A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 149

Chapter 149: Unexpected Wager (1) Part 2

Deculein’s exam—known among the students as Moving the Stone—had dragged into its fourth day, and at last, the first person to pass appeared.

“Woohoo—!”

Of course, it was Rogerio. Her talents in ores, earth, and the arts of ductility and manipulation made her the first to fully comprehend and embrace Deculein’s theory. Finally, she succeeded in moving the Magic-Resistant Stone.

"Hey, look! I freakin' did it!" Rogerio exclaimed, plopping the stone into her palm.

The stone floated with a low hum, and at the same moment, everything in the main plaza began to rise alongside it. This wasn’t simple Telekinesis but something far more refined—a Gravity Field.

Which allows the spellcaster to manipulate gravity at will, bending the fabric of reality itself. This was the pinnacle of manipulation category magic, the result of applying Deculein’s theory to advanced sorcery.

"Hahahaha—! I’m outta here! See ya latah, suckahs! Hahahaha—!" Rogerio yelled, cackling as she strutted out of the main hall, ready to brag about her success to Deculein and the whole Floating Island.

Epherene sighed, noticing Kreto rising from his seat, and asked, “Where are you headed, Mage Kreto?”

"Hmm? Ah, I’m going to visit my sister today," Kreto replied

A brief silence settled over them. Kreto’s sister was none other than the reigning Empress, Sophien. Epherene was once again reminded of his noble lineage.

"Ah, I-I see. I’ll catch you later."

"Thank you. Continue with your efforts, Leaf."

"... Yes, I will," Epherene mumbled to herself as she turned back to the stone, still annoyed by how the high-ranking mages had started calling her Leaf. That was all Ihelm’s doing. With a frustrated sigh, she resumed channeling mana into the stone. "What’s wrong with this thing..."

No matter how much mana she channeled into it, the stone remained inert, like a black hole. It didn’t repel the mana, nor did it activate any magic spells. It simply absorbed everything, as if swallowing it whole.

Frustrated, she glanced at the Wood Steel on her desk and muttered, "... Do you have any idea what’s happening?"

The Wood Steel emitted an odd, taunting noise, as if mocking her frustration.

"Are you mocking me?" Epherene muttered, glaring at the Wood Steel before letting out another sigh.

"Leaf, take a look at this," Drent called from behind.

Epherene spun around, glaring at him and said, “Can’t you just call me Epherene or Ephie? Stop with the Leaf already!”

“Hahaha, sorry, but it just fits better. Leaf, Leaf.”

“Ugh, you’re so annoying. Seriously, stop it—I’m not kidding.”

"Alright, alright. I’m sorry. But check this out, I think I found something—"

"I think I found something... I think I found something... I think I found something..."

Drent’s voice seemed to echo unnaturally in her ears. A sudden wave of dizziness swept over Epherene, and she shut her eyes.

“Ugh... I’m starting to feel lightheaded..."

As she massaged her temples and slowly opened her eyes again...

"... What just happened?"

The world around her had shifted. Moments earlier, she had been in the main plaza, but now she stood in what seemed like a desolate ruin.

"Foolish Epherene," a familiar voice called out.

Epherene, startled, quickly turned around.

"Get out of the way, Epherene. What are you doing here?" Sylvia said, standing in the dim hallway of the ruins, her body drenched in blood.

Epherene stood frozen in shock, her voice trembling as she asked, "... What happened to you?!"

Sylvia’s body was ravaged with wounds, blood streaming from deep gashes. Her hair was matted, and two fingers—her index and middle finger—were missing, as if an animal had bitten them off.

"You need to leave. Or you’ll end up like this too," Sylvia warned.

"Why—"

Just as Epherene started to speak, the answer became clear. It appeared at the far end of the hallway.

“Grrrrrrrrrrrr—!”

A deep, rumbling growl echoed, low and resonant like the tremor of distant thunder, swelling with volcanic fury. In the dimly lit hallway, an imposing vermillion shape emerged, its presence unnerving.

Coiled muscles brimming with dormant power rippled beneath its sleek frame, which radiated both strength and grace. Its golden eyes, burning like molten embers, pierced the darkness, commanding an undeniable sense of authority and grandeur—a tiger.

"I-it’s... i-it’s a t-t-tiger..."

It was the first time Epherene had ever faced a beast of such power. Her breath caught in her throat, the sheer presence of the tiger weighing down on her like an invisible force, making her feel as though her entire body was being crushed.

"You fool. If you want to die, then stay right here," Sylvia said.

Pat-pat-pat-pat-pat—!

Sylvia darted down the hallway, vanishing from sight in moments. It took a second for Epherene to snap out of her stupor before she rushed after her.

"Hey! Wait! Wait for me!"

***

... Meanwhile, Kreto had returned to the Imperial Palace after a long absence. Upon meeting Sophien, the first thing he presented to her was a summary of Deculein’s theory.

"You will need to fully understand this theory before the stone can be moved," Kreto said.

“Hmm, it doesn’t look like much of a challenge," Sophien replied.

“No, moving the stone is actually quite the challenge. That’s why the Floating Island is keeping such a close eye on it.”

"Is that so?" Sophien responded with little interest, though she was already well aware. Possessing the red-haired Munchkin, which now meowed by Kreto’s side, she had been watching them all along.

"By the way, Your Majesty, your outfit today is quite... unique," Kreto remarked.

“This is a gift from Yuren. Wearing it helps them save face,” Sophien replied. Today, she wore a modern outfit that was currently in fashion there—blue trousers and a buttoned blouse.

Kreto nodded and said, “In any case, Professor Deculein is such an exceptional individual. He’s precisely the kind of talent that can elevate the continent, embodying the very ideals of the Great Continent. Haha.”

“... You return after all this time, and the only thing you speak of is Deculein.”

Sophien felt a growing sense of annoyance. Her younger brother, once adorable, seemed to become less charming with age.

“There isn’t much else to discuss, Your Majesty. However...” Kreto cleared his throat and withdrew the stone from his pocket. “I’d appreciate it if you could...”

“So, that’s why you came all the way here? To cheat?” Sophien scoffed.

“Oh, Your Majesty, cheating? I didn’t come to cheat—I’m simply here to seek guidance from my beloved sister, the Empress.”

“... Tch. You’ve always had a way with words,” Sophien said, her mood softened at the mention of belovedness from her brother. “Alright, let me take a look.”

Sophien skimmed over Deculein’s theory as if she were reading, then casually cast Telekinesis. The stone moved effortlessly, making a sharp, clean sound as it shifted.

“Oh! Just as I thought! Your Majesty’s skill is beyond comparison!”

“Oh?”

“Who do you mean by that man? Professor Deculein?” Kreto asked with genuine innocence.

"You could simply call him Professor Deculein. Why do you insist on calling him that man?"

“Ah, yes, Your Majesty. What exactly are you referring to?"

“... What? Ha,” Kreto replied, stifling a laugh before it escaped. “Hahahaha... Hahahahaha...”

Knock, knock—