Chapter 6 -"The villainess "part 2

Scarlet and Sisbell were fully absorbed in Prof. Mirella’s lecture.

Meanwhile, Nox and Alber… were doing their best not to fall asleep.

Alber rested his chin on his desk.

“Nox… this is so long.”

“You’re still listening,” Nox replied, tapping his pen lazily. “At least more than me.”

Alber snorted. “Only because Professor Mirella explains well.”

A few hours passed. Class finally ended, and Sisbell stood up immediately. She looked at the two boys with a serious face.

Alber sighed. “What now, Sisbell?”

“We need to move to our next class,” Sisbell said, hands on hips.

Alber raised a brow. “Yeah, I know. You don’t have to stare at us like we skipped class.”

Sisbell puffed her cheeks. “It’s not like I was waiting for you or anything.”

“Sure.”

The two walked ahead, still bickering.

Nox rose from his seat at a slower pace. Scarlet naturally fell into step beside him.

“How did you know witchcraft was used in war?” Scarlet asked, her footsteps light but her eyes sharp.

Nox didn’t look at her. “Because I read books. And Lady Scarlet, I don’t know what you’re trying to pry out of me, but can’t you stop?”

Scarlet smiled faintly, not offended at all.

“Sir Nox. I know you dislike it. But are you certain you want me to stop? As a special admission, you’re already attracting many eyes. If I stop walking beside you… someone else will fill the gap.”

Nox glanced around.

Indeed, countless students—commoners and nobles—were watching them with curiosity and suspicion.

Scarlet continued, “I don’t have bad intentions. I’m simply curious about you—no, maybe more than curious. You’re an interesting person, Sir Nox. But if you don’t want to answer me, you don’t have to.”

“You’re a marquis’ daughter,” Nox said quietly. “You already receive plenty of attention yourself. Walking with a commoner like me makes you stand out even more. And you’re the type who hates bothersome things.”

Scarlet froze for a second.

Then she laughed softly. “You’re scary sometimes, Sir Nox.”

They kept walking until they reached a corridor intersection.

Scarlet suddenly stopped.

“…Scarlet,” Nox said, “our next class is on the left. You’re going right.”

She stiffened.

Nox smirked. “Didn’t expect Lady Scarlet El Valorios to be directionally challenged.”

She quickly pointed to the right. “This is left.”

Nox burst into laughter. “Yeah, sure. Follow me unless you want to miss the next class. Vice Headmaster Arcturus teaches battle and knight training.”

Scarlet clicked her tongue. “Don’t get cocky. And shut up about that smirk.”

She walked ahead quickly, cheeks a bit red.

Yeah… definitely a villainess, but also just a normal girl, Nox thought.

They arrived at the training grounds.

Alber waved the moment he saw them.

“You two are late!”

Nox shrugged. “I forgot the way. This academy is huge.”

Alber nodded vigorously. “Too huge. This place is a maze. I swear it’s a dungeon. Headmaster is probably the final boss.”

Sisbell slapped Alber’s shoulder. “What nonsense. She’s just a mage.”

Nox thought silently, A ninth-tier spatial mage… the peak of humanity. ‘Just’ a mage, huh…

Scarlet and Sisbell turned to the boys.

“Let’s go change into training uniforms.” Scarlet flicked her fan open with elegance. “A noble lady cannot cause delays.”

Sisbell nodded quickly. “Yes, Scarlet!”

Scarlet walked away gracefully; Sisbell followed like an obedient puppy.

Nox leaned closer to Alber.

“…Is she always like that?”

Alber sighed. “Sisbell admires Scarlet a lot. Even though she’s a duke’s daughter and Scarlet is a marquis’ daughter, she still follows her everywhere.”

Nox watched the two girls leave, one walking proudly, the other trotting behind.

This academy is… exhausting already.

Sisbell and Scarlet headed to the changing rooms, leaving the boys behind.

Alber let himself fall onto a bench.

“Witchcraft is way too complicated… I’m skipping that subject next time.”

Nox sat beside him. “Why are you talking about class again? We barely survived that hellish lecture. Just shut up for a moment.”

Alber raised both hands. “Right, right. And Sisbell and Scarlet ruined my mood anyway.”

Nox glared. “Whose fault do you think that is?”

Alber looked away, guilty. He muttered to himself, It’s not my fault she’s known me since childhood…

A few minutes later, Sisbell and Scarlet returned in their training uniforms. Both had tied their hair up in ponytails—Sisbell’s loose strands bouncing, Scarlet’s sleek silver hair shining under the sun.

Alber froze the moment he saw Sisbell.

Sisbell caught him staring. “What are you looking at, idiot? Is something weird?”

Alber coughed violently. “Y-Yeah… you look weird in pants.”

“What did you say!?”

While those two continued their daily argument, Scarlet stopped in front of Nox. She took a step closer, reaching toward his hair as if she were about to tie it for him.

Her pink eyes studied him quietly. She looked annoyingly good with that ponytail.

Nox leaned back slightly. “Don’t try to torment me.”

Scarlet snapped her fan open with a soft snap, covering the lower half of her face. “How cold.”

Before either could say more, a heavy presence washed over the training grounds.

Vice Headmaster Arcturus stood at the front gate, his cloak fluttering in the wind. Beside him stood a woman with short hair and gentle eyes.

All students immediately gathered.

Arcturus’s deep voice boomed, “Good to see you, first-years. This is your first Knight and Battle Mage class.”

He pointed toward the woman.

“Meet your instructor. Aliel Es Roman—rank six knight.”

Aliel bowed slightly, her voice soft. “I… I will teach you swordsmanship and weapon basics. I hope you learn everything I can offer.”

She looked more nervous than the students.

Arcturus chuckled. “She’s shy. Don’t worry, she’ll warm up once she hits someone by mistake.”

Students laughed.

Then he continued, “Magic students need intelligence, but also stamina. Without a strong body, high-level magic will crush you. Today is simple—stamina training. Running laps.”

A boy raised his hand. “Teacher, how many laps?”

Aliel replied, “As many as your limit. Run until you can’t. If you can’t continue, stop. We have water and healing potions prepared.”

Students groaned in disappointment.

Alber pouted. “I thought we’d be sparring… this is boring.”

Sisbell crossed her arms. “Fighting is the only thing you boys think about.”

Scarlet nodded. “Agreed.”

Alber ignored them. “Hey Nox, how about we make it fun? First one tired buys lunch tomorrow.”

Nox shrugged. “Not bad. I’ll treat you if I lose.”

Alber grinned. “Deal!”

A voice suddenly boomed right behind them.

“Excellent idea.”

Both boys froze.

When did he get behind us!?

Vice Headmaster Arcturus smirked. “After class, the top runners will receive the best course meal from me. Do your best.”

The entire class erupted in excitement.

Nox sighed. “I think we just triggered a time bomb…”

Students lined up at the starting line.

Aliel raised her arm. “Get set—go!”

Everyone started running.

Most sprinted enthusiastically… but Nox and three other boys jogged slowly at the back like elderly grandpas on a morning walk.

Students ahead whispered loudly:

“Look, the special admission is slow.”

“Does he even know how to run?”

“Maybe he only passed with books.”

Nox ignored them and kept his relaxed pace.

Alber, on the other hand, ran ahead with steady, surprisingly athletic form. Not fast, but not tired either.

Nox glanced sideways at the other slow walkers.

One wore a noble crest on his uniform.

So it’s not just me. Some people know pacing.

He smirked and kept walking at the same slow, stubborn pace.

---

An hour had passed. Scarlet and Sisbell were already taking breaks, gulping water and trying to recover.

“My legs… are numb,” Sisbell muttered, leaning against a tree.

Scarlet frowned, breathing heavily. “Yeah… this is the first time I’ve run this much.”

Aliel, standing nearby, nodded approvingly. “Good work. Both of you take rest. Drink water.”

Both girls obeyed, taking long sips.

Sisbell glanced toward the track and froze. “Those idiots are still running… but why is that commoner so slow?”

Scarlet shot her a look. “Sisbell, it’s not appropriate to talk like that. He has a name.”

Sisbell blushed. “Sorry, Scarlet… but still… he was slow.”

Scarlet shrugged. “There are others running slowly too.”

Sisbell frowned. “Yeah… but why him?”

Aliel walked past them, calm as ever. “Isn’t it obvious? The slower you run, the less stamina you use. That’s a smart strategy.”

Scarlet blinked. “Professor… what do you mean?”

Aliel smiled faintly. “We didn’t tell you how fast to run. He’s pacing himself. Compared to others, he’s actually covering more distance.”

Both Sisbell and Scarlet looked confused, their mouths slightly open.

Two more hours passed. Alber had already backed off, lying on the grass.

“I can’t move anymore,” Alber groaned.

Sisbell handed him a water bottle. “So… what are we eating tomorrow? You’re paying for this.”

Alber groaned again. “I wasn’t even part of the bet—that was for Nox.”

Scarlet, still standing nearby, kept her eyes on Nox as he jogged steadily.

Alber muttered, “Aren’t you too focused on someone, Lady Scarlet? Why the heck are you interested in him? That’s not like you.”

Scarlet smirked. “Who knows… maybe he just looks like a new toy or some entertainment for me.”

Alber laughed softly. “Do as you wish. Just… don’t try to involve him with your noble faction. You’re the leader, and Sisbell’s already involved.”

Scarlet’s eyes softened. “Don’t worry. I won’t do anything against my best friend.”

Four hours passed. Only Nox and the boy with the noble crest he had noticed from the start were still running.

The boy glanced at Nox. “You have good stamina… despite your appearance. Is this the result of special admission training?”

Nox shrugged. “No one told us this was a competition… so I just paced myself.”

The boy smiled and laughed. “Mmm… like a meddle-headmaster finding something unusual.”

Nox frowned. “Please don’t laugh. I’m already busy dealing with three idiots.”

The boy chuckled. “You mean Scarlet? She’s still watching us. Few people dare approach her… and not only that, you also have two Duke heirs noticing you, Sir Nox Moon. You’ve gained a lot of attention.”

Nox exhaled slowly. “I guess you could call it bad luck… or a charm that attracts troublesome things. But I think I should stop… my feet hurt.”

The boy shook his head. “You’re bad at acting. Let’s finish this. One last lap. Just the two of us. No worries—this is for fun.”

Nox smirked faintly. “Alright… if that’s enough to satisfy your curiosity.”

And so, they began. Both boys pushed themselves, legs pumping harder than ever. Their speed increased, their breaths sharp, hearts racing. Each step was a challenge; each glance a silent competition.

Other students stopped and stared. Whispers ran through the crowd. Many boys’ eyes were glued to the two as they surged past.

Sisbell’s jaw dropped. “What the… they still have that much energy?!”

Alber, reclining lazily, muttered, “He’s easygoing on everyone else.”

Scarlet clutched her water bottle tightly to her chest, her pink eyes following Nox obsessively. What are those two talking about…? she wondered.

In the end, Nox lost the last lap by a mere few steps.

The boy with the noble crest laughed, patting him on the back. “You’re really good. See you next time.” Then he jogged off.

Nox slowed to a stop, breathing hard, and walked toward the sidelines. Scarlet placed the water bottle gently on his head.

“Drink it,” she said softly. “This is the last bottle.”

Nox chuckled tiredly, taking the bottle. This academy… really is going to be exhausting.