142 – The One Who Sees Inside -4-
Ruin is surrounded by a lot of froth.
He is praised by those around him.
He indeed excelled.
From Noble mtl dot com
Above all, the background of Matap was creating an absurd froth around Ruin.
Ruin, who rose to the ranks of the strongest in the latter part of the novel, but that was only about the latter part of the novel.
The current Ruin was a person who didn’t know what to do. If he were creating useless conflicts to grow his work and his personality made people around him uncomfortable, and his outstanding skills were based on his froth, then perhaps, the Ruin I saw was not just a dirty character, but even worse.
He didn’t have the magical power to pour meteors on the ground like Matap, nor did he command hundreds of summons like Darbav.
He had the talent to become a great mage, but in terms of personality or skills, he was far from enough.
To make the female lead of the novel cry…
He’s gone down a path of no return.
Even I had standards.
Loving novels and having a great interest in stories as a transmigrator who had followed the novel ‘The Strongest in the Academy’ to its completion, I clearly had a line drawn.
After the possession, there were only a few things that could disrupt the story.
Changing the future of a character who would turn into a formidable villain, or perhaps killing someone.
The most memorable event was probably protecting the girl who was on the brink of turning into a murderer.
It was all done for the sake of a peaceful unemployed life. Their presence posed enough of a threat to disrupt that tranquility. It was an act of consideration to alleviate the suffering of the protagonists.
As long as they didn’t cross three lines, I refrained from interfering with the story of the novel as much as possible.
That was what a reader and a possessor could do.
One was the lady’s safety.
Two was the potential threat to a peaceful life.
And the last one.
It was something that made Yuria cry.
Today, Ruin had crossed more than just two of those.
From now on, Ruin’s presence seemed to threaten my peaceful unemployed life.
Ruin had never felt a significant gap before. He had never met an unbeatable opponent no matter what he did, even when he met Bishop Balrak, the despairing bishop, at the Hamel Mountain last time. Ruin always had the mindset of a middle schooler in the novel.
“If I fight properly, I can win.”
But he flinched. The excuse of losing because he didn’t fight properly was nothing but a justification to protect his pride.
However, the novel always sided with Ruin. When facing a defeated opponent in a rematch, awakening or learning new magic to win, that was the case.
Moreover, in the genre of romance novels, the male lead’s strength had to stand out, so Ruin had always been in a position of victory rather than defeat. It seemed reasonable why Ruin had such a naive thought.
But now, the end of that understanding was beginning to show.
I made my friend cry.
I no longer wanted to show further consideration to Ruin, who had disrupted my happy unemployed life.
Ruin was weaker than I had known. Slightly better than students attending the academy if you exaggerate a bit. He couldn’t feel an overwhelming difference in skill. Ruin was so mediocre that it would be better to have a new person with potential rather than Ruin.
It was obvious what he believed and how he acted. It was all too transparent. Even his thoughts were simplistic.
So, I intended to undermine Ruin’s foundation.
If he persisted, he would continue to hold the position of a supporting male lead, but if he couldn’t, he would fall into his own world and fail to develop.
I planned to dismantle Ruin’s foundation by showing him that he wasn’t as good as he thought.
It was a way to lead the novel in a better direction and my way of venting frustration.
“What?”
Ruin tilted his head, bursting into a dry, ironic laugh.
“You don’t have anything to do? I could kill you right now.”
I nodded in response to Ruin’s cute provocation.
“Go ahead, try.”
“Hey…”
“You can’t, can you?”
“…”
“Let’s be honest, you’re not that confident, are you? You’ve never beaten me before, and it must be terrifying to fail so miserably in front of so many people.”
“You… are quite audacious today.”
“Isn’t that the truth? You’re still hesitating, aren’t you? Can you beat me?”
Ruin glared at me, grinding his teeth.
“Shut up.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Don’t flaunt your pierced nose.”
“Oh, scary.”
Ruin’s pride was like a massive fortress wall.
Behind that pride, the background of the mage tower must have played a significant role.
He might be talented, but there was undoubtedly a background he could rely on.
A disciple of the Tower, possessing exceptional magical talent. Everyone praised and admired him, so his self-assessment could only be high.
Honestly, both Ruin and I needed to be humble.
Orphans from the slums.
We, who luckily ended up in the hands of fate, living a prosperous life, had no right to look down on others.
I started to poke at Ruin’s sore spot.
“But, isn’t what I’m saying true? Ruin doesn’t know how to do anything, right?”
“Are you any better?”
“Yes, I am. Sending a letter to the Academy for reinstatement, isn’t it? Ruin, who came to deliver it, must know that well.”
“Damn, it’s just because you look pitiful.”
“Appearing pitiful is also a talent.”
With no response, Ruin let out a deep sigh.
Frustrating, I’m sure.
But, what can you do.
The mood of the greenhorn was not my concern. I had no interest in the feelings of a supporting character.
“Oh… come to think of it, the Tower is similar to Ruin. Raising rebels and nurturing murderers for the Empire, creating filthy mages. Just causing trouble.”
“…”
“One fell into dark magic and can never return, the other one… saves such sinners, right… Is it because the Tower is messed up?”
“Shut your mouth before I kill you.”
“I’m not insulting the Tower, just stating the facts.”
“Shut…”
“We’re talking. Listen and shut up. Please.”
Speaking politely, I was being quite audacious, but Ruin spat out a rising retort.
“Then, Desmont…!”
“I admit our Miss is not pretty. But isn’t the Tower the same?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. How can the Tower be compared to a small noble family?”
“If Desmont is a small noble family, is the Imperial family just a big house?”
“…”
“Think before you speak.”
Personally, I don’t think poorly of the Tower. It’s a place that produces exceptional mages and continuously strives for the advancement of magic.
However, I hold strong negative feelings towards the mages who live within the Tower.
Sense of superiority.
I have a negative view of the repetitive habit of self-entitled chosen ones halting their progress and solely seeking favor.
It’s just a personal opinion, so I don’t want to dwell on it too deeply.
The Tower of Magic may be impressive, but Ruint is not. Without filtering, I spat out whatever came to mind.
“What exactly do you know how to do?”
“Don’t start.”
“Let’s think rationally.”
I tapped my head, establishing the concept of thought for Ruint.
“Knowing how to do a little magic is about it. Having overwhelming skill? Not even close, right?”
“Then what else is there? Personality that’s outrageous, constantly provoking Tower nerves, creating incidents to tarnish the Tower’s image. It’s like a talking bastard.”
“Shut it.”
“Oh, and…”
I pointed out the most crucial flaw while looking at the balcony where Yuria had left.
“Isn’t it funny that Ruint is losing his temper with that person? Who is Ruint to tell someone to take off a dress they’re wearing?”
“…”
“Are you close with that person?”
Ruint’s response upon returning was silence.
“I asked if you’re close.”
“…”
“Not even close, so why the fuss? I have sharp ears, heard everything, and… damn, it was pretty messed up.”
“…”
“If I wear the same damn shirt as Ruint, would it feel good if I was asked to change?”
“There’s a reason for that. You son of a b*tch.”
“Then take it off. I have a reason too.”
I looked at Ruint with a cruel smile.
“Just kidding.”
Ruint’s face was turning red, as if about to burst any moment.
The flow of magic from Ruint accelerated, unable to control the boiling anger, clenching and unclenching his fist repeatedly.
“I should probably stop here today.”
I wanted to say more, but didn’t want to leave the person waiting alone on the terrace.
Before leaving for the balcony, I looked at Ruint and subtly hinted for him to deeply reflect on his actions.
“Imagine this. If the person you rushed to the balcony for was Yuria, how would you feel?”
“What?”
“You’d feel disgusted, right? If I were that person. Any affection would probably disappear… I’m just curious about Ruint’s thoughts.”
“That won’t happen. Mind your own business.”
I cut off Ruint and smiled.
“It would be quite amusing.”
I have a bad personality.
Maybe even worse than Ruint.
Once I made a decision, I didn’t easily change it and enjoyed tormenting others discreetly.
Perhaps because I harbored a villainess.
Even without putting in a tasty bait, I smiled at Ruint who eagerly took the bait without hesitation.
“I won’t do a thing.”
“Misunderstanding won’t help unravel anything, nor will it be of any use for what lies ahead for Ruin.”
“What are you saying? What have you ever done for me?”
“hahahahaha! That’s true. I suppose that’s how Ruin sees it.”
I casually walked away, carrying the blame on my back.
“A lot of things will truly change from now on. Things that were resolved surprisingly easily, opportunities obtained through luck, might now be beyond reach.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Nonsense.”
“Sigh.”
“But, I’m really curious about how the relationship between Yuria and Ruin will change.”
I approached Ruin and asked, “Have you not felt anything peculiar?”
“What?”
“The voice of the person who fled to the veranda. Their actions. The scent of their perfume. The color of their hair. Have you not felt anything peculiar about them?”
“…”
“Think carefully. I hope you will slowly contemplate the missed details and what is about to unfold.”
Suddenly, a sharp voice was heard from behind.
– Shut up! Do not insult Ruin on the topic of being a villain’s servant!
A woman who seemed to be Ruin’s devoted follower was holding her dress tightly and shouting at me, her face red with anger.
I smiled gently at the screaming female student and replied, “Be quiet.”
“…Hmph.”
“I’m not feeling very good right now.”
From Noble mtl dot com
People who came to mediate were approaching us one by one in the silence.
Student council president Chartia. Mikhail. The Crown Prince. Other significant supporting characters were each holding onto Ruin’s shoulders, and I shrugged my shoulders, smiling.
“It’s troublesome to get angry already. It’s just the beginning. It wouldn’t be good if you collapse from high blood pressure.”
“Let go. I’m the one who’s going to kill that brat today.”
“Hmm…”
As I was about to speak further, a cool voice was heard from behind. It was the voice of a boy with a high pitch.
“Stop it.”
Mikhail stood behind me, his sharp eyes staring, his hand on the hilt of his sword as if ready to draw it at any moment.
With the authority of the Vanguard, Mikhail had brought his sword, threatening the helpless civilian. I raised my hands in surrender.
Mikhail sighed deeply and lowered his head.
“Get lost quickly. I’ve grown tired of seeing your face.”
“I don’t wish to see your face either, but if I leave now, something quite regrettable might happen.”
“What?”
I looked at the clock hanging prominently on the banquet hall wall and smiled mysteriously.
6:30 PM
30 minutes before the attack by the heretics begins.
I didn’t want to miss the exciting sight.
30 minutes before Rock’n Roll!!!
Okay now I wanna see that regret tag do it’s work!