Chapter 149: Drug Incident at the Academy (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 149: Drug Incident at the Academy (4)
This was back before I had the strength to cause total mayhem on my own.
Whether you call it my “dark era” or just me losing my mind, I used to threaten or subjugate quite a few people. To put it nicely, they were my subordinates; to be blunt, they were my tools. Aisha Livias was one of them.
Despite her grand background as the granddaughter of the head of one of the 5 Great Groups, she was a woman who never even appeared in the original novel. The circumstances of her becoming my subordinate were also quite absurd.
After graduating from the Academy, I began my career as a full-fledged villain. She was part of the first official subjugation team formed to take me down after I caused a particularly massive incident.
I was going to kill her, but she begged for her life, offering to give me everything. She said she’d do anything—accept a restriction, sign a contract, whatever it took to ensure she couldn’t betray me. She literally licked my boots, so I let her live.
You see, contrary to her haughty attitude and appearance, she’s deathly afraid of pain.
Paradoxically, because her defensive abilities are so exceptional, she’s rarely experienced pain. It seems she was raised like a literal greenhouse flower, possessing absolutely zero tolerance for suffering.
Anyway, if I remember correctly, she was sent to study abroad right after the Academy fell in the original timeline. But since the Academy didn’t fall this time, it seems she’s been attending school here all along.
…That girl is anything but normal. You’ve been marked by a real weirdo, Lilac.
My conscience pricks me a bit since I wasn’t in my right mind back then either, but regardless, that girl pretending to be all noble doesn’t actually have a noble bone in her body.
-I can capture Cheon Yu-hak alive, right? Yes? Danger? I’ll take good care of him. You trust me, don’t you? You don’t? Fufu, are you jealous, perhaps?
-You told me not to touch civilians, so I’m only collecting male heroes. Why are you interfering?!
-I think being a villain suits me better than I expected.
-…If only I were a bit taller, the Boss would… Ah, I’m sorry! You’ve been so lenient lately that I got carried away. I’m so sorry, please spare me. Should I lick your boots?
…I truly don’t have a single good memory of her.
To top it off, she ended up betraying and killing me in the end.
Seeing a girl like that “O-ho-ho-ho!”-ing in front of me after all this time is strangely irritating.
-You’re a fool, aren’t you? I’m a fool too, but you’re a much bigger one. But what can I do? The lesser fool has to help. You can’t go any further. Stop doing things you’ll regret.
-Huh? Do I think I can win? Absolutely not. But I’m confident in my ability to take a hit like a punching bag. I have to at least buy some time, don’t I?
…Dammit. I thought I could finally get some rest while looking after the kids, but why did she have to show up as a junkie?
Let’s just make this easy. Please, just once, let it be easy.
“…Are you listening?”
While I was lost in memories of past ties, the host of this gathering spoke in a notably irritated voice, likely thinking I was spacing out.
That’s right, it was the Pink Chihuahua.
Ah, I wasn’t meeting her one-on-one today. Ha-ni, Ga-eul, and even Ju Ri-ra were here, making us a group of five. From their perspective, it was a co-ed hangout, but from mine, it felt a bit burdensome, like I was crashing a girls’ night.
“I heard everything. But honestly, does that even make sense? Why would Lilac show even a hint of interest in a girl like that? Besides, all he has to do is win the Ranking Tournament.”
Yu-na, I know you’re angry because a rival suddenly appeared just when you thought the path ahead was clear, but knowing what kind of guy Lilac is, there’s no way he’d give a girl like her the time of day.
“…You misunderstood me. I know that. Why would I doubt Lilac?”
“…Then what’s the problem?”
Ga-eul, who was cutting a piece of cake and putting it in her mouth, also expressed her confusion. Yu-na replied with a thin smile.
“Ga-eul, imagine a fly suddenly buzzing around that cake you’re eating. It hasn’t touched the cake, and there’s nothing wrong with the cake itself, but isn’t the fly still annoying? It’s obvious it’s aiming for the cake. It’s trying to step on the whipped cream with legs that might have touched who-knows-what.”
Lee Yu-na sipped her chamomile tea and smiled softly.
Is it funny that I find it a sign of immense growth that she’s at least not taking her anger out on us?
“Even if you don’t kill it, you still want to chase it away, right?”
…Ah, I see. So you just hate her being anywhere near him.
I get it.
When I first met her back then, she was truly unbearable until I trampled her.
The girls nodded as if they could relate. Only Ha-ni looked away as if she weren’t interested, but Lee Yu-na’s resolve remained firm.
“In tomorrow’s Ranking Tournament, I’m going to challenge that woman first.”
I kind of want to stop her.
How should I put this? If Lee Yu-na and Aisha fight, the matchup isn’t exactly favorable.
Yu-na is an all-rounder battle priest who can use both magic and holy spells, but Aisha is a knight type who focuses entirely on breakthrough power and defense.
Unless she has incredible firepower, Yu-na is bound to lose, unable to pierce that defense.
“Well, sure. If you’re going to do it, it’s best to crush her thoroughly.”
“Right. Regardless of the reason, if you’ve decided to fight, you have to win.”
It seemed the others, not knowing the opponent’s abilities, assumed there was no way Yu-na could lose.
“…Aren’t you going to say anything?”
It seemed she found it strange that I was the only one staying quiet while everyone else was giggling and chatting.
I almost reflexively chose to remain a silent bystander again.
In the past, I definitely would have chosen silence here. Then, I would have tried to handle any variables myself after the fight broke out.
But since I’ve resolved not to do that anymore, I’m going to speak clearly.
“Because I think you’ll lose.”
The air froze. Confusion, betrayal, and anger slowly began to pool in Lee Yu-na’s eyes.
“…Why?”
Surprisingly, however, instead of exploding, Yu-na asked for the reason.
She was trying to answer me as the person Lee Yu-na, not the Chihuahua.
Then I should respond in kind.
“I happen to know what her ability is. Your compatibility with her is quite bad.”
Everyone’s eyes converged on me. Most of them looked like they were wondering how I knew that, but there was no sign of suspicion.
Well, it’s fine to give this much of a tip, right?
“If you’re going to crush her, you should do it thoroughly. You’re trying to charge in blindly based on emotion, so can’t I give you some help as a friend?”
As I revealed the information piece by piece, the corners of Yu-na’s mouth gradually curved upward.
Honestly, even in my opinion, you suit Lilac much better than that girl. That guy needs someone to keep him on a short leash, and while that girl looks impressive on the outside, she’s a total klutz.
“…That’s good. I don’t know how you found out, but thanks. I think I have a rough idea of how to win now.”
“What are friends for? Just focus on planning how to beat her into the ground.”
Pangs of conscience? I have none. She’s been taking drugs anyway, so she needs a handicap like this for it to be fair.
“I mean, why even touch a guy who’s already taken? It would’ve been better if you just confidently said you were Lilac’s girlfriend.”
I only said it because it was nice to see her in a better mood, but almost instantly, Yu-na—who had been smiling the whole time—stiffened and flinched, her body trembling.
…What’s with this reaction? It’s like my words hit a sore spot.
You guys were dancing and the atmosphere was great, for god’s sake. Didn’t Lilac confess and the two of you start dating?
“…The atmosphere was good that day, but we were both just testing the waters and didn’t actually confess.”
You didn’t confess? So what?
No way, that can’t be it. You two have been stuck together lately. You’re just teasing me, right? Right? You’re already a lovey-dovey couple, aren’t you?
“Actually, we’re not dating yet…”
I, Kang So-hyun, am disappointed in you all…!
No, seriously, Yu-na, why are you so aggressive with everyone else but turn into a smitten schoolgirl only in front of Lilac?!
As it turned out, the other girls were far more interested in Yu-na’s love life than I was. Before I knew it, the talk of the Ranking Tournament was pushed aside, and the atmosphere shifted entirely to romance.
Seeing their eyes sparkle at the mention of dating, I guess they really are still just kids.
* * *
On the day of the Ranking Tournament, a strange tension, even greater than before, hung over the Academy.
If I had to pick a reason, it might be that, unlike before, students had to choose their own opponents. Or perhaps it was because reporters and scouters from the outside were starting to visit to scout for talent.
If not that, then maybe it was simply those trying to keep the top rankers in check or those wanting to test their own skills.
However, it seemed the people who challenged me to a ranking match didn’t do so for such fresh, youthful reasons.
Since that idiot picked a fight with me over the weekend, I thought they might target others instead of me to avoid suspicion.
Apparently, they weren’t that smart.
A total of four people had challenged me, and two of them were faces I recognized.
Both were guys who had been addicted to drugs—no, they had completely fallen into a contract, lost their reason, and become the Devil’s Puppets.
“Hey, brat, why are you so late? You scared?”
As I headed to the sparring grounds, the guy who had arrived first greeted me rather flippantly.
Haha, you little… Seeing as you’re calling me a brat the moment we meet, you probably would’ve turned into a villain even without the devil’s influence. My friend.
“You should be grateful to the seniors. I actually didn’t like you very much. The guys in the circle hate your guts too, you know?”
“Is that so? I don’t know why you hate me so much when we’ve never even met. My friend. If there’s a reason, won’t you tell me? Since I can’t fix your personality, I’ll just have to be the one to put in the effort.”
“…Yeah, everything from that big mouth of yours to the way a mediocre brat like you tries to draw attention for no reason—I hate it all. Does it feel good for a so-called superhuman to act weak, pretending he can’t even lift a dumbbell properly just to get attention? You attention-seeking prick.”
…Whoa, this guy’s got some bite. No, wait, he’s talking like he actually knows me.
“It makes me feel like absolute shit when a talentless loser like you acts all high and mighty just because he’s got people backing him. Do you like leaning on others when you don’t even have your own strength?”
“Sure, friend. It’s always the guys with zero sense of cooperation who care about that stuff between friends. Besides, isn’t this the first time we’ve met? Why are you picking a fight with someone you don’t even know~”
“…Yeah, I bet it feels like the first time.”
What’s with that meaningful tone?
“But it’s not. Don’t we take Basic Combat Arts together? You didn’t know, did you?”
…Dammit, I thought we’d actually spoken before. How the hell am I supposed to know that, you brat?
The guy smirked with a look of disgust.
“Did it feel good?”
Did what?
“You acted all weak and rubbed up against the Professor. Were you jealous? You brat. Did you get to feel her up?”
It took me a moment to process what just came out of his mouth.
Aha. So our friend here is jealous, and on top of that, he’s trying to tear down the object of his admiration with typical adolescent spite.
Yeah, you know that thing where people say, ‘I don’t even like her that much!’
Yeah, I get it.
But do you know something, friend? I didn’t originally plan on hitting you that hard.
Since you’re under a contract, your head is probably half-fried anyway, and even if you cursed at me, well, I am a bad guy, so I can take a few insults.
That’s what I thought.
“I was trying to be nice, but you keep crossing the line. You little shit.”
But if you keep crossing the line like that, I might change my mind.
“Look at you, getting all worked up and acting tough. What are you gonna do if I cross it? Gonna tattle to your friends or the Professor? You loser. Even your rank only went up because you raised your points with other people.”
Don’t worry.
I won’t kill you. We’re inside the Academy and there are many eyes watching. You’re lucky.
Not many people have survived after pissing me off this much.
“Hey, let me ask you one thing. You said you hate me acting tough by relying on things that aren’t my own power, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Then is relying on drugs something to be proud of?”
“What…?”
The moment we stepped into the arena, a holographic countdown appeared in the air.
“Why so surprised, you dumbass? Curious how I know? Or are you worried I’ll report you for doing drugs? Either way, you’ll have to beat me to solve it, won’t you?”
“There was a reason the seniors told me to wreck you.”
No, those guys probably don’t know. They’re probably just picking a fight for the same reasons you are.
The guy equipped brass knuckles.
He said he takes combat classes; is his talent related to martial arts?
“Prepare to get the hell beaten out of you today.”
He lunged at me, radiating fighting spirit.
* * *
“Aaaaaagh?!”
Kang So-hyun was nothing special after all.
I closed the distance with my mana-enhanced physical abilities, and as I pressured him without giving him time to use his artifacts, he was busy just trying to dodge and defend.
‘Even a guy like this can get close to her, so why does she give me the cold shoulder?’
My fist grazed him.
“Hey! Try acting tough again! You son of a bitch! Go ahead and show off some more!”
‘Dammit, did I say I was going to touch her? Did I say I was going to try anything?’
I just wanted to get a little closer.
I even joined that weird Health Food Enthusiasts Club just to get her attention.
If you’re going to be a stone wall, at least be fair about it. What is this guy? Is his chest a bag of maternal love or something? What is this weakling to her?
I landed a flashy kick, and the sight of him scrambling away was pathetic.
I’m in top form.
As expected, after taking the drug, I could move my talent and mana much more easily.
Professor Cathy, watch closely. It’s all your fault that this guy is going to get beaten to a pulp today.
My fist finally slammed squarely into the solar plexus of the guy who had been scurrying away.
The way he rolled across the floor was truly unsightly.
So one-sidedly.
So overwhelmingly.
Just look at him, unable to do anything but desperately dodge.
It’s your fault he’s being humiliated. Look around; everyone is watching me.
I’m much better than a guy like this!
[-Out of bounds, Cadet Yoon Jung-jae. Disqualified for being out of bounds for 15 seconds.]
…What? I’m disqualified? What nonsense is this?
“Pfft…”
What? I hit him so hard in the solar plexus, and he’s laughing? No, wait. He’s still lying there?
My head is dizzy. My vision is warping.
“Hey, wake up. Even so, how can you just walk out of bounds on your own without doing anything?”
What are you talking about?
My vision slowly clears, and the scenery shifts.
My fists hurt. A wall? Was I punching a wall?
Where I was standing was clearly outside the arena—the out-of-bounds area.
The guy, whose eyes were normally red but now had one tinted purple, looked at me with a mocking grin.
“Did you have a nice nightmare?”
That bastard definitely did something cowardly.