A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 100

Chapter 100: Family (1)

On the 77th floor of the Mage Tower of the Imperial University, Yeriel took advantage of Deculein’s business trip to visit the Head Professor's Office.

Snap—!

While the owner was away, the office was heavily layered with security spells, but a single snap of the fingers instantly deactivated them all.

"What task were you given?!" Chairwoman Adrienne asked.

Yeriel had been trying to sneak in when she was unexpectedly caught by Adrienne. Left with no choice, she accepted her help, which, in the end, turned out to be the better option.

"I’m sorry, but I can’t disclose that. It’s business-related."

“... Hmph! I’ll just ask Professor Deculein myself!”

“Sure. Feel free,” Yeriel replied calmly, placing the documents from her handbag onto the desk.

These were documents pertaining to Marik and the Roharlak Concentration Camp, sealed with a security mechanism that only Deculein’s fingerprints and iris scan could unlock.

“Would you mind leaving now?” Yeriel asked, noticing that the Chairwoman was still eyeing her.

“... Suspicious!” Adrienne muttered, her curiosity piqued, displaying her natural Busybody tendencies.

Adrienne’s instincts told her something was amiss. Her stance, with hands poised like a mantis's claws, was almost comical.

Yeriel shook her head, dismissing the concern and said, “It’s just business-related, nothing particularly interesting.”

“... Hmph! Fine! I’ll be going then!” Adrienne pouted and left the room.

Only then did Yeriel get to work. She had come here with a purpose—to find something specific.

“... Sometimes, his meticulousness comes in handy.”

She found the item almost immediately. Deculein’s meticulous organization made it easy; it was in the first drawer she checked—an untitled notebook. It seemed like something you could pick up for three elne at any stationery shop, but it was anything but ordinary.

This blank notebook, once given as an assignment by the former head of the family, Decalane, was the same one Yeriel had.

“As expected. It’s here.”

After an unsuccessful search of the mansion, coming to the Mage Tower had proven to be the right decision. Yeriel intended to use this diary to uncover Deculein’s true intentions.

“Sigh...”

A year ago, she had been too hesitant to act, feeling weak, overly cautious, and weighed down by practical concerns. So, she opted for the safest approach—using this diary. Rather than rushing into action, she decided to uncover Deculein’s final thoughts through its pages.

“Hm...” Yeriel murmured as she glanced around, then swapped Deculein’s diary with her own.

Both were magical artifacts made by their father, identical in appearance and function. However, Yeriel was certain Deculein would never open this diary. It held the presence of the only person he feared—his father.

“Now...”

As Yeriel exited the office, she unexpectedly encountered a familiar figure. The woman's eyes widened in surprise as she recognized Yeriel.

“Solda Yeriel?”

Louina approached the Head Professor’s office with a few of her protégés. Yeriel took a moment to think about Louina, who had been oddly quiet since her kidnapping by Deculein. There were even rumors circulating that she had become one of Deculein’s trusted confidantes. The truth behind this peculiar story piqued Yeriel’s curiosity.

“... Professor Louina, what brings you to the 77th floor? This is my brother’s—” Yeriel caught herself and cleared her throat. “Ahem. I mean, this is Head Professor Deculein’s floor.”

“I saw that the security spells were deactivated, so I assumed the Professor had returned. I have a matter that needs his approval,” Louina replied.

“—Ah! You and your endless expenses!”

At that moment, Chairwoman Adrienne emerged from behind the wall, her eyes blazing with anger. Louina recoiled in shock, instinctively stepping back, while Yeriel let out a weary sigh. Adrienne had been eavesdropping again, and the situation was rapidly escalating.

"Professor Louina, do you have any idea how much you've spent already?! And now you're asking for even more approvals?!"

"Chairwoman, it's not my fault that my projects are expensive~"

"Unbelievable! And it's not approval you're asking for—it's payment!"

"Regardless of the details, isn't this something for the PCO Director to handle? Chairwoman, you can simply leave it to him and not worry~"

"... I should never have established a Planning and Coordination Office!"

"Well~ Thanks to the Planning and Coordination Office, your profits have been quite good, haven't they? Every project the Professor approved has been successful."

“You’re the one eating up all those profits!”

“Well, it can’t be that much~”

"No! This is far too much! You're on course to exceed 100 million elne!"

"Oh my, not even 100 million yet? That's much less than I expected."

“What?!?!”

As their pointless argument, a mirror of the Mage Tower’s internal strife, continued, Yeriel quietly slipped into the elevator.

***

On a clear summer afternoon, under a bright blue sky, we completed the entry procedures in Lokralen—inspections and checks—and boarded the train, finally arriving at Haileich Station in the capital.

"Ah, we're finally back!" Allen said with a relieved sigh, stretching his arms.

I glanced out the window at the sky. It had been just an ordinary business trip, yet somehow, it felt like I had returned from a long journey.

"... I didn't think they'd take my diary away," Epherene muttered with irritation.

"They're probably worried it might mess with your memory~," Allen replied.

"I understand, but... at least I still remember some of it. I guess my mental strength isn't too weak."

"Yes, same here~ I don’t remember much from the lectures, but the ordinary details from that day seem clear."

"... All I remember is losing consciousness," Drent added.

While they continued their quiet conversation, we stepped onto the platform.

"Ey! Professor Deculein!" Rogerio called out eagerly, waving her arm as she approached together with Kreto.

Kreto extended his hand first and said, "Professor Deculein, once again, your assistance has been invaluable."

"I mean, c'mon! With all that talent, how come you're still just a Monarch-rank?"

"Grand Prince Kreto, it was an honor to work with you. And Rogerio, you too," I replied, taking my leave.

After Allen, Epherene, and Drent exchanged a few words with them, we divided into two groups and continued down the main road.

"Oh my!" Epherene exclaimed, suddenly pointing in the heart of Haileich. "It's the Flower of the Pig!"

The Flower of the Pig. Unlike the main branch near the Imperial University, this one was designed to match the opulence of Haileich, the Empire’s wealthiest district. Lavishly decorated, it was an exceptionally luxurious branch—one that captured the essence of the original.

Epherene stared blankly at the exterior and muttered, "... Oh. Why... Why can't I stop drooling? Julia mentioned opening a new branch, but I never expected it to be in Haileich..."

"Is that place really as good as they say?" Allen asked.

Epherene nodded—first once, then twice, and soon three, four, and five times...

I reached into my inner pocket, took out my wallet, and said, "Allen."

"Yes, Professor?"

"Make sure they’re well fed."

When I handed him a check for 10,000 elne, Allen was taken aback and said, "This is too much—"

"You'll end up spending it all. Prices in Haileich are unimaginable."

"Oh... Yes, thank you, Professor," Allen said, taking the check with trembling hands.

Epherene, who had been watching, couldn't help but grin.

"I'll be leaving now."

"Yes, thank you. Goodbye, Professor!" Allen said.

"Goodbye, Professor," Drent added.

"See you later~!" Epherene chimed in.

Without glancing back, I stepped into the waiting car. Through the window, I watched as Allen led the two assistants into the restaurant.

"Let's go, let's go~ Hurry up~" Epherene urged, her steps light, almost like a dance, with a radiant smile lighting up her face.

"... That Epherene," I muttered with a faint smile, reflecting on how she is destined to become an Archmage in the future.

"Professor, how was your business trip?" Yulie inquired, who had been quietly seated beside me.

I met her gaze and nodded, replying, "It wasn’t bad."

Yulie smiled brightly, and I added another sentence.

"I missed you."

"... S-sorry?"

Disregarding Yulie’s flustered response, I turned my attention to the driver.

"Proceed to the Mage Tower."

***

When I arrived at my office in the Mage Tower, the first thing I did was take out the Advanced Attribute Catalog.

“... It is certainly a valuable reward.”

Unlike the Item Catalog, the Attribute Catalog was an exceptionally important item. Even in the game, opportunities to obtain it were rare. However, the Advanced rank was somewhat ambiguous. The attributes were ranked as Common, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Rare, Unique, and Special.

Among these, Common and Beginner barely qualified as attributes, providing little more than minor bonuses like Telekinesis Apprentice. Only from Intermediate and Advanced did the attributes become worthwhile...

[1. General License]

[2. Voice of the Tiger]

Encryption. The description was somewhat vague, but I was intrigued by the fact that the attribute was influenced by mental strength. After all, mental strength was my one true talent.

Knock, knock—

“Professor!” Allen exclaimed with a beaming expression as I opened the door with Telekinesis. “The rating on the Floating Island is complete! It’s an advanced course, Professor—Advanced!”

“Oh, that’s correct. We did.”

“... Ah, yes. I-I suppose... oh,” Allen stammered.

“Monarch-rank Professor Deculein’s course submission—Pure Utilization of Earth and Fire: Manipulation Category.”

From that point on, Deculein’s course, Pure Utilization of Earth and Fire: Manipulation Category, was regarded as an advanced course suitable for mages of all ranks, with its completion recorded as a significant achievement in their careers.