Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 89

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

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Chapter 89
“Hmm.”
“Recently, things have been unusually noisy and chaotic. Miya has been monopolizing opportunities for me to showcase my abilities.”
“And yet I’ve given you plenty of chances?”
“I’m truly sorry.”
Ophelia bowed her head repeatedly against the floor in apology.
“Of all people, it had to be Simour… What a headache.”
The members of that family were not people I could easily dispose of as obstacles.
‘I’ve heard Duke Simour holds her in particularly high regard.’
If this troublesome young lady had been from a minor noble house, her life would have already been forfeit.
“Why has that unremarkable woman from Simour become such a variable?”
“I… I’m not entirely sure either. She was definitely a foolish villainess, but….”
Ophelia spoke incoherently.
“Is that what I should expect to hear from my intelligence source?!”
“A villainess, you say. When the majority deems something right, it becomes right; when they deem it wrong, it becomes wrong. Ophelia, even a demon becomes an angel if the majority says so.”
“I… I’m terribly sorry. It won’t happen again. Still, the Serig Family Princess is keeping her in check. She’s skilled at swaying public opinion. The princess will surely bring this to an end.”
“Can you guarantee that?”
“Yes! Yes! Her recent success was mere luck, and since she doesn’t know how to handle mana, there’s no reason for her to stand out in the future.”
Ophelia nodded vigorously as she spoke. She trusted the data she had painstakingly gathered in the past, and believed that people did not change so easily.
‘It must be coincidence. It has to be coincidence.’
Ophelia crawled down the stairs with trembling limbs, her thoughts churning.
‘Something doesn’t feel right.’
Meanwhile, the man seated on the left watched Ophelia’s retreating figure with eyes full of distrust, tapping his fingers against the armrest of his chair.
* * *
I observed the egg, which grew increasingly translucent and luminous with each passing day, before preparing to head to the Academy.
‘Already tedious.’
The autumn semester promised to be considerably busier than spring, with numerous academic conferences and various events scheduled. Moreover, today I had a meeting with Bert Simour, the Dean of the School of Magic. I had no idea why he suddenly wanted to see me, but I hoped it wouldn’t be something troublesome.
As I walked toward the School of Magic, I took a deep breath outside the Dean’s Office before pulling the bell cord. The door opened, and I stepped inside to offer a respectful bow to Bert Marquis, the twin brother of Duke Simour.
“It’s been a while, Deborah. How have you been?”
He tapped his pipe against the ashtray as he spoke. The acrid smell of pipe smoke mingled with a faint herbal scent in the air.
‘Why does it smell like grass?’
Sensing it was more than just tobacco smoke, I opened my mouth with a puzzled expression.
“Dean, I trust you’ve been well?”
“To be honest, I haven’t been at peace because of you. Things have been quite turbulent both inside and out.”
At his cold response, I fell silent, feeling awkward.
‘I knew this wouldn’t be easy.’
I’d been worried even before coming here.
“Whether it was the truth-finding committee before, or the Magic Tower lectures you’ve been conducting all this time—couldn’t you have shared your plans and thoughts with me beforehand? If you’re going to act so unilaterally, why attend the Academy at all?”
Yet despite his cold tone, his silver eyes held a peculiar light. I wasn’t sure what answer he expected from me, but simply apologizing and moving on would not be true to myself.
As I walked down the School of Magic corridor, I recalled a passage I always saw there.
“I attend the Academy because it is a place dedicated to the pursuit of truth.”
“Truth? What does that have to do with you being stubborn and acting on your own whims?”
“Truth is a universal principle or fact that anyone, anywhere, at any time can acknowledge. The first Dean of the School of Magic at the Academy carved a famous saying into stone: ‘The truth shall set you free.’ Surely you’ve heard of it.”
“So, because you pursue truth, you’re free? Is that what you’re saying?”
“…Yes. Please call it free will, not obstinacy.”
“Haha!”
He suddenly burst into laughter as if amused.
“Listening to your silver tongue, I’m relieved you won’t be easily deceived by others. Though I suppose my worries are unfounded anyway, since Lemond has already rendered Young-sik beyond recovery.”
‘What does he mean by that?’
As I blinked in confusion, he rose from his wooden desk and approached me.
“There are many petty fools who envy your rightful position as top of the Academy. If they spout nonsense, crush them like that. Make sure they can’t even squeak.”
“Ah, yes. I understand.”
I was somewhat taken aback by Bert Marquis’s blunt manner of speaking.
‘This man has a temperament just as terrible as Duke Simour’s.’
I imagined Duke Simour must have faced considerable hardship in the succession struggle because of Bert Marquis.
“What kind of tea do you prefer?”
He asked in a considerably softer tone. I hesitated for a moment, then mentioned the most popular tea name in this place.
“And desserts?”
“I’ve heard the cakes from a place called Armand are quite delicious these days.”
I didn’t forget to slip in a little advertisement.
“Ah yes, I’ve heard of it. The teaching assistants often go there to buy some.”
‘Excellent. Good news.’
Soon a servant brought two cups of black tea, its origin from the southern regions, and silence settled over the office.
“Do you have any idea why I called you here? Somehow I think you might be able to guess this one too.”
“To be honest, I’m not sure. I’ve caused quite a few incidents recently.”
Perhaps Young-sik, whom Deborah Simour had struck in the forehead with a magic stone, had belatedly filed a complaint. Since Bert Marquis seemed to hold some goodwill toward me, I spoke honestly, and he twitched the scar on his cheek with a slight smirk.
“True, you’ve been quite the troublemaker since your admission. Lately, I find your rambunctious nature rather entertaining. Know that while many people envy you, there are also many professors like me who find you amusing.”
Why is he suddenly praising me?
“…”
“I’ve been long-winded. To get to the point, I want you to give lectures here at the Academy occasionally, not just at the Magic Tower. I’ll create opportunities for you to teach from time to time.”
This is maddening. He attacks, then praises, then wraps it up with a request.
‘How can I refuse this?’
“I understand.”
I ultimately accepted his request. His mention of people trying to diminish my achievements also weighed on my mind.
‘Who could it be?’
As a disgrace cast out by the Simour Family, I was accustomed to being cursed by everyone, so I wasn’t in a position to be specifically targeted or envied. But now that I’d become top of the class, it seemed I’d become somewhat troublesome to others.
‘How irritating.’
If someone discredits my papers, it could damage my steady monthly income.
‘Whoever touches my purse won’t be forgiven.’
I finished my tea and left the Dean’s Office.
* * *
‘Things are about to get even busier.’
Lecture materials, the Epsilon group academic conference preparation, and even business matters on top of it all. I felt a sense of gloom descending upon me like a bomb about to detonate at my feet.
Particularly, the Mana Club’s academic conference preparation, which I was attending with the Fifth Princess, demanded far more hands-on effort than I’d anticipated. Epsilon was bustling with activity as the group academic conference drew near. Since I’d joined mid-semester, spring had passed without much consequence, but autumn semester seemed like it would be impossible to coast through.
‘After all, autumn semester is when the Academy truly shines.’
Above all, the Fifth Princess’s enthusiasm for presenting an impressive paper at the group academic conference was reaching the heavens.
And for good reason—the Epsilon academic conference was renowned enough to rank among the top five in the Empire. Brilliant Epsilon seniors, Imperial Court officials, and celebrated scholars all attended without fail.
If a paper caught the eye of high-ranking officials, it could actually be reflected in real policy, making it deeply meaningful for those devoted to scholarship.
But for me, it only promised a clear path of hardship stretching into the future.
‘Something’s gone wrong.’
With a bitter feeling, I quietly escaped the club room and wandered the nearby grounds before heading toward the Epsilon Main Mansion. The interior maintained a comfortable temperature through magic at all times, and various artworks and sculptures were displayed throughout, making it an ideal place to clear one’s head.
As I drifted about the area, my footsteps were drawn toward the clumsy piano accompaniment I heard coming from somewhere.
‘Wasn’t it said that only Thierry was in the Piano Music Club?’
Perhaps a child had wandered in and was playing the piano. Thierry was the type of person who would bring an unexpected younger sibling to this place without hesitation.
Dong—ting—! Dong!
‘What on earth is he trying to play?’
Convinced it was surely a child, I casually glanced sideways through the music room window, but the moment I saw that sturdy silhouette and recognized who it was, I bit my lip hard.

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

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