I Became the Savior of the Academy’s Villains

Chapter 184

'It should have been like this from the start. How are you creating them one by one?'

Although the hint fragment collection slot was empty, there was simply no time to individually track down each one.

He had been too busy.

But now, with the improved automatic hint fragment collection, he could create hints automatically.

'There's probably nothing around here, so it's pointless for now, but once I get to the academy, it'll be different.'

He couldn't obtain hints that would directly affect the story, but when he thought about being able to passively collect things like those related to Pia Forest, there was nothing as useful as this.

'I'll have to try it to know for sure, but if my understanding is correct, this will automatically create fragmentary hint documents for me. Then, I just need to use those to search for behind-the-scenes stories and get search rights. With that, even the searches I couldn't perform due to lack of rights will become available.'

With the improvement of a single hint fragment collection app, he could now properly use behind-the-scenes stories and search functions.

'Not bad.'

While Luca was inwardly smiling with satisfaction, Bella spoke up.

"We may be able to arrive quickly with master Ottbo's auto-carriage, but it's always better to prepare in advance! We have to be diligent!"

"I think there are few people who live as diligently as I do, though?"

"Well... I suppose......."

Luca trained every day.

There was no one who could say he wasn't diligent.

Seeing Bella at a loss for words, Luca grinned.

"Well, going to Havok first to enjoy a bit of culture doesn't sound bad."

At Luca's words, Bella's eyes grew wide.

"Really, master?! Bella was honestly so sad to see you devoting your youth to strange things. I'm so happy to see you trying to experience something new that I'm almost in tears!"

"Tsk. Ottbo, has that Monthly Party People or whatever shown what's trending these days?"

At Bella's fuss, Luca clicked his tongue and looked at Ottbo.

Ottbo, holding bread in his mouth, chewed and swallowed it with some difficulty, thumping his chest and drinking water as if choking.

Once he could breathe again, he sighed and said,

"I haven't read Monthly Party People in a while."

"......?"

"I've been busy training and researching drive magic every day, so I didn't have time."

Ottbo, who used to excitedly talk about Monthly Party People and longed to become popular, now had rather emotionless eyes.

"......."

"Master. Have you perhaps come to understand my feelings—at least a little?"

Seeing Luca's complicated expression, Bella beamed.

They say friends grow alike.

Seeing Ottbo, who had become as unruffled as Luca, made her think many things.

"...... Ottbo. Still, why not renew your subscription to Monthly Party People?"

"Is that necessary?"

"Necessa... ry......."

Ottbo asked if reading Monthly Party People was necessary.

Luca was at a loss for words.

"This is it, master. This is so like you."

Bella whispered as if she completely agreed with Luca.

Luca glared lightly at her, then sighed.

"No, if we're talking about necessity, it isn't needed, but still, didn't you used to like it?"

"The old me was weak! And lazy. But you, Luca, you didn't care for worldly things at all—you just diligently pursued your own growth and fought against the darkness threatening the continent! To be with you, I need to do the same. That's why I gave those things up!"

"......."

Looking at the resolute Ottbo, Luca was silent for a moment before turning to Bella.

"What should I do?"

"As someone who already failed at that, I couldn't possibly—"

"You're admitting it yourself...?"

There was no point in asking Bella, who hadn't been able to reform Luca Traverse.

Luca sighed deeply and then looked at Ottbo.

"Um... um......"

Ottbo was even mimicking Luca's odd noises when eating delicious food.

Seeing that only made Luca feel a twinge in his heart.

'Well... it's not a bad thing... I guess...'

Luca might be fine since he was practically an adult at heart, but Ottbo was still an innocent 13-year-old.

There was something sad about Ottbo devoting himself only to training and research.

"Were you eating a meal?"

"?"

Just then, someone entered the dining hall.

Everyone stiffened when they saw who it was.

"Big brother. That look..."

Luca, who regained his composure first, started to speak but fell silent.

It was quite a shocking sight.

"What's wrong?"

Wylde's skin had turned bronze.

Not just his arms, face, and neck—but his entire body.

How could they tell, even though he was dressed?

"That outfit... what on earth...?"

"Ah, I guess I didn't change before coming back. Sorry."

His hair was slightly damp and pushed back haphazardly.

Sunglasses perched on his forehead.

Aloha shirt.

Swim trunks that were almost underwear.

His usually serious demeanor had vanished, replaced by a surprisingly open look at which everyone was appalled.

"... Kkhm!"

Bella bowed her head again.

Luca also felt the muscles in his face twitching.

But Wylde was unfazed.

"Bella. You can just laugh."

"Pwahahahah!"

"Yes. Everyone laughs like that. I think it's not bad, honestly."

Wylde said this as he examined his body.

"I think it's an outfit that emphasizes my proud physique."

"Well, yes... it certainly does emphasize it..."

"Is it a bit much?"

At Wylde's words, Luca gave his swimwear a sidelong glance and replied blandly,

"Yes."

"That's a pity."

Wylde looked disappointed at Luca's frank answer.

"All that aside—what happened to your skin? You're not one to get tanned from the sun."

"It's a potion. It'll go back to normal in a few days. We went to the beach, and Malcolm insisted you have to have bronze skin to attract women, so he bought it."

"Malcolm..."

That friend who liked women.

Luca clicked his tongue.

"So you went off to have fun with him."

"We went with the guys down to the southern region again. Malcolm wanted a rematch, so this time we went to a famous beach instead of the countryside."

"I see... Did it go well this time?"

As Luca sighed, Wylde nonchalantly flashed a V with his fingers.

"It was a good experience. The guys felt awkward about the outfit, but the ladies seemed to like it a lot."

"Is that so......"

He did seem to be enjoying his life.

Wylde tilted his head at Luca, whose face was still stiff.

"By the way, Luca. What have you been up to during the break?"

"Well... Just... saving that guy and continuing training."

"I see."

Satisfied with the answer, Wylde pulled something from his shirt pocket.

"?!"

It was a magazine much too large to have come out of a shirt pocket.

A subspace pouch, in a shirt like that?

Luca was curious about who made it, who he got it from, and how much it cost.

"Malcolm showed me this when planning the last trip. Take a look and next time you guys should go somewhere fun too."

"Uh..."

Surprisingly, it was Monthly Party People.

Luca took it with a sour look, and as Wylde turned to leave, he said,

"Training is good, but spending time with friends is important too. Our academy years are the only time we'll get to play like this."

"Yes......."

"Well then, I'll be off. Good night."

Wylde left just like that.

Luca, staring at the copy of Monthly Party People he'd been handed, looked over at Ottbo—and flinched.

"Even the Return of the Fang spends his time playing like that?!"

Ottbo's eyes were sparkling with excitement.

Luca made a wry face.

"Ottbo...?"

"Luca! Your big brother must have gone on vacation with the Busters during the break, right?"

"Well... judging by what he said about Malcolm, probably so."

Wylde always hung out with the Busters crew.

Since Malcolm was included, it must've been a group trip, not just the two of them.

"Amazing! Even people like that read Monthly Party People! And to go to the places featured in it!"

Watching his awe, Luca quietly held out Monthly Party People.

"Want to read it?"

"Yes!"

Ottbo took it, flipped through a few pages, and became lost in thought.

"Come to think of it, when I was at my family's estate, I saw the Monthly Party People summer vacation special and thought that if I got into the academy, I'd make friends and go on a trip during break. I'd forgotten how busy I was."

"... It's not too late. We're only first years."

They were far too young to talk about already forgetting such things from busyness.

Perhaps realizing that, Ottbo grinned.

"That's right! I think I got too obsessed with catching up to you and ended up neglecting having hobbies. After seeing your big brother's new side, I realized how important it is to spend time with friends!"

"It was certainly... a new side."

So new, in fact, that it was problematic.

Remembering Wylde's look just moments ago, Luca shivered.

With a bright expression, Ottbo said,

"Next break, let's definitely go somewhere together! I'll re-subscribe to Monthly Party People and look up good places!"

"... You'll have to get in line. I already have plans for next break."

"Already?!"

Amused by his surprise, Luca smiled wryly.

"I'm looking forward to it."

He decided he'd spend the next break a bit more leisurely.

* * *

"Letting me ride too—thank you."

"It's an honor!"

The next day.

After finishing their preparations to return to the academy, they boarded Ottbo's auto-carriage.

They could have gone more leisurely, but Ottbo, having spent the night reading Monthly Party People, insisted they'd miss a famous show if they didn't leave right away.

So, they departed a little early.

Of course, Wylde was given a ride as well.

"Then, I'll start us off!"

Shwoong!

"?!"

The moment they set off, they moved at a speed that made the scenery outside blur.

Even Wylde's eyes widened.

Sitting in the front seat, Luca found himself grinning unconsciously.

"That's the stuff."

"What?"

"Eyes on the road."

Thanks to Ottbo's wild driving, a trip that normally would've taken three days was reduced to just eight hours.

They stopped to rest and eat once or twice, so all told, it took about ten hours in total.

"We... really arrived already...?"

Even Wylde was left dumbfounded by Ottbo's driving skills.

"This auto-carriage is a racing model, so it's a bit different from normal ones~."

"We almost got into an accident with another carriage halfway, though."

"What are you talking about, Luca? I'd never get into an accident."

Ottbo declared triumphantly.

In fact, when trying to overtake a carriage ahead, they almost collided with an oncoming one but Ottbo dodged it with near-acrobatic skill.

"Um... well... we're going to see that show now, big brother Wylde... ah, I mean, senior, what will you do?"

"You can call me big brother or elder brother, either is fine. You're Luca's friend."

Wylde said dryly, then shook his head.

"I'll go rest at the dormitory first. I'm... a bit tired."

He didn't like slow carriages, but Ottbo's was a bit much for him.

"Then, see you later."

After sending Wylde off, Luca and company went to watch the show recommended by Ottbo—or, more accurately, featured in Monthly Party People.

"It was a pretty decent show."

"Right! The songs were amazing!"

It was a musical.

In fact, this was the first time Luca had ever actually seen a musical, and he was quite satisfied.

'The Demonz are important, but it's also important to enjoy life in this world.'

Reminded of his purpose, Luca decided he should spend a bit more time on cultural experiences.

After the musical ended and dinner was finished, they headed straight for the academy.

It wouldn't have been bad to stay the night there, but they decided to just go in and rest early.

"See you tomorrow, Luca."

"Yeah."

After seeing Ottbo off, Luca returned to his room.

Bella unpacked, and Luca washed up.

When he came out after showering, Bella was making a strange expression.

"Master, you have a guest."

"A guest?"

At the word 'guest,' Luca looked over at the living room sofa, where—

"Did you have a good break, Luca?"

"Master?"

Kryphi was there.

Luca looked at Kryphi with a questioning expression.

"What brings you here...?"

"Haha, I heard the news. I'm told you spent some time with Ben Dwight during the break."

"Ah......."

It wasn't odd for him to get wind of that.

He had connections everywhere.

'He wouldn't have come just for a casual greeting.'

If that was the case, he could have visited after the term began.

Sipping the tea Bella had prepared, Kryphi said,

"I heard from Ben Dwight himself. He said your swordsmanship has reached quite a level. Ben Dwight himself, mind you."

"Yeah... well......"

Strictly speaking, it wasn't him but Luca Traverse's swordsmanship, but still.

Kryphi smiled cheerfully at Luca's reaction.

"A master should be the first to check a disciple's growth, don't you think? Let's go to the training ground."

"...... Right now?"

Luca wanted to rest.

But Kryphi slightly narrowed his amber eyes and said,

"Yes. Right now."

"... Haaa."

Something about it seemed to stir his pride.