The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

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The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

Chapter 339: Everyone’s Tired

A few days had passed since my duel with Shudo, and now we found ourselves in the principal’s office, just as promised, where Mejina was.

“I see. So, you want me to check if those kids over there are brainwashed, huh?”

“That’s right! Please, Principal! Help Fiera and the others!”

Lime, representing us, explained the situation, and Shudo took a step forward, saying this to Mejina. However, she merely flicked a glance at him before turning her eyes towards us.

“Well, he says that, but did you brainwash Lewis-kun?”

“As you can see. There’s no point discussing it further, which is why we’re here.”

“Haha. You have it tough too.”

“If you think so, then please resolve this quickly.”

Mejina said that with a mixed expression of exasperation and sympathy, but Shudo glared at me with sharp eyes, seemingly displeased.

“Principal!!”

“Ah, right. About the brainwashing. I’ll check, so could you come over here, Fiera?”

“Okay. I understand.”

Then Mejina used appraisal magic to examine Fiera and the others one by one, and as a precaution, she asked Lime to check their conditions in a similar manner.

Eventually, Cefilia, who had come with us, used purifying magic that could dispel light magic curses and brainwashing, and finally, all the checks were complete.

“How was it!!”

As soon as Shudo sensed that Mejina had finished her checks, he crowded around her like an adventurer anxiously awaiting news about a dying comrade, strengthening his voice and asking.

“Well, to put it simply, they weren’t brainwashed at all.”

“Eh… No way…”

“But that’s the fact. If you don’t believe me, why not ask Cefilia? She’s one of your companions, right? Plus, since the Saintess cast purifying magic, it probably seems more credible.”

“Cefilia-san, is what the principal said true?”

“Yes. I also cast purifying magic on Fiera and the others, and there were no traces of brainwashing magic.”

“I’ll mention that when I checked with appraisal magic, the result was the same.”

“No way…”

It seemed that what Mejina and the others said was so shocking that Shudo’s expression changed to one of despair like an adventurer who had lost a companion, slightly staggering back.

“Well, but maybe they’re using some magic that even the artifacts and the principal can’t detect…”

“Are you trying to say that I, who am called the strongest in this country, am incompetent enough not to see through the magic of just a student like Lewis-kun?”

“N-No, that’s not what I meant…”

Mejina seemed displeased with Shudo’s statement that questioned her abilities. She released a bit of her azure magic, creating an intimidating presence. Shudo grimaced as he felt out of breath, and Fiera and the others also showed wary expressions with beads of sweat on their foreheads.

“Principal, let’s drop it there. That guy, as you can see, has an empty head, so he speaks without thinking. It’ll just tire us out if we react to every little thing.”

“Haha. Is this what they call experience speaking? You really sound like you’ve been through a lot.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Though we ended up agreeing on a topic we didn’t want to, Mejina then suppressed her magic, and Shudo, who had been gasping for air, finally regained his breath.

“Anyway, that wraps up our business for today, but is there anything else?”

“I have nothing. I wasn’t the one who had an appointment here anyway.”

“Me neither…”

“Then it’s settled, right?”

Even Shudo seemed at a loss for words against the principal and clenched his palm in frustration, yet it appeared he couldn’t accept the facts.

“By the way, since it’s a rare opportunity, I’d like to ask you something too. Shudo-kun, while you doubted Lewis-kun’s brainwashing, I actually think you might be the one brainwashing the other students and teachers.”

“Eh? What do you mean by that?”

Shudo’s expression changed to one of surprise, which mirrored my own. I wasn’t expecting her to bring up his potential brainwashing like this.

“I’m not saying it’s definite or anything. But ever since you awakened as a hero, the atmosphere of the academy changed, and I started to think you might be doing something.”

Of course, half of what she said was a lie.

To put it correctly, Mejina’s earlier assertion that it wasn’t definite was a lie; within her mind, it was already a confirmed fact that Shudo was brainwashing the teachers and students.

In other words, she really wanted to know how Shudo felt about the current situation at the academy and whether he was aware of his brainwashing.

“I’m not doing anything like that!!”

“But, in reality, the teachers who interacted with you suddenly started criticizing Lewis-kun, didn’t they? Moreover, most of the other students are also critical of him, and you are always at the center of it. Additionally, the rumor about Fiera and the others being brainwashed traces back to something you let slip. Doesn’t that sound too convenient for you?”

“But! I really don’t know, and I wouldn’t do that kind of thing to my friends!! Let alone to the teachers! Brainwashing is one of the things I detest!”

Shudo raised his voice, clearly frustrated, but it came across that he believed he wasn’t the kind of person who would brainwash others.

“I see. I understand the situation well. Sorry for asking odd questions. However, this misunderstanding arises from your careless remarks, so be cautious with what you say moving forward. You are no longer just a student, but the one and only hero in this world.”

“I got it.”

“Then, our conversation ends here, so you can head back now. And since I would be troubled if similar issues arose again, I’d like to impose a mutual contact ban for a while.”

“Yes.”

“Gladly.”

“Haha. Lastly, I have a little something to discuss with Lewis-kun and Cefilia-san, so could the others please stay behind? And Lime-sensei as well.”

“Understood.”

“Yes. Well then, excuse us.”

After Shudo said that and bowed his head, glaring at me one last time, he was the first to leave the principal’s office, leaving just us behind. Mejina let out a deep sigh and sank into her chair.

“Haah. I’m tired.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Seriously. That kid is quite the nuisance. Aren’t you worn out dealing with that every time?”

“It is tiring, but honestly, it’s getting boring with the same scenario every time. Plus, if I clear my mind, I don’t feel anything.”

“Is that reaching a state of nothingness? Or perhaps enlightenment? Anyway, I don’t want to be involved anymore.”

“Honestly, I wouldn’t want to be involved if I weren’t the homeroom teacher. Just meeting him in class is enough to wear me out.”

I had some resilience against Shudo due to past experiences, but for Mejina and Lime, who lacked such experiences, it seemed to be quite mentally exhausting. Both were now whining and letting slip words that educators typically shouldn’t say.

“Especially troublesome is the matter of his brainwashing. If it were intentional on his part, we could respond accordingly, but judging by his reaction earlier, it’s clear he’s utterly unaware of it. He looks like he genuinely believes he isn’t doing anything wrong. Is that perception correct? Cefilia-san?”

“Yes. Due to a certain reason, I’m immune to his brainwashing. However, people with lower magic levels, less dense magic, or those who aren’t skilled at manipulating magic cannot resist his power and fall victim to his brainwashing. Additionally, as you mentioned, he is completely unaware that he is brainwashing others, and views everyone around him as companions or friends, believing they are cooperating out of goodwill.”

“That’s disturbing.”

Upon hearing Cefilia’s explanation, Mejina appeared to cling to her head as if she had a headache, while Lime, having witnessed Shudo’s actions as a homeroom teacher, looked like she understood everything and finally, Fiera bluntly expressed her disgust.

“For now, I’ve told him to stay away from Lewis-kun for a while, so things should calm down for the time being. In the meantime, I’ll think about what we can do on our side.”

“I understand. However, may I ask if there’s a way for you to dispel the brainwashing?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t do anything about someone who has been deeply brainwashed. Furthermore, even if I were to dispel it, they would just get brainwashed again, making it meaningless.”

“I see. Got it.”

It seemed from Mejina’s tone that she had already tried using someone to see if Shudo’s brainwashing could be undone, but those who had been under such influence for a long time or to a deep extent couldn’t be helped even by her. Even those who had just become affected would only return to the same state no matter if it was undone.

“Is that true for you as well?”

“Well, sort of. But honestly, I don’t care who gets brainwashed, so I’m not inclined to help.”

“Haha. You really are unshakeable. Though I find that side of you rather endearing.”

“Mmm. El, what do you mean by that?”

“Did you even manage to charm the principal, Lewis-sama?”

“Wow~. Lewis-kun, going after the principal is pretty wild. I wonder if I’ll end up like that someday.”

“Iris, please stop saying such things about me. And Lime-sensei, I only view you as a target to tease and bully, so no matter how you pursue me, my heart won’t waver.”

“Isn’t that kind of harsh? Plus, it feels like I got rejected before even confessing.”

Thanks to Mejina’s remark, the atmosphere among Fiera and the others altered for a split second, but Lime’s playful demeanor lightened the mood, allowing us to avoid deeper trouble.

“For now, our discussion is over, so you all can head back. If something else comes up, I’ll either visit or call you, so you can go on as usual.”

“I understand. Thank you for everything this time.”

“Don’t mention it. Well then, see you later, Lewis-kun.”

We waved goodbye to Mejina’s smiling face as we exited the principal’s office and headed back to our classroom.