The Villain Is Destined to Die: But as the Creator, I know All Endings-Chapter 213: It’s Just a Theory [2]

For a full second, Alice did not react.

"...What?"

Leon blinked and answered again. "Evana."

"I heard you!" She jolted to his side.

Her voice was low but she was startled. "What the fuck are you talking about? Didn’t we reject Ethan’s proposal?"

"No," Leon shook his head, "I never rejected it, it was you."

"Wha–?!" Her mouth hung open.

"But why are you even going there?" Alice snapped. "Do you seriously believe all that shit about Evana?"

Leon shrugged lightly. "I’m just curious."

She stared at him. "Curious."

"And besides," he added, tilting his head, "it’s a free adventure. Don’t you ever feel like adventuring?"

"No," Alice replied instantly. "I feel like not dying."

She folded her arms.

"And you barely attend classes. Do you really think Professor Esther will let this slide? No, forget her. Do you seriously think my grandpa will leave you alone?"

Leon smirked.

Alice noticed it immediately.

"...What did you do?" she asked slowly.

Leon leaned closer, lowering his voice. Alice hesitated for half a second, then leaned in as well.

"I asked Eula to take care of it," Leon whispered. "She agreed."

"...Huh?"

Alice blinked.

"Wait. What?" She pulled back slightly. "Princess Eula?"

"Yes."

"That doesn’t make sense," Alice said quickly. "Pulling strings inside Eclipse won’t matter. This isn’t some noble tea party."

Her eyes widened when she pieced someone together. "Wait. Don’t tell me she’s going to—"

"Shh." Leon raised a finger to his lips. "Details later."

Alice stared at him like he had just casually admitted to starting a war.

"So," Leon continued calmly, "if you notice anything odd while I’m gone, don’t question it. Okay?"

Alice muttered. "Just so you know, I’m not saving your ass if my grandpa catches wind of this."

Leon smiled. "You won’t get the chance to."

She clicked her tongue. "Also, it’s rude calling a princess without honorifics."

Leon narrowed his eyes. "You’re lecturing me about ’rude’?"

She glared right back.

Time passed.

About an hour later, the door to the room opened.

The organizer stepped out, a list was in hand, he scanned the students seated outside. Her eyes stopped on Leon.

"...I’m not seeing your name here," she said. "Are you presenting as well?"

Leon nodded. "Yes. Is it still possible?"

She glanced at the clock, then back at her list. "Yes. Everyone else is done, and we still have time."

She raised her pen. "Your name?"

Leon stood up, gathering his files and stack of papers.

"Leon Valentine," he said. "First Year Class S."

The pen in his hand stopped mid-air.

For a brief moment, the organizer looked up at him.

"...Is there a problem?" Leon asked calmly.

"No," she replied quickly. "Please proceed inside. And hand me the copies as well."

— — —

"This is without doubt proof that Luntara has raised some excellent students."

Professor Louise said it plainly, his fingers steepled as he glanced toward Esther. "If you keep this up, their futures will be bright."

Esther smiled at the compliment.

Inwardly, she knew exactly what it was.

A jab.

Louise had always spoken like that. Soft words.

It wasn’t that Esther didn’t trust her students. Every single one of them had talent. Real talent which was outstanding.

But impressing everyone was difficult.

Especially Madam Ayaka.

Esther’s gaze shifted at her.

Ayaka Rudward was already collecting her belongings. She was today’s guest, and the sponsor of Luntara too.

And now that the presentations were finished, her role was, technically, over.

Still, Esther couldn’t help herself.

"What do you think, Madam Ayaka?" she asked. "Did any of today’s proposals interest you?"

Ayaka paused, then glanced back at her.

"Personally," she said, "I liked Miss Alice Nightson’s proposal. And Clara Everstone’s as well."

Esther felt a flicker of relief.

"With more time," Ayaka continued, brushing her purple hair back, "both can be refined into something far better. You know me, Professor Esther. I’m always fond of good refinement."

She stood up fully and began packing the rest of her things.

"If you call me again next time, I’ll gladly attend. I enjoyed this."

Her words were genuine.

And yet. It still wasn’t what Esther wanted.

Every student had performed well. Outstandingly so, for their year.

But when Ayaka began asking questions, things changed.

Her "what if" scenarios bordered on absurd. Hypotheticals stacked upon hypotheticals. Situations that even professors herself would hesitate to answer confidently.

It was too much for students.

It was natural, yes.

But still harsh if one thinks rationally.

"Hahaha," Raizen laughed lightly, stroking his beard as he leaned back in his chair. "It’s fine, Professor Esther. Let this serve as motivation."

He looked around at the judges.

"Their research was outstanding for students. Especially Alice who was still a first year. But presenting papers and operating inside Eclipse are different worlds. Given time, she’ll adapt."

He smiled gently.

"And the fifth years are already doing well. I’ve read their reports. You don’t need to burden yourself so much."

Esther exhaled slowly.

"I know," she admitted. "It’s not that I’m disappointed in them. It’s just... I feel like I’m not guiding them properly. Maybe I’m too lenient."

"Nonsense," Professor Theo said immediately. "If you’re lenient, then the rest of us are outright negligent."

The other judges nodded.

"Yes," Madam Haibara added cheerfully. "I enjoyed this a lot. I was only here because of Ayaka, but honestly? This might become my new hobby."

Ayaka snorted. "I knew you’d like it more than locking yourself in a lab."

"Hey now," Haibara shot back.

Watching them, Esther couldn’t help but think— 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

’Maybe I should be stricter.’

"All done then," Ayaka said, finally standing. "Let’s go, Haibara. I’ll treat you today."

"Oh? Lucky me."

They turned to leave.

Then—

"Wait."

The door opened, and the organizer rushed in.

"What happened?" Esther asked.

"There’s one last presentation left," the organizer said.

"Huh?" Esther frowned. "No. We’re done. I marked every name listed here. And only Luntara was scheduled today."

"Madam Ayaka, please proceed," Raizen gestured calmly. "We’ll handle this."

Ayaka paused mid-step.

"But it’s from Luntara," the organizer added.

Esther’s eyes widened. She thought, and a name surfaced instantly of who that might be.

"...Wait. He didn’t submit anything to me." She muttered,

The organizer added.

"It’s Leon Valentine. He requested."

Ayaka stopped completely in her tracks. "Leon Valentine?" she repeated.

Haibara blinked. "Ayaka?"

Ayaka turned slowly, a smile forming.

"...Ah. Yes."

She turned back toward the organizer.

"Let him in," she said lightly. "I have plenty of time."