I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 91

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A few minutes ago.

I was aimlessly pacing around the large dessert table placed in the center of the salon.

It was because I had arrived earlier than expected.

‘Are Estelin and Rosette still far away?’

As I kept glancing toward the door, my eyes caught sight of a huge banner occupying one wall of the salon.

Rision Academy Prospective Student Gathering

I stared at the banner intently, then secretly shook my head.

‘I wonder if it’s really worth making such a fuss over just receiving exam notification letters…’

In Erbia, the higher the nobility, the more obsessed they tended to be with the Academy.

In this world, Academy graduation was the second most important thing after social status, so it was understandable.

The young lords and ladies who entered the Academy could hone their abilities through high-level education.

With outstanding abilities, it was easy to become administrative officials in the Imperial Palace or high-ranking public servants.

‘In other words, the Academy is no different from a prestigious university that guarantees employment.’

Of course, being able to build golden connections spanning the entire continent after graduation was also a major advantage.

‘I came to this party myself to build connections, after all.’

Just as I was nodding to myself, someone’s cheerful voice came from one side of the salon.

“Even if Lady Seleneae approached us wanting to become friends, we’d have to think about it.”

“That would be the case, wouldn’t it? Lady Seleneae is a non-manifester, after all…”

My brow gradually furrowed.

‘Of all things, the conversation I happened to overhear is gossip about me again?’

Well, it wasn’t particularly surprising anymore. I’d been hearing gossip until my ears were numb since my previous life.

‘I should at least see who’s chattering so excitedly.’

However, when I turned my head, I soon widened my eyes.

‘Anita Solb?’

Anita Solb was a young lady who had always stuck close to Meg Cline’s side at every social event.

Her father, Duke Solb, was known to be an honest and intelligent person, especially famous for raising his children excellently.

This was because Anita’s three older brothers were truly remarkable prodigies.

They had all graduated from the Academy with excellent grades and were currently serving in the Imperial Knights, Academy of Sciences, and Imperial Household Department respectively.

‘I heard they’re even handsome too.’

Not just one, but three such brothers.

Anita, the youngest, was also famous for being intelligent and having remarkable abilities.

However.

“I’m saying it’s questionable how that young lady even received her entrance exam notification.”

It seemed her character wasn’t as good.

I watched the back figure laughing merrily as if amused, then put the cookie I had picked up back down on the plate.

And I turned around without hesitation.

There was nothing more bothersome and draining than reacting to such words one by one.

I didn’t want to cause unnecessary commotion at an event I attended to build connections.

Just as I was quickening my pace.

[What are you doing right now?]

A voice full of dissatisfaction came from behind.

When I turned my head, Amon had appeared and was glaring at me with his hands on his hips.

‘…Amon?’

When I tilted my head, Amon frowned deeply.

[That attitude right now is different from what you promised.]

Attitude?

“…Ah.”

Only then did what happened a few days ago flash through my mind.

[Sigh… Fine. I’ll lend you my ability occasionally as you want. However.]

“However?”

[There’s a condition.]

To Amon who looked serious, I muttered indifferently.

“What’s the condition, looking so pathetic. You might as well just do it for free.”

[That’s because you’re so untrustworthy!]

“Tch…”

I looked at the huffing Amon and reluctantly nodded.

“Fine. What’s the condition?”

As if he had been waiting, Amon came closer. Then he spoke in a rather solemn voice.

[From now on, whenever you’re with me, promise that you’ll maintain your dignity no matter what.]

I widened my eyes.

“What are you talking about out of nowhere? Dignity?”

[As you said, you’re the only human who can share my abilities. So you should have the proper dignity as a chosen one.]

“What?”

As I closed my mouth in confusion, Amon, who had been staring at me, lowered his voice.

[I hate foolish, kind people the most, especially those who show presumptuous mercy.]

He was frowning his handsome brow deeply.

[For instance, being stupidly good-natured, or easily forgiving those who act arrogantly.]

“…”

[Or volunteering for sacrifice over trivial matters.]

I, who had been listening, made an “ah” sound.

“Don’t tell me you’re talking about being a pushover?”

[…Push-what?]

“I mean always getting taken advantage of.”

[…]

“Getting backstabbed by close friends, getting scammed by trusted lovers, being wrongfully blamed without being able to say a word, that sort of thing.”

That’s what I did every day in my previous life.

Though I asked half-doubtfully, Amon widened his eyes and nodded.

[That’s right. That’s exactly what I meant!]

He continued speaking rapidly with an somehow excited face.

[I absolutely hate humans who live like that. So I can never just stand by and watch you live in such a pathetic way either.]

He stared at me strangely intently and muttered.

[But you already look obviously weak-willed. It’s obvious you’ll turn my stomach soon enough.]

I narrowed my eyes.

“Do I really look that much like a pushover?”

But I soon closed my mouth. Amon’s words weren’t entirely wrong.

Though I had been living somewhat cunningly since coming here, the habits from my previous life as a common citizen didn’t disappear overnight.

“…Being servile sometimes is kind of my specialty.”

[That’s exactly what I don’t like. You trust people too easily, give them your heart too readily, and let yourself be manipulated!]

I, who had been thinking seriously, suddenly tilted my head and looked up at him.

“When did you even see me?”

Amon flinched in surprise and stepped back.

“Besides, there are moments when bending and yielding is the right approach.”

Amon frowned. He looked at me for a long time with a somewhat frustrated expression.

Then he let out a small sigh.

[…Fine. Then I’ll consider the situation to some extent.]

“That means…”

[Right. From now on, you can only be servile when I allow it.]

‘Right. That’s how it was.’

My eyes gradually widened as I recalled up to that point.

[It seems you’ve finally remembered. Then go right now and make those creatures shut their mouths.]

I looked at Amon with a troubled expression.

‘Make them shut their mouths?’

[Those things are daring to look down on you, aren’t they? So you need to go right now and punish them.]

Punishment, even?

I glanced over. Anita was still chatting excitedly with the other two ladies.

‘She’s annoying, but… no matter how I look at it, it doesn’t seem like punishment is necessary.’

I looked at Amon again.

‘D-do I really have to? If I just stay quiet, they’ll calm down on their own.’

[…]

‘Besides, I don’t really have much to confront them about. It’s somewhat based on facts.’

Amon, who had been staring at me intently, tilted his head crookedly. He raised one corner of his mouth and spoke leisurely.

[In that case, I’ll have to pretend I never offered to lend you my abilities.]

I was so surprised that I swallowed a gasp as I looked at Amon.

‘Are you really going to do this?’

[I’ve decided not to show presumptuous mercy.]

‘…’

[Because that was the promise I made with you.]

It was truly a firm answer. I kept my mouth tightly shut for a while, then reluctantly nodded.

‘…Fine. I’ll go confront them.’

A satisfied smile appeared on Amon’s lips.

[Very well thought. You must never easily tolerate such insolent fools.]

I reluctantly began walking toward Anita and the two ladies.

I had no idea what words to use or how to punish them, but it was clear that things had become troublesome in many ways.

The closer I got to Anita’s group, the more clearly I could hear their chattering voices.

“If she fails the exam, there would be no greater humiliation.”

I quietly stared at the back of Anita’s head, which was now right in front of me.

Anita seemed quite excited, even shrugging her shoulders as she spoke enthusiastically.

“I wonder if that would cause the family’s honor to plummet again…”

That’s when I interrupted. With a deliberately angry voice.

“Who says that? That I’m a non-manifester?”

The voice that had been excitedly gossiping about me stopped abruptly. Anita’s head slowly turned.

“…Lady Seleneae?”

Anita’s eyes were clearly filled with confusion. I cleared my throat and looked back at Amon.

But he was shaking his head as if it was out of the question.

[Ridiculously weak. Even a passing ant would laugh at you.]

I crafted a slightly sharper voice than before and stared directly at Anita.

“Who said that? That I have no abilities.”

Anita let out a surprised laugh, then rolled her eyes with a troubled expression. Just as she was about to shake her head and open her mouth to say something.

[That’s nowhere near enough. You’re still at an infinitely frustrating level. …Really, nothing has changed at all.]

I heard Amon’s muttering from behind, and suddenly my hand was lifted by some unknown force.

And I slammed the water glass I was holding onto the side table with tremendous force.

Bang—!!

With a heavy noise, the glass cracked with a splitting sound.

When I looked up with wide eyes, Amon was looking down at me with an indifferent expression.

[You need to do at least this much so those stupid insects won’t dare look down on you.]

At the same time, shocked screams erupted from across the room.

“L-L-Lady Seleneae…!”

Everyone’s attention in the salon was already focused on this side.

Amon sneered at Anita with a cold smile on his lips.

[Next time it’ll be your head, you insolent brown insect.]

Right before my eyes, Anita Solb’s face gradually turned pale.

I swallowed dry saliva while facing the ashen Anita.

And I looked at the still-shaking side table and the cracked glass.

[What are you doing? Now you need to say that you have more than enough abilities.]

Amon’s urging voice didn’t register in my ears. I was in just as much of a panic state as Anita.

‘…This is terrible.’

My gaze still fell on the glass in my hand.

The cracked glass clearly showed to anyone that I had slammed the glass onto the side table.

‘I’m really screwed.’

Others might be different, but I absolutely should not have done such a thing.

How hard had I worked for the past year to shake off the rumors about having a terrible personality, ruining parties every time, and constantly causing trouble!

I barely managed to lift my head.

Across from me stood three people – Anita, Janet, and Verain – with shocked expressions.

The first to speak was Anita Solb.

“Lady Seleneae. What on earth is this behavior?”

I slowly composed my expression. And showed an awkward smile.

“Sorry, my arm hurt so I couldn’t help it.”

Regardless of the intention, this had already happened because of that eccentric angel.

To handle this situation, there was only one method.

‘…I have no choice but to brazen it out.’

I broke out in a cold sweat internally while casually shaking the cracked water cup as if it were nothing.

“Ever since that terrible incident with Lady Meg, my wrist often gets stiff like this.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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