I Became the Savior of the Academy’s Villains

Chapter 147

"Huh? But tomorrow is Wednesday, master?"

Bella, marveling at Whistle's astounding flying abilities after she went to the Thier duchy on Monday evening and returned by Tuesday evening, blinked her eyes in surprise at Luca's words.

Since it was a weekday, her question was only natural.

"What about classes...?"

"..."

Luca paused for a moment at the mention of classes, then spoke nonchalantly.

"I'll skip them."

"S-skip them? What do you mean by that...?"

Stunned by Luca's words, Bella trailed off as if at a loss for words and shook her head vigorously.

"No! I've been entrusted with the role of helping you live an exemplary academy life, master—how could I allow that!"

"... A present."

"?

At the sudden mention of a 'present', Bella made a puzzled face again. Luca spoke in the same calm tone.

"Let me take a trip as a reward for ranking first in the year. To the Thier duchy."

"T-that's just unreasonable, master."

"Please."

Seeing Luca, who was uncharacteristically insistent, Bella felt a headache coming on.

'It's about Pasmo Thier, and master is at that age, so I understand, but this is just...'

From here to the Thier duchy was a three-day trip one-way; round trip was nearly a week.

'Missing a whole week of classes is way too much, no matter the reason!'

Luca would know that, surely. So why was he acting like this?

[Notification: A MAX Favorability mission has occurred]

It was because the moment he finished reading all of Pasmo Thier's letters, such a notification appeared.

'What's a MAX Favorability mission?'

Luca was startled as well.

His phone vibrated instantly after reading the last letter.

Glancing at Bella, he quickly checked his phone and found an application he'd never seen before.

[Favorability]

'What... is this some kind of dating sim?'

The incredulity lasted only a moment. Reading the explanation of the application, Luca felt a strange sensation.

[Favorability]

― After repeated interactions that would never normally have happened, you've begun to interfere with the fates of others within this story.

― The given scenario has twisted, and the narrative now flows around you.

― As the story centers on you, the bond between you and the story's god has strengthened further.

― This application is a product of that intensified bond.

― This application shows your bond with the individuals whose stories you've interfered with.

'The story is starting to revolve around me...'

It wasn't hard to guess what that meant. Events that should have originally happened to the protagonist had instead involved Luca.

He had felt that something was off.

'But then... what happens to the original protagonist?'

Luca's mind became tangled. Still, there was nothing to be solved by pondering further.

He needed to confirm exactly what had changed.

'I should at least check what a MAX Favorability mission is.'

With that thought, Luca looked at the very top of the Favorability app.

Ottbo Gress – Favorability (10/10), friendship, MAX Favorability mission pending.

Pasmo Thier – Favorability (10/10), love, MAX Favorability mission available.

Kryphi Mosto – Favorability (10/10), gratitude.

"..."

Luca twisted his lips. He didn't understand why Ottbo was at the top, but he ignored it and tapped Pasmo Thier.

[Pasmo Thier - MAX Favorability Mission]

― Pasmo Thier, the number one candidate to be the next head of the Thier ducal family, has fully opened her heart to you.

― Not only does she possess outstanding heteromorphic alchemy skills, but she is also loved by the current Thier ducal family head, Munaboa Kelt Thier. There are forces seeking to eliminate her.

― Her death will lead to the division of the Lamata Empire.

― You must prevent this schism in preparation for the future war.

― And to do so, you must go meet her immediately.

* This mission has a time limit.

* If the time limit is exceeded, Pasmo Thier will die.

Luca read and reread the text shown on the application multiple times.

― Pasmo Thier has completely opened her heart to you.

"..."

It was an odd feeling.

The idea that someone had wholly opened their heart to him, and that the sincerity was certified by a god.

'I've never felt this before.'

It really was an unprecedented emotion. Loving or being loved by someone—he had lived a life far removed from such things.

'And yet there's someone who's opened her heart to me.'

Luca slowly closed and opened his eyes. Already, his gaze was filled with determination.

"No matter what happens, I must leave for the Thier duchy right away."

At Luca's words, Bella was silent for a moment before letting out a bitter smile.

"Is it another one of those prophetic dreams?"

"... Yeah."

Luca had already told Bella that he could see glimpses of the future. She more or less understood.

"It sounds like something has happened to Miss Pasmo Thier, then."

"Yes."

"But... Forgive me for being blunt, but by saving her, you could suffer significant damage yourself, master."

Bella was rather cold.

"I'm not just talking about what you'll lose by skipping academy. Interfering in the affairs of a high-ranking noble from another country is a serious international issue. It might even affect your family."

"..."

"Moving solely out of a desire to save her—this Bella cannot support."

It could affect the family. That, too, was something Luca disliked. After some silence, Luca spoke.

"In the future, there will be a war."

"W-war?"

The word "war" made Bella blink. But Luca remained unperturbed.

"Yes. And if we don't protect Pasmo Thier now, the Lamata Empire won't be able to act in that war."

"How could that be...?"

Bella seemed not to understand the logic leap in Luca's words, but soon nodded in acceptance.

"If you say so, master, then I suppose it will happen, whether I understand it or not. And if that really is the future, then it's better to accept some losses and protect her."

"Right."

"In that case, even I, Bella, cannot oppose it. However..."

Bella trailed off, glancing toward the door. Following her gaze, Luca looked over as well. At that moment, Ottbo was entering the room.

"Luca. Milia wants to have lunch somewhere else tomorrow... Hm?"

Ottbo, seeing the two's faces, made a puzzled expression.

"What's going on? Why the mood?"

Watching Ottbo, Bella shrugged.

"And what will you tell your friend?"

"..."

Luca smacked his lips. It didn't feel right to just leave without saying anything.

But if he explained—

"Ottbo. What if I suddenly had to leave tomorrow—what would you do?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Ottbo looked confused, but Luca kept staring at him without answering, making Ottbo scratch his cheek.

"If I could, I'd go with you?"

"... I thought so."

Seeing Ottbo, with whom he shared MAX Favorability, that seemed about right.

Ottbo grinned awkwardly.

"I think I could actually help this time... would that be okay?"

Having taken first place in the Magic Department, Ottbo was now quite confident.

He no longer seemed to question whether he'd be of help.

"If you're with me, you'd be of help. But it would also put some burden on you."

Luca said plainly.

Leaving somewhere suddenly meant missing classes. For

Ottbo, who had his family's reputation to consider, it was a burden.

"It's fine. I don't mind."

"Ho."

But Ottbo was bold.

Luca marveled, and Ottbo scratched his cheek again, looking embarrassed.

"Well... we'll find a way, right? I did win first in the Magic Department this time."

"Heh. That must be a title you like."

"Hehe. I never dreamed I'd be first before."

Ottbo believed it was all thanks to following Luca that he had come this far.

Strictly speaking, it was true.

He had lost his curse because he'd stuck by Luca.

Because of this, Ottbo felt indebted to him.

And he figured he could do anything to repay that debt.

"So where are we going?"

"The Thier duchy."

"The Thier duchy?!"

Ottbo's eyes widened, and he started calculating something on his fingers.

"... Even if we hurry, wouldn't that take a week round-trip?"

"Probably."

"Wow..."

Ottbo let out a sound that mixed awe and anxiety, then clenched his fist.

"A-a week is fine!"

"You don't have to overdo it. Just get the tickets and that's enough."

"T-tickets? How do we go there and back in a week by train...?"

Ottbo looked dubious. Luca tilted his head.

"Then?"

"By airship, obviously."

"... Ho."

At the mention of airship, Luca looked intrigued.

In the original story, there hadn't been much description of vehicles.

Though the main characters had taken them a few times, it wasn't a central plot point.

'I've always wanted to try flying on an airship.'

It was no airplane, but still. He'd seen them during the eve festival, but was curious how it would feel to actually ride one.

"I'll look up tickets right away. We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning!"

"Please."

As soon as Ottbo left, Luca took out his student notebook. Bella tilted her head.

"Who are you going to contact?"

"One of the people with the highest favorability."

"?

Luca promptly called Kryphi.

― Oh my, the first-year Swordsmanship Department champion, Luca. What brings you here?

"Master. Due to sudden circumstances, my friend Ottbo Gress and I will be away from the academy for about a week."

-... Excuse me?

Kryphi, for once, sounded genuinely surprised. Luca replied calmly.

"It's likely related to the Demonz. It's urgent and can't be delayed."

-...

At the word Demonz, Kryphi fell silent. Luca had also told Kryphi that he was being targeted by the devil and that he had heard things from the god.

Furthermore, the former headmaster, Eltima, had once wanted to take Luca to hunt devil idols.

― I understand. I'll inform the headmaster as well. Please go.

"Thank you."

― Would you like my assistance?

Sending Luca off alone, especially if Demonz were involved, made Kryphi uneasy. But Luca remained composed.

"I'll be fine on my own."

-... Understood. I wish you the best.

Finishing his call with Kryphi, Luca let out a sigh.

"Whew. Looks like the academy issue is more or less resolved."

"Oh my, master. I didn't think you'd be so good at minimizing risks."

Watching the admiring Bella, Luca suddenly felt curious.

'What's Bella's favorability toward me?'

If even Kryphi's was at 10, he wondered why Bella's wasn't listed as 10.

Luca checked the Favorability app. Bella's name was at the very bottom.

Bella – Favorability (?/?), her feelings are complex.

"?"

Bella's favorability was unreadable. Luca glanced over at Bella with a dubious look.

"Shall we prepare for the trip?"

Bella, as always, was packing bags with her usual expression.

Luca watched her for a moment, then shook his head.

'Well, I guess she has her reasons.'

He couldn't know her heart, but he trusted she wouldn't betray him.

"Bella, I'll help."

"Oh my, master. No need~."

As the two were packing, suddenly someone appeared in the room.

"Knock knock~ Anyone home~?"

"..."

Luca pursed his lips as he looked at the sudden appearance.

"What is it, Herote?"

The Witch of Blue, Herote, had arrived.