episode_0008

Once you become familiar with subcultures like games and novels, you can easily tell who the third-rate villain is just by looking at them.

Whether they look despicable or arrogant, always accompanied by their underlings. Yet constantly picking fights with protagonist-like characters.

I’m not sure if I’m the protagonist of this world. Even without considering that, there was someone in front of me who satisfied two conditions.

So, I sighed and asked, “What is it? Since you seem busy, could you get straight to the point?”

One of the lackeys of the third-rate villain immediately retorted, “How dare a commoner like you…”

“Well, does magic not work on nobles in exam halls? At the academy, whether commoner or noble, it’s all the same, you know?”

The sharp voice that didn’t match his appearance was instinctual as an adventurer.

Adventurers were a profession where appearing weak meant being preyed upon, so for someone like me who already looked cute, there was no choice but to not appear weak.

Without even hiding my disgust, I furrowed my brows and retorted.

Such people were the least helpful kind. Not definitively strong, they gathered in groups, boasting about their status due to lack of anything substantial.

When it came to actual combat, they would flee as soon as they were at a disadvantage. They were exactly those kinds of people.

If those guys had skills, I wouldn’t have said anything. However, since facing eight of them at once wouldn’t pose a significant threat to me, I turned away without feeling the need to respond.

“If all you know is to talk big, then I’ll take my leave now. You might get disqualified if you’re late for the exam, right?”

“Wait, wench.”

“Well, if you’re only going to say obvious things, I’ll take my leave. If you have something to say, come along and say it.”

The reason such people flocked to me was simple.

Because the person who defeated the top entrance exam student, Yelena Frost, was just a measly commoner. The duel that unfolded on the training ground back then was too high-level for ordinary first-year students to understand.

In their eyes, I might appear to have barely won through luck. By defeating me, they might think they could become the strongest in the academy, a very simple and foolish logic.

Moreover, my appearance was quite good. Perhaps they even had thoughts of trying to woo me.

To them, commoners were just their subordinates.

“I can’t even say anything to Lady Yelena, a real noble.”

Muttering quietly, I stepped into the magic circle.

—

In the lush forest north of the academy, amidst the vibrant life of the forest, I stepped into the soft earth, feeling the deep breaths.

The refreshing scent of grass, the sound of cool water, the lively chirping of birds. A space most familiar to adventurers.

With a pleasant smile, I slowly gripped the sword hilt. My mental strength, which had been worn down by the third-rate villains I encountered before using the teleportation magic circle, was now recovering.

“…It seems like it was around here.”

The location where I landed was quite decent. The dungeon hidden in the northern forest of the academy was fairly close to where I teleported.

I had worried about landing in the exact opposite place as the magical barrier gradually shrank. It turns out it was needless worry.

Arriving at the clearing with light steps, I looked back and asked, “Well, should I consider this bad luck or good luck?”

…

As I gazed towards the bushes, there was no response to my question. I muttered while placing my hand on the sword hilt.

The location of the teleportation itself was quite good, but those guys ended up teleporting nearby. My expression stiffened as I didn’t want to waste time unnecessarily.

“You’ve already been spotted. Don’t waste time and come out quickly.”

“Talking back to a commoner woman. How insolent.”

I silently observed them.

There were eight of them. They seemed to be students of swordsmanship, but each of their stances looked awkward.

Their bodies lacked balance. The hand holding the sword was excessively forward, while their bodies leaned too far back.

They were unable to move away from the stance of first extending the sword because they were afraid of getting hit by a blade, typical of inexperienced adventurers.

Engaging in bravado with such pitiful subordinates. Who dares to act so arrogantly towards whom?

Feeling increasingly disgusted, I gathered my magic and unleashed it.

“Constantly talking about commoners and women since earlier. Do you have a lot to say? Inside the Arcana Academy, all students should be the same.”

“Haha, who cares about following such superficial rules.”

“So, why are you all rushing over here to confront a girl? If you have something to say, say it quickly.”

“I heard you defeated the top student?”

He asked slowly as he drew his sword.

Perhaps he was the leader of the group. His stance was somewhat orthodox, and for a first-year student, he was quite decent.

However, this was judged based on first-year standards.

An arrogant attitude that overshadowed the advantages of an orthodox stance. There were too many flaws in his affected posture.

“I don’t know what trick you used to defeat the top student with your commoner woman topic. It won’t work on us.”

“So, you’re saying that after beating around the bush, ultimately eight guys are ganging up against one girl?”

“This…!”

“Well, fine. Weaklings like you wouldn’t be scared even if eighty people came at you.”

Unless you’re a Swordmaster-level superhuman, humans can only focus on one direction at a time for defense. Therefore, it’s best to avoid situations with multiple opponents.

However, that applies only when opponents move as one unit.

Just mere parasites clinging to a slightly higher noble. If the opponents are first-year students who don’t even know how to properly hold a sword, even if a truck were to come at me, I wouldn’t be scared.

So, I smirked and adjusted my sword.

“Well, then, let’s see you try. After all, no one really dies here, right?”

If a vital area is struck by a sword, you’re instantly teleported outside the arena. So, there’s no need to worry about death.

Believing in that, their lackeys started approaching me slowly. The distance was decreasing gradually but steadily.

I gripped the hilt of my sword coldly, staring ahead. As my awareness of the surroundings increased, the world seemed to slow down momentarily.

The start of the battle was signaled by the sound of their lackeys leaping together.

The third-rate villain’s meaningless shout dispersed into the air, and attacks from eight directions surged.

Simultaneously, a sword hidden in its sheath shot out with a silver flash at a speed imperceptible to anyone in this space.

Clang!

At the same time, the swords of two boys who charged fearlessly flew into the sky with a single strike.

“Huh?”

The poorly assembled group of eight was shattered in a single blow. Along with the particles disappearing, the remaining ones quickly regained their senses, and I swiftly readjusted my sword.

Fear spread among them, creating a gap among the students. The skilled eyes of a Silver-ranked adventurer didn’t miss the crack forming among them.

With a light leap, my body shot forward like an arrow. Seizing the arm of an unlucky student who belatedly reacted, I casually snapped his wrist with an indifferent expression.

With a clank, the sword fell, and the male student’s face contorted in horror.

“Aaargh?!”

“You’re overreacting.”

The boy’s agonizing scream mixed with the girl’s cold voice. The expressions of the remaining five darkened gradually.

“Damn it, charge at once!”

“Uh, ah…”

“Damn it…!”

I deliberately did not finish off the incapacitated student. The emotion of fear clouds judgment.

The sight of a comrade in a miserable state was a way to diminish morale.

“Tsk, daring to challenge a commoner… Do you know who I am…”

“I don’t know.”

As I deftly removed one of the ruffians blocking my path, I casually deflected a stabbing motion aimed at my throat.

Even Elena, the Northern Duchess, acknowledges her defeat and strives to become stronger. Who are these kids flaunting nothing but pretentiousness?

Clearing my mind of stray thoughts, I blocked a powerful horizontal strike with all my might. Clang! Sparks flew with a metallic sound.

“Huh?”

Certainly, my strength stat should be higher, yet my arm trembled after deflecting the blow. An abnormal flow of magic emanated from the third-rate villain. Damn, was he a mark user?

“This is my chance! Attack!”

Seizing the opportunity, the remaining ruffians rushed at me from all sides. Laughter spread across the face of the third-rate villain.

Attacks coming from all directions were unavoidable unless they vanished into the sky or ground.

“It might have been slightly risky without the mark.”

Muttering softly, I quickly activated the mark.

My body transformed into dark particles as my vision flipped. Boundaries blurred in all directions, elongating the surroundings like a stretched finger.

“Argh?!”

“Ahh!!!”

“Thud!?”

“Keh…!”

A thunderous collision echoed with a delayed beat. The outcome of the reckless joint attack was grim.

Looking at the fallen foes colliding among themselves, I muttered.

“Even though you claimed to be nobles, I expected more. Disappointing.”

“This woman…”

Thud.

The words of the third-rate villain were abruptly cut off.

Just before being pierced by my sword, they were forcibly teleported outside the arena.

It’s obvious they would spout the same third-rate villainous lines. No need to entertain that, right?

“Phew…”

Exhaling lightly, I slowly relaxed my expression.

Considering the position of the sun, it was still morning. I needed to enter the dungeon before the arena diminished.

“Still feels good to loosen up a bit.”

Muttering quietly, I leisurely made my way towards the dungeon, unaware of someone trailing behind me amidst the sounds of battle.