I’m Telling You, I’m Not The Villain! – Chapter 22

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Lord Fourth
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“Did you know?! There’s going to be a banquet in a week!”

Varis said with a bright, almost overwhelming, smile. His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“A banquet?”

“Huh? You didn’t know?”

He tilted his head slightly at the word “banquet,” and Varis frowned, as if asking, “You seriously didn’t know…?”

“The academy is holding a big banquet to celebrate the new students’ enrollment.”

A banquet… A banquet, huh –

“Ah, you mean that?”

Now that he thought about it… there was a rare banquet event in the game.

“Yeah! I’m really looking forward to it~”

It was a festive occasion with a luxurious atmosphere, where people mingled and enjoyed a feast.

Since it was hosted by the academy, regardless of social status, it began with speeches from the headmaster and representatives of the senior students.

After that, you could interact with various students and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the event.

“….”

“Huh? Why the long face…? Are you feeling sick?”

The problem was that a heroine event also occurred during the banquet. It involved Elisha, Arnold’s fiancée, and her longtime rival, Viekka.

“No… It’s nothing.”

Fortunately, he knew the entire sequence of events and how to resolve them. He could avoid the worst-case scenario, but the tricky part was whether he could leave the event to Varis.

He could intervene directly, like last time, but if possible, he wanted to create a situation where Varis naturally gained her favor.

“If you’re not feeling well, you should go to the infirmary. Don’t push yourself…”

But he couldn’t figure out how to do that. What would be a good way… How did the event unfold again –

Thwack -!

“Ouch?!”

Just as he was trying to recall the details, he heard a faint thud and a yelp from beside him.

“Ugh… That hurt…”

He snapped back to reality and looked to his side. Varis was clutching his forehead, which had turned red, and pieces of chalk were scattered across his desk.

“What are you chattering about?”

A woman with a stern and formal tone reprimanded Varis. It was Professor Adria, their homeroom teacher for the year.

He had been unlucky enough to be caught chatting by a very strict person. The woman notorious for her fearsome reputation in the original story.

“That’s exactly the kind of student behavior I despise.”

Professor Adria glared at Varis.

“I-I’m sorry….”

Varis, his eyes watering from the chalk that hit him, apologized in a small voice, seemingly intimidated by her reprimand.

“Don’t you know that the first class, even if it’s just a brief introduction, is the most important? And…”

However, she continued her lecture despite his apology. She picked up another piece of chalk and—

“You too.”

—turned her gaze towards Arnold.

Whoosh –

A piece of chalk flew towards him like a bolt from a crossbow.

“Hmm?”

But he instinctively caught the flying chalk. She had thrown the chalk at him just like she did with Varis, but she looked at him with a curious gaze when he caught it effortlessly.

“Oh? You have better reflexes than I thought. Still, chatting during class is unacceptable.”

Professor Adria praised his reaction speed but scolded him for not paying attention to the lesson along with Varis.

“I apologize.”

“Sigh….”

It was clearly their fault, so he bowed his head slowly. Professor Adria sighed and fell silent for a moment.

“Listen carefully.”

She placed her hands on the edges of the podium and looked around the classroom.

“I’ll let it slide this time since it’s the first day, but there won’t be a next time. And I’m warning all of you, I’m a very strict instructor.”

“Otherwise, you’ll regret it. I won’t discriminate against anyone within the classroom, where social status holds less weight, as is the nature of the academy.”

It wasn’t a request but a declaration. A chilling air of authority emanated from her.

“…….”

It seemed her strict personality hadn’t changed. He inwardly clicked his tongue at her harsh and stern demeanor, just like in the game.

She was so rigid and inflexible that… she was terrifying to any student who stepped out of line.

“….”

Should he put aside thoughts about the banquet event for now and focus on class? He might get into serious trouble if he got distracted again.

“Anyway, continuing with the explanation, the first unit we’ll cover in magic studies is -”

He decided to put the event aside for now and… focus on her words.

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“It’s been a long first day.”

He returned to the dormitory with Eilly after their first day at the academy. Opening the door, he was greeted by a room twice the size of his room back at the mansion.

“You too.”

He had been assigned a private room, a privilege granted only to certain nobles and high-ranking students.
Thanks to his Stenman status and top entrance exam score, he was easily assigned to a private room.

He had also received permission from the academy to share the room with Eilly, his classmate and personal maid…

“I’ll take care of your clothes and luggage. Please give them to me.”

Yes, it meant he would be living with Eilly.

“…Okay, I’ll leave it to you.”

Honestly, he was a bit surprised by the fact that he would be living under the same roof as a girl his age.

Of course, he didn’t see Eilly in a romantic light. He didn’t even perceive her as a woman. It was more of a cultural shock than anything else.

“Should I prepare a bath for you?”

“Not yet.”

In this world, people didn’t seem to find it strange for nobles to live with their servants, regardless of gender.

It was a different mindset from his previous world. From their perspective, the current situation was probably similar to… a noble family hiring a housekeeper.

Of course, living in a spacious mansion and a small room were different matters, but… what he meant was that social status seemed to be an absolute moral compass for them.

“Ah, before that, I should finish unpacking. Please leave it to me, Master. You should rest since you must be tired.”

Fortunately, the room wasn’t cramped. It had a private bath, a toilet, a lounge area, and even a terrace.

Although it was called a room, its actual size was comparable to a 30-pyeong(100 m² | 1067 ft²) apartment in his previous world.

In other words, it was more than enough space for two people.

“Before that… I’m going out for a bit.”

That’s why he and Eilly had separate rooms and, of course, separate beds. He was grateful for that, even if they were living together.

“Going out?”

“I have some personal business to attend to. Eilly, please finish unpacking. And this time, you absolutely cannot follow me, okay?”

He asked Eilly to finish unpacking and headed outside. He was going to prepare for the event that would take place in a week.

“Ah… Y-Yes….”

She seemed disappointed that he had forbidden her from following him. It seemed she would have followed him again if he hadn’t said anything.

…

……

“As expected of the royal capital, there are many shops still open even after sunset.”

Leaving the dormitory, he headed towards the bustling downtown area outside the academy. He had come here to purchase a certain potion.

“The general store should be around here somewhere.”

He was looking for a kind of precautionary measure.

Honestly, it wasn’t essential for clearing the event, but he wanted to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.

“Hmm?”

But while searching for the general store… he saw something that caught his eye.

“Professor…?”

At first, he thought he was mistaken, but he was certain.

“It’s Professor Adria!”

He saw Professor Adria, his serious and stern instructor, entering a tavern.

It was unusual for her to be in a tavern at this hour, especially since she had classes the next day.

Tinkle, tinkle –

The bells attached to the tavern door chimed. Driven by curiosity, he followed her inside.

“… Professor?”

The tavern had a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. He looked around and spotted Professor Adria sitting alone at a table in the corner.

“Professor Adria, is that you?”

She looked at him with the same stern and composed demeanor as in the academy. Her already harsh expression seemed even more intimidating now.

“Your name was….”

“Arnold Stenman.”

“I see. As you know, I’m Adria… By the way, what brings you here? Do you have something to discuss with me?”

After a brief exchange of names, she tilted her head, her red hair swaying. Her lion-like eyes held a hint of curiosity.

“I saw you entering as I was passing by, so I wanted to say hello.”

“Is that so? How thoughtful of you.”

“But… you have classes tomorrow, Professor. Is it alright for you to be drinking?”

He asked politely, curious about her actions. Drinking at a tavern the day before classes…

“I can use detoxification magic. I can just dispel the hangover and intoxication.”

Her answer was… a typical Adria-like, tough response.

“I see.”

“Arnold, would you like to join me for a drink?”

Just as he was about to leave after satisfying his curiosity, Professor Adria unexpectedly invited him to join her.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. A teacher offering a drink to a student… It’s a bit strange, but we’re both adults, and it’s more refreshing and enjoyable to drink together.”

Contrary to her strict and rigid personality, she was surprisingly open-minded in this regard.

“If you don’t mind, I wouldn’t mind a drink.”

He had no reason to refuse her offer, so he sat down across from her and joined her.

“Is that so? Then I can’t just order for myself.”

Professor Adria ordered more food for him after he joined her.

“….”
“…….”
They sat in silence for a while.

“Here you go.”

Just as an awkward silence began to settle between them, the waiter returned with two glasses of beer and a plate of chicken dishes, placing them in the middle of the table.

“Congratulations on entering the academy. And I hope you won’t provoke me in the future.”

Adria raised her glass, filled to the brim with beer.

“I’ll try my best.”

He also raised his glass and clinked it lightly against hers.

“….”

Gulp –

After a simple toast, he took a large gulp of beer. The cool carbonation and smooth finish felt refreshing.

At the same time, a slight dizziness accompanied the alcohol.

“You’re a good drinker.”

“Am I?”

They continued to chat casually, emptying their glasses.

“Hmm~”

How long had they been drinking together?

“Hee…”

He learned something shocking today.

“So, I’m telling you~! It’s so frustrating~!”

It was about a certain professor who was rigid, stern, and terrifying to her students…

“Professor….”

“Waaah, seriously! They’re all so mean….”

Surprisingly, beneath her cold and composed exterior lay a childish and pathetic side.

“I think you’ve had too much to drink.”

“N-No I haven’t?! I’m… I’m not… dwunk?!”

Yes… judging by her slurred speech, she definitely was. Her demeanor had completely changed after drinking.

“A-Anyway…! I’m… vewwy sad…?”

He had never seen this side of Professor Adria in the game.

Her character setting was always a strict and serious professor, firm as steel and unwavering in her beliefs.

“I’ve been trying to hide it, but… it hurts every time my students avoid me!!”

Who would have guessed that such a person would whine pathetically when drunk?

“It’s so sad~!”

She swayed drunkenly, her cheeks flushed, and grabbed his shoulder.

“I did it for my students… but they just keep avoiding me, saying I’m scary…!”

How much had she drunk? Exactly one glass. She had transformed like this right after finishing her first glass of beer.

Seriously, how could someone have such low alcohol tolerance…? Why did she even come here to drink…?

“Waaah!”

Just as he was pondering the question, Adria burst into tears and clung to him.

“Ugh?!”

“By the way, Arnold!! I’m in big trouble!”

She leaned on him, sobbing, and showed no intention of letting go.

“What are you doing?! Let go of me!”

“But…! When this year ends… the first digit of my age will change?!”

He tried to push her away, but she wouldn’t budge. She clung to him like a sloth, hugging him tightly as if she would never let go.

“I haven’t even had a single relationship in my life! I’ll be in my 30s next year…?!”

She started whining like a child, lamenting the passage of time and her loneliness.

“I’m already past the ideal marrying age! I don’t want to be a spinster in my 30s~!”

She continued to pour out her woes, revealing secrets he didn’t want to know.

“How would I know…!”

As he struggled to break free, she suddenly said something shocking.

“So, Arnold…! Will you marry me?! You seem to listen to me patiently, and you’re not scared of me at all, unlike others!! You’re the first person like this!!”

She was saying anything and everything now that she was drunk… He was starting to regret his decision to drink with her.

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

What kind of expression would she have tomorrow? He was already dreading the next day, now that he knew this secret of hers.

“Why~? It was love at first sight!! Actually, I like people like you, who are aloof and fearless!”

He pushed her away, but she clung to him even tighter, like a zombie.

“Or… do you not like someone as old as me?!”

“Calm down… You’re not old at all. You look so young and beautiful that I could mistake you for someone my age. Don’t give up hope.”

He tried to appease her and pry her off.

“R-Really…?!”

“Yes…”

But then –

“Is… Is that a proposal?!”

He couldn’t even hit her… and she mistook his comforting words for nonsense.

“No!”

What should he do?

“Aw~ Just say yes if you like me~!”

He continued to be tormented by the professor with a strange drinking habit….

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Hi Lord Fourth here!
I’m new to translating so if you find some mistakes or inconsistencies let me know about it on the dedicated channel on discord.