[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-am-i-the-villain-or-not":3,"chapter-am-i-the-villain-or-not-am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-39":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Am I the Villain or Not?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},571448,820,"Chapter 39: A Watermelon with Eyes That Can Talk Is Seriously Gross","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-39",39,"\u003Cp>\"Dean.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the dean heard Viktor's voice, he closed his pen and rubbed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor answered and stepped inside. Behind him, the molten giant hand tossed Devon onto the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dean saw Devon's miserable state, shook his head, and sighed toward Viktor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Professor Viktor, the academy won't cover up your actions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor had both hands in his pockets, his tone completely emotionless as he replied, \"It's fine. I don't need the academy's protection.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll take responsibility for what I've done myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dean nodded, slowly stood up, and leaned on his obsidian cane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case, please follow me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dean Rachel raised his hand and began channeling magical energy. A blue light appeared in his palm like a paintbrush, waving gracefully through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air before him twisted like a canvas being painted upon, visibly warping at incredible speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, the dean withdrew his magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vega whispered in Viktor's ear, \"This old man's magic is interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me see… it's a type of special teleportation magic. Watch this spot. Insert the magic rune here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Vega's guidance, Viktor did as instructed. The air before him shimmered and distorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, he felt the world around him grow hazy as blue light descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When his surroundings cleared again, it was an entirely different scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Petals of every color danced through the air, swirling like waves upon waves of beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The garden was a floating island, its ground covered entirely in petals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The refreshing, intoxicating fragrance filled the air, calming Viktor's previously unsettled mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's actually a separate pocket dimension hidden here. Even I didn't notice it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vega marveled beside him, only to see that Viktor showed no surprise at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he'd already known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And indeed, he had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the secret map known among players as the Dean's Back Garden, a place only accessible after learning magic directly from Dean Rachel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I've seen this place countless times in the game, experiencing it firsthand still feels incredible, Viktor thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked exactly as it had in the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dean appeared a few seconds before him and, upon seeing Viktor arrive, gave him a look of faint admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To perceive and decode a magic array with just one glance, truly worthy of the title of genius mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome to my Sea of Knowledge, Professor Viktor. You are the youngest guest I've ever received.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The full name of this hidden map was [Rachel's Sea of Knowledge].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It contained all of Dean Rachel's magical knowledge, only those truly learned could enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Viktor had Vega, a god of vast knowledge, by his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now wasn't the time for small talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke directly, \"Dean, let's get to the point.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dean said nothing, silently walking toward an open patch of ground with his cane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor followed, and soon, the surroundings shifted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they'd only walked a few steps, a wooden cabin now stood before them, surrounded by dense forest, like a secluded house hidden deep in the woods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dean walked to the door, which opened automatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head and nodded to Viktor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please, come in, Professor Viktor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor followed him inside. The cabin was simple, just a single table, and on it, a watermelon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dean tapped the watermelon's top with his cane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The watermelon slowly turned around. Two deep eyes appeared on it, filled with wisdom that seemed to span the ages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with heavy lips, it slowly spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Azure, what's the matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vega shivered at the sight of the talking watermelon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the hairs on its body stood on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This thing made it feel very uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It glanced at Viktor and found that he still looked completely calm, as if he'd already known about this talking watermelon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Weird…' Vega thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Viktor wasn't surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this was the dean's talking watermelon familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dean looked at the watermelon and said, \"This young man wants to ask you a few questions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The watermelon stared at Viktor with clear reluctance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vega muttered beside his ear, \"What's with this guy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor didn't answer. He knew the watermelon was peering into his memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And sure enough, images flickered through its eyes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roaring flames, billowing ash, rivers of molten rock, and surging torrents of magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cataclysmic sight of world-ending destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It saw the surging fire elements coursing through Viktor's body, magma veins glowing across half his torso, making him look like a flame demon god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, the watermelon refocused on Viktor and said, \"Young people these days… truly incredible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know what you want to ask. The Azure Skylarks will tell us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ripples of magic spread outward from the watermelon, radiating through the pocket dimension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Skylarks moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, before Viktor's eyes, a vivid vision appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene from yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Devon, smug and venom-tongued, waved the dean's handwritten letter arrogantly as he expelled Henny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even burned the 'Knowledge' that was most precious to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cursed black letters appeared on the floor before Henny, nothing more than an illusion created by fake magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, three students jumped out, cruelly mocking the collapsed girl, striking the final blow to her already fragile heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlookers' amusement, the bullies' pride, together, they broke this poor child completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…She cried,\" Vega murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cried so hard, desperate, hysterical, and hopeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had actually liked that child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vision faded. The watermelon closed its eyes, clearly exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When its eyes shut, it turned back into an ordinary watermelon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after witnessing everything, Viktor's expression remained unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dean squinted and sighed, his white beard ruffling messily as he exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm very sorry, Professor Viktor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for Henny, your assistant, I truly don't know where she's gone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Skylarks act by my will. If a matter involves personal privacy, they will not appear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dean wasn't lying. Viktor knew that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't sensed any Skylarks near the office, nor at the dormitory this morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor's cold voice broke the silence, \"Dean Rachel, tell me, why did that fat pig become a professor at your academy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dean's face showed resignation as he replied, \"Professor Viktor, you too are a professor here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unspoken meaning was clear, 'You got your position through connections as well. Why can't others?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only difference was that Viktor actually had the strength, whereas Professor Devon was a complete fraud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor said flatly, \"When I joined your academy, I was already the youngest Tier-3 mage. And him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Professor Viktor, that's exactly the issue I wanted to discuss with you,\" Rachel said with visible difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The head of the Lesser family married the Emperor's sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As you may have guessed, Sol VIII is Devon Lesser's uncle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His connections were very strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor knew what the dean was implying, Don't kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, trouble would follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand your anger, Professor Viktor,\" the dean continued. \"But killing won't solve anything. Perhaps you can talk with Professor Devon instead, his crimes don't warrant death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can recall Henny to the academy under my authority and even grant her the title of associate professor. Moreover...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, was it really worth killing a royal relative for the sake of a powerless commoner?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dean didn't say it aloud, but he hoped Viktor understood his intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dean, I won't kill him,\" Viktor said coolly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rachel sighed in relief, thinking his persuasion had worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then Viktor narrowed his eyes and continued, calm as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But whether he ends up dying by a demon's hand… that's not something I can control.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said it as if describing the weather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rachel froze, 'A demon? What did demons have to do with this?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vega, however, lowered its head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think that disgusting thing went after Henny?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor's face showed no change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Vega said, in that vision, he'd seen the three prankster students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same three who had collapsed earlier that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their condition could only mean one thing, a demon had stolen their power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why had the demon taken it? And to whom had that power been given?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor could only think of the missing Henny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't respond to Rachel, but the dean's expression grew troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Professor Viktor, I believe you've already noticed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The one standing before you now isn't truly me, I'm attending the annual conference in the City of Mages.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What you see now is my image, projected through the Skylarks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So when this incident happened, I couldn't intervene in time. I'm sorry for letting it escalate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Skylarks acted by Rachel's will, but they only followed instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Viktor hadn't attended class for days, they reassigned the course to Devon, that made perfect sense to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when a professor expelled a magic apprentice, that too seemed reasonable to their logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not to human judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Rachel's failure, poor oversight that led to disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after everything, he hadn't thought it serious, one noble, one untalented apprentice. The choice was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what he hadn't realized was how fiercely Viktor protected those he cared about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that Viktor was a Tier-4 mage, equal to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Rachel apologized in advance, lowered his stance, and gave Viktor full respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Professor Viktor, please remember what you promised me, whatever you do, don't involve the students.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're innocent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor didn't reply. He nodded expressionlessly, a teleportation array glowing under his feet, and vanished without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahh…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rachel's deep sigh lingered in the air as his figure dissolved into specks of light, merging with the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>———\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the academy, atop the mountain, a figure in a robe stood at the peak, overlooking the academy below, the place that had bred her despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From here, she could see the entire campus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes no longer held the innocence or hope they once did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After enduring excruciating pain, Henny's calm gaze now held only two words, revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A swirl of black mist wrapped around her like water, forming a dark robe that climbed up her hair and shaped a hood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that small bit of power enough for you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you're willing to wait, I can give you more… much more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice dripped with dreadful temptation, like an abyss with no end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Henny remained unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was cold, terrifyingly so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The professor always said I was too soft. That I never learned to be decisive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now, I won't be weak anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body was overflowing with magic, even she didn't know how much power she had received from that thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strictly speaking, Henny still wasn't a mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the sheer volume of her magic now was terrifying beyond measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, she could manifest all the knowledge in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she had already made all her preparations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She began to chant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"God of Hollowness… dance…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she chanted, a massive high-level magic array appeared in midair, a dozen smaller arrays overlapping and linking into one enormous spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"City of Delirium Magic…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several rings of glyphs surrounded the academy, engraved with countless runes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lines between them glowed and grew ever more complex, moving like a perfect machine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was far beyond a Tier-3 mage's comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Henny spread the array across the entire academy, burying it deep underground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her, the academy's ideal location was also the perfect place for a grand formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Henny?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her name, Henny whipped around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar golden-haired girl stood there, and her eyes flickered in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name escaped her lips, \"Eri…ca?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[email protected]\u002FXenosX\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰\u003C\u002Fp>",1933,"2026-05-30T15:48:18.313Z","2026-06-01T04:31:37.164Z",1,"novelbin.me","b21ae8e8eb771e54a51b0df4c3c7a998aa86320019e5821cc8ae739bf4ae6ca0","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-40","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-38",393,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fam-i-the-villain-or-not-cover.jpg"]