Becoming The Villain Is My Dream-Chapter 43: A Request

"Can I have a moment with you?" Lisa asked as Derek stepped out of his room, looking freshly awake and slightly disheveled.

"Sure," he replied casually, stretching his shoulders before following her.

Lisa led him to her small office, a simple room tucked behind the reception hall. Papers, old books, and half-burnt candles littered the desk. Once inside, she clasped her hands tightly together — her voice low and earnest.

"I want my sister to enroll in your school," she began. "I’ll be at peace if she’s under your care."

Derek raised a brow. "That won’t be a problem, as long as she’s fine with the idea."

Lisa shook her head firmly. "No. Whether she agrees or not isn’t my concern. As her elder sister, it’s my duty to make decisions that keep her safe. I know what’s best for her."

Before Derek could respond, the door burst open — banging against the wall.

"Sister! I am not going anywhere!" Layla yelled, glaring at them both. Her eyes were red with frustration. Then, without another word, she spun around and stormed off.

"Layla!" Lisa shouted, chasing after her.

Derek sighed, muttering under his breath. "Here we go again..." Then, reluctantly, he followed.

---

By the time Lisa reached the inn, her sister was gone.

"Layla—!" She barely got the name out before the door swung open — Alex stepped in, carrying Layla over his shoulder like a sack of grain.

"I saw a crazy dog running from her cage, so I brought her back," he said flatly. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Put me down, you idiot!" Layla yelled, pounding her fists against his back.

"Okay, sure," Alex replied, and without hesitation, dropped her.

Thud!

"You bastard!" Layla grunted, scrambling to her feet, ready to attack. But before she could move, Lisa rushed between them.

"Layla, that’s enough!" she said firmly, holding her sister’s arm.

"Sister, let me go! I’ll teach this jerk a lesson! Look how he humiliated me!" Layla snapped, her pride burning.

But Lisa didn’t let go. "Derek," she said, turning toward him with resolve in her eyes, "I’ve made up my mind. Take her with you when you return."

"Sister, no!" Layla’s voice cracked. She tried to pull away, but Derek stepped forward, catching her wrist in one swift motion.

"Sometimes being stubborn just makes you stupid," he said evenly. His calm, authoritative tone made her stop struggling. "Listen to your sister. Do as she says. You can either come quietly... or we’ll make you."

Layla’s jaw tightened. She looked down, silent — then suddenly scoffed and twisted away, trying to bolt again.

"Stop," Raphael said quietly, his voice carrying an edge of power.

She froze mid-step, as if her body had forgotten how to move.

"She wants it the hard way," Derek sighed, signaling to Alex.

Without a word, Alex walked over, grabbed her arm, and held her still. She struggled again, but his grip didn’t even budge.

"Please take care of my sister," Lisa said softly, her eyes glistening.

"Not a problem," Derek replied with a grin. "I have people like her." His glance shifted to Alex, who scoffed and looked away.

"He’ll look after her," Derek added in a whisper to Lisa. "Trust me."

"A-are you sure about that?" Lisa asked uncertainly, eyeing Alex’s cold demeanor.

"Trust me," Derek repeated, winking.

"If you say so..." she murmured, though doubt still lingered in her eyes.

"Alright, boys. Time to go," Derek said, turning toward the exit.

Raphael nodded, and the group began to leave. Alex tossed Layla gently — but unceremoniously — into the car before climbing in himself.

---

The Silent Ride

Throughout the long journey, silence filled the car. Layla sat with her arms folded, glaring out the window. She hadn’t even been given time to pack her things. Her chest burned with resentment. So that’s it, huh? She just threw me away like I meant nothing...

"Hey," Derek called, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. "Your things will be brought later today, so don’t worry."

Layla didn’t answer. She just kept her eyes fixed on the passing trees.

"Suit yourself," Derek muttered, focusing back on the road.

No one else spoke for the rest of the trip.

---

By the time they reached the academy, the moon was already high. Raphael went to report to the staff quarters, while Alex handed Layla over to Derek without so much as a word. He had other things on his mind.

Exhausted, Alex made his way to his dorm room. The moment the door shut behind him, the world outside disappeared.

He showered quickly, changed, and sat on the edge of his bed — his sword resting across his lap. Its once-tarnished blade now shimmered faintly under the lamplight.

"How strange," he murmured, running a finger along the edge. "You don’t even look like the same weapon anymore."

The sword pulsed faintly in response.

He frowned. He’d read about soul weapons — blades infused with living essence, rare and ancient. His parents each had one: his father’s sword, and his mother’s whip of fanged light. They could call upon their weapons at will, each one tied to their very spirit.

"Tell me..." Alex whispered to the sword. "Why did you stay silent for so long?"

He paused, watching the soft gleam pulse faintly again — as if the sword itself was breathing.

"Did you hide your power so no one could wield you?"

The light grew brighter.

He blinked. "Don’t tell me you can actually—"

Before he could finish, the sword slipped from his hand and floated into the air. The room filled with blinding light. When it faded, a figure stood before him.

It was a girl — she looked ethereal, graceful, her presence radiating both warmth and power. Her hair shimmered like silver fire, and her eyes glowed faintly crimson.

For a moment, Alex just stared, unable to speak.

"...So you’re the one bound to this sword?" he asked finally.

The girl smiled faintly. "My name is Lilith. I am what you might call a Spirit Sword — a soul weapon given human form."

’A weapon... that can transform into a human?’ Alex thought to himself, astonished.

Lilith tilted her head, reading his expression. "Not all soul weapons can. I was cursed long ago — trapped in slumber for centuries. Only now, through your energy, was I able to awaken."

Alex nodded slowly. "What about your previous master? What happened to them?"

Her smile faded. "He died long ago, in a war against the Gods."

"Gods?" Alex echoed, brow furrowing. "They actually exist?"

"Yes," Lilith replied quietly. "They dwell in higher realms, far above this one. To them, humans, even demons are little more than dust. My master was a warrior who fought for the Demon Clans in that war. Before he fell, he sealed me with a curse. I don’t remember the reason... only that it left me forgotten for over a hundred years."

Alex sat silently, absorbing every word.

"For centuries, no one wanted to claim me," Lilith continued softly. "They believed I was broken... worthless. But then you came." She lowered her gaze humbly. "You picked me up, even when others called me useless. For that, I am bound to you. My power, my will, and my soul, they are now yours to command."

Alex stood slowly. "Then let’s make it official," he said. "My father once told me a true pact between wielder and weapon is one of trust and shared spirit. How do I forge that with you?"

Lilith stepped closer, her eyes glowing faintly. "Our bond must be sealed through unity of souls. You must let me touch your essence and you must accept mine in return. Only then will we become one."

"Unity of souls?" Alex repeated, his voice steady.

Lilith nodded. "It’s not a ritual of flesh, but of spirit. I will enter your soul... and from that moment on, our fates will be tied."

Alex took a deep breath. "Let’s do it."

She smiled then placed her hand over his heart. The moment her palm touched his chest, a surge of light burst through the room.

Symbols of ancient language circled around them, glowing red and blue, it began twisting together like two merging flames.

Alex felt warmth spreading through his body, and in the depth of his mind, he heard her voice whisper softly:

"Our souls are one now, Alex. My strength... is yours."

When the light faded, Lilith stood before him again, her expression serene.

"From now on," she said, "we live and fight as one."

Alex looked down at his hand, the faint mark of the pact glowing over his skin — and then smirked.

"Welcome back to the world, Lilith."