I realized one thing. In this world, Leon is a failed human. No matter how hard he studies, he will never succeed. That is why he is considered a dumb villain. Maybe that is why I also fail.
But maybe I can be useful in this chapter.
"It seems I missed quite a lot while resting," Umbros said as he emerged from my shadow. This time, he looked smaller than usual.
"Not really. You only missed my victory in the Trial of Harmony. How is your condition? Are you getting better?"
"Yes. What are these?"
Umbros looked at the papers on the table. They were all reports from Lyena regarding patrol activities carried out by her subordinates.
I asked for copies to evaluate Diabolos' possible movements. In this part of the story, Diabolos does not attack directly, but instead uses manipulation.
One of the reasons this chapter is troublesome is because it involves students. His name is Travis Zain. Like me, he is from the first year.
During the class placement test, Diabolos planted a Darkness Seed, a type of magical core that multiplies the power of whoever consumes it many times over.
Travis found the seed, and thanks to its power, he achieved high scores and was placed into Class A. That was when his hatred began. Arthur and the others entered the Elite Class without comparable results, making him feel that everything was unfair.
Because of that, the Darkness Seed grew from Travis' hatred and transformed him into a monster at night. At first, Travis could still control it and only stole students' belongings. But as time passed, the Darkness Seed began to take control.
"The Darkness Seed looks suspicious. What kind of monster does he become at night?" Umbros asked while perching on my head.
"That's what makes him hard to detect. Travis' monster form is a lizard that moves extremely fast and likes stealing girls' underwear."
Umbros looked disappointed when he heard that. Don't worry, I was disappointed too. Travis is a villain with tremendous power, but his nature makes him look pathetic. The true mastermind behind arc two is Beatrix.
"Beatrix is the one manipulating Travis behind the scenes. That's why Travis found the Darkness Seed, but Beatrix was the one who told him to consume it," I said.
"A cruel woman. What is her goal?"
Beatrix knows the risks of consuming a Darkness Seed. That is why she ordered Travis to eat it. She did this to eliminate people she dislikes by humiliating those she considers unworthy.
"Beatrix values noble blood above all else and looks down on commoners. She wants to drive all commoners out by using Travis. She crushes other students' spirits, causing them to be expelled or to quit on their own."
At first, Travis appears to be the one at fault. But Beatrix should be blamed instead. Yet in the ending, only Travis is arrested. Beatrix leaves the academy to avoid capture and later joins Dark Devine, becoming one of its financial sources.
"To prevent Dark Devine's power from rising, I must change the flow of the story."
For my future survival, I must cut off Dark Devine's financial source, and Beatrix must be arrested.
"And how will you do that?" Umbros asked.
According to Lyena's reports, there have been many cases of someone breaking into the girls' dormitory. The frequency has decreased compared to what I remember, showing that Lyena's patrols have slowed Beatrix's progress.
I deliberately ordered Lyena to increase surveillance so that Beatrix would think Lyena was starting to notice Travis' monster movements. Because of that, Beatrix only needed to be more cautious by telling Travis to move more quietly or reduce his attacks on students.
With this, I don't need to worry too much. Beatrix will likely become more careful.
I can't arrest her directly. It would be better to have Arthur capture Beatrix, since he is the protagonist, and I would look suspicious for knowing everything too early.
The next day.
During break time, I went to the cafeteria with Tohime and Penlope. There, I saw Beatrix chatting cheerfully with her friends, while Travis approached them. Because he transforms into a monster at night, he can no longer manage himself properly.
"T-this is the cupcake you asked for, Miss Beatrix," Travis said as he handed her a strawberry cupcake.
"Eh? But I said I wanted chocolate," Beatrix replied, while her friends laughed behind her.
"But just now, you said strawberry…" Travis said.
"Oh, it's fine. Thank you," Beatrix said. As she took the cupcake, she deliberately dropped it onto the floor and pretended to be surprised.
"Ah, what a waste. Since it fell, could you get another one for me? This time make sure it's correct, okay?" Beatrix said.
Travis lowered his head and walked away.
So she has already made Travis obedient. The longer Travis stays transformed into a monster, the dumber he becomes, until he turns into Beatrix's obedient pet.
"Sad. Beatrix Comroz comes from a noble family known for kindness, but why does she look like such a childish bully?" Tohime said.
"Aren't she and I the same? We both hate commoners and enjoy bullying. It's ironic for you to say that while sitting with me," I said, intending it as a joke. However, Tohime looked at me seriously.
"You're not the same," Tohime said, staring into my eyes with a serious gaze. It seemed she didn't realize I was being sarcastic.
"It seems you have good friends," Umbros whispered from my shadow. I stayed silent and walked away.
I pretended to focus on my food, but my senses were entirely fixed on Beatrix's table.
"…if they still don't understand the first warning, we'll raise it a little," Beatrix said casually, as if she were discussing the weather. "No need to injure them. Just make them afraid to stay here."
Her friends nodded, some letting out small laughs. Laughter without joy, only superiority.
That was it.
The way they spoke was too organized to be mere spontaneous bullying. Beatrix wasn't acting on emotion. She was arranging steps, one by one. Destroying rooms, spreading rumors, manipulating fear. All for one goal, driving people out without leaving bloodstains.
"Leon," Umbros whispered softly. "That woman has no intention of stopping with Travis."
"I know," I replied in my mind. "Travis is just a test. If the experiment succeeds, she'll repeat it on others."
Fortunately, Beatrix did not collude with outsiders. Only she knew the full truth, though she still discussed matters with other arrogant nobles to gather information about her targets.
I glanced at Travis, standing slightly away from their table, staring at the crushed cupcake on the floor. His face was empty, like someone who had long since stopped hoping.
If I act too late, he won't just become a monster. He will become proof that Beatrix's method works. And then Diabolos may start using Darkness Seeds on humans more frequently.
After sitting there for a long time and once Beatrix stopped discussing her plans, I left.
"Lately, there might be wild animals roaming around the academy," Penlope said.
"Why? The academy is close to the Northern Forest, where animals live. So it's normal if a deer wanders in," Tohime replied.
"But I found holes in the ground. It doesn't feel like ordinary wild animals. There are animals that build underground nests, but this area isn't their habitat… I'm worried there might be illegal capturing of protected animals here," Penlope said.
She is an adventuring maniac who loves nature. I was sure it was just animals like rabbits, nothing to worry about. Then a thought crossed my mind.
Do lizards really dig holes?
On a rainy night, deep underground, several monsters gathered, most of them not native to this area. They surrounded a creature standing before them, like their king.
Their king had a sharp tail and red eyes. Its long tongue was razor sharp, with a venomous tip. Its head bore sharp horns, while its entire body was covered in hard black scales. Its tail was long and filled with spikes, like a club that could kill its prey with a single strike.
From various tunnels beneath the ground, water began to seep in. They had to move, to hunt the prey on the surface.