The Villainess Carries a Strategy Guide - CH 21

I am confident of my narrow social circle. In my second year of school, there is no one else I particularly want to see besides His Highness. And His Highness seems to be blocked by people and unlikely to be seen.

Come to think of it, he said before, “I’ll put on a show on Grue or something and do it properly.” He didn’t seem to be putting much effort into it. His Highness probably doesn’t need a title. He came looking for me even in [Spring] without worrying about his rank.

I wondered about it, but it’s something that makes sense if I think about it a little. The privilege and future assurance obtained by getting a title is something that His Highness, who has everything from birth, would not desire.

So, I don’t particularly want to go see His Highness, so I decided to hang out with Emilia, who I ran into, casually. Melinda flew away saying “Fried-sama is over there!” so it’s just the two of us.

What was particularly interesting was the performance of the “Strongest Lullaby” by the canary (a Phantom Beast). As soon as the singing began, the audience collapsed to their knees one after another, and for some reason, the female student who was the master also fell asleep soundly. I had to leave the scene with Emilia in my arms while plugging my ears with my fingers.

During lunch break, the third year class. This time, the target is Olivier. Her beloved leopard, which is not inferior in speed of sound, showed off its leg power and received applause. The reaction of the judging panel is also great. Honestly, it was too fast and I didn’t understand what was going on, but I understood that it was amazing. I sent a lot of applause in excitement.

As I was having fun, I started to hear of His Highness in the morning.

“His Highness Phantom Beast grew huge and flew vertically. Then, an updraft occurred and clouds formed and it rained. It was only for a moment.”

“Wow!”

“Changing the weather like that!”

“But His Highness quickly used magic to clear the sky again.”

“That rain that fell for a moment this morning was that.”

“There were even judges who were surprised.”

As expected of the reputation, and the scenario, it seems that the first place in the second year class is His Highness without a doubt.

At 3pm, it was time for the first year class. Compared to before, there seemed to be a bit less audience due to lack of performance.

This time, I will be on the side being watched. I have to head to my designated spot as notified by the Academy beforehand.

When I arrive at my designated spot after parting with Emilia, next to me was Lancelot whom I haven’t seen in a long time. He greeted me with a forced smile, “Long time no see.” and reminded me that he was also a target for conquest.

In the first grade, all we need to do is show our Phantom Beast, so chairs are even prepared for us politely. I sat next to Lancelot and watched the people come and go.

“How was your summer vacation?”

“Yeah.”

“I wanted to see you, but I had to help my father, so I couldn’t find the time.”

“Yeah.”

“Your Phantom Beast is very cute.”

“Do you think so? It’s my pride and joy. Her name is Christina.”

Come to think of it, he seemed carefree and wild, and I remembered that his father was the Prime Minister,so I guess he is getting rehabilitated as per the scenario. Congratulations, from carefree and prodigal to reformed carefree and ex-prodigal. I don’t know what the trigger was for the protagonist, but I don’t have to know.

By the way, Emilia and Lancelot talk from time to time. Emilia usually crushes hard ingredients (ex: apple) with one hand or both hands.

Lancelot’s Phantom Beast was a black cat. It sat elegantly and was full of grace, and from earlier, it was getting a lot of glances, or rather, a lot of abnormal glances.

The reason why he/she is drawing so much attention is probably also because of the size. At first, I thought it was a tiger. Lancelot is saying things like “I’ve been feeding him/her too much,” but he’s also a target for conquest and in the scenario he’s chosen as one of the top five men by the end of the year. When you think about it, it’s not strange.

With many unusual things like changing the weather or the Kyuubi around, it’s easy to misunderstand, but most of the students’ Phantom Beasts are at the level of a normal pet. My Christina is more normal. She’s currently taking a nap on my lap, coiling up. How charming.

As I stroke her shiny body, Christina suddenly opens her eyes and raises her head.

(TL: Real fact; snakes can’t blink or close its eyes)

Did I wake her up? I thought that, but it looks like it’s not the case. Suddenly, the surroundings have become noisy.

“…Ah.”

When I look, there’s a crowd and a ring of people a little ways away. It looks like they’re distancing themselves from one female student.

In the center, the female student is holding and pressing something to her chest. I can immediately tell who it is. It’s because of her red hair.

“Marquis Goudes’ daughter, Kyaran…?”

I wonder what she’s doing.

I heard a scream that sounded like it was tearing silk.

“Letty, Letty! No! Listen to me, please!

The next moment, I was the one who was surprised.

Because the person who was far away suddenly turned her head around and shouted completely towards me alone.

“Run away!”

What?

That was just before something flew out of her arm. It flew out like a bullet, connected by a string or something, and came running towards me in a straight line.

It quickly changed shape into a giant figure. My vision was obscured by the too large body.

In the suddenly slowed down world, I saw everything. When I saw it up close, it had bloodshot eyes, bared teeth, and saliva flying as it howled.

——A bear.

Ah, I’m going to die.

I reflexively closed my eyes. There was no time to feel scared.