Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 4. Turn of Events (1)

The grounds of the 'Bayer Academy' were truly grand.

Even with a simple calculation, it was vast enough to be compared to Yeouido in size.

A place where the most esteemed talents of the Empire gathered; it matched the scale of a true cradle of the highest education.

"So, Yulian, how does it feel to visit your alma mater after so long?"

As I was surveying Bayer Academy, Herand beside me suddenly spoke up.

"It's not bad."

"Is that so?"

The purple haze symbolizing 'fear' was still shaking vigorously.

I understood his feelings, but felt slightly unjust since I hadn't done anything to warrant it.

I was merely answering a question.

"You may go back now, elder brother. Thank you for taking the time to escort me here."

"Oh, no. Since I'm here, I'd like to see how the induction test for the 'Blind Eyes' is conducted."

What?

I thought he was eager to leave as soon as possible out of fear...

Something felt odd.

According to my trait, 〈Color of Negativity〉, the emotion Herand harbored was definitely 'fear'.

Naturally, the source was me, 'Yulian', and our unwanted companionship.

Yet, he answered in that way, suggesting there was another reason beyond his own will.

'Am I being monitored?'

The Cryphart family regarded me, the renowned illegitimate relative 'Yulian', as a thorn in their side.

To make matters worse, the fame I'd garnered was mostly notoriety, making me a headache for the family.

They must have been desperate to find any excuse to publicly disgrace me.

'Perhaps he's here to monitor the induction test?'

Of course, being disowned isn't an option right now.

Though I had been incarnated as Yulian, I hadn't yet fully harnessed the abilities he originally had.

With rumors circulating that I'd lost my memory, being disowned by the family would surely weaken the deterrence against external threats.

'Those who held grudges would descend upon me at once.'

This Blind Eyes, a villain, had committed numerous vile acts.

Not only did he torture prisoners of war, but he also mercilessly killed countless commoners and nobles under the guise of imperial orders.

Many across the Empire dreamed of taking revenge on Yulian.

If they detected even the slightest opening...

'They would target my neck immediately.'

Even just by looking around the Bayer Academy, it was evident.

"Yulian..."

"Yulian with the 'Blind Eyes'?"

"Why is the Mad Dog of the imperial family here?"

"Be quiet! Lower your voice and don't make eye contact!"

Students murmured as they glanced at me.

All of them displayed a purple haze above their heads.

Just seeing Yulian engulfed them in fear.

Currently, fear exerts some deterrence, but considering the suppressed emotions beneath it, it's by no means a reassuring situation.

"Damn... I can completely empathize."

Like them, I'm an anti-fan of Yulian.

I could fully empathize not only with their fear but also with the negative emotions buried underneath.

However, I couldn't show that now.

What could I do, given that I am 'Yulian'?

I exhaled deeply, resigning to the unpleasant situation.

Herand, standing nearby, flinched noticeably.

It was starting to make me feel apologetic.

In an attempt to forget the reality, I hurried towards the location where the induction test was being held.

"Hello, Lord Yulian."

That was, until a charming voice spoke from right behind me.

'It's bold of someone to initiate a conversation with Yulian.'

Thinking that, I turned my head to identify the audacious figure.

Dark navy hair reminiscent of the night sea, and eyes like garnished emeralds.

A woman of such beauty that any man would be tempted to turn his head at least once.

"... Aileen?"

Aileen de Donatien.

She was a supporting character who appears in "Let's Kill the Demon King From Now."

She was affiliated with the Magic Tower of the Adratan Empire and served as a full professor at Bayer Academy.

At the young age of 24, she was a prodigy in magic, able to wield the 'Metal' element, one of the Five Elements, up to the 5th-rank.

In the game, she appeared in the academy storyline, offering various pieces of advice to the protagonist.

But... why is a character like Aileen acting familiar with Yulian?

'Were Yulian and Aileen acquainted?'

I didn't know.

I was only well-versed in the protagonist of the game, 'Hayden Reich', and the characters surrounding him.

Nonetheless, since she had initiated a conversation, I couldn't just ignore it.

I was about to respond as naturally as possible when suddenly, a haze above her head flared up like a flame.

A near-black red color I had never seen before.

'This color...'

Surprised for a brief moment by the unfamiliar color of emotions, I began to get a vague sense similar to when I first saw the 'purple haze'.

Repulsion.

An emotion like a sharpened knife, distinct from fear, struck my brain with intensity.

'Why?'

There was no way to know.

Why Aileen harbored such feelings.

'Clearly, something occurred that I am unaware of.'

Not knowing what had transpired between the two was problematic, but the bigger issue was that the emotion was 'repulsion'.

Though better than 'hostility', considering the possible risks, it wasn't particularly good news.

While those gripped by fear might refrain from attacking, someone harboring repulsion close to hostility might not hesitate to turn on me with force at any moment.

'If Aileen turns hostile... that would be formidable.'

A high-ranking mage dealing with the 'Metal' element at the 5th-rank.

With Yulian's original abilities, I wouldn't have easily succumbed, but in my current state, I felt there was no chance of overcoming her.

Thus, it was all the more crucial not to show any weakness.

I needed to perfectly act as the strong Yulian to the point that the rumors of memory loss seemed unbelievable.

"Did I give you permission to speak, half-blood of the Donatien family?"

In hindsight, it's absurd that I've uttered those words.

The problem is, that person is me.

Damn it.

***

For mages, being illegitimate was a lifelong disadvantage.

Mages valued the purity of accumulated mana within their bodies over generations.

Naturally, this blessing was thought to be inherited only by direct lines, and not applicable to illegitimate lines.

Among mages, this was considered to be akin to having impurities mixed in.

Yet, in terms of magic utilization ability, the difference wasn't significant.

It was simply pervasive discrimination and an outdated custom in the mage society that placed importance on bloodlines.

'Bastard.'

Aileen bit her lip.

She recalled what Yulian had said when he saw her.

Referring to her with the derogatory term, "half-blood of the Donatien family."

Despite having achieved the remarkable feat of mastering the Metal element at the 5th-rank at a young age, she was treated as a half-blood simply because she belonged to a side branch of the Donatien family.

Half of her blood was from a commoner, with no relation to magic whatsoever.

'He uttered the phrase I disliked the most as if it was nothing...!'

It was a mistake to have acknowledged him.

She had approached him to check on him after hearing rumors of a head injury during a hunt for high-rank demons...

Perhaps he hadn't changed; his vile nature remained intact.

He was the epitome of arrogance, devoid of humility.

'He is an illegitimate child just like me!'

What infuriated her most was that he spoke those words while being in the same predicament as her.

Aileen trembled with rage as she overlooked the training field where the Blind Eyes's induction test was conducted.

The reason she, a magic professor at the academy, found herself at a place designated mainly for knights was specific.

It was to witness the downfall of Yulian, a member of the Blind Eyes, and a well-known scion of the Cryphart family, also known by the moniker 'The Smiling Executioner'.

'Hmph, unaware that the induction test is a trap.'

Aileen smirked slightly.

Among the applicants who gathered on the training field, the second son of the Torso family, known for their close ties with the Cryphart family, was included.

The induction test required candidates to gain the instructor's approval through a demonstration.

Traditionally, one's abilities were evaluated through a spar.

In other words, Yulian, the instructor, would have to spar with the second son of the Torso family for the test.

"If the Torso family's second son were injured during the process, the Elder Council wouldn't stand idly by."

The Cryphart family, having a firm grip on the Elder Council, had been searching for a reason to cast out Yulian, who, despite being an illegitimate child, was a thorn in their side.

This induction test was essentially a charade to justify doing so.

Even with the protection of the imperial family, Yulian would find this scrutiny hard to evade.

Moreover, with noble members of the Elder Council rallying together to thoroughly pursue this matter, it wouldn't be easy.

Yulian should have avoided attending this event at all costs.

Seeing Yulian appearing on the training field, Aileen scoffed.

Yet at that moment, after surveying the applicants on the training field, Yulian made the same expression she did.

"So many applicants vying for entry. But all of you are nothing but trash."

The candidates and spectators began to stir at once.

Still, none dared voice any dissent.

They were overwhelmed by the ambiguous yet compelling atmosphere.

Witnessing this, Aileen found herself reminiscing about the past.

Of a time when such displays seemed admirable.

Aileen first encountered Yulian while attending Bayer Academy.

At that time, Yulian was a most reliable senior.

Despite being an illegitimate child, he stood out more brightly than other noble direct lines and was a person full of warmth.

He quickly rose to fame in the Empire with his unprecedented swordsmanship.

In a situation where illegitimate children, disheartened by their circumstances, were destined to mediocrity, Yulian was exceptional.

Especially in Aileen's eyes, who longed to shed the 'illegitimate' label and gain recognition, he was even more so.

Simply put, she idolized him.

She believed that this man could achieve great feats that would change the perception of 'illegitimateness' among the masses.

At that young age, Aileen couldn't distinguish between 'admiration' and 'affection'.

Which is why she poured her feelings into a love letter to Yulian—

"Ahhhh!"

Recalling her embarrassing past, Aileen clutched her head and silently screamed.

Overwhelmed by the mortifying memories, she trembled involuntarily.

"Whew..."

She finally caught her breath, calming her heart.

Anyway, Yulian was different back then.

He was someone who cared deeply about honor and had significant influence, respected to the point of representing countless illegitimate children.

But contrary to her expectations, Yulian became a traitor.

From the hope of illegitimate nobles to the Mad Dog of the royal family.

He gradually amassed notoriety, killing even children for the sake of his career, a true villain who pursued fame and success at all costs.

His actions earned him not only the scorn of society but also strong opposition from illegitimate nobles like Aileen.

Already facing negative judgments, Yulian's infamy only intensified the perception that 'illegitimacy is therefore invalid'.

'Well, it serves him right. It would be better for him if his noble status were revoked.'

Though she had been somewhat concerned due to the recent incident, that was it.

Confirming that he was in fine condition, albeit in a negative sense, she hoped he would be stifled and fall from grace this time.

After all, there was no viable escape from the current predicament.

'A way of subduing during sparring without injury? There's no way such a thing exists...'

Then it happened.

A calm voice reverberated across the training field.

All eyes, including Aileen's, turned to the man who had spoken, 'Yulian Cryphart Frason'.

'Do you know what sound a person makes when they die?'

In that single statement, everyone shuddered with fear.

Aileen, at that moment, realized that something was amiss.

She had greatly underestimated him.

Clacky's Corner:
Hmmm... Still waiting...