I Am a Villain, So What?-Chapter 151: Results

"Yay, Lucien!"

Startled, I looked to the side. A heavy weight had suddenly attached itself to my left arm. Pink twin-tails bounced into my peripheral vision as Clara von Marigold clung to me, looking up with a beaming smile.

"Hi! Good morning!"

"...Yes, good morning."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. My newly acquired [Sixth Sense (Lv. 3)] was designed to detect danger and bloodlust. It had completely failed to warn me about Clara’s approach because, well, she harbored absolutely zero killing intent toward me.

My ever so helpful system displayed her stats just to show what I was dealing with.

[Name: Clara von Marigold][Age: 17][Gender: Female][Personality: Lively, Innocent, Meticulous, Calculating][Perception of You: Love, Obsession, Savior Complex]

’Love. And Obsession.’

I sighed internally. I could guess where those emotions stemmed from. She was young enough to mistake the adrenaline of being saved from death for romantic love. I assumed time would sort it out, but it seemed to be getting worse.

Her skill list followed.

[Skills]

[Light Magic Lv. 3]

[Support Arts (Buffing) Lv. 4]

[Accounting Lv. 8]

[Psychology Lv. 8]

I narrowed my eyes.

[Psychology Lv. 8]. That was terrifying. It meant she could read micro-expressions better than a poker pro. Even seasoned politicians in the Imperial Court couldn’t hide their true intentions from this girl.

In contrast, her combat skills were average. Level 3 or 4 was standard for a first-year student.

The Protagonist Party’s basic weapon skills were already hitting Level 7, and Kael, the monster, was touching Level 8.

’Well... my [Firearm Proficiency] is probably breaking the scale right now.’

I shook my head to clear the thoughts. The important thing was the girl currently cutting off circulation to my left arm.

"Hey, hey, Lucien! Let’s eat together today, for real!" Clara chirped, ignoring the stares of the passing students. "I heard the cafeteria is serving special pudding!"

"Go back to your class, Clara."

"Ugh, no way. I wish I were in Class A. Or maybe you could transfer to Class B?"

"Either way, no thanks."

"Tch! Iron wall!"

Pouting, Clara pretended to turn away, but her [Psychology] skill must have told her to push harder. She spun back around, leaning dangerously close.

"We’ll meet after the morning assembly, okay? I heard a great dessert café opened in the Commercial District. Let’s go on a date! I’m counting on you!"

Before she could scamper off, the temperature in the hallway dropped a few degrees.

A familiar scent of vanilla and alchemical herbs cut through Clara’s strawberry perfume.

"He won’t be going to any cafés with you, Clara."

Click. Clack.

Ariana stepped out of the crowd, her crisp summer uniform pristine, her ivory hair flowing down her back. She pushed her glasses up her nose, the lenses flashing ominously in the hallway light.

Clara blinked, her smile remaining perfectly in place. "Oh! Good morning, Ariana! Why not? Lucien needs to eat too."

"Because," Ariana said smoothly, stepping right up to my right side and linking her arm through mine. She leaned in, pressing her soft curves against me in a blatant display of territory. "He is having lunch with me. In my private lab. Where it is quiet, and restricted."

She looked at Clara, her violet eyes narrowing. "Do I need to remind you who he belongs to?"

Clara didn’t back down. The Level 8 Psychology kicked in. She tilted her head, her smile turning sly.

"I know he’s your boyfriend, Ariana. But you’re an Alchemist! You get so busy with your cauldrons and potions. I just want to make sure he isn’t lonely when you’re studying. Sharing is caring, right?"

Ariana’s eyebrow twitched violently. "He is not a textbook. I do not share."

To prove her point, Ariana reached up, grabbed the lapels of my blazer, and pulled me down slightly, planting a firm, lingering kiss on my cheek. Right in the middle of the crowded hallway.

"Ugh," Clara’s smile twitched. "Ariana. You’re always monopolizing him."

"I’m not monopolizing him," Ariana corrected, her grip on my arm tightening like a vice. "I’m exercising my rights."

Sparks—violet mana and pink determination—seemed to clash in the air between them.

The surrounding cadets collectively gasped.

I could hear the muttered, venomous whispers of the male students watching us from the lockers.

"Look at that..."

"That... that bastard! How is he doing this?!"

"The Genius Alchemist of House Solmere and the Heiress of House Marigold..."

"Both of them fighting over... him?"

"Why?! Why the trash?!"

"Is it the bad boy charm? Should I start acting like a jerk too?"

"No, you’d just look like an idiot. Lucien is... different."

The jealousy in the hallway was palpable. Two of the most beautiful, high-status women in the academy were warring over the guy everyone loved to hate.

I sighed, gently extracting my arms from both of them.

"Ladies. Class is starting. If we’re late, Samantha will kill us."

"Fine," Clara huffed. "See you later, Lucien!" She stuck her tongue out at Ariana and skipped away.

Ariana watched her go, then turned to me, her eyes narrowing.

"You’re enjoying this too much."

"I’m terrified, actually."

"Good. Keep being terrified." She patted my chest possessively. "Let’s go."

****

[Class A Lecture Hall]

I entered the classroom and took my seat. As usual, the atmosphere was different today.

Yesterday was the final day of exams. The tension that usually filled the room had evaporated, replaced by the lethargy of freedom.

"Ha...! This is bliss. Is this paradise?" "Exams over, happiness begins..."

Cadets who did well were relaxed, draped over their desks. But some were still suffering from post-exam trauma.

"Damn it... We spent three months doing nothing but practical training! Why was the theory exam so hard?!" "The anatomy section... I wrote that the heart is on the right side! I’m doomed!"

Groans of agony echoed around.

Even the Protagonist Party wasn’t exempt.

"I made a mistake on the magic circle calculation," Elisha muttered, head in her hands.

"It’s okay, Elisha," Mariella comforted her. "You only missed one variable. You’ll still get an A."

"An ’A’ isn’t ’S’, Mariella!"

Click.

The door opened, and Instructor Samantha strode in. The room fell silent instantly.

"Everyone, take your seats. I’ll distribute report cards, then you’re dismissed."

She waved a hand, and the papers floated from her desk to the students.

"Number 1, Kael Ardyn."

"Yes!"

Kael caught his paper. He grinned.

"Well done, Kael," Samantha nodded. "Your combat scores are perfect. Theory needs work, but... acceptable."

As expected, Kael received praise. He was the Hero, after all.

"Number 5, Lucien Ashborne."

I stood up and walked to the podium. Samantha looked at me, her expression unreadable. She handed me the report card.

[Name: Lucien Ashborne]

[Written Exam: 100/100]

[Practical Combat: 94/100]

[Tactical Strategy: 100/100]

[Total Rank: 1st Place]

My score was absurd. A noticeable jump from the midterms where I had barely scraped 1st due to low practical scores. But thanks to the [Sixth Sense] and my training, my combat grade had skyrocketed.

"Congratulations," Samantha said, her voice carrying across the room. "Your knowledge and tactical wisdom are remarkable. Truly a treasure of the Academy."

"Thank you, Instructor."

As I returned to my seat, the whispers erupted.

"No way... again?"

"He beat the Princess Celestia?"

"Perfect scores in Strategy? How does he do it?"

"Maybe he cheated?"

"Idiot, you saw him solve that pop quiz instantly. He’s just... a monster."

Ariana, sitting a few rows away, looked at me and winked. She held up her own report card—2nd Place. We owned the top spots.

Elisha glared at my back, crumbling her paper.

Samantha tapped the podium.

"Quiet. If you’re curious about rankings, check the bulletin board later. Go home safely... oh, wait. There’s an important announcement."

The cadets looked up, puzzled.

"Now that I think about it, Summer Break is coming."

A cheer went up. A full month off. No demons, no homework, just freedom.

"However," Samantha cut through the noise. "The Academy does not encourage idleness. Starting this break, Club Activities will officially begin."

"Clubs?"

"Yes. Clubs are student-run organizations that operate during the break and after school. They are vital for building connections and gaining extra credit. If any cadets want to apply or create a club, check the bulletin board."

She scanned the room.

"That’s all. Dismissed."

As Samantha left, the room exploded into noise.

"Clubs! I’m going to join the Magic Research Club!" "I’m making a Gourmet Club!"

I sat there, deep in thought.

In Asteria Online, Clubs were a major mechanic. They offered unique buffs, side quests, and access to specific resources.

Samantha ran the Swordsmanship Club. Kael would join that. Elisha would likely join the Archery or Student Council. Ariana was obviously gonna join the Alchemy Club.

Me?

I had no intention of joining a club to play nice with others.

But then, a notification pinged in my vision.

[System Quest: The Gathering of Shadows]

[Establish your own power base within the Academy.]

[Objective: Create a Club.][Reward: Club Room (Hideout), Monthly Budget, and ???]

I smirked.

Create a club?

Maybe it was time to make something... useful.

"Lucien!"

Before I could plan further, two voices shouted my name simultaneously.

I looked up.

Clara was at the front door. Ariana was at the back door.

Both were marching toward me.

I looked at the window. It was open. Second floor.

’Worth it.’

I grabbed my bag and vaulted over the desk, heading for the window.

"Catch me if you can, ladies!"

I jumped.