The Villain Bought the Female Lead - Ch. 45
I felt it once again.
The fiancée of Vargan, and a villainess.
Erica, who led the followers of the goddess infiltrating Academia.
“Schugenhartz! Are you getting tired now?!”
She was outstanding.
In particular, the combination of ice and warp magic was quite powerful.
The speed of full-body teleportation varied significantly depending on the distance and whether the current line of sight was secured.
Therefore, it was difficult to use full-body warp in general combat.
Although the distance was close, it was not a situation where the line of sight was visible, and it was hard to calculate the coordinates instantly, taking time to move.
However.
Crack!
Another ice pillar rose from the ground.
The neatly spread ice plates and dozens of ice spears floated in the air.
Ice chunks embedded everywhere created an illusion as if entering a house of mirrors in an amusement park.
I used elemental magic to break them whenever they rose, but the number of rising ice chunks was greater.
Also, Erica was not just watching idly, so as time passed, the stage became more advantageous for her.
⎯Buzz.
A fluctuation of magical power.
Erika targeted my back again this time.
I hurriedly turned and grabbed her extended wrist, pulling her to the ground.
I used her kinetic energy.
Thus, Erika sank to the ground.
⎯Buzz.
She warped again.
⎯Shatter!
As she disappeared, the floating ice spears in the air rushed in from all directions as if they had been waiting.
Like a swarm of bees attacking an intruder.
They shot to kill.
Shatter⎯!
The spears that missed their target and hit the ground didn’t just disappear; they created more ice pillars, providing a vantage point for Erica.
Each of her movements had meaning.
The combination of ice and warp.
Erica’s extraordinary intellect and abilities made this possible.
“Excellent. Excellent, Erica!”
Those words came from the heart.
She was a tremendous force. An indispensable talent.
I knew this, but every time I saw her remarkable skills and her astonishing calculative abilities.
Despite the chill running down my spine due to the rapidly dropping temperature.
Pure exhilaration surged within me.
Continuing the battle, I observed and analyzed Erica.
The sensation when I first saw Alicia’s talent with my own eyes.
Erica didn’t possess Alicia’s insane level of talent, but she had distinct utility and uniqueness. There were so many things to do using her abilities, and she was essential.
Surely, she would play a significant role in the future story!
I summarized the countless thoughts in my head into one sentence.
I should condense it.
Erika, she was…
“Useful.”
Crash⎯!
With the sound of glass breaking, the ice wall shattered.
To be exact, I shattered it.
Not using elemental magic.
Pure strength.
Aura and muscle power.
“… you didn’t have any accessories or a staff as a mage, so you chose such a weapon? Unbelievable.”
Erica smirked, pointing at the weapon I was holding.
Accessories and staff.
Yes, generally, a mage would wear rings or bracelets to transfer mana more swiftly and enhance power.
However, for the possessed me, such items were not suitable. Unless they were relics, training tools of Academia, especially in this growth period, would only be a hindrance.
Swish⎯ snap.
I spun the small weapon I was holding lightly in the air, catching it again.
As if playing with a toy.
I didn’t forget to wear my usual smile.
“Well, isn’t it convenient to carry around?”
“I’ve never seen or heard of a mage using a mace.”
“Originally, common sense and prejudice go hand in hand.”
Mace.
Simply put, an iron club.
A blunt weapon similar to the silver mace used by the palace guards of the Joseon Dynasty. Its short length made it easy to hide, simple yet highly effective.
A weapon used for assassination, despite its cute (?) appearance.
Even a regular hit could kill a person, so if you added aura to it, most things would shatter, wouldn’t they?
“The reason I didn’t use this before was because there was a possibility, however small, of harming you.”
“So… are you saying you’re bringing it out now because it looks like you might lose? That’s a useless consideration.”
“Yes, you’re right. If things continue like this, you’ll escape faster than I planned, so I reluctantly bring it out. Erica, forgive this fiancé of yours who might harm you.”
“You’re still running your mouth, so it seems you’ve used up so much mana that you can’t grasp the situation. Feeling dizzy?”
The air froze.
Erica prepared to launch another fierce attack.
I also infused aura with the attribute into the mace to counter her. Fire was effective for melting ice, but wind was better for breaking it.
“I won’t deny that I’ve used considerable mana. However, my fiancée, it’s not me who fails to grasp the situation, but you.”
“Nonsense.”
“No, it’s not nonsense. Think carefully. It’s been quite some time since we started fighting. Yet… it’s still just the two of us here.”
“…….”
“Seeing your reaction, it’s not something you hadn’t thought of at all. As anxiety grew, you immersed yourself in the fight to forget it.”
I smirked.
Watching her, I thought she was more like a lion or a tiger than a bird of prey. No, in size and appearance, she was closer to a cat.
“Erica, get a grip. Reinforcements aren’t coming, no matter how long you wait.”
And then, realizing the entire situation too late, you would soon prepare to warp to escape.
“Alright, let’s start round two.”
***
The central base near Class 1.
All the forces, including Alicia, joined this chaotic battlefield.
Alicia assessed the situation immediately upon arrival. The numbers of the allied forces of Class 4 and Class 5 had significantly decreased. Though there were casualties in Class 1, they were in a favorable position.
This was because Leon’s group from Class 3 had come to help.
It was as her Master had said.
So, Alicia would also act according to his words.
“Oh! Are you from Class 1?”
A man came running like an arrow.
Clearly, he had been fighting the enemy over there, causing a storm in the process.
Chuck.
He placed his hands on Alicia’s shoulders.
“Mm! You seem well-trained! The flow of mana in you is wonderfully refined! I am Leon Banteolo Ocell. I was holding off the villains in your absence.”
“Ah, yes… I’ve heard. Thank you so much.”
“No need to bow your head. I simply couldn’t overlook evil deeds! I did what a hero should! Hahaha⎯!!”
Alicia felt an ear-splitting pain. Just his laughter was this intimidating.
She wondered if this could be used in battle. Although her Master hadn’t mentioned anything, maybe there was a technique that utilized this….
Perhaps influenced by being around Vargan, Alicia began to scrutinize him closely. Outwardly, she maintained a consistent attitude of gratitude, but internally, her thoughts were quite different.
“Judging by the situation, it seems I’m no longer needed here!”
Seeing those who followed Alicia, Leon nodded and said.
The confident and exuberant emotions in his stance, with arms crossed, seemed to declare, <I protected the weak like this! I’m one step closer to being a true hero today!>
“Yes, thank you again. If it weren’t for you, Class 1 would have already retreated.”
“You are a good person! Showing gratitude and respect is also a hero’s virtue! I am learning too!”
Leon laughed heartily once more, then turned and placed his hands on his waist. His already broad back seemed even wider as he puffed out his chest.
“Then, I will take my leave. If we meet again on the battlefield, let’s have a grand duel that shakes the heavens!”
“I’ll try to meet your expectations. Ah, Leon, wait a moment, there’s dust on your clothes….”
“Mm, thank you!”
⎯Baaaang!
[The king of Class 3, Leon Banteolo Ocell, has died. The king of Class 3 has died. All remaining members of Class 3 are now automatically out. Once again…]
“… hmm?”
As the announcement echoed, the previously noisy battlefield fell silent, and everyone’s eyes turned to Leon and Alicia.
Leon looked at Alicia with puzzled eyes, not understanding the situation.
Alicia showed a gentle smile akin to that of a saint, as innocent as if she knew nothing of the world.
If not for her final words, even those witnessing the scene would not have realized what she had done.
“Thank you? We should be the ones thanking you.”
***
Damn it.
The leader of Class 3.
Bell was pulling his hair out in deep despair.
They were preparing to infiltrate the base of Class 1, partially destroyed by the battle with Arterion.
But what kind of bullshit was this?
Leon and his team, who had vowed to quickly scout and return, were helping Class 1.
When Leon chastised them over the communication line, saying, <A true hero cannot ignore injustice!>, Bell wanted to cut off his own ears.
Oh, right.
Leon had always been like this. It wasn’t unexpected. But this was unacceptable. Why did he become the <king>?
At the start of the class battle.
Bell, pondering who should be made king, was approached by Leon.
⎯Bell, I’ll be the king!
⎯No, it’s fine.
⎯Trust me!
⎯No, really, it’s fine.
Bell, fully aware of what it meant to make Leon the king, resisted desperately.
But.
⎯Bell!
⎯Ah, you scared me. Why are you shouting all of a sudden?
⎯I have a shield. And strong physical strength and firm will!
⎯… so?
⎯If I defend with my aura, I won’t have to worry about being out!
⎯…….
He was stupid… no, he was an unpredictable fool, but Bell couldn’t deny Leon’s attractive physical abilities and aura.
Few could penetrate his aura. Even if he were ambushed, his beast-like senses and reflexes would likely handle it.
⎯Bell!
⎯Ah, seriously. It’s not good for my heart. Please speak softer.
⎯Assign someone who can use familiars to communicate with me. Then move me through contact.
⎯Do you understand what you’re saying?
He clearly said.
⎯Of course, I’ll move as you direct. So, trust me and make me the king!
His shout still echoed in Bell’s ears.
The resonance hadn’t even faded, and now what?
Saying he couldn’t ignore injustice to be a true hero?!
Suppressing the instinct to say this wasn’t right, he barely trusted him and what now?
“Leon⎯⎯!! You bastard!!”
Bell screamed so loudly his voice became hoarse. It was unimaginable for a commoner to insult a count family, but.
This time, even his classmates seemed to empathize, nodding or looking at him with pity.
Huff, huff.
Yelling with all his might left him breathless.
“Haha, hahaha!”
Bell laughed like a madman and collapsed to the ground.
All his plans had come to nothing.
In the crucial, widely observed class battle. All his preparations over sleepless nights ended so meaninglessly.
Extreme emptiness and powerlessness welled up in his eyes, and a single tear fell, tracing a path down his cheek to the dirt below.