How to Survive as That Villainess - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

Chapter 4: A Party, or Rather, a Chaotic Mess (3)

I was like a helpless prey trembling in front of a predator. Even from a distance, the pressure was immense. Now I understood why everyone either surrendered or collapsed immediately. Honestly, I wanted to forfeit right then and there. But for some reason, I couldn’t get the words out.

What is this? This is terrifying!

“They’re both standing still! It seems they’re engaged in a staring contest!”

No, that’s not it! I’m just too scared to move! I really don’t like this announcer!

I swallowed hard and stared at Kyle. While it made sense that I was frozen in fear, it was strange that Kyle wasn’t moving either.

As I pondered this, I realized this might be my chance to surrender while Kyle remained still. But then…

“Kailon has finally made his move!”

I don’t know if I heard the announcer’s words first or saw Kyle’s movement first—it all happened so fast. Suddenly, I was reminded of a nature documentary, like something out of *The Animal Kingdom.*

The scene of a fierce leopard hunting a gazelle at incredible speed had left a lasting impression on me. I remembered watching that moment with my mouth wide open in awe… and now, there was a leopard right here!

Kyle snatched up his sword and charged toward me in an instant. I had seen Kyle run toward me or chase after me many times before, but I had no idea he was this fast. Was he holding back all this time? The ferocious predator in front of me felt unfamiliar.

Kyle swung his sword, and I barely dodged the incoming blade, feeling tears well up inside. This heartless guy! Even if he doesn’t know it’s me, how could he be so ruthless, attacking a girl without hesitation?

I had forgotten while growing close to Kyle, but he’s always been cold and indifferent to others. He does whatever he wants without a care for anyone else. Right now, his sole purpose was to take me down.

I was as good as dead. Ha ha.

“Kailon’s relentless assault!”

Vivian used to praise me for being quick, but now I realize that was just flattery. No matter how much I moved, I couldn’t escape Kyle’s attacks. I tried to dodge to the side, but as I pulled my robe down to keep it from slipping, Kyle’s sword moved even faster.

In the end, I landed on the ground with a thud, sitting dazed as I looked up at Kyle.

Kyle, who had been about to strike me, suddenly paused when he saw my face. I tilted my head in confusion. His eyes looked wider than usual—was he surprised?

“Wait, isn’t that Radel Karel?”

A startled voice from the audience rang out. My name was clearly heard. I reached up to touch my head, and sure enough, my robe had slipped off. I must have lost it when I fell.

“Ah, crap.”

At least half the audience probably knew who I was. Now that my face was fully exposed, I’d likely be disqualified or punished for sure.

I should have known better than to enter this competition. If I’d realized it would end like this, I would’ve just focused on fulfilling Kyle’s wish… What a mess!

“Radel.”

“Ahaha, hello?”

Kyle crouched down to meet my eyes, calling my name as if he couldn’t believe it. Feeling deeply embarrassed, I awkwardly greeted him with a forced smile, but Kyle ignored it and asked something else instead.

“Are you okay?”

Am I okay? The answer is obviously “no”! I can’t believe I’ve managed to create such an embarrassing moment for myself. Falling on my rear in front of all these spectators… This is definitely going to haunt my dreams.

I shook my head vigorously in response to Kyle’s question. He probably meant to ask if I was okay with being so humiliated, but my face was already answering for me.

It must be bright red. I probably look like a tomato. How humiliating.

“Isn’t that Radel Karel? But she’s from the magic department…”

The Magic Theory professor, who had been watching the competition from the special seating area, suddenly stood up, exclaiming in surprise. But why is he here? I thought he’d gone to watch the magic competition… Honestly, I’m more shocked that he’s here than the fact that my cover’s been blown.

The professor, who had made a surprise appearance, leaned on his staff and slowly made his way toward the center of the arena where I was still sitting. He looked shaky as he approached, but he managed to reach me without any incident.

“Radel, you’ve violated the rules.”

“Yes, Professor…”

Unlike his usual demeanor, he seemed imposing, and my shoulders slumped instinctively. I was definitely going to get scolded. Breaking the rules meant I was in for some serious punishment.

Cleaning or writing a reflection? I didn’t want to do either of those. I briefly imagined myself writing a reflection and cleaning, and a sigh naturally escaped my lips.

“Although we’ve discovered an unexpected talent in you, Radel, breaking the rules is unacceptable. So, you must be punished.”

“…Yes.”

The Magic Theory professor said this as he raised his staff high. I closed my eyes tightly, thinking he might cast some spell as punishment, and felt a slight pain on my head.

“Ouch!”

I let out a small yelp and opened my eyes. In front of me was the professor, smiling kindly.

Wait, did he just hit my head with his staff? I rubbed my head with my hand and asked the professor.

“What… was that?”

“As your punishment for today, you’ll stay with me and watch the swordsmanship matches until the end.”

“What…?”

The professor said this as he gently helped me up. Then, he led me to the special seats and handed me a bunch of snacks. This feels like being treated by a kind old man from the neighborhood?

Still bewildered, I followed the professor and started eating the snacks, but then suddenly came to my senses.

“Wait, is this the punishment? You’re not giving me any other punishment?”

I asked in disbelief, munching on the snacks. The professor was sipping tea, which had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

“It’s a token of appreciation for the flower crown you gave me last time. Let’s just forget about this incident.”

“Professor!”

Tears welled up in my eyes, overwhelmed by the professor’s kindness. Without thinking, I covered my mouth with both hands and looked at the professor with a face full of emotion.

“Professor, I promise I won’t do anything bad again. I’ll make you as many flower crowns as you want!”

My respect for the professor grew even stronger at that moment. I eagerly munched on the snacks, glancing over at Kyle, who was still standing in the middle of the arena, looking somewhat dazed. Since I was disqualified, I guess Kyle won by default? I’m just glad that my identity was revealed before he accidentally killed me and then realized, ‘Oops, it was Radel. What do I do now that she’s dead?’

‘But something feels off.’

Why did Kyle stop his sword when he saw my face? No matter how surprised he was, the Kyle I know is known for never hesitating. It was very strange for him to stop midway like that.

“…Despite the unexpected turn of events, the winner is Kyle Ronze Raven!”

The announcer finally gathered his wits and continued with the proceedings without further delay. The audience also cheered for Kyle as they watched him. Well, in any case, it’s good that Kyle paused, and I’m still alive… I tried to brush off the lingering questions as I watched Kyle head back to the waiting area.

“But, Professor, why are you here?”

“Actually, I’m very interested in swordsmanship. Watching matches like these is a hobby of mine.”

“Oh my, we have similar hobbies!”

To be precise, I prefer sparring to just watching, but still, we both love swordsmanship! I smiled happily and took a sip of the tea the professor had given me.

***

The swordsmanship tournament took a brief intermission due to the little incident I caused. I felt a bit guilty for the trouble I’d stirred up. In the distance, I could see the two men who had let me participate earlier; it looked like they were getting scolded. Oh dear, I’m sorry, young men… I’ll apologize to them later.

Though I wasn’t punished, I still had to endure a bit of a lecture, which made the time feel longer and more painful.

The news quickly reached the swordsmanship instructor, the event organizers, and even Vivian, who had been enjoying the opera but hurried over when she found out. The more I listened to their scolding, the more drained I felt. Never again… I promised myself that I wouldn’t pull a stunt like this ever again after enduring their storm of lectures.

“Radel!”

During the remaining break, I tried to recover from the mental exhaustion by devouring snacks. That’s when I heard a bright voice calling my name—Dia came running over.

“Dia, hey.”

“Hey! You really pulled off something incredible!”

Dia laughed, clearly amused. Ugh, even if she didn’t say it, I was already reflecting on my actions. I barely managed to lift my slumped body and asked Dia,

“By the way, where’s Kyle?”

After that one-sided duel where I almost got killed, Kyle had disappeared. I didn’t see him in the waiting area… Where could he have gone?

“I couldn’t care less about where Kyle Ronze is.”

“That’s so like you, Dia.”

Her response was so straightforward that it caught me off guard. Dia plopped down beside me and, when the magic theory professor wasn’t looking, snagged a box of snacks. Dia, your sleight of hand is impressive.

“He seemed really confused, though.”

Dia mentioned as she casually popped a butter cookie into her mouth. Confused? Who? Kyle? I looked at her in disbelief, and Dia just gave me a slight smile.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Kailon stop his sword mid-strike.”

“Really…?”

Wow, just how intense have his duels been so far? That’s quite shocking. If Kyle hadn’t had a change of heart, I really would’ve been on my way to the afterlife. I often think how lucky I am to still be alive, thanks to Kyle.

“Kyle himself doesn’t know why he acted that way… Oh, Professor, I’ll just take all of these!”

“Oh dear… My cookies…”

Dia stuffed all the butter cookies into her mouth, then walked back to the waiting area with a satisfied smile.

I waved to her as she left and then turned to comfort the professor, who looked rather down after losing the cookies.

They were cookies he hadn’t even given to me, so he was clearly quite upset that Dia ate them all. He even shed a slight tear, and as I reached to offer him a handkerchief, I realized that I’d given it away.

Alec, that jerk. Thinking about him makes my blood boil!

I decided that from now on, I’d carry several handkerchiefs with me, and waited for the next match to begin.