I Became the Third-Rate Villain in My Favorite Novel! - Chapter 2

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Gazes burned into me from every side.

Students stopped in the hallway just to watch the drama happening.

I’ve never felt this many eyes on me before. Back in Japan, I lived like a completely average high schooler.

Honestly? It’s… kind of underwhelming.

“Do you not have any shame trampling over lower titles and commoners, Cale Vincent!?”

Isaac’s voice rang out, full of raw anger. His eyes locked onto me like he was ready to charge.

It’s understandable though. From his perspective, I just bullied Lana again.

And judging by the way he’s positioning himself, his real goal is probably to call me out in front of everyone, to make sure the whole academy sees it.

“Was he bullying Lana again…?”

“This is the fourth time this week, but this time he really went too far…”

“We can’t do anything… he’s still a high noble. If we step in, our families would be ruined.”

Voices buzzed all around me. Most students here are commoners, a few lower nobles, and even fewer high nobles like Cale.

Higher ranking nobles wouldn’t bother with this mess. Why waste time on a notorious troublemaker like me? Well, Cale specifically.

A guy who contributes nothing to the academy except headaches for professors and misery for students.

Seriously, past Cale… what were you even doing with your life?

I took in a deep breath. Fine.

“Very well. Forgive me. I apologize for my actions.”

I bowed deeply, lowering my head slightly expressing my genuine apology.

The crowd rippled with surprise.

“Ehh? Did… Cale Vincent actually apologize?”

“No way… he’s gotta be faking it. Now he’s even faking apologies.”

I can hear you all, you know!?

I was trying to be sincere, but with Cale’s arrogant face… yeah, it’s no wonder no one bought it.

Isaac’s gaze turned from shock to something colder, disbelief mixed with disgust. But after a second, he sighed. Right now, Lana was more important to him.

“Haa… come on, Lana. Let’s get you to the nurse’s office and heal you right up.”

They turned and walked away, leaving me standing in the hallway, still bent forward.

Not even batting me a glance.

And If I remember correctly…

Isaac’s probably thinking right now about the upcoming arena duel.

It’s an annual event, students sparring in front of everyone, meant to show off their progress.

And it’s in about a week.

This is going to be such a pain…

As they left, the crowd started to break up too. No drama left, no reason to stay.

“Mr. Vincent.”

A calm voice spoke behind me.

I straightened up and turned around.

Standing there was a middle-aged woman in elegant robes, her eyes sharp yet strangely gentle.

“Professor Nasha.”

A powerful mage, especially skilled in fire magic, and, more importantly, someone who was an old acquaintance of Cale’s father.

“Please come to my office. Now.”

“Yes, Professor Nasha.” I rubbed my sore neck, still remembering Isaac’s iron grip.

She chuckled softly. “Good. I thought I’d have to drag you by the ear again.”

Again!? Was this guy really that stubborn…?

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I quietly followed her through the hallways.

Inside her office, she sat down behind her desk and gestured for me to sit opposite her.

“So,” she began, folding her hands. “I’ve heard reports from students that you’ve been causing trouble for Ms. Lana Again. Is that true?”

As expected… it’s about the situation earlier.

“Yes, it was true. I’m sorry for tha-”

“No need.”

She cut me off, sighing as she took a sip from a still steaming cup of coffee.

When was that coffee there?

“I’ve heard it all before. Yet every time, my words seem to go in one ear and out the other.”

I lowered my gaze, listening silently.

“Cale… your father was a man I respected. If it weren’t for him, you’d already have been expelled from this academy.”

She paused, watching me carefully.

“You’re lucky it was me who called you this time. If it had been another professor… you’d be getting an official warning letter.”

“Warning letter…?”

She nodded. “Three warnings, and you’re out. Expelled, no exceptions.”

Wait, isn’t that really bad?

I wasn’t even sure if past Cale had already collected some warnings.

“I see… thank you for telling me.”

“Though I suggest you reconsider your behavior, especially toward that baron girl.”

She means Lana…

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Again with the ‘I’ll keep that in mind.’” She sighed, sounding tired. “Every time I hope you’ve changed, it ends the same.”

She took another sip, staring into her cup like it might give her answers.

“At least try not to cause me more problems, alright? Your father asked me to watch over you, but I still have duties and have other students to teach.”

“I appreciate your concern, professor. I really do. I’ll try to do better.”

I bowed slightly in my chair.

She blinked, looking almost surprised. “You… really are different today.”

“I… have no idea what you mean,” I said, forcing a confused look.

“Haa… fine. Go to class. And Cale-”

She paused, eyes softening for just a moment.

“Don’t make me regret giving you another chance.”

I nodded, standing up. “Thank you for your guidance, professor.”

She waved a hand tiredly. “Go on, before you’re late.”

I stepped out, gently closing the door behind me.

As soon as it clicked shut.

“Haa…”

I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.

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Well… what else can I do now other than head back to class?

“…”

Uh… where is my class again?

Figures. Of course I wouldn’t know.

I know it’s S-Class… but from here? There’s like three different S-Class rooms on the first floor alone.

Sigh… Guess I have no choice but to ask… again.

I took a deep breath, knocked on Professor Nasha’s office door.

“Come in.”

As soon as she saw me, her brow scrunched up immediately.

“You? What do you need, Mr. Vincent?”

Wow, back to formal after our little heart-to-heart, huh?

“Ah… well… apologies, professor. I might have, uh… forgotten which S-Class room is mine…”

“Again? Seriously? This is the third time.”

She let out the heaviest sigh I’ve heard today.

Third time? Was the original Cale that hopeless?

“Alright, it’s S-Class Room 2. Try to actually remember it this time.”

“Understood. Thank you so much, professor… really.”

“Uh-huh. Now shoo. Some of us have actual paperwork to finish.”

I bowed slightly, stepped out, and gently closed the door behind me.

Alright… first floor. S-Class Room 2… if I remember the floor plan from the novel.

And right on cue, the bell rang, making me jump a little.

Perfect timing, i walked to my classroom.

A few minutes later, I reached the classroom door.

I opened it, and…

Silence.

Every single head turned toward me.

Nobles, commoners, higher nobles… all eyes locking onto me like I’d just dragged mud onto a pristine white carpet.

But still…

My heart skipped a beat.

Some of these faces… I recognized.

The same faces I’d admired from countless illustrations. Characters who were just drawings a few hours ago… now alive, breathing, right in front of me.

Ah… it’s even better than I imagined… I could probably die right now without regrets…

But just as quickly, reality hit back.

They turned away, disgust clear in their eyes.

Ow… yeah, that hurts. But I guess from their view, Cale Vincent really is trash.

Even so… it still stings. Hardcore fan or not, rejection still feels like rejection.

The classroom itself had those long, shared desks, stacked in steps so everyone could see the professor.

Whispers started immediately.

“It’s him again… probably just here to sleep in the back.”

“How did he even get into S-Class?”

“Obviously bought his way in, or blackmailed the professors.”

“Makes sense. He’s useless and not talented anyway…”

They weren’t even bothering to lower their voices.

I can hear you, you know…?

But it’s true, Cale only got into S-Class thanks to his father’s influence as a count. Talent wise? this guy was totally hopeless.

There’d even been an infamous fight once between Cale and Isaac, but it was stopped by her…

Alysia Calonia. The princess of the kingdom, with ice magic strong enough to freeze someone’s courage solid.

A dignified princess indeed, that’s why i liked her character.

She’d later become the villain of the Light Novel 3. But Cale wouldn’t live to see that part, he’d already have been expelled by then.

What a waste…

“He’s probably thinking of making trouble again…” someone muttered, rolling their eyes.

I sighed and walked to my seat.

Cale’s seat was near the very back, 5th row, completely alone.

There used to be other students beside him, but they were commoners, and Cale’s father had them expelled.

The reason? “Unfit to sit next to a count’s son.”

By the order of Cale Vincent.

Ridiculous… now I’m stuck alone for the entire year.

I sat down, the wood cold against my arms.

Just then, the door opened again.

In came Lana… now fully healed, still looking a bit shaken… and right behind her, Isaac.

They walked in together, and… wow.

Even in person, the two of them really do look like they belong on a book cover.

Gah… they’re so perfect together! I could watch them forever…

The hardcore fanboy in me almost squealed, but instead I just let out a weird excited breath.

Ah whoops…

Students in the row below me flinched at the sudden noise.

“Tsk.” Isaac shot me a glare sharper than a sword.

And Lana… turned away, her eyes cast down, shoulders trembling slightly.

Right now, she’s probably trying to act shy, hiding behind Isaac.

Already have the plan to annihilate me.. 

This isn’t ideal… I’ve got to at least look serious in class. Show them I’ve really changed…

Yeah. That’s it.

For Lana… for my own survival…

I’ll change my fate. I’ll do better. And maybe… just maybe… I can live a slow, peaceful life after all!

A slothful life!