Becoming The Villain Is My Dream-Chapter 38: Back To School

After Jack’s public humiliation, things seemed to settle down. He no longer confronted Alex openly, and the camp slipped back into uneasy normalcy. To the first-years, it looked as if the storm had passed. But Alex knew better. Deep inside, he carried the gnawing certainty that Jack hadn’t truly given up. The silence felt less like peace and more like the quiet before something worse.

’He’s waiting, watching, and planning. I’d be a fool to relax,’ Alex thought, keeping his guard up even as others exhaled in relief.

Since calm had returned, Blade gathered the first-years once again. His voice cut across the clearing with its usual authority.

"Listen up, everyone! Because of the... incident yesterday, the original test has been nullified. Today, it will be redone."

The first-years shifted uncomfortably, exchanging uncertain glances. Blade’s gaze swept over them like a blade itself.

"You will be scored according to the number of monsters you kill. Do your best, or you may fail." His tone carried no room for protest.

When no one spoke, he gave a curt nod. "Good. Then let’s begin."

He and the other seniors led the group deeper into the forest, taking care not to venture into the high-rank zones. Blade scouted carefully before giving the order for the test to start. Once the first-years scattered, he made his way toward Alex.

"About yesterday—"

"There’s no need to recall it," Alex cut him off, his voice cold.

"I feel like I need to apologize, or I won’t have peace of mind." Blade’s expression was grave. "I didn’t take Jack’s actions seriously. I didn’t think he’d go so far as to hurt you."

Alex’s gaze hardened. "The human heart is deeper than we imagine. That’s why assumptions are dangerous. What happened is already past. But if something like it happens again... it won’t be as simple next time. Do you understand?"

Blade exhaled slowly. "Sadly, I do."

"As long as you do, there won’t be a problem." Alex turned to watch the scattered first-years fumbling with their hunts.

"What do you think of them?" Blade asked, following his gaze.

"They need to try harder," Alex replied without hesitation.

Blade chuckled lightly, then sobered. "When scoring, don’t be too harsh. They’re only kids."

"That depends on their performance," Alex said flatly, before walking away. Blade frowned at his back, thoughts unreadable.

On his way to find Raphael, Alex was stopped by Betty.

"Hey, Alex. Can I talk to you?" she asked cautiously.

"What about?"

"It’s about Jack..." She hesitated, lowering her head as if she couldn’t bear his gaze.

"If it’s about him, forget it." Alex continued forward.

"Don’t you want to know what he’s planning?" Betty pressed. "You think he’ll give up just because you humiliated him yesterday?"

Alex halted. For a moment, he didn’t turn around. His voice was colder than before. "Stop acting like you care. It disgusts me. And stop pretending. I know all about your secrets with him—every one of them. Tell him to stay away from me, or he’ll regret it." Without another word, Alex walked away.

Raphael was waiting, arms crossed and brows drawn tight. "First Blade, now her. What do they all want from you?"

"Same old issue. I’m tired of it," Alex muttered.

Raphael shook his head but let it drop. "I’ve been thinking," he said instead.

"What about?"

"We need weapons of our own. Swords, blades—something. If we keep relying on bare hands, it’s only a matter of time before we face something we can’t handle."

Alex nodded. "It’s a good idea. But we’ll need Derek’s permission to leave school. That’s the rule."

"Better than sneaking out and ending up in trouble." Raphael’s tone was half warning, half concern.

"I don’t sneak out unless it’s life or death," Alex replied. "And even if I did, Derek wouldn’t know."

Raphael frowned. "You’re overconfident. That’s going to catch up with you."

Alex gave him a brief glance and looked away. Everyone said the same thing—overconfident, arrogant—but worrying about it wasn’t his way. He had more important things to focus on.

The test dragged on for two hours. At the end, Blade collected the results and tallied each first-year’s kills. With the scores recorded, they packed up, left the forest, and boarded the waiting bus. Hours later, they arrived back at the academy.

The new auditorium buzzed with activity as Derek and several teachers welcomed them back.

"First-years, return to your dorms and rest. Seniors, come with me to the office," Derek instructed.

Once inside, he handed each senior a stack of files. "These are the first-years. Write your evaluations, then give them their final scores."

Alex flipped through his pile. The first name that caught his eye was Mark Anderson. He pulled out a pen and wrote quickly, his handwriting sharp and deliberate. Once finished, he moved on to the next without hesitation.

"I’m done," he announced, handing the stack back.

Derek smirked. "Are you sure your report is honest?" he teased.

Alex ignored him, his expression as blank as stone.

When the rest finished, Derek collected their files. "Good work. You can all return to your dorms and rest."

But Alex remained where he stood. "I want permission to leave the school."

Derek arched a brow. "Why?"

"We need weapons," Alex said plainly. "We can’t keep fighting bare-handed."

"I can’t let you leave," Derek replied immediately, already turning back to his desk.

Alex frowned. "It’s not like we’re going out to play. We need the weapons."

"I still won’t allow it," Derek said. "But I can procure them for you."

Alex’s irritation flickered across his face. ’This is why I hate asking him for help. He makes everything more complicated.’

Derek finally looked up, eyes sharp. "If you insist on going out, then I have one condition."

"What condition?" Alex asked, his voice steady.

"If you leave the school..." Derek leaned back in his chair. "...I’ll accompany you."

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The next morning, Alex and Raphael stood outside the school gates, their bags slung across their shoulders, waiting. The air was cool and still, the silence only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves.

Derek arrived moments later, standing by the sleek black car parked in front of them. "Ready?" he asked, his sharp eyes moving from Alex to Raphael.

"Uhm," Alex muttered, his tone flat and his expression sour.

"Tsk." Derek clicked his tongue, clearly amused by the boy’s lack of enthusiasm. "Then let’s move."

He unlocked the car, and the two boys climbed in before he joined them in the driver’s seat. As the engine rumbled to life, Derek glanced at them through the rearview mirror.

"The market is miles away from here," he began, his voice casual. "We’ll need to stay overnight at an inn once we arrive. Everything starts tomorrow."

Neither of the boys responded. Derek shrugged, chuckling under his breath, and shifted the car into gear.

Throughout the journey, Alex sat by the window, staring out at the endless blur of trees and rocky hills. He barely spoke. His reflection in the glass looked distant — like a boy trapped between two worlds. Raphael sat quietly beside him, occasionally glancing his way but saying nothing.

Derek didn’t mind. He’d glance at Alex in the mirror now and then, the corner of his mouth curling in faint amusement. ’That boy hides too much behind silence,’ he thought.

The hours passed, and by the time they reached their destination — a small, dimly lit town known as Fallen Tower — the sun was already sinking behind the clouds.

The streets were narrow and crooked, lined with worn stone houses and flickering lamps. The air smelled faintly of smoke, ale, and rain.

They parked near a weathered inn whose crooked sign read "The Rusted Fang."

Inside, the place was noisy and crowded. Men laughed too loudly, women in skimpy dresses danced between tables, and the air was thick with the scent of alcohol and roasted meat. The wooden floor creaked beneath their boots as they stepped in.

A young woman approached — perhaps no older than twenty. Her golden hair shimmered under the dim lights, and her pink eyes glowed with an almost unnatural brightness. She smiled, bowing slightly. "What may I offer you, sir?"

"Three plates of food and three bottles of wine," Derek replied smoothly.

She scribbled on a small notepad, her smile never fading. "Is that all, sir?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"That’s all."

"Alright, I’ll be back shortly."

As she walked away, Alex found his gaze following her without realizing. There was something about her — not just her beauty, but something haunting beneath it, as if she carried a secret behind those bright eyes.

Derek noticed immediately and let out a low chuckle.

"What’s funny?" Alex asked, frowning.

"You couldn’t stop staring," Derek teased. "Do you like her? I could buy her for you."

Alex blinked, startled. "Buy her?"