I Became the Savior of the Academy’s Villains

Chapter 137

'Did she become more proficient in handling the Dimension Core?'

Judging from Milia's reaction, it seemed she was aware that Archiond was coming and brought up his story.

"What were you talking about?"

"......"

Luca glanced over at Milia.

She sipped her water, pretending not to notice.

If things stayed like this, the atmosphere would only get weirder, so Luca clicked his tongue inwardly and spoke.

"We were talking about you."

"About me? What about me?"

Archiond leaned in, looking intrigued.

Luca replied indifferently.

"It's not strange to wonder what the representative of the first-years will do, especially with the new semester starting tomorrow."

"Haha! It's all thanks to you, or should I say, because of you?"

"......?"

Milia, who had been listening, gave a puzzled look.

Ignoring her, Luca continued nonchalantly.

"Whatever. Just don't bother me."

"I was actually going to ask if you wanted to be the student vice-representative."

"Absolutely not."

At Luca's immediate answer, Archiond burst out laughing.

"Haha! I figured as much."

"Then don't ask."

"So, what did you do during break? More training?"

"I went on an adventure."

"An adventure? Did something happen?!"

At the word 'adventure', Archiond's face lit up in excitement as he leaned in.

Luca pushed his face away and replied.

"Rather than that, you didn't come here alone, did you? Aren't those friends of yours waiting for you?"

"Haha! I should at least give you some time to gossip about me."

"Gossip?"

Luca raised an eyebrow, and Archiond looked sheepish.

"Apparently, my sudden participation in the class representative selection didn't sit well with them. Getting almost all the votes seems to have bruised their pride a bit as well."

"Huh. If they don't like it, they should try recruiting a professor themselves."

"They know I didn't ask Professor Latik for help. They probably think there was some kind of deal involved."

Archiond's expression turned slightly bitter as he spoke.

"I may have the status of the Robette family behind me, so they won't say anything openly, but it'll take quite some time to win them over."

"I see. Not that it concerns me."

"Haha, you're so coldhearted, you know."

Archiond seemed to cheer up a little and with a lively laugh, leaned back.

"It's about time for me to head back. Tell me about your adventure next time."

"If I get the chance."

"Ha! Oh, right! Brace said he's going to take first place in the Swordsmanship Department this time. Have you been studying?"

At the mention of Brace, Luca pursed his lips.

"Weren't you assigned to the same group during practicals? Do you really think I'd lose to someone who couldn't even beat me in practice?"

"Haha! I guess you wouldn't? Well then, I look forward to it!"

Pleased with Luca's reaction, Archiond grinned brightly and went off to where his friends were.

As soon as he left, Milia stifled a giggle.

"I knew you were close, but I didn't realize you two were actual friends."

"To your eyes, do we really look close?"

Luca replied sullenly.

Milia gave a soft chuckle.

"It might be nice if you were a little more openly friendly, but it's not bad. I don't think I have to worry about your side. All I need is to prepare a little more myself."

"Um..."

"?"

At that moment, Ottbo quietly cut in.

Looking a bit puzzled, Milia tilted her head as Ottbo spoke nervously.

"Is there... anything I could do?"

"You?"

Milia paused, contemplated, and then beamed.

"Is that necessary?"

"......"

Ottbo's face immediately darkened.

Luca could only click his tongue silently—there wasn't even an empty compliment he could give about Ottbo's social skills.

"Oh, things might change if you take first place in the Magic Department this time around."

"First place?!"

Ottbo's eyes grew huge at the mention of first place.

Milia giggled.

"Wouldn't people see you differently if you, who's always been ignored, managed to rank first in the coming exam? Especially considering that most think you just got lucky being in the same group as Luca and ranked first in practice—but lack any real ability. Don't you think it's time to show them something?"

"......"

As Ottbo fell silent, Milia shifted her gaze, unsurprised.

'Even if he's able to use magic now, so what. Unless he's good enough to take first place, it's meaningless.'

Her target for negotiations was the "first among many firsts".

A true genius who, with immense talent, created his own merchant group and proved his ability, then received the Partigel Merchant Group from Obrola Partigel: Robentus Partigel.

Only someone of such talent was worth using as a bargaining chip.

"That does sound interesting."

"?"

At that, Luca suddenly spoke up.

Everyone's attention turned to him.

"It's true. Being just the best driver is a bit lacking for a co-leader in our organization. You'd better at least be a top graduate from the Magic Department if you want to have some status."

"Our organization?"

Milia's eyes widened at the mention of "organization", but Luca ignored her and looked at Ottbo.

"With no restrictions on you, I'm sure you can take first place."

"B-but..."

Ottbo looked worried.

Luca spoke with his usual nonchalance.

"You can do it. I know you can."

"... Yeah!"

Ottbo regained his confidence at Luca's words.

Milia clicked her tongue as she watched.

"What is this, a cult? And what's with the 'organization'?"

"Ottbo and I decided not to join your side and instead form our own group. I guess neither of us likes being under someone."

"Heh."

Milia didn't show it, but she felt a twinge of regret.

'I knew they wouldn't willingly line up behind me, but hearing it stated so firmly is disappointing.'

Even though he had saved her knowing he'd be the enemy of the Third Prince, he had no intention of betraying her now.

Still, it was a shame not to have him in the faction she would form someday.

'Well, he's too good to keep under me anyway.'

Milia forced herself to compromise and asked Luca:

"So, what's your organization called?"

At that, Luca and Ottbo fell silent.

They exchanged awkward glances.

Milia probed, sensing something.

"Don't tell me you haven't even chosen a name yet?"

"... We're taking suggestions."

"Unbelievable."

Milia looked at him in disbelief.

Ottbo then spoke cautiously.

"I actually came up with an idea..."

"What is it?"

"Will you be mad if I say it?"

Ottbo asked an odd question.

Luca raised an eyebrow.

"Is it a weird name? Just say it."

"... Starry."

At Ottbo's answer, Milia snickered.

"Hehe! It suits you guys."

"... Tsk."

Luca clicked his tongue as he realized the meaning.

Sensing Luca's reaction, Ottbo hastily tried to explain.

"No! I'm not insisting on it... It's just..."

"Are you teasing me?"

"N-no... It's just that this is what you're most famous for..."

In social circles, Luca's nickname was 'Little Star'.

― Your eyes seem to shine like little stars."

This nickname stuck after Lverta Hernan, Milia's half-sister and the 5th princess, told this to Luca at her birthday party.

Although Luca Traverse himself disliked it, this nickname—and the story of how he had refused to escort Lverta Hernan—was quite well known.

Milia snickered again as she watched the surly Luca and the flustered Ottbo.

"Why not use it? I think it's perfect."

"Isn't there anything else?"

"How about giving your own opinion first?"

Milia's suggestion made Luca think for a moment before he spoke, almost dismissively.

"The Lu-O Union."

"...?"

"Is that your group's name?"

Milia looked at him, puzzled.

Luca pouted.

"Is there a problem?"

"Luca. Sometimes I wonder, do you love Ottbo or something?"

Realizing how he'd come up with the name, Milia pressed further, making Luca narrow his eyes.

"What's wrong with a name that combines both founders?"

"Well... If you put it that way, I guess there's nothing wrong..."

Milia said that, sneaking a glance at Ottbo.

Luca followed her gaze to Ottbo.

"......"

Ottbo looked bashful.

Milia shrugged her shoulders.

"It's a little much, isn't it?"

"... Tsk."

Luca immediately grimaced.

He turned away.

"Let's go with 'Starry'."

"R-really?"

Ottbo looked delighted to have his idea accepted.

Luca spoke with a detached expression.

"Well, now that we're done talking, let's go train."

"T-train?"

"You have to practice if you want to be number one, right?"

At Luca's suggestion, Ottbo made a sour face.

"We don't have any combat classes, though..."

"It'll still help."

"... Fine."

Ottbo nodded in resignation, making Luca chuckle.

Then he turned to Milia.

"You coming too?"

"Me?"

"Aren't you curious about Ottbo's skills?"

Milia looked Ottbo up and down, then snorted.

"No. I prefer results over process."

"Is that so? Well, then, show us what you've got, Ottbo."

At Luca's words, Ottbo swallowed and nodded.

"Alright. I'll do it!"

* * *

"Ugh... See you tomorrow..."

"Yeah."

Nearly crawling to his own room, Ottbo seemed half-dead.

Watching him, Luca chuckled and entered his own room.

"Master! Dinner is ready!"

"Alright."

Bella had already set the table.

It was a meal for almost two people—it seemed that, perhaps as a sign of his adolescence, Luca had a tremendous appetite.

Bella watched him eat with a content smile, then asked as if remembering something.

"By the way, master, that spy keeps contacting us. What should we do?"

"Spy?"

Luca frowned, and Bella took out the communications tool.

"The one from the mining city Bizen—the person who tried to kidnap you."

"Oh, right. I almost forgot about that."

Finally remembering, Luca nodded and spoke indifferently.

"What messages are coming?"

"Info about the slave merchants' movements, new lists of slave hunters, and requests for help with freeing slaves. Things like that."

"Well. Seems like they're working harder than expected."

Luca mused with a bit of admiration, then thought for a while before saying,

"Send them one of the opal cash cards I won gambling."

"That much?"

Bella was surprised.

It was not a sum one would give so lightly.

"They're working hard to get rid of slavery. This much support is the least I can do."

"If that's your wish, master... Oh! By the way, this person also asks if you can tell them your organization's name. What should I tell them?"

"The name?"

Luca pursed his lips and said,

"Starry."

This name would soon become a legend in the South.

* * *

"Yaaaaawn..."

The next morning, Ottbo arrived in front of Luca's room, yawning.

He knocked.

Knock knock knock! Creak!

"Oh! Young master Ottbo."

"?"

It was Bella, not Luca, who answered the door.

Ottbo was puzzled.

"Is Luca still washing up?"

"No, he already left."

"Huh? He left first?"

Flustered, Ottbo hurriedly contacted Luca through the student notebook.

Ottbo: Luca

Ottbo: Where are you?

Luca: Near the dorm café

Ottbo: Café?

Ottbo: Why there?

Luca: Having a cup of coffee

Ottbo: ???

Luca usually doesn't drink coffee or similar drinks.

Ottbo couldn't understand why he was at the café.

Luca: Hurry up and come down.

Luca: I've finished my drink.

After Luca's message arrived, Ottbo scratched his cheek, said goodbye to Bella, and left the dorms.

Sure enough, Luca was waiting outside.

"Luca, why are you drinking coffee of all things?"

"Just because."

Luca replied indifferently and looked toward the main auditorium.

"Isn't the opening ceremony today?"

"Yeah! That's why first period is canceled this morning."

Because all of the Demonz' informants had been removed and a new faculty had been recruited over the break, some announcements needed to be made.

"Tsk, what a pain."

"They also have to inform everyone that the headmaster has changed."

This opening ceremony was Herote's first official event as headmaster.

Luca spoke with disinterest.

"I don't care."

"Right?"

The two talked about trivial things as they walked to the main auditorium.

Upon arrival, Luca looked around as if searching for someone.

Ottbo, noticing this, asked,

"Looking for someone? Your brother?"

"Of course not."

Luca replied curtly and glanced around further until he spotted Herote moving toward the podium.

For this first opening ceremony, she was actually in formal wear.

Clearly uncomfortable, Herote scowled slightly and said,

"I suppose most of you know who I am already. I was the Magic Department's dean and now I'm the headmaster of Hernan Academy. Nice to meet you."

"......"

There was silence.

Her way of speaking was nothing like Eltima's, who always respected the students—everyone was taken aback.

Herote, irritated by this, frowned deeper.

"Applause?"

Clap clap clap clap!

Hearty applause erupted.

Everyone clapped mechanically, their thoughts running wild.

'... We're screwed.'

It was a moment of deep concern for the future of Hernan Academy.