A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Thesis Colloquium (1)

From Sophien's perspective, the imperial succession ceremony ended rather uneventfully. She had secretly hoped for a sudden attack—perhaps a bombing or some grand magic—but nothing of the sort happened. Safely entering the Emperor's inner chambers, she found them, contrary to her expectations of decay and disease, surprisingly clean and fragrant.

Bored, she returned to her study and took out a chessboard. As she played alone, various ministers and officials arrived with documents. Sophien ignored them, focusing on her chess game until they left.

Finally, she said, “I saw the one who gave me that homework. He acted like he knew me.”

"How could anyone on this continent not know you, Your Majesty?" Keiron asked respectfully.

Of course, no one in the land was unaware of Sophien, but her meaning went deeper.

“His ego didn’t waver even in my presence.”

“Indeed?”

Sophien had looked into Deculein’s eyes but couldn't discern his hidden emotions, which she found amusing.

“That was amusing. It felt like encountering a kindred spirit after a long time.”

He possessed a strong and unwavering soul, someone who wouldn’t flinch even with a blade at his throat—a truly transcendent being of the Mortal Realm.

“Did you manage to solve the homework, Your Majesty?” Keiron inquired, shifting the topic.

“Yes, I did. It was interesting. I understand why Geor gave it to me. Solving it made for a somewhat refreshing half-day,” Sophien said, briefly indulging in the conversation before stating, “Keiron, I will lift the restrictions on Marik.”

Keiron bowed silently. Marik was the name of the northwest imperial mana stone mining area, currently off-limits due to rampant demonic energy and frequent appearances of demons and demonic beasts. This restriction had been ordered by the late Emperor Crebaim.

“Initially, only adventurers or licensed Mage Tower mages and their escort knights will be allowed entry,” Sophien continued. “There’s no need for further discussion. I’m tired of those damned bureaucrats.”

“There is a possibility that demons might awaken.”

“If entering a single mine could awaken demons, why have they remained dormant until now? And won't demons and demonic beasts eventually be exhausted? Killing them will eventually purify the area.”

Keiron remained silent.

Still gazing at the chessboard, Sophien asked, “What is Kreto up to?”

“... I have been informed that he is crying.”

“Crying?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, he has just solved the same question as you. However, I am unaware of what he may have realized.”

Sophien chuckled and said, “That idiot... Ah, Keiron, you don’t happen to know the answer to that question, do you?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

Only then did Sophien look at Keiron, grin mischievously, and said, “I’m not going to tell you. But I will say this, it even surprised me a little. Aren’t you curious?”

“... No, Your Majesty, I am not curious.”

“You say that, but I see your eyebrow twitching. My eyes do not deceive me. You are dying to know.”

Keiron remained silent, and soon after, the atmosphere shifted abruptly.

Sophien's eyes narrowed as she spoke with a biting tone, “Keiron, do not deceive me. Even you will not be forgiven for incurring my wrath.”

The weight of the Empress’s authority pressed down on him.

Keiron bowed his head and said, “... I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“Enough. Let’s play some chess. It is tedious alone. Even if I overwhelm my opponent, I need someone to compete against.”

***

Meanwhile, in the remote mountains of Hadecaine, Ganesha observed three children from the archipelago—Ria, Leo, and Carlos, who had arrived on the continent by ship three days earlier.

“Some people on this continent are born with a gift called Magical Talent. Most adventurers who obtain their licenses possess this talent.”

As Ganesha explained, the children's attitudes varied. Ria listened intently with wide eyes, Leo watched distant animals, and Carlos dozed off.

“For example, watch this,” Ganesha said, picking up a long, brittle branch to wake them up. “Pay close attention.”

She held the branch lightly and swung it. The seemingly fragile branch rose into the air, and its weak tip touched the ground with a thud, causing a thunderous explosion that shook the earth and sent dust flying.

“Wow!”

“Oh.”

Leo and Carlos finally began to pay attention.

“What do you guys think?”

A crater formed where the branch struck.

“That’s amazing, Ganesha...” Ria murmured in awe.

“It may not seem impressive, but I can use a light branch like this as an extension of my body. It becomes a true weapon. Right now, this branch and my fist have the same strength.”

The harmony of Master of All Martial Arts and Invincible Body meant that any non-living object she held possessed the same strength as her body.

“But using these attributes isn't enjoyable, so I usually fight barehanded. I still win most of the time. Anyway, mages call this Harmonic Magic, and knights call it Sword Qi, but I don’t know anything about magic or swordsmanship.”

“Does that mean we can do it too?!” Leo asked excitedly. The cute boy with blue hair barely reached four feet and seven inches tall.

Ganesha chuckled and said, “That’s exactly what we’re going to discover now.”

“How, how?!”

“Quiet down. Why are you jumping around?” said Carlos, who was of similar stature, as he smacked Leo on the back of the head.

“Ow!” Leo cried, tears welling up as he glared at Carlos.

“Be quiet! Why haven’t you two changed even after coming to the continent?” Ganesha scolded them.

Ria stepped in to separate the two. Leo, still fuming, sighed deeply. “To identify your magical talent, you need to start with training... Actions speak louder than words. Follow me.”

Ganesha walked into the mountains, seeming to disappear like a mirage, leaving only her footprints behind. The three children blinked before following her. Suddenly, a loud growl echoed—it was Leo’s stomach.

“... Ria, aren’t you hungry too?”

“You’re always hungry because you’re dumb,” Carlos teased Leo.

“No, I’m not!”

“Yes, you are.”

“... Both of you, stop the nonsense and keep up,” Ria said.

“Carlos started it. He hit me first,” Leo grumbled.

“You’re always saying stupid things.”

“When?! When did I ever?!”

“Mimimimi~”

“Stop copying me!”

“Oh, come on!” Ria finally snapped, grabbing both of her younger cousins by their ears. “If you keep fighting, there will be no snacks, no meals, nothing.”

They fell silent but continued glaring at each other, silently blaming one another.

Ria sighed deeply. I’m not their babysitter. What is this mess?

“This is why I wanted to come alone,” Ria muttered, releasing the boys' hands and chasing after Ganesha’s trail.

“Ria, wait! I’m sorry! Please wait!”

“Ria! Let’s go together! Yuria!”

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the two boys quickly ran after Yuria.

***

At the Yukline mansion, in the annex, I gripped a pull-up bar with one hand. With my other hand hovering in the air, I held my body balanced in a handstand for thirty minutes.

Thud—

As soon as I landed, I began my second training session with Ertlang's Martial Arts: Intermediate.

I stepped and punched in rhythm, following Ertlang’s manual with nimble, fluid movements. My steps were light, and my punches quick, without a hint of hesitation. After a lengthy, energetic session, I picked up a bo staff.

Recently, I had been learning Bo Staff Martial Arts, though the idea of hitting someone with a bo staff repelled me. I hoped never to have to use it, but I knew desperate times might come. After finishing my bo staff training, I checked the Snowflower Stone in the safe.

[Comprehension : 4%]

I had been steadily increasing my Comprehension, but it was still far from sufficient. After investing about 1,000 mana into the Snowflower Stone, I washed up.

Knock, knock—

Just as it was time for work, Roy knocked on the door. I dressed quickly and stepped outside.

"Roy."

"Yes, sir."

"I heard yesterday that one of the maids' mothers is unwell."

"... Yes, sir. It’s Luri’s mother."

Ding—

As the doors opened, Relin, standing nearby, approached me with a chuckle and said, "Oh, haha. Head Professor, you’re here."

"Haha. Please, have a seat."

"Ahaha, yes, here it is," Relin said, still laughing incessantly.

"Ah, yes. Have you not reviewed them beforehand?"

"Ha-hahaha, as expected of the G-Genius of Spell Interpretation, Professor Deculein... Hey, Lopen!" Relin laughed, then called his assistant. "Here they are."

Solda Drent, The Variability of Element Magic Manifestations and Their Correlation with Environmental Conditions

“Wow, this place is huge,” Julia said.