I Became the Academy’s Time-Stopping Villain – Chapter 24

Chapter 24: For Mars

Translated by Vine
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“Don’t collapse so easily, okay?”

“…Please spare me.”

“Haha! You look weak anyway, so I’ll go easy on you! Don’t be so scared!”

“………..”

My first impression of him was a pathetic weakling.

“Where do you think you’re going?!”

“Eek! Eeeeek!”

He had neither the fighting spirit of Dad nor the killing intent of Mom. Just a hopelessly weak wimp.

“Gotcha!”

“Eek, eeeeeek!!!”

That was the extent of it.

Clang!!

“What…?!”

“Shit?!”

But he actually won? That scene kept replaying in my mind even after I got my dorm assignment.

“….Unbelievable.”

I lost to that loser? I can’t accept it. I won’t accept it. Next time we meet, I’ll crush him. I vowed to my greatsword.

[Affinity Rank──1 (New)]
[Condition: Win a 1v1 spar]

“Swordsmanship, physical training…”

“Oh.”

After enrolling, I knew I was lucky. How else would I end up in the same class as that guy? This was a sign from Lord Ares to crush that arrogant bastard who thought he had defeated me.

“I want to die…..”

“If you want to die that badly, spar with me first.”

“…..Mars?”

I immediately challenged him.

“Let’s spar. Today after school, at 6:00 PM, in Training Room 2. There’s a sparring arena there, so come.”

He wouldn’t refuse. He was challenged in front of so many people. Refusing would make him look like a coward or a loser──and he beat me, right? Logically, he should accept the spar.

“No.”

“Yeah, as expected of a warrior, he would naturally… no?”

“Yeah.”

“…………”

What the hell is with this guy?

“Why? Why don’t you want to fight?”

“Because I don’t want to…..”

“Tell me why!”

“Ugh…..”

It didn’t make sense. I couldn’t understand. What the hell is wrong with him?

“You’ll spar, right?”

“….You crazy battle maniac.”

“Wow…..”

Such blatant insults. He reminded me of the people from the Ares Guild. I kind of like him, except for the fact that he’s weak.

[Affinity Rank─2 (Up)]
[Condition: Argue with Mars during a story event]

“Ha, whatever. We’ll spar eventually during class anyway.”

“…………..”

I decided to wait. We’ll definitely have to spar during class.

“For the ranged combat lecture, I’m Chrono.”

“Hey!!!”

He’s avoiding me? What the hell is wrong with him? He’s even switching his major just to avoid me? ‘…Just you wait and see how badly you score.’

If that happens, it’s on.

“…So, this guy got the highest score?”

“Yes. He’s the only one with an S rank in power and the only A-rank right now.”

“…………”

Chrono attended the ranged combat class. He got an A, with an S rank in destructive power. So, he’s better at ranged combat than close combat. And I lost to him in close combat?

“…..Ha.”

At this point, I’m just impressed. What the hell is this guy?

[Affinity Rank─3 (Up)]
[Condition: Surpass Mars‘s stats in a specific field]

And his eccentricities didn’t end there.

“Oh god, I am weak…”

‘…That’s a bit much.’

Praying to his patron god as soon as he faints. He’s more devout than most of my classmates. Therefore, that’s why

“You, become my comrade.”

“…….?”

“Of course, I won’t take no for an answer.”

“No.”

I’m interested in this guy. I want to be his friend, his comrade.

[Affinity Rank Reward]
[Can join party]

The dungeon practicum was satisfying.

“Let’s split these evenly.”

There was nothing lacking, from acquiring treasure chests to the combat itself. His A rank in ranged combat wasn’t just for show. He was exactly what I needed, and I wanted to recruit him to the Ares Guild right away. Well, it would be difficult with Dad around, but that aside

“You take the potions.”

“Huh?”

“You’re the vanguard.”

“……….”

He wasn’t greedy. He acknowledged me, my strength, my worth.

[Affinity Rank─4 (Up)]

“I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you──”

“──You bastard!!!”

When I lost myself in the frenzy of battle, he brought me back to my senses.

[Affinity Rank─5 (Up)]

Finally, I won after enduring until my arms were numb. After being taken to the infirmary, we talked, and

“These are… your stats….?”

“Pathetic, right? I told you I was weak.”

I accidentally learned his stats.

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‘He’s completely… pathetic.’

His highest stat was about the same as my lowest, ‘Agility.’ Let’s not even talk about Intelligence. Who needs Intelligence for sword fighting? His stats were so low that I couldn’t understand how he even got into the academy.

“With stats like these… even a graze would be fatal.”

“That’s right.”

Pathetic.

“I could kill you with a single punch.”

“I know.”

Weak and pathetic. I couldn’t see any potential, let alone talent.

“But even so, you… how could you stand against me, against the Champion?”

“….Are you misunderstanding something?”

“Answer me properly.”

“…….Ugh.”

But even so, he said,

“It’s better to do something than die doing nothing.”

“…….I see.”

He didn’t back down. Or rather, he did bend, but there was something inside him, something unyielding.

[Affinity Rank─6 (Up)]
[Condition: Share your weaknesses]

[Affinity Rank Reward]
[Can become lovers with Mars by confessing]

‘….As expected.’

I wanted to stay with him, to be by his side. Dad once said, looking at me like this,

“Yes! You’re my friend! I’ve decided!”

“Why?”

A comrade. A true friend. I want to have that kind of relationship with Chrono.

“This is… a rabbit.”

“If you don’t like it, you can sell it to the staff outside. They’ll probably exchange it for cash.”

“What? Why would I sell this?!”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“….I don’t particularly like it…”

After that, I went to karaoke with Chrono, played around, and received gifts.

[Master Song Clear Reward]
[Affinity Rank─7 (Up)]

“Ha… that was fun.”

So this is what it’s like to have a ‘friend.’ A ‘comrade.’ Mars felt a warmth spreading through her chest.

[Affinity Rank Reward]
[‘Berserk’ activation reduces the chance of losing control]

During the reassignment test,

“……………”

It was really hard. So hard that I wanted to give up. ──But I hated giving up more than dying.

“Cadet Mars, you’re eliminated.”

“Get lost.”

“………”

“I’m still alive, so get lost.”

I burned with fighting spirit, honing my killing intent. I channeled everything Dad and Mom taught me, sharpening my senses. And at the end of it all──something familiar, warm, drawing me in

“Chro…no….?”

“Huh?”

A familiar face. A familiar figure.

“Chrono…. it’s you.”

“….Mars?”

I don’t know why. I don’t know why, but….

“Thank goodness……”

“……Uh?”

I just felt relieved, and then I collapsed. The next thing I remember is──

“….There’s nothing in it for you.”

“Why not?”

When I woke up, in a daze, with a fever,

“I’ll have a friend.”

“….Do as you please.”

He was protecting me in front of the teacher.

[Affinity Rank─8 (Up)]

“….I don’t know.”

“*Sip*…. mmm…. *gulp*…..”

He gave me medicine and porridge when I couldn’t eat, and he nursed me back to health.

“Another clear. Ur-noona will be happy to see this.”

“…………….”

The music calmed my heart.

[Affinity Rank─9 (Up)]

[Affinity Rank Reward]
[‘Berserk’ buff 300%]
[‘Berserk’ penalty negated when in the same party as Chrono]
[H event unlocked]

And
And then…

“Mars, we still have unfinished business, don’t we?”

“….Yeah. A lot of it.”

I repaid his kindness with hostility. I should have left as soon as I regained consciousness. I shouldn’t have lingered in the warmth and comfort.
‘I’m sorry… it’s my fault…!’

I pushed Juno‘s hand away. But why couldn’t I push Chrono‘s hand away?

I berated myself for my foolishness and stood before Chrono, baring my teeth at my ‘enemies.’

“Leave him alone.”

“…..You..”

What if it doesn’t work?
‘Then…’

I’ll save him. I’ll save him somehow. I can’t let him die after he went through all this trouble to save me. I steeled myself, determined to protect Chrono.

‘Ugh….!’

The poison and fatigue lingered in my body. Thanks to Chrono‘s buffs, I was much better, but I wasn’t at full strength. I probably couldn’t defeat them all. But… I could at least create an opening for him to escape. So

“…Why aren’t you running away?”

“What are you talking about?”

Don’t come closer.
Why are you coming closer?
You’ll die! I’m serious!
You’re going to die because of me!

“You… idiot! Are you crazy? Even an idiot wouldn’t do this!”

I yelled at Chrono, trying to appear hostile, so they wouldn’t target him. I glared and resisted with all my might. I was being a complete bitch, but

“I was prepared for this when I treated you.”

“What…?”

“You came here covered in wounds, did you think I wouldn’t expect this?”

“….Chrono, you…!”

Chrono didn’t care. He stood by my side, ready to fight. For me. Only for me. He raised his weapon against all those cadets.

“Y-you…..!!”

Idiot.
Pushover.
You truly, truly, truly are….!

My heart pounded, and my eyes trembled. Calm down. Why am I reacting like this? Something bigger than fighting spirit was spreading through my body. As if I wasn’t myself. And then──Chrono said,

“Mars, you don’t know how to kiss, do you?”

“…Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

“No reason. Just”

to teach you how.

“Mmph…..?!”

A kiss. Our lips met, and his tongue entered my mouth.

“*Kiss*…. hmm?! Ugh… *gasp*… *kiss*…?!!”

It was hot, burning. My whole body felt like it was on fire.
And then, and then, and then…

“Y-you, y-y-you…..!!”

Why are the corners of my mouth rising? Why am I smiling like an idiot? Why do I feel so good, so happy? You’re about to die, you know? Why is my heart racing?!

“This is the ‘trigger,’ so I had no choice.”

“…..Huh…?”

A series of confusing events. And at the end of it all, something swelled within me.

[Encore Kiss]

“…..This is…”

My strength returned. No, it was more than that──it was more than doubled. I felt energized, as if the world was beneath me.

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“How is it? Feeling better now?”

“……Chrono.”

Looking at Chrono‘s smirk,

[Both Mars and Chrono are idiots!]

I finally understood.
‘I… was such an idiot.’
A warmth spread through my body.

[Affinity Rank 10─(Max)]

[Affinity Rank Reward]
[Awakening Skill Unlocked]

“Mars, you know, right?”

“….Yeah.”

This wasn’t the frenzy of battle.
This warm, pleasant feeling was definitely──

“Run──”

“Let’s fight, bastards!”

“──What the fuck?!”

──undeniable, true ‘love.’

[Awakening Skill Activated]
[Transcendence – Apostle of Ares]

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