I Became the Academy’s Time-Stopping Villain – Chapter 37

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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Someone once said:

Beginners fumble around.

Experienced players consult guides.

Veterans have the guide memorized.

And the truly rotten create their own guides.

Sadly, I wasn’t rotten enough. Nor was I a veteran.

Was I experienced? A little better than that, perhaps.

“So… hmm…”

A slightly contaminated level 3 water source, on the verge of becoming stagnant, maybe?

I scanned the academy’s central request board.

[1st Year Requests]

– Goblin Subjugation (5 points)
– Herb Gathering (3 points)
– Slime Extermination (3 points)

“…”

“They’re all pretty similar.”

I wasn’t going to take one right away. We had about a month until the midterm grades were finalized, so there was no rush.

‘I’ll start in two weeks.’

Rushing wouldn’t help. Haste reduces SP gain, and skill points are earned by attending classes all week. Efficient prioritization was the first step towards the pure love ending.

“So, should I take this request?”

“I’m coming too, right?”

“Of course. I’d like to bring Mars, too, but… what can I do if she doesn’t want to come?”

“Ther, you’re a bad boy! Merck likes bad boys!”

“…Ugh.”

Of course, this didn’t matter to the protagonist, a New Game+ player. He retained his stats, so he could spend his training time elsewhere.

However, this only applied to the protagonist. Other characters needed their own time to develop.

“It won’t be a problem immediately, but…”

It might become difficult later. This wasn’t a game where the protagonist could solo everything.

I continued calculating, and the protagonist’s group glanced at me before…

*Thud*

“Oh, sorry. Didn’t see you there.”

“…”

He bumped into me and walked past.

It was such a blatant move that I wasn’t even angry. Just amused. I wondered if this guy was really fit to be the protagonist, but then again, what could I expect from the protagonist of an NTR game?

There’s a reason why they get NTR’d, I guess.

I ignored him and looked back at the request forms.

“…Tsk.”

The protagonist left.

How dull.

“…Mr. Chrono, what are you planning to do?”

“About what?”

Minerva and I were carrying supplies for a task assigned by the teacher when she suddenly spoke to me.

“About the midterms.”

“Oh, that?”

So you’re worried about that, too.

“They said we can form parties within the same class. So… if it’s not too much trouble, would you like to party up with me?”

“With Minerva? I should be the one asking…”

It was true. But Minerva was a heroine. If I got involved with her and the protagonist went berserk, I’d have to deal with the consequences…

‘Should I…?’

A thought suddenly occurred to me.

The NTR villains and other extra villains always NTR’d the heroines through more or less forceful means.

Through manipulation, exploiting weaknesses, or just outright assault with a “I’ll make you appreciate dick!” kind of approach.

But what about me?

Nothing out of the ordinary. Just normal, everyday interactions between students. Feelings might develop, but would that be considered NTR?

‘No, he’s still the protagonist…’

If he got pissed and blasted me with lightning, I’d be fried chicken. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside.

I needed to keep my distance to avoid that fate…

“Hmm…”

Should I do it?

Or not?

That was the question.

“If you’re hesitating because of Mars… don’t worry. I’ll tell her beforehand.”

“Oh, sorry. That’s not why I was hesitating…”

“I’ll be careful not to cause any problems between you and Mars.”

“…Well, if you say so.”

It was a misunderstanding, but it led to the outcome I wanted. At least she wouldn’t approach someone who was already taken.

Minerva and I finished our tasks and returned to the classroom.

“Hey… Chrono, have you formed a party for the midterms yet?”

“I found one member. Why?”

As Minerva left, Juno approached me. She hesitated for a moment before asking,

“Um… would it be okay if I joined your party?”

“Of course…”

Would it? Or wouldn’t it?

I was conflicted. Juno was a versatile and beautiful heroine, a valuable asset to any party. However, she was also the protagonist’s true heroine. If we got involved and something happened, it could become a messy situation…

“…Maybe not…?”

“…I’d be happy to join.”

How could I refuse her with that expression?

I sighed internally at the thought of getting entangled again. Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Juno smiled brightly and grabbed my hand.

“R-Really? Thank you, Chrono!”

“Hey, you shouldn’t do that when you have a boyfriend!”

“Oh, s-sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

“…Hmm.”

The atmosphere became awkward again. To an outsider, it might seem like an overreaction. But as an ‘experienced player,’ this was a natural progression.

‘It’s a sign of the ‘Infidelity Event.”

The Infidelity Event. When the protagonist chases after other heroines, I, too, would seek out other NTR villains, triggering NTR flags. It’s similar to the ‘bomb system’ in Tokimeki Memorial.

[How dare you say you love me while looking at other girls?]

In other words, if you’re going to cheat, do it properly. Unfortunately, the protagonist didn’t seem capable of that. Well, would he even be an NTR game protagonist if he could?

Thanks to the protagonist living up to his name, I always got chills whenever an NTR flag was raised.

“Hehe… Sorry, Chrono. By the way, you like Mars, right?”

“…”

Juno smiled awkwardly and stepped back. I wondered what to say, how to defuse the NTR flag, and finally, I found the answer.

“Juno, want to see something?”

“Huh?”

My phone.

My message history with Ur-noona.

Especially the pictures she sent me for “research purposes.”

“…Chrono, don’t tell me…”

“Just so you know, I met Ur-noona first.”

“Then… you’re not serious about Mars—”

“—She already knows.”

“…?”

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

I shrugged, showing I had nothing to hide.

“Ask her yourself. You have her number, right?”

“…I won’t. I trust you, Chrono.”

“Suddenly appealing to my trustworthiness won’t get you anywhere.”

“You wouldn’t lie.”

“…”

That’s because if I lie, it triggers an NTR event.

Well, even aside from that, I’m not good at lying.

There’s a saying: Don’t even start a lie you can’t maintain.

I’d lie if I could pull it off perfectly, but I’m not that skilled.

“Hmm, so Mars already knows? And she still likes you?”

“That’s right.”

“Wow… You’re popular.”

“In many ways. So I’m trying my best to love them back.”

Mars had come to accept it, too. I couldn’t pretend I had no feelings for her after already sleeping with her.

‘When I told Ur-noona…’

I bowed my head and begged for forgiveness, but she was actually happy, saying it was good for an artist to date multiple women.

[Oh, and I’ll be really upset if you don’t leave my share. I can even curse you.]

[…Yes, ma’am.]

There were some conditions, but I managed to fulfill them with sheer willpower. My finger joints were sore on the way back. I don’t even remember how many songs I played.

“So, why did you suddenly show me that, Chrono?”

“Just… so you know.”

“…Why?”

“You know why.”

“…”

If she’d asked innocently, I might have believed her, but the pause before her question confirmed my suspicions.

“It’s a possibility. Just keep that in mind.”

“…Still, I don’t like it.”

“Being too clingy is a turn-off, too.”

“Is it… clingy…?”

“Maybe.”

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if it was clingy. I might be biased because I liked Juno and saw the protagonist as trash. But there was definitely a difference in perspective.

Especially since the protagonist had to somehow achieve a harem in an NTR world, I could understand his twisted mindset.

‘I just don’t agree with it.’

So, just manage your heroines properly. Why are you so obsessed with raising NTR flags?

I comforted the increasingly dejected Juno.

“You know, they say you always come back to home-cooked meals. I’m sure… Ther will come back to you eventually. Don’t worry too much. If Mars sees you like this, she’ll say, ‘Why so gloomy? Did you skip breakfast?’ and drag you to the cafeteria.”

“Pfft… Okay. I understand.”

You understand,

But do you really…?

“…Hey, Chrono.”

Juno asked,

“Am I… asking for too much?”

“You should ask him, not me.”

“…Yeah. Sorry, Chrono.”

“Don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“…I envy Mars.”

“Huh?”

Envy Mars? What for?

I turned to Juno, confused.

“She seems… so loved.”

“…Ugh.”

Don’t do that in front of me.

I can’t awaken my NTR side.