Page 263 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

On the third day after the incident caused by the student council’s independent actions...

“Shartia, fourth-year in the Department of Magic, Class A.” “...” “The faculty is deeply disappointed by the events.”

Shartia sat alone in front of numerous professors, without any of the other students who were involved in the incident. She was alone for one reason: to take full responsibility for what had happened.

As the person in charge, Shartia lowered her head and gave the professors the answer they wanted. She had no desire to make unnecessary remarks—they weren’t looking for anything but the apology they expected.

“...I’m sorry.”

A professor, seated in the center of the table, spoke to her. He asked why they had acted on their own, referencing that when they had sought advice, the academy had stated that students should handle academy affairs themselves. Now, however, they were scolding her.

‘Disgusting.’

No matter what she said, they wouldn’t listen. Shartia swallowed her disgust and forced herself to nod at the professor’s question.

“If you couldn’t handle it, you should have sought the help of the professors.”

-Click.

“The reason professors are at the academy is not just to teach students but also to ensure their safety.” “...” “Do you understand, Shartia? You abused your authority.” “I believed we could handle the situation on our own. When we sought your advice last week, you ignored us.” “I told you to wait. I never said you should take matters into your own hands.” “You gave us no response for a week.” “Shartia!” “And without us, no one would have noticed the issue with the barrier stone.” “...” “Furthermore, Elicia, the nun, had been using mind magic on students for three years—” “There’s no such thing as a spell that lasts for three years.” “...”

Shartia stopped mid-sentence, sighing deeply in frustration at the professor’s cold response. He wasn’t going to listen no matter what she said.

“I’m sorry.”

She had to say what they wanted to hear.

Clenching her fists, Shartia listened silently as the professors lectured her. They criticized her for dragging the academy into such a dangerous incident and suggested that it was time to reconsider the old regulations, all while feigning concern for student safety.

“I’m sorry.”

But she knew this would all be over soon.

The real reason she had been called separately was obvious. They were pushing her to step down as student council president before her term was officially over.

She already knew how this was going to end.

“...”

Shartia waited patiently for the punishment they would hand down. She no longer had any desire to remain student council president. She had once believed that being president would win her some support from the nobles, but it had proven to be of no benefit. In fact, it had made her more enemies, and it wasn’t helping her navigate the treacherous life of the imperial court.

Tuning out their words, Shartia focused on just getting through this. She wanted to leave. She wanted to see Olivia’s bear.

-Grrr.

“...”

She just wanted to get out of there.

The professor, who had been relentlessly lecturing, finally ran out of things to say. With a deep sigh, he opened his mouth again, this time with a heavier tone.

“The headmaster, myself, and the academy faculty have had many discussions.” “...” “And we have concluded that this won’t be the last time. With incidents involving heretics increasing and the student council showing poor judgment, we believe action must be taken.” “That’s...!”

Hoping to take full responsibility, Shartia began to speak, but the professor cut her off sharply, delivering the faculty’s final decision.

“From today onwards, the authority of the student council will be divided. We’ll entrust some of that authority to someone who has shown better judgment and a stronger record of performance.” “This was my fault! I should be the only one held accountable—” “No. This is a problem with the entire student council. It’s also the academy’s fault for giving such immature students too much authority.” “...” “Don’t worry, Shartia. You won’t be directly affected.” “That’s not the point!” “Be quiet.” “I’m sorry.” “Regardless, the academy’s decision is final.”

The professor smiled as he delivered the verdict.

“I’m sure you know this person well. They were the student council president when you were in your first year.” “What do you mean...?” “They’ll be arriving here shortly. You can introduce yourself to the new director.”

-Knock, knock.

As the professor finished speaking, there was a polite knock from behind Shartia. A precise, respectful knock.

“Gulp...”

“May I come in?”

“Come in.”

“I’ll enter, then.”

Upon hearing the man’s voice behind her, Shartia squeezed her eyes shut. She dreaded facing him again.

She had never met him personally.

She hadn’t joined the student council at the time, but she had heard plenty of rumors from her seniors.

He was rumored to be the most rigid and strict student council president the academy had ever seen—and the most intimidating.

-Creak.

“It’s a pleasure. From today, I’ll be serving as the academy’s new director...”

“It’s been a while.”

The professor interrupted the man’s introduction, offering a warm greeting in a friendly tone, as if eager to show off their connection.

The man gave a slight nod in response but quickly replied in a cold, authoritative tone.

“I was in the middle of speaking. Please don’t interrupt.” “...Excuse me?”

Despite the professor’s surprise, the man continued without hesitation.

“Let me reintroduce myself. I am the new senior director, here to assist with the judgment of the academy’s officers without infringing on student freedom.”

“...”

“My name is Malik of Histania.”

Malik smiled as he introduced himself.

‘Installing a convenience store here would be a good idea.’

He recalled the business idea he had discussed with Ricardo.

At the same time, in the academy library, there was a loud noise.

-Thud!

“...What the?”

Hanna, seated in the library, dropped the book she was reading as she felt a sudden chill down her spine.

“What is it...?”

Hanna felt an eerie sense of dread, the kind she always experienced when she thought her brother might be at the academy. It was a familiar unease she had whenever he was around.

“Hit me until I can’t stand.” “...What?” “The red-haired butler told me how much I’ve messed up.” “Don’t say that. Stand up. I—” “Hit me. It’s the only thing I can do for you right now. I’ll apologize when you’re ready to forgive me.”

Hanna let out a small, exasperated laugh and shook her head.

“No way...”

She knew there was no reason for her brother, who had already graduated, to be at the academy, so she dismissed the thought and bent down to pick up the book she had dropped.

How to Seduce an Older Man.

An excellent read.

“Haa...”

Putting the book aside, Hanna continued her reading. She had piled up a mountain of books, eager to absorb as much knowledge as possible on a topic she was utterly inexperienced in—romance.

How to Catch Your Senior. The Neighbor’s Affair with the Butler. The Red-Haired Knight and the Princess.

Hanna massaged her temple, feeling a headache coming on. None of these steamy novels were helping.

“...Press your chest against him?”

Still, Hanna felt she had made some progress.

Burying her face back into the book, she focused on her studies. Accumulating even trivial knowledge could be useful in practice someday.

“If I spill coffee on my shirt and—”

And then...

“Oh my, who do we have here?”

A familiar voice reached Hanna’s ears. It was the voice of a noble, dripping with disdain—the kind that instantly lowered her mood.

A girl with violet drill-shaped hair stood there, covering her mouth with a smile.

“Ohoho~! What is the great empress of the swordsmanship department doing in a place like this? Shouldn’t you just be swinging your sword around?”

“Haa...”

Hanna sighed deeply and closed her book. Dealing with this lunatic, who loved to shout “Magic is the best!”, wasn’t her idea of fun.

With a sharp look, Hanna turned to her and spoke.

“What now?” “Ohoho...! It’s been exactly one year. One year since you crushed me in the rankings!” “Stop picking fights and get lost. I’m studying.” “Studying?! Histania Hanna, studying?!?” “Shut up.” “Eek!”

The girl flinched at Hanna’s piercing glare, turning away but quickly mustering the courage to retort, not willing to back down.

“Ohoho... don’t look at me like that. It’s scary.” ? Nоvеlιght ? (Read the full story) “Then leave.” “I was just worried, seeing you, the muscle-brained queen of swords, reading books. I thought you might be feeling nauseous.” “Are you calling me dumb?” “Ohoho...!”

This girl was just as clueless as she was obnoxious.

And, of course...

She was one of the many girls infatuated with Mikhail.