A Villain's Will to Survive-Chapter 212: One Step (1)

Relin sat before Deculein like a student summoned to the principal’s office with his massive frame hunched over, curling in on itself like a pill bug. Half-asleep, Epherene drowsily watched the scene, wondering if she was still dreaming.

"Yes... That section was referenced from Mage Jorah’s thesis," Relin said.

"Yet, I see no citation," Deculein replied.

"Oh, well... I intended to include them, but time was too short..."

"I notice several passages that reference other mages' theses as well."

Relin wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, forcing a smile. Yet, despite his attempt to maintain composure, a flicker of irritation crossed his face—his pride as a professor had clearly been wounded.

“Haha... May I ask which passages you are referring to, Professor?” Relin asked.

Epherene kept up the act of pretending to sleep, quietly watching. Then, without warning, the study door on the right side of the office swung open, and a flood of documents and books spilled out.

"The subject of your thesis is about engraving specific spells from the supportive category onto mana stones to create a continuously operating security system, is it not? And yet, your spell incorporates elements from Circuits Inscribed Upon Objects," Deculein stated, presenting the evidence.

Relin stood there, stunned, his lips parted in silent disbelief.

Circuits Inscribed Upon Objects was a thesis published five years ago by an unknown university mage—one that received neither research funding nor recognition and was all but discarded.

“Oh... Umm...”

"Is this another cited reference? If not, it could pose a serious problem.”

"Oh, of course... it should have been properly cited. Haha... I merely refined and expanded upon the idea... Yes, it seems my assistants made a regrettable mistake. Hahaha."

"Your thesis is yours to write, not your assistants'."

That’s what you get, butterball, Epherene thought, covering her mouth with both hands and struggling to hold back her laughter.

“... Yes, Professor.”

"You've referenced several works, including Formulaic Theory and Dukan’s Compilation, yet your citations only acknowledge Ihelm and other renowned mages."

Relin lowered his head.

"Revise it properly and submit it again," Deculein said, returning Relin’s thesis.

"... Yes, Professor," Relin muttered, rising from his seat with his shoulders slumped and trudging out of the office like a piglet robbed of its morning meal.

Click—

"Hehehe. That was satisfying," Epherene muttered as the door clicked shut.

“Epherene,” Deculein called.

"Yes, Professor!" Epherene replied brightly, turning to face him.

Swish—!

At that moment, a stack of papers flew from Deculein’s desk, raining down on Epherene’s head and scattering like falling leaves, leaving her blinking in a daze, momentarily stunned.

"Your thesis is rejected. Rewrite it from the ground up," Deculein stated. "No—when the semester begins, you should start with composition lessons. Even your lackluster origins bleed into your writing..."

***

The Principality of Yuren, a duchy built in the highlands, stood apart from other nations on the continent. Though its land spanned roughly the same size as the Yukline territories, its distinct highland resources and strategic position between the Empire and the Kingdom granted it a quiet but unshakable presence.

"This needs to be prepared and that as well."

Maho, the nation's princess and rightful heir, had escaped from Leoc and was now hurrying through the Yuren Palace.

"Char, I must prepare a gown for the ball, don’t I? Yes, of course, I must!" Maho said.

Though she had successfully strengthened the foundation of the Principality of Yuren through her policies, her nature remained unchanged, and watching her bustle about, full of energetic energy yet hurried abandon, left Charlotte with a quiet sense of unease.

“... The Empire is a dangerous place, Princess,” Charlotte replied.

“Oh, come now~ It’s not dangerous anymore, not one bit~ Leoc wouldn’t dare stage a sudden attack on me in the Empire~ Besides, the succession has already been settled, hasn’t it? It’s all in the past~”

The power struggle in Leoc that once threatened Maho’s life at risk had ended with the second prince securing the throne. Now that the succession was decided, there was no longer any reason to eliminate her.

"Entrance ceremony, entrance ceremony~ I’m officially a university student now~! Oh! My files—I almost forgot!" Yuren chirped, skipping over to the hidden passage she had secretly built beside her bed and swinging it open.

Slrrk—

Beyond the hidden passage lay a secret archive, its shelves overflowing with mysterious files—a Magical Space where Maho’s talents awakened.

“Hehehe~”

Maho had the spirit of a collector, though not for wealth or treasures, but for people. In a small nation struggling to survive, its greatest resource was talent—not through trade in flesh, but by recognizing potential, cultivating talents, and gathering the brightest minds.

In that regard, Maho’s talent—File—proved invaluable to governance, as it allowed her to magically perceive the strengths and weaknesses of individuals.

“... Hmm-hmm,” Maho hummed as she pulled out the thickest file among them—the one titled Deculein.

"Princess, be cautious not to let Deculein discover your talent; he’s certain to disapprove, as his temper is infamous, after all."

“Okay, okay~”

Maho still knew little about Deculein. Their only meaningful encounter had been the moment he saved her once, while every other meeting had been nothing more than a fleeting moment. Perhaps that was why her curiosity swelled with anticipation.

"I can't wait~ I'm very excited~ I wonder what the professor will be like this time~? I heard he even defeated Rohakan in battle~"

Maho had once slipped into the Floating Island exam unnoticed, earning a Kendall grade. But this time, she would officially enter the Empire as a special foreign student of the Mage Tower.

However, this journey was more than just an academic quest, and meeting Deculein was far from her only purpose.

"Come now, it’s time to go~ It’s time for the entrance ceremony~"

Not only the ceremony, but she was also setting out on a far weightier mission—one that would decide the fate of not just the Principality, but the entire continent. It was a journey to discuss the matters of the Altar and the Scarletborn.

***

As I sorted through the streams of theses flooding into the 77th floor of the Mage Tower, absorbing the thoughts and arguments of numerous mages, I came to realize just how much I had read and how much knowledge I had grown over time. Unbiased reading, unrestricted learning—those were the foundations of my understanding.

My Comprehension expanded in step with my knowledge, and now, with its depths stretching as immense as an ocean, there was nothing within the Mage Tower’s domain that I did not understand. And if something remained unknown to me, it was only a matter of time before I understood it.

"We have arrived, Master," Ren said.

I placed the thesis I had been reading down on the seat beside me."

"Yawwwwn..." Epherene mumbled, stretching out her yawn.

At that moment, the coach door flung open.

"Seriously, what took you so long? I’ve been waiting to talk to you," Yeriel said, standing next to Ihelm.

"Oh~ If it isn’t the famed Genius of Spell Interpretation, Mage Deculein. I quite enjoyed your books while I was in the Northern Region," Ihelm said, then with a smile, he tapped Epherene lightly on the crown of her head. “Long time no see, Leaf.”

“... Oh? What are you doing here?” Epherene asked.

"I should be the one asking that. What are you doing here?"

"I'm staying here now. Oh! Lady Yeriel!" Epherene said, only just noticing her before quickly rushing over.

"Mm-hmm. But go on inside. I have something to discuss," Yeriel said, as if she and Epherene had long been acquainted.

"Sorry? Oh... right. I have plenty to work on for my thesis too... I’ll be off then!" Epherene said, quickly shuffling away.

"A Scarletborn village was found on the outskirts of the Southern Region, but the resistance is strong. There’s a temple, battle priests—quite the force. They’re requesting firepower support," Yeriel said, watching Epherene leave before handing over a document.

The location was Vahalla, and the imperial decree left no room for doubt—it was a mandate for the complete eradication of the Scarletborn in the region.

"It looks like the real suppression efforts are about to begin,” Yeriel added.

Vahalla. I let the name settle in my mind, searching through my memories to place it.

Then Yeriel continued, "Brother—no, I mean, what will you do?"

In this world, the Scarletborn were divided into two groups—those who allied with the Altar and those who did not. Vahalla belonged to the former, a tribe beyond persuasion, already lost to indoctrination.

"They must be eliminated," I replied.

There was no need to waste time seeking a humane solution as they were beyond salvation, plotting betrayal at every turn.

Yeriel's shoulders trembled ever so slightly.

"Haha, exactly. I thought the same," Ihelm said with a deep smile. "That’s why you were chosen as my partner, don’t you think?"

“... What are you talking about?" Yeriel muttered, narrowing her eyes. "You were probably chosen as his assistant, not the partner."

“What? You’re just as bold as ever, aren’t you?”

"Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?"

“... Tsk. You’re both cut from the same cloth,” Ihelm said.

“Yeriel,” I called.

Yeriel looked up at me with a nervous look in her eyes.

"Return to Hadecaine."

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Yeriel remained silent.

"Leave what is happening in the capital in my hands and see to your own responsibilities."

Pat—

"Nothing will happen," I said, placing a hand on Yeriel's shoulder and meeting her trembling eyes.

The evening sun bathed Yeriel in its fading glow, painting her face in shades of dusk. For a brief moment, her face tightened as if she might cry. But then, without a word, she lowered her head—until, at last, a small smile touched her lips.

Plink—

"Yes, I believe in you," Yeriel murmured, resting her forehead against my chest. Then, she quickly pulled away, snapping back to herself before stepping into the waiting vehicle. "Alright, I’m off then!"

"Oh, Lady Yeriel," Ren called.

"What is it?" Yeriel asked, leaning out the window.

"Here is the invoice," Ren said, pulling a receipt from his coat.

"What invoice?"

"Master gave an order, but as the account lacked sufficient funds, I covered the expense with the family’s check. Please provide your signature for approval."

"... What are you even talking about?" Yeriel muttered as she took the invoice.

Yeriel stared in silence at the long sheet of paper, her already wide eyes slowly growing even larger as she absorbed the contents of the invoice.

And then...

"W-W-What is this—?!"

As Yeriel’s scream rang through the evening sky, I gave the driver a silent glance.

"Three hundred million... three hundred million elne?! Finest m-mana stones, finesty crystals—why in the world did you buy so many?!" Yeriel shouted, her glare stabbing through me. "The Mage Tower already provides enough mana stones! But w-why did you spend three hundred million?! This is insane—! We’re already low on liquid funds, you know that!"

Vroom—

At that moment, the engine rumbled, causing Yeriel to flinch before whipping her head around and narrowing her eyes at the driver.

"Hey! What are you doing? Stop the car. Turn off the engine, now. Open the door. I said, open the door—"

"Put your signature on it when you return," I said.

“What?! Hey, open this door!"

As Yeriel reached for the door to step out, I held her back with Telekinesis, keeping her in place. Then, I shot the driver with another glare, enough to cut a stone.

"A-Ahem... Lady Yeriel, I will depart now," the driver said, pressing down on the accelerator.

"Wait, stop! I said stop! I need an explanation! Why in the world did you spend three hundred million elne?! No, seriously, why?! At least tell me so I don’t feel completely ripped off! Don’t tell me you’ve gone on another luxury spree—Hey! Hey! Hey..."

Yeriel’s shouts faded into the distance as the car slipped away, her voice soon lost to the wind. I cleared my throat with a quiet cough.

"So you really spent three hundred million elne on mana stones and crystals? That’s quite the sum. Especially now, with cash flow strained from post-battle recovery," Ihelm muttered, a note of admiration in his voice.

"It’s time for you to leave," I said, shooting him a pointed glance.

"Ah, alright. Well, now that we’re partners, let’s try to get along a little better than before," Ihelm said with a buttery smile, extending his hand. "How about hunting some Scarletborn together? You know how it is—manipulation and supportive categories have the best synergy—"

I ignored him entirely, not bothering to listen as I turned away.

***

Within the mansion’s grounds, I carved a cavern where mana was most concentrated. With Telekinesis and Wood Steel, I quickly shaped a deep underground passage.

“Hmm.”

Lined with the finest mana stones and crystals, the cave gleamed with an ethereal blue glow. With my Aesthetic Sense instinctively shaping the space, it no longer felt like a simple cavern but a carefully sculpted temple—pristine and refined.

"Would you like any refreshments, Master?" Ren asked.

"That won’t be necessary,” I replied.

"Then, I will take my leave," Ren said, stepping aside.

At the heart of the training chamber, I shaped a chair with Ductility and settled into it, staring into the emptiness before me.

[Available for Purchase: Mana Quality Enhancement (Level 3)]

[Would you like to purchase?]

Advancing from Level 3 to Level 4 required a steep increase in store currency—an overwhelming sum of one hundred and sixty coins. Since this was the one last step for an upgrade within my reach, I pressed the system button without hesitation.

[Mana Quality Enhancement (Level 3) has been applied.]

It was a system message, appearing in a single line.

Thump—!

At that moment, my heart pounded against my ribs, my face twisted, and pain coursed through my veins like a flood, gripping every fiber of my body.

It felt as though every bone, muscle, and sinew in my body was being shattered and rebuilt from the ground up. The pain was so brutal, it could break even someone with an Iron Man attribute, striking without pause—an intensity that should have left me unconscious numerous times over.

Pain carved through me, as if my organs were being torn apart, shredded beyond recognition, and my heart ground to pulp beneath a chainsaw. Blood welled in my mouth, thick and suffocating, threatening to drown me. I spat it out, but I did not bend nor break. I remained seated, enduring in silence...

***

Late at night, under the light of a full moon, Epherene blinked at the underground passage she had stumbled upon by chance while searching for Deculein before bed.

“... What is this?” Epherene muttered.

In a secluded corner of the mansion, Epherene stared at the underground passage, bathed in a light blue glow, her fingers brushing against her lips as she tilted her head in curiosity before cautiously stepping inside.

“Wow... are these all mana stones and crystals?”

Epherene descended, drawn by the overwhelming flow of mana surging from below—an instinctive pull only a mage could understand.

Is this Professor Deculein’s training chamber? Epherene thought.

"Professor~? Are you here?" Epherene called out, eyes widening as she glanced around. "Wow... these really are mana stones."

Marveling at the mana stones and crystals glimmering around her, Epherene wandered deeper into the underground passage.

"Professor~? Professor~? Can I write my thesis here too~?"

Step by step, Epherene called out for Deculein, her voice fading into the depths of the darkened cave...