

“Haha, Lily listens well to Lev, doesn’t she?”

“That’s not true~.”

Lily alternately extended her slender knees, speaking as if bored.

“The Royal Class circle is gone~, and I’m a bit free, so I came along. Be grateful~.”

“Haha…”

Edwin gave an awkward laugh.

-Stretch.

“Wha. What are you doing…?”

“It looks squishy.”

I playfully pulled Lily’s cheek to pass the time. Yeriel simply smiled and looked towards Selena.

“By the way, I didn’t think Selena would come.”

That was true. Selena didn’t have any particular connection with Edwin, Yeriel, or Aria.

She joined because Lily, who had always admired her, had extended a hasty invitation.

‘This happened because of me.’

In the original story, early on, Selena, Edwin, and Yeriel were a trio who often encountered each other in the training hall.

However, because I provoked Gailon Shaftie and got involved with Selena to learn Wind Archery, their storyline was erased, and even now…they remained awkward with each other.

‘I need to properly connect them as comrades this time…’

Putting my thoughts aside, Selena, with her eyes closed, belatedly explained her reason for joining.

“…Well, it seemed like it would be fun.”

“Pfft.”

Edwin suddenly chuckled as if he couldn’t hold it in. When Selena opened one eye and glared at him, he flinched and said defensively,

“It’s just funny… you saying it’s fun with that expression…”

“……”

The quiet chemistry between Selena and Edwin, often shown in the novel.

‘Well, they’ll become close soon enough.’

As I subtly nodded,

-…?

For some reason, Aria was staring intently at me. Just like when she tried to invite me to her party before the selection test.

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After securing a nice lodging thanks to Yeriel’s introduction, we unpacked our bags and immediately headed towards L’Conta Square, where the grand festival was being held.

“Wow…”

Just like Edwin’s jaw dropping, the grandeur of the place was beyond even my expectations.

Though circular in shape, the square was situated in the middle of a lake, making it look like a small island.

It was filled with entertaining amenities, like an amusement park. And in four directions, bridges led to wide, straight paths, offering a refreshing view.

On a high platform, an emcee was shouting with an excited voice, as if about to start something.

-We’ll now begin Sizak…!!!!

With a familiar-sounding line, the procession announcing the Neldaran festival began.

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Lost in the enjoyment of the festival, the autumn wind turned chilly, and the night sky began to be tinged with purple.

‘No matter how many times I see it, the sky in this fantasy world is beautiful…’

After the exciting parade ended, caught up in the atmosphere, each of us participated in the L’Conta Festival’s competitions according to our specialties.

Edwin in swordsmanship, Lily in magic engineering, etc. Since it was an event open only to amateurs, we had a decent chance at winning a prize.

-Now, for the next event!!

To wait for Edwin and Lily, who were waiting for their turn, and to eat, the rest of us rented an outdoor table.

“Let’s split into two. Anyone want to go order food with me?”

“…!”

After a very brief silence, Selena silently stood up.

“…Take your time! We’ll get the tableware!”

“Okay.”

So, Aria and Yeriel stayed behind, and Selena and I went to get food.

I had noticed it on the way here, but…the numerous temporary stalls set up for the festival were overflowing with a variety of foods.

-Come and try it!

-Over here! We have drinks too!

From smoked barbecue, chicken skewers, and teppanyaki to fruit salads and even somewhat formal Chinese-style course meals.

First, Selena and I lined up at the barbecue stall, the quintessential festival food.

-Whoosh!

‘I promised to buy Lily a meal.’

Lost in thought, staring at the barbecue fire in the distance, Selena spoke to me as if wanting to be heard.

“I joined the committee.”

“……”

As expected, she hadn’t accepted Lily’s offer without thinking. She had something she wanted to talk about with me one-on-one.

I kept my eyes fixed on the fire and replied,

“That’s good.”

“…I know everything. That you pulled some strings.”

“…”

“The Archery Department Committee Head, Violet D’Crescent… isn’t someone who takes interest in others first.”

“Well, maybe your efforts caught her eye.”

Despite my feigned ignorance, Selena remained completely unfazed.

“Pity again?”

“…”

It was probably back then. On the first day of the semester, when we were looking at the notice board with our ranks.

Looking at Selena, whose fingers were bandaged from arduous practice, I had said,

-I know you worked hard.

-Pity… is it?”

She had told me not to show her unnecessary pity. Selena’s eyes, looking at me, were sharp. That was understandable.

She was the type who wanted to prove herself with skill.

-Crackle crackle…

“Maybe it is pity…”

When I said pity again, her brow furrowed. And, in a slightly cold tone, she asked me,

“Back then, you asked me to teach you Wind Archery when I had nothing…? Then, what about this time?”

“What?”

“Is there something you want from me again…?”

“This time…”

When I turned my head, Selena’s eyelashes trembled. It seemed she still harbored some suspicion towards me.

“Nothing.”

“…?”

“I just yielded because I think you have more potential as an archer than I do. Sincerely.”

“…Do you think I’ll believe that…? If it wasn’t for you during the Crimson Ash subjugation…!”

“…”

“…No matter how I look at it, the Committee Head took an interest in you back then…?”

It was natural for Selena to be unconvinced. She was strict with herself, so she must have already acknowledged me as strong.

However, I had only used tricks; my absolute combat power wasn’t high.

A supporting character… was just a supporting character and couldn’t fully replace the main character.

Counting the stars reflected in her eyes, I added,

“If there’s anything I want from you, it’s Edwin.”

“…Edwin Gwynne…?”

“Yeah, he’s quite strong, or rather, he will become strong. And he’s a foolishly kind guy. Please help him. You can even party up with him.”

“What does that…”

It couldn’t be helped. I had to narrow the relationship between Edwin and Selena like this.

It wasn’t for nothing that Kaelan seduced Melissa, Abelline, and Lily. The reality was that they couldn’t defeat a great demon alone.

Selena looked away from me and said,

“…You won’t tell me the reason… even if I ask.”

“…”

“That’s you, Lev Denec.”

Selena knew me too well.

“Then… what are you planning to do at that time? Don’t tell me you’re going to act alone again…”

“Right, so even if I’m not there…”

“Sorry for the wait!”

Just then, the food I had been waiting for arrived. The aroma of the grilled meat, stimulating the appetite, wafted over.

“It was roasted with wine aged directly from the Artina Territory!”

The staff member dressed as a chef joked while looking at Selena.

“Once you taste it, you won’t be able to go back to the forest where the Lady resides. You’ll keep thinking about it~.”

“…”

He seemed quite proud, perhaps a person with a deep philosophy about meat.

“…That’s unlikely.”

Selena answered curtly, received the meat, and left first. Then, the man whispered to me, bringing his hand to his mouth,

“She’s pretty, but a cold lady…”

“…Right. Sell a lot.”

“Thank you, young master!”

I quickly paid and followed Selena.

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After going back and forth a few times, every kind of festival food was piled up on our table. I sat down and asked,

“Where are Edwin and Lily?”

“Over there!”

Yeriel pointed to the stage. Lily stood there, hands on her hips, saying “Ahem!”, and quickly drew a magic circuit.

-Scribble scribble…

-BANG BANG BANG!!!

-Woooow!!!

-That little lady is amazing!

As Lily’s makeshift ignition formula activated, numerous magic fireworks exploded, and cheers erupted from the surroundings.

-BANG BANG BANG BANG!!

She glanced at me, sending a “See? I did well!” signal.

It was clearly supposed to be like a school talent show, but the level was too high.

‘It feels like just yesterday I confessed to Lily.’

Smiling to myself, I turned back to the table,

“!”

Aria was staring intently at me again. I felt like our eyes were meeting more often today…

-…

The night sky was reflected in her azure eyes, and the Milky Way in her silver hair. The graceful curves of her side and front hair harmoniously added to her beauty.

As expected of my favorite heroine. I paused my thoughts for a moment, captivated by her poignant and profound beauty, then awkwardly said,

“What? Doesn’t it taste good?”

“No.”

“Then are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

“…Lev Denec.”

“?”

She called my full name. As if reciting each syllable.

-…?

Selena and Yeriel also glanced over, wondering what was going on.

-Drink, let’s drink!!!! Let’s die drinking!!

-BANG BANG BANG!

The surroundings were still noisy, in the midst of the festival, and as I put down the tableware, wearing a puzzled expression, Aria’s lovely lips moved.

“I like you. Lev Denec.”

“……”

With her words, amidst the numerous crowds… our table seemed to pause as if time had stopped. According to the cliché, fireworks should be going off at this moment.

‘They’re not going off.’

-……

It seemed that the confession attack… wasn’t a skill unique to me.

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