Most villains are extremely hardworking individuals.
To realize their dark ambitions, they do not hesitate to pour painstaking effort into the darkness and shadows. These villains cannot tolerate staying stagnant and are always constantly pursuing progress.
Naturally, I, Erika Angelina, am no exception.
Although I pale in comparison to prominent figures like Queen Evelyn and Emil, it is now time to demonstrate that I, too, am a hardworking villain.
“Alright, Number thirty-three, Miss Erika Angelina, please come this way and stand on this starting line.”
Upon hearing her name, the young girl stepped out from the queue of female students and stood before the starting line, which was sprinkled with white lime. At this moment, Erika had already changed into athletic wear. It was the kind of outfit where the safety shorts were longer than the tennis skirt’s hem, making it completely impossible for her to look suggestive. Thanks to this, Erika, who was wearing a short skirt for the first time, felt no psychological burden.
However, her exposed snowy-white calves and arms, combined with her exquisite face that looked exceptionally cold and elegant when tied into a high ponytail, caused both the male and female squads to turn their heads.
This was the Training Ground, a place used for testing physical fitness and conducting sparring. Now, the girl once again welcomed the opportunity to test her limits.
“What a beautiful girl. Who is that?”
“That’s Erika Angelina, right? The rumors about her being an Alluring Enchantress that could ruin a nation don’t seem false…”
“Is that the monster from the rumors? I heard her chest is bigger than her head. Oh right, she even has three breasts!”
“Hey, hey, that’s too terrifying! But that girl looks about the same age as us, right? Could it be a mistake?”
“True, how could that Demoness come to a place like this? Could she be a Great Lady from one of the Four Great Families?”
Erika stood on the starting line and took a ready position, accepting the gazes coming from all directions. Discussions about her drifted from behind. It sounded like the rumors regarding Erika were both bizarre and full of oddities, but there wasn’t as much malice as there had been back in Noelle.
“Then, we will now measure the 100 meters. You only need to run to that white line over there. Get ready—”
*Bang!*
*Whoosh!*
As the starting pistol fired, the girl kicked off with all her might and sprinted forward, her ponytail swaying back and forth. Her goal was the finish line before her eyes. She could clearly feel her body slicing through the air, dashing forward like a flying arrow.
“Look at that—”
“Wow—”
At the same time, many exclamations of surprise came from the surroundings. The reason was likely not because of a youthful and beautiful running posture, but rather that not long after Erika had rushed out, she began to gasp for air and gradually slowed down.
Everyone was astonished. It was truly rare to see someone become exhausted after only a few steps.
“Huff… huff… huff… Haah!”
After running only 100 meters, the girl’s chest felt a tearing pain. This was the current state of a physical weakling.
“Alright, Miss Erika Angelina. Your time for the 100 meters is 21 seconds. This is the slowest result in today’s testing.”
“Is she even Human?”
“What did I just see?”
“Such a nice girl, but what a pity she’s so weak.”
People began to whisper. Some expressed regret, some mocked her, and more simply began to discuss her other rumors. Perhaps in their eyes, Erika Angelina was completely useless except for her face.
Here at Ark Academy, they would not lower the standards just because you were a girl or comfort you to be a proper young lady.
However, the girl felt a slight sense of relief. This was already a lot of progress. When she had first awakened in this body, just walking for a slightly longer time would often leave her breathless. Not to mention, going uphill or climbing stairs nearly made her unable to catch her breath, as if she were waking up a long-unused, rusty doll’s shell. She could be said to be an existence even more delicate and powerless than a shut-in noble Great Lady.
“Miss Erika, please test your pull-ups now.”
“Is there no inclined row?”
“What are you saying?”
“Ugh…!”
“You could only do one.”
‘I couldn’t even do one before. It seems I’ve made progress during this time!’
“Phew—”
After just a few simple physical tests, her still-feeble body was already close to exhaustion. The hair on her forehead was soaked with sweat and stuck to her face. She lay flat on the mat, gasping for air, while a female teacher in a white coat looked down at her and clicked her tongue.
“This won’t do, Miss Erika. Forget about entering the Lower Academy dormitory—even your application for enrollment into the Academy might be rejected.”
‘Is she serious? I went through all the trouble of twisting the storyline to finally get Evelyn enrolled, and now I’m being shut out?’
Did they want her to return to Noelle alone?
The carriage was still on the road. Was she supposed to row a small boat back? ‘I swear, I don’t know if my cursing would serve as an effective paddle…’ Without Evelyn and without Emil, what could Erika do returning to Noelle alone?
‘Erika, where did you lose your Queen Evelyn?’
Perhaps those hostile forces who wanted to take the opportunity to deal with her would seize the chance to attack, baring their fangs to oppress her like prey.
Erika urgently asked the testing teacher in the white coat, “Is there really no other way? Is it truly impossible to even enroll?”
“Miss Erika, you are a Half-Elf, right? To be honest, this is the first time I’ve seen a Half-Elf. You are similar to Elves by nature, and your overall physical strength is quite low.”
“Ngh.”
It seemed her poor athletic ability was due to being half-Fairy, a race known for being small and delicate.
A wave of dizziness washed over Erika. Did this Half-Elf bloodline really only bring disadvantages? She suddenly felt a bit speechless toward her cheap father whom she had never met. How could he think of having a child with a Fairy? Elves were already delicate enough, but Fairies, who were closely related by blood, were even more ridiculous. She heard that every single one of them looked like a middle school girl at most…
Could it be…
‘Lolicon, death sentence!’
**[Calmly judge the situation! Through the Talent (Calm Thinking), you have gained Experience Points. All Job Experience Points +5]**
Erika had to deeply realize that sometimes, it was better not to know certain things.
Fortunately, her appearance hadn’t reached that level of youthfulness yet. At the very least, she looked like a twelfth grade student!
“Miss Erika is a Half-Elf, so perhaps you can display extraordinary talent in the fields of magic or support. Let us move to a more refined testing facility.”
It was said that Elves possessed a natural fundamental aptitude for magic. Because Fairies were a bloodline branch of Elves that leaned toward the Demon Race, their magic talent was said to be even stronger!
Just as the long-eared Elves had a natural, rule-breaking talent for archery and swordsmanship, Fairies also possessed innate special talents for witchcraft, such as being a Druid, and for using magic.
Erika, who had absolutely no contact with magic, seemed to have the Mage job. Although it was only Level 1, it was enough to prove this point. So, as a Level 1 Mage, what exactly could the girl achieve?
“Please try to move this copper coin into the other cup. This is a simple Telekinesis Test. Basically anyone with magic talent can do it.”
“Eee-yah-yah-yah!”
Erika was trying to move the copper coin back and forth between the two cups. Even though her hands weren’t touching anything, she looked like she was using every ounce of her strength—she even felt her temples throbbing.
But the copper coin and the cups just sat there like spectators watching a Fairy’s confusing behavior. What was this girl doing?
‘How on earth am I supposed to use this damn magic?!’
“Oh my, how strange. This is the first time I’ve seen a Fairy as devoid of magic talent as you. Could it be that Half-Elves are a different matter…” Even the examiner was confused by this scene.
Failing every subject, and not even possessing the most basic magic talent!
What exactly was she? A magic idiot? A physical dunce? Then what would she be if she was both?
‘Is this the truth of Noelle?’
Erika’s gaze was completely hollow, as if she were about to turn into white ash. “Then, is it really impossible for me to enroll? I came to this Ark Academy to help people, but now I don’t know what to do…”
The girl’s delicate body trembled slightly from anxiety. Those pitiful, moist, rabbit-like red eyes turned toward the examiner. Could the watery gaze of an Alluring Enchantress move a person’s heart?
Although this examiner was an older woman, she looked as gentle and kind as a kindergarten teacher. Erika firmly believed she could definitely move her.
“How could there be no way?”
After seeing the girl’s pathetic expression, the examiner let out a soft sigh.