I Became A Third-Rate Villain In The Hero Academy
chapter-59

In a fluster, I gazed at Piel, trying to mask my bewilderment.

"What nonsense are you talking about, Piel?"

Piel glanced around and then said, "Exactly what I said. Just... take off your clothes for a moment. I need to check something."

"No way."

What on earth had gotten into her?

Why should I suddenly put on a one-man striptease?

"Well, I guess there's no choice."

Piel raised her rapier and pointed it at me.

"I'll have to use force if necessary."

"Stop it."

Please, just stop.

But Piel's gaze remained unwavering.

She was dead serious.

'What should I do?'

I had no idea why she was acting like this, but it was dangerous.

Even if I used my amplified Overload, my chances of escaping her were practically zero.

That's when a thought flashed through my mind.

If I played this right...

"What are you suddenly trying to do? Regardless of the reason, resorting to force without hesitation? Is that truly befitting of a member of the esteemed Chalon family?"

However, Piel answered without hesitation.

"Family? Honor? I don't need any of that. This is the most important thing to me right now."

That was the wrong answer.

I immediately thought of another way.

I had overcome countless challenges in the past, and this would be no different!

"Isn't an apology more important right now?"

"An apology? For when we accused you?"

"Yes."

In the original story, she would have apologized right away if she thought she had done something wrong.

Has she somehow changed?

In any case, it looks like getting an apology is unlikely.

If I used this to my advantage, I could escape this predicament-

"Fine. But only after I've seen you undress. I'll apologize or do whatever you want. Just... come here."

It turned out that was just wishful thinking.

Piel strode towards me with determination.

She was relentless.

Piel roughly grabbed my wrist.

Ouch, that hurt.

How could such strength come from her small frame?

"It hurts."

"Stay still, and don't think about running away. It'll only take a moment."

At that moment, the door to the training hall swung wide open.

"Piel, let's train togeth– Oh."

Neike, Andrew, and Eshild – the trio had entered.

They stared at us, their eyes widening in surprise.

"Ha, hahaha... You're already training together. Alright, we'll train by ourselves then. See you later..."

With that, they hastily closed the door and left.

"...!"

Those damn cowards, just leaving like that.

Even after the trio left, Piel showed no signs of releasing me.

"Enough, let me go. I said it hurts."

"I won't let go until I get your consent."

Piel's expression was firm, her eyes desperate.

"Sigh..."

But it was a request I couldn't comply with.

To undress without reason would be madness.

Piel may have said she'd do anything, but I'm not a male prostitute who trades his body for compensation.

This is non-negotiable.

Moreover, Piel is a girl that's younger than me.

Although this body isn't my original one, I want to show my naked body only to my future girlfriend.

"Do you realize how outrageous your request is?"

"···At least let me see your body. Other kids switch partners and play around."

Piel mumbled her response.

It was a fact.

Only a minority of the academy's freshmen didn't go on blind dates.

Regardless, I had to push back.

"That's them, and this is me. I refuse."

"But if you agree, I'll do whatever you want!"

"...I still refuse. Stop humiliating me. It's shameful."

My modern friends might have teased me for being a "unicorn," but my values haven't changed.

Isn't that only natural?

I believe that physical relationships without a connection are worthless.

What do I get from such promiscuous encounters?

Also, it's not like I'm injured and need nursing. I can't just undress for no reason.

"Haah... Fine."

Piel let go of my wrist,

"But I haven't given up."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll see your naked body, as soon as possible."

"..."

Isn't she embarrassed?

She utters such words without hesitation.

I mean, there is no one around...

But in some ways, she's more terrifying than Siena.

"...My decision won't change. If you force this on me again, I won't stay quiet."

After that, I left the training ground.

Swinging my sword in the training field had left me exhausted.

As I walked around, I tried to soothe my throbbing head.

"Hehe, Theo," Siena appeared before me, grinning.

I wasn't sure when she had approached, but she was standing far too close.

A simple tilt of my head and our lips would touch.

I discreetly put some distance between us.

"Siena, how have you been?"

"Much better since yesterday. It was so tough, you know?"

She clung to my arm.

"…Could you step back a bit?"

"Hehe, no. Do you know how much I missed you? I couldn't even see you when I came by yesterday."

"Ah, what you gave me yesterday. I'm truly grateful. It helped me recover."

I was sincerely thankful.

Even if she had taken an interest in me, it was incredible for her to give me an item of such a high caliber.

"Even for me, it was quite challenging to obtain."

"It was very effective."

"Hehe, then give me a reward."

"…A reward?"

A sudden sense of unease crept over me, even more so since Piel had made an outrageous request just moments ago.

And that unease became a reality.

"Hug me."

Siena released my arm and spread hers wide in front of me.

"…"

"Tightly, please. So tight that my ribs feel like they're crumbling. Really tight."

Siena flashed a radiant smile.

She was already beautiful, but her smile made me understand why people were so captivated by beauty.

"…I can't do that."

That was out of the question.

If she had asked for a different token of gratitude, I would have obliged somehow.

But as I said before, I'm no womanizer.

People around me often say that "a true warrior never resists the advances of women" or "a true hero knows how to enjoy female company," but I'm neither a true warrior nor a hero.

I am just, well, me.

"Psh, you don't have to make such a face."

Siena drooped her head, looking disheartened.

"I'm sorry, but I can't."

"…Fine."

Siena lifted her head. She recovered quickly.

"Well, then I'll be the one to hug you."

In an instant, Siena tightly wrapped her arms around me.

"…Ouch."

It hurt like hell. Siena squeezed me as if to shatter my ribs.

"…Siena. Agh, it hurts."

"Hehe, just endure it. This much is enough."

"…"

Siena held me and spoke.

"I heard you had quite a match in the Knight Department yesterday?"

"Yes, that's right."

"You did well. My man should have that much spirit. But don't push yourself too hard."

"…I understand."

“Hehe, you're adorable.”

Siena patted my back.

***

In the training hall, Piel stared blankly out the window, her heart in turmoil.

There, she witnessed a sight she could hardly believe.

'...What on earth are they doing?'

Theo and Siena were sharing a passionate embrace.

Piel rubbed her eyes several times, wondering if she was dreaming.

But it wasn't a dream.

"I... I... I can't believe it..."

It was a shocking scene.

Piel knew Siena quite well.

Even her father had insisted she build a close relationship with the elf princess.

Of course, she had no intention of heeding her father's words. His advice didn't seem particularly important in their current situation.

In face, her primary reason for enrolling in Elinia Academy was to escape her stifling family.

There were more important matters for her to attend to.

'Yet for me, it's like she built a wall between us...'

Of course, Theo had been forcibly embraced by Siena, but the rage-filled Piel couldn't think rationally.

'But when will they separate?'

They look like they've clinging to each other all day.

Just a moment ago, they had both seemed so pure and innocent. What were they doing now?

"Ugh."

What made her even angrier was her own heart.

She had never cared about anyone else's relationships, yet now she could hardly contain her fury.

"..."

After a few minutes of watching them, her boiling head began to cool, and a hint of reason returned to her.

Upon closer inspection, it didn't look like they were dating.

Piel observed the pair with a calm gaze.

"Yeah, that's what I thought..."

Siena continued to cling to Theo, while he remained still.

Even so, Piel resented him.

Her inner thoughts slipped out.

"...You jerk."

***

Haha sorry guys I was meant to release this last night but I ate something I wasn't supposed to and I spent my night in the toilet instead...

3/4 Enjoy the chappy!