A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18: University (1)

The next day, I took a grimoire and went to the hillside behind the mansion. I had already mastered Basic Telekinesis perfectly, with my Sharp Eyesight confirming 100% proficiency. I could now handle seven shurikens as easily as my own arms and legs, but going beyond that was difficult due to the limitations of the spell itself.

So today, I sought a place with cleaner air and higher quality mana than the annex—the middle of the forested hill behind the mansion. I intended to sit and practice Beginner Telekinesis, but my unbearable Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder prevented me from sitting on the ground.

Reluctantly, I brought a chair from the mansion. An antique chair amidst the trees and grass looked quite out of place, but I leaned against it and opened the grimoire.

Beginner Telekinesis

Having mastered Basic Telekinesis, the next step is Beginner Telekinesis. This level introduces eighteen additional straight lines and one circle compared to Basic Telekinesis, making the circuit movements twice as complex.

I activated Comprehension. In my mind and in front of my eyes, the spells for Beginner Telekinesis and Basic Telekinesis appeared like illusions. I overlaid the two magic circles as if layering shapes on a computer. This clearly highlighted the key differences between the spells, and I integrated those differences into my body.

The circuits of Beginner Telekinesis were inscribed over the simple spell of Basic Telekinesis, line by line. Heavier lines and circles were added to the feather-light spell. The overly simple Basic Telekinesis finally began to take on the complex form of a magic circle seen in various media.

“Sigh...”

Of course, I was in agony. Each time a new circuit formed, it felt like a chisel scraping my bones.

Scratch— scratch—

The mana invading my muscles tormented my nerves. If it had been a short and intense pain, it would have been better, but this prolonged endurance was agonizing. The magic spell spreading through my body like roots was torturing me.

As my mana depleted, a vague feeling of exhaustion and drowsiness set in. I recalled the events of last night... Yeriel. But there was no need to dwell on it. I just hoped the secret wouldn't be revealed. I quickly suppressed these distracting thoughts and opened my eyes.

Though I had less than 10% of my mana left, I was still physically strong. It was time for training. I returned to the annex. Although it was called a training ground, it looked quite peculiar compared to a modern gym.

The pull-up bars were lined up in a row and were far too high, and the metal’s weights used for dumbbells were incredibly heavy. I took off my clothes and folded them. My body, which had undergone repeated training, was quite satisfying even to my own eyes.

I placed my hand on the pull-up bar. After that, using Telekinesis, I brought a weighted belt. It secured itself to my waist, ankles, and wrists, totaling 100 kilograms in weight. I did ten pull-ups on the first bar, then jumped to the second, higher bar and did ten more. I continued this until I reached the roof, then landed back down.

Boom–─!

The massive impact spread through my body, but my posture remained steady. With that set complete, the next exercise was climbing the rope. I grabbed the rope that reached the roof and climbed up.

Once I reached the top, I jumped back down. As you can see, this is an absurd method that no ordinary human would attempt. Things like joints, ligaments, and knees were not considered at all in this brutal routine.

However, as long as my attributes were active, my bones wouldn't break, and my ligaments wouldn't stretch. That didn't mean there was no pain. However, thanks to Deculein's Personality Traits, such as immense Competitiveness and an obsessive routine, I focused solely on improving my physical abilities.

“Phew.”

After finishing this brute-force workout, my mana had already recovered to 40%. Then, I immersed myself in magic again. Following this routine, the expected time to memorize Beginner Telekinesis was at most three weeks.

Additionally, my physical abilities—including strength, agility, and endurance—developed through Iron Man training, and physical attributes like coordination, dexterity, and flexibility might now surpass those of a mature gorilla. However, I was still far from matching the combat prowess of various well-known named characters or villains.

***

When I arrived at the Mage Tower, I sat in my office chair and stared blankly ahead.

[Lv.1 System Shop]

The system shop allows characters to be enhanced using acquired Store Currency. As the game progresses, both players and named characters can be strengthened through this shop. However, opportunities to use the system shop are very limited—at most six times until the end of the game.

This is because the prices of enhancement items increase exponentially—Lv.1 Shop items cost 5-10 coins each, Lv.2 Shop items cost 10-20 coins, Lv.3 Shop items cost 20-40 coins, and so on, doubling at each level. Additionally, each shop level can only be used once. I know exactly which enhancements are the best choices.

───────

[Lv.1 System Shop]

■ 1. Blacksmith’s Luck...

......

■ 5. Qualitative Enhancement of Mana (Stage 1) _{free𝑤ebnovel.com}

: The character's innate mana is qualitatively enhanced. Slight increase in mana output and efficiency.

10 coins

───────

Qualitative Enhancement of Mana. There's no need to consider anything else. The other options are only good for specialized builds, and this is the only practical choice. So, I need to gather just four more coins.

Knock, knock─–

At that moment, there was a knock, and the door opened. Allen walked in hesitantly.

"Allen," I said.

"Y-yes. I came because you called for me," Allen replied.

Allen stood quietly, looking at me. Normally, one might ask, "Why did you call me?" but he was simply docile. Just docile.

"Do you have any interest in appointing an assistant mage?" I asked with a small smile.

"... Pardon?" Allen said, tilting his head in confusion.

I used Telekinesis to float the official document that had arrived last week.

"It's an assistant professor evaluation."

The document was an official notice to nominate a mage for evaluation as an assistant professor. Allen's eyes began to widen as he grasped my intent.

"W-what? What?!"

"Yes. I intend to recommend you—"

"What-?!"

“As an assistant professor.”

By the time I finished speaking, Allen was already on the verge of tears, his eyes brimming with tears that looked ready to fall at the slightest touch.

"But, but... Professor, you said I had no talent..." Allen stammered, his eyes filled with tears.

Of course, Allen lacked talent. Even the Wealthy Magnate and Villain's Fate attributes didn't see any remarkable potential in him. While those attributes weren't perfect, Allen's lack of talent was evident. Perhaps that’s why he hadn’t left until now. With no one calling for him, he had nowhere else to go.

"It was a test all this time. Only you, with your diligence, passed my test," I said.

Deculein is authoritative and dislikes giving praise. However, overcoming some aspects of his Personality Trait is possible, especially since certain traits hold higher rank. For instance, the most challenging traits to overcome are his Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Noble Etiquette. Now, I genuinely can't stand anything dirty.

"W-what-?!"

"Don't ask any more questions. Here, take this," I said, handing a gift to Allen.

It was nothing special, just a bracelet. I had ordered it from a nearby jeweler and had the Yukline emblem engraved on it.

"Keep up the hard work."

It was a way to ensure he stayed. Allen's skill in handling various tasks, organizing documents, and his quick wit were all valuable to me.

"So, does this mean I'm officially your best pupil...?" Allen asked, trembling and looking surprised as he held the bracelet.

"There are still two more steps to go, so keep working hard," I said, making something up on the spot since I hadn't thought that far ahead.

"Oh, y-yes! I understand!" Allen said, bowing energetically three times in a row.

"... Oh, yes, I’m sorry, sir..." Allen said.

"S-sorry? Oh... I'm sorry. W-where are you headed, sir?"

So, I decided to go to the library to browse some books. Even with the Comprehension attribute, it was essential for a professor to study magic. If I found any useful grimoires, I would learn from them too.

"I-I see! Oh, by the way, here, Professor!" Allen fumbled as he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to me.

WANTED: Mage Killer Lokhak

There have been reports of sightings of the mage killer Lokhak on the outskirts of the capital. Novice mages are advised to avoid going out at night whenever possible.

"Ah! You are the Monarch-rank mage who commands all elements and the youngest Head Professor at the prestigious Imperial University, Deculein, sir!" he said so smoothly that it caught me off guard.

"Oh, I see. Well, Miss Sylvia, you're certainly beyond the level of a Debutant," the library security guard said.