Chapter 104

"Just you wait! This time, my name will be at the top!"

The villainess confidently declared her intent to steal the top spot.

Her blue eyes shone brightly, filled with determination. Perhaps the sting of her previous defeat had left a mark, as her resolve to exact revenge seemed palpable.

A smug smile played on her lips, characteristic of her arrogance. She looked utterly convinced of her victory.

"It was only natural for me to claim the top spot from the beginning. After all, I’m born of the noble Vanity bloodline."

Despite being outsmarted several times before, her vanity showed no signs of breaking. The girl aimed her brazen mockery at me, her expression a mixture of disdain and condescension, as if she were looking down on a defeated foe.

Although her actions deviated from the original story, her fundamental personality seemed unchanged. She was, in every sense, living up to her name as the epitome of vanity.

'Ah, brilliant.'

I suppressed the grin threatening to tug at my lips.

Every reaction she gave was a dopamine hit.

Though our first meeting left a sour impression, I had since come to see the cracks in her facade. Behind her villainous smirk lay a litany of laughable weaknesses.

No matter how much she postured, all I could see was a delightful source of entertainment.

'This is going to be fun.'

The thought of dismantling her haughty demeanor made even my cold heart feel a flicker of warmth.

I took a deep breath, keeping my expression carefully composed to sell my feigned unease. A predator must first lull their prey into complacency.

Feigning distress only encouraged her to believe even more firmly in her victory. When the timing felt right, I dangled the bait.

"How about we make a wager?"

"A wager?"

"We compete for the top spot. The loser must grant the winner one favor."

"Are you sure about this? The scope of this exam is particularly challenging. You won’t be able to catch up just by cramming for a single night."

"Of course."

"Not to mention, you’ve been away and missed most of the classes."

Her words seemed intended to mock, but there was a strange undertone of concern. Hidden beneath her vanity was an odd sense of consideration.

Despite her earlier bravado, she hesitated now.@@@@

"Are you perhaps afraid?"

The one thing no proud individual could ignore.

Her expression hardened.

"What did you say...?"

It seemed my counter-taunt caught her off guard, reversing the roles. She froze, momentarily speechless, before furrowing her brows in a defiant attempt to regain control.

She took the bait, her pride stung.

"Afraid? Who’s afraid? I was just worried you’d lose and end up crying over it!"

"So, does that mean you accept?"

"Of course, I do! I’ll crush you thoroughly!"

"As bold as ever."

"This wager is as good as mine. You should focus on preparing for the price of your defeat."

"If you say so. I’ll be looking forward to it."

I responded with a sly grin.

The prey had bitten down on the bait.

A massive wave of dopamine washed over me.

In the not-so-distant future, the only thing awaiting her was a humiliating defeat despite her best efforts.

I casually walked away, savoring the anticipation.

***

A week later.

The short holiday of the school trip had passed, and the final exams, scheduled exactly a month later, had arrived.

By the time the results of the written exam were announced, rumors had already begun circulating. It was said that the difficulty was so extreme it practically overturned the academy's historical records.

Students were crushed under the maliciously high level of difficulty.

Yet, even in such turbulent times, there are always those who rise above the chaos.

Among the small group of geniuses stood none other than the villainess herself.

Emilia was brimming with confidence, both before and after the exams.

Yuda SnakeusEmilia VanityCharlotte Little von StaufenRuska Vanity

...Yuria FerzinasJannan Craston

"..."

"I apologize."

"...It’s fine. Really."

"I may have taken the joke too far. I apol—"

"Hey!!!"

Of course, it was just another form of teasing.

"Do you find this funny? Is it fun for you?!"

"It’s very enjoyable."

"Ughhh...!"

"It’s very enjoyable."

"Be quiet!"

Emilia stomped her foot and huffed in frustration, her face a picture of irritation.

We’d been having this kind of exchange all the way back.

Mocking her was the victor’s privilege. The defeated could not defy the ruthless laws of competition.

And so, I did my best to laugh at her expense.

"You’re so childish! Do you think I’ll crumble over this kind of silly wordplay?"

"Yes."

"I will not!"

"Yes."

"Ughhh! Grrr...!"

She swallowed her boiling anger, her usually refined tone slipping into a more flustered and raw voice.

But of course, the real fun was just beginning.

There was still one critical condition to fulfill.

"I’ll stop the jokes here."

"..."

"Instead, shall we proceed to the reward we agreed upon?"

"The reward...?"

"A week ago, we made a wager. The loser grants the winner one request."

"...I remember. So, what’s your request?"

"Heh."

I let out a mischievous laugh.

Without hesitation, I revealed what I had in mind.

"I’d like to touch your body."

"What?"

"As I said. I’ll choose a part to touch and will expect you to remain still without resisting. That’s my request."

"Wh-what kind of shameless request is that all of a sudden?!"

"I trust you won’t go back on your word."

"While it’s true I made the promise, still... something like this... I mean, not that it’s outright impossible, but are you really serious about this?"

"I want nothing else."

"Ugh... ughhh...!"

Her face instantly turned beet red.

The icy composure she usually maintained had melted away, her cheeks now blooming with a heat like midsummer flowers.

It was clear she hadn’t expected such a request.

Even her characteristic arrogance had vanished, leaving her flustered and stammering.

"I shouldn’t have agreed to the bet back then..."

She seemed to curse her past self for her foolishness.

After agonizing for a while, she eventually closed her eyes tightly, as if resigning herself to her fate.

Her voice trembled as she spoke.

"Do... do what you want."