The Rise Of Third Rate Villain-Chapter 14 - A Step Ahead

"Ahhh, it's been a week since I got Valerian's memories."

I pulled my arms back and looked through the window at the sky. Lots can happen in one week, especially if you've got a man's will to be a second-rate villain no more. Before undertaking a journey into that dungeon, I vowed to become stronger . Sword skills? Already on point. But magic? Yeah, not so much.

So, what did I do? I trained. Every. Single. Day.

Thanks to the Thorne family library, which is basically a treasure trove of magical knowledge, I had access to everything I needed—spells, magical theory, even some forbidden magic that looked a little too tempting. With all of Valerian's theoretical knowledge already in my head, it was just a matter of putting it into practice.

And boy, did I level up. My control of mana is so much stronger now and, in fact, I am now learning some of the new spells.

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"System, show me my skills," I said, grinning.

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[System Skills]

- Killing Instinct (Level 1): Boosts combat awareness and reaction speed.

- Fireball (Level 3): Launches a ball of fire at your enemies.

- Mana Shield (Level 2): Creates a barrier that absorbs damage.

- Swordsmanship (Level 3): Improved mastery of sword combat.

- Frostfang Slash (Level 2): Coats the user's weapon with freezing energy, delivering a devastating slash that chills enemies to the bone.

- Hailstorm Domain (Level 2): Summons an area-wide hailstorm, reducing enemies' visibility and slowing them down.

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I made a dark, chuckle and my eyes gleamed with enjoyment. "Hahaha! With this, I can at least survive in that dungeon.".

But as much as I'd love to dive headfirst into the adventure, there's one little problem. As the sole heir of the Thorne family, I cannot just walk out and into a random dungeon without trouble. Dad would certainly get Leon to keep a watchful eye on me, and that's the least I need.

I need someone powerful—someone who will listen only to me. Not to my father. Not to Leon. Just me.

There's only one logical solution.

"Yup, you guessed it. I'm going to buy a slave."

Look, I know what you're thinking. In the majority of narratives, the MC purchases a slave girl, erases her slave brand, and releases her for any virtue and saintliness for sure. Not me. Screw that cliché.

I'm going to buy a slave and I'm going to own her. No kidding—I'm not pro casting her like some dignified shmuck would. I still have some humanity, after all. But I'm also not about to act like I'm her savior. Think of it more like... a Sasuke-and-Sakura kind of relationship. She'll know who's in charge.

Exactly at the moment when I was thinking about which type of slave I should search for, a person entered the training hall.

"Young Master," said a soft, familiar voice.

I turned around to see her. The head maid.

Her name is Serena, and damn, she's a sight to behold. Curves in all the right places, with long black hair tied into a neat bun and eyes that seem to know every secret you're hiding. She carries herself with grace and confidence, her uniform perfectly fitted to her figure.

But here's the thing: after retrieving Valerian's memories, I finally understood her true importance.

She's always been by my side since the moment I came into existence. My mother's personal maid, she always treated me with the utmost care and respect. After my mother's death, she became the quiet guardian watching over me from the shadows.

Tasting my food to check for poison, training the other maids and butlers to treat me properly, and working tirelessly to subdue bad rumors about me—Serena did it all without expecting a single word of thanks.

In other words, she's a treasure.

A treasure I will never touch.

Serena is like a trophy in a glass cabinet—meant to be admired, not handled.

"Young Master," Serena murmured, professional but friendly, "the carriage is prepared. I've instructed Darius to accompany you. He's one of Sir Leon's most trusted men and will ensure your safety. And, your father has already supplied the cash so they are in the carriage, etc.

"Thank you, Serena."

She made a small gesture of bow, the corner of her lips just meeting a barely perceptible smile before she turned to go. I watched her go, silently appreciating her dedication.

When she was gone, I went back to my room to undress.

Time for a break from casual training garb and get dressed for a day out in the town. After all, I'm a noble. Even if I'm about to purchase a slave, I can't help but appear the part.

I slipped into a black tunic with silver embroidery and threw on a matching cloak. Not too flashy, but enough to command attention.

"Perfect," I muttered, glancing at myself in the mirror.

And that's how I went to the front of the estate and found my carriage. Darius stood beside it, a tall, imposing figure with short-cropped hair and a stern expression.

"Young Master," he greeted me with a respectful nod.

"Let's go," I said, stepping into the carriage.

The wheels creaked as we set off toward the town. My heart raced with anticipation. This was the next step in my plan.

Soon, I'd have a powerful ally by my side.

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(A/N: Sorry For Not Updating From Last 2 Days I Was Busy With My Personal Problems)