'Who…?' Xian didn't recognize Carmillia's killer. Neither did the killer look like a student. The only clue he got was… that the assailant wore a ragged down uniform similar to the academy attendants, drooling and out of sorts.
'He's just… A regular npc.' He thought with disappointment and confusion.
It wasn't Castreyja who showed clear resentment towards Carmillia. Xian expected more dramatic scene to play out, but the culprit was just a normal person.
'Wait, no… How did they recognize the opportunity, track her so precisely, and even know to strike the moment her barrier broke?' He was almost fooled into thinking that this was just another case of her vain deaths.
In the game, her most vain death so far was a choking on a freaking dessert because she didn't have tea served at her table. He applauded the developers for making her that death as vain as possible.
That meant, a sacrificial pawn got Carmillia and someone who knew her well enough was responsible for sending it. Furthermore, the entrance exam was chosen as the place and time to hatch their plan.
Xian looked up in the corner of the room. He didn't know where the professors are watching from, but surely 'that person' is surveying Carmillia.
He surmised that the one behind this incident had ties in the academy and were close enough with her family to know about her barrier. As for the method how a mere academy attendant was controlled into doing all of this…
Well, this sick game didn't have a lack of mind control and possession tricks and tropes. In fact, Xian could name a several people who used such tricks more that the fingers on both his hands.
A hand glowing with aura was pressed against his neck amidst his thoughts. The instructor's movements had been a blur and in an instant, he was right in front of him.
"You don't seem affected at all." The aura he purposely emitted didn't seem to faze the individual in front of him. With that kind of height and provoking face, he couldn't help but point his 'weapon' at Xian.
"Could you cooperate and put your hands behind your head?" The instructor spoke, tense and uncertain whether Xian was an enemy or a an entrant. His intimidating appearance made the instructor lean toward the former.
Xian silently followed his instructions but just when the instructor was about to take his weapons, he halted, seemingly listening to something.
"Understood. Yes." He muttered, responding to a message Xian couldn't hear.
The heaviness enveloping the surroundings subsided and the instructor instantly moved by the assailants body, then proceeded to bind it.
"Ugh…" Carmillia let out a rare groan as she stood up with a contorted expression. Dirt blemished her black dress and her complexion seemed paler than before.
"The two of you may proceed with the exam. This incident will be taken care of by the staff and discussed further upon your admission. I apologize for the rudeness, but I have duties to attend to.
Then, farewell." The man bowed with a flat expression, one foot stepping on the criminal who weakly wriggled.
"I won't let this negligence pass so easily. My father will hear of this." Carmillia spoke with obvious spite and annoyance, even mentioning her father. Knowing her, Xian thought that this action additionally served the purpose of making this incident bigger than it is for better reparations and leverage.
"I am a mere retinue, young miss. Please do as you see fit." With that, the man who turned out to be a retinue saluted and dashed away leaving two unconscious students. Not even a few moments
later, two similarly dressed people took away Adraian and Ruminaria.
It was unlikely for Ruminaria, since the entrance examination was only a form of formality for the hero's descendant. Adrian on the other hand… He was nothing special at the moment. Xian wondered whether the protagonist would still be admitted.
'Well, it's better if he's gone. I can just replace his role.' Although those are his thoughts, it's not easy to replace Adrian. What's special with the protagonist is the staggering high luck. It played a part in making combat easier.
Because higher luck meant more stat bonus point for every level up, truly reflecting the fast growth rate of the protagonist. While it wasn't the be-all and end-all of combat since skills still played a crucial role, the protagonist's stat growth was so overwhelming that it became a balance-breaker in the late game.
Players enjoyed experimenting with stat-dumping because of that. Once, there was a player who build entirely on defense. The protagonist became virtually unkillable to ninety percent of enemies, while his party members dealt the damage.
And Xian has no stat with that very luck. Thus, any stat bonus he'll get from level up were reduced.
Xian snapped out of his reminiscence and realized he's alone with the villainess. As he studied her, he found himself wondering what level she had already reached. Unlike the other official heroines and starting characters meant to grow alongside the protagonist's party, Carmillia was far ahead in level.
"Shall we go, young miss?" He was back to being a polite butler. From his memories and bits he observed ever since coming here, Carmillia appreciated proper etiquette and a deferential attitude.
This is their first time facing each other alone. So far, Carmillia hasn't been going on villainous streak and Xian was curious how she would react with this situation.
'Is she gonna tell me to screw off?' If that happens Xian had several pranks in mind to play at her once they're in the academy. Becoming a student meant she'd lose the authority she wielded outside, aside from Serika, Lucinelle, and the handful of fodder nobles loyal to her family's dukedom.
He does need caution when it comes with the two swordmaiden, but the fodder nobles can be dealt with just his position as a higher ranked nobles butler.
Carmillia looked at her butler with a curious gaze. Her uncanny calmness unsettled Xian who was used to her villainess antics back in the game.
"… Three."
"?" Xian wondered if the number signified his chances of forgiveness when making a mistake.
"Three time's, you've somehow led danger away from me." Carmillia held out her hand, with three fingers raised.
'Ah, right. It's been that long?'
First, it was the coachman. Second, is the chief maid who plotted from behind. Third, is a manipulated attack of a potential pawn in the academy.
"… Keep some time to yourself tonight. We will continue our conversation where we left off." She spoke like their admission was set in stone.
[Conversation Event: A Villainess's Curiosity II]
[Difficulty: Normal. Keep yourself free tonight in your room]
[Rewards: Prying Lens, +1 Level, +30 mood impact]
[Wrong Answer Lead's to loss of all Affection Level]
[Answer the Villainess Carefully!]
'Finally! Another Event.' Triggering events meant a chance for major leaps in a heroine's affection level. None of this happened with Miri, despite her rapidly rising affection level. It only proved that the system granted to him still recognized those who played a major heroine role.
Xian still grimaced at the penalty. Losing all affection level meant starting at zero, when he's still at the [BLACK HEART] level. At least, it won't be followed with torture to death like last time.
"For now, let's end this bothersome exam." Carmillia turned around, walking ahead confidently.
"Please wait." Xian stopped her with faint urgency in his voice.
"Hm?" She looked back with slightly displeased expression.
"That way is wrong. Please follow me." The path he had come from was just behind him, but Carmillia was heading in the opposite direction. Maybe she was in such a rush to leave that she simply chose to walk forward.
"… Lead the way."
Since they are already in the sixth type of room, Xian only had to pass through few ones before finishing the grid maze.
He gestured for Carmillia to take the first step before him for a higher placement, should it ever be attributed in their record. As he followed suit, Xian saw the square bearded proctor with glasses again, sitting on a reclining chair.
He looked over the small book he was reading then took out a slightly bigger one and proceeded to get up.
"Hm, let's see. Entrant number 13 and 879. You may proceed." He spoke, gazing at them. "You two are placed 3rd and 4th respectively."
Carmillia briefly glanced at the proctor, then walked past him. Neither of them seemed bothered to address each other and the proctor just laid down on his chair to resume reading. So Xian did the same, as silence lingered in the atmosphere.
This time, two other entrants went ahead of Xian. He wasn't worried though, he could suppress Fahna even without Carmillia's help, and if she provides support, it would be even easier.
Things will be a little difficult if Gumin chimes in, but it's very unlikely. This will be the first time Carmillia sets foot in this part of the entrance exam and Xian was already on edge.
Of course, since they were reunited, he's going to stick with Carmillia. This time around, her death was prevented as well with just one regression and usage of special items. He was confident that those were bound to come around again as system rewards so he wasn't bothered.
But Xian slowly realized.
Sooner or later, Carmillia's deaths that he never encountered will keep popping up. Depending on it's cause, it might multiple regressions in order to ensure her safety afterward.
Especially, if her allies is only those two swordmaidens and some lowly nobles. As a side villain in the game, she never had truly capable subordinates apart from Serika and Lucinelle.
'I need to gather allies.' Not just to protect Carmillia, but also to create a faction. For that, he needs her to be their central figure.
But this villainess… In the game, she played her role well, antagonizing the party in the regular arcs, on some quests and even some events. But in the end, her goal remains confusing.
Xian payed attention each time she appeared, but he didn't know enough. Whether she has the desire to delve in politics or simply live as she pleases, in leisure and wealth brought by the duke's household.
That was also his problem with the developers. The action she took can be treated as villainous, but the motives? It seemed solely for being a vain annoyance for the player and protagonist.
Sometimes, she would be on the enemy's side and stand against the protagonist. But that's because she was leaning on the duke's faction whom the protagonist had to go against. Conspirators will use her desire and willingness to hinder Adrian and his party, turning her into a formidable opponent, granting subordinates to wield as she pleases.
At the same time, she was shown not to follow any plans or orders from the duke or any allies. Like an individual with a loose screw.
'Carmillia, what's really going on in that head of yours?'