I Am The Game's Villain

270  Small Talk With Celeste

Samara added with a hint of menace, ”Iʼll do it again if necessary,” before coiling her arms around my neck.

”Protective, right?” I gave a warm smile to Melfina. ”Anyway, since Claudia is a granny and you are one as well, I thought that itʼs very likely that youʼre close friends with her, so I hoped that maybe you could talk to her in my favor.”

”G-Grandmother, what is happening exactly? Why are you even listening to him? Heʼs just a student under rehabilitation, and his relation to Professor Lydia shouldnʼt be enough reason to treat him like you are doing,” Evan seemed to have caught onto the peculiar situation and questioned Melfinaʼs actions.

”I will tell you later, Evan,” Melfina said before focusing her attention back on me. ”The only reason Iʼm showing this leniency toward you, Amael, is because of what Iʼve heard about you from Geoffrey and what I had witnessed.”

”I know.”

Melfina remained silent for a moment, presumably contemplating her words. ”Only Claudiaʼs approval might not be enough. The other Heads might inquire about your intentions. If you want me to convince them to trust you and gain their acceptance, you must prove your capabilities.”

”Oh? And do you have a plan in mind?” I inquired with a knowing smile.

”The Trimesterʼs Final Exam is in a few weeks. It will be broadcast throughout Sancta Vedelia and, of course, attended by the Heads in person,” Melfina explained.

”I see,” I mused for a moment. ”So, it would be sufficient to show my superiority by beating up one of their so-called Great Noble Prodigies, correct?”

Melfina winced at my audacious words. ”You donʼt necessarily need to defeat a Great Noble to prove your potential. Achieving the top rank should suffice.”

”I will consider it,” I replied before rising from my seat. ”Letʼs go, Samara.”

Samara nodded and faded into her own dimension.

The school year was divided into three trimesters, each culminating in a final exam to assess us. These examinations werenʼt limited to written tests; they encompassed practical demonstrations as well. Although I couldnʼt remember much about the first trimesterʼs final exam, I was confident that I could handle it.

”Amael, even if you obtain permission, itʼs not guaranteed that the Holy Tree will ʼacceptʼ you, it might be dangerous. You might die,” Melfinaʼs caution stopped me in my tracks as I grasped the doorknob.

”Donʼt worry about it,” I cast a glance back at her. ”I intend to become the Apostle of Nihil, after all.”

”...” Melfina fell into a shocked silence.

I pushed open the door and stepped out.

”Huh?” To my left, leaning against the wall, stood Celeste. She seemed to have been waiting there.

She regarded me with a slightly awkward expression, her arms crossed.

”Celes? Youʼre here? Come,” Evan, who had noticed Celesteʼs presence, rushed out and greeted his sister with a smile.

”No, itʼs okay,” Celeste waved dismissively. ”I just wanted to talk with grandmother, but Iʼll be late.”

”Donʼt worry; Iʼll write an excuse letter for you,” Evan chuckled. ”Come. Itʼs been a while since we chatted, my cute sister.”

”We saw each other just this morning!” Celesta retorted before hastily walking away.

I see, heʼs a sis-con as well.

Too much sis-cons in this world.

[
]

Shut up.

”W-Wait, Celeste!” Evanʼs demeanor underwent a complete shift as soon as his sister appeared in his line of sight.

”Leave me alone!” Celeste grimaced at her brother.

I paid their sibling quarrel no mind and continued walking.

It was getting late.

”Wait for me, Amael!” Celeste called out and soon caught up with me.

”Hm?”

”If Iʼm going to be late, Iʼd rather not be scolded alone,” Celeste explained with a sheepish grin.

”Is the teacher harsh on latecomers?” I inquired.

”Professor Gamir? Quite a bit,” Celeste replied.

Professor Gamir Teraquin was currently our Interclass instructor.

Damn it.

”You donʼt seem too eager for class either, huh?” Celeste giggled, noticing my expression.

I really didnʼt want to start my morning by seeing that guyʼs face.

”Well, you could say that…” I conceded.

”By the way,” Celeste drew closer and whispered, ”I overheard a bit of what you were saying to my grandmother…”

”You overheard us?”

”No! I just happened to hear it as I was about to enter!” Celeste quickly clarified, her face slightly flushed.

”You have a question for me?” I asked, sensing her hesitation.

”Yes…” Celeste scratched her cheek. ”You mentioned that you want to become the Apostle of Lord Nihil?”

”I donʼt want to become one. I will become the Apostle of Nihil,” I corrected her.

”Thatʼs quite the confidence, huh?” Celeste said, impressed, but there was a hint of disappointment in her expression.

Disappointed in me?

”Why do all men always aspire to be an Apostle?” Celeste sighed.

”Because it grants you status and power over the Holy Tree,” I explained. That was one of the key reasons why I aimed to become the Apostle of Nihil.

”I figured as much,” Celeste once again appeared let down. ”Youʼre just like all the other men, craving to become an Apostle of Nihil, huh?”

”What about Victor?” I inquired curiously.

”Victor?” Celesteʼs grin widened. ”Victor never talks about becoming an Apostle of Nihil. A man like him is exceptionally rare.”

Ah, that must be one of the reasons why sheʼs attracted to him.

”People are so focused on being an Apostle here and an Apostle there. Itʼs not all that important, you know?” Celeste glanced at me. ”If you want power, then train for it. If you desire status, then climb the ladder without seeking shortcuts. You wonʼt attract any girlfriends with such a lazy mindset, you know?” She teased me with a playful smile.

Iʼm engaged though…

”I donʼt need girlfriends,” I shrugged, narrowing my eyes slightly. ”I just want to become the Apostle of Nihil for myself.”

Celeste didnʼt say anything, but I could tell that her impression of me had worsened.

We didnʼt converse much further as we arrived at the grand stadium where our next class would be held. This class was unique, as it brought together students from all years.

It was an interclass.

The stadium was filled to the brim with first years, second years, and third years, creating a cacophony of noise.

”Goodbye, Amael,” Celeste waved at me with a smile and then walked off, probably to join Victor and Cylien.

[]

I winced.

What was that term?

John joined me and inquired, ”What were you talking about with Celeste?”

”Nothing. She just doesnʼt like the Apostles,” I replied.

”Is that surprising?” John scoffed. ”Her mother went through hell because-”

”I know, but I donʼt care about that, John,” I cut him off. ”Rather, I hope I wonʼt get grouped with third-rate nobles.”

”Youʼll undoubtedly get grouped with at least a Pretender.”

”Show at least some care as Laylaʼs brother. Iʼm her fiancé.”

”You donʼt get tired of repeating that, huh?”

”I know it has a bad effect on you and forces you to respect me, after all.”

”Youʼve got to be kidding me,” John scoffed.

”Iʼm not joking about it. But youʼll give up on that tsundere attitude of yours soon enough,” I said.

”Hell would freeze over before that.”

”Even after Layla and I have your niece?”

”Y-You bastard!”

And here we have the angry face of the future pampering uncle.

[]

I couldnʼt help but grin at Cleenahʼs observation. ʼYou bet,ʼ I replied with enthusiasm. ʼWeʼre talking about my and Laylaʼs daughter. Sheʼs going to be absolutely amazing.ʼ

[
]

I grinned, letting out a small laugh. ʼNevia told me.ʼ

[]

Cleenah seemed utterly baffled.

”She shared it with me when I asked why she was so protective of Layla,” I explained. Neviaʼs intense protectiveness of Layla had been evident, and she seemed quite angered by Zeusʼs interest in Layla.

When I inquired further, Nevia confided in me, stating that Layla was crucial for the future and so would be our daughter.

”C-Could it be that you…” John suddenly looked at me in shock. ”Could it be that you and her already…”

”Like hell!” I exclaimed defensively.

The truth was, I was still a virgin.

[]

Well…

How to put it...

After our engagement, Layla had shown quite an eagerness. Our wedding night nearly took place within the confines of a prison cell.

[]

ʼShut up!ʼ

I had barely held myself back during that time since it simply wasnʼt the right time or place. I couldnʼt blame her as she knew, she wouldnʼt see me for quite awhile. It was already amazing that she agreed in not following me to Sancta Vedelia.

Next Chapter: Inter Year Class

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