Became a Villain Heroine in a Harem Story

Cough.

…I don’t like this situation.

The other students and the teacher are looking at me with the expression of watching what’s called a “soldier of concern” in the military.

In the academy where legally adults who have graduated from school society and can somewhat distinguish between normal and abnormal people gather.

I have been clearly classified as abnormal.

Thanks to a momentary mistake.

‘Hey. Did I do something that wrong?’

: Yes.

‘Yeah….’

I could only respond with a deflated voice to the status window’s firm tone, as I couldn’t find anything to refute.

The long first class felt similar to an orientation or a briefing for new students.

For me, who already knew the basic concepts, structure, and settings of the academy through the game story, it was just a boring time of reviewing the story again.

Eventually, my choice was to suggest a word chain game to the status window.

The teacher seemed to be explaining school facilities, dormitories, and basic concepts of abilities, but what was important to me now was not those explanations but finding words that start with “꾼” (crook).

“…Student.”

“Umm…”

“I mean, student Bia.”

“Yes?”

“Pay attention. The explanation is given only once.”

“I was paying attention.”

I boldly told a lie, and the NPC professor whose name I couldn’t remember frowned and roughly put down a stack of documents on the podium.

Among students looking at me with eyes saying ‘You’re marked now’ and eyes saying ‘Wow, this will be fun’.

I was just biting the tip of my nail with my teeth, waiting for a question.

“If you were paying attention, please explain the concept of ‘abstraction’ among ability concepts.”

“…”

“Of course you can’t. Ability users who can perform abstraction are countable on one hand, and you who have just started learning are bound to be confused by this new concept…”

“It’s like expanding the concept of ability and applying it to oneself.”

“…?”

“The common point of ability users is that somehow they unconsciously know the name of their ability. As if someone secretly told them.”

It’s just a one-line tip or lore that often appeared on loading screens when moving to different regions in the game.

I’m just reciting it as is.

The name of an ability is deeply related to its concept.

For example, suppose you gained an ability called ‘regeneration.’ Then there’s a possibility that the ability will develop later and expand into a new ability that can forcibly play a stopped video.

It’s not just an ability that regenerates the body and ends there, but power is contained in the name itself.

At the moment when the ability gradually grows like that. At a certain point, the ability loses control and tries to consume its owner.

Of course, since the relationship between ability and human can be compared to a parasitic or symbiotic relationship… death or insanity doesn’t occur.

But what if you could intentionally create a state of being out of control, and maintain your consciousness in that state?

For example, if I could become ‘shadow’ itself?

Ability users call that state abstraction.

After this explanation ended, I began to feel the gazes of surrounding students and teachers. Gazes different from before… filled with goodwill and surprise.

‘It feels good.’

: Are you satisfied? Damn, you must be satisfied. I clearly told you not to do anything conspicuous!

‘Yes. I know. But, it’s annoying.’

: When this class ends, let’s put a cigarette in your mouth immediately and slowly have a rational conversation again. Please.

‘Hey. Why do you care so much about my condition?’

: I also have a lot at stake with you in many ways! If problems arise, you’re not the only one who will lose the bet!

I don’t really know what bet the status window has placed on me. Did it really give me something without my knowledge? Maybe the act of giving abilities itself is an act of diminishing itself?

It was an interesting imagination. Because such abilities can’t exist.

I spent time with such pleasant imaginations, and soon the class was about to end.

The bell indicating the hour rang from outside, and to my ears, it sounded like the heavenly bell from Jerusalem.

Finally, I can go buy cigarettes.

Since it seemed like I wouldn’t have many opportunities to buy them, it would be better to buy enough to last a week on this occasion.

That’s because there’s an evaluation battle with teachers shortly after entering the academy.

The game labeled it with the plausible name of “practical test,” but in reality, it’s a management method to verify and grade students’ combat abilities.

Yes. It’s that typical ranking thing that commonly appears in academies.

Although classes aren’t actually divided according to skills or grades, subtle hierarchies and mind games are already visible.

For now, the educational process within the academy is somewhat open to the general public.

‘Since I’ve already stood out… isn’t it okay to just take first place?’

: Do as you please.

‘Yes.’

I answered as brightly and energetically as possible.

It’s been a while since I had a chance to move my body.

During high school, when I was extremely sensitive, it was truly difficult to secretly use my ability to beat people. But now a chance to legally vent has come.

The time might be a week… no, it could take longer.

The game developer had a strangely weak point with time settings, so they avoided directly mentioning when, where, and how events occurred in the game.

I know the approximate order and time, but it means it can’t be a perfect prophetic guideline.

‘Now that today’s schedule is over, shall we go?’

I slowly put my hand into my pocket inside my suit and took out a piece of paper.

It was one of the inheritances he left me. Actually, there wasn’t much to call an inheritance. He just left a suit coat and a piece of paper with an address.

I was really surprised when I first went to the address written on the paper.

No, to be precise, it might be more correct to say I felt a bit betrayed.

The reason my salary was often delayed. The reason why so much incoming money disappeared instantly. I finally understood.

There’s a limit to what secrets you can keep from people.

I really couldn’t imagine he would hide even something like this.

♦♦♦

When I first went to that place, the scenery I saw was a heaven within hell.

In the current society where public order and authority can only be found in urban areas, the sight of a clean-looking building in the midst of ruins, which could be compared to a flower in the desert, looked quite strange.

A now-familiar sign caught my eye.

#■■ Orphanage.

The owner of the office where I spent most of my life when I was young.

In other words, that damn mister.

Even while my salary was delayed, he consistently sent money to this orphanage.

Despite indirectly being involved in the deaths of many by smuggling transparent weapons and bullets, and making organizations’ dirty work disappear.

Whether he was trying to atone for something, or if it was just a means to alleviate guilt.

Now I have no way of knowing what feelings he had when he entrusted me with this paper with the address.

The only thing I can know is.

When I come to this place, my mood worsens.

“Ah, is it volunteering again this time?”

“…Yes.”

And, for some reason, even though a corner of my heart feels uncomfortable and my mood worsens.

Because this is the only last request left from him.

I hated myself for somehow steadily coming here.

Would it be better to tell them now?

About that big donor who kept supporting. Actually, he died because of my carelessness. The reason why life at the orphanage has become difficult lately is because of me. Like that.

Removing the cigarette smell completely, spraying thick perfume, leaving the black suit hanging in the dormitory.

Wearing just a white shirt and black pants.

With a fake smile on my face, I play with the children.

Is it because of the children’s unique innocence? Or the sensitivity they learned from bumping into adults?

They never approached me first.

In the end, the reason I visit this place isn’t to take care of the children, nor to fulfill the last request I received from him.

Just.

I just wanted comfort.

I needed proof that I was doing something. If I die, these children will be hurt. Even though we weren’t close, just the fact that someone they knew died is enough to hurt children.

So, let’s live.

Yes. I needed a reason to live.

[Quest]

[Kill the being with ‘Paper’ among the academy teachers]

‘…The reward.’

: Is there something you want?

‘Of course, there is. Those two things you first proposed. I need… an ability that can fix my mistakes.’

: Unfortunately, I don’t have the leeway to create such a reward yet. This time’s reward is [Proficiency]. Please be satisfied with this.

‘It’s definitely promised that you’ll give those two someday, right?’

: Yes.

I greeted the children and headed to the dormitory.