I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines

Chapter 12 - I\'m the Top Student? (2)

The continent’s greatest educational institution, Gallimard Academy.

Winter had passed, and with the arrival of spring, a new breeze blew into the academy.

The date of the entrance ceremony.

In the auditorium filled with new students, the ceremony was in full swing.

Excitement gleamed in the fresh faces of the students.

[Congratulations to everyone here on your admission.]

[I am Gaston Gallimard, the Dean of this academy. Before introducing myself further…]

The elderly voice resounded broadly.

The white-haired old man standing on the podium was delivering a formal congratulatory speech, yet even that held a certain power that stirred the hearts of the students.

Most of the children listened to the Dean’s speech, immersed in anticipation.

Of course, not everyone was like that.

Some students were whispering amongst themselves.

As if they had an intriguing topic to discuss, they exchanged murmured conversations.

It was about a certain boy.

"Did you hear? About this year’s top student."

A few days ago, the entrance exam rankings were released.

The unexpected results left many students unable to hide their confusion.

"To think that Her Highness, the Princess, didn’t take the top spot… It’s honestly hard to believe."

"Do you know anything about this year’s top student?"

"Well, I heard he’s the son of the Snake…"

"The Snakers family? There’s no denying it’s a prestigious family, but haven’t they always been unrelated to martial prowess?"

"That’s exactly what’s strange."

The First Princess was renowned as a genius without equal.

Her reputation rivaled that of any hero.

So the news that such a girl only secured second place in the academy entrance exam was difficult to accept.

Especially since the one who took the top spot was such an unexpected figure.

"The Young Master of the Snakes family?"

"He’s always been shrouded in mystery, hasn’t he? Never once appeared in high society…"

"And the family hasn’t had any contact with other noble houses in recent years either."

"What in the world is going on?"

"Oh, come to think of it, my friend said they saw him during the entrance exam. The Young Master of the Snakes family."

"Really? What did they say?"

"Well…"

As the eyewitness accounts spread, the talk only grew more heated.

Those who had watched him on the day of the entrance exam knew that the boy’s performance wasn’t particularly outstanding.

"They said he was below average?"

"Below average might be a bit harsh… more like barely scraping the middle tier?"

"What the heck, that’s still nowhere near top-student level."

"How did he outrank Her Highness, the Princess? Do you think there was a mistake in the rankings?"

"That seems likely. I heard there was a similar error once before."

"I don’t know about anything else, but one thing’s for sure…"

The public opinion was turning negative.

"It’s all a sham—the current top student."

The students quietly snickered.

A subtle hostility simmered.

Those who rise to the top are often the targets of others’ resentment.

Especially when someone undeserving sits on the throne, the animosity only grows worse.

"Hah, top student? Ridiculous."

"My father always said he couldn’t stand the Snakes family. Said they’re sly and impossible to read."

"How dare he steal the princess’s rightful place."

The Snake boy found himself in such a situation as well.

Even though it wasn’t his intention, he had become the target of the students’ collective anger.

The students, viewing him through their biased lenses, glared at the podium.

[That concludes my message as Dean.]

[Next, we’ll have a speech from the top student of this cohort, Judas Snakes, who will deliver the freshman representative’s address.]

[Please come up to the stage now.]

Click-clack.

With the sharp sound of shoes on the floor, a blonde boy ascended the podium.

His stride was casual, yet it carried a certain elegance.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t a bad first impression.

[Greetings, I’m Judas Snakes, and I’ve been given the honor of delivering the freshman representative’s speech.]

The boy, with his eyes narrowed into thin slits, greeted the students with a somewhat unsettling smile.

His voice carried a hint of ominousness.

***

Life often throws unexpected curveballs.

There are times when a plan you thought was going smoothly suddenly collapses completely.

Unfortunately, that was the situation I found myself in right now.

- I’m the top student?

My goal was to play the role of an unnoticed extra.

I planned to quietly blend in with mid-tier grades, but that dream had just been spectacularly shattered.

On top of that, I was now expected to deliver the freshman representative’s speech.

The sheer absurdity of the situation made my head throb.

What the hell is this situation?

Based on my entrance exam performance, I shouldn’t have even made it to the middle tier, let alone be the top student.

And shouldn’t the academy have notified me in advance if I was going to give a representative speech?

- We sent a letter to the Snakes family.

- We even received a reply confirming they’d received it… Did you not get the message?

I had no words. Damn it.

Even the academy probably didn’t anticipate a situation like this.

Who would’ve expected a student capable of taking the top spot in the entrance exam to be treated like a ghost by his own family?

‘Seriously, those bastards.’

It’s one thing to be indifferent to your child, but this is over the top.

No wonder Judas ended up twisted in the original story. I feel like calling in a family counselor for an intervention.

- Student Judas, it’s almost time for your speech. Please be prepared.

So here I was, about to deliver the freshman representative’s speech by pure accident.

It was a nightmare, but there was no escape. I just had to go along with it.

I stiffly moved forward.

I could feel all eyes turning toward me as I approached the podium.

"…"

Suddenly, all those gazes were focused on me.

From the characters in the original story, to the Dean, to the faculty, and every other student—everyone was staring in my direction.

It was a situation too overwhelming for an introvert like me, but…

What can I do? If I have to do it, I have to do it.

I couldn’t just hypnotize the entire auditorium, so I swallowed my tears of frustration and opened my mouth.

[Greetings, I’m Judas Snakes, and I’ve been given the honor of delivering the freshman representative’s speech.]

Thank goodness for the "Smiling Mask" trait.

At least I didn’t have to worry about stuttering or making mistakes.

As I offered myself this small comfort, I glanced out at the students… and then I realized something strange.

"…"

"Hmm?"

The students were unusually quiet.

A chilly silence lingered. I tilted my head, a question mark forming above me.

"Why is everyone acting like this?"

What’s going on? Why are they all so reserved?

Kids this age are usually chatty no matter where they are, right?

Are they nervous because it’s the entrance ceremony?

That thought eased my tension a little.

I guess kids are still kids. They have their innocent sides.

"Heh heh… Seems like everyone’s tense because of the entrance ceremony."

=How cute.

I didn’t intend to make a flashy speech.

I just needed to say the kind of things that would be pleasant to hear.

A typical protagonist might declare war on all the students here, but I didn’t have the guts for that.

I don’t plan to stay in the top student position for long.

I was just planning to make an impression on the original characters and then hand the position back to its rightful owner.

The top spot comes with perks, but it’s also a hassle.

I’m not the type to covet unnecessary fame.

‘I just need to see the ending.’

There’s no point in me forcing things through to the conclusion.

I’m just a player who loves the game.

I simply want to watch our protagonists break through their limits and reach the end of the story.

Being a supporting role who gives them subtle help is enough for me.

Yes, I’m a shadow.

I aspire to be an unnoticed supporting character.

Having reaffirmed my goals, I smiled and continued speaking.

"I’m sure you’ve all heard of me. I’ve somehow ended up as the top student."

=I don’t know why I’m the top student either, but I’m counting on you all.

"I was worried things might be dull… but as expected, I wasn’t disappointed."

=I was concerned, but it’s clear that everyone here is excellent.

"So this is the continent’s best academy."

=This is the continent’s top academy. I’m genuinely impressed.

"I’m really looking forward to life here."

=I’m truly excited about what’s to come.

As I offered these kind words, I heard murmurs spreading among the students.

Seeing the top student act like this, they must be impressed.

Hey, it’s me. Yeah, that’s true.

I’ve been trained in the ways of K-manners, so I’m always humble.

"I’ll be looking forward to it."

=I’ll be looking forward to it.

"My position is always open, so if anyone wants to challenge me, feel free to do so anytime."

=My position (friendship) is always open, so anyone who wants to get close is welcome.

"I hope you can satisfy me."

=I hope we all become good friends.

A warm line inviting everyone to get along.

It was a scene straight out of a typical school-life drama.

"That should do it."

Before I knew it, my allotted time was nearly up.

I wrapped things up smoothly.

Just before stepping down from the podium, I added a final thought that had come to me belatedly.

"Oh, right. I’m not a villain. Please don’t hate me."

=Even though I have narrow eyes, I’m not a bad person.

A time I found somewhat satisfying.

I’d say I left a pretty positive impression on the students.

With a gentle smile, I stepped down from the podium.

‘Perfect.’

There were some rough patches, but I handled it well.

I should’ve left a solid impression.

Even if I eventually give up the top spot, people might say, ‘He wasn’t that skilled, but he had a good personality.’

Content with my optimistic thoughts, I returned to my seat.

***

[Greetings, I’m Judas Snakes, and I’ve been given the honor of delivering the freshman representative’s speech.]

As the boy’s first words echoed through the auditorium, all the students froze.

It was as if they had all agreed to fall silent at the same moment.

They didn’t know why. It was purely instinctual.

It felt as though something terrible would happen if they didn’t shut their mouths immediately.

"…"

A chilling silence flowed through the hall.

An inexplicable sense of unease crawled up their spines.

Even as that uncomfortable sensation spread throughout their bodies, the students couldn’t move a single finger.

What was this foreboding feeling?

There was no sign of mana, no energy, no killing intent. So where was this dreadful sense of danger coming from?

Screeeech—

Even the simple sound of a board creaking felt like it could slice their necks.

Most students were breaking out in cold sweats, and some were even breathing heavily as if they couldn’t catch their breath.

[Hmm? What’s wrong with everyone?]

Their trembling gazes were locked onto the podium.

A tense atmosphere rippled on the surface.

The goosebumps that seemed ready to burst at any moment reflected the students’ raw fear.

It was a sensation beyond explanation.

The boy’s power was clearly pitiful.

His mana was below average, and even that was faint. He didn’t have the physique of someone trained in martial arts either.

Every visible indicator marked him as weak, yet…

‘Why is this happening?’

‘He clearly looks like a pushover… but I can’t let my guard down.’

‘It feels like my limbs are freezing up.’

‘It’s not magic, illusion, or aura. So what is this overwhelming discomfort…?’

‘Damn it. That phony top student…!’

For some reason, their instincts were sounding alarms.

There was no logical basis for it.

Their rational minds insisted they could crush him easily, but their instincts warned them otherwise.

To be wary of that boy.

Most students were filled with bewilderment.

Only a few of the top students maintained their composure, watching the podium with intrigued eyes.

Was he aware of the atmosphere?

The boy with narrow eyes began his speech with a sly grin.

[Heh heh… Judging by how tense everyone is, I guess you’re all nervous because of the entrance ceremony.]

The opening lines were a blatant provocation.

It was a nasty greeting, mocking the students who had been frozen stiff just moments before.

"What an arrogant…!"

"That brat who’d fly away with one punch dares…!"

Some students glared at him with eyes full of hostility. But the boy carried on regardless.

[I’m sure you’ve all heard of me. I’ve somehow ended up as the top student.]

There was a subtle edge to his words.

It was as if he was laughing at all the rumors circulating about him among the students.

[I was worried things might be dull… but as expected, I wasn’t disappointed.]

[So this is the continent’s best academy.]

[I’m really looking forward to life here.]

The boy’s narrow eyes scanned the students.

It was a meaningful gaze.

It felt as though he was looking down on them like insignificant insects. There was contempt laced in his tone.

[I’ll be looking forward to it.]

[My position is always open, so if anyone wants to challenge me, feel free to do so anytime.]

[I hope you can satisfy me.]

The boy’s attitude was openly arrogant.

If anyone had an issue with him being the top student, they should come forward and say it. He’d take them on directly.

It was a quiet but menacing statement.

It formed an uneasy atmosphere around him.

[That should do it.]

Before long, the allotted time was up.

The boy wrapped up his speech casually.

With a sinister smile still lingering, he left a final remark as he stepped down from the podium.

[Oh, right.]

[I’m not a villain, so don’t hate me.]

The quiet auditorium echoed with his words.

The students could only wipe the cold sweat from their foreheads and stare at his retreating figure.

***

"Impressive."

"…"

An elderly man muttered in admiration.

Selena snapped out of her thoughts at his voice.

Perhaps due to the alcohol, her consciousness was still hazy, but she forced herself to focus, her long violet hair draping down.

The voice called out again.

"Selena."

"Yes, Dean."

This time, she didn’t miss it.

Sitting beside her was her mentor and the Dean of Gallimard Academy, Gaston Gallimard.

He was showing interest in a certain boy.

"You’ve chosen an interesting child."

"Thank you."

"Though he doesn’t exude great power, he has a charisma that commands the room…"

The old man’s lips curled into a smile.

He wasn’t quite top-student material, but with some polish, he could bloom beautifully.

"It’s a pity. Such a promising child is suffering because of your stubbornness."

"…"

"Did you know? Because of the crown you forced on him, that boy is already facing resentment from many students."

"…I’m aware."

"If you’re aware, that makes it all the more frustrating."

The Dean lightly knocked Selena on the head.

She silently accepted the gesture, and as she did, the old man quietly posed a question to his disciple.

It was a concerned inquiry.

"I won’t be helping you this time. Are you confident?"

"What are you referring to…?"

"The class placement exam."

The staff meeting from a few days ago.

Selena had arbitrarily decided the top student, and as punishment, a condition had been imposed.

"Do you truly believe that boy can maintain the top spot?"

It was phrased as a question, but it was more of a conclusion.

The Dean had already determined that the boy’s rank would plummet in the placement exam, and the other staff members seemed to agree.

Some were even quietly mocking the situation among themselves.

Ignoring their childish reactions, Selena spoke calmly.

"We’ll see."

Her crimson eyes, soaked in indifference.

Selena recalled the pressure she had felt from the boy during the entrance exam, and the unknown fear that had gripped her.

"We’ll find out soon enough."

With a serene response, she turned her gaze away.