Chapter 304: Before the Exam

The days of training with Luna had been proceeding smoothly.

The exam was right around the corner. I was going to show the teachers—and the rest of the losers in my year—something they would never forget.

Allen and his band of idiots had been wasting their time playing with water balloons or some such nonsense, but they seemed to have grasped the essence of it in their own way.

Then there was Cecil, who was even more incomprehensible. She had approached me with a completely straight face to report that "cats were the weakness," and I honestly hadn't known how to respond to that.

For the time being, she was the one compiling our intel, so she would be the one making the final tactical calls. Up until now, even when I had been forced to team up with those three, I'd never been particularly enthusiastic about it.

But this time was different.

I wanted to win, even if I had to sacrifice "Protein," that chirpy childhood friend, or the reckless fool of a protagonist to do it.

Well, not that I’d ever actually tell them that.

A smile and a handshake in public, a mocking tongue behind their backs—that was how a true villain operated. They were a carefree bunch, having no idea they were simply being used for my own ends. It didn't matter to me if they were wiped out in a single blow. Depending on the plan, I fully intended to use them as meat shields.

It didn't matter who it was.

"Oh, Weiss... it’s been a while since I’ve seen you make such a spine-tingling expression..."

"Lord Weiss is just as wicked, powerful, and cool as I thought!"

...Fine, I suppose I’ll let at least Cynthia and Lilith survive.

The three of us were sharing a meal for the first time in a while. I’d been so busy lately that this kind of communication felt precious. Cynthia was eating her usual pasta set, while Lilith—as expected—was working her way through a mountain of fried chicken and a bowl of rice stacked in a literal "manga-style" heap. I couldn't help but wonder where it all went inside that slender body of hers.

"The exam is almost here," I said. "How are you two holding up?"

"We’ve been training every day, of course," Cynthia replied. "Our opponent this time will be the greatest we've faced yet."

"Me too!" Lilith added. "Every morning, every noon, and every night, I’m getting myself fired up! And... well..."

"And?"

"I caused so much trouble for the two of you before. This time, I absolutely want to be of use to you."

When we had fought Neil and Priscilla, Lilith had been ready to quit the Academy entirely. She was likely still frustrated with herself for being so powerless back then. While her tendency to overexert herself made me a little uneasy, it was also dependable. If it was her, she would surely find a way to tap into power beyond her limits.

"Don't overdo it," I told her.

"I won't! Hehe, you're so kind, Lord Weiss."

"Speaking of which, Weiss," Cynthia cut in, "did you find out anything more regarding Teacher Chloe?"

"I’ve already shared what I know with Cecil, but the woman is a mystery. She usually keeps herself holed up in the Teachers' Dormitory. Cecil was probably the one closest to her, and even she doesn't know much."