A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 41: Emperor (2)

“Greetings,” I began as I stepped onto the quiet podium. “I’m Deculein, Head Professor at the Mage Tower of the Imperial University and a Monarch-rank mage specializing in element magic.”

As usual, I started my lecture with an introduction.

“Today, we’ll discuss the Pure Elements Exam that was auctioned last week. We have exactly 120 minutes.”

I had prepared the lecture content and structure a week in advance, but I knew there was a good chance it wouldn't go as planned. The Chairwoman's incessant chuckling from the start was already bothering me.

“Before we get into the questions, I’ll briefly explain Pure Elements.”

Although the lecture was designed as a series of problem-solving questions, I began with a summary of the content I had taught in previous Mage Tower classes. I gave a short lecture using Pure Elements like Flowing Fire, Thundercloud, and Will-o'-the-Wisp.

"... However, these Pure Elements have no inherent purpose. Their function depends entirely on the mage's intention. This distinction must be clear."

Thinking about Pure Elements and Categories of Magic at the same time can be confusing. It’s like trying to draw two pictures with both hands simultaneously. It’s easier to draw one at a time, but separating the processes can be challenging.

“We will skip the first five questions and start with Question 6.”

Question 6 appeared in midair. It involved implementing the magic Frost Mist, which harmonized three Pure Elements. However, since the main focus of the lecture was on Questions 7 and 8, I planned to briefly explain question 6 and then move on.

“I have a question!”

Suddenly, someone raised their hand. It was the Chairwoman, as expected.

“Question! Question!” she called out, standing up abruptly, her voice high and clear.

I paused, looking at her, and said, "Go ahead."

“Yes, Professor! You emphasized the distinction between Pure Elements and Categories of Magic, right?!” the Chairwoman said, projecting a spell in midair. “Then, how would you combine this Question 6 magic for optimal destructive power?”

I briefly examined her spell using Comprehension. Three seconds were enough. I added a core circuit to her magic circle, a straight line representing Explosion composed of twenty-eight strokes.

"This should be enough to freeze and shatter your target."

“Oh? Ah... yes, I see... thank you,” she said, blinking as she sat down and retracted her mana.

“Now, let’s move on to Question 7,” I said, projecting it into the air.

7. Given that the magic containing the core circuit meets the following four conditions, deduce the complete spell and implement the magic.

The question involved the Artificial Star, which used all element forces—water, wind, earth, and fire.

As I was explaining, the Chairwoman stood up again and shouted, “Professor! I have another question!”

“Question 7 has two core circuits, right? Wouldn't having more than one make the magic more complex and prone to errors?! In my opinion...” the Chairwoman said, projecting the magic circle for Question 7, which was different from mine. “Wouldn't it be simpler with just one core circuit like this? Why did you choose to use two, risking the circuits getting tangled?!”

She probably already knew the answer herself.

I stared blankly at the smirking Chairwoman for a moment, then nodded and said, “Good question.”

Then I recreated her spell using my mana and replied, “However, if you use only one core circuit in this Artificial Star, the mana consumption will be extreme.”

She quickly retorted, as if expecting my answer, “But wouldn’t the mana consumption be even higher with two core circuits? From what I know, one should suffice, so using two seems wasteful!”

The other mages seemed to agree with her; after all, it was the Chairwoman speaking.

I responded calmly, “Yes, generally speaking, you are correct. But this isn’t always the case. It depends on the nature of the magic. The reason this Artificial Star has two core circuits is to utilize both the caster’s mana and the magic’s own energy.”

Her expression stiffened slightly as I went on.

“This Artificial Star has unique properties. One core circuit handles circulation, and the other handles condensation.”

Magic is naturally powered by mana, but with the right design, it can sustain its own energy. The Artificial Star uses this advanced technique.

“The four Pure Elements circulate and condense within the Artificial Star, allowing it to sustain itself with minimal mana,” I added. “In contrast, the spell you presented is not a star but merely a mass of mana.”

The Chairwoman stayed silent, her once cheerful face now clouded.

“But...” I said, glancing at the clock. I had promised 120 minutes, and 110 had already passed. “We’ve spent too much time on questions, so we’ll skip the explanation for Question 8.”

Everyone looked at the Chairwoman, who simply pursed her lips and stayed silent.

“Finally, I'll take a few more questions before we wrap up.”

At that moment, a cold voice echoed from somewhere, “Did you create Question 8 yourself?”

The question was direct and accusatory. I frowned and turned toward the voice. A mage in a robe was staring at me.

“Please introduce yourself,” I said.

“I am Louina, a mage.”

Louina. The name sounded familiar. I had a vague idea of who she was.

“Please clarify your question.”

“I mean exactly what I asked. Did you really create Question 8 yourself, or did someone else write it for you? I'm curious.”

Louina was a mage who often opposed me and gave out quests. I had probably expelled her from the Mage Tower, forcing her into exile in the kingdom. As a named character, her grudge against me was intense and well-known.

“... Are you suggesting that someone else wrote the exam questions for Professor Deculein?! Plagiarism?!” the Chairwoman shouted, standing up.

An unusual murmur filled the lecture hall.

Louina laughed while the Chairwoman continued, “That’s impossible! Professor Deculein would never do something like that!”

I wished she would shut up. The mages silently conveyed the same with their eyes. Some seemed to agree, others were skeptical, and a few looked uncertain. I stood still, contemplating, when a good idea came to me.

“No, that's not right, is it, Professor Deculein?!”

I chuckled softly and shook my head. “Inspiration often comes from outside oneself.”

The room filled with a collective gasp.

“However,” I said, releasing my mana. Lines of energy began to form a formula in midair. “This entire creation is mine alone.”

With my eyes closed, I first imagined the scene, then translated it into a spell, arranging the appropriate Pure Elements like paint on a canvas. I projected the spell, a construct of my mind, into the outside world with my mana. This was the hallmark of Comprehension. Once something becomes fully understood, it can be recreated with much less mana.

Creating Question 8 had consumed over 10,000 mana, but now forming a similar magic circle required only 3,000. The intricate spell appeared in midair, and every mage in the hall watched it take shape. It came together smoothly, like sketching with a pen or pencil, completing the sequence of ten connected magic circles.

“Since I created this on the spot, the solution will be completely different from Question 8. I’ll leave the answer to you. It’s your homework for today.”

Unable to fully manifest the magic with the mana I had left, I decided to leave it as homework.

I finished and looked at Louina and said, “Does that answer your question, Professor Louina?”

But when I looked to where she had stood, she was gone. A wry smile spread across my lips.

"That concludes today's lecture."

I gathered my document on the podium, straightened my sleeves, and glanced at the Chairwoman, who looked disgruntled. Soon, a few young mages from the front row approached me, unusually for mages, to ask for autographs

***

[Event Quest Completed]

◆ Mana Point +30

After the lecture, I returned to my mansion and noticed another car in the driveway. It was Yeriel’s. When I entered the main house, I found her in the dining room, eating.

She was cutting into her steak when she looked up and asked, “You gave a lecture at the Floating Island, right? ... Sir?”

“Yes,” I said, nodding.

“Was everything okay? The mages on the Floating Island are on a different level than the novices at the Mage Tower.”

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Oh, come on. Why do you always say I’m worried about you? Do you really want to be fussed over? I honestly don’t worry about you at all.”

I naturally took a seat directly across from her. The servants hurried over to set my place. Yeriel seemed surprised by my sudden company but quickly changed the subject.

“... I heard you made forty million elne?”

“Yes. If you ever need cash, just let me know. I can lend you some.”

“Wait... lend it to me? You’re willing to lend but not give? Just give me half already!”

I silently cut my meat, thinking once again how the culinary standards of the mansion were impeccable. The ingredients were top-notch, and the chefs were paid generously compared to those in other households.

“I’ll just take ten million elne. Also, the Mage Tower wants to have the Debutant’s Educational Retreat at Hadecaine,” Yeriel said, pulling a document from her handbag.

Educational Retreat Plan for the Magic Studies Department, Mage Tower of the Imperial University

Even mages have educational retreats. I don't know if they drink and perform talent shows like students from Earth, but making Magic Fireworks in teams was apparently mandatory.

“... Hadecaine, huh,” I mused.

Hadecaine was the capital of Yukline territory, a place I had been meaning to visit. It housed both a local Mage Tower and a Knights Order. With its excellent climate, it was second only to the capital. The city had been modeled after the best parts of Los Angeles.

“What do you think, Yeriel?”

“I think it’s great. Not all Debutants will stay at the Mage Tower of the University forever. They might like the city and join our Mage Tower,” she said proudly, watching my reaction carefully.

I nodded and said, “Alright.”

“Great,” Yeriel said, putting the document back in her handbag before picking up her knife again.

Watching her closely, I said, “When you use a knife—”

“God, I’m not eating here,” Yeriel interrupted, grabbing her plate and escaping to her room, clearly annoyed that I was lecturing her even at the dining table.

After she left, I finished my meal in peace and went up to my study. Sitting at my desk, I pulled out a sponsorship certificate from the Mage Tower. The beneficiary was Epherene Luna. While the test was my original creation, the inspiration had come from her father.

The idea of painting with Pure Elements was his, so I decided to donate part of the forty million elne to Epherene and the Luna family.

“Juhale's Luna.”

I had gathered some information about the Luna family. They had a tragic history. Although the family name survived, their mansion was auctioned off ten years ago. Now, only Epherene and her grandparents remained. I wrote them a letter and enclosed 100,000 elne for their family.

***

Today, I wore a neat, deep blue outfit. Even my staff matched in a clean, complementary shade.

“Are you ready?” Yeriel asked. I looked at her steadily before reaching out. She flinched, trying to step back. “Wh-what is it?”

“Hold still.”

“... Ugh!” Yeriel exclaimed, closing her eyes tightly as my hand got closer.

I straightened the wrinkles in her collar and sleeves, then used Telekinesis to remove any dust from her clothes.

Looking pristine, Yeriel grumbled, “... You’re really obsessive, you know that?”

“Follow me,” I said as I headed outside.

It was a clear, bright summer day. Roy waited by the car, and Yeriel and I got in. The succession ceremony was set to take place today at Gifrein Plaza in the capital.

“Yeriel, take this,” I said, handing her a document sealed with sealing magic.

She frowned and asked, “What’s this?”

“It’s my prediction based on an analysis of the next Emperor’s tendencies and other factors.”

The document contained predictions based on important events I knew about, specifically those that could benefit us and reduce the story's difficulty.

“Ha, what are you, some kind of prophet?”

“Just take it,” I said.

Yeriel sighed, shaking her head as if she pitied me, but she accepted the document.

“Make sure you read it.”

“... You really need to stop pretending to be a genius.”

Prophecies are always laughable at first. But once they start coming true, people open their eyes wide in surprise and wonder what’s going on.

“Master, we can’t go any further,” Roy said, pointing to the massive crowd blocking the road. We got out of the car.

“This way to the Yukline family’s area,” an imperial knight said, guiding us.

We walked through a reserved pathway and soon reached the plaza where the ceremony would take place. A long, wide carpet stretched across the plaza, lined with hundreds of knights on both sides. At the end of the carpet was a high platform with the Emperor’s throne at its peak.

“This way,” the royal guard said, directing us to a spot close to the throne.

Nearby were several imperial families, including Maho, and named characters like Ihelm, Glitheon, Sylvia, Essensil, Bethan, Ragan, Zeit, and Josephine. Among them, I focused on one person—Yulie. She acknowledged me with a nod, looking quite tired, with dark circles under her eyes. I wanted to approach her, but it wasn’t the right time for greetings.

Boom—!

A drum sounded, signaling the start of the imperial succession. Trumpets and traditional music followed. An imperial carriage appeared not far away, and the cheers of the citizens shook the heavens. The grand, ornate carriage stopped at the start of the carpet. As the cheers and music gradually subsided, the carriage door opened, and a slender leg stepped onto the ground first.

It was Sophien Aekater Augus von Jaegus Gifrein. Her long, fiery red hair and sharp, regal features were striking, though her eyes looked languid. She was destined to be an Empress. With an air of authority, Sophien walked the path only an Emperor could tread. As she walked, the crowd in the plaza knelt and bowed their heads.

Finally, Sophien ascended the platform. Step by step, the throne drew nearer, and beside it stood her mother, the Empress Dowager. Sophien knelt before the throne. With tears in her eyes, the Empress dowager placed the golden crown on Sophien’s head.

Boom—!

Boom—!

Boom—!

The drum sounded repeatedly. Sophien became Empress and took her place on the throne. From the seat of ultimate power, she surveyed the world. Despite her position, she seemed to be filled with ennui.

I knew the reason for her ennui. I knew her origins. I knew her life. The character setting of the Empress was... She suddenly tilted her head and looked at me. I bowed immediately, our eye contact lasting only a moment. Yet, I felt her piercing gaze.

The Empress was still watching me...