The Villain Wants to Live

◆ Understanding Status

– Beginner/Intermediate Psychokinesis (17% progress)

┏Beginner Fire Control

┣Beginner Earth Control

┗Metal Enhancement (67% progress)

Late dawn.

I checked the [Psychokinesis]’s magic stem by using [Vision] on myself. Although the quality of my mana had been upgraded, it wasn’t easy to apply and control my amplified power instantly.

“…”

I slowly closed my eyes and activated my [Psychokinesis].

A single piece of wood steel hovered up.

Today’s purpose was to manipulate electromagnetic waves by using metallic resonance with [Psychokinesis].

Previously, my mana rating was so low that I couldn’t even try it, but I was now powerful enough to challenge it, considering it had gone up to level 4.

Whooooong—

The most basic use of this advanced technique was ‘transparency,’ which blurred the shape of wood steel by dispersing and refracting visible light through metallic resonance.

——Thump!

The principle itself was simple, but the vibrating wood steel soared, smashing against the ceiling before falling and hitting my shoulder.

That was the 38th failure.

“It’s hard.”

I sat on the chair, rubbing my aching shoulders. I hadn’t succeeded once yet, but my body was already covered in wounds, and I was already almost out of mana.

Although the quality of my mana had increased, my body’s ordinary capabilities still existed within it. Hence, I deduced it would probably take me longer.

“Talent…”

I suddenly remembered what I had said to Sylvia yesterday.

‘A genius’s suffering isn’t superior to the hardships of someone mediocre. You, who does not need instruction, do not know the struggles of those who cannot grow without it.’

Now that I thought about it, I spoke that way out of envy and jealousy. This feeling of ‘inferiority’ was probably the common denominator of Deculein and Kim Woojin.

Deculein’s inferiority complex dominated over him, turning him into a villain.

Kim Woojin’s inferiority complex made him resign from himself, turning him into someone flawed and lacking.

Both couldn’t get over it.

I smiled self-deprecatingly.

“This is funny.”

But what I said to Sylvia yesterday was by no means a lie.

Sylvia’s growth would be maximized at the Isle of Wizard’s Wealth since many events and quests awaited her there that would eventually allow her to overtake Deculein.

I had to make that choice to ensure I’d be able to face ‘Archmage Sylvia’ somewhere along the main quest.

That’s what the floating island was for.

“…”

After straightening my clothes, I went outside where I found Roy waiting.

It was exactly 7 AM.

“Have Ren and Enen left?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

I nodded. The two siblings went on a business trip to establish an “information office.” On their return, they would be bringing a few individuals suitable for the job with them.

“And Miss Yeriel has come.”

•••••••.

Yeriel was sitting in the tea room of the Yukline mansion, the two cups of black tea she brought with her exuding a fragrant aroma that enveloped the entire place.

“I’m going to have a cutting ceremony. Will you come?” Taking a sip from her cup, she raised her concern. “I meant the opening of the underground passage.”

The underground passage was originally opened quite late.

Here, ‘quite late’ meant at least a year or more from the Marik’s opening to the time when Yeriel came up with her business idea due to the constant casualties.

In other words, it was built a year earlier.

“Do you have any drawings?”

“I have a video of it.”

Yeriel pulled out a crystal ball. When she imbued it with mana, a video came up.

“It’s about 80km and starts at ‘Seojakbi,’ a village at the northern end of our territory, and ends at the entrance of Marik. What do you think?”

The underground passage shown in the video wasn’t just a crypt. It was wide and tall enough to offer comfort, and its tiles and exterior walls were modern and neat.

“Again, this is not just a passage. Look. Don’t you think it’ll be too tiring to go home right after finishing work at Marik? That’s why I also built an underground shopping district area.”

The crystal ball displayed the location she spoke of, showcasing a place that held true to its name. It was almost like a modern subway.

“It’s empty now, but it’ll soon have restaurants, shops, hotels, among others, which will generate additional income for us on top of tolls. Adventurers will spend their money to their heart’s content here.” Yeriel folded her arms, assuming a triumphant pose, seemingly thinking of herself as clever.

“If I order one, you make ten.”

“… Well, that’s how I am.”

Yeriel held back a smile.

“Good. There are a lot of stores that I’ve invested in these days, so let’s put some branches inside.”

Magic Shop Lopopo, Rokcan’s Wharf, Pig’s Flower Restaurant, etc. There were many that I had obtained shares in.

“Oh, that! I was still trying to say. I mean, why the hell are you forcing yourself to invest?”

Suddenly, Yeriel frowned. It was a strange reaction for me.

“Forcing myself?”

“Yeah! You went to a store that didn’t need investments and forcibly took its stake away!”

“…”

I recalled the memories of that time.

I picked out all the shops through my [Man of Great Wealth], but some of them were reluctant to hand over their stake.

“They made their refusal clear…”

After saying that, she grew silent.

After all, I went to the company or store that dared express their refusal and “persuaded” them in person.

“…”

I thought from their perspective.

Yukline, a gang of nobles that could be called one of the ultimate powerhouses of the empire, came out of nowhere to persuade or threaten them for their stake.

“… The price was right.”

“Anyway! Do you plan on doing that in the future?” Yeriel asked.

I nodded.

“I will continue to do so.”

There was no reason not to. Even if those guys were reluctant right now, it would eventually be a win-win in the future.

As long as the result was good, I didn’t care about its process. I didn’t have much time left to walk sideways.

“Gosh…”

“It’s their fault for rejecting my investment, Yeriel.”

She took a deep, contemptuous breath.

“Forget it. Are you coming to the cutting ceremony?”

“That would depend on its schedule.”

“Schedule? It’ll probably be held next week. What’s the plan for today?”

“After teaching Her Majesty, I’ll visit the auction house for a moment.”

“The auction house again?! That’s crazy! You’re impossible!”

Yeriel sounded and looked startled again.

I shook my head. “I’ll be selling this time.”

“… Ah~ I almost got angry again. And, this.”

Yeriel held out the luxuriously packaged box that she had left on the table.

“This is a gift from the Yukline underground passage builder. Open it.”

I opened its lid with [Psychokinesis].

Inside was an unexpectedly familiar object.

“You know what’s that, right? Even if it’s a little odd.”

It was made of high-quality iron with a golden pattern, the Yukline symbol, embossed on its black surface.

A revolver.

“It’s a trending item among the nobles of the kingdom these days. I’m not sure if its ability to kill is superior to a sword, but it’s not bad for self-defense when dealing with robbers.”

There were gunpowder-powered guns in this world, like this pistol, but they weren’t that popular since they couldn’t penetrate mana, and the knights’ visual acuity exceeded their bullets’ speed.

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Yeah.”

It was indeed aesthetically pleasing, so much so that it looked closer to art than a weapon.

That alone improved the image of the contractor in my head. It made me think that was the true reason why people gave gifts.

“This is well made. Tell them I’ll keep it.”

“Ah… You’re keeping it… Aren’t you going to throw it away?” Yeriel asked, her tone soft.

“No.”

“… What are you going to use it for? Wizards usually don’t like things like that, don’t they? I showed it to you thinking you’d throw it away…”

Yeriel looked at the revolver in my hand, desire, greed, and disappointment flashing in her eyes.

I shook it from side to side, and her stare followed its every move.

“Are you going back right away, Yeriel?” I asked, sliding it in my inner pocket.

Yeriel replied with a sigh. “I’m going to take a break~ I’ve been suffering from a lot of work lately~ so I’ve been looking for something to give myself as a present~”

“Take a good rest.”

“Gosh, really. It’s annoying. This sucks.”

“Roy.” Ignoring Yeriel, I called my butler. “Let’s go.”

“Yes. The vehicle is ready.”

It was time to go to the Imperial Palace.

* * *

“Man, I should’ve just taken it. Why did I show him? Why? Ahh, I’m a moron. I shouldn’t have even let the asshole know about it—”

Yeriel, who returned to her own room, hit her foot against the bed. Her whole body trembled with regret.

“I wanted to use it for hunting.”

Yeriel, who had lost the revolver, was blankly imagining a playful scene where she was aiming at a wild boar with the revolver. Amid the quiet snowy mountain, she and her prey, a beast that had eaten ten woodcutters, were the only ones around.

She felt the moment of tension rise when the cold wind scratched her skin.

‘Your future is in my hands.’

She closed one eye, calculated the wind direction and distance thoroughly, and pulled the trigger indifferently.

Baang—!

The projectile thundered through space, piercing its target, causing its shell to break, its muscles to rip, and its heart to explode.

As her prey struggled to escape inevitable death, she blew off the heat rising from her weapon’s muzzle.

‘Whew… I got it.’

The vassals who watched her while holding their breath ran out and responded with applause. Amid the cheers, Yeriel smiled, seemingly finding its fate a pity.

… That pleasant future was taken away by Deculein.

“Phew. Why does he like that kind of thing too? Is this because we are related by blood?”

Yeriel jumped up and straightened her messy hair, then went out of the room. She had a mission today: the ‘regular inspection.’

“…”

Snicking up the stairs so as not to be noticed by the attendant, she first infiltrated the study.

“Let’s see…”

Deculein had a flair for organization, so it was rather easy to predict what papers he might put where.

“It’s here.”

She found a document called [Investment Status]. As she hastily scanned through its contents with concern, her eyes widened in surprise.

“Hey, what the hell is this number? It doesn’t make sense!”

According to rumors these days, Deculein spent billions of Elnes in investments, but his profits far exceeded what he spent, and they continued to grow day by day. Even the 200 million Elnes he wasted in the last auction he attended as a bidder had already been recovered a long time ago.

“What the hell is that damn brother of mine doing…”

Goosebumps rose on Yeriel’s arms. Whatever it was, she thought Deculein would inevitably leave behind a trail of chaos.

“You want me to clean up after you again…”

Yeriel carefully returned the document where she found it then came out. Pretending that nothing had happened, she went down to the first floor and found something in the living room.

Innocently, Yeriel asked, “Hey. What are all these?”

“Bandages and medicines.”

“Bandages? Medicine?”

“Yes. These are the things the master has ordered.”

Yeriel tilted her head.

“Why did he buy so many?”

“We don’t know that either. They’re apparently to be used in the annex building.”

“… The annex building?”

Yeriel looked out the window and gazed at the infrastructure in question. Did he kidnap Louina and dump her over there by any chance?

As she stared at it, her servant spoke in a serious tone.

“Not even you, miss, should go inside it.”

“I won’t.”

The servants still looked suspiciously at her. They received high salaries and welfare from Deculein. Hence, their loyalty to him was unbreakable.

“I won’t go anywhere near it. I’ll be in my room. Bring me my meal later.”

“Okay. Let me accompany you.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“I’ll stand by in front of your door in case you need anything.”

Her family’s servants were adamant. The youngest of them was assigned to Yeriel.

“… You guys, just wait.”

Yeriel growled and climbed the stairs.

* * *

The Imperial Palace.

“I have read your entire book,” Sophien said, shaking my book [Understanding the Pure Elements].

Calmly, I replied, “How was it?”

“I have learned everything. Look.”

Sophien simultaneously embodied all the magic recorded in the book. In less than a minute, pure elements hovered all over the place.

“It was lame.”

I remained expressionless, but I admired her.

Was this what it meant to be chosen by the heavens? To have talent that transcended humanity?

“I can see that.”

I wrote down today’s course in the lesson log I brought with me. Sophien glanced at my documents.

“What is it?”

“It’s a teaching journal.”

“You’re working way too hard.”

I didn’t answer.

[Her Majesty Sophien was taught by an ordinary wizard in two weeks during one semester…]

While I was writing in the journal, Sophien continued talking to me.

“Your fiancé wasn’t that good.”

“….”

My fountain pen stopped.

I wasn’t angry.

However, I couldn’t understand what she meant.

Julie had so much talent she would rise to the top of the knights in the future. To say that Julie’s skills weren’t good would be a similar error to saying that 1+1 equaled 3.

“What? Are you mad at me for cursing your fiancée?” The Emperor grinned as I gazed at her.

Sophien never told a lie. She hated the very act of it, after all.

However, her personality multiplied the questions I had.

“I think a little more detailed explanation is needed. Julie, in her field, is the best among the knights I know—”

“It’s as I’ve said. She’s not that good. Of course, she is an excellent knight, but she’s a little different from public opinion.”

“…”

That was nonsensical.

I recalled how Julie looked in the story and the game I played. More specifically, I remembered the scene where she, becoming the best knight to ever exist, killed Deculein…

“During our last class, you said, ‘Once you have mastered my lessons and I can no longer provide more meaning to you, then the true point of my words will show itself to you.'”

Sophien imitated me.

“So, are you ready to answer my question?”

A deep smile appeared on her lips. Her narrowly curved, flaming-red pupils looked like snakes slithering through magic.

Looking at her, I shook my head.

“There are still classes left.”

“… Classes left.”

“This is just the second class.”

“Silence. I have just embodied all of your magic more perfectly than anyone else could.”

“Today, we’ll conduct a basic magic test.”

“No, you bastard! What is left for you to teach me?!”

Bang—!

Sophien punched the desk, her brows arching inwardly and her mana rising in the form of an aura due to her sheer anger.

Patience did not exist for the bored Emperor.

“Stop spouting nonsense! Isn’t my magic superior to yours?!”

She was right.

Her current magical ability was superior to mine. She was, after all, a divine being that could easily transcend any wizard in the world if she wanted to.

However…

There was one magic that I could overwhelm her with.

“The most important thing in everything is the foundation, just like how physical fitness is important in physical efficiency.” I casually said as I made my fountain pen levitate.

“[Psychokinesis] is basic magic that’s suitable for starting the operation series. Of course, it’s also divided into Basic, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, but—”

“It is useless.” The Emperor interrupted me. She murmured as she stared fiercely into my eyes. “Deculein. Do you know how many wizards have gone through this burden?”

“I don’t.”

“Thirty-three, and among them were Rohakan and Belladomen.”

I didn’t want to talk about Rohakan, but Belladomen was also an ethereal wizard.

Both were giants in the world of wizardry.

“They didn’t even discuss basic magic with me. My ‘basic’ is already superior to others.”

That was also correct.

If the Psychokinesis output of an ordinary wizard was 10, and the output of a great wizard was 20, the Emperor was ten times that amount at 100.

Since the basic version of her magic was already ten times better than normal, it was only natural that the difference between her and others widened as she progressed to advanced magic.

Therefore, even if she used the same magic, the Emperor unconditionally had the upper hand against others.

Her basic physical strength was already at the level of a superhuman.

“Is that so? It doesn’t matter, however. I am not Rohakan.”

“… What? Deculein, Are you experiencing a cerebral rupture?”

The magic circle of my [Psychokinesis] covered my entire body.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that my physique became the embodiment of [Psychokinesis] and, statistically, my output was fifty times that of an ordinary wizard.

It was five times superior to Sophien’s.

“All you have to do is simple. Take this fountain pen within 30 minutes.”

“What are you doing? Hey. Are you crazy?”

At least with [Psychokinesis], the Emperor wouldn’t be able to defeat me.

Her boredom would be blocked by a wall known as my magic.

“Of course, it’ll be difficult at first. However, if you set a purpose for yourself and work hard for it ceaselessly, You’ll be able to win one day.”

“… Are you insulting me now?” Sophien’s expression hardened.

I spoke in a calm tone.

“Let’s begin. If you defeat me, I will answer all your questions honestly.”

My fountain pen, which hovered in the air with [Psychokinesis], stopped in front of Sophien’s nose.

“… There is no need for questions anymore.”

Sophien looked at me, her rising aura already subsiding. However, that stillness was far stronger as it was the evidence of her rage.

“Are you willing to put your life at stake?” She asked me, sincerity accompanying her voice. That, too, served as proof that my provocation worked.

“Of course.” I smiled. I was calm, and my voice sounded relaxed, but…

I was just as sincere as she was.

“Take it.”

Giving Sophien a ‘raw’ feeling.

That was the purpose of today’s lecture.