Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 5. Turn of Events (2)

As I watched the hopeful candidates gathered at the training ground, a smile formed on my face, and I thought to myself,

'I did it. I really did it!'

Honestly, let me be straightforward. I only discovered upon arriving here that the induction test for the "Blind Eye" was a duel.

Although I brought a sword, it was solely to portray the character of 'Yulian', and I never anticipated having to wield it.

Learning through the guide that the test involved a duel, my mind went blank.

After all, I was merely wearing the guise of 'Yulian', not truly him.

Initially, I considered feigning an injury to escape.

But that option was off the table.

Many people familiar with Yulian were present here.

Rumors were already swirling that I wasn't the same because I'd lost my memory. Showing any weakness here would corner me without any possibility of escape.

Especially when someone already targeting Yulian could make their move at any moment.

That would mean certain death.

'And there's already a variable in play, so I can't afford to act rashly.'

The only individual feeling "repulsion" rather than "fear" toward Yulian.

'Aileen de Donatien.'

Amid the people observing the induction test, she was present too.

Given the current situation where I didn't even know why she harbored such feelings, showing any gap was even more difficult.

The last thing I wanted was for this to turn her "repulsion" into "hostility" and launch an attack due to this incident.

As I mentioned before, currently, I, Yulian, do not possess any means of resistance.

If she made a move, there's nothing I could do.

'That would be truly troublesome.'

Thus, it was essential to unequivocally demonstrate during this induction test.

'That I, Yulian, am still very much alive.'

So, I opted to provoke openly.

Despite having nothing, I meticulously portrayed Yulian, delivering a flawless performance.

Fortunately, the ploy seemed effective, freezing the atmosphere.

Then finally, one bold hopeful opened their mouth.

"Are you referring to... when a person dies... Sir Yulian?"

"Yes."

"Why are you suddenly asking about this?"

I looked at him with a smiling face while naturally inspecting the aura rising above his head.

Purple.

The 'fear' I anticipated had appeared.

Good, I'll proceed as planned.

"The 'Blind Eyes', which you aspire to join, is the place with the most overwhelming stench of blood in the Empire."

Gulp.

Everyone gulped nervously, exhibiting clear signs of tension.

There was no trace of suspicion whatsoever.

And why would there be?

So far, everything I said was actually spoken by the character "Yulian Cryphart Frason" in the story.

"With the expressions you all have, it seems you have no idea. Trying to join the 'Blind Eyes' with such a mindset... huhuhu."

Without stopping, I continued acting.

"In that case, as a senior, I'll give you the opportunity to experience it."

It might seem like mere rhetoric meant to instill fear.

Yet, regardless of the significance of what is spoken, the audience doesn't dare discount it as mere rhetoric, depending on the speaker.

Right now, I am Yulian.

They surely know the significance of this name.

Or rather, those who have lived this reality know it better than one who only encountered it through the story.

So, I used that fact.

"Now, let's start the induction test. The condition for passing is to kill me. The test ends when I die, or, alternatively... when no hopeful candidates are left."

I cast a bright smile as I gazed upon the hopeful candidates gathered at the training ground.

"... Ugh."

Purple aura.

Their "fear" grew increasingly vivid.

They realized the meaning behind my words.

I scanned their faces one by one.

Not only the "color of emotions", but the color of fear emerged clearly on their faces too.

'Submission due to fear.'

It was the best tactic I had to get through the situation immediately.

The final ultimatum delivered with the notorious image of 'Yulian', the most infamous villain in the Empire.

If you don't want to die, just forfeit voluntarily.

How many would dare confront the Empire's most infamous villain with confidence?

"... I, I forfeit."

The effect was quite apparent soon.

One hopeful, overwhelmed by fear, declared their intention to forfeit.

Subsequently...

"I'll, I'll forfeit too."

"I also... forfeit."

"Me too."

"... Me as well."

One by one, the hopeful candidates wanting to join the "Blind Eyes" began declaring their withdrawal from the test.

'Phew, I managed to get through this.'

I mentally sighed in relief and opened my mouth to conclude the test.

"Pathetic. There are no successful candidates. But, to say you cowered before even trying... huhuhu."

I scoffed at the hopefuls who couldn't meet my eyes.

Yes, I maintained the aura of Yulian to the end.

Even I, who disliked Yulian, got goosebumps, so to others, I certainly appeared as Yulian himself.

I shifted my gaze to the spectators.

Aileen Donatien.

She must have unmistakably seen it too.

At least she was unable to act recklessly, witnessing the overwhelmingly ferocious Yulian.

At least I was sure she wouldn't harbor any hostile feelings beyond "repulsion" as before.

"How about now? Try to... huh?"

Wait a moment. What's this?

I nearly faltered and broke my smile involuntarily.

That too, because it had disappeared.

The assertive presence of "repulsion" that had been so blatant above Aileen's head.

While I welcomed the change itself...

"Is it not normal for fear to dominate if it was truly received well? If not, she should be at least wary..."

Is there something I am missing?

While mulling over the unexpected scenario in confusion, Aileen left the training ground with an odd expression.

"You did well, Yulian."

"Sir Yulian! You, you have done splendidly!"

Accompanied by a man seeming to be a knight, Herand approached me.

Instinctively, I placed a hand on Herand's shoulder.

Immediately, purple aura surged fiercely above his head.

"Yulian, what is this...!?"

There was no fault with the trait, 〈Color of Negativity〉.

Herand vividly validated this right now, didn't he?

"Then, has Aileen come to harbor no feelings toward me?"

An incomprehensible situation it was.

Absolutely perplexing.

Shaking my head, I turned to Herand with a smile.

"You've put in such effort; no, elder brother, it's you who truly worked hard."

"T-Thank you, Yulian... for saying so..."

Though the smile was meant to reassure...

It seemed to evoke fear instead.

***

Exiting the academy after concluding the induction test, Herand, the third son of the Cryphart family, glanced sideways.

Beside him, a devil clad in human skin walked through the academy halls with a smile.

'When exactly is he going to bring it up...?'

Herand felt a cold sweat running down his back.

Yulian had ended the test in a flash without swinging a sword. While this wasn't strange given Yulian's past actions, the aftermath presented the issue.

'Express gratitude...'

After finishing the induction test, Yulian told him 'Eldest Brother, it is you who has truly worked hard' in response to Herand's saying 'You did well.'

He knew what it signified.

'Did he already discover the Elder Council's scheming...?"'

Despite his injuries, he had taken on the role of instructor due to the Council's influence.

The sole purpose was to pit him against the second son of the Torso family during the duel to unveil any weaknesses.

If rumors of his memory loss were true, it would expose his lacking skills. Even should it turn out false, either result would have favored the Elder Council.

They pre-arranged for the Torso family's second son to incur injury during the duel, planning to use it as a pretext to banish him to the northern frontlines.

Fundamentally, this induction test was just a setup to ensnare Yulian.

However, things didn't proceed as the Council intended.

Yulian took command of the trap-like stage.

'Certainly, it implies that it was challenging neutralizing the Council's schemes.'

Therefore, Herand felt terror.

Yulian had noticed the Elder Council's ploy. Of course, he was aware that Herand was entangled in this ploy.

Yet, he hadn't questioned anything.

When would he bring this up?

Even in the absence of accusations, Herand felt the pressure suffocating him.

His shoulders and steps grew increasingly heavy.

'Rumors about losing memory were all false, weren't they!'

Oblivious to what Herand was going through, the knight who had followed them from the training ground continued to praise Yulian.

Under normal circumstances, Herand would have silenced him for making noise, but he couldn't utter anything out of fear that anything he said might be used against him.

"By the way, Sir Yulian, did you know the second son of the Torso family also applied for this test?"

"The second son of the Torso family, you said? That's quite unexpected."

However, hearing 'Torso family' mentioned in the dialogue between the two, Herand couldn't hold back anymore.

"Surely the second son of the Torso family could apply for the Blind Eyes test, no? Do you wish to risk the disgrace of mentioning his rejection from the test?"

"Sir, that's not my intention..."

"As an apprentice, don't utter such reckless words! Considering the relationship between the Cryphart and Torso families, talking so rashly should cost you your head..."

"Elder brother Herand, you seem unusually reactive."

Herand flinched at Yulian's sudden remark.

"Th-That wasn't a strange reaction...!"

"Indeed. What's peculiar is the Torso family. In fact, it is rather strange..."

"Wh-What do you mean?"

A smile of pure emptiness.

Though Yulian smiled, it reflected no emotion at all.

Merely, it seemed akin to nothingness.

"The 'Blind Eyes' maintains a staunch neutrality amidst complex political embroilments with the Imperial family, consisting majorly of commoners. Even in the case of nobility, it solely admits fallen nobles without factions."

"Are you not part of our Cryphart family!?"

"Do you truly think so? I've heard the moniker 'Emperor's Mad Dog' more than my surname Cryphart."

Herand was rendered speechless.

Yulian, though bearing the Cryphart surname, hadn't been acknowledged as a family member due to his illegitimacy.

It was widely known.

"My admission to 'Blind Eyes' was decided by the Imperial assessment deeming I could maintain neutrality under any circumstance, wasn't it?"

With every word Yulian spoke, a chill ran down Herand's spine.

"However, how about the second son of the Torso family? In my understanding, even if he passed the first round, he should certainly fail the second document review. Neither he nor their side could be oblivious to this. Thus, isn't it odd?"

"Wh-... What's so peculiar?"

"Choosing to partake in the induction test despite knowing he'd fail."

Herand hung his head low.

He was too scared to look him in the eye.

"Of course, I'm not implying some conspiracy. Surely... there couldn't have been any slanderous scheming at the event meant to select 'Blind Eyes' members. It must've merely been an unawareness or misunderstanding, right?"

"Heh, huh...?"

Tap, tap.

Abruptly, Yulian patted Herand's shoulder, prompting the latter to lift his gaze.

"It'd be troubling if it weren't the case, huhuhu...."

"....."

Seeing through Herand's desperate hesitance.

Yulian seemingly understood everything.

His patting on the shoulder and the ensuing words bore a sense of intimidation.

Nonetheless, Yulian's intention starkly differed.

'... He feels too intimidated, it's almost making me feel guilty.'

His words were merely sympathy driven upon knowing Herand's circumstances.

Clacky's Corner:
The misunderstanding is strong in this novel. I usually don't like misunderstandings, but I can deal with this one. I hope he gets some fighting prowess in the future though. It will get stale if the misunderstanding trope is played too much. A balance of misunderstanding and ass kicking is the way.