Page 406 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

"Has everyone arrived?"

Sitting in the senior director's office, Malik looked at the gathered students with a faint smile.

"You all have good looks in your eyes."

Each of the students standing before him had a determined gaze. Their resolve to grow stronger was evident, and their dissatisfaction with their current capabilities was palpable, even to Malik.

Pleased, Malik nodded as he began to call out names.

"Swordsmanship Department, third-year Mikhail."

"Yes."

Mikhail stepped forward in response to Malik’s call. With the holy sword at his waist, Mikhail exuded a calm demeanor, distinct from his usual self.

"I want to be someone who can help Ricardo... because right now, I’m far from enough."

He was determined to achieve significant growth in this class, to pay off even a fraction of his debts and to stand alongside Ricardo.

"Healing Department, third-year Yuria."

"Yes."

Yuria responded with equal resolve.

"Magic Department, third-year Ruine."

"Yes."

Ruine, too, showed no less determination.

The group wasn’t large by any means. The number of attendees barely exceeded ten.

(Participant List)

● Swordsmanship Department:

Mikhail, Histania Hannah, Sigor Rook, Rohan, Eliria Baelin

● Magic Department:

Ruine, Tetra Shuen, Leocard Shartia, Adrian Fulkner, Airi

● Healing Department:

Yuria, Sophia, Gyle, Lynn, Mira Silvaren

Despite the small turnout, Malik thought the determined expressions on their faces weren’t bad. Those with half-hearted commitments would have only ruined the atmosphere.

Looking at the students before him with unwavering eyes, Malik began to speak.

"Those of you gathered here have been selected to be guided by an instructor we’ve gone to great lengths to invite for the summer break."

"..."

"You were selected not by obligation but by choice, volunteering to sacrifice your break for the sake of learning."

"..."

Malik emphasized again that their participation was entirely of their own volition. With a chilling smile, he continued.

"This is your last chance."

"..."

"Your last chance to dream of a miraculous transformation during your time at the academy."

"..."

"Swordsmanship Department, first-year Sigor Rook."

"Y-Yes, sir!"

The nervous first-year, surrounded by senior students, answered loudly and clenched his fists tightly.

"Where did you place in the recent rankings?"

"420th, sir!"

"A pitiful number."

"I’m sorry, sir!"

"You have a family name, so you must be a noble?"

"Yes, sir! The Sigor family manages a small estate on the frontier!"

"What’s your goal before graduation?"

"My goal is to reach the top 50 in the rankings and improve my estate, sir!"

"Do you think your name alone can bring prosperity to your estate?"

"No, sir! I want to give even a little comfort to the residents who live in fear of monsters!"

At Sigor’s bold answer, Malik gave a small smile and nodded.

"I like your spirit, Sigor. If you endure this class to the end, I’ll ensure you receive a scholarship."

"Thank you, sir!"

As the other students’ eyes filled with envy, Malik smiled. The atmosphere was shaping up nicely.

"Don’t lose heart—if you show enthusiasm during the class, there may be scholarship opportunities for you as well."

"Wow...!"

"Now then..."

"..."

"From this moment on, you will sign the contracts I’ve prepared."

At Malik’s signal, Shartia, standing with a tense expression, stepped forward and placed a stack of papers on the desk before stepping back.

As the students read the contents, their eyes trembled, mirroring Shartia’s earlier expression as they looked back and forth between Malik and the contract.

"This document is a binding contract."

"..."

"It was crafted by a high-level mage and has considerable binding power."

"...W-Wait a moment."

Malik raised a hand to silence the young student who had attempted to ask a question and spoke firmly.

"Questions will be addressed after I’ve finished speaking."

"...I’m sorry."

Malik continued.

"The contract stipulates that you will not disclose any details about the special class occurring during the summer break to outsiders, and that you accept full responsibility for any injuries or damages incurred."

"..."

"Don’t worry—I’ll cover the medical expenses."

"..."

"Once you channel your magic into the contract, it becomes binding. At that point, you cannot back out, nor can you run away."

"..."

"You might think this is strange. You might wonder why such a document is necessary, or fear that it signals something dangerous. You might even be scared."

"That’s true..."

"But."

Malik looked at them with a serious expression and declared,

"I guarantee that by the end of this summer, you will have become monsters."

"..."

"First..."

Grabbing one of the documents, Malik smiled brightly.

"I’ll sign it myself."

"What?"

"I’ll be participating in the class too."

Malik’s resolve began to burn even brighter.

***

Another Peaceful Day at the Hamel Estate

"I’ll now explain the schedule moving forward."

In the basement of the estate, Ricardo and the others (Hans and Elicia) sat clustered together, their serious expressions focused on me as I stood by the blackboard.

"We will listen intently to the Saint’s words and take them to heart."

"..."

"I plan to write down everything the Saint says. It’s an essential process for creating the scriptures, after all."

"You don’t really need to go that far..."

I awkwardly smiled and continued speaking. No matter what I said, I knew they wouldn’t change their minds.

"As I mentioned previously, I’ll begin teaching academy students starting this Monday."

-Nod, nod.

"I truly apologize for dragging such distinguished individuals into this. It’s a favor for a benefactor, and I’m sincerely grateful for your help despite the burden."

"If it’s a request from the Saint, I’d follow you even to hell..."

"I’d go all the way to heaven with you."

"I don’t need you to go that far..."

I glanced at them with a faint smile.

"According to the list I received, it seems there are about 15 students."

I outlined the general plan.

"I’ll be teaching the swordsmen."

"..."

"Elicia, please take charge of the Healing Department students."

"...Understood."

"And Hans, I’d like you to handle the Magic Department."

Hans, who had been listening silently, raised his hand with a troubled expression.

"Saint..."

"Yes, Hans?"

"To be honest, I’m not confident."

"In what sense?"

I glanced at the list of mages, puzzled. Given Hans’s current knowledge, he was more than capable of teaching academy students.

"Is it because of Ruine?"

I had considered the possibility that working with someone from his past might be challenging for Hans. I expected the students might react negatively, too.

However...

"I believe you’re the best person for the job, Hans."

There wasn’t anyone else who could teach them as effectively as Hans. In particular, Ruine would likely find inspiration in seeing Hans, who was several steps ahead of him.

After a moment of quiet contemplation, Hans spoke with a heavy heart.

"Saint... I..."

"Yes?"

"I’m not confident I can hold back."

"...Ah."

"I might push them ~Nоvеl??ght~ to the brink... I fear it’ll reflect poorly on you, Saint."

"That’s fine. I’ve prepared for such situations, even drafting contracts for that reason."

"Contracts... you say?"

Hans chuckled darkly, his smile sharp.

"Oh... My brain is tingling already."

Why did that line feel strangely familiar?

Elicia, who had been quietly listening, also raised her hand and spoke softly.

"Saint."

"Yes, Elicia?"

"May I spread teachings about you during the class?"

"Uh... that’s..."

"I’ll do so moderately."

With a wry smile, I nodded.

"Then, I’ll leave it to you."

*

The First Day of Class

I was already waiting deep in the mountains on the outskirts of the capital, smiling faintly as I listened to the voices of those climbing the steep path.

-Huff... huff... Director, are we sure this is the right way?

-It is.

-But there are orcs—! Another one is coming!

-Swordsmen, form ranks. Histania Hannah and Mikhail, hold position.

-Then...!?

-You’ll handle it yourselves.

The sound was good—the sound of youth burning brightly.

-Aaaaagh!!! Director, help us!

-Quiet.

Malik seemed to be handling things well. He must have understood why I chose a monster-inhabited area for the class.

After about ten minutes, I greeted the approaching students with a pleasant smile as they appeared at the summit, looking half-dead.

"...What is this?"

"Why is he here...?"

"No way... it can’t be..."

"Senior, who is he?"

Was I feeling nervous because of their expectant stares? With a warm smile, I addressed the students, who were brimming with the desire to learn.

"Hello."

The more tense the atmosphere, the more I needed to smile.

"One, two... fifteen, sixteen. Looks like everyone is here."

Including Malik, there were 16 of them.

Stepping onto a small podium I had set up, I cleared my throat and began.

"I am Ricardo, the chief instructor and guest lecturer for this training session."

For now.

"Now then, everyone."

With an amiable smile, I looked at the students.

"Your expectations are far too high."

The students’ eyes widened, trembling visibly.