A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Professor (3)

In the cold underground chamber of the Mage Tower, the air seemed to bite through flesh. It was the interrogation room of the Disciplinary Committee. Seven seats were occupied by members who enforced the academy's rules, while those awaiting punishment sat beyond the invisible glass, anticipating their fate.

"Why were those two fighting?" the Chairwoman asked.

"I don't know yet," I replied.

The Chairwoman occupied the first and highest seat. I sat in the second seat, watching the two people beyond the glass.

"Why don't you know?”

"... I didn't ask, so I don't know."

"Oh, right."

Epherene, referred to the disciplinary committee, kept her head down and fidgeted with her fingers, while Sylvia remained calm and composed beside her. The situation had entirely stemmed from their conflict. However, with Sylvia being the heir of Iliade and Epherene being a landless noble in name only, the outcome of the disciplinary committee was quite predictable.

"Oh, Chairwoman and Head Professor Deculein, you're already here."

As the door opened, the disciplinary committee members arrived one by one. The chubby male professor, grinning slyly, was Relin from the Support Studies Department.

"... Such an incident in the first class. It's truly unfortunate, Head Professor Deculein."

The gaunt man who bowed his head was Professor Retlan from the Spirit Studies Department. The silent figure in a robe was probably Professor Fezli, in charge of the dormitories, along with the others. A total of seven members had gathered.

"Well, well. Who is the strange one who dared to mess with the Novice Mage of the Year?" Relin said, glaring at Epherene as soon as he sat down.

"Indeed. It seems she didn't even go through the academy and is of low status," Retlan replied with a similar look.

Fortunately, Epherene couldn't hear these remarks. We could see her, but she couldn't see us.

"I heard that Head Professor Deculein handled the situation well," Relin said, giving me a subtle look.

His words were full of flattery, and I had no energy to respond. The truth was, I was exhausted. I was barely holding on mentally. I had used all of my mana and more to contain the situation. If anything had gone wrong and someone had gotten hurt, it would have been troublesome for me as the responsible professor.

"Exactly~ I think I may have underestimated Professor Deculein a bit! But our Professor Deculein is a Monarch-ranked mage! No Debutant could beat him, even if hundreds tried!"

"You are absolutely right!"

The Chairwoman and Relin continued chatting. I quietly looked at Epherene, my brows naturally furrowed.

"... Even so, Head Professor Deculein, please don't be too angry. I will handle it myself."

Relin seemed to mistake my expression for anger, but he was wrong. I squinted to get a closer look at the strange aura surrounding Epherene, who was cowering.

Red and black, it spread like ominous steam. If my suspicions were correct, it was a phenomenon only visible to me through the attribute Sharp Eyesight, and it was the manifestation of another attribute, Villain's Fate.

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[Villain's Fate]

Grade:

???

Description:

A villain's fate. The whole world wishes for his death.

However, what doesn’t kill him makes him stronger...

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The whole world seemed to wish for my death. That predetermined intent to kill—specifically, the death variable that Epherene would one day kill me—was now clearly revealed by my Sharp Eyesight.

"Now that everyone is here, let's begin the disciplinary committee for Debutant Mage Epherene and Sylvia!"

***

“How dare you brawl in the classroom? And with magic, no less? If Head Professor Deculein hadn't intervened, someone could have been hurt, you fool!”

The disciplinary committee was intense from the start. Although the figures beyond the glass were just silhouettes, Epherene recognized Relin by his stature and voice. Just yesterday, he seemed like a very kind professor in class, but now she saw how terrifying he became when angry.

“So, what was the reason for the fight?” Relin asked.

Epherene glanced sideways at Sylvia. That jerk had insulted her father—though, in truth, it wasn’t a blatant insult. However, regardless of what happened, Epherene couldn't say anything with Deculein sitting next to Relin.

Even if he hadn't been there, she still wouldn't have spoken. She didn't want to talk about her father to anyone, especially not as an excuse to avoid punishment.

"I can't say it," Epherene replied.

“What?! Are you playing with me?” Professor Relin's face twisted in anger.

"No, it's just—"

“Then tell me why you fought! Was it out of jealousy?!”

Epherene kept her mouth shut and lowered her head. Relin, fuming, soon turned to look at Sylvia.

“Sylvia, then why don’t you tell us?” Relin asked Sylvia.

"During class, I accidentally damaged her project. That led to an argument," Sylvia replied.

“What? You caused this whole situation over that? It's entirely that ignorant girl's fault. Hey, you, do you have anger management issues or something? Some nobody like you...” Relin shouted looking at Epherene.

Epherene clenched her fists and tasted blood in her mouth. She must have bitten her lip or tongue too hard.

“Chairwoman, there's nothing more to discuss. A mage attacking another mage first is grounds for expulsion. Even those in the Ashes aren't this bad!”

The term Ashes, referring to the hideout of anti-mages, was the most infamous insult in the Magical Realm. Epherene gave a hollow smile. If she got expelled, maybe she'd just go there.

“Hmm... I suppose so? It seems almost decided. Professor Deculein, don't you have anything to say? It was your class, after all," the Chairwoman said, calling Deculein, the person Epherene disliked most.

Deculein's gaze pierced through the glass, and Epherene's heart pounded heavily. Whether he knew her or not, she could only resign herself to the outcome.

“I, Deculein, as the Head Professor of the Mage Tower and a member of the disciplinary committee,"

She felt as if her entire body were falling into a deep, dark well, the agony like drowning alive.

“I would like to ask you, Sylvia.”

But something was strange. The interrogation seemed to be directed at Sylvia, not Epherene.

“Do you bear any responsibility for this situation?”

As she sank to the bottom, Epherene quickly lifted her head and blinked. A startled Sylvia parted her lips to speak.

“I'm just asking. Do you truly bear no responsibility for this situation?”

The unexpected turn of events filled Epherene's mind with questions. She had assumed Deculein would direct his anger at her, yet he was suddenly questioning Sylvia. Perhaps, as the head of Yukline, rather than acting as Deculein alone, he was attempting to keep Iliade's heir in line. It was clearly Epherene’s fault, yet he chose to handle it this way.

“Sylvia, you could have prevented this situation,“ Deculein said, his voice cold and direct.

“But you didn't. Were you waiting for the mana to explode and hurt other people?”

A small crack appeared on Sylvia's face, which had been like a thick sheet of ice since their first meeting, slowly breaking apart.

“Or was your highly anticipated skill really only capable of this much?”

Once the crack appeared, it quickly led to a collapse. She bowed her head to hide her slightly bitten lips.

"I'm sorry. I could have stopped it, but I didn't. I wanted Epherene's mistake to seem bigger than it was," Sylvia said, admitting her fault.

"What?" Epherene said with a dumbfounded sound escaping from Epherene's mouth.

The situation, which she had been starting to understand, was once again unclear.

Why did she say that? She could have stopped it but she didn't?

“... Ah, yes~! Yes, yes! Of course, you are absolutely right! A-as expected of Head Professor Deculein! Even I am completely convinced~”

“Hmm~ now that I think about it, you're right. It reminds me of when I almost got suspended because of a professor,” the Chairwoman said with a bored smile, nodding.

“... Ha.”