Perfect Crime
"Young Lord, would you do me the honor of being my sparring partner?"
"Oh my, but wouldn't I be a better match for the Young Lord?"
As soon as Isolet's class ended and break time arrived, the noble students swarmed me, begging for a spar. They crowded so thickly that any bystander would have pegged me for a villain with mountains of bad karma piled up.
Of course, that wasn't entirely wrong... but it wasn't the reason this time.
"...I'll take full responsibility and put on the most convincing act to boost your score!"
"My social skills are top-notch—I'll fool even the proctors. In return, Young Lord Frey, please 'remember' my face."
These kids weren't trying to get trampled because they hated my guts; they were offering to tank for me. Over the past few days, I'd humored the nobles gathering around me, and they'd taken it as an invitation to join my faction. They'd even formed their own little group on their own initiative.
And now, they seemed to have decided their first mission as the Frey Faction was to "pad scores" for me.
From that, it was clear they still thought I'd beaten Isolet with some shady sorcery last time.
Makes sense—they wouldn't dare challenge her carelessly because of her status and sheer strength. So, naturally, they'd assume I used a brooch for some underhanded trick.
In truth, I'd just shown my real skills back then, but whatever.
"Thanks, everyone, but I've already got someone in mind for my sparring partner..."
"Frey, if you're free, care to have a go with me?"
I had to turn down the students since I needed to face off with Irina, but then a girl sidled up with a seductive smile.
"Didn't you hear me? I said I've got someone picked out..."
"...I can do nighttime matches too, you know."
".........."
I shut my mouth at that, and a few other girls nearby closed in, winking slyly.
They weren't just score-padding anymore; they were offering the real deal.
'This is insane.'
They must've heard the rumors that I was a lecher obsessed with women.
And yeah, those rumors blanketed the entire empire—no one hadn't heard them.
Of course, that notoriety helped in slaying the Demon King, so I never bothered correcting it. But sometimes, when the stories got absurdly over-the-top, I wanted to scream that it wasn't true.
Like rumors that the Starlight Duke's basement housed a massive harem of sex slaves fed just enough to breed... or that I'd bedded every noble lady below marquis rank... or that the imperial family treaded lightly around us because one word from me would unleash a continental scandal over my affairs with the princesses...
That kind of bullshit drew women to me like flies.
Not that I had any interest in hooking up with gold-diggers sizing me up as a ticket to the top.
"So, what do you say? Tonight, if you want..."
"Later. My condition's off right now."
"Oh? So you're just picky about your partners?"
I scowled and made my refusal clear, and most of the girls backed off. But the first one clung to my arm, tail-wagging like a puppy.
"No... that's not..."
"Thank you so much for choosing me as your partner, Silver-Haired Young Lord."
"...Silver-Haired Young Lord?"
"Yes! The girls at the academy coined it for your silver hair and delicate features. Oh, did you not know, Young Lord Frey?"
"........"
I had no idea what this girl was babbling about.
The nicknames students whispered behind my back were things like "total scumbag" or "Starlight disgrace," not some cringe-worthy "Silver-Haired Young Lord" that made my skin crawl.
"Anyway, looking forward to working with you. My name is—"
"...Sorry, but the Young Lord's sparring partner is already set."
"...Huh?"
I was biting back my irritation, forcing a smile and plotting my escape, when Kania suddenly cut in.
"...Excuse me, who are you?"
"I am Kania, butler of House Starlight and the Young Lord's servant."
"Ah... the orphan girl?"
"...Yes."
The temptress smirked mockingly at Kania, who gritted her teeth in response.
"...So what do you mean his partner is already set?"
"The Young Lord has already agreed to spar with me."
"Oh? Is that true, Frey?"
Kania replied coolly, and the girl shot me a surprised look.
"...Yeah."
"Hmph... I see..."
I answered stiffly, and she eyed us both with amused curiosity before speaking up.
"...Silver-Haired Young Lord and the ashen peasant—quite the unexpected pair."
"Is it?"
"Would you accept me if I dyed my hair black?"
"...You're awfully bold."
"Sorry. Once I set my mind on something, I see it through."
She flashed a coy smile, undeterred by my icy tone, then curtsied lightly, gripping her dress.
"...Then I'll dye it and come find you later."
"........."
She turned toward the door.
"I've got your face memorized."
"...Pardon?"
I muttered lowly, and she glanced back with a grin.
"What an honor. Then you must know my name too—"
"...I already know your name, Isabel."
"Oh... so this was all a test."
I said it flatly, and she replied as if she'd seen through me.
"I'll drop by again soon."
"...Sure."
"Ah, and I won't bother dyeing it after all. I hate black anyway."
She flicked a glance at Kania, then tossed one last barb as she left the classroom.
"...It's such a filthy, lowly color."
A heavy silence fell between Kania and me.
"...Kania, about what just happened."
"No need to apologize."
I checked that we were alone and hurriedly spoke, but she cut me off with a frosty expression.
"...I was just doing my job."
"Still... ugh."
"...Young Lord?"
I tried to say something, but a sudden searing pain ripped through my back and heart, forcing me to pause.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. Stress from dealing with that girl gave me a headache. I'll be fine after some rest..."
"...I see. Then I'll take my leave."
"Where to?"
"...I have business."
She left without looking back.
"Ha..."
I slumped in my seat, head hanging limply as I muttered.
"...This fucking sucks."
Because of the false scenario I'd fed her, Kania still hated me—less than before, but enough. Her cold glare just now confirmed it.
Yet she'd stepped up for me today when I was in a bind.
She must've resolved to help me, the loathsome guy fated to slay the Demon King, no matter how much she despised it.
Of course, she had no choice if she wanted to save the world from doom... but even after hearing my fabricated tale of ignoring her suffering, she'd chosen to help. It showed just how good-hearted she was.
And I'd promised to treat her right from now on, yet I couldn't even stand up for her when she was insulted.
I was scared that girl would realize I cared for Kania, and even though I'd only taken one penalty so far, this frail body would shatter completely.
In the end, Kania had shot me that icy look and walked out.
'It's the same crap I've dealt with forever, but it hurts more today.'
I sat there, head bowed, then recalled the name I'd glimpsed with my Information Search skill before leaving the classroom. Quietly, I pulled an envelope from my drawer.
'She thought I wouldn't dare touch her? Big mistake.'
I'd wondered what made that girl so brazen. Turns out, she was a marquis's daughter—well-regarded.
In my memories, she was currently being pushed toward an engagement with the first prince, top in the line of succession.
Though from her behavior, she chewed through men like snacks, so it'd fall apart soon enough.
'Face memorized. Time to send her to rock bottom.'
I couldn't protect Kania upfront, but I'd avenge her insult from the shadows.
Normally, it'd be tough—ancient marquis house, betrothed to the first prince, hailed as future empress.
But I was Starlight. And I'd lived the previous loop.
I couldn't expose that the whole house would flip to the Demon King's side first thing... but scandals and corruption? Easy pickings.
'Already blacklisted number one for expulsion from the empire, and now she's shortening her own lifespan.'
With that thought, I began scrawling the marquis house's corruption and embezzlement anonymously on the letter.
The empire and imperial family were rotten enough that minor stuff slid, but these guys had siphoned imperial funds.
The current palace would flip out and strip them bare.
"...Perfect."
This letter would reach my father anonymously soon. Even with tampered memories, his sense of justice remained—he'd report it to the palace immediately.
It'd do nicely as punishment for ruining the empire last loop and insulting Kania.
'Time to pick a fight with Irina.'
With some guilt eased, I headed out to provoke her.
Though it'd pile right back up soon enough.
"Hey, move it already?"
"You'll regret it later too."
"G-get out of here!!"
"Ari... Anne..."
Finding Irina was a breeze.
Mana exhaustion left her powerless despite her high potential, making her a prime target for resentful nobles who couldn't touch commoners freely. Now, getting mobbed in the academy's rear garden was her daily routine.
Commoners ignored it to avoid backlash, and Isolet couldn't help since Irina hid the bullying.
Of course, Isolet would've jumped in if asked, but Irina's pride as a future grand mage kept her silent.
So, only her friend Ariane—with her specialty in protective magic—stood guard.
And me? Where was I while she got harassed?
"Ah, Young Lord Frey. You're here."
"...You're late today. That damn commoner's already up with her barrier."
"Sigh... Just when it was getting fun, that bitch butts in..."
Right there with the nobles, of course. Leading the charge, even.
First reason: the points poured in nicely.
Irina hated me enough to slap an instant-death spell on me, costing her a year of mana exhaustion. Harassing her netted massive Villainy points every time.
A point shuttle on par with Kania.
Second: minimizing her actual harm.
Sounds contradictory when I'm the ringleader, but it wasn't funny in practice.
These nobles saw commoners as less than ants—I had to moderate so they didn't go lethal or too vicious.
So, I poked her with my sheathed sword upfront.
That way, they held back heavy magic fearing it'd hit me, buying time until Ariane arrived.
Sure, you might think if I didn't lead, there'd be no bullying.
But I'd started leading after spotting Irina trembling down the hall, body covered in wounds from noble ladies' attacks.
She was already marked for death.
I figured if I didn't tone it down, she'd drop out or die on me unnoticed.
Ordering them to stop outright? Simple, but if one idiot thought I pitied her, penalty—and I'm done.
So, I'd tormented her right in front of her, as painlessly as possible, while secretly tanking every attack spell aimed her way.
'But that's ending today.'
Yeah. Just like I thought.
From today, no more bullying her.
First: no stamina left to tank spells for her.
Life force penalties were scarier than expected. Time to play it safe.
Second: her mental state was fraying.
No matter her pride, constant torment would break anyone. With a way to end it without exposing my Villain's Path, I had to stop now, points or no.
Third: that "way."
From here, I'd use this to become her performance eval sparring partner.
Dirty method, but necessary.
A straight-up challenge? Mana-exhausted, she'd assume I wanted to humiliate her and refuse.
I didn't want to go this far... but to twist the scenario and save everyone after starting the main quest, no choice.
And "everyone" included Irina, glaring at me with pure hate right now.
'Feels like my self-justification game's getting stronger by the day.'
Before launching the plan, I smirked bitterly.
No matter the noble goal of world-saving, I was hurting Irina right in front of me. Fact.
After countless loops of this agony, I'd developed this habit of rationalizing before villainy.
The Villain's Path curse, probably.
"Drop the barrier, Ariane."
I spoke coldly, resolve set. Ariane, glaring daggers at the nobles through her shield, flinched and turned her sharp gaze on me.
To defy me—power incarnate even over princesses—for her friend? Someday, I wanted a pal like that.
"Stop this. What did Irina ever do to you...?"
"But that wench has no talent despite her lowborn status?"
"...What did you say?"
"No reason to keep trash that can't even serve as a tool in the academy. We're just recycling for her—shouldn't she be grateful?"
I sneered a third-rate villain line, and the nobles nodded along. Ariane's eyes bulged.
"Irina's ten times the student any of you are! Don't talk like you know her!"
"...Enough. Move."
"Never!!!"
Ariane expanded her barrier with a shout, shoving back some approaching nobles in the scuffle.
"...Fine. Too bad."
I watched coldly, then fixed Ariane with an icy stare.
"...Guess I'll have to mess with your sister instead."
"...What?"
"You kept getting in my way, so I dug into your background... Turns out your sister's a maid at our duke's estate."
".....!!!"
Ariane's eyes wavered. I smirked and continued.
"So... planning to move her to the basement of our mansion soon."
"Y-you mean..."
"You get it, right? She's pretty... I'll put her to good use."
"Ah... aaah..."
Ariane crumpled to the ground, eyes dead. Irina burst from the barrier, grabbing my collar.
"You... fucking trash!! Hurt me instead!! Fuck off and die, you piece of shit!!"
"...Touching sisterly love."
I raised a hand to halt the approaching nobles, then spoke coldly.
"But I'm not into wild bitches like you... Not really my type to hold."
"F-fucking bastard...!"
"Still... I admire that guts to curse the Starlight heir right in his face. That much, I like."
I shoved Irina off roughly. She fell hard on her ass. I loomed over her.
"Got a proposal for you."
"...Proposal?"
"Yeah. Special mercy for your spunk—be grateful."
Irina clenched her fists in the dirt, grinding her teeth. I pressed on.
"For this performance eval, be my sparring partner."
"...What?"
"And we'll bet on the outcome."
She scowled at "bet." I dropped the irresistible bait.
"If you win... I'll give you some of my mana."
The nobles buzzed. Star Mana was priceless top-tier stuff, unobtainable for love or money.
"A talentless wretch like you wielding Starlight mana? Might be a miracle. Of course, you'd have to beat me."
She glared, furious.
"And if I lose?"
"Leave this school. Or become my personal slave."
"...Personal slave?"
She frowned. I grinned sleazily.
"Changed my mind—breaking a fake-tough bitch like you slowly might be fun."
"...Kuh."
"Deal? Or no? Decide fast."
She trembled, then shrieked.
"Fine!! Bring it!!"
"...Good. Then swear a Death Oath."
"...What!?"
Irina gaped. I tapped the black brooch pinned to my chest—one I'd grabbed from the box during break.
"Lowly types like you don't grasp promises... So I come prepared."
The brooch activated, black energy binding us.
"...Why the stares? You've all secretly oath-bound your own servants."
I sneered at the gawking nobles, then turned to Irina.
"Last chance: really doing this bet?"
"....Ugh!"
Biting her lip till it bled in rage, she whispered hoarsely.
"I... Irina... don't swear it. I'll handle my sister—"
"...I'll do it. Fucking do it."
"No! Don't, Irina!!"
"Good."
Black energy pierced our hearts.
"...Break it and you die, got it? Idiot."
"........"
"You know. See you at the match."
I slipped from the nobles, paused, and muttered lowly to them.
"...Don't touch her from now on. She's soon-to-be my personal slave for service... Can't have her damaged."
They nodded silently and trailed me out of the rear garden.
"H-hwaaaang... Irina... sorry... all my fault..."
I left Ariane sobbing in Irina's arms, Irina stroking her back while glaring murder at me.
'Gotta stockpile as much mana as possible before the match.'
Looks like things were about to get busy again.
"Kania! Kania!!"
"What is it?"
Kania tilted her head as Perloché rushed up in the quiet hallway.
"I uncovered top-secret intel on Frey...!"
"...Top-secret?"
Perloché whispered gravely in Kania's ear. Kania's face turned serious.
"What is this top-secret intel?"
"Don't freak out... Frey is... actually... actually...!"
"...Actually?"
"A girl!!"
"..........."
The saintess blurted it tensely. Kania stared blankly, then sighed in resignation.
"...I see."
"Y-you knew too, Kania!!"
Kania had witnessed Perloché stubbornly insisting whales were fish despite Clana's five-hour lecture on mammals. Vowing never to get dragged in, she nodded quietly.
"Yes... Frey's actually a girl! Looks like we've got her weakness now!"
Convinced of the "Frey is female" theory, the saintess pumped her fist in triumph, then eyed Kania.
"Um... do you know where the infirmary is?"
"...Why?"
"Well... I heard Isabel suddenly collapsed clutching her stomach. Thought maybe I could help..."
"No need for that."
"...Huh?"
"Cats that wag their tails recklessly... need a good scare to learn."
".....???"
Perloché tilted her head in confusion. Kania added softly.
"...And one cat's enough."
She stroked the puzzled saintess's head, purifying the lingering black energy from her hand.
A perfect crime.