I’m the Main Villain but the Heroines Are Obsessed With Me

16 – 7. Ignorance is Bliss

It wasn’t just Ian who thought that way.

Eri also sensed something strange and smiled. She interlaced her fingers and gave a warning.

“Squad Leader… it seems like Professor Haley Myles has a plan. It might be best to be cautious.”

“I’m more afraid of you…”

As Eri covered my hand with hers, a cold sweat seemed to naturally break out.

I wanted to sneak my hand away, but if I did that, it felt like something disastrous would happen. So, for now, I decided to leave it be.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, Haley Myles was still diligently teaching.

“When it comes to close combat, the toughest opponents are often fighters. Some may not fully understand when I say this, as there is a significant difference in range that comes from weapons, so there may not be any need to be afraid.”

As the students quietly concentrated, Haley continued her explanation based on the materials I prepared.

Why they are feared on the battlefield. How they fight. She went on explaining in great detail.

Rustle! Rustle!

Eventually, the sound of novices’ note-taking filled the classroom.

Of course, Ian did not take notes from Haley’s words. He wasn’t even properly listening in the first place.

“That’s why when facing fighters, it is very important to quickly approach them and disrupt their stance.”

“Do they think it makes sense to approach, despite having an advantage that cannot be matched, the ‘Riches’?”

How can one take notes while listening to that? The information coming out of Haley’s mouth was not worth taking notes for in the first place.

“Approach and disrupt their stance? Would they even let themselves be put in such a situation in the first place?”

Charging headfirst at a fighter, where the biggest advantage of the ‘Riches’ disappears. It’s not clear how the situation will unfold then.

“They could step back and avoid it before crumbling their stance, or if not, they could be taken down and end up being pounded in return.”

There’s no better situation than facing a fighter.

Leading them into an open space and continuously maintaining a suitable distance while taking advantage of opportunities with an out-fighting style strategy. That was the best approach. Haley had to teach that to the students.

“I really…”

In Ian’s impatient lips, a faint smile slowly emerged.

If you’re going to explain like that, you might as well describe specific actions. Who can understand with just words?

Thinking about his memories with Hailey, Ian felt a bitter emotion. Thinking about it, he was originally that kind of person.

Always explaining things in a vague manner, a typical free-range human who expected to find answers on their own within a given period.

Of course, he had taught boxing to Igor in a similar manner. At least, not like Hailey, he didn’t rely solely on words.

“If I couldn’t do it, I would find another way. That’s just too unkind.”

Even though Ian had confidence in Igor’s talent and made him realize it.

Hailey, the instructor at Ark, should not use this method at least.

“The abilities of the students assigned to the instructors aren’t all the same.”

Each individual excels in different things, and in Ark, there are always people who fall behind.

Conducting classes without considering such individuals, what kind of instructor is that?

“At the very least, squad leaders make an effort when they are good at tactics. They assign those who are falling behind to a fireteam leader, you know.”

Ian looked at Hailey Mileus with a cold gaze.

She might be an excellent inspector, but it seemed unlikely that she would become a good teacher.

It was at that moment when Ian was muttering absentmindedly.

“It seems like there are those who don’t understand. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to show them a demonstration. There’s a suitable practice field too.”

Hailey’s red eyes were directed at him. Her eyes contained intense hostility.

“Ian student, can you help with the demonstration?”

“My expectations were not wrong…”

He probably planned this from the beginning. To publicly raise the dais and show everyone the difference in levels.

Of course, he didn’t have to do it, but Ian had decided to comply.

Leaving those who provoke a dispute alone did not fit Ian’s preferences.

“Understood.”

He replied calmly and stood up from his seat. The corners of Hailey’s mouth twitched upwards slightly.

***

Erzebet didn’t particularly like the Black Queen Hailey.

Of course, she was a noble who supported her, but that didn’t mean she had to like her.

In the first place, Erzebet had no intention of considering her as one of her own.

There were only two reasons why Erzebet had placed the Black Queen near her.

The first was that she was the teacher of Ian Volkanov.

The second one was thanks to Duke Bernokia’s support.

“His Majesty the Duke has always been concerned about me.”

Although there were always many experts around her,

Duke Bernokia advised against feeling relieved every time.

“Princess, you may have many experts around you, but I would recommend finding someone to be your sword, even if you can surpass them.”

“There are already many skilled individuals around me… Are you suggesting I add more?”

“I understand your feelings, Princess, but they too will eventually wither away, no matter how strong they may be. Even if they maintain their physical age with mana, their aging bodies will eventually start creaking.”

Kwonwang was concerned about this point.

“I am young, but I know of someone with exceptional skills. Allow me to introduce her.”

The recommended person was none other than Countess Haley Milers.

She had been a heretic from the renowned Milers family, famous for their magic, but started learning swordsmanship and finally took the position of the head of the family when she turned 28. Despite the 8-year age gap with 20-year-old Erzebet, it was impossible to find a stronger individual in their twenties anywhere else.

Therefore, Erzebet had placed her under her wing.

Even though the spirits had warned her, she justified her decision and kept her by her side.

Erzebet regretted her choice.

“I misjudged her… I never thought she’d be this filthy.”

Erzebet looked at Haley and Ian, who were on the stage.

Her intentions were too obvious. She must have wanted to humiliate her former disciple before going to bed. Since Ian was also a martial artist and had achieved good results in training, she intended to break his spirit.

“As a teacher… you don’t even have the last bit of consideration for your disciple…”

How could one behave so emotionally? What made Erzebet even angrier were the voices of the students that reached her ears.

“But what if Ian manages to hold his own? With Dura, it might be a fair fight.”

“Yeah, are you comparing Dura to Haley? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Well, what if Haley really gives her best? Do you think Ian can win? No way. I bet he won’t even be able to keep up with her movements.”

Erze gritted her teeth in response to the students’ disrespectful comments.

But there was nothing she could do. Her current self was just an ordinary writer, Yeongae, after all.

She couldn’t do anything. Feeling powerless, Erzebet could only gaze at the lectern.

“Ian…”

Hailey Myles. She is evaluated to soon become the 5th master of the empire, reaching the highest level of mana experts.

Of course, Ian is also an expert. But the difference between the highest and intermediate levels is significant.

Her movements will approach Ian at a speed he has never felt before.

In the end, she closed her eyes. The world had become so resented.

How could it be? Is this the trial given by God?

Please, when she opens her eyes, I hope he is not hurt. That was all he could earnestly wish for.

“Can we start, Ian Volkunov?”

“No problem.”

“Then do your best to defend.”

When Hailey’s leap signaled the start, she closed her eyes, and when she finally opened her eyes…

Bang!

“What the…?”

She couldn’t help but doubt her own eyes.

***

There is a term called “reversal sensation.”

When you are used to using good things and switch to using bad things, there can be a noticeable difference in performance that makes it impossible to use.

People express the emotions felt at that time as a severe reversal sensation.

When watching Hailey’s charge, Ian also felt the same emotion.

“What is this? Why does it seem slow?”

He blinked several times, thinking his eyes were wrong, but it still looked the same.

She really seemed so slow.

It was because he had already adapted to the speed of the master-class strongman, Alex, during their battle.

– Ian! That ginger! So slow! Pathetic!

“Where are you getting those words from…”

Ian, who was concerned about Nathalion’s vocabulary, shifted his gaze to Hailey.

She was still charging towards him. Watching her, it felt like a snicker would burst out.

“If it were Alex, he would have already taken my life three times.”

Fighting such a formidable opponent had been a great help.

Ian immediately adjusted his stance. He had to show the foolishness of a swordsman who had discarded the most powerful weapon – the rift.

‘It seems like she doesn’t have any intention to use her swordsmanship.’

Fortunately, there was one martial art that was perfect for such a situation.

Having made up her mind, Ian adjusted her stance. It was a stance she had never seen before, unlike the boxing she usually used.

Hayley’s expression crumpled slightly as she felt the oddity, but she didn’t stop rushing forward.

‘There’s no way she can block with such a strange stance.’

Her plan was simple.

To rush forward and lower her stance, aiming for his ankles.

Ian’s unique martial art was undoubtedly his unique footwork, and she thought that if she could block that, there was nothing special about him.

But she didn’t know.

Thunk!

“What?”

Ian had not only learned boxing.

As Hayley made her obvious move, Ian, in that instant, pushed his leg straight back and blocked the tackle aimed at his lower body.

Sprawl. The basic defensive technique of wrestling shone through.

Hayley, taken aback, froze for a moment.

Ian didn’t miss it.

“Huh!”

“Uh, uh!”

Having lifted up the frozen Hayley, Ian quickly dove into her arms.

Extending his left hand, Ian grabbed the lapel of Hayley’s uniform on the left side. He firmly pressed his elbow against her right armpit.

Having taken his stance, Ian immediately rotated his body.

Hayley’s body flew through the air.