How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 85

Left alone in the hospital room, Lady Cecilia sat down heavily without saying a word.

“……”

She thought about Kamon Vade, who had been led away by Vice President Obern and Rosen Ravenia.

‘We have to see this through to the end.’

With his smile directed at her and his determination, Lady Cecilia couldn’t bring herself to respond.

Because…

‘Why?’

The question lingering in her mind went unanswered. The same question kept repeating.
Why? Why? It’s okay to give up. We’ve already lost. So why?

It was a battle she had already given up on herself.

Yet Kamon shook his head and insisted on seeing it through to the end.

Though he had promised before to make sure she became the student council president…

“Why go that far?”

Even in the worst circumstances, his unwavering determination left Lady Cecilia in a deep confusion and mystery.

She reflected on everything from their first meeting to the present.

Then suddenly…

“No way…”

A thought, like a fleeting lightning bolt, flashed through her mind.

“That’s absurd.”

Quickly shaking her head, she muttered, her face turning slightly red.

“No, that can’t be it.”

Talking to herself in the empty hospital room, Lady Cecilia bowed her head.

“But there’s no other explanation for all his actions…”

Her ears and the nape of her neck had already turned bright red.

After sitting like that for a while, Lady Cecilia finally raised her head, covering her face with her hands.

“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t know!”

She wiggled her feet restlessly, a mixture of excitement and nervousness showing in her actions.

“Hoo.”

Finally taking a deep breath, she nodded and accepted the possibility that had come to her mind.

“It seems Kamon likes me…”

Given her knowledge and common sense, there was only one conclusion that made sense of his actions and words.

“He likes meee!”

Thump! Thump! Thump!

With that conclusion, Lady Cecilia began to dance wildly in the empty hospital room.

* * *

Creak.

Since I was still too weak to walk on my own, I was moving in a wheelchair.

I was worried about having to be assisted, but fortunately, the conveniences of the original world’s setting came through.

“How are you feeling?”

“Not too bad.”

As Vice President Obern pushed the wheelchair and checked on me, I nodded lightly in response.

As we headed towards where Princess Francia was staying, I noticed the security had been significantly tightened.

Of course, it was only natural, considering the imperial princess had been attacked not once, but twice, and both incidents happened within the academy.

Even the academy’s dean and several officials must be under extreme pressure.

‘They might actually be replaced this time.’

In the original story, the dean was replaced when Kyle was in his second year anyway.

“This way.”

Following Vice President Obern’s guidance, the guards moved slightly to make way for us.

Step, step, creak.

As we moved deeper inside without saying a word, Vice President Obern spoke to me.

“Kamon Vade.”

“Hmm?”

“I wanted to say this now, as I might not get another chance.”

With that, Vice President Obern stopped pushing the wheelchair, came around to the front, and bowed respectfully.

“Thank you for protecting the princess.”

“……?”

I felt a bit flustered by his sudden action.

And it seemed I wasn’t the only one.

“Senior, what are you doing?”

Rosen Ravenia’s sharp tone echoed, but Vice President Obern remained bowed and spoke firmly.

“He’s the one who saved the princess. It’s only right to thank him.”

“But still…”

“I’m not forcing you to do the same. But don’t object either.”

Cutting off Rosen Ravenia’s protest, Vice President Obern turned back to me.

“Once again, thank you, Kamon.”

“Uh, sure…”

In the end, I could only awkwardly nod and accept his thanks.

I didn’t do it for gratitude, but…

Just then.

“Well, thanks to this kid, we won the election, so it’s not a bad idea to express our gratitude.”

With a mocking voice, Rosen Ravenia let out a chuckle.

“I appreciate it too, Kamon. Thanks to you, we gained a lot.”

“……”

Hearing Rosen Ravenia’s sarcastic gratitude only made me more alert.

‘Get it together, Kang Hyunsoo.’

She wasn’t wrong. My rescue of Princess Francia had turned public sympathy into votes, and it had drastically swayed the student council election.

‘I need to find a way to turn things around.’

Resolving to do so, we finally arrived at the treatment room where Princess Francia was staying.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

At the familiar voice from inside, the door opened.

Entering, I saw Princess Francia looking a bit pale but gazing at me from her white bed.

“You really woke up, Kamon Vade.”

“……”

Not exactly what someone who summoned me immediately upon hearing I was conscious should say.

“How are you? Is your body alright?”

“As you can see, apart from some difficulty moving, there’s no major problem.”

“Oh, I see.”

With a faint smile, Princess Francia nodded and then addressed the people around her.

“I need to talk with Kamon alone. Could you all please leave?”

At that moment, a female knight who seemed to be her attendant spoke up urgently.

“Your Highness!”

“Kamon is the benefactor who saved me from the attack, Jasmine.”

“Of course, I understand that. But still…”

“I want to speak with Kamon alone.”

With Princess Francia’s repeated persuasion, the knight named Jasmine shot a sharp look at me but eventually bowed her head.

“As you command.”

Step, step.

With that, Jasmine and the other people left the treatment room.

Soon, only the two of us remained, and an awkward silence filled the air.

‘Damn, where do I start?’

If I suggested calling it a draw now, she would surely laugh and refuse. But if I hadn’t saved her, she’d be in the afterlife by now, not worrying about the student council presidency.

“You seem to be in good spirits for someone who went through such an ordeal.”

Princess Francia broke the silence first, prompting me to nod quickly.

“Yes, Your Highness. Thanks to you, I have no major issues.”

“Is that so.”

Should I just bring it up now? Should we call it a draw…

“So, this bet means I won, right?”

“What?”

“Voting will start soon, and with further election activities prohibited, it means I win, doesn’t it?”

Seeing her talk with a faint smile left me momentarily speechless.

She’s taking the lead like this?

“Your Highness, if we look at it purely from the results, that’s correct, but the competition isn’t officially over…”

“What’s this? Why is the great Kamon Vade stumbling over his words?”

“……”

Damn it!

Did she call me here just to mock me? To vent all the frustration and grievances she’s endured?

I can understand that. One-sided gloating might be seen as a winner’s right.

But it’s not over yet.

“You’re not hoping I’ll concede the bet because I saved your life, are you?”

“That’s…”

Her sarcastic smile made me realize there was no room left for negotiation.

‘Is it really over? Am I just going to die like this, so pathetically?’

Sparkle.

Suddenly, I noticed the ring on her finger.

‘Damn it.’

Should I just snatch it?

It’s better to die trying than to die without doing anything. She’s just a girl; I can take the ring from her!

As those extreme thoughts crossed my mind, Princess Francia spoke again.

“So, do you know why I called you here immediately after you woke up?”

“Is it to mock me like you’re doing now?”

“Oh, spot on. You’ve gotten quite smart.”

With a chuckle, Princess Francia then looked at me seriously.

She slid the ring off her finger and held it up.

“This, right?”

“What?”

“This little favor you wanted from me, wasn’t it this ring?”

“……!”

Her sudden action left me stunned, unable to say a word.

“Don’t ask how I knew. Really, why did you make a bet when you couldn’t even hide your true intentions?”

Was it that obvious?

Well, since things have come to this, there’s no need to hide anymore. I might as well ask confidently.

Student council election bet? I feel sorry for Lady Cecilia, but honestly, that wasn’t what mattered to me.

‘If I can just get that ring…’

Then everything would be solved.

Getting expelled from the academy?

‘I’m about to die; who cares about the future?’

“Yes, I want that ring.”

“Honesty is good. Here, take it.”

Ting!

“Huh?”

Princess Francia tossed the ring toward me, and I instinctively reached out to catch it.

What? She’s giving it to me this easily?

“Oh, don’t misunderstand. It’s not because you saved my life.”

“What?”

Princess Francia waved her hand and continued nonchalantly.

“I plan to withdraw from the student council election.”

“What?”

Her sudden and absurd statement made me quickly ask for clarification.

“Why? All of a sudden?”

Princess Francia twisted her lips as if to say something, then changed her demeanor.

“Of course… Actually, I don’t see why I need to explain it to you.”

“Oh…”

Her abrupt change in attitude and the smirk on her face left me dumbfounded.

And then she added.

“I’ve said all I needed to say, so you can leave now.”

“……”

“What? Why are you just standing there? Oh, do you not want the ring? Then give it back.”

“No, that’s not it.”

I quickly shook my head, bowed politely to her, and left the room.

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