The Villain Bought the Female Lead - Ch. 111
Vargan and Finn were each rewarded by the Central Church.
Vargan had given Finn a hint in advance, allowing him to choose one of the three swords that the original Liam possessed.
Though a first-class sword might seem excessive for Finn, Liam only needed one sword, so the decision was made.
Additionally, while living there, they occasionally encountered other heroes, but after receiving his artifact, they never saw Sylvester again.
As the holder of the top position, he not only handled hero duties but also a significant share of the church’s responsibilities, leaving him with much to handle.
Even on the day he personally gave rewards to Vargan and Finn, he barely found the time.
…
One month passed quickly at the Central Church.
Vargan received instruction from Helion, and Finn from Kshanoll, devoting themselves to training.
Although Helion and Kshanoll had tight schedules and couldn’t offer much time, Finn and Vargan didn’t lack time to hone the techniques and postures they learned on their own.
While training, Finn refrained from using the sword he received from the Central Church, instead using an excessively thick iron sword.
This was part of Kshanoll’s training philosophy and reflected Finn’s determination to only touch the artifact when he was ready.
Finn wanted to wield the artifact when he felt he was truly deserving of it.
Thus, the days of diligent repetition passed.
And the final day arrived.
“Are you confident you won’t regret this?”
“Yes, Sir Vargan. I’ve already made my decision. Even if it leads to death, I will have no regrets.”
On an early morning, Vargan and Finn, seen off by the Central Church, stood before an airship bound for the Troa Empire.
However, only Vargan would be boarding the airship—Finn would not.
During his month of training at the Central Church, Finn had already reaped his first reward.
“I will not return to the Academia.”
A few days earlier, after undergoing grueling physical and mental training from Kshanoll, Finn had heard information about the <Soul Forge Hall>.
It was located on the eastern part of the continent.
Far from Academia, at the edge of the land.
Somewhere within the massive <Mountain Range of Mist> was where it could be found.
However, though the mountain range was known, its precise location was not.
The thick fog that surrounded the range disoriented intruders, leaving them unaware of their exact whereabouts once they arrived.
Even Kshanoll, who had visited in the past, reached the Soul Forge Hall only by chance, like a mirage as he was near death.
He never knew its exact location. It took Kshanoll around three months to search the mountain range for the Soul Forge Hall.
During the training at the Hall, no physical changes occurred, as time did not seem to flow there.
Descending from the mountain, however, took only a blink of an eye.
Still, the time it took individuals to find the Hall varied—it could take months, or even years.
And of course, many died before ever reaching it.
Under these conditions, Finn declared.
“I will return by the time of the second semester final exams.”
He had made this vow in front of both Vargan and Arbol Frutal, without changing the date he’d initially promised. He intended to return for the exams.
Though it was possible to take the exam early, even while on leave.
But Finn stubbornly refused to do so. He insisted he would finish all his tasks and return within approximately four months.
“If I do not return by then, assume I am dead and erase my name from Arbol Frutal.”
There was no hint of wavering in Finn’s eyes.
Though his attitude had always been humble and pessimistic, it did not mean he lacked determination.
“It’s unfortunate that we won’t be able to work together as team members anymore since we’ll be in different years. But we still have the research group.”
Rather than being negative, Finn’s words were a means to push himself harder—they were not the final outcome.
He set a strict deadline for himself.
Ensuring that he would return by that time, using it as a whip to drive himself forward.
“Alright.”
Vargan did not say much more.
Finn had already made all his decisions, and no words from him would change anything.
After a brief farewell, Vargan prepared to board the airship, true to his nature of acting immediately once conversation was over.
However—
“You’re doing something unnecessary.”
Vargan saw Finn, bowing deeply before him, head touching the ground.
Under the morning sun, Finn’s shadowed posture was not one of shame but peace.
To become a hero, Finn bowed without hesitation. Yet, this was not a request nor out of embarrassment.
“Entering the Academia and becoming a member of Sir Vargan’s team was a <miracle> for me.”
Still not lifting his head, Finn began to speak, recounting the series of extraordinary events he had experienced over the past six months.
His tone was calm and steady, with no change in pitch.
His voice was incredibly composed.
“After joining the research group you founded, I met many people, competed with them, and gained experiences of enlightenment.”
When he mentioned the class battle, Finn hesitated slightly.
“There were times I resented being born into such a weak and pathetic body, feeling only shame and frustration for being a burden to you, rather than helping.”
It was likely that Alicia had influenced him deeply.
Having watched her, who was once so close, rapidly outpace him, had forced Finn to face his own powerlessness.
Leading him to profound self-loathing.
“… but you gave me a <chance>.”
Even so, it was only a brief moment of hesitation.
Finn regained his calmness.
“I know that you made decisions contrary to your original intentions. Even without imagining your perspective, it’s clear to anyone. You wouldn’t have given me Sir Helion’s mentee position.”
“…….”
“Whether it was out of sympathy or recognition, it was neither easy nor rational. Therefore, I consider this the second <miracle> in my life.”
The first miracle had come without any external intervention.
The second one was bestowed by Vargan.
“I must have used up all the luck I’ll ever have in my life. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to say what I am saying now.”
Finn slowly lifted his head.
His eyes were smiling.
The resolve in his heart was evident, yet his bright smile was equally sincere.
His lips parted.
“Now, it’s my turn to show a miracle.”
The third miracle.
To transcend the limits of a talentless soul and be reborn anew.
Finn now sought to bring about his own change.
“……”
Vargan, who had been staring at those weary eyes for a while, gave a faint smile and raised him with a light gesture.
Finn’s resolve had already been confirmed without needing further validation.
Anything more would be a waste of time.
Judging thus, Vargan spoke lightly.
“Save that kind of thing for your master, Kshanoll.”
Only then did Finn rise, with dirt still clinging to his pants. Yet, he didn’t seem to mind, and his face even appeared somewhat relieved.
His rough lips moved.
“I’ve already spoken to him.”
Finn smiled awkwardly. A gentle breeze and sunlight softly caressed the surroundings.
And then.
Vargan and Finn set off on their respective paths.
They didn’t speak much more. Finn had resolved that this wouldn’t be the last time.
They could resume their conversation during the second semester’s final exams. For now, he kept his word to himself, saving them for that day.
Both, having grown just a bit, moved forward, strengthening their foundations.
***
The airship that had been rising from the Central Church quickly disappeared over the horizon.
In front of the Central Church’s gate.
Helion quietly watched it vanish into the blinding morning light.
Then, he heard footsteps and turned his head.
It was Kshanoll, who, like Helion, had just seen off a student he could call his disciple.
“Helion, our next mission has been decided.”
Kshanoll briefly explained the contents of the command issued by the church, and Helion quietly listened.
It was a dispatch to a distant region.
Thanks to Vargan’s assistance, the situation in Dortmund had flowed smoothly and was resolved quickly, but this time it seemed it would not go so easily.
After listing the basic details, Kshanoll spoke.
“Congratulations on reaching 6th place in the Hero Ranking.”
“You as well, Kshanoll.”
As a recognition of his contributions in the Dortmund incident, Helion’s ranking had risen from 7th to 6th place.
Not just Helion, but all the team members had advanced by one, or in some cases, several ranks.
The Hero Ranking reflected one’s influence within the church, so the higher the rank, the more advantageous it was.
While Helion didn’t have an intense desire to reach the highest rank, he understood the necessity of achieving a certain level.
After their mutual congratulations, a brief silence followed.
“You don’t seem too upset that your only student has left.”
Helion remarked, bringing up the subject of Vargan and Finn.
Kshanoll, as if the matter had nothing to do with him, replied indifferently.
“I have no disciples. Nor do I need any, nor do I deserve any.”
“You’re as hard on yourself as Finn is. You should allow yourself some satisfaction sometimes, you know.”
“I will be at peace the day the Altifes are extinct.”
Helion thought Kshanoll and Finn were similar.
Their personalities might differ in the details, but in essence, they were alike.
Both had lacked talent and yet desired strength more than anyone. Both harbored long-standing self-loathing and relentless drive.
The reason Kshanoll treated the untalented with such contempt and disdain was likely because they reminded him of his former self, and because he knew all too well the thorny path ahead of them.
The survival rate in the Soul Forge Hall was abysmal.
Achieving one’s desires there was close to a miracle.
Since he couldn’t openly reveal the Soul Forge Hall to everyone, he likely thought it was kinder to advise them to give up early and choose another path—at least, that was what Helion believed.
“Still, I didn’t expect you’d share information about the Soul Forge Hall.”
“… all I did was clean up the mess after Canthurman carelessly blabbed about it.”
“Are you saying Student Finn will fail on the path of the Soul Forge Hall?”
Failure.
That meant death.
Upon hearing the question, Kshanoll gazed quietly into the distance and answered.
“Most likely.”
As someone who had personally completed the Soul Forge Hall’s training, Kshanoll’s words carried weight.
And Helion didn’t press the matter further. He could guess how Kshanoll felt.
“By the way, is your hand alright?”
Kshanoll changed the subject.
He wasn’t referring to the left arm that had been restored after Ami’s death.
“Oh, this?”
“It seems even your healing magic hasn’t fully cured it yet, which means the power and persistence behind that wound must be considerable.”
“Indeed. It still stings a little.”
Helion’s right hand was red, as if burned.
Yellow particles of light swarmed around it as it was in the process of healing through his magic.
Despite his injury, Helion wore a bright, pleased smile.
“Student Vargan’s growth is faster than I expected. In the end, I lost the bet.”
On the last morning before Vargan left the Central Church.
Helion and Vargan had an early final practical lesson together.
As a result.
Helion’s right hand, protected by divine magic, was left with a decayed, gnawing wound from curse.