A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 47: Group Project (1)

The large moon cast a pale mist, and stars dotted the night sky over the Principality of Yuren. Maho lay curled up in bed, contemplating the day's events and reflecting on her life thus far.

"I have survived longer than you, my brother and sister..."

Maho had been fiercely attached to life since childhood, instinctively aware of her impending death. The Royal Court of Leoc was a perilous place, like a frozen battlefield swept by icy winds. The king’s sons and daughters were filled with ambition, and the king himself took pride in their destructive natures. Disaster was inevitable.

To survive, Maho chose to escape. She left the kingdom and settled in the capital. To change her fate, she amassed wealth and desperately performed acts to earn the knights' loyalty. In the end, she survived because she truly wanted to live.

“But to realize that all my actions were merely pretending...”

Deculein’s words about dropping the pretense echoed in Maho’s mind. She pouted and got out of bed. It was true that she had acted to win their favor. Pretending to be a child wasn’t entirely wrong; humans instinctively want to save a child in danger.

However, her gratitude towards them was genuine. She was sincerely thankful to Charlotte, Ron, Gedeur, and Deculein for their help today.

"... How did he discern that?"

Yet, she wondered. No one in the Empire had seen through her as Deculein did. They all regarded her as merely a pitiable and insignificant royal hostage from the kingdom.

"In such a brief span of time..."

Professor Deculein had discerned her true nature. He understood her motives and chose the word pretending accurately. This insight likely contributed to his position as the head professor of the Mage Tower of the Empire.

"Incredible, truly incredible..."

Years of maintaining her pretense had been uncovered in an instant, leaving her feeling utterly exposed.

Maho sighed and sat at her desk. She glanced at a piece of paper in the corner—a letter expressing her gratitude. Deciding it would be appropriate to send it to the professor, she picked up a pencil.

***

Early in the morning in Hadecaine, Ganesha shared breakfast with three children in the dining hall.

Munch munch—

They ate ravenously, their hunger evident as they devoured their food with their hands like famished wild animals. Even Ria, who was usually composed, had lost her decorum after an intense eighteen-hour training session.

"Phew..."

"Have you finished eating?" Ganesha asked, smiling gently.

"Yes, finally... I feel alive again," Ria sighed with relief, rubbing her belly as she leaned back in her chair, looking utterly worn out. Leo and Carlos also slumped back, clearly exhausted.

“Today's training was difficult, wasn’t it? But you all did well. If you keep this up, you could take the adventurer’s exam this year,” Ganesha said softly.

"Really?!" Leo exclaimed, his eyes widening with excitement.

“For this year?” Ria asked, her voice tinged with surprise.

“Yes~ adventurers can take the exam at any age, so starting early is advantageous. If you continue to improve, it shouldn't be too difficult.”

The Adventurers Guild prioritized skill above all else. Regardless of age—be it five, eight, or eighty—anyone with the will and talent to pass the exam could become an adventurer.

However, the real challenge began after earning the certification. Adventurers could choose to specialize in a specific field or focus on missions to earn money, but the key was to forge their own path. An adventurer without notable achievements or unique skills would fail the renewal evaluations, which were conducted annually for three consecutive years.

"If you've finished eating, shall we head out?"

“Yes!” the children chimed in unison as they stood up.

As they left the dining hall, Leo and Carlos bickered about who had eaten faster and more, while Ria stepped in to quiet them. They soon arrived at Hadecaine Station.

“Wow... look at all the mages,” Leo said in awe.

The station was filled with people in robes, returning from the Mage Tower after completing their Educational Retreat. Among them, Ganesha spotted a tall, elegant man who stood out with his crystal-like appearance and impeccable suit. It was Deculein, the Head Professor.

"Kids, come here quickly," Ganesha said, gently urging the children to gather behind her.

However, Ria couldn’t help but keep glancing at Deculein, her large, curious eyes seemingly fixed on him.

“Ria?”

“Yes, Ganesha?”

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“... Nothing,” Ganesha said with a chuckle.

Everyone, be they children or adults, was easily captivated by Deculein’s striking appearance. His icy demeanor, paired with an aristocratic presence, made him stand out across the entire continent. Though the world was replete with handsome men, Deculein’s unique charm was exceptionally rare. As a well-traveled adventurer, Ganesha could attest to this fact.

Just then, Deculein, who had been standing still, turned his gaze towards her. Startled by their sudden eye contact, Ganesha offered a wry smile. She swiftly and deftly moved to shield Ria from his view, but Ria peeked around her, her large, curious eyes fixed on him. Deculein’s brow twitched ever so slightly.

Suddenly, someone bumped into Ganesha, causing her to jump. She quickly turned around.

"Oh, I’m sorry," a female mage said, her head down and looking hungover.

“It’s fine,” Ganesha reassured her.

However, when she looked back, Deculein had already vanished.

"Excuse me, are you Ganesha, the adventurer?" the mage inquired.

Ganesha gave her a quick once-over, immediately recognizing some of her talent. The mage's aura was quite promising.

“Yes, I am.”

"Ah, I knew you looked familiar... I'm a fan of your work, Ganesha. I've read your books."

"Oh, is that so? Thank you very much."

“Would it be possible to get your autograph...?”

“Certainly. May I have your name?”

“Epherene Luna, a Debutant from the Mage Tower—”

“Epherene Luna?” Ria interrupted, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“Do you know me?” Epherene asked, looking puzzled.

“No, I don’t, but I’m Ria,” she replied, extending her hand.

Surprised, Epherene shook her hand and said, “Oh, hi. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m an apprentice of Ganesha.”

Ganesha was intrigued by Ria’s unusual behavior.

Ria usually never initiated conversations. Perhaps it was because there were no mages in the Archipelago. Ganetha thought.

"Really? That's impressive~ You look so young."

"I’m not as young as I look. And these two are Leo and Carlos."

“Nice to meet you, Mage Luna!” Leo said eagerly.

“Oh, uh, nice to meet you too,” Epherene replied, slightly flustered. “But—”

“And I’m Carlos,” he said, introducing himself.

“... Oh, nice to meet you, Carlos...”

Leo and Carlos, fascinated by the mage, kept Epherene busy with a barrage of questions until the train arrived. As a result, she never got her autograph from Ganesha.

***

As soon as I returned to the mansion in the capital, I resumed my routine. I pushed the proficiency level of Beginner Telekinesis to 99% and trained my body. This part of the routine was the same as always.

However, I then sat down and opened Wizard Academic. I scrutinized the pages filled with numerous magical problems, contemplating which one would grant me the most mana. As I skimmed through, the section titled Millennium caught my eye.

"Millennium..."

In the Magical Realm, there are seven Millennium problems, inspired by our era's Millennium Prize Problems. With a mana level of only around 4000, understanding these problems was impossible. I turned my attention to the lower tier, the Symposium problems.

... Challenge the Symposium to earn honor as a mage. You might gain valuable insights along with the prize. Hurry! Many mages on the Floating Islands are already tackling these problems.

The Symposium comprised eleven questions, with one or two solved each year and replaced by new ones. These problems were well-known, and solving one would likely yield a substantial amount of mana. It was worth a shot. I focused on the sixth problem in the Symposium.

6. An ancient inscription features the following spell and runes. Historically, these runes also served as circuits. Deduce the ancient spell.

At first, I simply stared at the ancient inscription. Then, my heart began to race as an idea sparked within me. ... I recognized these runes. As a game designer, I had refined the font for these very runes. I was familiar with their meanings, structures, and settings. Though the memory was distant, my Comprehension brought it back vividly.

I stared at the ancient inscription with my Sharp Eyesight attribute. A sharp pain shot through the back of my neck, like being pierced by a needle. The runes blazed into my retina as if branded by a hot iron. They fused with my memories, forming a spell. I grabbed a pen with Telekinesis, brought forth a piece of paper, and my hand moved on its own.

The pen moved independently. My thoughts vanished, consumed entirely by the problem. It felt as if my attributes had taken over my body. In a trance, I filled the paper with spells. The runes etched themselves onto the paper, imbued with mana. Surprisingly, the mana consumption wasn’t as severe as I had anticipated. After all, I was already familiar with these runes.

Time slipped away unnoticed. When I finally came to, the desk was covered with papers, all neatly stacked in the corner. My mana was nearly depleted. Rubbing my temples, I sighed, realizing two hours had passed. It felt like only three minutes.

"I believe I can resolve this within two weeks."

For a fleeting instant, I felt as if I had embodied the genius of Einstein.

***

When I arrived at the Mage Tower at noon on Saturday, the atmosphere was unusually tense. I sensed a strange undercurrent among the professors I encountered.

"Allen, come here," I called through a crystal orb.

Allen arrived in less than ten seconds, saying, "Yes, sir! I'm here!"

"Has something been happening recently? The atmosphere feels quite unsettled."

"Oh, it seems to be due to an announcement from the imperial family."

"An announcement?"

"Yes, sir. The imperial family is seeking knights, mages, and scholars to assist in the Empress's education."

I understood immediately. The Empress’s education was an imperial tradition, an unwritten rule passed down through generations. For one year after ascending the throne, the Empress learns from external experts. Professors naturally coveted such a prestigious position.

"Professor, it seems you are considered the most likely candidate!"

"Are they referring to me?"

"... Isn't that so?" Allen asked, his surprise evident.

"I have no interest in it. My priority is preparing for my classes, Allen."

"Oh, yes, of course. As expected of you, Professor."

"Locate the records of recent mana disasters. Visual documentation would be preferable."

Today was Saturday, and with the deadline not until next Wednesday, I planned to alternate between preparing lectures and solving the Symposium problems.

“Mana disasters, you mentioned...”

“Anything will suffice.”

Mana disasters are akin to modern tsunamis or hurricanes, with the distinction being that they are caused by natural mana.

"Yes, sir!" Allen replied before leaving. He returned within ten minutes, carrying a basket filled with various crystal orbs. "Here they are!"

"Well done."

I infused mana into one of the crystal balls, and immediately a mana storm roared to life. Of course, it was just an illusion.

Whoooooooosh—!

“Ah!” Allen cowered and trembled, but I observed the phenomenon with keen eyes.

... Electric sparks flashed within the storm. Flames erupted from the wind’s eddies. Streams of water spread in intricate patterns. All of it consisted of Pure Elements, a veritable treasure trove.

“... It is truly magnificent.”

"Sorry?"

This lesson was inspired by magical fireworks. Just as magical fireworks paint the sky, I wondered if these mana disasters could be expressed through spells. That was my thought. Starting next Wednesday, the students would come to share this perspective.

***

In the fresh month of May, Sylvia strolled through the school grounds. Summer's trees and flowers were in full bloom, painting the university landscape with vibrant, brushstroke-like colors.

It was Wednesday, and her steps quickened unconsciously as she headed towards the Mage Tower. It had been quite some time since the last lecture. After midterms, classes had been canceled for about four weeks due to the Emperor’s death and the succession ceremony.

Sylvia entered the Mage Tower and took the elevator to the third floor, making her way directly to the A Class lecture room.

"Miss Sylvia, it is a pleasure to see you."

"You look as beautiful as ever~"

The nobles greeted her warmly, while the commoners averted their eyes, not daring to make contact. Sylvia walked gracefully to her seat and sat down. Just then, Epherene entered the room.

"Ephie~ Over here!"

"Ah, okay."

Sylvia narrowed her eyes at Epherene, still resentful of her insolent behavior during the Educational Retreat.

Silently, Sylvia muttered to herself, A fool like you, applying to study under Professor Deculein? Ridiculous. You’ll be crying and running back home, unable to understand a word. You’d be better off under Relin or Siare.

The class began promptly at 3 p.m. as Professor Deculein arrived, accompanied by his assistant.

"Greetings," Deculein began, his greeting unchanged as always. Sylvia neatly arranged her notebook and pen. "First, we will announce the results of the exam and assignments. Allen?"

"Yes, sir."

Assistant Professor Allen distributed the long, narrow score sheets to each student. The mages waited anxiously, and Sylvia, though nervous, soon felt relieved when she saw her perfect score.

"Today’s lecture will involve a group project, and the final project will also be conducted in groups."

Everyone in the class was taken aback. Despite the Mage Tower's numerous Educational Retreats and frequent social gatherings, mages typically worked individually. Group projects were a rarity.

"The reason for forming groups is simple. At your current level, you lack the ability to solve these problems independently."

Immediately, the atmosphere grew tense. Sylvia felt a chill run down her spine.

"Today's topic will cover Pure Elements and Mana Disasters."

Snap—!

With a snap of his fingers, Deculein dimmed the room, casting an illusion of a raging storm.

Swooooosh—!

A whirlwind, sharp as a blade, roared through the room, startling the mages.

"Occasionally, mana disasters occur on the continent—mana storms, fire rain, earth fog, frost quakes. But consider this, are these disasters not composed of Pure Elements?" Deculein explained. The diligent students grasped his point immediately. "If that is the case, could we not conceptualize these mana storms through spells?"

Snap—!

With another snap of his fingers, the mana storm dissipated.

"... Observe carefully."

Deculein released his mana, weaving intricate spells in the air. Dozens of circles and hundreds of lines interlocked in a vivid blue display, forming a dragon-like whirlpool. The arrangement was highly geometric and precise.

"A mana storm can be expressed through such a spell."

The spell representing the mana disaster was both intricate and grand, the culmination of nearly five days of Deculein’s meticulous work. The phenomenon of the mana storm had been flawlessly captured in the form of a spell diagram. The mages stared in awe, their mouths agape at the impeccable example before them.

"Mana disasters are unique combinations of Pure Elements, arising naturally as these elements clash and merge by chance. Grasp this fundamental principle," Deculein stated with calm authority, his composed demeanor a testament to his Personality Traits.

"It need not be as grand as this storm. Even a small mana disaster can be transformed into a spell. Recognizing this potential is enough," he continued, his words carrying conviction. Though challenging, the majestic spell captivated the mages. "You have ample time. Understanding this mana disaster through spells will allow you to see the world with greater clarity."

The Debutants scribbled furiously, trying to capture the details of Deculein’s spell that still lingered in the air.

"Trust that magic learned from nature embodies Pure Elements," he concluded, as he prepared a traditional lottery for forming the groups. Each group would consist of five members, making a total of thirty groups. "Come forward and draw your lots."

One by one, the 150 students stood and drew lots, forming their groups. Nobles and commoners were mixed together, as well as some groups consisting entirely of nobles or commoners. After about five minutes, the mages organized themselves into their respective groups, appearing well-structured to avoid any conflict.

However, one group remained silent. Although it had five members, the presence of two individuals made communication difficult. Sylvia and Epherene had been placed on the same team.