A Third-Rate Villain’s Sweet Life Exploiting Academy Bugs – Chapter 52

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Despite our relatively recent encounter, Kaelan was acting far more cunningly than I had anticipated.

Even considering the author’s blatant favoritism,

‘He crossed the line.’

He was acting as if he were the protagonist with foreknowledge, monopolizing opportunities and manipulating events.

Moreover, as if reflecting the power creep present in this world compared to the original ‘Reincarnation Hero’ game, the story’s pacing and plot progression were accelerating.

This was likely due to…

…the Kaelan Ending being one of my mission objectives.

Therefore, I had to tread carefully.

There might be hidden plot elements I was unaware of.

I needed a foolproof plan to hinder his growth, even if it took time.

As tempting as it was to demonize him and be done with it, using ‘Demonization’ would expose me, due to the skill’s copying mechanism.

And if he couldn’t handle demonization and died on the spot,

I, his duel opponent, wouldn’t be able to continue attending the academy…

The worst-case scenario was that he’d master demonization. Of course, the empire, which abhorred demons, would swiftly apprehend him,

but I didn’t like the idea of things spiraling out of my control.

Therefore, considering all these factors, my best option was to

prevent Kaelan from getting involved with the Alchemy Club, something that didn’t happen in the original story.

I didn’t know how much he knew, but

his approach to Hazel was simply to exploit the connection between the black market and the Alchemy Club for blackmail, just like in the novel.

The emergence of the parasitic monster was a major plot point in Chapter 3. If the author had any decency, Kaelan wouldn’t be aware of it at this point.

So I had to find a way to fund the Alchemy Club without relying on the black market

and eliminate the parasitic monster before it found a host, obtaining the ‘Parasitism’ skill.

But I was short on funds.

-This doesn’t seem… enough…?

-What?

Despite combining the rewards from the demon incident,

the scholarship from clearing the Chamber,

my savings,

and confidently offering double what Kaelan had proposed,

alchemy was a surprisingly expensive endeavor.

The amount Hazel requested was three times what I currently possessed.

I could buy her silence for now with what I had, but…

Once the money ran out, the alchemy students could betray me at any moment.

To solve this financial crisis…

I was visiting Professor Diena’s office.

“I was shocked to hear about another demon sighting…”

“Yes, things just happened that way.”

“Was there… something that concerned you?”

Diena’s expression was filled with confusion as she handed me a cup of tea.

Did she find me… unsettling?

“No, not really… I came here to ask you for a favor, Professor. As your teaching assistant.”

“A favor?”

She sighed discreetly, clearly unable to comprehend my motives.

“Yes. First, I’d like permission to participate in extracurricular activities.”

“Cadet Lev, you’re still a freshman…? It’s a bit early for extracurricular activities… Well, alright.”

Extracurricular activities at Clarice Academy were simple.

Students weren’t allowed to join guilds or become mercenaries,

but they could participate in external activities under certain conditions.

In other words, it allowed me to venture outside and level up.

My reason for requesting this was something else entirely.

“Second… Professor Diena, you’re a war hero, correct?”

“Th… that’s right?”

“I heard that war heroes will be visiting the academy soon, to observe the upcoming ranking matches.”

“That… that information hasn’t been released to the general student body…”

“I admire them greatly. Could you arrange a meeting for me?”

War heroes.

The long and arduous war, which had ended ten years ago with the final defense against the demon horde and the establishment of the empire’s current borders.

Eleven individuals, including Master Archer Diena, had distinguished themselves in the final stages of that war.

Diena, at the time, was a promising but young archer,

who had been hastily chosen to fill the void left by the death of the Divine Archer, Adrin.

When she joined the ranks, the war was nearing its end, culminating in the defeat of Leraje.

Officially, there were eleven surviving war heroes, but the public only recognized ten, excluding Diena,

as they possessed unparalleled skills.

Therefore, these seniors held a special significance for Diena.

They were renowned figures, with valuable experience, their schedules packed with commitments beyond their teaching duties at the academy…

And he was asking to meet these legendary individuals?

‘Well, it’s just a meeting…’

Arranging a meeting wouldn’t be too difficult.

Most of the heroes still saw Diena as a young, almost childlike figure.

But she couldn’t help but be curious about his motives.

“May I ask… your reason?”

“As I said, it would be an honor to speak with these legends.”

“Hmm… Well… that’s certainly understandable.”

Diena hesitated.

Three heroes were scheduled to visit this time:

Dustin, the Paladin, Scarlett, the Mage, and Umberto, the Shaman…

She had planned to inquire about the suspicious aura surrounding Rev,

but as she pondered,

Lev stood up.

“You haven’t summoned me lately, and I was thinking of quitting as your assistant…”

“W-wait a moment!”

Normally, only the student representatives were allowed to meet the war heroes…

But she had agreed to accept him as her chief assistant…

“Alright. For a very brief… moment, it might be possible.”

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In the Royal Class lounge, located within the main academy building,

Melissa whispered,

“Aria refused.”

Kaelan, his red hair gleaming, replied coldly,

“I’m not fond of jealous women.”

“J-jealous? What do you mean?”

“More importantly, you’re wearing the hairpin I gave you.”

“Uh…? Never mind that! Jealous? Are you saying I’m jealous of Aria…?”

Kaelan leaned back in his chair, a knowing smirk on his face.

Since his encounter with Lev Denec at the Chamber,

he had been doing some digging.

He had switched from aspiring mage to aspiring archer,

defeated a monster during the entrance exam,

won a duel against upperclassman Gailon Shaftie,

and even defeated a monster during the Dungeon Exploration Practice…

He resided in Seraphi Black Dormitory due to his penalty points,

and the individual he was closest to was…

A-rank student, Aria Bluebell…

She seemed to be hiding her true abilities but lacked ambition, making no effort to impress the professors.

He had attempted to approach her, hoping to glean information about Lev Denec, but…

‘Their relationship is definitely not ordinary.’

“Kaelan, apologize. Aria and I are not…”

“It’s fine. You can go.”

“What?”

Melissa stared at him, dumbfounded, and Kaelan’s gaze turned icy.

“I want to be alone.”

“Ha, I misjudged you.”

With those parting words, Melissa left.

.

.

.

-Clench.

Left alone, Kaelan gritted his teeth.

‘How troublesome…’

He had her wrapped around his finger, but whenever he thought of Lev Denec, he couldn’t control his emotions.

He needed to get rid of that guy, make him disappear.

But the outcome wouldn’t change.

That was all he had managed to gather from his investigation.

The only thing that guy had going for him was that strange archery technique…

He had summoned Gailon Shaftie, his duel opponent, and learned that he had only acquired that cheap trick after brief training from Selena.

In contrast, Kaelan had received private tutoring from some of the most renowned instructors in the empire.

He and that Lev guy were on completely different levels.

‘This will be too easy.’

A little over five days remained until their duel. What were the chances that guy would experience a sudden power surge in that time…?

“Heh.”

He couldn’t believe he had fallen for such a low-level provocation.

Kaelan brushed aside these thoughts with a derisive chuckle.

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That evening, the academy buzzed with excitement.

News of the war heroes’ visit had spread like wildfire,

for these heroes were akin to celebrities to the students.

There would be a formal ceremony and speeches in the academy’s grand auditorium tomorrow,

but the reason the heroes’ visit wasn’t widely publicized was due to the emperor’s influence.

Apparently, the emperor demanded to be the center of attention, his events the most extravagant…

At the moment, within a special building on academy grounds, a meeting was taking place between the selected students and the war heroes.

I, too, was in line, waiting for my turn to speak with them.

-I-I’m a huge fan! You’re my idol!

-Thank you. And never neglect your training.

-Lady Scarlett! When will the next sanctuary purification be?

-I don’t know.

‘What fan service…’

The students, oblivious to the reality of war, were vying for the heroes’ attention.

They likely hoped to join an expedition during the break or build connections.

But being a war hero required something more; they weren’t concerned with such superficial gestures.

‘They look younger than I expected…’

Even though the war had ended ten years ago,

they both looked to be in their late 30s.

They had fought Great Demons at an age similar to mine…

-Always approach challenges with humility.

Dustin, a charismatic and handsome man with blond hair, clad in a simple leather undershirt.

-Next.

Scarlett, a beautiful mage with dark brown hair, clad in form-fitting attire, replied curtly, her tone laced with boredom.

Shaman Umberto was absent.

Finally, it was my turn.

-Murmurs.

Since all the other students were pre-selected upperclassmen who seemed to know each other, their attention turned to me, the unexpected addition.

“So, Cadet, what’s your name?”

“Lev Denec.”

“Lev Denec… You’re quite the looker.”

I immediately presented my request.

“Take me on your next expedition.”

Scoffs and whispers of “Who does he think he is?” and “What did he just say?” erupted from the other students.

Dustin burst into laughter at my straightforwardness.

“Haha, you’re an honest one, aren’t you? But unfortunately… we already have our team selected.”

“Kid, aren’t you just a freshman? Shouldn’t you be preparing for the ranking matches?”

“Scarlett, show some respect! You’re not exactly…”

“Don’t bring up age!”

Just like in the novel. Their banter, Scarlett’s foul temper…

Of course, she would mellow out a bit after developing an infatuation with Edwin, who was much younger, but…

I spoke quietly, making sure only they could hear me.

“You’ll regret it.”

“Hey, we’ve met countless brats like you who talk big. Go get some more training…”

“I… know where it is. The Armored Wyvern.”

Armored Wyvern.

Those two words silenced them.

Scarlett’s eyes narrowed.

“Hey, kid. Are you…

-Buzz!!

“… prepared to take responsibility for those words?”

“!!”

Her mana surged, filling the room with a suffocating pressure.

War heroes were on a different level.

The density of her mana control was incredible.

At least 7th Circle.

She hated the Armored Wyvern.

It was the creature that had taken the life of her friend, the former war hero and Divine Archer, Adrin.

If she learned that my information was true, she would hunt it down and kill it without hesitation.

“Calm down, Scarlett.”

At Dustin’s intervention, her mana subsided.

Dustin, his large frame imposing, turned serious.

“Junior, there’s a time and place for jokes. We’ve been searching for that creature for years. It’s not something to be taken lightly.”

“I’m not joking.”

Scarlett, incredulous, asked,

“…Ha… kid, are you… serious? What are you going to do if it’s a lie?”

“How about a wager?”

“What?”

I was going to cash in on this information about the ‘Armored Wyvern’.

“I’m confident.”

And to face Kaelan, I needed a significant power boost.

Conventional training methods wouldn’t be enough in the time I had.

Therefore, I had chosen…

‘To hop on the express train.’

To be carried.

Just like in the game.

And by ‘war heroes’, no less.

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