A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 83

Chapter 83: Tempest (1)

Amidst the chaos, Epherene drifted through the devastation, guided by Rohakan’s firm grip. Her gaze was empty as she took in the relentless bombardment, the crumbling buildings, and the destruction wrought by the explosions.

“Why...?” Epherene asked.

"You can’t look for reason in the actions of madmen. It’s just their insanity," Rohakan replied.

Crack—!

Rohakan employed his magic to stop a statue from collapsing, using Telekinesis to steady it. However, his efforts lacked the precision of Deculein's work.

“Hmm. I can’t manage it as cleanly as he does,” Rohakan chuckled, then used his magic to purify the area.

Snap—!

With a snap of his fingers, the debris disintegrated into dust, the explosion faded away, and the flames ascended into the sky.

“What just happened?”

“I call it Elementalization. It reduces processed matter to its simplest form. You won’t find this in any textbooks.”

“Wow,” Epherene muttered in awe, blinking as she realized they were no longer in the city. “... Where are we now? Did you teleport us?”

They stood on a hill, far removed from the square that had shifted from a scene of celebration to one of horror. Before them, a tranquil cottage awaited. Rohakan smiled softly and took a deep breath.

"It's been a while since I've displayed my magic for young talent," Rohakan said, gathering his power as he held a branch from the World Tree—a branch Epherene recognized from before.

Boom—!

Rohakan struck the ground with the branch, unleashing a wave of magic that rippled through the land. The grand spell, Flow of Purification, swiftly cleared the square of the dense demonic energy.

“That should be enough for them to take care of the rest.”

"Y-yes. I’ll be on my way now—"

"After casting that grand spell, I've worked up an appetite. Epherene, would you care for some meat? I caught something just last night," Rohakan offered.

"... Meat?" Epherene repeated, her tone laced with suspicion.

~

“Nom nom!”

She chewed slowly, appreciating the simple, earthy flavor of the meat. It lacked the sophistication of Roahawk’s fare, but its rustic freshness had its own charm.

“This is delicious. If even I like it, it must be good...” Epherene remarked.

“You seem to eat anything, don’t you?” Rohakan commented, as he bustled about the small cottage.

“No I don’t.”

“Speaking of which, where’s your friend? Wasn’t there another one with you?”

"... Oh. She’s not feeling well, so she’s resting," Epherene replied with a forced smile. Sylvia had collapsed from exhaustion during the exam, having neither slept nor eaten throughout the entire finals period. "But, have you really been living here all this time? How did you manage to stay hidden?"

“This cottage is no ordinary place. You think I could have avoided capture for decades in a regular home? It’s more like a warship.”

“A warship?”

“Yes. I’ve heard it called the 9th Category or Specialized Magic—a signature magic that arises from a mage’s own tendencies, personality, and talent.”

Signature magic—the pinnacle of every mage's career on the continent. Epherene blinked, chewing her meat as she listened closely.

“Now, watch this,” Rohakan said as he closed the cottage door and pulled a lever that was discreetly placed beside the fireplace, almost like a piece of decor.

Boom—!

A sudden tremor shook the cottage, causing Epherene to flinch, her bite halted in mid-air. Rohakan chuckled softly as he opened the door.

"... Huh?" Epherene murmured, her mouth falling open in shock.

Her eyes stayed locked on the scene outside the cottage. A vast desert spread out before her—endless sand dunes under a scorching, swirling wind. Within moments of taking it in, her lips had gone dry.

“What do you think? Quite something, isn’t it?” Rohakan muttered casually.

“T-take me back!” Epherene demanded, gripping his collar tightly.

“Hahaha.”

“D-don’t laugh—take me back, you kidnapper!” Epherene yelled, clumsily shaking his large robe. “Send me back!”

Shake, shake—

“Hahahaha.”

“Send me back!”

“Of course, I’ll send you back. Deculein might not take kindly to this.”

"... What? Why would that anger him?"

"Hmm? Aren't the two of you Deculein's protégés?"

Epherene frowned, responding, “What nonsense are you spouting? And just where are we?”

“This is the Kahal Desert, located in the eastern part of the continent. Despite its harsh climate, it’s home to several Scarletborn villages.”

“The Scarletborn... aren’t they responsible for the terrorist attack today?”

Rohakan's lips curled into a bitter smile. He didn't respond to Epherene's question, instead continuing, “The Scarletborn will soon be wiped out. Oppression against minority groups will only grow stronger. A storm, harsher than the desert winds, will soon sweep through... Epherene, what do you think?”

“Why ask me? I’m a mage, not a politician.”

"I suppose it's time I find someone to carry on my legacy."

"Legacy?"

Rohakan’s gaze rested on Epherene, a touch of sorrow dimming his eyes.

"Indeed. At a certain level, a mage becomes aware of their own remaining time. And mine is running short."

"... Then why not entrust it to Professor Deculein?"

"Do you think that obstinate man would heed my words?"

Epherene acknowledged Deculein's unmistakable ego with a nod. Arrogant, proud, noble, and self-assured—his imposing presence was unquestionable.

"Yeah, he wouldn’t listen to anyone. Even if a God told him to, he’d refuse if he didn’t feel like it," Epherene replied.

"Hahaha! You’ve hit the nail on the head," Rohakan chuckled, closing the door to the cottage. With a flick of his Telekinesis, he brought over a magic pouch that had been lying in the corner. "Here, take this. Inside the pouch are elixirs and a magic training manual I’ve written. It’s meant to guide young talents."

"... And?" Epherene asked, her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in closer.

"I’m giving it to you and your friend," Rohakan said with a gentle smile.

"... Sorry? Why? This seems suspicious..." Epherene said, her voice doubtful and half-heartedly, though her eyes were already fixed on the pouch.

Rohakan gave a faint smile and said, "When a mage reaches a certain level, they can discern others, but only if that person is as straightforward as you. However, someone as complex and guarded as Deculein is another matter entirely."

"Sylvia is anything but straightforward."

"Quite the opposite—she might be even simpler than you. So, will you take it?"

Epherene paused, uncertain. Rohakan, known as the Black Beast and the most feared criminal in the land, seemed unexpectedly kind—more like a gentle old man than the terror he was reputed to be.

"Half of it is yours, and the other half is for your friend. I've gone ahead and labeled everything for you."

After a brief moment of intense deliberation, Epherene stole a glance at the pouch before quickly grabbing it and said, "Alright."

"Good. Now that you've accepted my gift, I'm leaving Deculein in your care. I'll be asking for a favor later as well," Rohakan said with a knowing smile.

“Sorry? I can't promise anything about the favor, but why are you leaving Deculein to us?"

"Hmm~ You wouldn’t understand just yet, but I’ve had glimpses of the future. Though, I can only see a few weeks, maybe a month, into it," Rohakan said with a warm smile.

Epherene stared at him in disbelief, her voice filled with skepticism as she said, "Bullshit! I mean, you're lying! How can you see the future?"

"It’s nothing to be surprised about. It’s just a sign that my time is running short. The nearer a mage gets to the heavens, the more they understand the truth." _{frёeωebɳovel.com}

Creeeak—

Rohakan closed the door, cutting off the sight of the desert and said, "This world may only have a few mages who can become pillars of strength, and whether you like it or not, Deculein will be one of them. I might have just two or three years left."

"Damn."

"Indeed, it damn well is. He could either become a pillar of strength or the trigger for destruction."

"Both sound like a huge problem for me. What exactly did you see in the future? Could you look again, more closely?"

"Hahaha! I wish I could, but it doesn’t work that way," Rohakan said, chuckling as he reopened the cottage door.

They now stood on a familiar street in the capital. The sky had darkened, signaling the arrival of night. The air was still, suggesting the recent terror had been subdued.

Epherene gazed up at Rohakan in a daze and murmured, "... You truly are a mage, aren't you?"

"That's what they say. Just as you now look up to me, I once looked up to Demakan."

Archmage Demakan. If Rohakan was this remarkable, Epherene could only imagine how mysterious and powerful Demakan must have been. She glanced at the moon hanging in the sky, then turned back to where Rohakan had been standing. Both he and the cottage had vanished without a trace.

"Epherene," the cold, familiar voice called out, sending a shiver down her spine. It was both chilling and unmistakably terrifying.

"P-Professor...?"

It was Deculein. His sharp gaze cut through her, and fear sent her heart racing.

"So, you've met Rohakan," Deculein said.

"N-no, I have not."

"What did he tell you?"

Epherene tensed as her mouth went dry. It felt like a suffocating shadow was closing in on her from all sides.

"Epherene."

Deculein called her name again, twice in a row.

"Speak."

"... It’s a secret!" Epherene said, squeezing her eyes shut as she braced herself against his overwhelming authority.

But the scolding she expected never came. Instead, the magic pouch slipped from her grasp and landed in Deculein’s hand.

"... A-ah! P-please, give it back!"

Deculein examined the contents of the pouch. Epherene, fidgeting nervously like a puppy deprived of its treat, watched him closely, but he remained composed.

Gulp—

He’s going to take everything. He’s going to confiscate it all, Epherene thought, her heart hammering in panic.

"Take it."

"... Oh?"

Deculein handed the pouch back to her. Though the air around him still carried a menacing weight, the punishment she dreaded never came.

"You vanished without a word."

"... Sorry?"

"I was looking for you," Deculein said, his face and voice cold, though his words hinted at concern. As Epherene tried to adjust, she noticed the potion in his hand, labeled with his name— Deculein.

"Oh."

Rohakan had purposefully steered her back to Deculein.

"Proceed to the police station. Your friends are waiting there for you," Deculein commanded, before turning and walking away.

Tap—! Tap—!

Tap—! Tap—!

Tap—! Tap—!

Tap—! Tap—!

Knock, knock—

"Oh, sorry. Maid Lethe, she—"

"Wait a minute. Just look at this. You’ll change your mind when you see it," Epherene said as she pulled a book from a small pouch. It was a rare-looking volume, and Sylvia’s eyes sparkled for a moment. "I met Rohakan, that old man. He said this is a gift for us. Look, it even has your name on it, Sylvia."

Epherene nodded. Sylvia now referred to him as that professor instead of Professor Deculein, but Epherene knew better than to ask why.

"Oh? Wait, is that a radio? How interesting. I've never seen one before," Epherene remarked as she spotted the radio on the bedside table.

"Wow. It really talks."

As she listened to the news, Epherene recalled Rohakan's words and pondered where and how the Tempest the old man spoke of would strike.

Click.

"Aha, I see. So it recognizes its owner. But listen, Sylvia said it was okay for me to listen too. I have her permission. So, come on, start talking. ... I said... speak!"

... During the Empire's Grand Festival, multiple simultaneous demonic energy bombings occurred, targeting a total of eighteen locations, including the bustling festival square.

The situation was swiftly contained due to the intervention of Head Professor Deculein, supported by mages and knights, yet not before causing severe devastation—resulting in 3,000 deaths and over 10,000 injuries.

Some of those responsible for this attack were identified as members of the Scarletborn. They orchestrated this act in protest against the widespread discrimination they endure across the continent and in defiance of the Blat Church, which they regard as heretical.

... Appeals poured in from both local and central governments, all demanding a single outcome—the suppression of the Scarletborn.

Six months ago, Lokhak, the individual responsible for the murder of countless mages, was revealed to be a member of the Scarletborn. In response, the Leoc Kingdom, which places great importance on magic, has declared the Scarletborn to be enemies of our people...