I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines

Chapter 20 - The Vain Man (1)

Two days after the intense class placement exams ended, the final approved rankings were posted, and class assignments based on scores were finalized.

I was placed in Class A.

This is the elite class that only the top 20 students out of the 1,000 incoming students can enter.

Considering I defeated the princess, known as the greatest genius on the continent, and secured the top spot, it’s no surprise that I’m sitting here.

In fact, it would’ve been stranger if I had been assigned to a different class.

"Um, M-My lord…"

"Hm? What’s the matter, Miss Regia?"

"Am I really… I-I mean, do I really deserve to be here…?"

"Oh dear."

I let out a small laugh.

The pink-haired creature sitting next to me was trembling with nerves.

She’d been shrinking her shoulders and looking tense since earlier, likely from being overly anxious.

It was Regia, who was assigned to the same class as me.

‘Well… it’s understandable.’

Considering how terribly she messed up the class placement exam, she must’ve been worried about getting assigned to the lowest class or, at worst, even being expelled.

"It’s okay. You don’t need to worry."

"But…"

Regia bit her lip.

It seemed our protagonist was uncomfortable with the unexpected outcome. Perhaps she felt burdened by it.

"There are so many people more talented than me… I don’t know if I belong here."

"Well."

"Huh?"

"I doubt there are many students more talented than you, Miss Regia."

And for good reason—she’s the protagonist of this world.

As time passes, she’ll undergo rapid growth and eventually surpass even Charlotte, becoming one of the strongest.

She possesses the greatest potential among all the students.

"You’re more than qualified to be here, Miss Regia."

"…Really?"

"Of course. They wouldn’t have assigned you to this class without a reason. As I mentioned before, someone recognized your potential."

For reference, that person is none other than Gaston Gallimard, the academy’s Dean.

Though it’s less that he ‘recognized’ her potential and more that he already ‘knew’ it from the beginning.

Regardless, he handled it smoothly, as expected from someone experienced.

"You should have a little more confidence."

"Th-Thank you…"

"You’re very welcome."

As we exchanged a few light words, the empty classroom gradually filled with the presence of other students.

As expected of Class A, the central focus of the game, I could see several familiar faces here and there.

Charlotte gazing out the window absentmindedly.

Emilia chatting with her followers in the back.

And finally, the blue-haired character quietly fiddling with a sword in the corner.

They were all characters from the original story.

‘It looks like the key figures are all here.’

I mentally organized the students I observed.

As I scanned the room diligently, Regia suddenly murmured a question.

"Who do you think our homeroom professor will be?"

"Are you curious?"

"Ah, um, yes… It’s just, I-I get nervous around older people…"

"Miss Regia, is there anyone you’re not nervous around?"

"Ugh… P-Please don’t tease me…"

She pouted, clearly affected by my teasing.

Her reaction made me want to playfully provoke her more, but I stopped before she started crying.

Instead, I gave her the answer she was hoping for.

"You don’t have to worry. We’re getting a young professor."

And not just young.

We’re getting a good-looking male professor.

He’s going to be a reliable ally for the protagonist’s group over the next three years. He might be a bit rude, but he’s still a decent person.

I think his name was Cadel.

Screech!

Just as I was reviewing the original story’s details in my head, the door to the classroom opened with a loud noise.

All 20 students had already taken their seats, so it was clear the homeroom professor had arrived.

Everyone’s gaze turned forward, mine included.

Click, click.

Sharp footsteps echoed through the room.

And then, appearing before us was a woman with long, flowing purple hair…

"…Huh?"

Crimson eyes hazy with a faint blur.

A bottle of alcohol in one hand.

As I took in her curvaceous figure, a question mark popped into my mind.

Am I seeing things?

For a moment, I just stood there, dumbfounded.

But whether I was shocked or not, the woman at the front of the classroom spoke indifferently.

"Nice to meet you all. I’ll be your homeroom teacher for the next year in the top-tier class. I’m the head professor, Selena Drunkard."

Wait, what the hell?

Why are you here?

***

Two days earlier, on the day of the class placement exam, after Judas and Charlotte’s match, Selena heard the following from the Dean.

"I expected you to respond that way… But is there anything you want?"

"What do you mean by ‘want’?"

"If it\'s something within my power that you desire, I’ll grant it."

"Hmm."

Selena fell silent for a moment.

While she wasn’t the type to be greedy about things, she also wasn’t the type to turn down an opportunity like this.

She pondered as the scent of alcohol lingered in her nose.

‘Well… there’s nothing much to think about.’

She had already decided what she wanted.

In the unlikely event that the boy defeated the princess, this was the reward she intended to ask for.

Selena gave a faint smile as she parted her lips.

"In that case, I’d like to be Judas Snakes\' homeroom professor."

"Hmm?"

The Dean’s face filled with surprise.

It was an unexpected request.

"You want to be the homeroom professor for this year’s top student… So you’re asking to take charge of the top-tier class?"

"Yes."

"Hah."

Selena had never shown much interest in students.

Ever since her beloved younger sister passed away from an incurable illness, her life had been consumed by alcohol.

During the usual faculty assignment period, she would either refuse to take on any class or end up with whatever class was left over.

But now…

"How surprising."

"Is it?"

"It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Since you’ve shown interest in someone."

"It’s just a whim."

"Is that so."

The Dean smiled meaningfully.

He flipped through the documents in his hand a few times, then drew a series of lines across one section.

The old man’s gaze settled on Selena.

"I’ll grant your request."

The white-haired Dean glanced around subtly.

He was checking the opinions of the other professors. Of course, no one dared to voice objections in front of the world’s strongest person.

All the faculty members averted their eyes in unison—except for one.

"Dean, what do you mean by this…!"

Stepping forward was a young man with black hair.

He was originally assigned to be the homeroom professor for this year’s top-tier class.

"Professor Cadel."

"How can you suddenly change the homeroom assignment like this? It’s unfair!"

"Unfair?"

Cadel Evans.

He was the one who had been most fiercely targeting Selena in recent days.

He actively spread talk about the "phoney top student" and tried to have her stripped of her head professor title.

The Dean quietly cut off his protests.

"I won’t accept any objections."

"But…!"

"And if you’re talking about unfairness, shouldn’t you be held accountable as well?"

"What…?"

"You were the first to challenge Selena’s decisions. Thanks to you, she was nearly demoted from her head professor position. How do you intend to take responsibility for that?"

"..."

"If you have no intention of taking responsibility, it’s better to stay silent."

His voice was soft yet carried a hidden edge.

Sweat trickled down Cadel’s back under the subtle pressure.

In the end, he could only withdraw, rendered speechless.

The tense atmosphere lingered in the room.

But whether the mood soured or not, Selena remained lost in her own thoughts.

‘Judas Snakes.’

The woman silently mouthed the name.

Mesmerising golden hair, those narrow eyes, and skills powerful enough to overwhelm the princess.

He was a mysterious boy.

At first, her interest had been mere curiosity, but now it had grown into genuine concern.

During the class placement exam, when the boy revealed his power, Selena saw a certain ‘potential’ within him.

‘If I’m right… I must do whatever it takes to make that boy mine.’

Perhaps this was the long-awaited encounter she had been waiting for.

As her heart pounded in her chest, the woman took another sip from the bottle she held.

***

Selena Drunkard.

She was a character with a significant presence even in the original story.

Her concept as a drunken mentor, combined with her decadent allure and voluptuous figure, made her quite popular in the "Onee-san" role.

Normally, you couldn’t encounter her in the early stages of any route.

In the game, she wouldn’t show up until at least half a year had passed.

That was how it went in all 1,943 of my attempts, so I assumed this time wouldn’t be any different.

—Nice to meet you all.

—I’ll be your homeroom teacher for the top-tier class this year. I’m the head professor, Selena Drunkard."

Not only did she confidently appear before the protagonist’s group, but she also declared herself as our homeroom professor.

How could I not be shocked?

The homeroom professor was originally supposed to be a handsome young man.

‘The original storyline has gone off course.’

Of course, it’s not like this surprised me.

I’ve caused enough chaos by now that I was fully expecting some sort of fallout.

But what really threw me off was…

‘…She’s not the type of person to take on this kind of role.’

The Selena I remember was indifferent.

She might refuse to take on any class because she found it bothersome, but she definitely wasn’t the type to take charge of the most demanding top-tier class.

There had to be a reason compelling her to act.

‘I have a few ideas… but I’m not sure yet.’

My thoughts continued to swirl.

As I absentmindedly walked, Regia spoke up beside me.

"M-My lord?"

"Yes?"

"Um, it’s just that… you’ve been spacing out for a while… I was worried if you’re okay."

"Oh."

It seemed she was concerned.

Maybe I’d been too quiet.

The pink-haired girl carefully gauged my expression, clearly worried.

Finding her concern endearing, I unconsciously reached out and patted her head.

"I’m fine. I was just lost in thought."

"U-Uh…"

"But it’s nice to have a friend who cares."

"A f-friend… H-Hehe."

Could the word "friend" really make her this happy?

A simple remark, and she was completely disarmed, our protagonist beaming with joy.

How on earth is she planning to make friends with others like this?

"Miss Regia, are you interested in fox beastkin?"

"Are you talking about that person we met before? The one with a fierce expression and reddish-orange hair…"

"Yes, that’s Miss Irene."

"I’m interested!"

"Hehe… I’ll help you get closer to her."

As we continued our conversation, Regia and I headed toward the carriage stop.

We were returning to our dormitories.

It seemed everyone finished early on the first day, as the area was already bustling with students despite the early hour.

We waited for the carriage to arrive.

Then—

"You make quite the fitting pair."

A voice came from somewhere.

It was a cold tone, laced with chilling energy that sent a shiver down my spine. Regia’s expression froze instantly.

Turning around, I saw a girl with blue hair tied in buns.

"One is the phoney top student… and the other is an outsider who doesn’t know her place."

"Lady Vanity."

Emilia Vanity.

The villainess who had pushed our protagonist to the edge just a few days ago.

She smirked with a condescending expression.

"I didn’t expect you to still be shamelessly hanging around the academy."

Her eyes brimmed with open hostility.

The reminder of the class placement exam made Regia flinch visibly.

A villainess tormenting the protagonist.

It seemed this part was playing out just like in the original.

But that doesn’t mean I intend to just sit back and let it happen. After all, our protagonist now has a dependable (?) ally by her side.

I positioned myself in front of Regia, who was trembling.

"M-My lord…?"

"Shh."

It’s okay.

This time, I’ll protect you.

With a sly smile curling on my lips, I boldly stepped forward to face Emilia.

"Good day to you, Lady Vanity."

I could barely contain my excitement at the thought of putting this pompous Duke’s daughter in her place.