I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 33 - Beginning (1)

Time had flown by in a blur.

I thought about staying a bit longer since it had been a while, but unfortunately, the academy’s schedule was tight.

Plus, the main event was coming up soon.

I clicked my tongue in regret.

The members were in tears when I said I was leaving again.

"Captainnnn…!"

"How can you leave us to wait yet again?!"

"We wish to serve you just a little longer, even just for one more night… please stay!"

Why are they always like this?

It wasn’t the first or second time I had experienced this, but their reactions were still overwhelming.

I forced myself to walk away, pretending to be indifferent.

At the door, two people were waiting for me.

A girl with long silver hair and a middle-aged man with striking red hair.

I greeted them in turn.

“I’ll be stepping out for a while.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Haha! Take it easy and have a safe trip.”

At least with these two here, I felt reassured.

Even though all the members were strong, they were unpredictable, and that made me anxious.

“I’m leaving Astro in your hands.”

“Before you return, I’ll have gathered all the information you requested.”

“I’ll take good care of your fox guests!”

“Good.”

With their reliable responses, I was able to leave the basement with peace of mind.

“Well then, let’s be off.”

And so, I returned to the academy.

***

“Don’t you think we spent the weekend pretty well?”

“Do you?”

“It was a bit tiring, but… it was nice seeing everyone after a while.”

“The kids did seem to be doing well.”

“Hehe.”

We were walking down the hallway, as usual, heading to class.

The snake, the fox, and the pilot walked side by side, cutting across the corridor.

I asked lightly.

“How was your weekend, Miss Regia?”

“M-My weekend?”

“Yes, I was just curious how you spent it.”

“Ah… I, um, I just wandered around the academy. It’s so big, and there are still so many places I haven’t explored yet…”

“That’s interesting.”

As expected of the protagonist.

She had a lot of interest in her surroundings.

It felt like the original story.

Traveling across vast fields, meeting people, and forming bonds.

Personally, I liked the unique calmness of it.

‘Glad to see she’s enjoying herself.’

I smiled faintly.

Even in a setting where she was treated as nothing but an outsider, her ability to bloom on her own like a solitary flower was beautiful.

My once-hardened heart began to soften.

For a while, I savored that tenderness as I walked in a pleasant mood.

“Student Judas.”

Suddenly, a voice called out.

When I turned around in response, I saw an old man with a thick beard.

He exuded an air of antiquity.

“Could we talk for a moment?”

It was one of the academy’s professors.

He was a veteran and one of the more esteemed instructors at Gallimard, responsible for teaching [The Extremes of Magical Manifestation].

He was also highly respected by many students.

“It won’t take long.”

“Professor Raphael.”

“I didn’t expect you to know an old man’s name like mine.”

“You’re known as the most knowledgeable sage, sir. Your reputation precedes you.”

“Hehe… you’re a sharp one, aren’t you? I like that.”

The old man chuckled approvingly.

Though he was known for being warm to his students, this particular kindness felt rather overt.

I had a pretty good idea of what this was about.

I quietly listened to what the professor had to say.

“There’s something I’d like to propose to you.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Have you thought about delving deeper into magic?”

“…”

So, it’s come to this.

It was a familiar opening line, leading the conversation exactly as I had expected.

I sighed inwardly.

‘How many times today?’

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The same thing had been happening over the past several days.

After the shocking duel, which had left quite an impression, the faculty had begun approaching me as if they had all made some kind of pact.

All with the same goal in mind.

“We’re short on people in the research lab these days. I’m thinking of taking on a promising student as my apprentice…”

The professors were eyeing me.

Perhaps it was because of the series of jaw-dropping performances I had put on, but they were now flooding me with offers to be scouted.

Today alone, this was the seventh proposal I had received.

It was like a competition, with each one rushing in fiercely.

They offered me roles as apprentices, assistants, even head assistants… some had even promised to make me their successor.

The professors were engaged in a fierce battle of wits.

And every time, I had to force an awkward smile.

“…So, what do you think?”

“That’s quite an honor, sir.”

This time was no different.

With a polite tone, I slowly curled my lips into a smile.

“However…”

“However?”

“It’s such a sudden proposal that it’s given me a lot to think about.”

“I understand. You’ve probably received similar offers.”

“It may sound a bit rude, but… would you mind if I took some time to think it over?”

“Of course.”

The old man nodded readily.

“You’re cautious, I see.”

“My apologies.”

“No, no, it only makes me like you more. A sign of a great mage, I’d say.”

“Thank you. I’ll let you know when I’ve made a decision.”

“I look forward to it. See you next time.”

The professor clicked his tongue in regret, then turned and walked away.

As I watched him leave, Irene, who had been observing quietly, spoke up.

“That’s strange.”

“Pardon?”

“You. You have no intention of studying under anyone, do you?”

“Well, no.”

“Then why don’t you just reject them?”

The fox narrowed her eyes.

She tilted her head, clearly not understanding.

“If it’s really that annoying, why not just tell them no right away? Why do you always leave it vague?”

Was that what she was curious about?

Well, I suppose from her perspective, it must look like I’m just playing games when I have no intention of accepting.

I replied softly.

“It’s because I feel bad.”

“…What?”

“These professors have all been very kind to me. I feel bad outright rejecting them.”

“That’s… surprisingly considerate for someone like you.”

“You wound me.”

Not that she was completely wrong.

My appearance did give off an unsettling vibe.

What a shame that a warm heart is so easily misunderstood because of looks. I couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile.

I added quietly.

“Besides, by leaving things open-ended like this, I can use it later if I need to.”

“…?”

“I’ll probably be able to ask for a favor or two later, using this as leverage.”

People get more anxious when they hear ‘maybe’ instead of ‘no.’

Right now, the entire Gallimard faculty was desperate to win me over, so I could use this situation to my advantage.

The longer I delayed making a choice, the more anxious they would get.

And in turn, they would try to win me over with more… special gestures.

“I feel bad for the professors, but… to put it simply, I’m playing with them a bit.”

It would make things easier for me—whether in grades, convenience, or daily life.

They saw me as a ‘raw gem’ worth enough to justify it.

Of course, if I pushed it too far, there could be consequences.

“But I’m confident I can handle it.”

“….”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“….”

“Miss Irene?”

“….”

A perfect plan.

I was smiling brightly, feeling good about it, but I could sense an odd gaze on me.

I turned to find her dark eyes staring at me, full of exasperation.

As if she were saying, ‘Of course, you would say something like that.’

It was a very disrespectful look.

I asked awkwardly.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“…”

“That’s just how the world works. I’m not doing anything unusual.”

“…”

Well.

She could at least say something.

But instead of her usual sharp retort, she stayed silent.

It was a strangely infuriating reaction.

Crunch!

Feeling annoyed, I grabbed her swaying tail.

The fox's shoulders flinched, and the silence was broken.

“Hyah?!”

“This is punishment.”

“W-Wait, hyuk…! I-I didn’t say anything… ahh…!”

“Your disrespectful look is the problem.”

“Heeiiik?! P-Please stop…! It feels really weird!!”

“Accept your punishment.”

The playful bickering continued.

The fox’s shrieks echoed between us for quite some time.

***

The constant flood of professors ambushing me.

It had started to slow down after a few days.

It wasn’t that they had given up.

–I’ll give it serious thought.

After repeating this phrase so many times, most of the professors had come to expect a ‘delayed’ answer.

Though the past few days had been chaotic.

Still, it was nice to have things settle down.

After the duel, it was the first peace I had enjoyed in a while.

Thanks to that, a quiet routine.

The snake was relaxing under the warm summer sun…

“Hello.”

Or so I thought, until a girl suddenly greeted me.

“Long time no see.”

While I had been strolling alone.

Someone approached me.

Platinum hair shimmering in the gentle breeze, and eyes the color of the sea.

Her subtle presence lingered like a whisper.

“Your Highness…?”

It was none other than Charlotte.

After the persistent professors had finally backed off, now it was the princess who had appeared.

‘This isn’t bad, though.’

A character I had adored in the game.

Not just any character, but one of the pillars of the story—Charlotte herself had come to speak with me.

I couldn’t help but feel pleased.

Smiling brightly, I said.

“It’s an honor to meet the First Star of the Empire.”

“Yeah. It’s good to see you.”

“To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I just wanted to see you.”

“You came to see… me?”

“Yeah.”

The girl nodded calmly.

Her eyes were fixed on me with clear intent.

She stared for a while, then suddenly leaned in close.

Before I could react.

Charlotte’s nose brushed against my chest.

“….”

“Your Highness?”

Startled by the unexpected move, I called out to her, but she just sniffed, as if taking in my scent.

Like she was smelling something.

"Sniff sniff."

What kind of 4D move was this?

While I stood there puzzled, she finally pulled away after what felt like enough time.

A faint smile lingered on her lips.

She looked pure and serene.

“A cool refreshing scent.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nice. You smell like winter.”

“A winter scent, you say…?”

“It’s a compliment.”

“I see.”

She was an enigma.

Last time, she had complimented me on my clear smile, and now it was my scent.

Was this her way of showing kindness?

“I don’t quite understand, but… thank you.”

“Yeah.”

Charlotte blinked.

Before I knew it, her hand was gently patting my head.

A soft, tender gesture.

‘She treats me like a baby.’

Even though she knew my strength, she still reacted with such innocence.

I decided to let it slide for now.

Her small figure, standing on tiptoe to reach me, was quite cute.

As she continued to stroke my head, she suddenly spoke.

“You’re different than I expected.”

“What do you mean?”

“That duel from a few days ago.”

“You’re referring to Lady Vanity?”

“Yeah.”

Come to think of it, this was our first conversation since then.

Charlotte tilted her head slightly.

“I was surprised. I thought you’d kill her.”

“Pardon? You thought I’d kill Lady Vanity…?”

“Didn’t you?”

“Of course not.”

“But she insulted you. She slandered your name.”

“That’s hardly a crime worthy of death.”

What exactly did people think of me?

Why did they always assume I’d kill someone?

They didn’t even realize how soft-hearted and kind I truly was.

“You really are interesting.”

“Am I?”

“I wonder what kind of person you are. A good person? Or a bad one?”

“It depends on who’s judging.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

Charlotte nodded thoughtfully.

In our strange little back-and-forth, we exchanged a few more words.

“The midterms are coming up soon.”

“They’re next week already. Quite a tight schedule, don’t you think?”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Hm?”

“I told you I’d be watching.”

She must have been referring to the placement test.

I mulled over the brief memory.

The platinum-haired girl smiled softly.

“I still want to know more about you.”

“I don’t think I’m hiding much… but I’ll do my best to meet your expectations.”

“Yeah.”

Gallimard’s midterms.

With the test date looming ever closer, the atmosphere at the academy had turned tense.

Personally, I was looking forward to it.

‘The Nightmare of Belzen.’

There was an event I had been anticipating.

It was one of the core storylines in the original, and one of the most highly regarded episodes.

[EP6. Bergen Belzen]

–The Lost Girl, The Monsters Who Couldn’t Cry–

It was the event I had been waiting for since the early stages.

A quiet smile tugged at my lips.

“Next week should be exciting.”

I muttered softly.

***

A few days passed.

As the midterms drew near, the atmosphere at the academy grew colder.

Perhaps due to the pressure of academics.

The air was frozen, like a block of ice.

–As previously announced, the upcoming midterms will be conducted in groups of three.

–Please form your groups and submit the names to your respective professors as soon as possible.

–Gallimard wishes all students the best of luck.

–Prove yourselves in this important test.

The notice had come just two days before the exam.

An unexpected requirement.

The students, though flustered, scrambled to form their groups in preparation.

I was no different.

“M-My lord… we, w-we’re missing a person, aren’t we?”

“Don’t worry, Miss Regia.”

The test was to be conducted in groups of three.

Even with Regia and me, we still needed one more person to complete the list.

But I wasn’t worried.

“We have another friend, don’t we?”

I had already forged the necessary connections for such situations.

Smiling brightly, I made my way over.

To the girl with blue hair styled in twin buns, hunched over her desk.

“Lady Vanity.”

As I approached with a cheerful voice.

“Step back.”

Someone blocked my path.

I was met with the sight of a boy. He had the same blue hair as the villainess, and a haughty demeanor.

“Judas Snekes.”

There was a peculiar tension in the air.

The sword at his waist was adorned with the Vanity family crest.

I recognized him right away.

“I won’t stand by and watch you continue your antics.”

Ruska Vanity.

Emilia’s twin brother, and a minor antagonist in the early stages.

His blue eyes glared at me.

“I will protect Emilia.”

He declared boldly.

As if delivering some heroic line about protecting his family from a sinister mastermind.

I stood there, dumbfounded.

What on earth was this?

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]