I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines-Chapter 108 – Red Sea (2)

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 108 – Red Sea (2)

News spread swiftly.

The authority of the academy’s professors—an institution that had never once wavered since its founding—

Now, for the first time, a student had dared to challenge it.

Those who heard the news were left in utter shock.

It was a situation beyond their wildest imagination.

And the opponent in question?

None other than Cadel Evans.

A man who, despite his young age, stood at the very heart of the academy, regarded by the faculty as their de facto leader.

Excluding the headmaster, he was effectively the most powerful figure in Gallimard.

And yet—

—"Besides, I doubt there’s much for me to learn under your tutelage."

—"Wouldn’t it be a shame to waste the potential to reach the stars under such guidance?"

A direct retort, spoken with unwavering clarity.

Followed by—

—"You’re the challenger here."

A line that would surely go down in the academy’s history.

To the students watching, it was nothing short of a thunderclap.

His usual lighthearted tone made it sound almost like he was teasing his opponent.

Of course, considering that his master had been insulted, there was ample justification for him to fight back.

But the fact remained—he had just issued a declaration of war.

And his opponent was a professor.

The academy, already alight with excitement from the practical exams, found itself engulfed in an even greater frenzy.

For days, heated discussions raged on.

"Damn, the real show started right after the exams ended."

"The outcome is obvious, but that just makes it even more entertaining."

"Let's just sit back and enjoy the show with some popcorn."

"This might actually be a chance to see just how high the top student’s ceiling really is."

"Even if he is the top student, he’s still just a student."

"Yeah, I mean, come on. It’s a professor. There’s no way a student can actually fight on equal footing."

"Either way, this duel is gonna be insane."

The Faculty Exhibition Match.

With the practical exams over, all attention shifted to this event.

Interest poured in like a torrential summer downpour, and as the days passed, the awaited moment steadily approached.

And now—

With the duel set for tomorrow, anticipation was at an all-time high.

And yet, the person at the center of it all...

"Fufu… The weather is lovely today."

Was simply gazing up at the clear blue sky.

*

The past few days—

Concerned voices surrounded me.

Was it because of my bold declaration of war?

While most students watched the unfolding situation with amusement, those close to me were restless with anxiety.

Of course, those who understood my abilities weren’t particularly worried.

But…

"Y-Y-Young Master… W-What do we do…?"

"Lady Regia."

…That didn’t apply to our protagonist.

A pair of emerald-green eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

And so, I had no choice but to soothe the girl who looked as though her entire world was crumbling.

Perhaps the thought of me suffering humiliation was too much for her to bear—she clung to my sleeve, crystal-like droplets spilling from her eyes.

Even as she trembled, she pressed herself firmly against me, as if trying to offer what little strength she could.

"Y-You’ll d-definitely w-win…! I just know it…!"

"How reassuring."

"You always believed in me, Young Master… S-So I don’t want to be anxious, but… I c-can’t help it…"

"Everything will be fine."

"Mm… I’ll be cheering for you…!"

Regia’s support was heartfelt.

Her eyes, brimming with determination, glowed with conviction.

As I gently patted her head, a quiet voice chimed in from beside us.

A straightforward, unfiltered question.

"Are you really gonna be okay?"

"Your Highness."

"I might not know much about this academy yet… but even I get how strong the professors are. My sister explained it all to me."

"To think Your Highness would be concerned for me."

"Ugh, stop saying weird stuff."

Her tone was as sharp as ever, but there was no mistaking the worry in her eyes.

She didn’t know about my full capabilities, after all.

She had only seen glimpses of the power I wielded—she had never actually witnessed me fight.

In that sense, Elise’s concern was understandable.

I simply smiled and began pushing her wheelchair forward once more.

And as I did, I responded.

"I may not look it, but I’m quite strong."

"How strong?"

"You’ll see for yourself soon enough."

"Wow. That confidence."

"A knight who serves the stars must possess strength befitting his title, no?"

"You’re not a knight. You’re my physician."

"Fufu."

"…Whatever. I’ll be looking forward to it."

The Pilot and the Rose.

Both showed traces of worry, yet at the same time, they placed their faith in me.

I found myself quietly appreciating their trust.

Though, perhaps that was a sentimental thought.

Not that there was any real reason to worry.

Even if I lost, there would be no significant consequences.

The match had been scheduled as part of the exhibition from the start.

It was simply receiving more attention than the others.

‘Not that I mind their concern.’

I just didn’t want to see those dear to me wear such anxious expressions.

That alone was reason enough to put on a good show.

And so, I awaited the coming duel.

Then, on the eve of the event—

A completely unexpected person voiced their concerns.

None other than my mentor.

"The duel tomorrow."

I had been assisting with paperwork as part of my assistant duties when she suddenly spoke from across the desk.

Her lifeless crimson eyes regarded me dully.

As always, a half-empty bottle of alcohol swayed in her grasp.

And with an indifferent tone, she muttered,

"You don’t have to push yourself."

"I already declared war, you know."

"It doesn’t matter. Your opponent isn’t targeting you—he’s targeting me. If I speak to him, he’ll drop it without issue."

"Speak to him? You really think he’ll listen?"

"He will. Though, I may have to kneel."

"As if that’s any better."

Selena spoke as if it were the most trivial thing in the world.

Perhaps it was simply in her nature to be so detached.

That indifference extended even to herself.

I let out a wry chuckle and shook my head.

"I take it you don’t think I can win."

"I’m simply being realistic."

She had already written off the possibility of victory.

As if waiting for an inevitable future.

It didn’t particularly bother me.

Perhaps it was because the challenge I had issued to Professor Cadel had spread like wildfire.

Seats that were usually left empty in patches were now completely filled.

It wasn’t my first time experiencing something like this.

So, I remained composed.

WAAAAAAAH—!

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

Ignoring the deafening noise behind me, I locked eyes with the man standing across the arena.

My partner for today’s performance.

Follow curr𝒆nt nov𝒆ls on fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com.

The young professor stood with his arms crossed, observing me with a look of mild amusement.

"I truly didn’t expect you to show up."

"I told you I would."

"I can’t begin to understand what’s going through your head. Surely, you don’t actually believe you can win?"

"Funny. That sounds exactly like what Ian said before his match."

Ah.

Like Master like Disciple.

How fitting.

I recalled the pitiful senior who had been turned into a dancing puppet in front of the entire academy.

"A fond memory, that one."

"The person in question considers it a nightmare."

"How unfortunate."

"Since we’ve come this far, I won’t be going easy on you. I wasn’t particularly offended by your earlier remarks, but as a professor, I can’t afford to take this lightly."

"The same applies to me. I’m not one to avoid a challenge."

"Hah. Let’s see how long that arrogance lasts."

Cadel let out a sharp laugh.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

With a flick of his wrist, he drew a wand no longer than the length of his palm.

At its tip, mana began to coalesce.

In response, shadows stirred at my feet.

I reached for the ebony blade that had become my signature.

And with a smooth motion—

I unsheathed it, leveling its sharpened edge at my opponent.

A crisp wind swept through the arena.

Then—

A voice rang out across the colosseum.

《Faculty, take your positions.》

《The match will be conducted as a duel. Victory will be decided if one party is subdued or incapacitated.》

《Alternatively, if one party concedes, the match will also end.》

The rules were the same as those of the practical exams.

The referee raised a single coin into the air.

For a fleeting moment, it spun—

Then fell.

CLINK—!

The signal was given.

And at that very instant—

BOOOOOOM—!

A clash of magic ignited the sky.

From one side—

A barrage of razor-sharp shadowed spikes.

From the other—

A rain of water-forged arrows, compressed to the density of steel.

The impact sent waves of force rippling in all directions.

A thunderous explosion rang out.

And thus—

The duel that would go down in academy history had begun.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]