I CHOSE to be a VILLAIN, not a THIRD-RATE EXTRA!!-Chapter 97: Departing for the Academy

The Head Butler, seated with rigid posture near the bed, was lost in the intricate web of his own thoughts, a tangled mix of bitterness and self-righteousness. His mind wandered as he pictured himself in Ashok's place, convinced he could have handled the situation far better.

'If it had been me,' the Head Butler thought with swelling pride, 'I would have blackmailed the witch into extracting the entity's soul from the Young Miss. If she could implant it, surely she had the means to take it out as well.'

The simplicity of his imagined solution played like a triumphant melody in his mind. To him, Ashok's methods were unnecessarily convoluted, a transparent ploy to drain the Duke of his wealth and resources over an extended period.

To him, Ashok's methods were overcomplicated, intentionally designed to exploit the Duke's wealth and resources over time.

But as the Head Butler indulged in his silent critique, conjuring hypothetical scenarios where his own brilliance shone brighter than Ashok's, he remained oblivious to the realities of the situation and the calculated depths of Ashok's approach.

His wounded pride colored every thought, transforming what might have been pragmatic skepticism into bitter delusion. Ashok, in his mind, was no savior but a manipulator cloaked in a veil of ambiguous motives.

Ashok, however, was wholly unaffected by the unspoken contempt radiating from the Head Butler. "Let's leave, Sword Saint," he said.

Leaving the old man was in his delusions, Ashok said "Let's leave Sword Saint"

Cassius walked a step behind Ashok, his footsteps echoing faintly against the polished stone floors as he prepared to escort him to the Portal.

As Ashok approached the edge of the chamber's exit, the Duke's voice broke the silence behind him. "What is your name?"

Ashok stopped mid-step, his sharp mind registering the oversight. It dawned on him that, from the very beginning, he had never introduced himself by name. The Duke had only once referred him as "self-exiled" the title earned by the previous owner of the body.

Ashok slowly turned back to face the Duke, his expression composed.

"Adlet," Ashok said finally, his voice steady. "My name is Adlet."

The words carried a weight that seemed to settle into the room, though Ashok himself felt no emotional connection to the alias. For him, it was merely a tool, a name he had chosen to obscure his true identity.

He couldn't reveal his original name—not yet. Not until his time at the Academy had run its course. Only then, when the foundation of his plans was secure, would he decide whether to bring his true name into the light of this world.

The Duke nodded subtly, his sharp gaze lingering for a moment longer as though committing the name to memory.

Leaving the Duke, Ashok stepped out of the room.

…

Outside the towering mansion, bathed in the golden glow of the afternoon sun, Ashok and Cassius made their way through the Main Gate of the Mansion. The sprawling estate stretched out before them in silent grandeur, its manicured gardens swaying gently in the noon breeze.

Cassius said "Wait Here! I shall bring the carriage".

Cassius after leaving his words disappeared in a dazzling bolt of lightning—a brief flash that momentarily illuminated the shadowed corners of the estate.

Ashok while waiting gazed at the beautiful garden before him. The flowers more like elixirs, arranged in meticulous patterns, were in full bloom, their vibrant colors catching the sunlight and swaying rhythmically with the soft gusts of wind.

The cool breeze brushed against his face, carrying with it the faint, sweet scent of blossoms.

The wait was short-lived. Soon, the rhythmic clatter of hooves striking cobblestone reached Ashok's ears, accompanied by the steady creak of wheels rolling over the stone path.

The sound grew louder, echoing through the estate with a sense of purpose, as the sleek, polished carriage emerged from behind the mansion.

Ashok's sharp eyes were drawn to the approaching silhouette of the grand carriage. Four pristine white horses with crimson, flowing manes proudly pulled the ornate vehicle, their powerful strides full of grace and purpose.

Their reins rested firmly in the hands of Cassius, the Sword Saint, whose signature Ronin hat shaded his face as he expertly guided the carriage.

Ashok tilted his head slightly, his gaze drifting upwards as the carriage came closer, its gleaming figure reflecting the brilliance of the sun. 'The Duke surely wants the world to know that he's supporting me,' Ashok mused, his inner thoughts tinged with both amusement and skepticism.

'Why else would he lend me something so ostentatious? Still, is it really necessary to be this flashy when we're just heading to the portal?' The thought lingered as his sharp eyes took in every detail of the carriage.

The vehicle mirrored the sheer opulence of the Duke's mansion. Its exterior was entirely plated with polished gold, radiating a dazzling brilliance that seemed to compete with the very sunlight above.

The emblem of the Southern Duke—a symbol of wealth and power—was embossed prominently on the sides, shining boldly for all to see. As if the golden plating wasn't enough, the sheer size of the carriage made its presence even more impossible to ignore.

Towering at nearly twice the height of a typical carriage, it loomed like a mobile fortress, its imposing grandeur a testament to the Duke's status.

The majestic carriage came to a smooth halt right before the grand gates. As if responding to an unseen command, the gates began to open inward, the faint hum of magic reverberating through the air. A delicate magic circle flared into existence along the edge of the gates

From the brilliance of the magic circle, a stair of light materialized, each step forming with seamless precision until the final step rested right at Ashok's feet. The staircase shimmered faintly, an ethereal invitation to ascend.

Cassius, guiding the reins, couldn't resist sneaking glances at Ashok, clearly expecting some flicker of surprise on the young man's face. But Ashok gave him none, his expression impassive as ever.

Without so much as a pause, he stepped onto the light-formed stairs, his movements calm and unbothered, ascending toward the lavish carriage.

As Ashok stepped into the gleaming golden carriage, the faint shimmer of magic enveloped him for a fleeting moment. The non-attribute Clean spell activated soundlessly, its effects immediate and efficient.

The dried stains of blood that clung to his hands vanished in an instant.

Ashok settled into the plush interior, his body sinking slightly into the high-quality, luxuriously soft seat. The upholstery was crafted from the finest materials, its texture offering a rare comfort that felt almost indulgent.

As the golden gates closed behind him, their intricate insignias glinting one last time before sealing the world outside, Ashok's gaze lingered briefly on the motion. He thought 'At least this carriage journey is going to be relaxing compared to the last one.'

As Ashok settled into the carriage, the rhythmic clatter of the horses' hooves began anew as Cassius firmly hit the reins, urging the majestic white horses forward.

Hearing the approaching sound of horse hooves and the creak of the carriage wheels, the two knights stationed at the grand gates straightened their postures.

With practiced coordination, they began to pull the heavy gates open with all their strength even using aura. As the gates slowly swung inward, the golden carriage rolled through, its brilliance catching the sunlight and leaving a dazzling impression.

Once the carriage passed onto the main road beyond the estate's boundaries, the knights paused to watch it for a moment, their gazes following the speeding vehicle as it started to vanish into the distance.

One of the knights, returning his attention to the gates, muttered with mild curiosity to his companion, "It seems the Duke is leaving again."

The other knight, adjusting his grip on the gate as they began to close it, replied dismissively, "Then what about that arrogant kid?"

"Maybe he got killed," the first knight said with a shrug, his tone indifferent.

"Yeah, who cares," the other knight echoed, their apathy evident as they resumed their task. The great gates creaked shut with a resounding thud, sealing off the Southern Duke's mansion once again as the two knights returned to their posts.

Beyond the gates, the golden carriage raced down the main road, the horses running at full speed under Cassius's expert guidance.

Inside the lavish golden carriage, the enchantments worked seamlessly, ensuring that not even the faintest tremor disturbed the stillness within. The luxurious silence coupled with the soft glow of magic made the interior feel like in complete peace.

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

Ashok leaned back into the plush, high-quality seat, his body entirely relaxed as he allowed himself a moment of respite. As his sharp eyes traced the motion of the scenery, an idle thought began to weave its way through his mind. 'I wonder how the Duke will persuade that Dean,'

'Considering the Dean's personality, I can hardly imagine any conventional methods being effective. Blackmail or a well-placed threat seems most likely—it's not as though the Duke lacks the resources or leverage for such tactics.

Well, regardless of how he manages it, I know one thing for certain—I'm going to catch the Dean's attention. After all, in the Academy's entire history, I'll likely be the first to barge in after being late. A grand entrance, no less.' Thought Ashok as a smirk formed on his face.

'The Dean comes later. Right now, the priority' with the thought Ashok in a low voice muttered "Status". He had decided to see what had changed in his status after leaving the Duke's mansion.