A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Hadecaine (2)

Returning to the lord's office, Yeriel retrieved her childhood diary. It lay in an old, dusty drawer, its pages filled with long-forgotten memories.

Today, I didn't get scolded at breakfast. Maybe that's why my brother talked to me. It made me happy all day.

At dinner, I dropped my knife. My brother gave me a disappointed look. It was my fault, and I felt really sad. I need to do better, even if he doesn't scold me. I'll try harder tomorrow.

My brother hates it when I cry, but I couldn't help it. Why can't I stop myself from crying?

"... Idiot," Yeriel muttered, unable to read any further.

She closed the diary with a sigh, wondering why she had been so weak and foolish. As she glanced at the gloves on her desk, a lavish gift from Deculein, another sigh escaped her.

“Present, my ass,” Yeriel muttered under her breath.

She no longer remembered the days when she longed for Deculein’s brotherly love. The child who trembled at his every word was gone. All that remained were painful memories she wished to forget.

“I won't fall for it, you idiot,” Yeriel muttered as she grabbed the gloves, ready to throw them away. “... Damn it.”

Her arm wouldn't move. It was the first gift she had ever received from him, as she had never even had a birthday celebration. Even if his words were empty, she placed the gloves back in the drawer.

"I just won't use them," she whispered to herself, nodding.

***

It was 9 p.m., and many people had gathered in the forest behind Hotel Hadecaine Romance. They were there to watch magical fireworks on the first night of their three-day, two-night Educational Retreat. With loud cheers, sparkling magical streaks shot up into the sky.

Bang, boom, Pop-pop-pop—!

The fireworks burst in the air, painting the night sky with beautiful colors.

“Wow...”

“So pretty...”

Despite the darkness, the night was bright with joyful exclamations. Among the crowd watching the fireworks were three children from the archipelago—Carlos, Leo, and Yuria.

“As expected from Sylvia, it was impeccable.”

The professors from the Department of Magic scored the fireworks of each team. Sylvia's team received perfect marks from all seven professors.

“Ephie, are you ready?”

“Yeah.”

Next was Epherene's team's turn. They had brought fireworks engraved with a pre-drawn spell.

As the team leader, Epherene announced, “We will present a combination of destructive and harmonious magic—”

“Launch them already,” the professors commanded indifferently.

“... Okay,” Epherene, looking dejected, said, channeling her mana into her bracelet. The surging energy infused the fireworks, which then shot up vertically.

Whiiiz—!

The magic soared into the sky with a resounding noise and then exploded.

Bang—!

As Epherene had described, the combination of destructive and harmonious magic created a beautiful curtain of auroras. Though it could rival Sylvia's team's display, the professors seemed unpleasant.

“It is beautiful, but excessively loud. It hurts my ears. I give it six points,” declared Professor Siare from the Department of Destruction Studies.

“Four points,” pronounced Professor Retlan from the Department of Spirit Studies.

“But why?!” Julia exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise, as they offered no explanation.

The professors stared in silence, causing Julia to pout and step back.

“It’s okay,” Epherene said, trying to console her.

They had somewhat anticipated this outcome. The professors disliked the Common Magic Research Club, also known as CMRC. However...

“Ten points. The destructive and harmonious magic was balanced correctly.”

It was an unexpected perfect score. The low, calm voice delivered a succinct evaluation... Deculein.

Julia, shocked, asked, “What?! Ten points?!”

When Deculein nodded, the other professors began to look uneasy. Reluctantly, the next professor, Relin, also awarded a ten, followed by the rest. Only Siare and Retlan, who had given six and four points respectively, broke out in a cold sweat, thinking this might be one of Deculein’s new ways of messing with them.

“The results of the magical fireworks competition are in! First place goes to Sylvia’s team with seventy points. Second place goes to Epherene’s team with sixty points. Third place goes to Beck’s team with fifty-eight points—”

Thanks to Deculein, Epherene’s team secured second place. While her teammates laughed happily, Epherene watched Deculein with mixed feelings. Without looking at anyone, he walked away.

“What was that, honestly?”

“Wow, this is ridiculous.”

“Guys, see? Deculein only favors her. He burned Drent's thesis but gave her perfect scores.”

“Exactly. She wasn't disciplined for that incident at the beginning of the semester because of Deculein. There are even rumors that he gives her private lessons.”

“What? What's happening between them?”

“... No way. She's pretty, but I doubt Deculein is into her type.”

A group of noble-born mages whispered, their gossip anything but noble. Though Epherene was angry, she stayed silent.

“Ephie, look! We won second place!” Julia exclaimed as she brought over the prize—a bottle of whiskey.

Epherene quickly grabbed the bottle, opened it, and took a swig.

“Whoa! Ephie, why did you do that?”

“Just a moment. I need to go somewhere.”

Epherene handed the whiskey back to Julia and sprinted away. She remembered the direction Deculein had taken. There were countless questions she hadn’t dared to ask, and her curiosity had been driving her mad. Tonight was merely the catalyst.

“Huff, huff, huff...”

After running for about thirty minutes, Epherene finally found Deculein sitting on a bench by the dark roadside, with a horse beside him. Nervously swallowing, she approached and sat on the bench opposite him.

“... Professor.”

Deculein remained silent.

Epherene continued, “I apologize for disturbing you, but I have questions about the Thesis Colloquium.”

Finally, Deculein turned his head slightly and asked, “Are you referring to Drent?”

“Yes, sir.”

Epherene had felt something was off about the Thesis Colloquium. The Protective Fireball Drent had showcased its ritual. Her doubts grew stronger each day.

“The content of his thesis...”

“It was similar to your assignment. Almost identical. You are just realizing this now?” Deculein said dismissively.

“Umm...” Epherene's mouth dropped open in surprise.

Although she hadn’t expected such certainty, part of her already knew. She lowered her gaze, sadness filling her face. The ignorant nobles believed Deculein favored her, mistaking it for affection. She questioned whether this could truly be called favoritism. If it was, she wondered why he favored her at all.

“... Why?”

Epherene stared at the stones scattered on the ground as the western wind rustled her robe. Nearby, the laughter of mages echoed.

“From the disciplinary action, the club, and this thesis...”

There was one crucial question she had never asked.

“Is it because of my father? Is it out of guilt?” Epherene mustered the courage to ask as she looked up.

Deculein, the professor she despised, stared back at her. His intense blue eyes made her tremble.

“Determine it yourself. Stop whining. You are not a child,” Deculein said coldly as he stood up.

The tension left her body, quickly replaced by anger. Epherene clenched her fists.

“... I will!” Epherene shouted, causing Deculein to turn. She didn’t avoid his gaze; the fire in her heart still burned. “I will join you and uncover the truth about why my father had to kill himself and why he had no other choice!”

Deculein simply stared at her, his expression unchanged.

“You once said I was a gem,” she declared, her voice trembling. She might regret these words later; it might be the outburst of a naive half-wit. “You told me not to waste my talent.”

Her eyes filled with tears, and her lips trembled, and shouted, “So, I will surpass you! I will become greater than you in your presence!”

Breathing heavily, Epherene wiped her tears with her robe. The cool night air began to calm her. Under the starlit sky, Deculein stood silently, his silence frightening her. She realized too late what she had done. But then he said...

“That is a commendable mindset.”

He did not attempt to crush her resolve. Nor did he belittle or mock her.

“Continue to challenge yourself.”

He respected her, offering only these words, “No matter what challenges you face, they will ultimately become your crown of achievement.”

As you said, I will continue to challenge myself endlessly. So, you should remain at the highest place, more noble than anyone else. When you reach the peak, where you can climb no higher, you must fall to me, and only to me. Until then, I will...

“Ow!”

“What are you— Ow! Stop it— Ow! No, that bird—”

Be aware: About thirty-seven assassins and a Diarnath are tracking you.

“Wow...”