I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines - Chapter 15

Chapter 15 – Class Placement Exam (2)

The public arena of Gallimard Academy.

The location, shaped like a vast circular stadium, was filled with the heat and energy of students engaged in fierce battles.

Tension was visible on every face.

Gallimard’s reputation for its grueling curriculum was well-known.

And right now, the infamous “Class Placement Exam,” considered the first major hurdle, was in progress.

Each student was demonstrating their abilities.

Some for honor, some for reputation, and others for the sake of their future.

“Tsk tsk… This year’s batch is full of passion.”

The Dean watched the exams with a satisfied smile.

Although time had etched wrinkles into his face, his eyes still gleamed with intelligence.

“What do the other professors think?”

“It’s clear that this group has many talented individuals. Even when compared to previous years, they’re more than worthy of being called the ‘best generation.’”

“I agree with Professor Cadel.”

“The finest talents from across the continent have gathered here.”

The professors quickly responded to the Dean’s question.

Their evaluations were full of praise.

The Dean nodded in satisfaction.

“It’s truly remarkable.”

The top-ranking students of this year’s intake were truly outstanding.

From the second place down to the fifteenth, there were students who could have easily taken the top spot in any other year.

For the academy, this was a golden opportunity.

“This will only further solidify our academy’s reputation.”

The Dean chuckled quietly. Just then, someone cautiously approached him.

“I fully agree with your assessment, but… there is one concern I have.”

“Speak up, Professor Cadel.”

It was the same professor who had been actively voicing his opinions earlier.

“While there’s no doubt that this year’s students are exceptional… there’s been a lot of murmuring regarding the top student.”

The professor spoke with an air of regret.

But that was just a facade.

The twisted smirk on his lips and the glance he directed at Selena were clear signs of mockery aimed directly at her.

“I fear that this might lead to students questioning the integrity of Gallimard’s name.”

“Isn’t this matter already settled?”

“I’m merely voicing my concerns.”

“The decision regarding Professor Selena’s position has been made. There’s no turning back now.”

The top-ranking student, Judas Snakes.

If he fails to place within the top ten in this class placement exam, Selena will lose her position as head professor.

In other words, she would be demoted to an ordinary professor.

“So don’t act rashly.”

“Understood.”

Professor Cadel backed away with an unpleasant smile.

The other professors’ reactions were split into two groups.

One group snickered at Selena’s predicament, while the other looked at her with pity.

There were a few professors who sided with Selena, but even their support was more out of sympathy.

Everyone was predicting Judas’s defeat.

It was only natural.

Although he had left quite an impression during his entrance speech, most agreed that he was far from deserving of the top student title.

Selena was cornered.

‘It’s over.’

‘She might be eccentric, but she’s a capable professor… It’s a shame it had to end like this.’

‘Finally, the day has come to bring her down.’

‘She’s an alcoholic, and now it seems her mind is going too.’

‘Anyone else would be one thing, but his opponent is the princess…’

The professors exchanged quiet glances.

In the spot where all those gazes converged stood a woman with purple hair.

“…”

Selena stood there, lost in thought.

Despite being in a precarious situation, she seemed no different than usual.

Her crimson eyes remained calmly reflective.

[Match 7]

[Judas Snakes vs. Charlotte Little von Stauffen]

“It’s starting.”

Selena muttered quietly.

Her eyes were fixed on the center of the arena. More specifically, on the boy who was entering it.

Under the sunlight, his golden hair gleamed.

A fight where there seemed to be no chance of victory.

Yet, the boy was confidently stepping onto the stage.

***

The class placement exams proceeded in a predetermined order.

My match was the seventh one.

Considering that there were nearly a thousand new students this year and around a hundred of them were taking the exam on the first day, it was a fairly early turn.

Maybe that’s why.

My turn came around before I even had time to get bored.

Just thirty minutes ago, I was watching other students’ matches, and now I was standing in that very spot.

I trudged onto the arena floor.

“The seventh match will begin shortly.”

“Students participating in this match, please move to the designated area according to the announcement.”

The announcement blared loudly.

The exam’s structure was simple.

Two students of roughly equal ability would duel.

Regardless of the outcome, all aspects of the match would be evaluated and used to determine the students’ rankings.

‘So my opponent really is Charlotte.’

I chuckled.

Was it because an unworthy student had taken the top spot? It seemed the academy staff were determined to knock me down.

They wanted to strip me of that title.

“I never wanted this position in the first place… What a hassle.”

= I didn’t even want to be top student. Now they’re causing a fuss about it.

If they were going to do this, why put me in this position in the first place?

“It’s just unfortunate.”

= What a mess. This is annoying.

It was clear they expected me to get crushed.

But I wasn’t planning to let that happen.

If someone intended to use me, they should be prepared to be used in return.

‘It’s not a bad opportunity. I needed a chance to solidify my position anyway…’

As I pondered this for a moment,

I met the gaze of the silver-haired girl standing opposite me.

“……”

“……”

Her blue eyes, reminiscent of the sea, locked onto mine.

As we exchanged looks, the announcement rang out again, breaking the silence.

{Participants, please take your positions.}

{The exam will be conducted as a duel. The match ends when one participant is incapacitated or surrenders.}

{Additionally, the match will end if either participant chooses to forfeit.}

It was about to start.

I gathered my energy, letting dark mist flow around my hand.

From across the arena, a voice called out.

“I won’t hold back.”

Charlotte’s gaze remained inscrutable as she looked at me.

She was exactly like the Little Prince from the story. I responded playfully, adopting a teasing tone.

“It’s troubling to hear… Her Highness intends to go all out.”

“I’m curious about you.”

“About me?”

“You remind me of someone. Someone I saw once before. I’m not sure if you’re the same person, so…”

“Your Highness wants to test me, then.”

“Yeah. I’m going to give it my all.”

“Haha, I hope I can meet your expectations, Your Highness.”

“Let’s do our best.”

Charlotte unsheathed her sword from her waist.

The blade traced a smooth arc as it emerged, gleaming under the sunlight.

{Ready.}

Not wanting to be outdone, I condensed my energy into my hand.

The shadows swirling in my palm quickly took shape, forming a dark blade.

We pointed our swords at each other.

{Begin!}

With a brief signal, the match began.

Charlotte, who had been gathering her mana, flexed her arm lightly a few times before propelling herself forward with a powerful leap.

Thud!

The sharp sound echoed.

In the next instant, Charlotte was right in front of me.

Without a moment’s hesitation, she swung her sword. A silver line cut through the air.

Clang!

I narrowly blocked it.

If I had been just an average student, I would have been taken out by that first strike. Charlotte murmured as if she had expected this outcome.

“As I thought, you reacted.”

“It was just luck.”

“I see.”

Clang! Clang! Crack…! Thud!

The attacks came relentlessly.

Each clash of our swords sparked with intensity. Amid the storm of strikes, I was pushed back, step by step.

“Ugh…!”

I furrowed my brow and groaned.

Of course, I wasn’t actually struggling—I was just pretending.

It was part of my strategy.

‘Just defend—only defend as much as necessary.’

My goal for this class placement exam was to secure a spot in the top ten.

I had no intention of climbing higher or dropping lower.

Anything above would draw too much attention, and anything below would be insufficient.

My objective in this life was to blend in, neither too visible nor too invisible, while observing the world’s happy ending.

That’s why I aimed for a middle-ranking score during the entrance exam.

Staying at the top only attracts unwanted attention.

But if I perform too poorly and fall to the bottom, that would also draw negative attention.

People would probably say, “So he really was just a phony top student,” and my reputation would take a hit.

‘I need to show that I’m not as strong as Charlotte, but still capable.’

Gripping my sword tightly, I continued my act.

A touch of deception in the air made the fight seem more precarious than it really was.

Clang!

The fierce melody of clashing steel filled the arena.

Each time our swords met, sparks flew.

As the intense duel continued, reactions started emerging from the watching students.

– Wh-what… he’s actually putting up a good fight?

– He’s not just putting up a good fight. He’s continuously blocking the princess’s sword…!

– I thought he’d go down with the first attack…

– Didn’t they say he was just a phony top student?

– His opponent is the princess, but his skills aren’t trivial either, right?

Yeah, that’s right.

Please think of me as ‘Extra No. 1, who is somewhat ambiguous as the top student, but still strong.’

With a smirk behind the restless atmosphere.

“Haah, Haah…”

“Are you tired?”

“Yes… Your Highness.”

“For someone who’s tired, you’re handling it pretty well.”

Boom-!!

Charlotte was doubtful for a moment.

She suddenly pushed away the sword she had been struggling with, creating some distance and adjusting her stance.

She held her sword with both hands, pointing the tip downwards.

“Let’s find out whether that tired look is… real or just an act.”

A transparent barrier flickered.

The mana inside her body exploded. The overflowing energy quickly spread throughout the girl’s entire body.

A blue aura swirled around Charlotte.

Whoooosh-!

The air, filled with fear, began to tremble.

An overwhelmingly splendid sight. Knowing what the prelude meant, I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.

‘Wait… is she really casting her ultimate move in a mere class placement test?’

Even against a losing opponent?

Amazement surged, but Charlotte’s technique arrived a step earlier.

A cold light flickered over her dilated pupils.

Crimson lips whispered the incantation.

“Let my sword be stained.”

Crack-!

The girl planted the sword she was holding into the arena floor.

Immediately after the resounding spell, a loud noise of steel and stone cracking echoed. It was an unusually sharp sound.

The blue aura that had been swirling spread out in all directions.

And the next moment.

Swoosh-!

Steel vines shot up from the ground, surrounding the entire circular arena.

The stems interweaved and cut into each other.

Thus, a gigantic landscape was created.

“Haha… isn’t this a bit too much?”

What appeared in view was none other than a rose garden.

Every leaf and petal was in the form of a sword, a cradle of steel.

“I told you. I won’t hold back.”

Charlotte approached with light steps.

In her hand was a newly picked sword from among the thickets, a broadsword.

Her gaze, looking at me, was intense, and it seemed she wouldn’t let up until she’s had her fun.

I reluctantly grabbed a sword.

“Haha…”

It’s really hard to pretend to lose without showing it.