The Villain Purchased the Heroine

Louisa was feeling absolutely fabulous.

Her smile was so big that she could hardly contain it.

"Chill out, you brat. On a day as good as this."

"Bell… Bell… why the heck did you let Leon handle the king… why… why…!!"

While Louisa felt as if she could fly with satisfaction, her sidekick, Paula, was drowning in despair, craving a drink due to excessive stress.

What started as a bet instigated by Paula ended up giving Louisa a month's worth of drinking worries lifted off her shoulders.

"Ah, Louisa! Stop hitting me! It hurts like crazy! Just!"

"Ah, sorry, sorry. As your supervising professor, I just couldn't help it seeing our class win."

"Ugh…! Leon… Leon…!!"

As declared through the video magic.

Class 1 smashed the fragmented Allied Forces of Class 4 and Class 5 to pieces.

Perhaps saving them for a moment like this, Vargan's familiars made a grand appearance, and it didn't take long to bring down the castle.

By the time Diphelia and Erica realized what was happening and tried to team up again, it was far too late.

Once the momentum shifted, there was no turning back.

Louisa watched the footage showcasing the winning class.

Vargan and his crew were strutting their stuff.

She must've wanted to crash onto her bed in exhaustion, but her eyes and mouth were grinning from the sense of achievement.

"That guy. He sure doesn't show any excitement, even if it kills him."

That was aimed at Vargan.

While others were celebrating with shoulder hugs and cheers, he had this attitude of, "Lowly wretches. Getting all excited over something so trivial."

Perfectly in character for him.

Louisa unfolded the paper she had been holding.

It was a parchment Vargan had given her before the class battle.

Written in beautiful calligraphy, it went on for quite a while, but to summarize, it was about changing the name of the Research Society.

From "New Student Council" to "Arbol Frutal."

It seemed like they had seen everything the New Student Council had to offer. Thinking about the struggles Louisa had gone through because of that name made her want to smash a bottle over Vargan's head, but now that urge had all but vanished.

So easily changing it like this.

With no more controversies on the horizon, it was a good story for Louisa as well.

It turned out to be a good story for Louisa as well.

"Finally, I'm starting to like this, Head."

Louisa began to laugh heartily as if she had forgotten her surroundings.

They had finally changed the name of the Research Society that had been a headache. And they had proudly won the Class Battle.

It was the moment when all the pent-up frustration evaporated.

"Lighten up, Paula!"

"Ah, come on! I told you it hurts!! You muscle head!"

As Louisa's spirits rose, Paula's back grew redder.

*

"Give it back."

"What are you saying all of a sudden?"

"My familiar. I want it back."

"When you just abandoned it… Erica. A familiar is…."

"Shut up! Just give me my familiar back!"

Where has the villainess once known as Erica gone? Now, she was stomping her little feet on the ground in a tantrum.

It seemed she tried hard to act mature outside, but ultimately, she had given up.

"Goodbye, Kkamag. It was a short time, but it was fun."

⎯Kkaak….

The charming black-feathered Kkamag spread its wings widely and let out a mournful cry before moving to Erica's shoulder.

I sincerely hope it continues to be happy there.

"Erica. Second place is an impressive result."

"…Be quiet."

The one who succeeded in resisting until the end was not the Saint, but Erica.

Diphelia seemed to find it hard to watch her class students getting bullied anymore and declared surrender.

In the end, the only ones left standing were Class 4, led by Erica. She fought desperately until all her mana was depleted.

"…There won't be another day as shameful as this."

Erica bit her lip, her hands shaking as they clenched into fists.

It seemed like it would be best for Erica to return to her room quickly and find some stability.

Otherwise, she might not be able to control her emotions and would end up creating a mountain of dark history. As a fellow high noble and fiancé, I couldn't just watch.

Just as I was about to say more to Erica, an unexpected visitor barged in.

It was Bantlo, a male student from her class.

He had a pleasant expression and gave me a light nod.

"Your classmates are waiting for Erica. If it's not too much trouble, may I take her now?"

"…Bantlo, I…"

"Don't worry, Erica. You did your best. There are many who are grateful for you fighting until the end, even in the worst situation."

"...."

What a mess.

They were all getting cozy and making a ruckus.

I felt an urge to scold them for their behavior in front of my fiancé.

"Erica."

But I let it be.

It wasn't my place to interfere.

Besides, Bantlo was someone Erica needed right now.

Let's overlook the fact that he was a bit too casual.

"I'll be going now since your servant has come to escort you."

"Bantlo isn't a servant. Don't insult him, Schugenharz."

"Right, right. You take care too, Kkamag."

⎯Kkaak! Kkaak!

"By the way, why does it like you so much…?"

And with that, I distanced myself from them.

Well, it worked out nicely.

I also need to check the reward, and there were people I had to meet.

⎯Was this familiar's name Kkamag?

⎯No… That guy made it up himself….

I block out the small noises coming from behind and整理 the situation.

First, Cattia.

I won the Class Battle.

I was the leader.

I received the royal emblem.

When you win a Class Battle, everyone in that class gets 20 Cattia.

As the leader, I earn 5 Cattia just for taking the position. Plus, I get an additional 5 Cattia for leading us to victory.

Finally, the king of the winning class gets another 10 Cattia.

So, through this Class Battle, I acquired a total of 40 Cattia.

Starting at the entrance with a peak of 20.

I gave 10 to Erica during the ranking battle.

Now I gained 40, so I'm currently at 50.

The current first-year Cattia ranking shows that Erica, who secured 2nd place, has 46 Cattia including this Class Battle.

This allows me to successfully restore the rank that had temporarily dropped.

Of course, that's not the end.

The New Student Council… no, I was also able to launch a large-scale image renewal advertisement for 'Arbol Frutal' and convey my intentions to a certain special 'someone' who had been looking down on us.

I hope they received it safely.

Because this matter is more important than Cattia or the image of the Research Society.

"Student Vargan. Do you have a moment?"

It's a somewhat mysterious voice.

His voice is low, like water mist.

It's my first time hearing it in person, but I can be certain.

He has finally made contact.

"Yes, I can."

I smiled at him.

Seeing him approach so quickly makes it seem like he has many questions.

Now, what kind of variable are you, and how will you make me happy?

"What is it? Master Helion."

*

Helion and I boarded the Airship and entered a special room to continue our conversation.

It was a small room, but it was magically soundproofed to prevent our conversation from leaking.

"Student Vargan, are you the Chosen One?"

Helion's first line was quite direct.

"No. I cannot perform miracles or receive prophecies."

Helion nodded slightly, as if he expected that response, and continued.

His peculiar gaze was fixed on me.

"Student Vargan, you are unnatural."

"Me?"

"Yes, even right now. You knew I would speak to you, didn't you?"

"No way. I'm not a prophet; how could I have known? Even now, my heart is barely calming down from the surprise."

I mixed in some flattery with my lighthearted reply.

Helion showed no change in expression.

His gaze seemed to be looking at me, yet not looking at me either.

"You're quite skilled at lying. As natural as breathing."

"If that's a compliment, I'll gladly accept it."

"It isn't a compliment."

It's also not an insult.

He merely speaks the truth.

He doesn't place moral value on truth and lies.

Helion.

I had a rough idea of his personality and speech patterns, but he's a man who strays further from the ordinary than I expected.

He is a man.

"I noticed that Vargan student stood out during the Class Battle. In the fields of curses and familiars, he's a rookie hero. His total mana surpasses that. Right?"

Did you catch all of that from just a casual video overview?

Truly, impressive insight—that's what I want to say. But it would be troublesome if he didn't do at least this much.

He's currently ranked 7th among heroes, after all. Only natural.

"That's correct."

"You're not lying this time, are you? No empty flattery either."

"You're going to find out anyway."

"That's true."

The conversation doesn't flow smoothly.

Paragraph and another paragraph.

It keeps getting interrupted like this.

Must be due to his unique way of speaking.

"Was that the reason you called me?"

"I have a few questions to ask you. That was just one of them."

A momentary silence lingered, but he didn't avert his gaze.

His unfocused eyes stare at me quietly.

If he doesn't continue the conversation, I'll take the lead.

Just as you have many questions, I do too.

I moistened my mouth with the prepared tea and spoke.

"May I ask a question, too?"

"Yes, please do."

"Why did you come to Academia?"

"I came to do mentoring."

There's no hesitation in his answer. I didn't hesitate either.

The flow of the conversation progresses rapidly.

"The answer I want is not that. I believe you know that too."

"…It is indeed unnatural. Vargan student."

His expression didn't change, but a subtle hint of intrigue seeped into his tone.

Knowing you wouldn't come, do you think I want such a vague answer?

Answer properly, Helion.

"It seems the answer to Vargan student's question will lead to mine."

After a moment of contemplation, leaning slightly back in his chair in silence, Helion began to speak again.

The word that slipped from his lips was so unexpected that it slightly cracked the poker face he maintained.

"You know the children named Edel and Freesia, right?"

…What?

Why are they brought up now?

The village of Rubid, where I stopped by to help Alicia overcome her trauma.

At first, they pointed at me, calling me the bad magician leader, then later stuck to me like gum, annoying me.

Of course, I remember them.

"…Yes, I know them."

I restored my mask and acted nonchalantly. So, his coming to Academia was related to the village of Rubid.

The village chief said he hadn't heard anything from Helion, let alone someone incompetent like him…!

"I came here because of those kids. Vargan student."

In his eyes, which seemed devoid of emotion, a hint of interest momentarily sparked.

I rested my elbows on the table.

Though he wasn't being intimidating or emitting mana, I felt a clear pressure from him.

"To confirm you, who changed the future of the village of Rubid, which should have been devastated."