The Rise Of Third Rate Villain-Chapter 11 - A Heir’s Promise

Warm steam embraced the bathroom, enshrouding me in a warm soft embrace. I sunk back into the massive tub, gazing up at the ceiling whilst the water secreted the morning's bruising workout. My body told me to stop, to let it go, pushing it to the limit but nothing could compare to that which was waiting on the horizon.

"System, about that reward..." I muttered, rubbing my temples. "Should I collect it? Like, really? I want to, but there's a catch, isn't there?"

As an experienced otaku, I knew how this went. Whenever a transmigrated character retrieved the original's memories, they experienced an ungodly amount of pain. Like brain-exploding, scream-your-lungs-out kind of pain. No way. No freaking way was I going through that.

"You knew this, didn't you, System?" I squinted into the air. "You gave me that reward just to watch me suffer while laughing in the corner like the sadistic little—"

[Ding! You can decide whether to collect the reward or not.]

"Dinner with the Duke Aldric Thorne,My father."

I knew bits and pieces about him from Leon and the maids. The man hadn't come to see me in two years—probably lost all hope in his useless son. I couldn't blame him, honestly. I was a failure. However, why had he been staying shut up for so long? Not only did he not even make use of his power to place Valerian in at the academy, which could have at the very least given me something to be looked up to as "respected.

"Haaa..." I sighed again, swirling the water around me. "Poor guy. I guess I've got no choice but to show him that things have changed."

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[Ding! Quest: Make Duke Aldric Thorne Recognize You As His Heir]

Reward: Killing Instinct (Lvl. 1)

________________________

My eyes lit up. "K-Killing Instinct?! The ultimate badass skill that makes people kneel from just sensing your aura?! HELL YES!"

I jumped out of the bath, took a towel, and laughed like a nutter. I'm gonna turn that up to its maximum and it'll be freakin' terrifying.

---

The long dining table stretched before me, laden with silver platters of roasted meats, fresh bread, and fragrant soups. Duke Aldric Thorne was already seated at the far end, looking as intimidating as ever. His strong-shaped features and dark stare exuded power, the sort of power that would draw even the most battle-hardened of knights to the well like a wet pant story.

I moved closer and sat down across from him. The maids began serving, but before I could lift my fork—.

"Everyone, leave," my father commanded. His deep voice reverberated from the hall and the maids fled, without even a look, behind their back.

My heart dropped into my stomach. What the hell?! Why does his voice sound like a final boss?!

"So, Valerian," my father said, his eyes locking onto mine, "I heard from Leon that you've started training."

I swallowed hard. "Y-Yes, Father. I thought it was time for a change."

"Why the sudden thought of change?"

Here we go. I had to be smart about this. To be sure, "Father, the academy begins in eight months' time. I realized I needed to improve my skills. I didn't want to tarnish the Thorne family name."

He raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you care about such things?"

"...Last month," I said, feigning a sheepish smile. "Mother came to me in a dream. She was furious."

My father's eyes widened. "Mira... came to you in a dream?"

"Yes, Father," I nodded. "She scolded me, "telling me how I've wasted my life and ruined everything you both built. She called me the hope of the Thorne family. That woke me up. I couldn't let her down again."

A heavy silence followed. For the first time, I saw something break in my father's eyes—a glimmer of sadness and regret.

"I thought I failed as a father," he whispered, "but I guess I failed as a husband, too." A single tear slipped down his cheek.

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Damn. That hit harder than I expected. Even I felt emotional, and I wasn't alone. Deep within, I sensed, too, the weeping of the old Valerian.

"I'm sorry for all of it," I mumbled, dropping to my knees, bowed. "I will henceforth be a new Valerian Thorne and I won't disappoint you again."

My father smiled faintly. "I'm sorry, too. For not being there when you needed me most."

We sat in silence then, a moment of shame too potent to move on. It was awkward as hell, but it felt... good.

At the door of the dining hall, Leon relaxed casually enjoying rents to himself with a satisfied smirk. "Hmm. Just like father, like son."

---

Quest Completed: Make Duke Aldric Thorne Recognize You As His Heir

Reward: Killing Instinct (Lvl. 1)]

"YES! Thank you, System! My sugar daddy System, I love you!"

A knock interrupted my celebration.

"Young Master," a maid reported, coming into the room with a tray, "here are the recovery elixirs you wanted.

"Ah, thanks."

I closed the door and stared at the potion. "Alright. No more stalling. System, synchronize the memories."

The first few seconds were fine.

"Huh. This isn't so bad—"

Pain exploded in my head. My skin felt like it was being ripped apart. My skull throbbed as if it would shatter. I hit the ground, holding my teeth, and then crawling towards the recovery potion, etc.

You bastard system

I'm never trusting you again, System.

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