A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 147

Chapter 147: Unexpected Exam (1)

Tap—

The black stone clicked into place on the wooden grid. It was the 87th move, and Sophien found herself quietly pleased with the play.

Tap—

The white stone held off the black at the 88th move, keeping the rising tension in her chest at bay. It wasn’t the ideal move, but it was the best she could do. The game had already shifted toward the black stones, and this single effort wouldn’t be enough to change the course.

Tap—

Therefore, the black stones advanced effortlessly, their flow as serene and natural as a breeze gliding over a quiet stream.

Tap—

In contrast, the white stones moved with increasing urgency, each turn burdened with doubt. Like a general trapped in a battle, with no escape in sight.

Tap—

Though the white stones struggled, the black stones advanced, steadily tightening their grip around the large knight. Surrounded on all sides, the white territory began to wither, suffocated by its own isolation.

Tap— Tap— Tap—

The game dragged on, though the result was now inevitable. The black stones moved with calm precision through the endgame, while the white stones could only await their defeat.

Tap... Tap... Tap—

The rhythm of the stones gradually faded until silence filled the board. Black had won by resignation, but for Sophien, there was no triumph. It had been a hollow game, played against herself, leaving only a quiet void behind.

"Sigh..." Sophien muttered.

It had been a solitary game, with both the white and black stones representing different sides of Sophien herself.

"This isn't some foolish game with pebbles," Sophien muttered, frustration welling up inside her. She snatched a handful of stones from the Go box and flung them across the room.

Rattle—!

The stones burst across the room like fireworks, and a smirk played at her lips.

"Hmph. This is far more entertaining."

Reaching into the Go box once more, she grabbed another handful of stones.

Clatter! _{freёwebnoѵel.com}

And another.

Clatter!

And yet again.

Clatter!

Still not satisfied, she overturned the entire box, scattering stones everywhere.

“... Hmph.”

Bang— Bang— Bang— Bang—

Grabbing the empty box, she slammed it against the board—a burst of childish frustration.

Knock, knock—

At that moment, an eunuch knocked softly on the door and said, "Your Majesty, it is Jolang. May I request a moment of your time?"

"Speak," Sophien said curtly.

"Your Majesty, we have taken the liberty of learning the game of Go, which you have found pleasure in recently."

The door creaked open slowly—not by Sophien’s hand, but through Telekinesis, just as Deculein would have done.

"So, you’ve learned Go, have you?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Together, we studied it carefully and have now learned the game."

It wasn’t just one eunuch—ten of them stood in a row. With so many minds at work, the outcome promised to be anything but ordinary.

"Good. Take your seats," Sophien commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Jolang was convinced that mastering Go would earn the Empress’s favor, and they had worked tirelessly, day and night, to learn it.

As Sophien gathered the scattered stones with a spell, she said, "Decide. Black or white?"

"I’ll take white, Your Majesty."

"Very well."

Jolang and the other eunuchs, standing before Sophien, began the game.

"Let the game begin," Sophien commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Tap—

Sophien placed her black stone first. Jolang followed, placing his white stone just beneath the start point, settling it in the small corner.

"Oh? It seems you’ve indeed learned the game."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I remain deeply honored by your favor."

"Hmph. Enough with the bullshit."

The eunuchs appeared to have learned the game to a reasonable level, but...

"Tch. Pathetic, absolutely pathetic."

"... Forgive me, Your Majesty."

Fifteen minutes later, the game ended around the 60th move.

Sophien pressed her fingers to her temple and said, "Even with all ten of you, your calculations are painfully slow. It's as if you've gone backward into the negatives."

"... Forgive us, Your Majesty."

"Forgive me, my ass. Your Go skills are a joke, not worth the stones you're playing with. Get out of my sight. You're making this game even more tedious."

"Please forgive—"

"Enough! Stop talking and leave immediately!" Sophien snapped, sending the eunuchs scurrying from the room. She adjusted the bowtie at her neck. Today, she was dressed in a formal tuxedo, a gift from the Yukline family.

"Tsk. How pathetic... How can they be this incompetent?"

Given the circumstances, she had encouraged the spread of Go across the continent. In time, talented players would surely emerge, but the wait was excruciatingly dull.

"... Perhaps I’ll just have to wait for Deculein."

For now, that professor was her only glimmer of hope. With thoughts of his visit in two weeks, Sophien resumed her solitary game.

Tap... Tap...

The soft friction of stone on wood echoed quietly through the still room.

***

"... Hmm."

I had been staring at the Rare Attribute Catalog for what felt like an eternity, still trapped in indecision. My obsessive tendencies had spiraled into full-blown analysis paralysis. The Encryption attribute I picked up last time had proven useful enough.

The inventory feature was especially useful—it practically guaranteed I wouldn’t starve or collapse on the streets, and it even helped with encrypting spells. But as for this Rare Catalog... I was stuck between Endurance and Duct Tape attributes.

"Duct Tape."

Duct Tape was exactly that—Duct Tape. The attribute was inspired by a meme, built around the almost obsessive belief in its limitless uses in the U.S.

───────

[Duct Tape]

◆ Grade

: Rare

◆ Description

: This tape is both magic and worship. If versatility had a physical form, wouldn’t it be this?

───────

As expected from a meme attribute, the description was a bit rough, but its effectiveness was unquestionable. It also fit well with my magic category, Manipulation, and could be useful in nearly any situation. In terms of versatility and practicality, it was easily one of the best rare attributes.

"Endurance."

Endurance, on the other hand, was straightforward—it increased mental strength. A small boost, yes, but even that could be enough to push me to the next level.

"I’ll have to decide when the time comes," I muttered to myself.

Since choosing one over the other wouldn’t make a big difference right now, I decided to hold off and see how my upcoming quests played out. With that, I tucked the Rare Attribute Catalog away and turned my focus back to preparing for class.

On the lab table in the Head Professor’s Laboratory, several ping-pong ball-sized stones were scattered—the main materials for today’s lecture.

I inscribed the stones with the Resistance spell, layered them with the Iron Man attribute, and sealed the process with Encryption, reinforcing each one multiple times. After a few careful steps, I had completed the Magic Resistance Stones.

"This will do," I said, satisfied. I packed a stone for each student into a velvet pouch and left the lab.

"Assistant Professor, what’s this game? Is it Go, or something like that?" Epherene asked.

"Oh, that? It’s a well-known strategy game from the Eastern Archipelago. A real test of intellect. They say it’s far more complex than chess," Allen replied.

"Really? So Her Majesty enjoys playing such a complicated game?"

"Well, she is the Empress, after all~"

I saw Epherene and Allen deep in conversation further down the hallway.

"Allen," I called.

"Oh! Yes, Professor!" Allen said.

"Get ready for class."

"Yes, Professor!" Allen responded promptly, hurrying over to my side.

Epherene followed, shuffled over, gave a slight bow, and said, "Good morning, Professor."

"Today's lecture is in the Hall. Be on time."

“Okay.”

With that, I stepped into the elevator with Allen following behind, heading for the Mage Tower’s special floor—better known as the 99.9th floor, The Hall.

"Allen, take this," I said, passing him the velvet pouch.

He took it with both hands, his curiosity clear, and asked, "Yes, Professor. What is this?"

"Oh~ Are these mana stones?"

"Wow, I’ve never been here before~ It’s enormous~!"

Scratch,scratch— Scratch,scratch—

“Wow, this place is huge.”

“Huh?”

Snap—!

Gulp—

Ding—!

She flicked the stone in her hand, trying to activate Telekinesis.

“... Huh?”

Her mana had clearly flowed into the stone, but it refused to react. Normally, it would rise or shift, but now it remained motionless. Rogerio frowned and attempted Telekinesis once more, but still, nothing happened.

“Grrrrrrrrr... Ugh!”

Rogerio clutched her head, her eyes bloodshot as she muttered through gritted teeth, “What the hell’s wrong with this damn thing? Aw, fuck, it hurts!”

Epherene, along with the other mages, focused intently on the stone before them. Each attempted advanced manipulation spells like Telekinesis, Orbital Shift, and Wind Resonance, all concentrated on a single goal—moving the stone.