A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 154

Chapter 154: Epherene’s Time (1)

... Even on the Floating Island, snow fell—a magical occurrence, created by the mages. Without it, far too many addicts of the island would lose their sense of time and the subtle shifts of the seasons.

Crunch— Crunch—

Sylvia walked through the snow-covered streets of the Floating Island, her steps slow as she waited for Idnik.

Crunch— Crunch—

She deliberately pressed down harder, amplifying the sound with each step.

Jingle—!

At that moment, the bell rang as the door of the magic shop swung open. Idnik, who had asked Sylvia to wait, finally stepped outside.

With a backpack over her shoulder, Idnik handed the newspaper to Sylvia and said, "Sylvia, read this."

Without a word, Sylvia took the newspaper and scanned its contents, her blank stare drifting over the headlines. Deculein and Yulie’s names filled the front page.

"They say that their engagement is being called off, and there are plenty of strange rumors swirling around. Some are even claiming that Deculein killed both Veron and Rockfell—"

“No,” Sylvia interrupted, shaking her head and pointing at Yulie’s picture in the paper. “This woman is a complete fool.”

“What? What do you mean by that?”

Sylvia understood the wrong Veron had inflicted upon Deculein. She knew every detail of what had happened between them. And more than anything, she was keenly aware of the depth of Deculein's love for Yulie.

But this foolish woman knows nothing at all... completely clueless.

“Forget it.”

Sylvia’s blunt response prompted Idnik to shrug before saying, “Alright. Anyway, are you ready?”

“Yes, but—”

“Here you go, you cheeky little one,” Idnik said, handing Sylvia a stone. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”

It was the infamous Deculein’s Exam—a stone that, once distributed by the Mage Tower of the Empire to the Floating Island, sparked an instant craze.

The evidence was everywhere—nearly every mage in sight clutched one of these stones. Cafés and restaurants were filled with them, staring intently at the stones laid on their tables, and some even collapsing from sheer exhaustion.

Idnik commented, “Geez. If anyone is not specialized in the manipulation category, it’s almost impossible to figure out. He certainly knows how to create a trend.”

Idnik’s words made Sylvia glance at the stone. With just a focused infusion of her mana, it clicked—shifting in her hand.

"Oh, and did you hear that? Deculein's new writing was published privately, kept out of public circulation."

Sylvia looked up and asked, “A new writing?”

“Yes. People are losing their minds over it. Since it was privately published, it’s not available to the public. And knowing Deculein, he probably has no plans to sell it. I’ve heard the Floating Island’s library has even tightened security around it.”

“... Tightened security?”

“They say there are only five copies of his new work. Some mages have even joked—half-seriously—about breaking into the library to steal one. Bunch of idiots, all of them.”

In silence, Sylvia bit her lip. Mage Deculein’s reputation had grown immensely on the Floating Island, his theories now recognized as the very foundation of magic here.

“Sylvia, aren’t you also curious?”

After a long, thoughtful pause, Sylvia looked up at Idnik and said, “I might be able to borrow it.”

“Borrow what?”

“Deculein’s theory.”

“Hmm?”

Without another word, Sylvia spun around and dashed toward the library. Her magically enhanced speed left a faint blur in her wake as she raced to the 10th floor of Megiseon, the Floating Island’s vast library known as Pentamol, where the world’s knowledge was gathered. At the information desk, she found the Library Addict waiting for her.

“You’ve come, Esper Sylvia,” the Library Addict said with a knowing nod, as though her arrival had been anticipated. He handed her a heavily wrapped and sealed tome, its layers meant to ensure security.

Deculein’s Theory: The Essence

“Please treat this with care. It’s classified as a 2nd Grade tome. There’s also a note from Monarch Deculein, specifically addressed to Esper Sylvia.”

Along with the tome, Sylvia was given a small slip of paper. The note, penned in Deculein’s graceful hand, contained only a few words.

I look forward to the day you will kill me, Sylvia.

***

Through the train window, a snowstorm raged, the sharp winds whipping snowflakes into chaotic swirls. But within the cabin, the warmth wrapped around us, a stark contrast to the storm outside.

"See? This is why you should’ve paid more attention to theory in class," Drent said.

"... I would've paid more attention if it wasn’t so hard," Epherene muttered.

Drent continued his tutoring while Allen absentmindedly toyed with a string, weaving it between his fingers. In the distance, the engine let out a soft chuff, adding to the peaceful quiet. The calm was welcome—none of us, not Epherene or Allen, had any complaints. But we all knew this serenity wouldn’t last.

"Professor, which book are you reading?" Allen asked, breaking the silence.

Without a word, I tilted the book, showing him the cover.

The Dynamics of Mana for Proper Manipulation of Complex Properties in Dual Category Magic Circuits

"... Hehe," Allen muttered with an awkward chuckle, then pulled out a scarf and handed it to me. "Here, Professor... I thought you might be feeling a bit cold."

"I have no need for that," I said.

"Oh... Yes, Professor..." Allen muttered, his shoulders sagging slightly with disappointment.

I added, "Let’s consider it a gift from me to you. I don’t mind the cold, so you should be the one to wear it."

“Ah... Yes, Professor...”

Screeeeeech—

At that moment, the screech of metal echoed through the air as the train began to slow. The three assistants rose quickly, gathering their belongings.

Knock, knock—

"We’ve reached our destination, Professor Deculein," a crew member announced, gently knocking on the door.

We disembarked together, stepping onto the platform as the train hissed to a final stop.

"Whoa, it’s absolutely freezing out here!"

“Y-yes... it really is...”

We had arrived at Mazar Station, deep in the Northern Region. As soon as Epherene and Allen stepped onto the deserted platform, they crossed their arms tightly, shivering against the cold. I scanned the barren landscape—empty of life, with snow-covered mountains looming in the distance, their peaks softened by a shroud of mist.

"Not a single person to be found," I remarked.

"It seems most people are staying indoors with winter approaching," the conductor replied.

“Ugh, it’s so cold...”

“It’s freezing...”

“Why is it this cold...”

While they grumbled, I simply stated, "We’re moving on."

“... Yes, Professor.”

Beyond the platform, four horses waited, their breath misting and dissolving into the frosty air.

Neigh—!

Epherene and Allen swallowed nervously, their eyes on the jumpy horses. Both were afflicted by what they called horse sickness...

***

Drent carried Allen on his back, while I had Epherene behind me as we reached our destination—Regental, the fortress in the Northern Region.

"This will be your accommodation, Professor. We often refer to it as a small Mage Tower, though it feels humbling to introduce it to someone from the Mage Tower of the Empire. Still, it’s well away from the noise of the training grounds, so I’m confident you'll find it peaceful and comfortable," the officer said.

The structure was cylindrical, resembling a small Mage Tower, with five floors. For the Northern Region, it rose impressively high.

“I see,” I said.

"Yes, Professor. Please, take your time and rest. Your assistants should do the same."

Once the officer left, Epherene, Allen, and Drent hurried off to claim their rooms.

Epherene was the first to shout, “This one’s mine! I’m taking it!”

Drent shot back, “What? Hey, the youngest one should get the smallest room!”

“Oh, please. Ever heard of meritocracy? Assistant Professor Allen gets the biggest room, then me, and...”

Leaving them behind on the first floor, I ascended the stairs. The tower was clearly well-prepared for visiting mages. The third floor held a research lab, equipped with all manner of magical tools; the fourth housed a library stocked with tomes from the Northern Region; and the fifth, a private space, well-suited for my stay.

But then...

“Hello there~”

An uninvited presence appeared before me.

“Brother-in-law... or should I say, not anymore?”

A soft and melodic voice, paired with a gentle smile—it was Josephine.

I turned toward her and said, “What brings you here?"

“Oh, nothing much. I’ve just come to give you... a little warning,” Josephine said, her smile radiant.

“A warning,” I echoed tersely.

“That’s correct. Oh, no threat intended in what I said, of course. It's just that we’ve detected signs of magical phenomena here in the Northern Region,” Josephine said as she handed me several photographs—red lightning, flickering auroras, and a comet falling only to reverse course. “All of these occurrences happened within the last two days.”

In particular, the comet moved as if it were bending time itself, crashing repeatedly to the ground only to rise again, twisting into nothingness. It was a sudden event, one that, had I seen it with my own eyes, might have granted me a hundred mana points.

"... Of course, I’m confident you can handle anything, Professor Deculein. But the baby birds downstairs, sensitive to mana, might struggle with it. They could easily get swept up in the aftermath."

I gave a slight nod. Thankfully, Josephine didn’t seem to be interested in stirring up any trouble.

“I appreciate your warning."

"Yulie is doing well, though she still harbors a deep resentment and hatred toward you," Josephine said, her smile lingering on her lips while her eyes stayed cold, locked on mine. "Her health is improving. She’s slowly finding her way through it."

“I’m glad to hear that.”

"Hehe, you really don’t~" Josephine chuckled softly, but her smile faded as her expression turned serious. “Was this... your plan from the beginning?”

“... Hmm,” Josephine murmured, her breath a quiet release, as if speaking more to herself than to me. “It seems you love her just as much as I do.”

"Oh, what?"

Whoooosh...

"Oh, Drent. I don’t know why, but I feel so full of energy today."

“Oh, and we’ve got that civil support duty today, right?"

“... Oh, sorry? Yes, of course... Follow me, please.”

"Hehe. Hey there, kid. How old are you?" Epherene asked the small boy carrying a bundle of herbs on his back.

“Hehe, alright,” Epherene said, tousling his hair. He was small, with a youthful face, but he spoke proudly of being an herbalist. He really was adorable. “What’s your name?”

“Oh, and I noticed there are plenty of weeds near the forest that could be used as livestock feed. Let me pull them up and bring them over right away!”

"Ah, don’t worry! It’s perfectly safe!"

"Huh?"

Looks like I’m getting prettier as time goes on... Ahem!

... Plop.