A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 11: News (2)

Just as I was about to muster the courage to approach Ganesha, someone blocked my path, their voice overly cheesy and their perfume overwhelming.

“Well, well! Isn't this Professor Deculein? Long time no see.”

A man with blond hair, blue eyes, and a handsome face stood in front of me. Though shorter than me, he exuded a strong magical aura. I knew his face well. I had modeled him myself.

"... Ihelm?" I said.

Ihelm von Gerian Rewind. He was Deculein's rival... though calling him a rival might be overstating it. He was more of a named character who envied Deculein for taking the Head Professor position.

"Yes~ Professor Deculein. How have things been going with your classes and research? I heard there was an incident during your first lecture," Ihelm asked.

"It has been resolved," I replied.

"Haha, of course, it has. More importantly, I've been worried lately because some ruffians seem to be questioning your reputation," Ihelm said, exaggerating his concern.

The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Just as Ihelm mentioned, Deculein's deceptions were slowly being exposed.

"Of course, I am eagerly awaiting your great magical research, Professor Deculein. I assume you are taking your time for a significant achievement? Though it has been almost three years..."

I looked at Ihelm. His exaggerated expressions and movements were extremely cheesy. If cheese could come to life, it would look like this. Human cheese.

"... If the grand research is too complex and you can't find a breakthrough, and if you need my help, feel free to ask. I'll be there right away," Ihelm said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

If I had been the original Deculein, I might have given him a nonverbal cue, but I didn't respond at all. I didn't even blink. Honestly, I didn't even care.

"I understand. The title of Head Professor must be a heavy burden. Even with the honor of being a mage in the Mage Tower of the University... Are you listening?"

After rambling on for a while, Ihelm finally seemed to tire himself out. He scrunched up his nose and furrowed his brow.

"I wasn't listening," I said.

"Tsk... You seem busy, so I'll add one last thing," Ihelm said.

I glanced over Ihelm's shoulder to look for Ganesha. She was gone. Not to the right, the left, near the door, or by the window. An important named character had vanished.

"No one in the world will appreciate you if you continue to act so superior and arrogant as right now. Do you know that? Falling from grace in noble society is quite common. You should give up on that absurd Pure Element Creation research..." Ihelm continued.

Heat surged in the back of my neck. I had missed Ganesha because of this guy, and yet this annoying man wouldn't stop talking.

"Alright, Professor Deculein. Enjoy the good times while they last, because tough times are ahead. Also..."

One word had already stretched into dozens. If I stayed silent, he'd probably lecture me until he was old and gray. So I took a step closer to him.

"Let me say one thing," I said.

"If you follow my advic..."

Looking down at his yellowish-pale face, I leaned in closer.

"Stop meddling and get lost, you rotten cheese," I whispered in his ear.

It could have been a fatal mistake, but it felt amazing. A natural smile appeared on my face. After all, the original Deculein had always hated Ihelm too.

"W-what did you say? Cheese, rotten cheese? Did you just—"

"I'm leaving."

I left him stammering and walked away briskly.

I had just managed to escape from Ihelm, yet many people were still looking for Deculein. Numerous nobles swarmed around me as if they had been waiting for this moment.

"I heard about that recent incident. An Iliade scion was provoked by some low-ranking noble's child, wasn't she?"

"At that moment, Professor Deculein, you appeared like a hero from what I heard. My son told me all about it. Haha! Just hearing about it excites me, so I can only imagine how my son must have felt. Ah, my son's name is..."

"Head Professor Deculein, do you happen to have time tonight?"

They said various things to me. Some were requests for favors, others were personal worries, and a few were almost flirtatious offers.

By this point, I started to have a headache. The sweet desserts and the overwhelming perfume seemed to assault my senses. My Iron Man attribute unnecessarily heightened my senses, including my sense of smell. Feeling utterly fed up, I looked for a place without people.

After making my way up to the quiet third floor, I leaned against the windowsill in the hallway to catch my breath.

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"... Professor Deculein?"

Someone called my name. I turned and was greatly surprised. It was Ganesha, the named character I had been searching for this whole time.

"What are you doing here?" Ganesha asked, approaching me with wide eyes.

I had no idea that the original Deculein and Ganesha knew each other.

"... I got lost," I replied without showing any emotion.

"Oh, you are now joking with me? Weren't you waiting for me?" Ganesha said.

It made sense that Deculein might have some connection with Ganesha. I glanced sideways at her as she stood next to me. Mistaking my glance for a glare, Ganesha smiled and clasped her hands together.

"I'm sorry about that mission back then. But I did return the advance payment and the penalty fee. Can you let it slide this once?"

When I remained silent, Ganesha pouted and puffed out her cheeks. Her twin tails swayed side to side.

"Well... I did see a girl with the immense talent you were looking for in the archipelago. I can't say for sure it was magical talent, but she was a remarkable girl."

I silently looked up at the sky outside the window. Night had fallen, and the blue moonlight illuminated the window sill. Ganesha followed my gaze and continued speaking.

"I'm sorry I couldn't bring her. No, I'm sorry I didn't bring her. I grew attached. I couldn't give her to you."

I understood the situation without needing to use Comprehension. Deculein, aware of his magical shortcomings, had intended to use a highly talented and easily manipulated child as a research tool. He had tasked Ganesha with this mission.

"But, Professor, how long do you plan to live like this?" Ganesha asked.

I continued to gaze at the moon outside the window. When I didn't respond, she took out a cigarette from her pocket.

"Can you light this for me?"

"No."

It wasn't that I didn't want to. I simply couldn't. I hadn't learned Ignition yet. Ganesha pretended to pout, and I spoke to her.

"I plan to live differently from now on."

"... Eh? Really?"

Ganesha moved the cigarette from her mouth to her hand. Without looking at her, I nodded.

"Oh... that's unexpected. I thought you would try to kill me. Honestly, I came here to see you. I was so curious," Ganesha said.

"... What was so curious?" I asked.

"I ran away without a word, and you didn't send assassins after me."

Ganesha's twin tails fluttered.

Flap-flap. Flap-flap.

She was probably trying to express surprise, but it was irritating.

"You're worrying too much."

Ganesha was one of the most formidable named characters in terms of combat power. Even her hair moved at will, a sign of her mastery over her body as a martial artist.

Her attributes included the famous Invincible Body and Master of All Martial Arts attributes, making her literally a named character who could kill with a single strand of her hair. Sending assassins after such a monster would have been truly insane.

"Are you really okay, Professor Deculein?" Ganesha asked again. The right tail of her hair was slapping my shoulder.

"If you came to see me, then go back now," I said.

I moved my feet and headed toward the stairs. I had come to build connections with her, but she was already someone I knew. There was no need to stay at this social gathering any longer.

"Oh, is that so? Can I really trust you? You're not planning any assassinations or expulsions, are you?" Ganesha spoke from behind me.

Of course, with the power of the Yukline family, I could easily pressure the Adventurer's Guild. Ganesha had violated the guild's trust by refusing the mission without permission.

"That is beneath my dignity."

Such an action would also be a crazy thing to do, so I dismissed the thought and continued walking.

I could feel Ganesha's gaze on the back of my head.

“... Did he eat something bad? Is he sick? Or because he recently re-engaged? What's wrong with him?”

Even from a distance, I could hear her muttering. The smell of thick, acrid tar drifted in, indicating she had finally lit her cigarette. Then it happened.

[Villain’s Fate: Death Variable Avoided]

◆ Reward Acquired: Store Currency +1

"... What? Just now?"

Villain’s Fate had activated. Previously, it was overcame, and now it was avoided. The conversation I have just had with Ganesha was also considered a death variable...

***

"Oh... the chocolate is flowing like a fountain," Yulie said, widening her eyes as she watched the chocolate fountain, the latest novelty and the must-have item in the social scene.

"Reylie, look at this thing. It's amazing," Yulie said.

Her relative, Reylie, who was standing next to her, grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

"Oh, come on. Stop it and come here..."

"... Why do you always react like this whenever I say something?" Yulie asked.

"Even if I didn't want to, it's too unsophisticated. Knight Yulie, you have a reputation to maintain! Stop acting surprised and be calm."

"I never wanted to come here in the first place."

Yulie glared at Reylie before refocusing on the chocolate fountain.

Gurgle gurgle gurgle—

It was fascinating that handmade chocolate could flow like a fountain, but more than that, Yulie wanted to eat the chocolate itself. Rich chocolate, something that made her mouth water...

"Hmm? What's Ihelm doing over there?"

By the side of the chocolate fountain, Yulie noticed Ihelm fuming alone in a corner of her vision.

"Who knows? He was just talking to Professor Deculein. Why is he suddenly like that?" Reylie asked.

Deculein, Ihelm, Sirio, Raphel, George... These contemporaries, known as the golden generation across the continent, had been Yulie's seniors at the Imperial University. Deculein hadn't changed much since those days, and Ihelm had always been part of Deculein's faction. However, their relationship had completely soured after a certain incident.

“So, how have you been lately?” Reylie asked cautiously.

“What do you mean?” Yulie asked Reylie.

“With Professor Deculein. There is a lot of news going around these days.”

In social circles, every piece of news spreads quickly. It travels so fast, even reaching the nobles' dogs by evening. Reylie asked openly despite knowing this, as she disliked Deculein just as much as Yulie did.

“... Absolutely bad.”

Her voice wasn’t loud but clear. Likely, everyone in the social circle perked up their ears to listen. At that moment, as if it were a twist of fate ordained by the social God, Deculein, who had been away for a moment, appeared on the second-floor stairs. It was impeccable timing, an extraordinary entrance.

"That man... he's as handsome as ever. I heard he's thirty-three now, but why doesn't he age?" Reylie said with surprise.

Deculein had the looks and style of a noble that suited and was welcomed at any social gathering. Even those who disliked him had to acknowledge this. His fashion was the textbook for noblemen, and he was proud of it.

He was always the last to leave social events, showing off his dignity. But today was different. He was walking toward the exit, already wearing his coat. The nobles watched his strange path in a daze.

Clack—clack—

The dignified sound of his footsteps resonated throughout the splendid hall. The crowd of nobles made way for Deculein. In the silence, questions arose in everyone's minds.

What is Deculein doing? Is he really leaving? Already? Leaving the social event so soon? The sun had just set a little while ago. Why? Because of Yulie?

While they blinked in confusion at the unusual scene, Deculein left the room. In the void left by the noise, only the sound of the chocolate fountain remained. He did not return, no matter how long they waited in the silence. Deculein's sudden departure soon intertwined with Yulie's recent remark, fueling the gossip that began to heat up the party.

***

[Side Quest Completed: Attend the Social Event 'Flower of the New Year']

◆ Store Currency +0.5

◆ Current Store Currency: 4.5 Coin(s)

The servants looked at me with surprise as I returned before sunset. I had come back much earlier than expected. I asked if there was a large but empty space, such as a storage area, and a middle-aged maid hesitantly guided me.

On the vast grounds of this mansion, besides the main house where I stayed, there was a backyard, an ornamental forest, a garden, and servants' quarters, as well as an old, unused building that had once been a storage shed.

"... Filthy."

The storage shed was about half the size of a soccer field, covered in cobwebs and dust, indicating it hadn't been used for a long time. I did not show my distaste through my actions. Covering my nose or coughing would go against my sense of dignity.

"Is anyone out there?" I called out, standing in place. The servants quickly ran over.

"Clean this place thoroughly. Also, bring some metal ingots," I said to the servants.

"Yes, sir."

I watched the cleaning process with my hands behind my back. As expected, Deculein's servants were skilled at cleaning, and they made the vast space shine within just fifteen minutes.

"Here are the steel ingots. If you need any furniture—"

They also brought the metal quickly. The ingots bore a stamp, likely from the forge.

"That will do. Now, go and rest. But remember, from now on, unless I call for you or give you permission, do not enter this place without my consent," I said.

"Yes, sir."

The servants retreated, bowing until they were out of sight.

Once I confirmed they had completely disappeared, I took off my clothes and neatly folded them in midair, using Telekinesis. I dropped the steel ingots on the floor and used the Basic Metal Ductility spell I had learned earlier.

The steel, touched by my mana, elongated and transformed into a familiar piece of equipment—a pull-up bar. Just as I was about to start exercising with it, I decided to use Midas Touch, pouring in 3,000 mana, the highest in the thousand range.

───────

[Pull-up Bar]

Information:

A pull-up bar created with ductility magic.

Its support strength has been enhanced by Midas Touch.

Category:

Equipment ? Health

Special Effect:

Exercising with this equipment is expected to yield better efficiency.

[Midas Touch: Level 3]

───────

Increased exercise efficiency was truly a special effect suited to the Health category.

"... Quite a versatile attribute."

I reached out and grasped the pull-up bar with satisfaction. Maintaining my posture, I straightened my arms and lifted my body. One, two... My arms trembled and slipped. I could only manage two pull-ups maximum. It was very embarrassing.

"I could originally do three... No, I mean, I used to. Maybe it's because I haven't exercised at all."

Despite having the Iron Man attribute, I had been solely focused on magic. Very foolish of me. My muscles quickly recovered, and I grabbed the bar again. This was my second attempt. One, two... then three, four... A total of four times.

The count increased dramatically after just one set. My physical ability, the performance of Iron Man attribute, had visibly improved. After just two sets, Deculein's physical strength had already surpassed Kim Woo-Jin's.

"I don’t know what to say."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Nevertheless, I smiled and grabbed the bar again.