The Villain Bought the Female Lead - Ch. 84
After the first semester final exams.
Academia was shrouded in a gloomy fog.
A joint funeral was held to commemorate those who had perished in the recent incident.
Clergy sent from the church presided over the ceremony, which was quite large in scale. The news must have reached the families of the deceased as well.
After the initial ceremony to soothe the souls, the bodies were to be transported to their respective hometowns.
Everyone in Academia participated in the funeral, which was conducted solemnly, with none of the usual liveliness or noise to be found.
After the funeral, Liam, still half out of his mind, was receiving care from the specialists assigned to Academia.
He reportedly suffered from anxiety and hallucinations.
In his dreams, the dead comrades would blame him and try to kill him, and occasionally, he would see their figures in reality as well.
Fortunately, he had not resorted to self-harm.
For some time, Emily, Nikela, and others visited Liam’s hospital room daily, offering him companionship and support.
During this time, Liam knelt before Nikela, sincerely apologized, and broke down in tears.
Though there was nothing left to forgive, Nikela told Liam that she forgave him for his sake.
After that, his condition reportedly improved somewhat. At least, he no longer saw visions of his comrades.
Nikela planned to return to her hometown and not return once the first semester ended.
She could no longer use magic. Without being able to use mana, she couldn’t continue her apprenticeship as a hero at Academia.
It might seem rather rigid, but it was also for Nikela’s own good.
As various matters were being handled in a rather gloomy manner, time continued to pass, and the vacation period arrived.
The vacation ceremony was skipped, and students either returned to their homes for a while or, if they lived too far away or had nowhere to go, stayed at Academia.
Today was the first day of vacation.
“The decision regarding the matter of absorbing the Judgement Weapon has been made.”
I was currently facing Rheincarven, the eldest son of the Schugenhartz family, in the student council room, which was dark even though it was midday due to the heavy clouds.
His intelligent eyes did not lose their light, even in the darkness.
“The event where Archbishop Zagan’s Judgement Weapon was absorbed into the first-class relic Naias was deemed to have occurred under appropriate circumstances, and Academia testifies to this. Therefore, the current owner of Naias will inherit the rights to the Judgement Weapon and may exercise those rights ⎯ that’s the conclusion.”
Rheincarven, reading the words written on the parchment, placed it on the desk. His quiet mouth continued to speak.
“There will be no taking Naias away from you and your servant, Alicia, who are the co-owners of this relic.”
The Judgement Weapon was one of the primary research subjects, not only extremely difficult to obtain but also very rare in number.
Normally, all rights would be granted to the first to acquire it, but since professors were heavily involved in capturing Zagan, and the event occurred during an Academia exam, there could have been some debate over ownership.
However, it was ultimately concluded naturally without dispute, as if I hadn’t gone against the power of the Cardinal and beheaded Zagan, it would have been impossible to kill one of the archbishops or absorb the Judgement Weapon.
Besides, to remove the power that had already been absorbed, the first-class relic Naias would have to be destroyed, which didn’t make sense, so I wasn’t really worried.
I just wanted to hear confirmation.
“Well, that’s good news.”
“That’s not necessarily the case.”
“There will be those who aim for the sword once the rumors spread quickly. You seem to be concerned about this, but there’s no need to worry.”
When one killed someone at the level of an archbishop or higher, part of the power of the Judgement Weapon became attached to the weapon or nearby weapons.
Naias had become stronger by receiving part of Zagan’s power through this incident.
Although it was unfortunate that it couldn’t be stacked, the fact that an enemy above the level of an archbishop was defeated was extremely rare, and the power given was enormous.
It was only natural that some would try to covet it or become envious.
“Neither I nor my servant would ever allow someone to steal from us.”
If anyone tried to take Naias from Alicia, she would resist literally <to the death>.
There weren’t many who could stand against Alicia’s rapidly growing power and the now much stronger Naias, and even fewer would dare to lay a hand on something belonging to the Schugenhartzs.
How would they deal with the consequences of such a reckless act?
“Lastly, the grade of Naias has been reclassified.”
This, too, was expected.
The original grade of Naias, which housed the Grand Duke-level spirit, was first-class.
It was already the highest grade a relic could receive, but since the power of the Judgement Weapon was added, it was reclassified to a higher grade.
“Naias will now be classified as an <out-of-grade> item.”
Normally, the term <out-of-grade> referred to items that fell below the set grades, often implying inferior quality.
However, in the context of relics, even the lowest-performing ones had a grade, so an out-of-grade item meant something so exceptional it couldn’t be classified.
I still couldn’t fully harness its power, but once Naias stabilized and we grew together, it would display abilities befitting an out-of-grade item.
Rheincarven said nothing further after that.
He was not one to enjoy small talk or idle chatter, so there was nothing more to discuss.
From what I knew, he planned to stay at Academia during the vacation instead of returning to his family’s estate, continuing his work with the student council, but I was neither curious nor was it important.
I should take my leave.
“Vargan, you’ve worn the scent of the bishop and the archbishop.”
I heard Rheincarven’s voice.
… why did he always stop me when I was about to leave?
Rheincarven’s voice was low and calm.
It resonated through the space slowly.
“That scent won’t wash away, and it will attract many.”
His words seemed to carry both concern and warning.
… no, this was Rheincarven we were talking about. He was likely thinking of Schugenhartz’s reputation rather than worrying about me.
I stood still, listening to his continued words.
There was no urgent matter requiring my immediate attention anyway.
“Moving forward will only intensify that scent. And that means drawing closer to death.”
He spoke.
Reflecting on the reality I was currently facing from a new perspective.
“Don’t forget. You’re one step closer to death than your peers.”
The more I accomplished, the stronger I became, the stronger the enemies who would aim for my life.
Rheincarven’s words weren’t wrong.
Yes, they weren’t wrong at all.
“I’ll take it as a brotherly warning for his younger brother’s sake.”
With a slight smile, I left the student council room.
***
“Master, I’ve packed all the supplies you requested.”
“Good. Well done. I don’t need to check, do I?”
“I’ve already double-checked everything five times.”
“That’ll do.”
After concluding my conversation with the eldest son, Rheincarven, I received a handkerchief-shaped familiar from Alicia.
Despite the considerable number of items inside, Whitey’s flawless shape remained perfectly intact, without even a hint of distortion.
It was so light that I even doubted whether all the items I requested were actually inside. A familiar of high rank was indeed convenient.
“…….”
“If you have something to say, don’t dawdle and speak up quickly. We must leave immediately.”
“… Master Vargan.”
Seeing Alicia fidgeting with her fingers, I asked first.
Then she called my name. The light from the lamp reflected in her blue eyes trembled slightly, conveying her emotions in its place.
“It’s a long journey of two months. I sincerely wish for your safety, health, and that everything you’ve planned goes smoothly.”
Her voice, slightly tinged with moisture, calmly settled. She didn’t seem to notice, but her hands were clasped together in a praying gesture.
She was a woman who was especially weak to farewells.
Was she sad about not seeing someone she had grown accustomed to, no matter how harshly they treated her?
Or maybe it was because she had been spending too much time with Emily, who had been gloomy due to worrying about Liam’s recent condition.
“Not only me, but you’ll also be leaving in a few days with Charlotte and the others, won’t you?”
Along with Charlotte, Liam, and Emily. I even knew where they were headed.
Considering Liam’s current state of mind, difficulties were expected, but with Alicia and Emily as they were now, they should be able to overcome the hardships without much trouble.
“Yes… that’s correct. I feel guilty for not fulfilling my duties and asking for your understanding to part ways with you temporarily.”
“You’re still eloquent as ever. It’s not like you’re leaving for any other reason but to mentor under an active hero, so why make it sound so grand?”
“Master.”
Alicia called me again.
Her gaze was quite earnest.
“Please take care of yourself… and, also—aaah!”
She was talking too much nonsense, so I cut her off with a flick on her forehead. She raised her hands, which she had clasped together, to cover her forehead.
I spoke to Alicia, who was on the verge of tears.
“Don’t worry about me and just take care of yourself.”
“Master….”
I was about to turn and walk away, leaving her behind in pain, when a thought suddenly crossed my mind, and I spoke up.
If Alicia hadn’t gone on and on, I might have just left without saying it.
“Oh, and Alicia. After the mentoring ends, stay at your family’s house for a few days before returning.”
“… pardon? My family’s… house?”
Perhaps the mention of her family was more shocking than the pain, as Alicia’s already large eyes widened even further in surprise.
On the way back from where Charlotte’s group was headed, there was a village where Alicia used to live. It was more efficient to travel this way.
That was not the only reason, but… this much explanation would do for now.
“I’ll give you a day off for the year. Didn’t I promise you that?”
“Yes, that’s right. But as you said… only one day in the entire year….”
“Just think of it as one of my whims. Stay for a few days and then come back. Also, don’t neglect your training. Always keep in mind that I’m watching you and continue honing yourself.”
“… thank you, Master. But… are you really okay with this?”
“If you don’t feel like it, you can come back immediately.”
“……”
Alicia, who looked utterly confused, soon composed herself and then bowed politely.
“I will gratefully accept the grace you have shown me. I will make sure not to waste this time.”
“You don’t need to say that. After all, it’s for you… hm, never mind. I’ll be on my way.”
I cut the conversation short and started walking.
Alicia kept her head bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
“I’ll see you later, Master.”
“Yes, see you in two months.”
Thud⎯
With those steps, I walked out.
With this, I had completed all the tasks for the first semester of the first year at the Academia.
Now, during this summer vacation, I would throw myself into the storm that was the incident of Helion.
But it didn’t matter.
Since the moment I decided to change the course of events, I resolved to accept everything humbly.
I would say it with certainty.
This time, I was targeting another archbishop, following Zagan.
The one who devoured souls, <Ami>.
Although it depended on the match-up, in terms of pure combat strength, Ami was ranked higher than Zagan.
Even though he had become a hero back then, that creature took one of Helion’s arms. Even if I knew its behavior patterns and powers, I wouldn’t be careless.
Because I knew, I would analyze thoroughly and find a strategy.
Right now, I was marked by the scent of Zagan, Ami’s twin. What could be more suitable to attract its attention?
Through this vacation, I would kill Ami, achieve growth, and gain rewards.
I didn’t mind if Altife’s scent on me became stronger.
In fact, it was what I wanted.
No matter how strong the scent might be. Until I uprooted them, I would cover myself entirely in their scent.
I had resolved to do so.