Chapter 12
Thud!
“…I can’t feel mana.”
I slammed my head against the library desk.
“And I can’t even control magic power.”
I slammed my head again.
What was the point of memorizing and studying the fundamentals and formulas of magic for days on end?
To someone who couldn’t even use mana, magic was nothing more than an academic subject.
“So basically, I… can’t use magic.”
Thud!
I could feel people’s stares on me, but who cares?!
“…Fuck.”
If I were to explain the conclusion in simple words:
“This world is just screwing me over.”
I mean, seriously—does this make any sense?
Even that third-rate extra villain, Camon Bade, gave up his character and reputation in exchange for incredible magical talent.
But me?
“I’m just Camon Bade who can’t even use magic. No, more like trash.”
And if Camon Bade couldn’t use magic, then that basically meant…
“A walking EXP bonus. A golden goblin loaded with karma just waiting to die.”
Thud!
Might as well die. Just die.
No matter how it happened, death was inevitable anyway…
At that moment.
“Oh my, such a sorrowful expression, as if you bear all the worries of the world.”
“…?”
What now?
“Well, I suppose it’s only natural given the circumstances.”
A sudden unfamiliar voice made me lift my head.
And then—
“P… Princess Franasia?”
“But it’s times like these when you need to stay strong, don’t you think?”
The princess was smiling kindly, and I realized the surroundings had gotten noisy.
“Oh my gosh, look! The princess is actually talking with Camon Bade?”
“She’s really like an angel. Smiling so kindly even at someone who once attacked her…”
Then, Princess Franasia spoke again.
“I heard about it. They said you’ll be expelled if you don’t get the top score on this exam?”
“What?”
Then, in a very small whisper that only I could hear, she murmured:
“Honestly, I just wanted you to stay quiet and fade into the background, but seeing you hit rock bottom like this… I think I’d rather watch you struggle at the very bottom and sink even deeper.”
What the hell is wrong with this crazy bitch…?
But right after, she raised her voice again so that everyone else could hear.
“Still, you mustn’t lose hope. Even in the worst of situations, even when it seems like there’s no way forward, there’s always a path. Sometimes what seems like the end… isn’t really the end.”
“…”
She leaned in closer, lowering her voice again.
“Because I really want to see you keep flailing at the bottom—only to fall even lower.”
“…I see.”
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. I do hope I see you smiling again next time. Take care.”
Tap, tap, tap.
With the sound of her heels echoing away, I just stared blankly at her retreating figure.
“…She’s a complete fucking lunatic, isn’t she?”
The words spilled out of me before I could stop them.
A few days ago, she’d already made my skin crawl, and now she was outright provoking me.
Wasn’t the reason I didn’t get to team up with Kyle in the first place because of her?
I wasn’t certain, but if anyone could’ve known in advance that the final dungeon exam would be a group project, it would’ve been the princess.
“This is seriously rough.”
Taking someone’s one-sided hostility and attacks.
And enduring the world constantly screwing me over.
There was nothing easy about it.
“Haaa… let’s cool my head first.”
Clatter.
With a deep sigh, I rose from my seat and left the library.
* * *
The Royal Academy of Flaines had excellent facilities for its students.
In particular, near the library they had built a massive park for students worn out from all-nighters or daily stress.
“Guess that’s the perk of being in medieval times. The air is damn clean.”
No fine dust, no yellow dust here.
As dusk settled in, I strolled slowly under the trees, feeling a bit clearer in the head.
“Right. No need to overthink it. Magic isn’t everything.”
I was muttering words of comfort to myself when suddenly—
“…Just report him already, okay? That guy’s nothing now.”
“If anything happens, we’ll cover for you. So don’t worry and just do it.”
I heard familiar voices nearby and turned my head.
There they were—
“Damn, do you not understand plain words? We’re not asking you, we’re telling you.”
“Yeah, you think we look weak just because we’re being polite?”
Sol, Krolin, and Mok.
The Monster Trio was surrounding someone and threatening him.
What the hell are those idiots up to now…
“Uh, b-but I…”
Wait.
That voice sounded really familiar.
Hold up.
That’s Bren, isn’t it?
Looking closer, sure enough—Bren was stuck in the middle of those three losers.
“Come on, just report Camon Bade. He bullied you, didn’t he?”
“T-that’s…”
Bren was stammering, clearly terrified, and for some reason, it pissed me off.
“HEY!”
I bellowed at them.
“Huh?”
“What now—oh? C…Camon?”
The Monster Trio turned their heads toward me, eyes locking with mine.
Even Bren whispered nervously, “C-Camon?”
“What the hell are you three doing?”
At my question, Krolin and Mok cracked their necks with smirks, as if this was the perfect chance.
Then Mok sneered:
“Wow, what timing. Look who showed up, the filthy comm—”
“Oh? Is that Princess Franasia over there?”
I quickly threw out the princess’s name. Mok froze mid-sentence and swerved instantly.
“…N-nice weather we’re having, huh? Ha ha ha, don’t you agree?”
“You idiot, he’s lying.”
“Huh?”
Krolin scowled, and Mok, realizing he’d been duped, flushed bright red.
“You fell for that?”
“You little shit—”
“Forget it, Mok. Let’s just go.”
Sol’s annoyed voice cut in, but—
“Go? Hell no. Perfect timing. Let’s make him suffer a bit too—”
“I said let’s just GO.”
When Sol tried to rein him in again, Mok exploded.
“Why the fuck do you keep saying that? If you’re scared, you can fuck off.”
“…Did you just say that to me?”
“Idiot. All you do is show off in front of others, but now you’re pissing your pants in front of Camon.”
“…Are you insane?”
“Hey, don’t fight, you guys. Chill.”
The three of them started bickering among themselves, and I chuckled.
“What clowns. Bren, just come here.”
“Uh… o-okay.”
Bren, stuck awkwardly between them, started moving toward me—
But then.
“Take one more step, and your Academy life will be real fun.”
“H-hiccup.”
Mok’s threat made Bren freeze up with hiccups.
These bastards.
I had no intention of playing the righteous hero or humoring their thug antics.
But seeing this scene just pissed me off.
Haa… as if that crazy princess wasn’t enough, now this…
I muttered quietly.
“So you’ll make Academy life fun for him? Hah, funny.”
“Did he just laugh again?”
Their expressions shifted nervously, though Mok and Krolin still looked pissed.
“…Whatever.”
From the moment I stepped into this Academy, these clowns had been getting on my nerves. Why should I be nice?
“Bren, let me ask you something.”
“Huh?”
“Say some people committed crimes. One was human trafficking. Another smuggled illegal goods. And the last one…”
“C-Camon, stop. Okay? We get it. Please stop.”
Sol quickly tried to cut me off.
“…belonged to a family that colluded with an enemy nation. What kind of punishment would that bring?”
“Wh-what the hell are you talking about, Camon?”
Bren looked confused, but the trio wasn’t.
“H-how do you know that?”
“…W-what the hell?!”
They all went pale, eyes wide with shock.
“Expulsion wouldn’t be the end of it, right?”
“O-of course not. At minimum, their title would be stripped, and depending on the crime… even execution is possible.”
“Execution, huh?”
I emphasized the word with a grin.
“I see. Then… who do I report something like that to?”
“W-wait, Camon! Ha ha… let’s not be hasty. Please, listen—this is, uh…”
Sol nearly dropped to his knees, scrambling toward me.
I turned to Bren.
“Bren, why are you still standing there? Get over here.”
“Uh… but…”
He hesitated, glancing nervously at the trio—
“G-go on.”
“Y-yeah, Camon’s calling you. Hurry.”
Sweating buckets, they waved him off.
Bren quickly walked to me, and I leaned down to whisper in his ear:
“Bren, meet me later in front of the library. Wait there for me.”
“Huh?”
He looked uncertain, glancing between us, but eventually nodded.
“O-okay. See you later, Camon.”
“Yeah, see you.”
I flashed him a bright smile, and he left toward the library.
And then—
Thud!
“S-sorry, Camon-nim!”
The Monster Trio all dropped to their knees at once, begging.
“Sorry? For what?”
“F-for daring to act above our station…”
“If we’ve offended you in any way, we’ll just shut up and live quietly from now on.”
“That’s right. We’ll act like we don’t even exist. Please, just keep what you said earlier a secret.”
Pathetic. With one weakness exposed, they were already groveling.
“Just like that? For free?”
“…W-what?”
“You said you hated seeing a filthy commoner like me act out. Then wouldn’t it make sense if I made sure you never saw it again?”
“N-no! If you want anything, just say it. We’ll do whatever you ask!”
Sol, their leader, spoke desperately.
I smiled, satisfied.
“Good. I’ll remember that.”
Thinking it was over, they lowered their heads even further.
“C-Camon-nim!”
“Thank you so much.”
But—
“I might need something later, sure. But before that… shouldn’t we settle something first?”
“H-huh?”
“W-what do you mean…?”
“Well, I’m only human. You guys have picked a fight with me more than three times now. Don’t you think just letting that go would be a bit much?”
First in front of the Administration Office.
Second, in front of the noble cafeteria.
And now, here.
Even the kindest person would say three strikes is enough. Any more and you’re just a pushover.
“…S-so, what should we do?”
They asked nervously.
I smirked, more sinister than ever.
“Well, then. Tell me—how many hits do you want? Let’s keep it fair and make it exactly equal to the number of times you messed with me.”
