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

3 – 1. I Must Get Stronger (3)

When he decided to obtain Nathalion, he harbored one concern in his heart.

“But what if this guy behaves uncooperatively with me?”

This was quite an important issue.

If someone who wasn’t qualified tried to handle him, it could lead to a troublesome situation, and in severe cases, there were those who tried to kill their owners.

“The bigger problem is that I know how to deal with Elysion, but I have no idea about this guy.”

I only knew how to make a contract with locations. I didn’t know anything else.

So I couldn’t help but worry.

If this guy didn’t listen to me, there was no solution.

“And from Neltalion’s perspective, there’s no one else like me, the descendant of the guy who killed him.”

Was he deliberately trying to contract to stab me in the back? I had thought about it.

But Neltalion’s actions were quite different from that.

– Ian… a tough life. Ariel, a selfish woman. A family of bad people.

A slime bouncing around, reading a diary in her arms, seeing Neltalion, a faint smile appeared.

“What I worried about all this time was just a suspicion.”

Fortunately, there was no malice left in Neltalion.

I asked just in case, but Neltalion’s answer was always the same.

– No need to worry. Previous body. Different from now. So, don’t worry.

“Is being different from the previous body… Is it a completely separate entity?”

– That’s right. Resurrection erases the previous personality, so no need to worry. I’ll work hard. Now the important part is coming. Please don’t interfere…

For Elek’s death was a different personality from himself, so there was no need to worry.

With that, Neltalion turned his gaze back to the diary.

Where did his appearance with thousands of arms go? Ian looked around, stroking Neltalion, who had become a small slime.

“He did a good job…”

Ian, who had returned from the memorial park, came to the training ground to check Neltalion’s strength.

He had created the current situation.

Armor that was so crushed that it was unrecognizable covered the mountains, and the maces that had been used to test defense were separated into handles and head parts, wriggling on the ground.

And there was one more gain.

Ian checked the faintly visible system window in his eyes.

[Cursed, Hatred of the Blade (Curse weakening due to Neltalion) – 0.3% until it is lifted]

It was still slight, but there was a possibility that the curse could be lifted.

This should be sufficient as an achievement.

“All that’s left is life at the academy.”

The academy will begin in three days. So, I must go there myself.

“It’s going to be quite a challenging journey…”

Because he had played at Heroic Academy harder than anyone else, he knew better than anyone else what Ian’s life at the academy would be like.

“I may not have played a prominent role at the academy, but I will still be the object of envy.”

He was someone who had not received any expectations from his family, but had conquered the academy with his innate talent.

Thanks to that, Ian became the object of jealousy among other novices.

Those who were envious always kept an eye out for opportunities to bring Ian down.

Knowing this, Ian’s eyes sparkled with determination.

“I have become a foolish person blinded by fame and a garbage person criticized by his teacher.”

As a result, he was unable to use his most powerful weapon, swordsmanship.

There was no better time than now.

Of course, Ian was not just someone who would take hits.

He never intended to just stand there and take it.

“I’ve never been beaten and left to die anywhere.”

Whether in his past life or now, that fact would never change.

After finishing his thoughts, Ian fell onto his bed. Feeling the cold air of the northern region and the cozy bedding, he softly murmured.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

– Ian is excited too? I’m looking forward to the next chapter too!

Hearing Natalion’s senseless words, Ian smiled.

***

Time passed faster than he thought.

Having quickly finished his preparations, Ian used the teleportation of his family to move to the Imperial Highway.

In the blink of an eye, Ian arrived at the academy and looked around, raising the corners of his mouth.

“Look at these noble brats. It’s comfortable and nice to commute from home.”

Most of the students at the academy lived in dormitories, unlike him.

Unless they were high-ranking nobles, they didn’t have the financial means to rent accommodation near the Imperial Highway. Plus, even if they were high-ranking nobles, they considered it important to live and interact at the academy.

“Every day is like being in high society. Eating dinner together and practicing swordsmanship, getting to know each other.”

That was an undeniable value.

Being able to socialize with the talents who would lead the empire in the future was of great value.

Of course, it was a completely useless story to Ian.

“I have been abandoned by my family, so who cares about leading an empire.”

Unlike Ariel, who is loved by everyone and is the protagonist, Ian had never had the chance to socialize in his life, so going to the Academy wouldn’t change anything.

It would be fortunate if he could live there without being cursed at.

Ian knew his own level well. That’s why he commuted to school in the first place.

“I will live a lonely life without friends.”

– Friend? Ian has no friends? I don’t have any friends either! They are all dead! Should I help you?

“Yeah, what does it matter when you’re here? It’s something I had already prepared for anyway.”

While petting the sympathizing Nathalion, Ian reminisced on his determination.

He was aware that from the moment of the possession, he would have to fight numerous enemies, so he decided not to care.

“And with Nathalion, there is nothing to be afraid of.”

If combined with Ariel’s Holy Sword and a pendant, no, his own talent, he also obtained an artifact that could overwhelm them.

There was no reason to be afraid anymore.

After finishing his thoughts, Ian headed towards the auditorium where the opening ceremony was being held.

As soon as he opened the large door, all eyes turned towards him.

Facing gazes mixed with countless enemies, jealousy, and criticism, Ian smiled.

***

The main stage of Heroic Academy ‘Arc’ was different from a typical academy.

To be more precise, the operating method was slightly different.

“If a typical academy feels like a school, Heroic Academy feels like a mixture of school and military.”

The biggest difference was in the way the classes were divided.

Unlike other academies that distinguish between 1st class, 2nd class, and 3rd class, Heroic Academy was divided into 1st platoon, 2nd platoon, and 3rd platoon.

“Unless there is a special reason, the platoon you initially join remains fixed until graduation.”

Ariel was in the 1st year, 1st platoon, and Ian was in the 2nd year, 3rd platoon.

While scanning his surroundings with his eyes, Nathalion’s eyes lit up.

– Ian! There’s a pretty person over there!

“Uh… are you talking about the person with blond hair taking the oath over there?”

– Yes! That person and also someone on the left!

What caught Nathalion’s eyes was Ariel Volkanoft.

As the representative of the 1st year, Ariel was standing at the podium, taking the oath along with representatives from other years.

Looking at her, his eyebrows furrowed unconsciously.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Ariel like this…”

– Ariel? Is she your sister?

“Yes, she’s my sister.”

With her elegant long platinum hair, fair skin, and innocent aura, there was no doubt.

The woman who caught the attention of the professors and students was Ian’s younger sister, Ariel Volkanov.

“I had only seen her standing still before… Seeing her move like this is a new experience.”

However, she wasn’t entirely pleasant to Ian, considering she had been his enemy since that moment.

From that very moment, any fondness he had for her had long disappeared.

“It’s not just ignorance… Her true nature was shocking.”

Ian shifted his gaze away from Ariel towards the young woman with a sky-blue ponytail who was smiling at Ariel.

“Celia Wignoran,”

The youngest daughter of the prestigious mage family, the Wignoran Duke, known for their Forbidden Autumn Leaves.

She had been Ian’s childhood friend from a young age.

“Naturally, Celia Wignoran, who was born with poor health, sought refuge in our family and lived in the healthy climate of the Volkanov Baron’s territory… That’s how she became friends with me.”

The Wignoran Duke gained the epithet “Dragon Slayer” for killing a Red Dragon, but as a result, his daughter was burdened with a curse called “Resentment of Injustice.”

Celia, born with the curse, suffered from a high fever that was almost unbearable and had to endure it day by day. Unable to bear it any longer, the Wignoran family sent their daughter to the harsh climate of the Volkanov territory, which was the beginning of her relationship with Ian.

Both of them shared the commonality of being “outsiders,” which quickly brought them closer.

In fact, they were not just ordinary friends.

Ian served Celia like a butler, even though she was the daughter of a duke.

He nursed her through the nights when she was ill and went to the monsters’ infested mountains to collect herbs for her. Ian was deeply devoted to her.

“Ian! When I get better, let’s go on a journey together! Let’s travel to a place other than the Empire, and we’ll always be together!”

“What kind of journey can you take when you’re not well…”

“Well… In that case, Ian, you can be my knight! You’ll be the knight who protects me for the rest of my life!”

Through sincere nursing, Celia and Ian grew closer, and they even made a promise to go on a journey together once her health improved.

“It’s a story that can’t come true now.”

A bitter smile crossed his face as he recalled the promise that had turned into a meaningless tale.

The moment Ian met Celia, who was his younger sister, Ariel, their relationship began to change.

The protagonist, Ariel, was well-liked by everyone, and that energy engulfed Celia.

She distanced herself from Ian, who had sacrificed himself for her sake.

The more she thought about what he had done, the more uncomfortable she felt. But in the end, she could only rationalize it as distancing herself from someone with a bad personality.

Of course, it was a rationalization. She never once listened to Ian, her childhood friend. She only believed what Ariel said without question.

She abandoned him without ever listening to his words.

He had always helped her and kept her from feeling lonely when she was sick.

In the end, she developed a strong hatred towards Ian and declared an end to their relationship.

Leaving behind a bitter gaze, Ian continued to rescue the heroines.

True to the original protagonist, Ariel was surrounded by important characters.

“Bianca Martief, a fallen noble who would eventually rise to the position of Archmage. Reyna, who is currently a commoner but will become a divine archer after receiving the teachings of the elves. And Dias, Reyna’s childhood friend who becomes the king of mercenaries.”

Reciting their names made him sigh in admiration. At the same time, he felt resentment towards the game company that had possessed him.

How could they cram those guys into one squad? To uncover Ian’s secret, he would have to compete endlessly with them.

“Balancing is a real pain.”

What on earth should he do? While pondering, the opening ceremony was underway.

Representatives finished taking their oaths and the principal took a deep breath before speaking.

“Dear students, I’m sure you all know that we were unable to have a duel with Mason due to an unfortunate incident in the previous battle.”

All eyes were on him.

What should he do?

“Even if you look at me like that, I don’t know either.”

He was just as clueless as to the exact reason. He was the one who wanted to know what the lazy Demon Lord had offered as a price.

Ian reacted indifferently.

“Although the failure was a great trial for us, it was not due to a lack of passion, courage, or faith. Rather, it is a kind of test for greater challenges and growth. There are still opportunities for all of you.”

The principal spoke passionately.

“Our history has always been remembered as a remarkable story of overcoming challenges and difficulties. This defeat is just one scene in our history, and it serves as a catalyst to strengthen our resolve. The Demon Lord may be strong and fearsome, but we will be even stronger and more persistent. You will have the courage to rise again and fight against the Demon Lord.”

Everyone began applauding the principal’s speech. There was no longer any gloom in people’s expressions.

“Always impressive, no matter how many times I hear it.”

While playing Heroic Academia, he had heard countless speeches. They were always fresh and grand.

Having heard them countless times, he knew exactly what would be said next.

“We have many prospective students who have come to Arc to join the new hero party to confront the Demon Lord. From now on, we will assess their skills.”

Note: This translation retains the word choice, phrasing, and atmosphere of the original excerpt as closely as possible.

“Now, the entrance exam begins.”

The entrance exam.

Every time Ark progresses to a new grade, he adds random adversaries for the players, creating new trials.

Supposedly, it allows battling characters with new patterns unseen in Ark. Yet, it was merely a game company’s malicious intent to heighten the difficulty.

For others, it might just be a chance to see what adversaries lie ahead, but for oneself, it was different.

With his swordsmanship sealed, there arose a public demand to reevaluate Ian’s abilities, necessitating proof through participation in the entrance exam.

“As far as I know, that guy facing Ian was none other than him.”

It was the Southern Empire’s renowned fighter from Vichan, known as ‘Ironwall,’ Igor.

As if summoned, a man covered in scars suddenly stood before Ian, baring his teeth.

“I’m Igor. Are you Ian?”