Chapter 37 | How to Not Get Executed as an Otome Game Villainess

Alright, since switching perspectives for so long might have felt a bit unfamiliar, let's turn our attention back to the true protagonist of this work.

The legendary villainess—

Loris von Aldheim.

An ordinary high school student in her past life, she transmigrated after dying suddenly from staying up late playing video games. Now, she is the eldest daughter of the Aldheim Ducal House, a genuine young girl.

Blonde hair in twin drills, emerald-green eyes, and a petite figure.

Though I hate to admit it, that's me.

...

“I really don't want to keep facing the rest of my life,” I lamented melancholically, maintaining a respectable sitting posture in the classroom while quietly zoning out.

Since anyone with eyes could see that I was in a bad mood (depressed), even the young ladies who usually buzzed around me stayed far away and didn't try to strike up a conversation, fearing they would upset me. Thus, my surroundings were incredibly quiet.

As for why I was in a bad mood...

The sunlight shone diagonally through the window, warm and cozy, making it truly perfect for a nap.

Only yesterday, I was still lounging in my dorm like a salted fish all day, hugging my pillow in the evening while eating the baked cookies Misha brought back. Heaven knows why that girl ended up in the home economics section while reviewing in the library. I only remembered the warm twilight shining on my blanket, and the shadows of the maple trees gently swaying on the curtains—that kind of day was what life and happiness were truly about.

And today was Monday.

Monday meant having to go to class again, having to play the villainess again, having to face those sycophantic followers again, having to sit next to Liliana and pretend to treat her terribly again, and having to face the impending giant hand of Providence—

Dammit, whatever. Complaining won't help.

I slumped on my desk for a while, burying my face in my arms as I pondered my life choices.

The maple trees outside the classroom window rustled in the wind. A few fresh leaves were blown off, swirling downward before finally landing on the stone pavement of the courtyard, lying there quietly.

In the morning, the students in the classroom trickled in one after another.

Some yawned, some grumbled quietly about how fast the weekend had gone by, and others were already chatting in the corridor with their friends about the new opera they had watched in the Royal Capital yesterday.

Earlier, I had run into Fiona and Liliana arriving together at the corridor entrance. Fiona's voice drifted in from the doorway, loud enough for the entire classroom to hear: “—I'm telling you, that male lead was seriously so handsome! I almost cried when he sang in the third act!”

Meanwhile, Liliana followed behind her, her light pink hair glowing with a soft luster in the morning light, a faint smile gracing the corners of her lips.

She seemed to be in a good mood today.

Speaking of which, the current time was Day 1 of the second week of school.

After last week's weekly test ended, I successfully tied with Liliana for first place, barely maintaining my dignity as a “villainess” in the class—neither losing to her and losing face, nor winning by too much and drawing unnecessary attention.

As for the silver wing brooch Teacher Elena gave me, I locked it in my drawer, keeping it together with that handkerchief.

To be honest, that thing was a bit eerie.

Ever since I got it, I would occasionally hear some bizarre voices, like someone whispering in my head.

The voice was very soft and intermittent. Most of the time, I couldn't make out the words, but occasionally, a couple of complete sentences would pop out—

“Today's grilled fish in the cafeteria was so delicious...”

“Fiona forgot to bring her textbook again, honestly...”

“Teacher Elena doesn't seem to be in a good mood today. I wonder if she didn't sleep well last night...”

It sounded like Liliana's voice.

I reasonably suspected that the brooch had some sort of “telepathic sharing” function, but I wasn't sure if it was one-way or two-way, let alone whether Teacher Elena knew about it.

If it was two-way—

Then when I was slumping like a salted fish in my dorm, shouting about how much I wanted to sleep, did Liliana hear that too?

At this thought, a chill ran down my spine.

No, I couldn't overthink this.

Anyway, ever since I discovered the issue, I hid it away in my drawer, planning to study it when I got the chance. Although I hated this kind of thing, maybe it could save my life at some point?

But I truly couldn't be sure if the giant hand of Providence would force its way. After all, that would be a terrifying scenario where my character setting completely collapsed.

But back to the main topic.

First of all, the trouble this week wasn't actually much of a trouble—student council recruitment.

The student council of the Royal Knight and Magic Academy, officially known as the Student Autonomous Management Committee and abbreviated as the student council.

It was a secondary power system independent of the faculty, responsible for managing students' daily affairs, coordinating various club activities, handling disputes among students, and speaking on behalf of the student body on important occasions.

To put it simply, the student council managed things that were inconvenient for the teachers to handle, and they also managed things that the teachers couldn't reach.

Its power was by no means small.

Furthermore, the student council had priority access to the academy's training facilities and the restricted archives of the library, and they could also access internship opportunities unavailable to ordinary students.

As for the student council's member selection method—it was by invitation only.

It wasn't something you could join just because you wanted to.

Every year, between the second and third weeks after school started, the student council would select outstanding students from the first-year freshmen and send out invitations to join.

Most of those invited were students with high mana capacity, excellent grades, or those who demonstrated special talents in a particular field.

Of course, family background was also one of the factors considered. Everyone knew this in their hearts, but no one would bring it up in the open.

As for why it was an invitation system rather than a selection process, it was said to be to maintain the elite nature of the student council.

This explanation was very popular among noble circles.

After all, the phrase “being invited” itself carried a sense of superiority, as if saying “you have been recognized.”

And after last week's mana testing and weekly test results were announced, I knew there was an eighty percent chance I would be invited. Though according to the plot progression, I indeed would be.

A Level Ten mana capacity, tied for first place in the weekly test, and the eldest daughter of the Aldheim family—with these three conditions laid out, if the student council dared not to invite me, the other nobles would probably question their judgment.

Liliana would also be invited.

Although she was a commoner, a Level Ten mana capacity combined with her tied-for-first weekly test score was more than enough to put her on the student council's radar.

And then came the classic, much-anticipated plotline where the world of the otome game officially unfolded—yes, if this were truly a game, the progress so far would be less than five percent.

But for me and everyone else living here, this was a real other world.

And in this academy, from Liliana's perspective, almost all the major love interests were in the student council.

The Crown Prince, Leonhart, was the president of the student council.

The black-haired swordsman, Waldenburg, was the first-year executive.

The polite and sensible glasses guy—what was his name again?—was the secretary.

And then there were a few others I couldn't quite remember, and they didn't all appear at once right from the start. But in short, what these people had in common was that they would all revolve around the heroine, Liliana.

At this thought, I raised my face from my arms and stared at the ceiling, letting out a sigh.

“I'm walking on thin ice...”

Can I even make it to the other side?

Moreover, I vaguely recalled that in the game's student council recruitment plot, there seemed to be something else.

What was it again?

I slumped on the desk, trying hard to recall the scene of my younger sister munching on potato chips while grumbling and cursing back then.

The game screens flashed vaguely in my mind like old photos soaked in water, only allowing me to make out the rough outlines.

Student council... invitation... and then...

Something related to Liliana.

What was it...?

I furrowed my brows and thought for a long time, but only scattered fragments came to mind: a corridor, black hair, surrounding Liliana to question her, and Liliana looking troubled.

It also seemed to be related to Alden.

For the life of me, I couldn't remember the exact details.

After all, I had no interest in otome games at the time. When my sister was playing, I was mostly in the next room playing my own games, occasionally passing by to take a couple of glances, listening to her complain and vent, and helping her analyze how to win over the love interests. Being able to remember this much was already a feat.

Whatever.

We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

“Lady Loris... are you feeling unwell?”

Without my realizing, Liliana had already come over to sit beside me. She cast a somewhat worried gaze my way, keeping her distance.

Hey, hey, that is not the kind of expression you should be showing to me, the villainess, right?

In my mind, my current relationship with Liliana—clashing on the surface while undercurrents surged underneath—felt like a classic case of enemies crossing paths, especially since I was one of the people closest to her in the entire first-year Magic Department.

We sat together every day, constantly seeing each other.

We would trade cold sneers and sarcasm at the slightest disagreement; our relationship was terrible.

Yet, it seemed this delicate state of being neither too close nor too far was precisely what captured people's imaginations the most.

I merely gave a cold hum of acknowledgement and didn't reply further.

...

A moment later, the bell of the clock tower rang.

The classroom door was pushed open.

The draft from the corridor brought in a faint smell of chalk dust, along with the hurried footsteps of some late student from the neighboring class.

Teacher Elena walked in.

Today, she wore a dark gray robe with the golden academy badge pinned to her collar. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a low bun, secured with a silver hairpin.

In her hands, she held a dark brown leather folder that was bulging, probably stuffed with quite a few things.

She walked behind the podium, set the folder down, and raised her head, her gaze sweeping across the entire classroom.

The classroom had already fallen silent.

I forced myself to perk up and flipped over the scratch paper on my desk—I couldn't let the teacher see the circles, crosses, and grumbling scribbles I had drawn on it—and pulled out my textbook.

Teacher Elena opened the folder and pulled out a sheet of paper.

“Before today's class begins, I have a few announcements.”

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was clear, each word landing steadily in every corner of the classroom.

“First, the results of last week's weekly test are out. The class average is seventy-six points, ranking first among the first-year Magic Department classes.”

“Congratulations, everyone. Your hard work has not gone to waste.”

A small cheer rose from below the podium.

Some high-fived each other, some puffed out their chests with proud expressions, while others (like Clara) slumped on their desks without even raising their heads—Cotton rolled over on top of her head and went back to sleep.

Perhaps I should learn from her.

“Second,” Teacher Elena waited for the murmurs to subside slightly before continuing. “Starting this week, various clubs and the student council will begin their recruitment drives. During this afternoon's self-study period, representatives from different clubs will visit each class to give presentations, and the student council will also send someone.”

“Interested students should keep an eye out.”

“As for the student council's recruitment, I believe you all know that they operate on an invitation system and do not accept open applications. So, please do not ask me about this. Invited students will receive a formal written notice within this week.”

A wave of whispers rippled through the classroom.

“Just as I thought...”

“So only those with good grades or special talents can get in?”

“Duh, the student council isn't a place just anyone can join.”

“I heard the student council has a lot of power. They can manage student clubs and even participate in some decision-making...”

Teacher Elena coughed lightly, and the murmurs instantly died down.

“Finally, the third thing. After this week's weekly test, which brings us to next month, the academy will launch this semester's cross-department joint training starting at the end of next month. At that time, some classes from the Magic Department and Swordsmanship Department will be merged, focusing on practical combat. Please prepare yourselves in advance.”

Another commotion broke out in the classroom.

This time, the noise was twice as loud as before.

Cross-department joint training—simply put, it meant students from the Magic Department and Swordsmanship Department would team up to battle. The Magic Department would be responsible for ranged output, while the Swordsmanship Department handled close-combat suppression, testing their coordination and tactical execution.

In the game, this event was also one of the major plot points.

I recalled...

It seemed that during this event, Liliana and Waldenburg were assigned to the same group.

The two of them then coordinated flawlessly, performing exceptionally well in the tournament, and their relationship quickly heated up.

And I—Loris—would probably pop out to cause trouble at some point, but I figured that part was still a long, long way off, since I was already incredibly busy right now.

“—Well then, class is in session, everyone,” Teacher Elena's voice drifted from the podium, pulling me back to reality from my stray thoughts. “—Now, open your textbooks to Chapter Two.”

Her tone was flat, but every word was crystal clear.

The rustling sound of turning pages echoed throughout the classroom.

I also pulled my textbook out from my desk. The cover of Chapter Two was slightly wrinkled; I had accidentally spilled some milk on it while reading last week, and Misha had spent ages helping me wipe it off.

“Last week, we studied the basic theory of magic circuits and the practical application of Mana Bullets.” Teacher Elena wrote a few keywords on the blackboard. “Starting this week, we will enter a new chapter—Mana Attributes and Elemental Affinity.”

She drew a line under 'Elemental Affinity' and turned around to look at us.

“Everyone here should know that mana itself has no attribute. It is like a blank sheet of paper that can be molded into any shape and dyed any color.”

“The essence of elemental affinity is the ability of mana to resonate with the elements existing in nature—fire, water, wind, earth, light, and darkness.”

“Everyone's elemental affinity is different.”

“Some people are naturally suited for fire magic, and flames seem to come alive in their hands. Others have control over water magic that far exceeds other elements, as if they were born to govern water.”

“This has no direct relation to one's mana capacity.”

Teacher Elena paused here, her gaze sweeping across the classroom once more.

“For example, a student with only Level Five mana capacity, if they have an extremely high affinity for the fire element, their practical performance in fire magic might surpass a student with Level Seven mana capacity but mediocre fire affinity.”

Below the podium, some students began taking notes, their quills rustling against the parchment.

I also picked up my pen and wrote a few lines in the margins of my textbook.

Elemental affinity... I haven't actually had this tested specifically. However, based on my practice over the past two years, my control over all elements of magic seems quite decent—nothing I'm exceptionally good at, but nothing I'm particularly bad at either.

Probably around average?

“Currently, the only way to determine elemental affinity is through one's own perception of mana. Detailed testing requires a dedicated testing crystal,” Teacher Elena continued. “The general logic is that after infusing mana into the crystal, it will glow according to your affinity attribute and intensity—red for fire, blue for water, cyan for wind, brown for earth, gold for light, and purple for darkness. The higher the affinity, the purer and brighter the color; the lower the affinity, the paler and more mixed it is.”