Stuck as a Villain!

Chapter 35: Unexpected announcement!

The last week before the vacation has begun.

The students are given straight 40 days of vacation starting the second week of the Aurorean month.

Since it's a long holiday, generally students mostly choose to return home and spend quality time with their loved ones. Very few cases like Seth want to spend their time in the Academy.

And that applied to the new one. The previous owner of Seth Albeck's body, never missed vacation since he gets the chance to have private tea times with his fiancee.

Generally, during the last week before the vacation, every schooling institute or working place becomes lax. Students dare to skip classes and teachers also don't bother with them much.

However, in Pristine Academy, the last week became a hectic period for some of the elite students belonging to all three years.

The reason was the series of unexpected temples that emerged out of nowhere around the vicinity of the border area.

Since it was a great opportunity for the students to learn about military work, the headmaster found fortune in the disaster.

Or so what all the students were informed…

The real reason behind this sudden expedition was to carefully pick out the candidates suitable for the next Council officers and the leader of the four active houses.

The selection before this year always happened under the notice of appointment. Students majorly pursued the path they found suitable for them which resulted rather unfavorably.

Like if a student is pursuing to be the Captain of Amber house which focuses on mainly combat battles, and somehow fails in the trial, then the said student would never know what they have missed.

Sometimes a person can't choose what's best for themselves. That's why the headmaster selected these special students to be the pioneers of this new system.

Through this expedition in the temple, the professors and some selected students like Seth and the current House captains, are asked to observe the special students.

Through their wits and prowess, the students would be delegated the role that their seniors would leave behind.

From a general perspective, Ciel would be the leading candidate to replace Seth after graduation but one could never know which prodigy might prove to be more worthy.

Back to the present.

Currently, in the main hall of the Pristine Academy, a total of 22 students and 5 professors along with the Headmaster stood as the debriefing came to an end.

"Let's summarize it."

The headmaster of the Pristine Academy—Rowell Cartbridge—who was one of the three Tier 1 mages in the whole continent, spoke in a mild tone that went natural with the appearance he had.

White long beard with hanging skin filled with wrinkles all over. Wearing a black wizard shroud over his body, the old man finally concluded his long one-hour speech.

"There will be two teams who will enter the Two-Crowned temple on the northeastern city border. Each team will get protection from the Professors since losing a potential student would be truly unfortunate. But, the instructors would interfere when the situation genuinely demands for it.

But professors wouldn't be the ones who would lead you all. That role is given to the Amber House Captain Gabriel Alheim who would be leading team B. And team A would be taken care of by the President of the student Council, Seth Albeck.

Remember, this excursion is just for the experience and it has been evaluated that no possible fatal danger would be awaiting inside the Temple. So choose your decision wisely and follow your senior's orders. Any further inquiries?"

The hall fell silent as the headmaster concluded. Everyone already understood the matter and what they have to do.

However, there was one hand still raised even though the headmaster went on for a full two hours with this briefing.

"Student Arata? What is it that you don't understand?"

The others had the same thought albeit they were more annoyed rather than curious. Only Seth knew this was going to happen because of obvious reasons.

Lined up alongside the professors and Gabriel, Seth sighed in exhaustion.

"Please excuse the rudeness, headmaster but I wanted to ask, whether our group leader's orders would be absolute in any worst-case scenario?"

Along with the others, even Seth was surprised to hear the question.

The question which Arata raised in the novel was whether they can switch teams which the headmaster bluntly declined. Arata asked since he was teamed with Serena.

In the novel, Arata began to feel quite dependent on Serena and by going with a different team, he wanted to show his childhood friend how reliable and liberated he had become.

Everything was going just as the plot but now Arata was querying about something entirely unexpected.

Not to talk about his deliberate cold gaze at the President, signifying nothing but an utter challenge to the latter.

The Headmaster wasn't unaware of anything happening in the Academy and he can conclude why Arata would ever ask such a thing in the first place.

Despite not being pleased by Arata's behavior toward the President, the headmaster has to respond fairly.

"Until you don't prove the credibility of going against a Captain's order or until it doesn't come up to one's life, every student is bound to comply with their Captain's words. Anything else?"

Arata smiled coldly since he already got the permission he required. With his gaze still fixed on Seth, Arata replied in a satisfied tone.

"Nothing sir. I found all my answers."

_____________…

A/N: - This arc would be slightly longer and would focus on character development. I am trying to make chapters longer so I can cover at least enough scenes so the story doesn't stagnate.

Please do inform me if you guys feel difficulty understanding any part of the chapter.

Until next time ✌️.