The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen-Chapter 405-406

I can't get any work done.

"..."

Chartia, holding a pen in her office, lowered her head and swallowed her complex thoughts.

"..."

Ever since the viewing, her thoughts hadn't been straight.

-Smile...

-...

-You really look ugly when you cry.

If she put down the pen, that scene from the viewing would keep replaying in her mind, giving her a headache. Ricardo's final moments... and her own hideous appearance wouldn't erase itself from her mind.

'Grip.' Chartia, clutching the pen, let out a deep sigh and spoke softly. To find a way to resolve this situation.

"Should I ask to meet him?"

It wasn't a good method.

Because she didn't know what to say if they met.

If she said that a blue window suddenly appeared and showed her a strange past, that she was sorry for what she did then... even she would think she was a strange person.

A way...

"...Haa."

The only thing that grew with the thoughts that wouldn't leave was sighs.

She wanted to meet him.

Because she wanted to at least offer a minimal apology. Even if it wasn't something she did... no, even if Ricardo didn't know, there was someone who was still carrying the wound of what had happened.

She didn't know how far this feeling would go, but she wanted to see Ricardo's face and talk to him.

"I don't know."

What the right answer is.

What the wrong answer is.

She thought she was strong on test papers with right and wrong answers, but when it came to problems mixed with emotions, she had no idea what the right answer was.

"..."

Chartia was passing the time, soothing her complicated heart. With the resolve to definitely go and see him if her heart was still strange even after time passed.

It was then.

Someone knocked on the door of the silent office.

-Knock. Knock. Knock.

At the formal-sounding knock, Chartia closed her documents and looked at the door.

-Is the student council president inside?

"Who is it?"

-This is Histania Malik, Senior Director of the academy. I came because there's something I want to talk about, do you have time?

'Why is the director suddenly here...'

Chartia let out a deep sigh at the appearance of the troublesome person and replied. Right now, Malik's power in the academy was immense. Besides, she had also reduced the work related to the student council.

"Come in."

-Then I'll excuse myself.

Malik, who opened the door and entered, looked around Chartia's office and gave a brief comment.

"The document organization is neat. It seems you have a top-notch secretary, did you do it yourself?"

"Haha... thank you for the compliment."

"If it were up to me, I'd want to hire you as a secretary, but I'll refrain."

"...Thank you?"

After a brief awkward moment.

Chartia asked Malik, who was drinking tea. Why she had come here.

"You said you had something you wanted to talk about, may I ask what it is?"

Malik began to speak with a small smile.

"Do you remember the 'special class' I mentioned a few weeks ago?"

Chartia nodded, recalling the memory of posting the announcement at Malik's request. She had also submitted an application for the class Malik was supervising.

"Yes, I remember. You told me to close it a week ago, so I took down the announcement.... Is there a problem?"

Malik shook her head and replied.

"There's no big problem, but the invited instructor said he wants to teach a small, elite group..."

"May I ask how many you're thinking of...?"

"About 50 to 100 people."

Chartia replied with an awkward smile.

"Ah..."

The number of applicants was not even 50, let alone 100.

"Well... I don't think you need to worry about that part."

"Hmm?"

"Actually... there were a little less than 20 applicants."

Upon hearing Chartia's words, Malik nodded without much change in expression. Muttering to herself, 'To miss such a great opportunity...'.

It was so obvious that she was disappointed that Chartia was quite flustered. It was the first time she had seen Malik, who usually didn't show her emotions, so openly display them.

"Come to think of it... I heard you were inviting a talented instructor from outside..."

"That's right."

"May I know who it is."

"...You'll be surprised if you hear."

Malik, who had been nodding, gave a meaningful smile.

"Before I tell you... let's start by signing this contract."

"Pardon?"

Malik, who took out a contract from her bosom with a meaningful smile, spread it out on the desk.

"What... is this."

Chartia, who saw the unfolded contract, looked back and forth between Malik and the contract with trembling eyes.

['Confidentiality Oath' and 'Waiver of Liability.']

"What is this ominous contract?"

Chartia's eyes were trembling at the contents of the contract, which had more heinous conditions than she had thought.

"Come to think of it, the student council president also said she would participate in this class."

"Yes... since the Senior Director was in charge, I thought it would definitely be helpful."

"That's right."

Malik nodded at Chartia's flattery and gave a satisfied smile. Even though Malik had been through thick and thin, the flattery from the princess felt good.

Malik gave a cool smile and began to tap the edge of the contract with her finger.

"It's an instructor who's not easy to bring in. We had to show our sincerity on our side."

"...Still, it's the Empire's academy, wouldn't it be more helpful for the instructor's career to disclose the information?"

"Don't you get it?"

"Pardon?"

"This isn't their main job."

"..."

Malik began to tap the document as if she was getting impatient.

"Originally, I was going to have them sign it on the day. If there were a lot of people, I was going to weed them out with a bizarre contract like this. Still, if the number of people exceeded, I was going to try to proceed by somehow asking them..."

"Haha..."

"I didn't expect that so few people would gather."

"..."

Malik, who had erased her disappointed expression, said with shining eyes.

"Since the student council president is also in an important position, it would be good to know who the instructor is in advance. Of course, I'll tell you if you sign the contract."

"..."

"For your information, it's impossible to be absent after signing. Even if you have a fever or a broken arm."

Malik clasped her hands and said.

"So, the signature."

"..."

"Will you."

Chartia squeezed her trembling eyes shut and asked Malik.

"May I ask one thing?"

"...I can't answer anything unless you write your name on the contract."

"No."

A practical question.

"About whether the instructor you invited is competent."

"Hmm?"

"I want to learn magic."

"I know."

"I'm not sure if the field of recruitment in the announcement is specifically defined. The theme is 'people who want to get stronger'.... To be honest, I don't trust it."

"Certainly, the student council president's suspicion is understandable."

"I want to know if that instructor is competent enough to put your name on the line for."

Malik replied with a firm expression.

"It's better to show a clear indicator than vague words."

"..."

"Student council president. Do you know how much I spent to invite that instructor."

"About 10,000 gold...."

Malik shook her head as if Chartia's words were trivial and held up five fingers.

"If it was an instructor I could get for 10,000 gold, I would have taught them myself."

"...Certainly, 50,000 gold is a very competent instructor..."

"No."

"Pardon?"

"It's 500,000 gold."

"Fi... five hundred thousand gold?"

"Yes."

Malik began to speak to Chartia in a firm voice.

"Money doesn't lie."

"..."

"You'll know when you learn from that person. This was a bargain."

"Then..."

"You want to get good at magic?"

Malik snorted and showed her trust.

"I promise you'll get one step stronger than now... no, strong enough to face an archbishop alone."

Chartia nodded as if she was possessed and continued to sign.

Without knowing that it was the path to hell.

A week later.

-Ahㅡ The student council is broadcasting.

Chartia's voice echoed in each classroom of the academy, where summer vacation was not far away.

-Students who have applied for the special training during the vacation period, please come to the Senior Director's office immediately.

The students looked up at the broadcast and began to talk. It was an announcement they had seen before, but most of them had not participated because they didn't want to waste their precious vacation.

"Did you do it?"

"No. I have to play. I won't be able to play after I graduate."

"I didn't do it because of my part-time job."

"It was hosted by the Senior Director, right? I'm sure it's just a bunch of strange basic physical training."

"Still, won't you improve."

"...We're not adventurers."

As the students' chatter continued a little longer.

"Haa..."

The sound of a deep sigh and a chair being dragged shut the students' mouths.

"...Annoying."

Luin, who had been studying, roughly cleared his desk and stood up in response to the broadcast. He was also one of the people who had applied for this training.

A female student who had been talking whispered softly while looking at Luin, who was shaking his head.

"Luin did it too? I should have applied too..."

"I know..."

Regretting that she couldn't be with him.

After the Holy Sword Contest, Luin had regained his former self. He worked out hard and focused on the basics he had neglected.

Although not as good as before, Luin, who had the skills to enter the top 50 in the rankings, was regaining his former popularity.

Luin clenched his fist and muttered softly.

"That bastard Hans must have gotten stronger."

"...Hoo.."

Luin began to move forward slowly.

The broadcast was not only heard in the magic department.

At the same time, in the swordsmanship department, sighs of regret were being heard.

"Mikhail... are you participating too?"

"Uh... haha, yes."

"I should have done it too."

It was the same in the healing department.

"I'm going to get stronger. Like that woman in my dream...."

And finally, at the convenience store.

"Huhu... the time has finally come for me, Schuen-gel, to awaken."

The sounds of those who longed for awakening were gathering.

"Is everyone here?"

Malik, sitting in the senior director's office, smiled faintly as he looked at those standing before him.

"You all have good expressions in your eyes."

Every single one of them had a look of determination in their eyes. It seemed they were filled with the will to become stronger. The will to not be satisfied with their current position could be felt even by Malik.

With a satisfied expression, Malik nodded and began to call out names.

"Mikhail, 3rd year, Swordsmanship Department."

"Yes."

At Malik's call, Mikhail nodded and took a step forward. Appearing with the holy sword at his waist, Mikhail had a calmer demeanor than usual.

'I want to become someone who can help Ricardo... I'm still lacking in many ways right now.'

He too wanted to achieve the maximum growth possible in this class.

To repay even a little of the debts he couldn't repay. And to stand by Ricardo's side, Mikhail was determined.

"Yuria, 3rd year, Healing Department."

"Yes."

Yuria was the same.

"Luin, 3rd year, Magic Department."

"Yes."

Luin was the same as well.

It couldn't be said that many students had come to this place. The number of people gathered here was just a little over ten.

(Participant List)

● Swordsmanship Department

Mikhail, Histania Hanna, Sigor Look, Rohan, Eliria Veilin

● Magic Department

Luin, Tetra Shuen, Leocard Chartia, Adrian Folkner, Airi

● Healing Department

Yuria, Sophia, Gail, Lin, Mira Silvaren

Nevertheless, Malik thought that their determined expressions were not bad. If they had come with half-hearted resolve, they would only spoil the atmosphere.

Malik looked at those before him with a straight gaze and began to speak.

"The individuals here have been selected to be taught by an instructor who was difficult to invite from outside during the summer vacation."

"..."

"You were selected based on 'application,' not obligation, and you are model students who have 'given up' their vacation for the passion of learning."

"..."

Malik, repeatedly emphasizing that they had applied of their 'own will,' smiled coolly and continued.

"This is your last chance."

"..."

"A chance for you to dream of a miraculous change at the academy."

"..."

"Sigor Look, 1st year, Swordsmanship Department."

"Ye... Yes, sir!"

The freshman, nervous from being with so many seniors, answered Malik's call loudly and clenched his fists.

"What was your rank in the recent ranking match?"

"420th!"

"A disastrous number."

"I'm sorry!"

"Seeing that you have a surname, are you a noble?"

"Yes! The Sigor family manages a small territory on the frontier!"

"What is your goal before graduation?"

"To get into the top 50 in the ranking match! And to develop my territory is my goal!"

"Do you think your name has the influence to develop your territory?"

"No! I want to be a little comfort to the people of the territory who are trembling in fear because of the monsters...!"

Malik smiled slightly at the loud answer and nodded.

"I like it, student Sigor. If you endure until the end of the class, I will give you a scholarship."

"Thank you!"

Malik smiled as he saw the envious looks in the students' eyes. A good atmosphere had been formed.

"Other students will also have a chance for a scholarship if they show a passionate attitude in class, so don't be too discouraged."

"Wow...!"

"Then..."

"..."

"From now on, you must sign the contract I have prepared."

At Malik's signal, Chartia, who was standing with a firm expression, came forward, placed a stack of papers on the desk, and returned.

Those who saw the contents of the contract trembled and looked at Malik with the same expression Chartia had shown before.

"This document is a magically bound contract."

"..."

"It was commissioned from a high-ranking mage, so it has a rather strong binding force."

"...Wai... wait a minute."

Malik raised his hand and, looking at the young student who was about to ask a question, stated his intention with a firm voice.

"Questions will be taken after I have finished speaking."

"...I'm sorry."

Malik continued.

"It's a pledge that you will never disclose the contents of the special class that will take place from the vacation onwards, and a document of indemnity stating that you will bear any damages that may occur."

"..."

"Don't worry, I'll pay for the medical expenses."

"..."

"The moment you infuse mana into the contract, the contract is concluded. After that, you can't go back, and you can't run away just because you don't want to."

"..."

"It's strange, right? You're probably wondering why you're writing a document like this, and you might be afraid that I'm just trying to scare you, or that I'm really trying to make you do something dangerous."

"That's right..."

"However."

Malik, with a serious expression, said to them.

"I'm certain. By the time this vacation is over, you will have become monsters."

"..."

"First of all."

Malik took a document and said with a bright smile.

"I will sign first."

"What?"

"Because I'm planning to take the class too."

Malik's will began to boil.

Another peaceful day at the Hamel mansion.

"From now on, I will explain the schedule."

Ricardo and the children (Hans, Elysia), gathered together in the mansion's basement, were looking at me standing at the blackboard with serious expressions.

"I will engrave the Saint's words deep in my heart."

"..."

"I will write down everything the Saint says. It is a necessary task to write the holy scripture."

"You don't have to go that far..."

I smiled awkwardly and continued. Because they were people who wouldn't bend their will no matter what I said.

"As I mentioned before, I have been entrusted with the task of teaching the academy students starting this coming Monday."

-Nod. Nod.

"I am truly sorry for dragging such esteemed individuals into this, but it was a request from a benefactor... Thank you so much for going along with this unreasonable request."

"If it's the Saint's request, I would go to hell..."

"I will follow you to heaven."

"I don't expect that much..."

I glanced at them and smiled.

"Looking at the list I received beforehand, it seems there are about 15 people."

I explained the general plan.

"I plan to teach the swordsmen."

"..."

"Elysia-nim, please take charge of the Healing Department students."

"...I understand."

"And Hans-nim, please be in charge of the Magic Department."

Hans, who had been listening quietly, raised his hand with an anxious expression.

"Saint-nim..."

"Yes, Hans-nim."

"To be honest, I'm not confident."

"What are you not confident about?"

I looked at the names of the mages on the list and uttered a questioning word. The current Hans had more than enough knowledge to teach the academy students.

'Is it because of Luin?'

It wasn't that I hadn't thought that it might be difficult for Hans to be with his past acquaintance. The students' reactions would naturally be negative as well.

However.

"I think it's best for Hans-nim to be in charge of the Magic Department."

Knowing that there was no one who could teach them as well as Hans, it was not as if I hadn't forced the matter. Especially since Luin would be stimulated by seeing Hans, who was a step above him.

Hans, who had been listening quietly, said with a heavy heart.

"Saint-nim... I."

"Yes."

"I'm not confident I can go easy."

"Ah."

"I feel like I'll half-kill them... I'm afraid I'll be a nuisance to the Saint-nim."

"It's alright. I've even prepared a contract in preparation for such a thing."

"A contract... you say?"

Hans smiled coolly.

"Ah... my brain is trembling."

Why is it?

I feel like I've heard that line before.

Elysia also quietly raised her hand and said lowly.

"Saint-nim."

"Yes."

"Is it alright if I spread the doctrine about the Saint-nim?"

"Uh... that's."

"I will do it in moderation."

I smiled wryly and nodded.

"Then, I'm counting on you."

Sometime later, the first day of class arrived.

I, who had already taken a position deep in the mountains on the outskirts of the capital, was waiting for them with a small smile at the sound of their voices coming from the slope.

-Pant... pant... Director, are we going the right way?

-Yes.

-But still, an orc...! There's another one coming!

-Swordsmanship Department members, form a line. Histania Hanna and Mikhail, stand by.

-Then...!?

-You deal with them yourselves.

It's a good sound.

The sound of youth burning.

-Kuaaaak!!!! Director, please help!

-Be quiet.

It seemed Malik was doing a good job.

It seemed he had seen through the reason for choosing a monster habitat where people didn't go as the location for the class.

About 10 minutes passed, and I looked at those who were climbing up the peak with expressions like they were about to die, with a pleasant smile.

"...What."

"Why is that guy...?"

"No way... right?"

"Seniors, who is that person?"

Is it inevitable that I'm nervous because of the expectant gazes? I looked at the students full of a desire for learning and smiled brightly.

"Hello."

Because the more it's like this, the more I had to smile.

"One, two... fifteen, sixteen. It seems everyone is here."

16 people, including Malik.

I stood on the small platform and cleared my throat before opening my mouth.

"I am Ricardo, the general manager and invited instructor for this training camp."

First of all.

"Then, everyone."

I looked at the students with a friendly smile.

"Your sights are too high."

The students' eyes began to tremble greatly.