A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Ghost (1)

On a small island called the Inn, one of the many that orbited the Floating Island, Sylvia sat in a dining hall with a hundred seats. Her hair was disheveled, and her face showed clear signs of exhaustion. Across from her, a woman studied her intently.

“I didn’t expect you to succeed,” the woman stated. “I must admit, the blood of Iliade runs strong...”

Sylvia listened in silence, barely registering the words as she glanced out the window. Beyond the glass lay only clouds and sky. This Inn was, in fact, a small island—just large enough to serve as a resting place for mages traveling between the larger islands.

“... Are you paying attention?”

“Yes,” Sylvia replied.

“If you’re truly intent on pursuing the title of Archmage, tell me—who is the most likely candidate at present?”

“Chairwoman Adrienne.”

“Correct. She’s a master of destructive magic,” the woman replied as she lit a cigarette, an ember flickering in the air to ignite it. “If that Chairwoman ever truly lost her temper, she could bring down a portion of the continent. Few could stand in her way.”

Sylvia asked, “Is she that powerful?”

“Not just powerful. An Archmage of destruction magic is especially challenging to handle.”

In this world, there were mages who stood above the rest—Demakan, the only Archmage; Murkan, Demakan's brother; Rohakan, the Black Beast; Drjekdan, the Great Elder; and Adrienne, the Chairwoman...

"And myself," the woman said, gesturing to her chest as she exhaled a plume of smoke into Sylvia’s face.

Sylvia bit her lip, feigning indifference. Though her manners were rough, Sylvia knew the woman’s reputation well. Idnik, known as the Merchant, was one of Demakan’s three disciples and had been a close friend of Sylvia’s mother, Cielia.

“... You’re holding your breath, aren’t you?”

“Ang nott hongding... it,” Sylvia replied, her voice nasal from pinching her nose.

Idnik chuckled and said, "When times get tough, you should consider smoking. Properly refined tobacco isn’t harmful to a mage. And with your wealth, you could afford Dukelec. A pack costs around 500 elne, but it’s well worth the price."

Exhaling another puff of smoke, Idnik resumed the conversation, saying, "Mages like Adrienne, who excel in destruction, are particularly dangerous. If something goes awry, they could unleash a catastrophe capable of devastating the entire continent.

“That’s why she’s the leading candidate for Archmage—it’s safer to keep her in the skies than on the ground, the Celestial Realm."

"So, no one could stop Adrienne if she were to lose her temper?"

"The continent wouldn’t stand a chance, but a person might. Zeit, the northern weapon, is likely the only one who could face her alone. Even Rohakan wouldn’t be able to match her," Idnik said, crushing her cigarette in an ashtray. "Do you think you could become as powerful as Adrienne?"

Without hesitation, Sylvia nodded and replied, “Yes.”

“Your ambition is clear,” Idnik remarked as she retrieved a small notebook from her robe. She then stated directly, "It is true that Deculein was responsible for Cielia's death."

Sylvia’s heart had tightened. It was one of the reasons she had sought out Idnik, who had been her mother Cielia’s closest friend in their youth.

“You came to me because of that, didn’t you? And take this,” Idnik had said as she handed Sylvia a new robe and a badge, the emblem of her promotion to the 8th rank, Regallo. “A rapid advancement.”

Sylvia silently removed her tattered navy Solda robe and donned the new red one.

“With your abilities, you could reach Monarch rank within three months—the same rank as that accursed Deculein. You might even surpass him within half a year...”

Despite Idnik’s praise, Sylvia remained silent. She knew her talent had been acknowledged by the Floating Island, but...

“It is true that Deculein was responsible for Cielia's death.”

She felt no joy. Instead, her heart grew colder, and her mind heavier.

***

Zeit had opened the Knight’s Tournament. Normally, the main event would close the show, but Zeit wasn’t the main event.

No, he couldn’t have been. His match was unique, pitting him against eleven knights at once. It was an unequal duel, almost a breach of chivalric code, yet Zeit stood there without even drawing his sword. Meanwhile, the knights opposing him appeared more tense than any warriors I had ever seen.

Boom— Boom— Boom—

The drums sounded, signaling the start of the duel. The eleven knights charged forward, and Zeit threw a punch. But his fist wasn't directed at any of the knights—it struck the space between them.

The impact of his punch resonated through the air, sending shockwaves that shook the entire arena. His long white hair, the symbol of Freyden, whipped around like the ghostly aura of a wrathful spirit.

At first glance, it might have seemed as though he was tearing through the fabric of space, but I could see it clearly. Zeit’s punch wasn’t just brute force; it was a wave.

Just as sound waves travel through a medium, his punch had carried its force through the air, delivering a blow as powerful as if it had struck directly. It was like the difference between a sword and the wind generated when a sword is swung.

Normally, the wind created by a sword—the blade force—would be far weaker than the blade itself, but natural laws didn’t seem to apply to Zeit. For him, the force of the sword and the sword’s wind were identical. Whether it was the blade or the air surrounding it, both could cut a person in half.

Therefore, the waves of his punch carried their full strength, traveling through the air without diminishing.

Booooom—!

With that one punch, the impact reverberated through the arena, striking the knights with such force that it seemed the air itself was attacking them—blows raining down on their heads, ribs, and backs. The power of Zeit’s technique was staggering, extending the reach of his punches far beyond what was visible, making them impossible to evade.

As a result, the arena itself crumbled. The eleven knights who had dared to charge him were knocked out in an instant, and the waves of Zeit’s mana continued to ripple through the space, battering it relentlessly until they finally faded away.

“Hahaha—!”

The match ended in under a minute. Zeit's boisterous laughter echoed through the hall, soon drowned out by a deafening wave of applause and cheers.

Amid the noise, Zeit locked eyes with me and said, “Did you witness that, Deculein?”

One against many—he had the power to decimate thousands, even tens of thousands, on his own. One against one—there were few in the history of the continent who could endure his chaotic and destructive might in single combat. He was, without a doubt, the most devastating knight in the world.

“Yulie,” I called, turning toward her.

Yulie responded, “Yes?”

"Do you believe that, someday, you'll be able to defeat him?"

Zeit would one day tell Yulie that if she could defeat him, she would be free to live her life as she pleased. It would become a central part of the main quest, closely tied to the official storyline. In many ways, Yulie would be Zeit’s only true rival.

“Yes.”

Zeit's attacks often traveled through space and air, relentlessly overwhelming his opponents, but Yulie possessed the ability to freeze them all.

“Of course.”

But in her current state, defeating him was out of the question, even if given all of eternity. Her growth had stagnated long ago—ever since she reconciled with me, to be precise.

"I do not fear anyone."

Yulie's response was a perfect example of a knight’s bravery, yet I sensed that the moment was drawing near.

The time when I would have to let her go was slowly approaching.

***

Two days later, in the Head Professor's research lab, I installed the Component Analyzer that had arrived from the Floating Island. This advanced piece of magitech resembled a glass dodecahedron, about the size of a washing machine.

The entire surface had been crafted from enchanted crystal, designed to analyze the components of any object placed inside. I had anticipated a lengthy delivery time, but to my surprise, it had arrived sooner than expected.

But then...

“Wow. This device is remarkable,” Allen commented.

“Yes... it's practically luminous,” Louina observed.

“Haha... As expected of Professor Deculein, whose intellect is recognized even by the Floating Island... But, Professor, have you had the chance to use this device yet?” Relin asked.

Not only had they shown up, but several other junior professors had also coincidentally visited my lab, their gazes lingering on the Component Analyzer with thinly veiled envy.

"Professor Deculein, you’re fortunate. The Floating Island rarely grants access to such advanced technology. Could it be a result of your advanced lectures? I requested one myself, but they informed me it would take three years," Louina said, her gaze fixed on the analyzer.

"Leave," I commanded.

"But, Professor, perhaps once you've finished with it, we could take turns—"

“Leave.”

“Come on, Professor, perhaps we could arrange a schedule to use it after you’re finished? We wouldn’t need it for long, maybe just a week, or even a few days—”

“I have extensive work that requires its use. Now, out.”

“But... ow—”

Despite my efforts to chase them away, they continued to argue among themselves, setting up their own turn order as they reluctantly left the room.

“I was the first to hear about it, so I should be first. Don’t forget, it’s me Louina.”

“Oh, please. Seniority matters here. I, Relin, should go first.”

“I... I need it for my research too... I’m Professor Deculein’s assistant...”

Thunk—!

I closed the door with Telekinesis, then placed the Artificial Core into the Component Analyzer and powered it on.

Whirrrrr...

A low hum filled the room as the analyzer went to work, resonating like a microwave. As it processed the Artificial Core, a faint, ominous energy seeped out, stinging my nose. My heart began to race, and a surge of anger welled up within me—the blood of Yukline reacting violently.

Knock knock—

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. I opened it with a flick of Telekinesis.

“Professor, I’ve brought the research report,” Epherene said, presenting the compiled material she’d been studying. “This one covers the Harmony of the Four Elements lecture. The remaining twelve volumes will be completed shortly.”

I took the report without a word. It was about 43 pages long, summarizing her study of a single grimoire.

As I skimmed through it, I shot a sharp glance at Epherene and said, “This is disappointingly mediocre.”

“... Sorry?”

I wasn't satisfied. It wasn’t merely lacking—considering her talent, it was nothing short of trash.

"Is simply reciting the book's content the best you can provide in this report?"

“I, um—”

"Articulate your own realizations. Move beyond mere comprehension to true insight. In its current state, this is worthless, not even deserving of correction."

Riiiip—!

I ripped the report in half.

“No! Ah, ah!” Epherene gasped, her eyes widening in shock. She stared helplessly at the torn pages, then bit her lip in frustration.

"Redo it."

"... Yes, sir," Epherene replied, bowing her head before leaving the room.

Shortly after, the Component Analyzer completed its analysis—Dolan’s Heart, Decrion Spores, and Human Blood Vessels and more. The analyzer meticulously broke down the components of the Artificial Core, even identifying the collection period and assembly date—ten years ago, in winter.

“It is certainly an impressive device.”

With this information, I began my investigation, aiming to uncover the secrets connected to both Decalane and the Altar. Satisfied, I encrypted the Artificial Core and secured it. This was just one of the many versatile applications of the advanced attribute, Encryption.

***

Late at night in the assistant research lab.

"... Did he really have to tear it up? Unbelievable," Epherene muttered to herself as she began rewriting the entire report. "Seriously."

What more could he possibly want from me? How am I supposed to grasp insight beyond understanding? Isn’t just understanding something as advanced as Harmony of the Four Elements should be impressive enough?

“Ugh... I wonder what Sylvia’s doing right now.”

She’s probably living comfortably with all that money. Maybe I should’ve gone to the Floating Island too.

“... Tsk,” Epherene clicked her tongue and continued writing. A letter from her sponsor, along with a certificate of sponsorship, lay beside her on the desk.

Sponsorship Certificate: Epherene.

Once again, my Sponsor had deposited another 100,000 elne this time! Well, anyway...

Scratch, scratch—

“... Gulp.”

“Ah, um. Could you clarify what exactly is—”

“Oh? Miss Epherene, did you stay here all night?” Allen asked.

“Whew! It’s definitely getting better,” Epherene muttered, pleased with her progress. This time, she was confident it would be accepted. Of course, the thought of the twelve remaining reports was still daunting...

Thud—!

“Oh, I can’t believe this...” Epherene muttered in frustration as she tore the report she had worked so hard on into shreds.

Rip, rip, rip—!

Tick-tock— Tick-tock—

Tick-tock— Tick-tock—