I Became A Third-Rate Villain In The Hero Academy

[Inventory: 36 gold coins, 40 silver coins]

"Hmm."

I've accumulated quite a bit recently.

Shopping is always exciting.

Let's take a look around.

[Weapon Master]

Price: 100 gold coins

[Sword Master]

Price: 100 gold coins

[Ancient]

Price: 1,000 gold coins

"...Hmm."

I thought I had saved a lot, but these end-game traits are still out of reach.

After some serious consideration, I shook my head.

It's not worth holding out for end-game traits, especially since I need traits that will immediately improve my skills for my upcoming trip to the northern magic city.

I looked for traits with special cost-effectiveness for me, like [Magic Nullification] or [Observer's Eye], but didn't find any.

Finally, I made my decision.

'With the funds I have, these two are the best combination.'

I purchased two traits at the same time.

[Weapon Expert]

You currently possess the lower trait [Weapon Beginner].

The [Weapon Beginner] trait has been upgraded to [Weapon Expert].

Total cost: 15 gold coins

[Sword Expert]

You currently possess the lower trait [Sword User].

The [Sword User] trait has been upgraded to [Sword Expert].

Total cost: 10 gold coins

[Purchase complete.]

[Remaining funds: 11 gold coins, 40 silver coins]

The original price for [Weapon Expert] and [Sword Expert] is 20 gold coins each.

However, I received a discount for the traits I already had, purchasing both for a total of 25 gold coins.

I'll save the remaining gold coins.

There might be a sudden need for an item, like the 'Camouflage Scroll' during the Knight Department's 2v2 tournament.

The shop sells everything.

"Haha."

I feel reassured.

If I supplement my stats with [overload], my current specs place me in the upper-mid tier of named characters.

Even Irene doesn't have any master-level traits yet.

I wanted to test the power of my newly acquired traits immediately, but decided to focus on recovery.

Moving around carelessly could cause more damage.

So, I laid my head back on the pillow.

As soon as I lay down, sleepiness overwhelmed me.

I fell asleep right away.

At the same time, Rok was heading to the Principal's office to give a report on the aftermath of the recent intrusion incident.

Knock, knock, knock...

Rok knocked on the large door of the Principal's office in a composed manner, showing a restrained elegance.

About 30 seconds later, a voice came from inside the office.

─Yes, Rok~ come in~

Rok entered, opening the door.

In the large room filled with ancient documents and books, at the end, on a large desk, sat a girl with long, light green hair and pale skin.

She appeared to be about 10 years old and was holding a fluffy cat in her arms.

"Hello, Rok~ Long time no see."

"Hello, Principal. I have come to present a report on the aftermath of yesterday's academy intrusion."

"Oh, Rok~ You don't have to come only for work. You can come to hang out, too."

"······No, Principal. Here is the report."

Rok, with measured steps, approached the Principal and handed over the report.

The Principal, with a look of annoyance, received the report and casually flipped through the pages.

Flap, flap, flap, flap...

It was unclear whether she was reading or skimming, flipping through the pages at an incredible speed.

She even yawned while looking at the report.

Despite feeling internally upset, Rok showed no sign of offense towards the Principal’s casual treatment of the report, which he had completed after an all-night effort.

But the Principal was someone who deserved that respect.

After all, she was the former aide of Ryuk, the first principal of Elinia Academy and the savior of the continent.

Despite her youthful appearance, she was a fairy over 400 years old.

Fairies maintain the appearance of a child until they die.

In less than a minute, she had flipped through all 200 pages of the report, her eyes twinkling.

"Is everything written here true?"

"Yes. The contents of this report have all been double-checked and verified."

"Uhm~ Then, I'll leave the rest of it to you, Rok. I'm going to be busy."

"······Principal, considering the seriousness of this matter, I am not suitable for this task. This is the first armed invasion in the history of the academy."

"I trust you, Rok~ There’s no one else who adheres to etiquette as strictly as you."

"My handling of this matter doesn't seem to have much to do with etiquette."

"Ahahah~ Just do it, Rok~ You'll handle it well~!"

The Principal, sitting on the desk, kicked her legs and laughed happily.

Regardless of her being the former aide of the founding principal, Ryuk, Rok inwardly sighed deeply at the sight of her behavior.

"······Understood, Principal. I will do as you command, but may I ask why you will become busier?"

"Thanks, Rok~ You're such a dependable man, upholding ancient etiquette long gone from history! Why do you need to know about that?!"

"Yes. I humbly request enlightenment."

"Uhm~ I like you, Rok. The reason is simple! Look here, look! Isn't this the trace of mass teleportation?"

The Principal quickly flipped to the page of the report that described the traces of mass teleportation.

"Yes, that's correct."

"Don't you understand what this implies? Mass teleportation is an 8th circle magic! Including me, there are hardly a handful nowadays who can perform such magic! This could be a signal from Odius! Maybe Ryuk is with him too?"

"······Is that so."

Rok swallowed his words and simply nodded.

The unspoken words were 'Ryuk and Odius, cannot live as long as you.'

Odius, the continent's last archmage and Ryuk's aide.

And the Principal, who, along with Odius, roamed the continent with the hero, Ryuk.

Both were human, and they belonged to a time over 200 years ago.

Unlike fairies who live for over a thousand years, humans can live for only about a hundred years at most.

The Principal said with a beaming smile.

"Yes, yes! And there were traces of the [Berserker Potion] being used, right? Odius loved this kind of stuff. Anyway, I'm off to find Odius~ Please take care of Elinia Academy in the meantime!"

The Principal hopped off the desk, humming a tune, and put on a robe hanging on a coat hanger.

The robe, seemingly for adults, barely touched her toes.

Then, she grabbed a staff standing near the window.

She glanced at her reflection in a full-length mirror, happily humming and twirling on the spot.

After about ten spins, the Principal abruptly stopped and looked up at Rok.

"Oh, right! Whether you collaborate with anyone or grant the students permission to use artifacts, I don't mind at all."

"I'm listening."

"But don't close the academy to outsiders! Just make sure to follow this one rule!"

Under normal circumstances, after such an intrusion, they would hold onto current visitors and stop new visitors from entering.

Hence, visitors from the festival were currently being held from leaving.

However, the Principal wasn't in the mood for further discussion.

It's been three years since Rok took the position of senior professor.

It's impossible to communicate with the Principal in such a state.

The current situation is too critical to waste even a minute or a second.

He had to return and take charge.

"Understood, Principal."

Rok placed his right forearm across his chest and bowed his head.

The Principal smiled and patted Rok's head.

"There's no one else around, right?"

"That's correct, Principal. All personnel are on rotation, guarding key locations of the academy. Due to the incident, about half of them are currently resting."

"Good, good! Anyway, Rok, you handle it~ Let's go, beep beep! It's time for action! Let's find Odius and Ryuk!"

─Meow~

The cat, which had been grooming itself on the desk, jumped down and stood at the Principal's feet.

Soon after, the Principal and the cat dashed out of the office.

"Ah..."

Rok's sigh filled the large office.