I Became the Savior of the Academy’s Villains

[You have met the conditions, so hints have been added.]

[The Shadow Cast Over the Academy]
― Find a person associated with the academy's darkness. (○)
― Encounter the darkness of the academy face-to-face.
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[The Undying Princess]
― Befriend Brid Ceteg Hernan's fake identity, Milia Fille. (○)
― Save Milia Fille and Isella from danger.
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*If you meet two more of the basic hint conditions, additional hints will be provided.

Once again, the collected hints had been updated.
Perhaps because there was still so little known, only a few sections were unlocked.
But the content that was added was very intriguing.

'It's a bit worrying that Milia Fille and Isella will be put in danger, but what bothers me even more are the additional hints.'

Speaking as a voracious webnovel reader relying on intuition, those "basic hints" that need to be met are probably the things that the so-called god told him to do—that is, the MacGuffins he needs to collect.

― Hello! I'm the god of the Pandia world!
― You've been chosen! You've been granted the chance to live a new life in our world!
― I sincerely hope you'll help complete our world's story, dear reader!

Luca's previous life—well, Lee Myunghyun as he was—didn't remember in detail, but he had made some kind of contract with the god of this Pandia world.
The hints he was given were to help him achieve that.

The additional hints mentioned here seemed likely to be clues that would make that achievement easier, in other words, fateful opportunities or chances that weren't written directly into the original story.

'Maybe it's something like the location of the fifth great soul, the one even the protagonist never obtained?'

Thinking that, Luca felt a little excited.

'Come to think of it, I shouldn't forget that this is a year before the original story begins—I slipped up there.'

This was a common development and a situation he had seen before.
When you meet someone who appears in the story's middle or later stages at an early point, and their personality is so different it's bewildering.
But actually thinking rationally all the time in a new life proved to be easier said than done.

'Of course, not everyone is like that, but I should be careful not to judge too much by preconceived notions.'

With that in mind, Luca looked at the nameplate in front of him.

'Kryphi Mosto.'

He had come to Kryphi's office after lunch and the afternoon class.

'I wonder what he was like before being demoted to E-Class instructor.'

He had known the answer the moment he saw Isella in swordsmanship class.
The reason Kryphi Mosto had been dropped to handling E-Class:
It was probably because of Milia, who became enraged over the discrimination against Isella.

Kryphi as depicted in the original work was downright petty and disgusting.
But since this was earlier than the original timeline, Luca figured he probably wasn't quite at peak awfulness yet.

'He was described as being rather strong, but his whereabouts become very vague after being defeated by the protagonist. That always bothered me.'

The fact that he's a two-time winner of the Empire's Swordsmanship Competition already makes him a noteworthy figure.
But what bothered Luca even more was the section where the protagonist's mentor—the "Empire's Strongest Swordsman in the Past"—mentions in the middle of the first loop's war arc, "If that guy had been here, this war would've ended much more easily."

'That's why the protagonist once considered saving him, too.'

Of course, his actions were so vile that he was always beaten down and eventually kicked out of the academy.

'There were even comments on the webnovel saying that bit with the teacher coming into the student cafeteria and making someone drop a tray must come from the author's real-life experiences.'

After briefly recalling that petty episode, Luca took a deep breath and knocked.

Knock knock.

"Come in."

The answer came almost instantly, as if he had been expected. Luca controlled his expression and walked in,
reminding himself once again that the person in his memories and Kryphi now were not the same.

Kryphi was reading over some documents.

"My apologies. There's always a lot of work at the start of the term."

"It's all right."

"Please, have a seat over there. Help yourself to anything in the cupboard."

He said so, but there were only a few bottles of alcohol and some biscuits—no tea or coffee.

"Oh, but you shouldn't have alcohol, of course. We're still on the clock."

"Yes."

"Hm? Now that I think about it, I should stock some tea or coffee. There's hardly anyone who visits, so I'd forgotten."

As Kryphi gave a sheepish grin, Luca shook his head slowly.

"It's fine. I don't drink much of anything, anyway."

"As expected of a member of a distinguished swordsmanship family."

After that exchange of meaningless small talk,
Kryphi went back to his work.
Luca glanced over and, seeing no sign of attention, pulled out his phone and skimmed through his notes.

'If they're in danger even with the Moonlight Knight around, what kind of threat must be coming? I have to try and anticipate that.'

Isella, the Moonlight Knight whom not even the protagonist could possibly defeat in his first run.
And Milia, who wielded outstanding magic and always displayed quick wits in a crisis, using the divine artifact 'Dimension Core'.
What could happen in the span of a year to change those two so completely?

'It's highly likely that the demons, the root of all evil, are behind it...but something feels off.'

Somehow, he felt there must be deeper circumstances.
But before he could ponder more, Kryphi finished his work.

"Finally done. I apologize for making you wait so long."

"It's fine."

Sitting down across from Luca, Kryphi clasped his hands and seemed to think for a moment about what to say, then spoke.

"First, thank you. For the first time, the students in my class showed real enthusiasm because of you."

"What do you mean...?"

"They were inspired seeing you two spar using only the basics. Even those who don't dream of being warriors said it was a duel worth longing for—it's only natural."

The look in Kryphi's eyes seemed subtly dark as he spoke.

Kryphi was weary of being a teacher.
No matter how enthusiastically he taught, the students never listened.
It's true, he acted out of an ulterior desire for status, but he also genuinely wanted to produce excellent swordsmen.

But, given that he was an "SA Class" instructor, no one had any interest in his classes.
On top of that, what he taught was basic swordsmanship, which was seen as boring.
The students only acted for the sake of grades.

'If no one's going to follow, no matter how passionate I am...maybe I should just let it be.'

In the end, he gave up.
Instead, he chose to ingratiate himself with students by showing some usefulness however possible.

Students from high or soon-to-be-high status families got good grades and kind words;
students from commoner or low status backgrounds got harsher treatment by design.
After all, people intoxicated with authority look down on the lower ranks even more.

"Seeing the other students' attitudes change thanks to you two made me reflect on myself. It even reminded me of the spirit of a martial artist I'd forgotten. I really wanted to thank you again."

As Kryphi bowed his head, Luca found himself at a loss for words.
Whatever he said would be awkward.
Apparently Kryphi realized this too, as he said nothing further.

"Well then, let's move on to the main point. I'll say this to Isella as well, but I'd like to ask Luca first. Will you continue taking my class?"

"What do you mean?"

Luca, unable to read Kryphi's intentions, questioned him back.

"What I teach is basic swordsmanship. But as far as I can see, both of you have already mastered the basics. The only thing you need now is experience, which I don't believe my class can provide."

"So you mean...?"

"I'll allow you to take the S-Class class, instead of the SA-Class. Fortunately, I know one of the S-Class instructors personally. He would surely be able to take both of you to greater heights."

'That person...'

Surely he meant the 'Empire's Strongest Swordsman of the Past', the protagonist's mentor, and the continent's greatest swordsman.

Of course, becoming such a person's disciple would be a great honor and chance.
But Luca had no intention of accepting.

'If I do that, I'll have a 100% chance of clashing with the protagonist. I definitely don't want to tangle with that mad dog.'

Luca wanted, above all, to avoid entanglement with the protagonist.
He just wished to avert his own predetermined ruin.
He didn't want to build bonds with the protagonist or overcome hardship together.

"Thank you for the offer, but I don't want to learn swordsmanship from anyone else. If anything, I only want to refine the basics."

"If you knew who I was offering to introduce, you wouldn't say that. That person could, if I may be so bold, make you 'the first heir to your house'."

"......"

Luca narrowed his eyes at Kryphi's words.
At that reaction, Kryphi raised both hands, plainly realizing he'd misspoken.

"My apologies; that was a careless remark."

"... Sir Mosto. If you say such a rude thing once more, I'll bring it up formally."

As a trace of killing intent flashed in Luca's eyes, Kryphi swallowed nervously.

"I'll be careful."

'So even if he's looked down on as the family's second son, a Fang's blood really is a Fang.'

From Kryphi's side, it was a kind of attempt to latch on.
He'd heard plenty about how skilled Wylde Traverse was. He'd even seen him teach before.

But after watching Luca's performance this time, he didn't feel the gap between them was nearly as big as he had thought.
Wylde Traverse, the so-called return of the Fang, certainly had incredible talent, but what he felt from Luca—the potential—was nothing to laugh at.

"Still, let me say this: you have no chance of beating Wylde Traverse as you are now. If you think that's rude, you're free to challenge me to a formal duel. But I hope you'll at least hear me out."

So, with some risk, Kryphi continued.
It was because he sensed possibility, even charm, in this person called Luca Traverse.

"... I'll listen."

"Your family's swordsmanship is indeed outstanding. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it one of the best in the continent. However, it is not the right swordsmanship for you."

"Kryphi Mosto."

Luca's face twisted gruesomely.
It wasn't his own will.
It was the leftover fragments of 'Luca Traverse' that couldn't tolerate that statement.

"I know it's unpleasant, but you must accept it. This is the first time I, Kryphi Mosto, have spoken from the heart since coming to the academy."

Despite Luca's negative response, Kryphi didn't back down.

"I suspect you can feel it, too: that the swordsmanship you use doesn't suit you. Even so, you hold onto it to avoid disgracing yourself as your family's second son."

"Enough! If you say any more..."

"I can improve it for you."

Luca froze; Kryphi's expression turned serious.

"There's a reason why I am called the 'Nightmare of the Battlefield'. It's not just because of a single sword style, but because I absorb and master every style I see or encounter, and alter them so as to make myself impossible to face. I can reshape the Traverse family's swordsmanship into something that fits you."

"..."

"Trust me. I'll help you defeat your brother."

Kryphi continued, his tone strong and sincere to the end.
But Luca could not respond.

'What the hell did this bastard just say?'

There was something in Kryphi's words that was just too shocking.
So much so that it managed to suppress even Luca Traverse' emotions.

― Damn it, how did you get that sword skill...?!
― Surprised? This is the power called 'Imitation', made from my innate ability mixed with Demons' techniques. The power to absorb and master any skill I've encountered, and transform it so others can't counter it...

A famous conversation between the protagonist and a mid-to-late game boss flashed through Luca's mind.
It was like the gears in his head suddenly snapped into place.

'So Kryphi was the Imitator all along?'

Bzzz bzzz!

Just then, his phone vibrated incessantly.

[You have met the conditions, so hints have been added.]
[You have met the conditions, so hints have been updated.]

[The Nightmare of the Battlefield, Kryphi Mosto → The Nightmare of the Martial Artist, Imitator]

― Attend Kryphi Mosto's class and earn his goodwill. (○)
― Realize that Kryphi Mosto's abilities and those of the Imitator are one and the same. (○)
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-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Kryphi became a demon in the original novel, huh...
Also, I like that not all villains are female...
Most of them will probably be female...
But with 13 chapters, we already have 2 male villains that could be saved...
I am liking this more and more...
Also, this novel will probably be an open-ended harem where readers will be the ones to decide which girl they like the best...
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】