A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 304: Again, Mage Tower (2)

Restricted Access Area

Epherene was stealthily walking down into the basement of the Mage Tower library. Since the library itself was located in the Mage Tower’s basement, this meant she was effectively descending into the Mage Tower’s basement.

“… Why are these stairs so long?” Epherene muttered.

Epherene checked Deculein’s map once more.

“It should be correct, right here.”

There is certainly something within this basement. I don’t yet know what it is, but this basement is the very epicenter of the earthquake. And the Professor’s map cannot be wrong… Epherene muttered.

Tap—

At that moment, she reached a flat floor, and cautiously surveyed her surroundings.

This place is dark, but surprisingly clean. Like an office in a basement prison, perhaps?

“… Where am I?” Epherene muttered.

It was a space of entirely unknown purpose. Epherene walked forward stealthily, concentrating all her attention on her surroundings, yet found no magical security devices.

Tap—

At that moment, a pointed finger touched Epherene’s shoulder, and a silent scream welled up from her very core.

Epherene clapped both hands over her mouth, trembling as she turned to look. There stood a woman—no, a stranger—in a black suit, who curled her lips at Epherene as if she were pathetic.

“Foolish Epherene.”

It was a familiar greeting, far too lacking in manners to be proper, but a greeting nonetheless.

“Who are…?”

“It’s Sylvia, who else?” Sylvia replied.

Even with Sylvia’s self-introduction, Epherene’s face remained entirely confused because Sylvia’s appearance was too different from before.

“As expected, your foolishness prevents recognition,” Sylvia added, removing her glasses.

Only then did Epherene’s eyes widen.

“What.”

It’s strange. Sylvia and I are the same age, but her appearance is so mature now, as if she alone has aged, Epherene thought.

“Did you dye your hair?” Epherene asked.

“Do you really believe that is what’s important now, foolish Epherene. What are you doing here,” Sylvia replied.

“… Oh, I mean—”

“More to the point, you stole it, didn’t you,” Sylvia interrupted, her brow furrowing.

“… Hmm? Stole what?” Epherene replied, tilting her head innocently.

“The painting I painted on the island, of course. You stole it,” Sylvia said, glaring at Epherene.

One of Deculein’s paintings, created by Sylvia on Sylvia’s Island, had been stolen long ago. However, the investigation results pointed to the most likely culprit being…

“Epherene, answer me.”

“What painting? What are you talking about, all of a sudden?” Epherene asked.

“… Don’t pretend to be ignorant,” Sylvia said, twisting her lips and shaking her head. “Your mana has already been detected.”

“Okay, stop. For now, shhh,” Epherene said, putting a finger over her lips.

Clank—

From a distant upper floor, the resounding click of the Restricted Access Area’s lock opening reached their ears.

“… What? How could the lock be… But I snapped it?”

“I recreated it with the Primary Colors,” Sylvia replied, manifesting the Primary Colors. “Now, hide.”

The floor Sylvia intended to paint over was the ground they stood upon. After digging a circular hole like a manhole, they hid themselves beneath it, and by fashioning and covering it with a lid, the simple concealment was complete.

“Wow, your talent is amazing as always. This is convenient,” Epherene whispered.

“And you are as foolish as always,” Sylvia replied, scoffing at Epherene.

“… Even when complimented, you’re such a pain. You never change, do you?”

“If you had just admitted to stealing the painting, I would have been nicer to you.”

“Oh, come on. I didn’t steal it—I am telling you.”

“I told you, your mana was detected.”

While Epherene and Sylvia were engaged in their spat, steady footsteps approached, not from a single person, but from many.

“… This is fascinating.”

The voice expressing fascination was familiar to Epherene—it was Professor Siare of the destructive category.

What’s so fascinating? Epherene thought, her ears perking up.

“It is certainly so.”

The one who replied was Professor Relin.

What’s that fat one up to now? Epherene thought.

“As they mentioned, consuming the potion has modified the quality of my mana.”

At Relin’s words, Sylvia and Epherene looked at each other.

“Yes, that is so. Pedhel was the first to consume it, wasn’t he, Professor Relin?”

“That is correct. To see a newcomer who was once nothing of note now named as a rising star… it is, I would say, rather presumptuous.”

The conversation between Siare and Relin is very suspicious. Could they both be involved with the Altar? Epherene thought.

“However, we are now, by all accounts, in this together, Professor Relin. Such matters can be discussed for later,” Siare replied, a smile gracing her lips.

“Agreed. Well, what importance do such matters hold now, when the Mage Tower of the University is about to become a Yukline house institution? Our very necks are on the line, courtesy of that Plagiarist Professor.” Relin said, revealing his true colors.

“By the way, the potion delivery should be arriving soon,” Siare replied.

Relin turned toward something—it was the center of this empty space.

“They adhere strictly to their schedule. Therefore, the countdown began—three seconds, two seconds, one second—”

Whoooosh—

Magic resounded in some way, and then two bottles of potion materialized, and as Relin had said, a delivery had arrived.

“… Then, let us return,” Relin said.

“Yes, let us go,” Siare replied.

Epherene and Sylvia watched, their expressions rather serious, as Relin and Siare each took a bottle of potion and walked back up the stairs.

*** f\r(e)ewe.b no\vel.com

“… No, I didn’t steal it. I am telling you. Why do you keep picking on me when I didn’t do anything?” Epherene said.

Although they had reached the ground floor, Epherene and Sylvia continued their argument in the café located on the first floor of the Mage Tower.

“There’s no one else who could have stolen it except you. I told you your mana was detected—”

“Then the detection must be wrong. What even went missing?” Epherene asked.

I cannot bring myself to say it. How can I, with my own mouth, admit it was a painting by Deculein. Could she know what it is about. That’s why she’s playing with me right now, Sylvia thought.

“How shameless,” Sylvia muttered.

“What are you saying? By the way, Sylvia, could you make me an identification card so I can stay here?”

“… An identification card,” Sylvia replied, her eyes narrowing.

“Yes, can’t it be done with those Primary Colors or something? I can’t keep going back and forth like this. Something might happen at the Mage Tower, you know.”

“Well, your status is in ruin,” Sylvia replied.

I’d heard news of Epherene before—that she had become estranged from Deculein over her father’s incident and, out of spite, completely stripped him of his office, Sylvia thought.

“… Yeah, I’d be arrested immediately if I were found out,” Epherene muttered.

In response to Epherene’s words, Sylvia twisted her lips and then created an identification card for Epherene, labeling her as Mage Tower Janitor.

“No, not like this. Can’t you just have me registered as a proper mage?” Epherene asked, shaking her head.

“You ask for much. Why must it be mage.”

“I need to attend Professor Relin and Professor Siare’s lectures. I must understand what has changed to properly prepare.”

“Alright. But on one condition,” Sylvia replied, a hint of agreement in her voice.

“Condition? What would that be?”

Creating identification cards with the Primary Colors was simple. While further investigations—such as searching Mage Tower employee records or student lists—might expose the forgery, there was no risk as long as it remained unnoticed.

“Attend my lectures.”

“… Your lectures?” Epherene replied, furrowing her brow.

“Yes, I am a professor as well. Since it’s still the drop period and the class is currently under-enrolled, you can join midway.”

Epherene remained silent.

“And one more thing,” Sylvia continued, her face unnecessarily serious as she addressed a confused Epherene. “Give my lecture evaluation a perfect rating.”

“… What?”

At that moment, a Mage Tower employee carrying a poster entered the café where the two were seated, and Epherene’s and Sylvia’s eyes were naturally drawn to it.

Swish, swish—

The contents of the poster, pressed against the cafe wall, were as follows.

Notice of Empress Sophien’s Instructor Mage Selection Examination

◆ Qualifications Required : All mages of the Empire, registered on the Floating Island.

◆ Selection Process : First-round theoretical examination, second-round practical examination, and a final audience with Empress Sophien.

◆ Reward for Selected Candidates : Three million elne, and an artifact personally crafted by Chairman Deculein.

◆ Reference Materials for First-Round Theoretical Examination: All magic tomes of Advanced grade or higher, categorized by their respective categories.

The person who posted the poster was already gone, but the eyes of both Epherene and Sylvia remained glued on the paper. Epherene desired the three million elne and the opportunity to showcase her magic to Her Majesty, the Empress, and Sylvia, on the other hand, desired only one thing—an artifact personally crafted by Deculein.

Gulp—

“… Wait, wouldn’t it be a problem if Professor Relin or Professor Siare were assigned to that?” Epherene asked, swallowing hard.

“Yes, it would be a problem,” Sylvia replied.

For it being a perfectly good excuse, after a brief silence, Epherene and Sylvia soon met each other’s eyes and nodded.

… Fifteen minutes later, once again at the Mage Tower library.

“It’s been a while since I’ve studied. Preparing for exams brings back old memories, doesn’t it?” Epherene said.

“Epherene, given your foolishness, I doubt you would pass anyway,” Sylvia replied.

“Why are you always trying to pick a fight?”

Epherene and Sylvia studied together as they had in the past, Epherene concentrating on the manipulation category and Sylvia on the harmonic category.

“How difficult would the exam be? I expect the Professor to design it,” Epherene added.

“… If it’s difficult, that’s even better,” Sylvia replied, pausing as if lost in thought before a smile bloomed on her face.

The midterm exam given by Deculein was something Sylvia solved repeatedly whenever she felt depressed, thereby often overcoming her inner struggles and withstanding the waves of emotion that crashed upon her.

Perhaps the main reason was that Sylvia herself had come to aspire to become a professor—that is, one who would instruct.

“Dude, I heard you signed up for a new lecture.”

Meanwhile, from a nearby table, the voice of an unknown female mage carried over, yet Sylvia and Epherene paid it no mind and applied themselves to their studies.

“Yeah, it’s fucking nonsense. Maybe it’s because a part-time professor is teaching it.”

However, for some reason, that conversation brought a feeling of unease to Sylvia.

A new lecture, taught by a part-time professor? Could it be…?

“What was it called, the Nexus of the Four Great Elements, or something? The lecture title itself is a bit much, and the teaching is absolutely terrible.”

The lecture title itself is a bit much, and the teaching is absolutely terrible, Sylvia thought.

“I wonder how she, as a part-time professor of all people, managed to get hired for that position.”

Sylvia clenched her teeth tightly.

“Pfft—”

From the front, the sound of laughter reached Sylvia, and of course, it was Epherene.

“… Oops, sorry,” Epherene said.

“Seriously, she teaches in the hardest fucking way. I honestly don’t even know what she’s trying to teach. That professor seemed like a commoner, and I wonder if all commoners are like that.”

“Pfff!” Epherene murmured, her laughter growing louder.

Sylvia’s face flushed redder than ever.

“Heheheh. Right, of course. You, a descendant of a Count’s house, must exercise patience.”

“Damn it, tell me about it. I just wanted to pick up some missing credits, and now I’m stuck in this fucking ridiculous class. It’s driving me nuts. Part-time professors generally avoid such fucking idiotic topics, so who does she think she is, pulling this crap?”

“Exactly. Usually, visiting professors only teach easy lectures that give good credits.”

Snap—

Sylvia’s pencil snapped, and Epherene clutched her stomach.

“Well, anyway, you heard, right? This time, my father is trying out for the position of Her Majesty the Empress’s instructor mage selection.”

“Oh, I know. Your father works in the Imperial Palace, after all.”

“Because of that, things have been absolutely chaotic lately…”

It seemed the backbiting about Sylvia had ended, but Sylvia’s heart was wounded—no, she was enraged.

How dare that fool speak like that, Sylvia thought.

“Now, Sylvia, be patient. This is nothing but a test on the road to becoming a good professor, don’t you think~?” Epherene said.

Sylvia remained silent.

“Oh, but a fucking idiotic topic? That’s a bit too much, I would say~”

Sylvia wanted to kill Epherene, who was laughing and ridiculing her.

“Hmm~ Sylvia, you’re not just obsessed with lecture evaluations for no reason, huh? You might actually get fired—”

“Shut your mouth, before I knock you down.”

“… Oh~ Imitating Deculein’s manner of speech, are we? But imitating his lecture skills seems more urgent for you—”

“I told you to shut it before I take your identification card away.”

“… Yes, ma’am.”

***

Meanwhile, within the Empire’s Imperial Palace.

“The population of the Empire and kingdoms, indeed, of the entire continent, is flowing into the Land of Destruction,” Empress Sophien said, reading a book as she stated the continent’s affairs. “This is due to the Revelation spread by the one they call the Altar’s God, and because every single one of those revelations proves true.”

Sophien’s enemy was the God of the Altar, and the very purpose of her current refinement was, ultimately, to achieve godslaying.

“Ministers cry for the suppression of Altar, but can religion be quelled by oppression?” Sophien continued, shaking her head. “Rather, religion thrives on oppression, which makes it even more resilient. Therefore, for now, I shall leave it be.”

Leaving the Altar be was acceptable because, though population outflow was severe at the time, attempting to legally suppress it could have actually exacerbated the phenomenon, since humans were a species that desired what was forbidden and harbored useless pride in doing what they should not.

“The reason for leaving them is…”

The reason why the Altar could be left alone was so straightforward that it required no further explanation.

“I mean to slay God because, once God is slain and the inhabitants are brought back, the matter will be concluded.”

Sophien, speaking those words, had a face that brimmed with confidence.

“The sands of time flow near their glass. A mere God cannot defeat me.”

Ria watched Sophien, lost in thought. If anyone could slay a God, it would certainly be Sophien, as this was originally one of the main quest branches. If one could recruit Empress Sophien as a companion, even with a player’s own combat power not being exceptionally strong, an ending of the game could be achieved.

“… Hmm,” Sophien concluded, setting her book down—a signal of sorts.

“Count Yukline is likely engaged in artistic patronage, Your Majesty,” Ria said, bowing her head.

“Artistic patronage?” Sophien replied.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Count Yukline will undoubtedly sponsor anonymously, and from time to time, he will visit the expos. It is then that you should go and demonstrate Your Majesty’s insight into art.”

It’s the same for Kim Woo-Jin as Deculein’s motive that he would always visit expos and just look at paintings all day before coming back—he has that kind of adorable side to him. Deculein probably visits expos when his head feels a bit muddled, too, Ria thought.

“Count Yukline, Your Majesty, holds a true passion for the arts and the communion of shared hobbies, which is similar to shared emotions,” Ria concluded.

“… Indeed. Shared hobbies, shared emotions—a truth well spoken. Very well. Keiron, inform me at once should the Professor visit an expo,” Sophien replied, her eyes widening.

— It is now, Your Majesty.

Keiron replied.

“… Now?”

— Yes, Your Majesty. Deculein is currently at the expo.

***

… For the first time in a while, I was leisurely appreciating artworks at the most extravagant expo in Haileich, the Capital’s prosperous district.

The hours of such peace are but few, so it’s best to enjoy them while they last, I thought.

“This is a work by the artist Baahal, and it is currently receiving particular acclaim from critics…”

Disregarding the curator’s words, which went in one ear and out the other, I viewed the works solely through the eyes of my Aesthetic Sense.

“… Nothing but pretense,” I muttered.

“Pardon me?” replied the curator, clearly taken aback.

I walked past the curator without a word, preparing to exit the rather uninteresting expo, when an individual walking down the corridor, who stood out, also turned her eyes upon me.

“Hmm? Deculein?”

The woman wore a robe to hide her appearance, but having known her for such a long time, I could not fail to recognize her.

“… Your Majesty,” I said.

“Shh. I am merely here to appreciate art in peace. Be silent. I do not wish for a commotion,” Sophien replied.

I nodded.

“How coincidental to meet in such a place. Now, lead the way,” Sophien added, approaching my side.

“There is little of interest here, Your Majesty,” I replied.

“Hmm, are they merely too ostentatious?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The expo in the prosperous district of Haileich lacked both emotion and the soul of the painter, and thus, it was, at the very least, not to my liking.

“There is nothing more displeasing than art that merely prioritizes appearance. However, I was told there exists a city named Lahal,” Sophien replied, nodding in agreement.

“Lahal? Is that not a slum, Your Majesty?”

“Even within a slum, artists exist.”

Though the hygiene of the slum disgusts me, their art has somehow piqued my interest. After all, Gogh himself was a master who lived his entire life in poverty, I thought.

“Hmm,” Sophien murmured, offering a smile as she observed me. “But Professor, when should I expect the arrival of my assigned instructor mage?”

“The preparations for the theoretical examination are underway, Your Majesty,” I replied.

“A theoretical examination?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I was in the middle of creating the theory exam, which would be administered to mages from each category.

“I was told that as soon as you issued the posting, tens of thousands from Mage Towers across the Empire—and thousands more from the Floating Island—rushed to apply.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It is a phenomenal career achievement to become Your Majesty’s instructor mage.”

“… Hmph, what number of selected candidates do you expect?” Sophien mused.

The words selected candidates brought a smile to my lips, and I replied, “Well…”

Because I had expanded the scope of instructor mage to all mages in the Empire, I found myself contemplating a difficulty that most would not even dare to imagine, especially as Rohakan was the examiner.

“For the first examination, I expect approximately ten individuals… per category, Your Majesty.”

“Only ten? Are those the only ones you expect to pass the exam?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Although it is for a short time, this is the process of selecting a mage to instruct Your Majesty. This exam should be nothing less than extraordinary.”

“… Hmph, indeed,” Sophien said, a smile playing on her lips as she outstretched a hand to me. “Take it, and let us proceed together to Lahal.”

… At that moment.

A mighty explosion shook the ground, and mana intermingled with demonic energy seeped into my nostrils—it was gunpowder smoke.

“… It appears to be a terror attack, Your Majesty,” I said.

“Go and deal with it, then return promptly. I shall not wait long,” Sophien replied, clicking her tongue and nodding.

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