A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 22: Trace (1)

In the northern part of the continent, beyond the borders of any Empire or kingdom, lay the Berhert mountain range. At an altitude of 3,500 meters, it served as the dwelling of mages known as Elders and was home to about 1,000 residents.

Berhert was the central authority of the magical schools spread across the continent, an institution where the collective wisdom and decisions of these schools were gathered and solidified.

The decisions made by Berhert held such authority that even the Floating Island of Mages had to follow them. However, these gathering meetings were extremely rare, occurring only once every few decades.

"... Gathering, huh."

One day in April, the Elders could feel in their bones that the gathering was approaching.

"We definitely should do that."

A meeting was taking place at the peak of Berhert, in the Elder Hall, buried in deep darkness.

"Since a demon has appeared in the Mountains of Darkness..." one of the Elders said.

Magic had originally been invented as an art to vanquish demons. Therefore, Berhert, which generally did not involve itself in the Mortal Realm's matters, made a strict exception when it came to demons.

"Is the list prepared?" the Great Elder asked.

"The selection of new mages is still under deliberation, but the attendance of the twelve traditional families is confirmed."

The invitees included the twelve traditional mage families such as Iliade, Yukline, Bran, Beorad, and Rewind, as well as eight new mage families chosen based on their accomplishments over the past ten years. The honor of attending a Berhert meeting was so significant that no family would refuse the gathering.

"There has been significant conflict between the Iliade and Yukline families," the Great Elder Drjekdan said, voicing his concern.

"That was in the past. They have already reached some form of agreement."

"An agreement only in name..."

"Of course," the Elder conceded. "But it is true that Glitheon has become less hostile."

"Hoping for calm seas in the strait is more likely," the Great Elder Drjekdan responded skeptically.

Glitheon of the Iliade family had once been an uncontrollable force of destruction. The fire of ambition that he refused to let go still lingered in Drjekdan's memory.

"Glitheon now has a child more brilliant than himself," the Elder continued. "His great ambition belongs to that child, and he will not do anything to harm the child."

That was also true. The fire that had once threatened to consume the world eventually died down, giving rise to something greater. Glitheon was like fire, and Sylvia was like light.

"...So be it," Drjekdan agreed. "Go ahead and ask the new mages from the Floating Island for their input."

At Drjekdan’s words, all twelve elders bowed their heads.

"Yes, sir. Once the Floating Island selects the eight families, we will send out the invitations."

When that day came, Berhert’s will would be transmitted to all the Mage Towers and mage families across the country. It would be a spectacle as high-grading mages from all over the continent set off on their journey. However, the invitations always carried the following postscript:

Berhert does not guarantee the safety of any mage. In Berhert, the only law is magic. Death in Berhert is considered a natural consequence of magic. Remember this.

The reason for this would soon become clear.

***

After about ten days, the items I won from the auction in Luten started to arrive. Following Ganesha's advice, I purchased two top-quality Magitech safes and placed them separately in the main house and the annex of the mansion.

Additionally, I asked Professor Relin and his assistant mages from the Mage Tower of the University to enhance the mansion's defenses. With these measures in place, there should be no risk of theft.

"Among all these items, the ones I can use directly are..."

Amid the numerous items, two artifacts stood out and ended up in my hands. Both were relics that any mage would covet.

───────

[Rupherin’s Ring]

◆ Grade:

Masterpiece

◆ Information:

Equipment created by Rupherin, a renowned artifact craftsman of his time. It holds his blood, sweat, and breath.

◆ Category:

Equipment ? Artifact ? Accessory

◆ Wearing Effect:

Improves blood circulation, increases mana recovery speed, and slightly amplifies the power of all magic.

───────

The ring aids in blood circulation and mana recovery, and it also has a subtle amplification effect on magical power, typically around 1% to 3%.

───────

[Ancient Relic Necklace]

◆ Grade:

Relic

◆ Information:

An ancient necklace inscribed with runes.

◆ Category:

Equipment ? Artifact ? Accessory

◆ Wearing Effect:

Stores up to 300 mana.

───────

The necklace is designed to store mana, essentially functioning like a portable battery for phones. It absorbs up to three hundred mana from my body and acts as an auxiliary mana source.

While three hundred might sound insignificant, in the context of the game, mana capacity is an incredibly important stat. Items like this are rare. The limitation of my mana capacity is precisely why, despite being an Iron Man, I can't dream of becoming a knight.

These two precious items will be part of my equipment from now on. They also had an elegant design, fitting my Aesthetic Sense perfectly.

“However, the most important item...” I said, sighing as I looked at the problematic one. It was a luminous winter-colored metal, white and blue, with a mysterious glow. Although unrefined and misshapen, its very existence was magical—Snowflower Stone. "It's not responding."

Worth a staggering forty million elne, it didn't budge no matter how much Telekinesis I poured into it. It's not an issue of it being unrefined, too large, or my magic being insufficient. The mana within the metal was simply resisting my magic. In its current state, it couldn't be refined, smelted, or forged, and I couldn't control it.

"What should I do..."

I couldn't think of a solution since I had only seen this item briefly during the game, given its exorbitant price. As I stared at it, lost in thought, a phrase from a library book came to mind.

A master sword must be tamed. A knight wields the sword to tame it, a process known as communion.

Communion. As a mage, I had never learned swordsmanship. However, if taming meant truly understanding the essence of the sword, then perhaps...

I focused my Comprehension attribute on the Snowflower Stone, placing my hand on it for better contact. The sensation was both cold and warm, an impossible combination that tickled my palm.

But I wasn't interested in its physical properties, atomic structure, or material value. I sought a deeper understanding, one that transcended the material and achieved a state of communion beyond reason...

A searing pain, like an electric shock, shot through my eyes, and my hand on the Snowflower Stone felt scorched. Clutching one side of my eye, I stared at the Snowflower Stone. It appeared unchanged, but I could feel a difference. Using my Sharp Eyesight, the change became even clearer.

[Comprehension: 0.1%]

[Mana: 1,357 / 3,357 (+300)]

It took 2,000 mana to achieve a mere 0.1% understanding. Given my daily mana recovery rate of around 10,000, it would take at least a year to fully comprehend this metal. Even reaching 50%, or perhaps just 40%, might make it easier to control. Until then, Wood Steel would remain my best option.

"... Looks like I've got a new routine to follow," I said with a bitter smile, placing the Snowflower Stone in the safe.

Next, I put on Rupherin's Ring and the Ancient Relic Necklace. To my astonishment, something remarkable occurred.

"Hmm?"

The look and feel of the accessories on my body became even more refined.

───────

[Aesthetic Sense]

◆ Grade:

Unique

◆ Description:

A genius sense for distinguishing beauty from ugliness. Possesses the potential to master all forms of art and resonates with high-quality artworks.

───────

It appeared to be the effect of resonating with high-quality artworks. I had initially thought this attribute was almost as useless as Whiz Kid. While not practical, it wasn't entirely worthless. I put on my jacket and prepared to head to work.

***

As a professor, I am meticulous in my duties. In the morning, I bring the focus from my early training into the lab, where I analyze research papers. By noon, I head out to a restaurant for lunch.

Afterward, I return to the Mage Tower to prepare for my fourth-week class. I alternate between Allen's lecture notes and various books, considering what and how to teach. Time flies, and before I realize it, it’s already 5 p.m.

"... Midterms will be theory-based," I said, nodding to myself as I sat down in my chair.

Today, I completed the structure and content of the exams, along with the assignments and report topics. The exams would likely be extremely difficult.

"Heh," I chuckled to myself.

I took great pleasure in tormenting my students, imagining the mages struggling with the problems I set for them. But my mood shifted when I glanced at the planner on my desk.

Schedule Planner

It was Deculein's schedule planner. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. For the past week, one particular event had been weighing heavily on my mind.

April 9

Day of Remembrance

A day of remembrance. Not for Deculein's parents, but for his former fiancée, the one before Yulie. This wasn't surprising, as I had known about it for a long time. When I first met Ganesha at the Flower of the New Year social party, she had mentioned it. "Is it because he got engaged again?"

Deculein had a fiancée before Yulie, a detail I knew all too well, beyond the game's background information. One late night in what now feels like a distant world, most of the company employees were in crunch mode. During a break, we talked about Easter eggs. Yoo Ah-Ra had a clever idea and added a small backstory for Deculein—his first fiancée.

"In three days..."

Perhaps the only remnant in this world where I could remember her.

What kind of playful prank did you leave as an Easter egg? What was it that made you laugh so brightly? I plan to visit that place, to recall my memories and to remember you.

Knock, knock.

A knock echoed through the room. I opened the door with Telekinesis. It was Allen.

"Professor, Count Freyden is here to see—Ugh!" Allen exclaimed as he was pushed aside by a towering figure who entered the room behind him.

"Oh, sorry about that. My body is quite large. Are you alright?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine..." Allen said, bowing before leaving the room. Zeit watched him go, raising an eyebrow.

"Is he one of your subordinates?"

"Yes, he is an assistant professor."

"Hmm. He seems a bit... iffy," Zeit muttered something strange, crossing his arms.

I glanced at the clock. It was quarter after five, still early for our 7 p.m. reservation.

"We still have some time before our reservation."

"Ah, well, the place we're going to is quite famous, and I couldn't wait. I also hoped to catch a ride in your car," Zeit said, smiling broadly.

As expected, this man had his eye on a car as part of the dowry.

***

Font Mesul was one of the most prestigious restaurants in the Empire. Its reputation was so grand that even the Emperor dined there, making it nearly impossible for high-ranking nobles to secure dinner reservations. Yet, there they were, seated in a private room on the second floor.

"Ugh, ah..." Yulie said, fidgeting restlessly in her dress, making small, cooing noises like a baby. "Ah—"

Having only ever worn armor, the dress felt more restrictive than handcuffs. The accessories scratched at her skin, and the tight fabric squeezed her muscles uncomfortably.

"... Are you alright?" Josephine asked, observing Yulie's discomfort with an amused smile.

"Yes, I'm fine," Yulie replied, forcing a bitter smile.

"You don't seem fine."

"I'm fine."

Josephine rested her chin on her hand, pouted her lips, and raised an eyebrow and said, "You're lying."

"It's bearable.”

"It's not just the dress, is it? It's this whole situation and the marriage."

"What?" Yulie asked, taken aback.

"You don't want to get married, do you?" Josephine asked bluntly, leaving Yulie speechless.

"... I'm fine."

Josephine grinned mischievously and said, "If you hate it that much, do you want me to tell you a way out?"

"A way out?" Yulie said, tilting her head and asked innocently.

Josephine leaned in close and whispered in Yulie's ear, her voice barely audible.

"Just marry him and then kill him. That way, you can have the entire Yukline family to yourself."

It felt like a snake's tongue was licking her ear. Yulie shivered in horror. Her eyes widened as she stared at Josephine, her face rigid with shock. Such a thought was beyond Yulie’s wildest imagination.

"S-sister! How could you—"

"It was just a joke."

"That's not something to joke about!" Yulie exclaimed, pushing Josephine's hand away. Not stopping there, she attempted to hit Josephine with her fist, but she couldn't bring herself to strike and ended up flailing awkwardly instead.

"My dear sister, I was only teasing you. I can't bear to see you waste your life on such a man. Don't be too angry."

"Don't say that! No sane person would joke about something like this! It's not funny. It's insulting, an insult!"

"Well, I just did, didn't I?"

"S-stop! You really think this is a joke?" Yulie fumed, pounding the table in frustration.

Josephine continued to apologize, her tone growing more sincere as she tried to calm Yulie down. Just then, the door to the private room opened. A wave of clean, sophisticated air swept in, instantly changing the room's atmosphere.

The man they had been waiting for entered. Josephine couldn't help but let out an admiring sound as she saw him. Deculein's appearance and style were exceptionally polished that day.

"You must have turned a lot of heads when you walked in," Josephine remarked with a smile.

Deculein didn't respond. He simply gave a slight nod in acknowledgment before taking his seat. Next, Zeit squeezed through the door, his large frame taking up enough space for two people. He glanced at Josephine and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, Josephine, you're here too?" Zeit said, sounding surprised.

"Yes, I came to help dress up my sister. What do you think, brother?"

Zeit's eyes widened as he took in Yulie's appearance. She, who had always been devoted to her armor, was wearing a dress for the first time in over a decade.

"Ah, no wonder she looks so radiant. She really stands out, doesn't she?" Zeit said proudly to Deculein. Josephine had done an excellent job dressing Yulie, significantly transforming her appearance. "Yulie is my sister, but she is truly beautiful, and you, as a fellow man, are quite handsome yourself."

Deculein did not say anything, his gaze fixed on Yulie. She stared back at him, neither willing to look away first. In the midst of their silent battle of wills, Zeit turned his head to the side and chuckled to himself.