Surviving as a Villain at the Academy

3 – Astaroth. (1)

Before Astaroth revealed her identity, the Asti she was pretending to be was a timid, scared girl.

The fact that she approached me with a totally different attitude than she should have, meant that the situation I had been aiming for had arrived.

I deliberately pretended to be surprised and spoke to her.

“Asti…? What’s the matter?”

“Well, there’s a rumor going around among the priests these days. They say that you, Praha, stay in the church every night to repent your sins. I was curious if this is true, so I came.”

“I didn’t realize you’d be interested in such a rumor. You never show interest in anyone and avoid getting close to people, or that’s what I’ve heard. However, this is completely contrary to the rumor.”

“Well, that was nothing but an act. Plus, I am quite interested in you. A fool who, crazily in love, threw away his reputation! Could there be anything more fun and ridiculous than this?”

She spoke spiritedly. Although the words wrapped in her vibrant voice were sharply sarcastic.

“So, what is your request?”

“Don’t you want to have Aris?”

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With a cunning whisper, she asked me. It was a veiled temptation, but I didn’t care since I already knew her motive.

In fact, it might not be bad to show a sense of falling into her trap.

“Having… Aris?”

“Yes. I can make it happen if it’s me.”

“Why would you be able to do such a thing? Aris already likes Ruslan.”

“Well, who knows?”

Her ambiguous laughter. Even though I already knew who she is, there was no need for me to openly acknowledge that I knew her identity.

Because the time to reveal that I knew who she is would be when she pushes a contract in front of me.

“Get lost if you’re going to play games. I’m not in the mood to dabble in wordplay.”

“It’s not a game. I can make Aris fall head over heels for you.”

“Well, can you control someone’s mind at your own will?”

“Something like that.”

“…then you’re not an ordinary person. I’ve never even heard of magic that can manipulate people’s minds.”

“Surprisingly calm, aren’t you? That’s correct. I’m a demon.”

“You don’t seem to be one while nimbly walking around a church full of consecrated objects.”

“Are you comparing me to those who get killed by just a simple item like that? I’m a much greater demon than you think.”

Of course, I know. You’re substantial. After all, you’re the high-ranking demon, Astarot.

“Yes. That’s right. So, can you show what kind of power you possess? It’s hard to believe just like that. It’s hard to believe that a demon would walk around openly.”

“That’s a valid point. You might think I’m crazy. Hmm. So… would this be enough?”

Suddenly, a red light poured from her eyes, hidden under her bangs. At once, an enormous wave of magical energy started to envelop us.

My body shuddered in the overpowering wave of magic. Even in a church where it was exceptionally hard to manifest magic.

Astarot, noticing my trembling, pulled back her magic and spoke.

“How was it? I think this should be proof enough.”

“…Yes.”

“Right?”

“I have a question.”

“What is it? Go ahead.”

“Why me? Even I think there’s no reason why a demon of your caliber would be interested in a human like me.”

“That’s not true. Even just your background holds quite a charm to the demons.”

“…is that so.”

“Yes. Because you’re from one of the most influential families in the empire. To demons, you’re quite an attractive prey.”

“Ha. So, you want to make a contract with me, feast on my lineage… is that what this is about? Regrettably, I’m only an heir. I wouldn’t be able to grant what you want even if I wanted to.”

“I know, just that much. If that was all, there would be no reason to approach you. But you see… I’m a bit of an unusual demon.”

“An unusual demon?”

“I’m a demon that feeds on emotions.”

“Feeds on… emotions?”

“Right. I sensed a very strong emotion from you, and I thought it would fully satisfy my hunger, that’s why I came to you.”

“What kind of emotion…”

I called it a triumph. Even though I said so, it was because the situation I was hoping for was perfectly depicted. It didn’t necessarily have to be affection.

“Fear and love. Love must be an emotion for Aris – I don’t know what you’re afraid of, but I guess there is no need for me to know it, as long as it tastes good.”

I was a bit skeptical. Love? For Aris? I was surprised hearing something I had never thought of.

However, the doubts didn’t last long. Because I realized why I felt love from me.

After all, I was the one who wrote this novel. So, it’s impossible not to feel for the main characters. In other words, I was worrying about something trivial like fear.

Whatever, as long as I got over it, it doesn’t matter.

Looking at me who sighed and moved on, she whetted her appetite.

“So, are you going to make a deal, talk? If you want, I can make Aris Winslet fall madly in love with you. Of course, I can also give you a power beyond your imagination.”

“Aris…”

I deliberately murmured Aris’s name and pretended to agonize. It was necessary to show that I was tempted by Astaroth’s suggestion.

“What will you do? I don’t have much time. If you don’t want to then say it clearly. Of course, if that happens, I’ll have to erase some of your memory.”

“All right. I’ll accept the proposal.”

“Okay, okay. So, shall we proceed with the contract?”

She floated a piece of magical parchment into the air with a gesture.

“A contract…?”

“Contracts must be sure.”

But, I knew full well that what she just said was a lie. The tribe known as ‘demon’ is one of the most cunning.

They don’t write their true names on the contract when they sign it. The so-called contract with demon generally follows this process.

The devil writes a contract, offering overly generous terms to the contractor. The contractor, mistaking the devil’s name for the true name of the devil, falls for those sweet conditions, writes their name on the contract, and, thus, is inevitably bound by it.

Originally, the contract is a scam.

The devil does not have the obligation to abide by the contents of the contract as his true name isn’t even listed. However, the contractor, having penned down a name that proves their existence, must follow the contract.

What they call a contract is a scam in itself.

But that’s okay. I can make this contract equal, or even a contract that is more favorable to me. Even a high-ranking devil cannot resist a real contract with a true name written on it.

That’s the rule I established in the world.

A rule which states that the existence of the devil itself becomes unstable the moment the devil does not fulfill a contract with his true name on it.

It was such a mysterious setting, subtly inserted after watching some exorcism movie.

Naturally, Astaroth was humming and writing a contract with a quill pen of magic. As you might expect, he must have thought that I could easily be deceived.

“Okay. Have a read.”

The contract that Astaroth floated over to me with magic contained the following:

-Asty will not harm the contracting party, Prach Ransel.

-Asty will make Aris Winslet fall for Prach Ransel within a year.

-Asty immediately transfers some of his power to Prach Ransel.

-Asty obeys the commands of Prach Ransel.

-In return, Prach Ransel will offer the price Asty asks for every month, and provide her with a safe haven where the eyes of the church cannot reach in the near future.

“A price?”

“Oh, that’s nothing. As I said, it’s about your emotions.”

“Then, you should clarify it? This contract, at first glance, isn’t an ordinary one… If it’s not clarified, wouldn’t it be tough for me?”

You should always be careful when it comes to contracts. That ‘price’ is an item that Astaroth can change as he pleases, and in order to not be fooled by him, you need to be clear on that part.

And it was imperative to maintain strict conduct. Because Astarot would not want to choose a fool who did not properly examine the contract as her contractor. In fact, Farkh from the original work scrutinized the contract very thoroughly.

However, the contract itself was a fraud, so she had no choice but to end up in Astarot’s slave-like predicament.

“You’re quite thorough? Okay, okay.”

She smiled and tweaked the nib to modify the final clause.

-Instead, Farkh Lancell will offer Asti emotions for her to feed on and provide a safe refuge where the eyes of the church do not reach.

“Safe refuge? Aren’t you fine staying at the dormitory?”

“It’s true that I still feel a bit insecure there. Honestly, I want to live peacefully with humans, but it’s a headache because the priests call me whenever they’re bored while living in the dorm. Why are there so many prayer meetings? It’s honestly suffocating. After all, it’s not mandatory to use the dormitory at the academy, I just want to live somewhere comfortable.”

“That’s possible. But this contract, it seems to be a heavily advantageous contract for me. You give me your power, and you obey my commands?”

“Are they not good conditions for you?”

“That’s exactly why it’s suspicious. The terms are too much in my favour. I’ve heard devils are a cunning race.”

Even if it was a trick, it would be thrown hard. She knew this but she was curious about her intention.

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“Idiot. If you don’t become stronger after the contract and die prematurely, it could only be a problem for me. Good prey like you aren’t common. Additionally, devils are obligated to be loyal to their contract partner.”

I see. Is that so? Even if I die abruptly, it wouldn’t be a problem for her. No issue would arise for a high-ranked demon just because one human contractor died.

If you’re going to bluff, make it believable. She was definitely lying to lure me in.

“Anyway, you’ve confirmed everything, right? Here.”

She wanted to make a contract as soon as possible and handed me the contract and the nib.

As soon as I accepted the contract, I pretended to ponder and changed all the parts written as ‘Asti’ in the contract to Astarot, and even erased the content about Aris and the compensation that he would ask from me.

Because Aris is a character who must be connected with Ruslan in the first place.

There were not many clauses in this makeshift contract, so there was not much to correct.

Importantly, it does not matter who writes this contract.

In demon contracts, the name written is all that matters, and once the signature lines are filled, the demonic contract automatically exhibits its effectiveness.

The issue is how to divert his attention. Even if there’s not much to change, if I act unnecessarily while holding a quill, I can’t help but arouse suspicion.

Of course, I set Astaroth’s personality to be lax at strange places, but even if he’s loose, he would certainly be cautious of me touching the contract with a quill.

That’s not just laxity, it’s outright foolhardiness. Disgracing the name of a high-ranking demon.

So… I had to ask him a plausible question then. I pondered holding the quill… and a reasonably good question sprang to mind.

“I have a question to ask.”

I moved my hand as if it was flowing. It didn’t matter if I didn’t press hard creating weak strokes, as long as the ink stuck to the contract.

Sweeping my hand to this extent probably wouldn’t arouse his suspicion.

Very carefully, I spoke to him while adjusting the contract.

“Hm? What’s it?”

“If you were to sway Aris’ heart, how exactly would you do it? Do you have some kind of charm magic or something?”

“Similar, yeah. There’s a potion that succubi can create. It’s often called a love potion.”

“A love potion?”

“Yep. The effect is certain. I’ve had lots of fun with it.”

As if pleased with herself, she described her exploits involving the potion. It wasn’t as amusing, honestly. Because it was all known to me already.

I pretended to be absorbed in what she was saying while working on the contract. Adding appropriate responses, saying things like “Oh, I see.” thus creating moments for her to become more enthusiastic about her story.

And in that brief moment, Astaroth did not scrutinize my actions…That was more than enough time for me to manipulate this absolutely pathetic scam contract according to my will.

Sweat poured down my back like bullets.

The moment I got caught, I would’ve been dead…Fortunately, I was not discovered and was able to completely fill out the contract.

The moment my contract was inscribed with Astaroth’s real name and mine in the signature line, it lit up immediately and hardened like a fossil, indicating that nothing more could be written.

Asti leisurely accepted the contract and began to read it slowly….

As soon as she saw her name, her movement stopped abruptly.

Turning her head with a jerky movement that seemed almost robotic, she asked me.

“….How?”

“Are you surprised because your scam didn’t go as planned? High demon Astaroth.”

Roar!

Her demeanor changes instantly. Astaroth unleashed her immense power trying to confine me, but her magical force just dissipated like smoke in front of me.

It was due to the clause I had written at the top of the contract.

-Astaroth will not harm the contract party, Praha Lancel.

“Who on earth…what are you?”

“Well, wonder what?”

I answered vaguely, just like she did. Astaroth’s bewildered expression deepened, her head sinking in confusion. Since the contract was completed, she couldn’t go against me anymore.

And even if I tell you what I am, could you believe it?

That I am the creator who created this world.