A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67: Real Deal (4)

In the temporary laboratory at the Yukline Mansion, I examined the ash under the microscope, infusing it with mana and tearing it apart with Telekinesis to Comprehend it at a particle level.

“... Professa! Looky here!” Kelodan shouted, pointing at the blackboard.

Tap— tap, tap, tap— tap, tap—

An intricate report was being inscribed on the green surface of the blackboard.

Sylvia here. We've captured a puppetized Debutant and separated the ash. These are the research results.

The report detailed how the ash had taken over the Debutant and the puppetization process. Sylvia had meticulously analyzed it with her magic, producing something akin to a dissection diagram. An idea soon popped into my mind.

“Separation.”

Separating the ash from the Debutants. If a circuit could be added to the Barrier spell to nullify the ash's control, and then deploying this enhanced barrier within the Mage Tower, it might work.

“It’s feasible,” I mused.

I had grafted arbitrary circuits onto specific spells dozens of times before. My Telekinesis spell was one such example.

“Professa? Whut’s feasible?” Kelodan drawled.

"... I intend to craft a barrier that will break down the ash and provide it to the Debutants."

“A barrier? Ain’t that gonna take too much time?”

I shook my head. This wasn't a completely new spell, so the mana consumption from using Comprehension wouldn’t be severe. Decomposition was a common spell, often used in waste disposal.

“It’s entirely feasible.”

With my plan and the talents of Sylvia and Epherene, this would definitely be achievable.

“Professa...?” Kelodan asked hesitantly.

I stared at the blackboard, deep in thought. There was no need to write down the spell; it was all unfolding in my mind.

“Attention—!”

A shout broke my concentration. I turned toward the entrance, feeling a surge of murderous intent. Eleven unfamiliar men and women stood in a line—imperial palace knights.

"Attention!" the knight commanded again, his voice cutting through the room.

Just then, a voice I knew all too well sounded from behind him.

“Hmph. So noisy,” the Empress’s voice cut through the commotion.

I halted my attempt to show proper etiquette. What emerged wasn’t the Empress herself, but a creature.

“This possession has heightened my hearing. Refrain from making such noise.”

A regal cat with red fur and a long, swishing tail emerged. Its legs were noticeably short.

“Your Majesty?” I asked.

“Yes, Deculein. This is one of the spells I have mastered. I find going outside to be quite bothersome. And you, refrain from touching my tail.”

"My apologies, Your Majesty!" the knight exclaimed.

I was momentarily speechless. Possession was a subset of Harmonic Magic. Full Possession, borrowing the eyes and mouth of a living creature, was a highly difficult spell but certainly within the Empress's capabilities.

The Empress’s breed was a Munchkin, after all. Sophien's mana quality was currently Grade 2, which would rise to Grade 1 after a future awakening event. In addition to magic and swordsmanship, she possessed unparalleled talent in mastering every skill in existence.

The official description of Empress Sophien in a single sentence was that she was the Human Closest to God. Her indolence could be seen as either a blessing or a curse to this world.

“Lower yourself,” Sophien commanded.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” the knight responded, bending over. The short-legged cat then leapt onto his back.

“Oof!”

The first attempt failed as the knight's body was too large and the cat's legs too short.

“You there, lower yourself more,” the Empress commanded sternly.

“I apologize, Your Majesty!” the knight said, bowing respectfully.

The Munchkin cat climbed onto the prone knight’s back, seemingly satisfied. It flicked its tail playfully across its own face, letting out a contented purr.

"You there, don't move. My legs are short, and it’s precarious," the Empress commanded, tapping the knight’s back with her paw.

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Do not shout either.”

“Clear the way!” Geor, the imperial palace mage, commanded as he appeared, having heard the rumors of the Empress cat’s arrival. “Your Majesty! To have mastered possession magic so perfectly...!”

“What a nuisance. How did you come to know of this?”

Geor gazed at the red cat in awe but quickly composed himself. “Head Professor Deculein, what course of action do you intend to take now?”

“I plan to create a barrier capable of decomposing the ash.”

“... A barrier to decompose the ash? You intend to invent such a thing?”

"Yes, a specialized barrier designed to break down the ash."

“Are you saying you will create a completely new barrier?” Geor inquired skeptically.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“How much time will it require to devise this barrier?”

"It will require less than a day."

“Less than a day?!”

“There’s no need for surprise. It’s merely a simple task.”

“But could you provide more details—”

I had no time for explanations, so I spoke kindly yet firmly. “I’ll explain later. For now, I am in command, and I will take full responsibility.”

Geor clicked his tongue but nodded. “... Understood. But if you are to create a new barrier, where are the spell scrolls? Surely you have written them down somewhere.”

I looked at him silently, letting the pause linger. Considering an explanation seemed a waste of time.

"Everything," I explained, tapping my temple, "is contained within my mind."

“What?!” the cat inquired, astonished.

To clarify further, it was a matter of...

“It’s mental processing.”

***

In the indistinguishable hours of dawn or dusk, Sylvia and the others stared blankly at the blackboard. It was covered with a vast array of spells invented by Deculein. Beneath them was a single sentence.

Are you capable of activating this barrier?

“We can,” Sylvia answered on behalf of everyone.

Seeing her confidence, Lucia shrugged and said, “... Right. It’s doable if we can draw this spell.”

Deculein’s instructions were detailed and clear, comprehensible even to the Debutants. However, the real challenge lay in the immense size of the magic circle for the barrier, which needed to cover an entire third-floor area.

“We’ll make this classroom the center of the magic. I’ll go outside and draw the spell on the third floor,” Epherene said, scanning the room. “There are enough mages here to provide the mana for it, right?”

Including herself, there were fifty people. With the mana from fifty mages, activating the barrier would be feasible.

“Even so, we’ll need a catalyst, won’t we?” Julia voiced her concern.

Sylvia responded by removing her necklace, a relic made entirely of mana diamonds. It was her mother’s keepsake, capable of storing and amplifying magic spells.

“Use this as the catalyst,” Sylvia said.

“... Are you sure?” Lucia asked, her eyes widening at its obvious worth.

Sylvia remained silent.

“Hmm... If that’s the case,” Lucia sighed, removing her bracelet. “These two should be enough. My bracelet alone is worth two million elne and is a family heirloom.”

"Tw-two million elne? Alright, I'll draw the spell," Epherene said, cutting her long hair in one swift motion.

Lucia was shocked and exclaimed, “Are you crazy? Why did you cut your hair? It’s not a suitable catalyst! Are you brainless?”

“Jeez, who said I’d use it as a catalyst? It’s just in the way when I move,” Epherene retorted.

“Ephie, it’s okay. Just ignore her,” Julia said, attempting to soothe her. She then trimmed Epherene’s hair neatly. “There, now it looks pretty.”

Sylvia then gathered her long hair, tying it into a ponytail that flowed down her pale neck.

"Wow, Miss Sylvia, you look stunning," Eurozan remarked, clapping absentmindedly.

Epherene regretted cutting her hair, realizing she could have just tied it back like Sylvia.

"You’re quick, Epherene. You draw the spell while I distract the enemies," Sylvia said.

“Distract them?”

"Just like in our practice runs, we'll handle the real deal," Sylvia explained.

Epherene nodded in acknowledgment. At that moment, a brief message appeared on the blackboard, encouraging them.

I trust you. I shall await your success.

The two finished their preparations and dismantled the barrier around the classroom. A loud thud echoed, but Epherene and Sylvia opened the door without hesitation. They were met by Debutants consumed by ash and massive golems made of the same substance. Sylvia drew their attention while Epherene used Self Telekinesis to levitate herself to the third-floor ceiling.

Splat, splosh—!

Bang—!

Clack, clack—

Woomph...

“Ah!”

"Hmph. You may keep erasing my ash with your tricks, but it doesn't matter. I'll beat you to death," the Baron said, the disparity in their abilities glaringly obvious.

Tick, tock—

Tick, tock—

Tick, tock—

Tick, tock—

Tick, tock—

Tick, tock—

Tick, tock—

Tick, tock—

Tick, tock—

Tick... tock...

Tick... tock...

Tick... tock.