I Became A Third-Rate Villain In The Hero Academy
chapter-256

Late evening.

The carriage that was carrying Theo and his group arrived at the main gate of the Elinia Academy.

They briefly disembarked from the carriage.

Stretching, Irene said, “Hmm, shall we grab something to eat together before going in? I’m hungry since we haven’t eaten anything.”

“Is there anywhere open?” Alice asked.

Seria chuckled, “Heh, at this hour... most places would have already taken their last orders, but I know a place. It’s near the Department of Magic, not particularly delicious but decent enough to fill our stomachs.”

Piel summed up the discussion, “Then, let's head there. Instead of taking a public carriage, let’s just keep using this one. Is everyone okay with that?”

Everyone nodded, except for one.

Piel then turned to Theo, who hadn’t nodded. “Hey, aren't you coming?”

“No. Someone requested my help.”

“The woman who reached out to you yesterday?”

“That’s correct.”

Irene asked with a meaningful tone, “What’s it about?”

“A senior has asked for help with some ongoing research. Since the carriage is here, I’ll head out now. Ah, Amy. No need to follow me. Go eat and then head to bed first. I might be late.”

With those words, Theo looked at a carriage at the nearby station and quickly walked towards it.

A silence fell among those remaining as they watched Theo’s figure departing.

Piel broke the silence, “Seems like dinner will have to wait, right?”

The others nodded, especially Irene, whose expression turned determined.

Piel boarded the private carriage. “Get on quickly,” she urged.

The others followed suit.

Piel instructed the carriage driver, “Sir, please follow that carriage. And try to be discreet.”

“Leave it to me, miss. It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to show off my skills.”

The driver, whose skills had been honed over generations in the great Chalon family, was renowned as one of the best on the continent.

Blending into the dim evening air, the carriage began to move, its movement powerful yet stealthy.

After disembarking from the carriage, I made my way directly to the location Sonya had mentioned.

It was the building housing the principal’s office.

‘Sonya’s lab is next to the principal’s office...’

Knock, knock, knock.

Upon arrival, I knocked on the door.

Then, a loud crashing and banging noise erupted from inside.

The dagger at my waist, Nay, spoke,

-Hmm. I sense a massive mana presence inside. It doesn’t seem to be a person, more like a mana stone.

I allowed Nay to continue speaking.

Nay's voice, recognizing me as the intended listener, wasn’t audible to others.

-Is that so, Nay? Can you also determine how many people are inside?

-It appears there’s only one person. The sound of footsteps is approaching.

As Nay had predicted, the door soon opened, revealing Sonya.

Her frizzy hair and round glasses painted her as the stereotype of a genius who becomes clumsy with daily tasks outside her expertise.

"Th-Theo, you've arrived. Hello?"

"It’s good to see you, Senior Sonya. So, this is your workspace."

"Y-Yes. W-Would you like to come in?"

"Certainly."

I followed Sonya into the room.

Every corner of the floor and various spots on the desk were cluttered with mana stones, mechanical parts, and more. It even seemed she managed all her living needs from here, given the clothes and food wrappers strewn about.

Nay clicked her tongue, clearly disapproving.

─Such a mess. As you mentioned, the world has indeed changed. How can a grown woman live like this... Who would marry her...?

I silently nodded in agreement.

Sonya chuckled awkwardly.

"Ahahaha... Is it a bit messy? Sorry. I tend not to clean when I'm engrossed in research. It just scatters my focus even more."

"I understand, Senior. I’ve heard that an inventor’s environment greatly influences their creativity. If the inventions succeed, then this must be the perfect space for you."

"Th-Thank you. Everyone else just complains about the mess and tells me to clean up... Anyway, just a moment! I'll fetch the device I want to test."

With a now more relaxed expression, Sonya smiled and headed towards a desk in the corner.

Then, Nay asked.

─What did that disheveled woman say? She seemed to be awkwardly laughing, probably making excuses for the state of her room.

Nay must have caught bits and pieces of Sonya's words.

─Exactly as you guessed.

─Tsk tsk tsk... If she were only half as tidy as she appears capable, men would indeed be lining up. It's a shame, really. In a way, you seem similar to her.

─I don’t see the resemblance. I couldn’t endure a single day in such disarray.

─Really? If you were half as empathetic as you appear, women would be lining up for you, you cold soul... To think you’ve kept me in that dark, solitary place all this time.

During my journey back to the Elinia Academy, I had stowed Nay inside a [Subspace Bag].

Without this precaution, sleep would have eluded me entirely.

─That seems irrelevant to Sonya's room being a mess.

─Ah, you unfeeling being... Oh! The disheveled woman is fetching something. It's an object unfamiliar to me. I sense mana emanating from it.

At that, my gaze shifted to Sonya.

She was cradling a device roughly the size of her fist.

"Th-This is the power engine I mentioned yesterday. It's designed to enable the use of magic without depleting your body's mana. The initial objective is for it to facilitate the use of high-output magic up to the 5th circle at least three times, all while weighing under 3kg!"

"Is that so."

I scrutinized the [External Mana Engine].

Visually, it appeared unremarkable.

Sonya proposed, "Then, let's start with the synchronization. This step will register you, Theo, as the engine's operator. Could you expose your arm? Any body part would suffice, actually."

"My arm will do."

I offered my left arm.

Sonya rolled up my sleeve and affixed a circular patch to my forearm.

Next, she presented me with a paper filled with magical formulae.

"Could you attempt to cast the spell outlined here? Oh, if the formula seems complex, just tell me! I've endeavored to simplify it as much as possible..."

"[Haste]. Understood, senior."

Without delay, I cast the spell according to the given formula.

The 3rd circle magic [Haste] posed little challenge.

It was a spell I frequently used with [Magic Cartridge], and my proficiency with magic formulae had only grown with each use of [Elemental Sword] and [Magic Nullification].

As I whispered the formula, the power engine in Sonya's grasp emitted a blue glow.

Sonya, eyes wide, edged closer to me.

"Do, does it look like it's working? Theo, how does it feel? Was the spell cast accurately?"

"It appears so. My limbs are imbued with a sense of lightness."

I flexed my arms and legs. Indeed, [Haste] had been successfully cast. My body felt significantly more agile than before.

"Just, just a moment! I must document this!"

Sonya extracted a pen and paper from her pocket, hastily jotted down notes, then handed me another paper bearing a new formula.

"This time, could you try casting this spell?!"

"Understood."

This instance involved the 4th circle magic [Wind Barrier].

As before, upon my recital of the formula, the power engine in Sonya's hold glowed blue.

Simultaneously, a wind barrier materialized around my torso.

Sonya appeared disheartened.

"Hmm, it was meant to encase the entire body... It seems the casting of 4th circle magic remains incomplete."

Sonya feverishly scribbled more notes on the paper in her hands.

After attempting a few more spells, I realized 4th circle magic was indeed cast with instability, just as she had said.

Once the experiments concluded, Sonya offered a bow of gratitude.

"Thank you, Theo. I believe I now understand the root of the issue. I apologize for summoning you on your day off."

"It's no bother at all. If my assistance was beneficial, that’s all that matters to me. Should you need further help, do not hesitate to reach out. I must be going now."

"Ye-Yes! I think I'll need your help again shortly. Once I perfect it, you'll be the first to receive it as a gift."

"It would be an honor."

I acknowledged Sonya with a nod and began to exit the room.

'Time is of the essence.'

With classes resuming tomorrow, I needed to eat and complete my routine training before retiring for the night.

My schedule was packed. It was a busy evening.

Then, Sonya presented me with two boxes.

"Oh, right. Although it’s a modest token of appreciation... Please accept this! It’s a communication crystal. I had a few spares."

Upon opening the box she handed me, I found a communication crystal, identical to the one Piel and I possessed.

"Thank you, Senior. I will use it well."

"Uh-huh, thank you!"

As I was leaving Sonya's lab.

"...Huh."

A familiar face was there.

It was Principal Lunaplora.

Nay exclaimed in surprise.

─Oh, what a tremendous amount of mana I feel. And the power of a mighty spirit as well.

I quickly greeted her.

"Hello, principal. It's an honor to see you like this."

"...Huh."

Yet, the Principal's reaction was peculiar.

She did not reciprocate my greeting, merely gazing at me with an empty stare. The usual cheerful yet crazy demeanor was absent; her eyes seemed void of any soul.

Suddenly, the Principal advanced towards me.

And then,

"Why have you come only now..."

She hugged me tightly.