A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 119: Story (1)

Thud—

The echo of my footsteps lingered briefly before fading into silence. I halted in the hallway of the Imperial Palace, my attention drawn to the sudden flicker of a notification that appeared before me.

[Quest Complete: The Demon’s Mirror]

◆ Store Currency +10 n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

◆ Talent Acquired: Origin—Mirror

I had completed the quest, the Demon’s Mirror, earning both store currency and a new talent.

However, I still couldn’t fully grasp what had happened. I tried to piece together the events that had led me here. I’d been in the Mage Tower’s library, studying Mirror Magic and Glass Magic, when Sophien called for me at the Imperial Palace. We played a game of chess, but beyond that, nothing seemed significant.

Yet the reward had been extraordinary. The three core talents of a mage—attributes, origin, and curios—were considered as vital as one’s magical talent, and now, I had acquired one of them, the origin.

“Origin....”

My innate magical talents as a Deculein had always been rooted in the elements, particularly earth and fire. While mirrors could vaguely be linked to those forces, this new origin felt different, as though it held a deeper significance. Now, I possessed a unique blend of Origin—Mirror and Properties—Earth and Fire.

“However...”

I still couldn’t fully grasp how everything had played out—the quest finishing on its own and the Origin—Mirror that I had gained.

"Everyone, step outside!”

Suddenly, chaos erupted in the Imperial Palace. The halls echoed with noise as knights rushed in from every direction, sprinting through the corridors. Vassals and officials hurried past, their movements quick and frantic.

"Quickly! This way...!"

I trailed behind them at an unhurried pace.

As I continued walking, more people began to gather, crowding around the windows on the first floor to look outside.

"Lord Yukline, come see this remarkable sight!" someone exclaimed, tugging me toward the window.

At that moment, it became clear what they meant.

"It has been nearly fifteen years since Her Majesty last exercised in the morning..."

Empress Sophien was engaged in a sword fight with Keiron in the courtyard.

Like the others, I stood watching her, momentarily lost in thought before murmuring, "... The world must have shifted."

Though quietly spoken, the words sank deep into my mind, carrying a weight I couldn’t ignore. They stirred my thoughts, spreading like ripples from a stone dropped into still water. Sophien, exercising at dawn—there was nothing ordinary about it. It felt like an omen, a shadow of something ominous approaching.

As if to confirm my suspicion, I remembered that I had just completed a quest. Saying nothing more, I turned and left the knights and vassals behind, retracing my steps through the corridor.

I soon reached a quiet, hidden part of the palace, where a passage descended into the underground chambers. I paused before an old wooden door, its presence feeling strangely out of place, as though it had been forgotten. Slowly, I stepped closer and grasped the handle.

Click—

The door remained stuck, offering only a faint creak. I placed my palm against it, and a cold, unfamiliar sensation seeped through my skin.

"... This must be the place."

It felt as if something deep inside me was stirring—an instinct left unspoken, or a memory long buried. I couldn’t remember it now, but I could sense it, waiting for the right moment to surface.

“Of course,” I muttered with a nod, then turned away, leaving the door behind without a second glance.

A sudden cheer erupted from the halls above, filling the palace with energy. Excitement buzzed through the air as everyone focused on Sophien’s swordplay. I briefly considered joining the crowd or perhaps bringing Yulie along for company. Or perhaps...

"Yulie," I called, turning to find her hidden in the shadows, mimicking the stillness of the knight statues from the underground chamber as if she were one of them.

She flinched at being discovered and asked, “Did you... know I was here all along?”

"Come along. Let’s watch Her Majesty's swordplay together. As an Instructor Knight, you will find it useful for your next lesson."

“...Yes, Professor,” Yulie replied, her plated armor clanking as she stepped forward to fall in line beside me.

We walked together in silence. I knew our farewell was inevitable, but for now—on this strange, peculiar day—we could remain side by side a little longer...

***

"... Ephie! Ephie!"

A voice drifted into Epherene’s foggy consciousness, followed by hands gently shaking her awake. Her sleep-heavy eyes slowly fluttered open, sluggish and lifeless, like those of a waking zombie.

Through her barely opened eyelids, she saw her friend, Julia, leaning in and saying, "Did you hear about it?"

“Hear what...?”

“Sylvia!”

“... Sylvia?” Epherene muttered, letting out a long yawn as she pushed herself upright.

Julia’s voice rose with excitement as she went on, “Yes! She’s already a Monarch!”

Still groggy, Epherene yawned again, this time as wide as a dinosaur, before asking, “Monarch?”

“Yes! Monarch!”

“... You mean the mage rankings?” Epherene asked, stretching as she let out an even bigger yawn.

"Exactly! She’s a Monarch-ranked mage now!"

"... Well, she was always capable of something like that."

“What do you mean, capable?! Ephie, she could end up being our professor just like that!”

“No way~” Epherene muttered, her eyes drifting to the chalkboard. The lecture on Wide-Area Magic for Beast Defense: Fire Property—Destruction Category had already ended. “Still, if she’s already a Monarch... I kind of envy that.”

Truthfully, Epherene felt she was wasting time in some of her classes. Most of the lectures for the Solda rank were far too easy, covering material she had already mastered.

"Why would you envy that?! Come on. She only got there because of her family’s influence! If she were a commoner, she’d never have made it. She barely held the Solda rank for six months, and now she’s already a Monarch!"

“... True,” Epherene said, reluctantly agreeing with Julia’s frustration as she stood up.

“By the way, Ephie, why haven’t you been coming to the restaurant lately?” Julia asked, tilting her head in slight disappointment, her expensive artifact earrings jingling as she moved.

Epherene sighed and said, “You know~ I’d love to, but there’s just too much to study.”

Epherene hardly ever found enough time to eat, let alone leave the Mage Tower. Over the next month, she needed to at least grasp some of the paper Deculein had assigned her, even if full comprehension was beyond her reach.

“We even started offering food delivery recently,” Julia said.

“... Really?”

That caught Epherene’s attention.

Julia smiled and said, “Yup. There’s usually an extra charge, but since you’re a regular, delivery’s free for you, Ephie.”

“... Yeah?” Epherene said as her stomach growled. She unconsciously licked her lips. “Then maybe I will today—”

***

After placing her order with Roahawk, Epherene cheerfully made her way up to the 77th floor.

Head Professor: Deculein

She idly fidgeted with the documents meant for Professor Deculein as she knocked on the office door.

Knock, knock—

She waited, but there was no response from within.

“Not here again?” Epherene muttered, pushing the door open.

The door swung open without resistance, revealing an empty room. Deculein had either forgotten to lock it or had only stepped out for a moment. Epherene walked in and placed the documents on his desk.

“... Hmm~”

As she was about to leave, she glanced around before quietly reaching for the desk drawer.

“What exactly do you think you’re doing?”

“Ahhh!” Epherene gasped, startled, whipping her head toward the voice.

A tall mirror hung on the wall, with Deculein standing inside it. Instinctively, she turned to look behind her, but he wasn’t there. When she glanced back at the mirror, he was still inside.

“... What? You’re inside the mirror, but...”

There was no trace of him outside, a sight that defied human perception. As Epherene stood there, staring in confusion, Deculein stepped out of the mirror with a swift, fluid motion.

“What?!”

Deculein walked calmly to his chair and sat down, causing Epherene to retreat in fear. In a tone laced with disapproval, he said, “How can a mage be so easily shaken by magic?”

“What sort of... magic is that?”

“It is Mirror Magic.”

Epherene glanced at the mirror from which he had emerged. It didn’t appear to be a special artifact.

“Epherene, you’ve been coming here frequently lately, and without permission.”

“The door was open... and these documents were supposed to be important.”

"That’s three penalty points for you."

“... You might have simply locked the door.”

Deculein ignored her comment, opened the folder, and signed the document with his fountain pen.

At that moment, a loud voice resonated through the office.

— Hello! This is Chairwoman Adrienne! My voice is being broadcast across the entire Mage Tower!

“What now...” Epherene murmured, glancing at the paper Deculein had signed. The title read Confirmation of Candidacy for Chairman Position.

— My term is coming to an end! And today, we’ll be announcing the candidates for the next Chairman position!

“Epherene, do you find yourself with nothing better to do?” Deculein asked coldly.

“N-no, I’ll be going now,” Epherene replied quickly, hurrying out of the office.

Adrienne’s voice echoed through the hallways on the 77th floor.

— Candidate number one, Head Professor Deculein! Candidate number two, leader of the Dukan School and Imperial Palace-approved mage—Ihelm!

Epherene pressed the elevator button, knowing Roahawk’s delivery was expected to arrive soon.

“My evaluation as Chairwoman will be based purely on performance! Additionally, anonymous judges will take part in the assessment! The final decision for the Chairman position will be announced in winter, or perhaps spring! It’s not far off now, is it?!”

Ding—!

The elevator doors slid open, and Epherene frowned the moment she saw who was inside. A tall, blond man with an arrogant look.

“Hmm~?” Ihelm, the second candidate, remarked. While Epherene scowled, he offered a warm smile. “Ah~ Leaf. Will you not step inside?”

He wedged his foot in the closing door, forcing it back open. Epherene sighed in annoyance and reluctantly stepped inside.

“Why such hostility, Leaf? Have I acted in a way that displeases you?”

“I’ve already told you—my name is Epherene.”

“That name lacks charm. Leaf has a nicer ring to it, wouldn’t you agree?”

She remained silent, unwilling to continue the argument.

The elevator descended swiftly, the silence broken by Ihelm’s voice. He spoke in a low, deliberate tone and said, “Leaf, are you really going to let Deculein become Chairman?”

Epherene remained silent.

“If you allow it, your father and his work will be buried forever, lost to obscurity.”

“... Ugh, seriously,” Epherene muttered under her breath, frustrated by the constant mention of her father.

She clenched her teeth and glared at him, but Ihelm merely smirked and continued, “Deculein’s thesis will be presented soon. Do you really think he’ll give your father, the original author, any recognition? No, he’ll erase him—erase his existence entirely, without you ever knowing.”

Irritated, Epherene raised her voice and yelled, “Ah, stop it! Why do you keep—”

“Take this,” Ihelm said, calmly extending a sheet of paper.

“What is it?”

“It’s a witness application form.”

“... Sorry?”

“I’m planning to put you forward as a witness in the upcoming hearing.”

Epherene glanced at the application paper. The text stated that the candidate for Chairperson, Ihelm, was formally requesting Solda Epherene to serve as a witness at the upcoming hearing.

“No I refu—”

“You’re free to refuse, but keep this in mind—you’re the only card I have left to play against Deculein.”

“... Hmph. Who cares?” Epherene muttered, crumpling the paper in her fist.

“Put simply, if you don’t act, Deculein will become Chairman. When that happens, he’ll bury your father and his work for good.”

Her hands stopped mid-motion.

Ding—!

At that moment, the elevator arrived at its destination.

“Leaf, have you ever wondered why Deculein keeps you close? What do you think his reason is?”

Epherene remained quiet.

“You have to think about it. Think,” Ihelm said, his eyes fixed on the open elevator doors. “Is it guilt over his subordinate’s death? Sympathy for you as the daughter of that man? A brief moment of pity? No, that’s not it.”

“... What’s your point?” Epherene asked.

Ihelm tilted his head slightly, his golden hair shimmering as his red eyes narrowed with a sly grin, and said, “You are Deculein’s Achilles’ heel.”

“... What are you talking about?”

“The safest way to avoid being hurt is to control the weapon yourself.”

Epherene stepped out of the elevator in silence, Ihelm’s voice trailing behind her as she walked away.

“That’s why he keeps you close—to keep you from getting any dangerous ideas. And if you do, he’ll catch on right away.”

At the entrance of the Mage Tower, the delivery driver glanced around, clearly looking for someone.

Epherene quickly approached and asked, “Is that the Roahawk delivery? It’s mine. How much is it?"

“It’s 300 elne,” the driver replied.

As Epherene fumbled for her wallet, Ihelm appeared beside her and said, “Would you like me to pay for that?”

“Oh, for crying out loud—no, just leave,” Epherene snapped.

“Are you sure? Just remember what I told you. Hold on to that witness application form—it’s your only way to bring down your father’s enemy,” Ihelm said, patting her shoulder before walking away.

“Ugh, he's such an annoying jerk... Here’s 300 elne,” Epherene said, handing the driver the money.

“Thank you. Enjoy your meal~”

As Epherene stepped back into the elevator, Ihelm’s words echoed in her mind.

“That’s why he keeps you close—to keep you from getting any dangerous ideas. And if you do, he’ll catch on right away.”

Epherene held back the sigh that was building in her chest.

“If you allow it, your father and his work will be buried forever, lost to obscurity.”

She looked down at the crumpled witness application form in her hand.

“Hold on to that witness application form—it’s your only way to bring down your father’s enemy.”

Although it was wrinkled beyond use, she couldn’t bring herself to tear it apart. Instead, she tucked it into her pocket.

***

The Origin—Mirror had been an unexpectedly beautiful reward. While techniques like perfectly parrying an attack, reminiscent of certain games, were clearly impossible, I had gained the ability to manipulate phenomena such as refraction and reflection through mirrors as a talent.

This allowed me to move through mirrors as if they were portals, a near-masterful use of magic. Having acquired the talent only yesterday, I still hadn’t fully grasped its true potential.

At that moment...

Knock knock—

Someone knocked on my office door. I opened it with a flick of Telekinesis.

“Professor,” Primien said, a box tucked under her arm. “I’ve compiled everything related to Cielia.”

Thud—!

Primien placed the box on my desk, filled to the brim with reports.

From the box, she retrieved a single file and said, “This is the report on Monarch Sylvia.”

“... Monarch.”

“Yes, Sylvia has reached the same rank as you, Professor. Her accomplishment was the creation of an artificial island in the orbit of the Floating Island.”

Monarch Sylvia. I paused for a moment, then nodded. I couldn’t deny a slight twinge of jealousy.

“Please review it, starting from the top,” Primien said as she took her seat.

I raised the file with Telekinesis, carefully reading each sentence without missing a single word.

Thud—

I closed the file. Primien observed me with a sharp gaze as I asked, “Is this true?”

“It’s only speculation on my end, but I believe you, Professor, are in the best position to confirm the truth.”

I glanced back at the file. Buried in the thick stack of documents was a single letter, its edges charred. It struck my mind like a needle, stirring fragmented memories I hadn’t realized were there.

“Did you truly believe your death would settle everything? That walking away like this would bring it all to a close?”

... The memory of gloved hands tightening around someone's neck.

“This is no insignificant deal. Your pathetic, damned existence holds no value whatsoever, woman.”

In that memory, Deculein had been furious, his face contorted and veins bulging, looking nothing short of demonic.

“I will kill your husband, Glitheon, and that damn daughter you so dearly love. Every last one of them will die by my hand.”

He screamed in what sounded like agony, pouring every ounce of his malevolence into the curse.

“I will tear them apart and obliterate every last one of them!”

“... Professor?”

That voice pulled me back to the present. A sudden headache blurred my vision and made my eyes tremble.

“Are you feeling alright, Professor?” Primien asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

I dismissed her with a wave and said, “I’m fine. You may leave now.”

“No, Professor. The Sylvia Task Force meeting is scheduled for today.”

“... And?”

“I ask for your presence,” Primien said, resting her hand on the box she had brought. “I’ve completed your request, Professor. Now it’s your turn.”