Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Struggling as a Villain Chapter 93: Chapter 92- Academy(6)STRUGGLING AS A VILLAINC93: Chapter 92- Academy(6)
Inside a dimly lit place, which was vast enough that accommodating a thousand people wouldn't be a problem, could be seen several individuals currently standing in a perfect formation.
There was an elevated stage, at the far end of the hall toward which the others faced.
Their faces remained hidden under a loosely hanging shroud, while these individuals waited for their leader to begin the meeting.
Finally, a man with similar attire but without anything obstructing his face climbed the stag and walked to stand in the middle. His grey ageing eyes stared at the crowd while his long white hair fell over his shoulders. The man outwardly looked like a human, but no one present inside the hall knew the real identity of the person.
"I am delighted that you all made some time for this auspicious gathering. I humbly pay my respect and hope that we can find a solution of our growing problems."
The man spoke—his voice was neither too loud nor too quiet. Just enough for everyone present here to hear what he just uttered.
The man continued, "A very precious companion and dear friend of mine lost his life recently, and that hampered the progression we were making towards our ultimate goal."
"Our goal...I think none of you have forgotten, right?" The man asked; his voice laced with a sharpness that made various flinch.
Drawing his finger in the air, the man drew a symbol in front of him, for everyone to see.
It was a strange symbol that seemed like two scythes were drawn in a cross, within a circle and blood seemed to be sliding down the blades.
"Our lord! The master of death! The one who created the Dark Star and introduced us to the concept of...freedom!" The leader suddenly sounded ecstatic, like he was declaring his life achievements.
Excitement grew in the hall. Their goal, the only mission they had, and that was to bring the God of Death on Clion and have him claim what he deserved.
"But Master," Someone from the crowd spoke, in a hesitant voice, "The plans which Philip made were all either burnt or confiscated by the authorities. And he was the only one who knew about the ritual."
Philip, the ex-Prime Minister of Eldoria, had a very prominent position in the cult since he was the one who came up with the ritual to reach Death.
The grey-haired leader remained silent, as he walked on the stage with his hands held behind his back and contemplated.
Suddenly, he halted, and in a severe voice, he announced, "Then we have to snatch it back."
A lot of people gasped hearing that and one of them reflexively asked, "That would mean we have to wage a war against Eldoria!"
"We are not prepared, master. The armies of Eldoria are exceptionally vast and filled with great warriors."
"Not to talk about, they have 'her' by their side." One of them exclaimed.
Instantly, a wave of killing intent washed over the hall and immediately, everyone quieted down.
Once he knew that every eye was back on him, the leader began,
"I know the enemy forces are vast, and they have some exceptionally strong warriors. However, it's not like we can just stop moving toward our ambition and forget Phil's sacrifice!" His strong voice was like a wake-up call that helped many to realise their mistake and look more determined.
Not so long after, the one who spoke earlier again asked, "But sire, although we have the determination, with the numbers we have, we cannot rival Eldoria."
The grey-haired man grinned at that before stating, "Then we will get some help."
Taking a brief pause, he announced,
"Through the summoning ritual, we will have our own champion!"
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The third examination was over, and now, only twenty-six students remain.
Richard was still in a daze while he thought about Amelia.
...she sacrificed her chance to be in the hunter's course for him. He couldn't remember when he met such a selfless soul before.
He was overwhelmed.
"Hello, I am Hailey and I will be conducting your fourth test." This time, it was a short black-haired woman in her early twenties. There was a scar on her face that went down the left side of her chin, and by her aura, one could tell that the woman had experienced quite a few battles.
She glanced at Richard for a moment and couldn't help but feel puzzled at his current state.
Regardless, she continued, "Since the numbers have reduced quite a lot, the administration decided to reduce the stages of examination as well."
Those words brought a sudden wave of elation among the students. They were told by Olivia that there would be seven examinations before the students could enrol as students of Hunter's course.
"Now, there would be only five rounds; as such, you all have to cross two more stages, including this one." She added, "Those first three stages tested your raw physical abilities without ether. Now, the last two will determine how skilled you are with magic."
Some of the students clenched their fists in aggression and excitement. This was finally the time for them to show what they mainly trained for.
Richard also felt that this might not be as hard as the previous three since ether was like breathing for an ether user; as such, finishing tests with their greatest weapon would be a lot easier.
The raven-haired then turned around and raised her hand from down to up—along with her movement, two thin trails also erupted from the ground and appeared before the others
The handrail...or more like a balance beam, was about four inches broad and had nothing given to balance oneself. One has to have a strong core and body balance to cross this twenty-foot-long trail without falling.
But naturally, "There is more," Hailey added as she waved her hand and two long steel rods attached to straps, dropped on the ground, as she continued,
"There are training bars that you will be carrying as you walk on the beams. And along with that, several darts, arrows and maybe pebbles as well, would be thrown at you to make you surrender. And that's your challenge."
"But Instructor...how are we going to lift that?" The frail-looking girl who was embracing Ethan back in the umbrella dome asked the lady.
The girl asked while pointing at those heavy bars that created small cracks on the floor upon collision.
Hailey shrugged, "It's up to you how you do it. Just remember, this test will be focusing on your knowledge of the Four Fundamentals."
Just as Richard thought. They have to utilize all four fundamental skills to get through this.
He took his time to calculate how he would be doing this, expecting Hailey to follow the norm and start from the other end, when suddenly his name was called.
"Student Richard and Ethan, please step forward."
Richard raised his brows before glancing at the lady—only to find her grinning.
'Damn...she is really odd...' Not only does Richard have heard about Hailey from his mother but knows about her from his previous world.
The tomboy who loves to seek thrill from trivial stuff. And right now, her source of excitement is to see how Richard fails.
Well, he surely was not going to fail here and throw all the efforts of Lilia and his mother to waste.
He cracked his neck and rolled his sleeve.
Ethan looked nervous, unlike Richard. He gulped as he looked at the weighted bar he had to lift.
However, thankfully, now he can use his magic to strengthen himself or this would not have ended well.
Both of them crouched down to bind the straps around their shoulders and back and tied them firmly.
Just as they were about to lift the bars, Richard and Ethan glanced at each other.
While slowly nodding Richard asked, "Let's do this?"
Ethan gave a firm nod before responding, "Let's do this!"
Richard instantly used enhancement, to strengthen his body. A rush of ether ran across his body, reinforcing his muscles and fortifying his bones.
With a jerk, he situated the bar over his shoulder and remained squatted. Once he ensured that the weighted bar wasn't falling he finally got up—evaluating the weight to be over two hundred kilograms.
He looked towards his left and found Ethan also got up, albeit with a little struggle.
Turning towards the beam, Richard heaved a sigh, and initiated detection.
Finally, he stepped on the beam and started walking on it. It was not as thin as it seemed from far away; however, if he had tried walking over it with this weight over his shoulder, he might not have been able to even stand on the beam properly.
Just as he took two steps, he sensed something flying in his direction from behind. Richard didn't panic and conjured a small barrier around his shoulder.
*CLANG*
The dart fell on the ground upon clashing against his barrier.
Hailey was surprised to see that the boy detected the dart so precisely and was also able to conjure the third spell, that is, the barrier.
And on the other side....after getting hit by the dart, Ethan lost his balance, and in a panic,
"urgh..."
He fell off just after taking three steps.
--------------**-------------
A/N:- Thanks for reading.
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Struggling as a Villain Chapter 94: Chapter 93- Academy(6)STRUGGLING AS A VILLAINC94: Chapter 93- Academy(6)
"Richard is cheating." Inside the headmaster's office could be seen by two people currently. The office belonged to one of the two, and the other one, who just claimed Richard as a cheater was a short green-haired woman who goes by the name Olivia.
The man sitting across the table never lifted his eyes from the newspaper he was reading, even though the matter involved a student committing a crime.
Olivia wasn't able to withstand that nonchalant attitude anymore, as she spoke again in a slightly agitated voice,
"I know it sir. He is using some kind of artifact or drug which is allowing him to withstand those challenges."
Olivia knew she might be making a mistake. However, she couldn't just accept the fact that someone as spoiled and arrogant as Richard, who has lived as a rotten young master, would suddenly become an elite during examination.
Finally, the man said, "In your opinion, school security is not doing their job?"
"I never said that Sir, but there is a chance for Richard to be using some kind of tool which cannot be detected. We have to thoroughly assess him and take the necessary-"
"Olivia." The man lifted his eyes and directed his pale yellow eyes at the instructor before asking, "Don't you find yourself being prejudiced toward Richard because of your hatred toward his mother?"
Olivia was taken aback, quite literally as she backed off and removed her hands from the table.
The older one retained his eyes on the woman before asking, "I know your competitiveness towards Bella and how you ended up hating her after she just got up and disappeared one day. Am I wrong?"
The headmaster, Marcus Blackwood, was the one who taught the two children back then, which explains why he knows about them so closely.
Olivia was rendered speechless as she stared at the man for a long time before she finally uttered, "You are wrong...headmaster. I don't hate her, because you can hate only those for whom you feel anything. Bellarine Scarlette is no one to me."
Olivia turned on her feet and soon exited the office.
Marcus heaved a sigh and contemplated for a moment. Finally, he decided to take a look at the examinations and see what urged Olivia to make such a false charge at Richard.
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In the examination hall, either students were in awe or disbelief. After all, seeing someone utilizing three fundamental abilities together was not a feat which even some instructors and professors could achieve.
Not only was Richard balancing the weighted bar quite flawlessly, but he was also even detecting the incoming danger and parrying it with his partial barrier, which seemed to be his least practised skill.
He was only protecting that region where the object was about to collide. And not only that, he couldn't retain the barrier for more than a second....which explains why he was injured from places. After all, the number of throwables wasn't consistently singular.
The moment two or more throwables are directed at him, Richard only blocked one of them and the others, harmed him. But thanks to his strong core and balance, he hasn't shown any struggle until now.
"How is he sensing the incoming objects? Even if he has detection, it doesn't make sense that he can detect them." One of the boys asked as he closely monitored Richard
It was the instructor who educated them, "Each throwable is being thrown through a spell; as such, the ether from the spell remains until it doesn't fall to the ground. Richard isn't sensing the object itself, but the ether wrapped around it."
Many 'ooh-ed' to that information as they realised what they had to do when their turn would come.
"Ma'am, what if I just run across the beam?" One of the bulky dudes asked; feeling a little bored seeing Richard being so slow.
Hailey smirked, "Can you handle that momentum while protecting yourself and keeping your enhancement up? Since crossing that beam with that size would definitely require some weight reduction."
Many chuckled, while the one who asked felt embarrassed upon hearing that.
Ethan, who was still present in the hall, asked this time in a shocked tone, "Ma'am, why does it seem...the weighted bar is elongating?"
Hearing the silver-head's words, everyone turned to look at Richard closely and indeed, the left side of the bar was increasing in length.
Hailey smirked, "Let's see what he does now."
Richard, who felt the weight of the bar suddenly increasing towards the left side, found his feet diverting as well. Panic surged just for a moment and in the next, he extended his ether threads and pressed them against the ground to first balance himself.
He glanced at Hailey, hoping that she just doesn't end up disqualifying him, but fortunately, she didn't make any moves.
Richard heaved a sigh and checked the metal bar, only to find that it had increased in length by several inches.
He spread his ether threads and attached them to the beam. Four of them were behind and four of them in front, while Richard seemed like a bridge pillar—strong and unshakable.
He extended his threads with each step and completely ignored the pain he felt from the throwable. Just a few steps ahead, he finally reached the end, and the buzzer resounded,
*BZZZZZ*
Unstrapping the metal bar, he allowed it to fall to the ground and looked at the teacher.
Surprisingly, some of the students, including Ethan, were clapping for Richard.
Richard, while rotating his left arm, walked towards Hailey before she handed him a vial of potion.
"I hope I don't need to call your girl to patch up your wounds again." She teased, urging Richard to roll his eyes.
He went towards his mark and drank the potion.
"Good work," He heard Ethan saying, to which he nodded with a smile and soon crouched down to wrap up his wounds.
Soon the other students started to give their tests, and after thirty minutes, the examination concluded.
"Okay now, I am very disappointed in those who failed and those who passed; I cannot be any more proud." The raven-haired announced, alternatively looking at the groups of failures and achievers.
Eight students failed, and twenty-two remained. However, the other twenty-one students looked extremely injured and unwell, compared to Richard.
Ethan, along with the seven others, bid their farewell and soon exited the hall along with Hailey.
Richard heaved a sigh as he looked towards his right.
When he came, over a hundred were there, and now, after just two hours, the quantity has reduced to twenty-two. Not only that, the two people he knew were also disqualified.
It was a little saddening.
Finally, the last test instructor arrived—this time, it was a man in his thirties with a rugged build. Steel blue eyes, short military-cut black hair and a height of almost seven feet.
Standing across the students, he gave a very ominous vibe, like some kind of villain.
With his hands crossed behind him, the man assumed an upright posture before introducing himself,
"The name is Ravelt, and I will be conducting your fifth and last examination."
The eyes of many students were brimming with awe upon witnessing the ex-commander of the legion, who had achieved several feats and gained himself the title of the 'Undefeatable' since the man never lost a battle when he was still serving.
Richard knew this man from his previous life, as he was the father of the emo kid who would be playing the supporting role in the future.
"In this test, every student has a simple task; kill your opponent."
The test was simple and so was the man.
"You will be given three minutes and within that time, just slaughter whatever stands before you."
The students began to mumble and one of them asked what the others were wondering, "But sir, what do we have to face?"
The man tilted his body and turned toward his back before the rear gate of the examination centre opened up, and something crawled out of the darkness.
"Holy..."
"Goddamn, is that a..."
"A D-rank volcan lizard..."
"Damn...we have to fight that?"
Richard raised his brows as he saw the being advancing towards them with great ferocity, advancing to kill the first human which it could grab. However, the lizard ended up crashing against a barrier which the instructor created and stopped the being from nearing the students.
"The target would be the same for everyone. Now, go whoever wants to go first."
Richard looked at the time and found it was already nearing four o'clock. If he doesn't hurry he won't be able to make it for the date he promised.
That's why he suddenly raised his hand and said, "Can I go, instructor?"
The man nonchalantly nodded before he opened a small gap in the barrier for Richard to walk in.
The lizard had already backed off, trying to find another route to close in, which gave Richard some space to enter the arena.
The others quieted down instantly upon seeing Richard volunteering to be the guinea pig.
"He is a flame user...surely he would have difficulty against something whose natural habitat is volcanoes." The tallest student uttered with a snicker as he looked at Richard with a hidden emotion in his eyes.
He was envious.
Richard ignored their voice and focused on the lizard who quickly noticed his presence.
The lizard was about twelve feet long with a venomous tongue and red lava-like skin which burned.
Everyone held their breath when the lizard advanced towards Richard with an astonishing pace, and Richard remained standing at his spot.
Everyone was wondering what kind of spell he would pull and even the instructor was interested in knowing what the infamous witch has taught her son.
However, much to everyone's astonishment, just when the lizard opened its mouth, a long stick pierced its mouth and exited from the tip of its tail—rendering the lizard motionless and eyes widened.
Richard held the staff end and after fortifying his muscles he lifted the whole a** lizard in the air before bashing it against the ground. He repeated the process thrice before the creature stopped moving.
Richard pulled his staff back, which reduced to its original size and soon disappeared into nothingness.
Turning toward the instructor he asked, "Can I go now?"
---------**--------
A/N:- I hope you all enjoyed reading the chapter
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Struggling as a Villain Chapter 95: Chapter 94- Date(1)STRUGGLING AS A VILLAINC95: Chapter 94- Date(1)
The results will be posted on the notice board tomorrow about the classes each student got and what their current student points are. Each student gets a unique card which carries both their identity, negative and positive marks which allows the teacher to cooperate and give tasks to students efficiently.
Those students who chose a course and failed it would be tested tomorrow, and based on their results, they would get assigned to the course for which they are most suitable. Like Amelia most probably would get sorted out in the 'Survival' group.
Richard was not sure about Ethan since he had the traits of a hunter and a warrior. Based on what the Headmaster decided, the canon events might diverge.
'I have a feeling that the events have already been diverted because of my performance...' Originally, Richard got into the mage class because of exceptional magical skills. Although he was a spoiled brat, being the gifted heir of the Scarlette clan, he got the upper hand when it came to spells and wizardry.
But now he was in the group which was closely related to the main characters. But, well, he never decided anything on impulse. Everything was going as planned.
Exiting the examination centre, he looked around for Amelia, but he couldn't locate her.
Not only her but every student who failed in the examination was nowhere to be seen.
'Were they sent to re-examination already?' That thought passed by his head as Richard decided to ask the instructor he saw nearby.
"No, everyone was sent to the dorms." He said before walking away; leaving Richard confused.
Did she...leave?
Such thought passed through his mind and it wouldn't be unreasonable, considering that the students were allowed to stay on the campus.
Richard slowly made his way towards the entrance, thinking of a way to reach Amelia...when suddenly his eyes caught her figure standing under a tree, not so far away from the main gate.
Richard's lips stretched in a smile...however, soon he sobered up upon noticing the other person standing near her.
It was Emily.
With a frown, Richard made his way towards the duo before asking Amelia, "Is there any problem?" He asked as the conversation between the duo seemed slightly heated up.
Emily was startled. However, Amelia didn't react since her focus was always on the school gates, and that's why she saw him approaching.
"Ah, Sir Richard. No, we were just discussing the pattern of examination. It was really weird, truth be told." Emily instantly clarified and it helped that Amelia nodded in assent.
"The examinations were weird, I concur." Amelia followed.
Richard shrugged, "I mean this school invents new assessment methods every year so that students can't prepare for them beforehand. Naturally, they would tend to be unique."
Amelia and Emily slowly nodded at that.
Silence befell under the tree urging Richard to take his leave with Amelia in tow, when suddenly Emily asked,
"Uh, Richard...c-can I talk to you alone for a minute?"
Amelia's shoulders tensed up hearing that and her usually indifferent eyes adopted a faint anxiousness as she glanced at Richard
In response to her reaction, Richard didn't look back at Amelia, nor did he take time to contemplate before responding, "Not today, Miss Emily. I have a dinner date with the pretty lady beside me." A soft smile raised the edges of his lips when he said that.
Seeing Richard encircling his arm around her waist and after hearing those words, Emily was frozen in shock.
Amelia gazed at Richard with her eyes softening and inched closer to him.
Emily soon awkwardly nodded before saying, "O-Okay then, next time."
Richard gave a firm nod before leading Amelia away.
Emily traced their backs with her eyes while remaining standing at the same place.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out, "What did you want to tell him?"
Eleanor asked as she found her friend gazing at Richard and Amelia with a complex look in her eyes.
Emily didn't tear her eyes away from them as she responded, "I wanted to thank Richard for saving Ethan. If not for him....we might have lost him."
Eleanor cannot refute that since, indeed, if not for Richard, they might have failed at what they travelled back in time. Protecting Ethan was their goal, and even before facing the ultimate danger, he might have perished just because they, mostly Emily and Eleanor, tampered with the timeline.
Heaving a sigh, Eleanor rested her hand on her friend's shoulder, before comforting her, "Don't worry; you will surely get another chance".
.....
The duo walked in silence for a few moments before Amelia suddenly thanked him,
"Thank you for not hiding that we have a date."
Richard raised his brows before asking her, "Why would I have hidden it? I am always proud of my decisions."
Amelia, as usual, didn't hold back from uttering what was on her mind, "I know that you once liked her, so considering that, it feels like you chose me over your first love."
Richard chuckled at hearing that. How his previous self fell for Emily was still a mystery to him, even though he knew the reason. However, seeing the people around him giving Emily such importance always makes him chuckle.
Unwrapping his hand from her waist, he held her hand before telling her,
"She might be my first love, but I have already moved on from her. Now I have people whom I love, and they love me back equally."
Amelia smiled at that as she kept her gaze straight and softly whispered, "I don't know about romantic relationships much, but right now I am experiencing something called one-sided love."
Richard pressed his lips in a thin smile and glanced at the girl whose eyes reflected the setting sun.
It hasn't been over three weeks since he came to know her, yet he has somehow started to like her. Not only because she was exactly his type, but also because of her honest personality.
However, if he told her that right now, she might think that he was just being thankful for the help she did back then during the examination. And Richard didn't want to start a relationship based on misunderstanding.
"Do you have any preference? Like seafood or maybe a plant-based meal?" Richard asked as they entered the small town situated on the same island as the academy.
In these eateries, students can use their student points to eat things, and the same goes for the other shops. In short, these student points are money on this island. You can gain it through your performance, and lose it through several means.
But since the classes hadn't begun, all the restaurants were offering free food to the students.
Amelia didn't take much time to make her decision, "Just take me wherever you want. I have no strict preference."
Richard nodded before he found a small shop on his left which sold monster meat and chilled beer(non-alcoholic, of course).
They entered the place and were greeted with the sight of several groups of students sitting inside; having their meals and enjoying their time.
"Aren't they seniors?" Amelia asked, a bit confused about why they were eating there when there was a cafeteria in school.
"Yes~We are your seniors~" Suddenly, a violet-haired guy from across the bar rose from his seat and answered Amelia in a cheerful voice as he neared them while holding his drink, "But you know what, babe? Only around this time, we got free food-" The person stopped talking and raised his left eyebrow upon finding the steel pressed against his neck.
Everyone in the bar quieted down and stared at the scene where a first-year had pointed a weapon against a third-year.
"Call your mother 'babe', who might have taught you such manners." Amelia's words, wiped the smirk off the guy's face and soon his complexion darkened upon hearing many of the others chuckling and hooting.
**CLINK**
He clutched the glass with enough force to break it into pieces before he scowled, "You bi-"
"Ah, Senior Butcher, aren't you? The esteemed son of Viscount Butcher, no less. I've heard quite the stories about you—short fuse, long list of flaws. But hey, if you go picking fights with juniors now, forget about student points. Imagine what that'll do to your reputation, senior."
Richard's voice resounded like a hush to a storm; silencing everyone, and surely the aggressive senior also quieted down and backed off a little.
Richard stepped forward before whispering, "Well, if you have a reputation that is."
The older one gritted his teeth and clenched his fist hearing that, but before he could have attacked Richard, someone grabbed him from behind and whispered something in his ear.
The face of the boy paled in an instant as he glanced at Richard's hair and immediately backed off.
Richard shook his head with a chuckle before holding Amelia's hand and leaving the place.
Forget it. The food made by Lilia is the best, after all.
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A/N:- Thanks for reading.
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Struggling as a Villain Chapter 96: Chapter 95- Date(2)STRUGGLING AS A VILLAINC96: Chapter 95- Date(2)
"Just stop bothering about them, Kevin. They are not some people we should trouble ourselves with." Inside the dorm room of the third year, two teenagers could be seen currently sitting across from each other.
The short blue-haired male was the same person who created a ruckus back in the eatery. The son of the Viscount and someone with not a good reputation. If anything, he was close to being delinquent.
"Just because he is the son of that bitch of a Duchess doesn't mean I will let his insult slide." He growled, completely ignoring the consequences it could bring if he decided to attack Richard.
The other one in the room was the son of a Baron and someone who had been like a sidekick of Butcher since the first year. That's why it's his duty to notify Kevin,
"The other one, that chick is also the daughter of a Duke, you know."
Butcher grinned, "I will get that feisty one for myself once I deal with the hothead." Butcher said as he recalled those fierce eyes of Amelia and the way she fearlessly pointed her weapon against him. God, she was exactly his type.
"Butcher...what are you planning?" The other one asked hesitantly with a tinge of anxiety wrapped around his words.
Kevin smirked, "My father has already abandoned me, and since this is my last year here, why don't I just do whatever comes to my mind? Like, what worse punishment they can give me than what I have already faced?" Kevin asked. Last he remembered, not anyone has received such a severe punishment as Kevin, in the history of Obsidian Citadel.
After all, being sent to a labyrinth alone was akin to murdering a student. However, Kevin returned and continued to have the same attitude as before.
Now, even if he plays a little prank on the Duchess' son, what the authorities might do? The status of a student doesn't work inside the Academy, that's why Kevin wouldn't get suspended or rusticated.
"Hey Hopper, find out how many guards and maids are there in the mansion." With his eyes turning ominous, he added, "I will be serving the revenge when the flames of my anger are still raw and fresh."
-----------**----------
Richard returned to the mansion which was exclusively given to him. Being the son of Duchess Bellarine has many perks, and this was one of them.
Amelia was in awe to see such a magnificent fortress. She was aware under what circumstances this mansion was built and why only Scarlette's house was given such a facility. However, she never thought the establishment would be so grand. She initially anticipated it to be more like a military quarter.
"Mom couldn't compromise when it comes to the place where she sleeps. That's why she told them to make something grand or nothing at all."
Hearing his words made her feel that her expression had become quite obvious to him; urging Amelia to ask,
"How are you reading my mind?"
Richard shrugged, "Your eyes mostly remain so constantly blank that a slight change becomes obvious. Well for me, that is."
Amelia just smiled in response. It was the first time for someone to understand her so well, which made her wonder if Richard was in her fate since the beginning.
The duo entered the mansion and were greeted by the servants, who were lined up near the entrance and spoke in unison,
"Welcome back, young master." Richard nodded to them and searched for Lilia, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Once they stepped inside and got seated, Violet approached them with two glasses of water resting on the tray.
As she put down the glasses, she heard her master asking, "Where is Lilia?"
Violet didn't panic, unlike she usually does these days in front of Richard, given she didn't want to give a bad impression to the lady who one day could become the young mistress, and replied in a calm voice,
"She is sick and feverish, that's why she took some medicine and now is sleeping in her room." Violet didn't ask if she should call her, knowing her master naturally would reject such a proposal.
Richard sighed; he was expecting this. Constantly travelling for so many days, from Awsperg to Duchy and then here, might have taken a huge toll on her body. Lilia doesn't consume potions regularly since she believes it reduces the body's natural capacity to heal itself.
"Has she eaten something?"
"Yes, master, she had soup. She was waiting for you in the reception until a few hours ago, but at some point, she dozed off, so I carried her to her room."
Richard nodded before complimenting, "Good work, Violet. You did the right thing."
Violet jerked hearing that and her shoulders tensed up hearing the praise.
Amelia noticed that and she had a feeling that if Violet had a tail, then it must have been wagging by now.
'She is like a pet animal... I wonder how she will react if Richard pats her head....' Amelia was curious.
"Young master, would you like to have dinner now or after taking a bath?" Violet asked, given her master generally takes a bath first. But maybe today,
"No, dinner first."
Just as she thought.
"Understood." Violet turned her attention to Amelia, before asking, "Is there something you are allergic to, Lady Amelia?"
The raven-haired shook her head in denial before the maid walked away.
Left alone, Richard was looking slightly uneasy, which urged Amelia to suggest, "Why don't you go and check on Lilia first?"
Richard slightly widened his eyes in surprise and looked at Amelia.
With a smile, she said, "It's not only you who can read people from their eyes."
Soon Richard relaxed his shoulders and apologized,
"Sorry for leaving you like this. Just give me ten minutes."
Amelia nodded as Richard got up from his seat and approached Lilia's room.
She was looking feverish even in the morning, and despite Richard's resistance, she came with him to the academy to see him off. That must have elevated the condition.
Once he entered he saw Lilia peacefully sleeping on the bed with a cold pad resting on her head and her body covered with a blanket. There was a maid inside the room who instantly straightened her back upon noticing Richard and greeted him,
"G-Good evening, young master." She was a short, pale green, and curly-haired girl who had been working for the past three years now.
Richard nodded and first checked Lilia's temperature.
Her head was still quite hot and the complexion was slightly pale; urging Richard to ask,
"Is her condition worsening? Should I call a medic from the church?"
"N-No, master, it's actually getting better. In the morning, she fainted once and was barely able to eat anything. Right now, her body is recovering from all the fatigue she has been accumulating for days now, and I believe by tomorrow she will be back in her usual condition."
Richard nodded, but he still was feeling quite anxious.
He was about to take a glass of water from the bedside table when he found a folded parchment resting there.
"Ah, that...Lilia gave it to me, saying, that I should give this to the young master when he returns."
Richard took the letter and read it,
[I apologize for my current condition. I wanted to be the first one to greet you when you return, but I guess I am really turning careless these days. Well, that's not my fault solely. My lord spoils me too much, so I can't help but become a little careless.
About the examination, I know you must have given your best, and regardless of the results, please know that I will always be proud of my student. You did well, Richard.
Once I wake up, let's celebrate together.
—Lilia.]
Richard couldn't help but smile reading the letter before he cautiously folded it and safely stored it in his pocket.
Turning towards the maid, he said, "Take care of her, and if something happens, you have permission to reach out to me directly."
"U-Understood, young master."
Turning towards Lilia he softly caressed her head before planting a kiss.
Once he walked out he found Amelia was chatting with Violet and was even helping her serve the food on the table.
Approaching them he asked, "Made a friend?"
Violet nearly dropped the dish she was holding hearing his voice but she calmly collected herself and continued serving.
That reaction didn't go unnoticed by Amelia but she didn't say anything about it and said, "Violet has exceptional culinary skills. It makes me wonder why she didn't pursue the profession."
Hearing those words, Violet completely went stiff, almost like someone had cast a spell on her.
Richard raised his brows before informing, "Her parents have forced her to work here, no Violet?"
"Y-Y-Young M-Master?"
"Hmm? Were they indebted or something?" Amelia asked, ignoring Violet's reaction.
"Yeah, something like that," Richard replied as he sat down with Amelia on his left.
Amelia hummed a bit before telling Richard, "I will be taking Violet with me tomorrow. Is that okay?"
"Sure."
Violet's eyes were parted wide, and her mind numb as she couldn't discern what these two people were talking about. And why was she suddenly the centre of their attention?!
-------------***-------------
A/N:- Haha
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Struggling as a Villain Chapter 97: Chapter 96- Facing the pastSTRUGGLING AS A VILLAINC97: Chapter 96- Facing the past
The dinner with Amelia went comfortably as the duo had many things in common to chat about. Most prominently, the academy. Despite belonging to noble families and having experienced several things in life, they still were teenagers who naturally were feeling nervous before the orientation.
Lilia was doing fine and Amelia went to check on her before leaving.
It was still uncertain what Amelia had in mind for the blue-haired maid, but from Violet's behaviour, it could be said that she is dead nervous.
Amelia, to calm her down a little, said, "It's related to your hobby so sleep early tonight and be ready tomorrow."
That...basically elevated her concerns now.
Regardless, Amelia had to return, so she didn't give much time to explain to her and with Richard, she left the mansion.
Every student was given a separate room in the dorms situated outside the premises of the academy. These establishments are set mainly for this purpose and also when the students from another academy come.
The dorm room which Amelia received was a ten-minute walk from Richard's residence, which is why they decided to just walk rather than take a carriage.
Under the silvery moonlight, with the dark star faintly illuminating on the other side, the duo walked side by side, with no words travelling between them. However, this silence couldn't be regarded as awkward. The atmosphere between them was quite harmonious.
"Thanks, Amelia, for the help back then."
Hearing these words, she shook her head, "Rather, I should be apologizing. I got so panicked at that moment that I never waited for you to take the necessary action and just...ended up risking both of our positions."
"You shouldn't apologize for saving my life, y'know. Although I wouldn't have died, it was a fact that, at that moment, I turned blank. I have never used those medical tools by myself in the past and have become so reliant on potions...that I just got stuck there."
Glancing at her, he again said, "That's why, thank you. Not only did you save me from disqualification, but you even sacrificed your spot."
Amelia heaved a sigh, before informing, "Truth be told, I knew from the beginning that I wasn't made for it...and I should pursue what I was more suited for. But I guess, love indeed makes people irrational."
Richard raised his brows, "So...do you regret choosing the hunter's course?"
Amelia instantly replied, "No, it was worth it. After all, I got to embrace you for three whole minutes and earned myself this date."
Richard momentarily paused, feeling his ears turning hot at the mention of that embrace...intimate embrace, to be precise, they shared back in the dome.
He suddenly recalled that sensation he felt while holding her, and between his legs, something started to rise.
And no, it wasn't the shield hero.
Amelia turned on her feet, and while looking at Richard with a mischievous smile she said, "You know you can hold me anytime you want, right? Just say it."
Richard pinched the bridge of his nose before telling her, "Do you think I have such a loose character that I would be taking advantage of a maiden?"
"But I did take your advantage back then, so am I a loose woman now?" Her question made him startled as he looked at her and hurriedly clarified,
"No-it's not...you know I-"
"Pftt-I know, Richard. Don't worry." Amelia followed.
Just as she turned to continue the journey, Richard held her wrist and pulled her towards him.
Amelia's smirk completely wiped off as she genuinely didn't expect him to suddenly do this.
Standing in such a close space, she could feel nothing but his presence. His scent remained the only thing available for her to smell and his eyes were the only attractive sight to gaze at.
Under such an effect, Richard leaned slightly down and whispered, "Making fun of me can cost you dearly, my lady. Are you willing to face the consequences?"
Her eyes were lost in his piercing golden ones as she held his shirt and whispered in a hushed tone, "I am ready to accept every consequence if it's you who is bestowing them."
Richard could see a flame of determination and slight obsession in her eyes when she said that. Anyone could tell from her words and behaviour that this girl was head over heels for him.
However, before Richard could have even decided to reciprocate her feelings,
"Hey, you two! Don't you know it's not allowed to roam around at this hour?" The security guard who was patrolling around, instantly called out upon noticing the duo.
Amelia released a frustrated breath as she reluctantly separated from Richard before bidding her farewell,
"I will see you tomorrow?"
Richard nodded, "I will pick you up in the morning so wait for me."
Amelia gave a soft smile before turning around and walking inside the building just across from them.
Richard remained standing there for a few seconds until he didn't ensure that she reached her room before he also left after apologizing to the security guard.
Returning to the mansion, Richard soon went to take a hot bath and relaxed there for half an hour.
He went to check on Lilia and told a maid to be there for the whole night.
"Don't worry, young master, I will be present here myself," Violet assured him before Richard gave a firm nod and after saying goodnight to a still-sleeping Lilia, he retired to his room.
....
Laying on the bed, with his head resting over his arm, he contemplated.
The main plot begins now.
The academy is the place where all the main characters unite with Ethan and along with them, numerous antagonists arrive as well.
However, unlike what happened in the story, Ethan might not be able to build a connection with Elizabeth and Nora, given that they have tricked him in the past. Well, Nora wasn't the one who did that, but her sister was using Nora's face when she abducted Ethan; giving birth to the possibility that he might end up hating her.
The first antagonist of the story is not someone Richard could interfere with since it is one of the nobles from his class who would most probably cause problems with Ethan, considering he is a commoner.
Seriously, the troupe is overused, but people like it when an ordinary human beats the crap out of an arrogant prick.
'Well, it's not like I have to interfere with every incident...' With such thoughts, he closed his eyes and slowly fell asleep.
....
...
..
"----!!" Richard's eyes snapped open the moment he sensed someone slipping through the window. His heightened senses were sharp enough to catch the faintest sound, and though the intruder believed him asleep, he hadn't fallen into a slumber completely.
Jumping on his feet, he faced the man, "Who the fuck are you?"
The intruder seemed shocked, as his eyes behind the mask widened, however, before Richard could have approached or attacked the intruder to apprehend him, the mask wearer suddenly threw something on the ground—causing an enormous smoke cloud to form inside the room.
"Fuck! What the heck is this..." Richard covered his mouth as he felt tears running down his eyes in an instant.
Just as he was about to use Detection, something appeared before him...a light...bright in shade and quite enchanting that he completely forgot about his burning eyes and dropped his hands to the side.
He...saw her. All of a sudden, his eyes were greeted with the figure of the girl whom he dearly missed even though it had been two whole months since he got separated from her.
His little Bella....the adorable child who used to run around the house. Her laughter was the favourite sound to his ears...and now she was standing in front of him with her hands hooked behind her.
"B-Bella...."
"Yes, brother? Did you miss me?" She asked; her aquamarine eyes reflecting his face...that face which he thought he left behind.
"Bella...I missed you...." He whimpered, struggling to force those words out of his throat as he kneeled before her—desiring to hug his sister once again.
However, she stepped back and her expression turned dark as she said, "No, you didn't! You were so busy with the others that you barely remembered me. I know everything."
He instantly shook his head and told her, "No, child. I missed you, I swear. How can-"
"No, you are a liar!" She shouted and turned around—running away from him.
Richard got up and followed her with his arms extended, feeling that if he didn't catch her now, she wouldn't appear before him again.
However, suddenly, the scene before him shifted, and the previously running girl was now cornered by several zombies while she shouted and cried for help.
"Brother! Save me! Help!!" She cried, her eyes released those heavy droplets that weighed over his heart.
Richard clenched his fist as he looked at those inhumane creatures.
His hands burned and soon he unleashed a fury of attacks on the beasts.
His flames ignited brighter than ever as he burnt those bastards who dared hurt his sister. Even though they tried to fight back, he kept on burning them.
He was pulled and pushed from different directions, but Richard cared about none and continued to burn those who dared hurt his sister.
It was then when, suddenly, something penetrated his head, and everything went blank.
Richard lost consciousness.
------------**------------
A/N:- I hope you liked the chapter. Read the 'Author's thoughts'.
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Struggling as a Villain Chapter 98: Chapter 97- Accusation(1)STRUGGLING AS A VILLAINC98: Chapter 97- Accusation(1)
Violet was feeling nervous.
She was trained since childhood to be the perfect maid for the Scarlette house. Her father was indebted to Duchess Bellarine and had taken an oath that until his last breath, he and his family would serve the Scarlette house.
That's why, from the beginning, she knew her life goal and what she needed to do to be an acceptable child in her parents' eyes.
That's why when her young master didn't reject Violet from taking her to the academy, she was relieved. After all, her life purpose was to serve young master Richard.
But now, the dilemma was a person and that person was named Hawkbridge Amelia.
From their brief encounter, Amelia discerned that Violet was good at cooking even though, in front of the lady, Violet only served the dishes and told her that she prepared the food. There was nothing fancy in it and every dish was prepared while keeping the nutritional value in mind—as per Lilia's instruction.
Then how did she discern what was her hobby? And why did Lady Amelia say that she would take her somewhere?
'I just hope it doesn't affect my job...'She heaved a sigh while resting on a stool beside Lilia's bed.
She was silently sitting there for a few minutes when suddenly she sensed something jumping from the first floor.
She immediately walked out of the room to check—only to widen her eyes upon finding her young master heading toward somewhere while still wearing his night dress.
The soldiers stationed at the mansion entrance headed towards Richard, and so did Violet; however, despite calling out to him, he wasn't paying attention to them at all.
"Young master, you are bare feet, please wear something."
"Young master, you will catch a cold in those clothes."
"It's not safe to roam at this hour, young lord." They tried to call out to him along with Violet but to no avail. He was just walking aimlessly with his eyes hidden behind a mist.
Violet frowned and tried to grab his hand, only to feel it burning.
"Ah!" She instantly retracted her hand as suddenly Richard began to release a torrent of flame balls around him like he wanted to kill everyone. His eyes and demeanour suggested that he was feeling murderous intent towards the people around him. However, only Violet knew the truth.
"He is under the influence of a spell! Hold him!" She commanded, and instantly, the guards tried to close in—only for Richard to create a lava wall which obstructed them from getting any closer.
Even so, Violet jumped through the flame wall and while her clothes and skin burned she called out to him,
"Young master, it's all an illusion! Please break free!" She didn't care about the attacks she was tortured with and continued to call out to him restlessly. She had a pitiful voice enhancer skill, which she was using to call his name, but to no avail.
He looked desperate and frustrated about something, almost like he couldn't reach to something or someone.
He....he looked extremely sad.
Violet felt her master's condition was worsening and that made her feel anxious to death. It was then when she found numerous guards from the school and even some instructors arriving in their direction. However, before any of them could have reached Richard, someone shot an illuminated arrow in his direction, and in the next instance, Richard fell to the ground.
Violet's eyes widened as she crouched beside her master and checked his condition.
'He is breathing....oh god...' She took a big breath of relief finding that his breath was steady and he wasn't affected by that spell. There was no wound inflicted whatsoever.
"It was a mind-calming spell. No need to react like that." Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice called out, urging Violet to turn towards her...only to find her eyes being greeted by none other than the renowned Princess Elizabeth.
Elizabeth, who just arrived at the academy, saw the eruption of the flame wall from a distance and rushed to the site—only to find Richard going berserk under the effect of some nasty spell.
"What is going on here?" The short-haired instructor who was patrolling around the Academy asked Violet. She was momentarily taken aback by Elizabeth's presence but soon she focused on the matter in hand.
Olivia frowned before crouching beside Richard and checking his eyes. There was still some sign of mist and his ether flow was quite disturbed as well—which means,
"Someone put a spell on him." She turned her attention towards the guards of the mansion before asking, "Did you see someone trespassing?"
Both of them fidgeted and first glanced at each other before one of them hesitantly uttered, "N-No, we didn't see someone entering the mansion."
Olivia heaved a sigh. They were undoubtedly not aware.
All the servants within the mansion are sent by Bellarine but these two guards were recruited by the academy—something that would definitely give a reason for Bellarine to blame them now.
"Carry him for now and bring him to the infirmary." Olivia said, but Violet instantly rejected, "Someone from the academy attacked the young master. I would not let you take him there." She declared as she lifted Richard over her shoulders.
Olivia frowned, "He is a student of Obsidian, and you cannot tell me what I do with my student."
Violet held her gaze firmly on the older before telling her, "He still isn't a student of the academy yet, so don't try to reason with me. The young master will remain under my protection now."
She didn't wait to hear Olivia's following words before carrying Richard back to the mansion.
Olivia kept her eyes on their retreating back before she exhaled an exasperated sigh and told the school guards, "Patrol around the mansion for tonight and don't let anyone enter without asking me, got it?"
"Ha!"
Turning her eyes toward the two who were supposed to guard the mansion, Olivia seethingly said, "You two, come with me."
----------**---------
Violet carried Richard to the guest room on the ground floor before slowly laying him on the bed.
The other four servants have also gathered and looked pale in anxiety seeing the young master unconscious.
Suddenly, the seventh person arrived in the room and groggily asked, "What happened?"
Violet turned to look at Lilia with her eyes stained with tears before she approached her and said, "I failed you, Lilia...I wasn't able to protect him."
Tears welled in her eyes as she continued to speak, "Someone attacked young master and under the influence of a spell he-"
"Violet." Lilia's stern voice instantly shut her up as Violet looked up at the brunette before she heard her saying, "Is the young master in danger?"
"Ah no. I just checked and his mind and ether both are stable." The maid who had the healing aspect checked on Richard before informing them.
Lilia heaved a sigh, "Then why are you panicking? Have you looked at yourself first?"
"I don't care about myself, Lilia! I don't want young master to suffer because of my carelessness."
"But were you careless?" Lilia asked while retaining a calm voice.
Violet opened her mouth but couldn't utter a single word.
Lilia patted her shoulder before telling the girl, "First, get yourself healed, or if the young master sees you like this, he will burden himself with guilt."
Upon her mentioning, Violet realised that most of her clothes were burned and her skin was scorched in several places.
Violet turned to look at Richard for the last time before walking out of the room.
Lilia's expression immediately shifted once she left as she approached Richard and sat down on the chair beside the bed. Taking his hand in hers, she checked his pulse and breathing rate.
She couldn't discern how her master, who had established a mental barrier under the Duchess' guidance, could get attacked by mental interference magic.
It could only mean that someone who has a high affinity with the mental interference magic attacked him. But the skill is so rare that, to her knowledge, only one person can conjure such a high-grade spell.
The headmaster.
'But why would he attack Richard?' She couldn't help but feel the matter to be something different.
----------***---------
'Ugh...' Richard was feeling a mild headache as he grumbled in his sleep and slowly opened his eyes.
The last thing he remembered was seeing Bella and trying to rescue her before he lost consciousness. However, now that his mind was a lot clearer, he could tell that he might be under a spell. There was no way Bella could have turned so young and appeared in this world.
Then how did he see her? Was it really that intruder who cast the spell?
"Ah!" All the previous thoughts extinguished from his head the moment Richard opened his eyes and looked at the person standing in front.
He straightened his back before calling out to the person,
"H-Headmaster?"
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A/N:- Thanks for reading.
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Struggling as a Villain Chapter 99: Chapter 98- Accusation(2)STRUGGLING AS A VILLAINC99: Chapter 98- Accusation(2)
The headmaster of the academy, Marcus Blackwood, was one of the strongest magicians in the world and someone who could rival the infamous Witch of Calamity.
He has that experience of several wars and teaching numerous children over the years that allows him to look at any situation from different perspectives. Someone who has retained the position of Obsidian as the number one academy in the world, Marcus does a very brilliant job as the headmaster.
And now, another situation has arisen which has to be dealt with carefully.
"Headmaster?!" Richard instantly straightened his back upon seeing him inside his room.
"Good reflexes," Marcus complimented while gazing at Richard's hand, which was under his pillow, and under that pillow rested a long seven-inch dagger.
Richard slowly removed his hand from the dagger before getting up from the bed and asking the man, "I assume you are not here, right?" Richard's question arises from the fact that his mental barrier was ringing inside his head and the people around him were all frozen.
The man was present in his subconscious mind.
The white-haired man took the seat across from Richard before telling him, "You have keen senses as well, something which I was expecting from Bella's child."
"You were her teacher, right? I heard it from her." Richard also settled down on the bed and conversed with the man in a slightly relaxed manner. His mental fortitude, unlike yesterday, was working fine, and even if the man tried to dwell on his memories, Richard had prepared for that, as well.
"Yes, and along with her, there were many whom I used to teach. Some of your instructors were also part of that batch."
Richard was aware, so he just nodded.
Marcus draped his leg over the other and rested his hands over his knee, before asking him, "Do you know what made Bellarine an exception in those days?"
"Her red hair and fiery personality?"
Marcus chuckled, "Yes, that as well. But along with that, Bellarine had a craze for learning. She just memorized whatever the teachers had to offer and swallowed every bit of knowledge which the academy provided her."
Richard nodded, "Ah, yes, she still carries some books related to wizardry whenever she travels."
Marcus nodded with a smile; feeling relieved that the son had a good relationship with his mother.
Taking a pause, Marcus told the boy, "However Richard, based on my fondness towards Bellarine, I won't be favouring you in this matter."
Richard sobered up and slowly nodded, "I don't expect you to be partial towards me in the first place."
Marcus nodded, before he finally asked, "Last night, did you see something entering your room?"
"Yes, I did. And I am aware that it was the same person who cast that spell on me."
"A mind-influencing magic that makes you see your biggest nightmare? I have heard about it." Marcus instantly responded, making Richard slightly surprised.
"Did you read my mind, Headmaster?" The teenager asked only for the older one to shake his head in denial and inform him,
"I have my eyes on the academy and whatever happens with my students. So I know what happened to you last night. But since I don't particularly look for every student every time, I couldn't tell who the intruder was."
"But I know," Richard followed. His conviction took Marcus by surprise.
However, rather than asking Richard about it right away, Marcus told him, "Meet me in my office after school. We will discuss this matter over there," His figure faded and those words remained hanging in the air.
Richard heaved a sigh before he found the people around him finally regained their movement.
"M-Master?" Lilia was startled to see him suddenly sitting on the bed, as she dropped the blankets she was holding and instantly advanced towards him.
Richard opened his arms and collected his dear maid in a soft embrace.
There haven't been many occurrences when he saw Lilia crying, yet none of those occurrences ever made him feel good. Making Lilia cry was a taboo for him.
"I am fine, I promise. So just stop crying and look at me."
Lilia wasn't an immature girl who would pester her lord with her worries. She collected herself and slowly detached from him.
Richard softly wiped her tears and asked the girl, "How is your condition? Do you feel sluggish?"
"No, everything is fine now. I rested enough and thanks to others help, I was able to recover well."
When she mentioned 'others' Richard's mind suddenly went towards the other servants as he hurriedly asked, "Last night....who was the one that tried to stop me?"
Lilia looked down, hearing that, and hesitation became evident from her reaction, urging Richard to add, "Just tell me, Lilia, or you know I would somehow find it out."
The brunette sighed before she informed him, "It was Violet...who, despite your resistance, kept on trying to get you back."
Richard frowned. He clearly remembered that while he was in that dream, someone was tugging his clothes and pulling him...and if that person was Violet,
"Where is she? I need to see her."
Lilia slowly rose from the bed while holding his hand and said, "Follow me." She didn't resist his wish since she knew it would only make her master guilty of what he ended up doing if he couldn't see Violet. That's why she led him to the room where Violet was getting treated.
Richard stood at the entrance and looked at the burnt body of Violet. Her pale skin was charred from several spots and she looked like in pain even while in sleep.
**GRAB**
Clutching the door handle with enough force to change its shape, Richard cursed himself for being so careless.
Lilia softly held his hand before informing him, "She didn't want to be seen like this, especially by you, master. So, if possible, pretend that you didn't see her wounds."
"And pretend that I never hurt her?" Richard asked, in a bit annoyed tone. But the annoyance wasn't directed toward Lilia.
Lilia remained standing silently there and allowed her lord to calm his raging mind.
Richard took a minute to compose himself before he exhaled an audible breath and told her, "Prepare my uniform, Lilia, I am going to the Academy."
"Understood."
--------**-------
"Someone attacked you, and the security guards don't know anything?" It was surprising that Amelia didn't know about it. However, considering her social skills, it was given she wouldn't hear anything from the others about the incident last night.
Nodding to her question, he added, "Yep, they were apparently getting drunk when the intruder arrived. Well, I shouldn't have been reliant on them, given no students get their personal guards on this island."
Amelia wanted to say something but she stopped herself.
Rather, she chose to ask, "Can I come with you to meet the headmaster after school?"
Richard raised his brows before asking, "Why do you want to come?"
Amelia's expression didn't change as she replied, "I want to ensure that fair judgment is made. And also, I want to meet that person who dared to attack you."
The killing intent she released was making the students around them look at them, urging Richard to swiftly change the topic as he said,
"I forgot to tell you, Amelia," Once she glanced at him, Richard added, "You look very pretty in the uniform."
The white shirt under the blazer and the dark blue skirt with a white line tracing the edge gave her a very elegant vibe. And with her hair tied in a ponytail, the girl just adopted the perfect high school look—someone out of a weeb's fantasy.
Tucking her hair strand behind her reddened ear, Amelia said, "Well...I did some make-up to look good so I can confidently walk beside you."
Richard smiled at the girl as he told her, "You can walk beside me as long as you want, regardless of your looks."
The duo kept on chatting(flirting) all the way to the academy, and thanks to that, the atmosphere became lighter and more comfortable as well.
Some students were gathered around the entrance and were currently looking at the notice board to see how many points they got.
Although those who failed have yet to be assigned to a new course, their students' points remained. The general classes were the same for all courses, so based on the student's points, they would get themselves a section of the first year.
Amelia held the strap of her bag tightly before asking Richard, "Shall we go?"
Richard nodded, and along with Amelia, they went to check their results.
Amelia started from the bottom to see where she was and found her name to be on the twenty-eighth with two hundred and seventy points.
'Hmm? From my calculations shouldn't it have been a hundred points less?' Regardless, she was happy to be in the top thirty.
Now, to check Richard's result, she started to look from the top...and it didn't take much time to find his name as Richard was number one on the list.
Name: Scarlette Richard
Points: 3300.
--------------**-------------
A/N:- Thanks for reading.
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Struggling as a Villain Chapter 100: Chapter 99- Accusation(3)STRUGGLING AS A VILLAINC100: Chapter 99- Accusation(3)
Eleanor and Emily arrived together, just a few minutes earlier than Richard and Amelia.
Looking at the board, Emily felt relieved that she was in the top twenty-five and could be in the same class as Ethan. For some unknown reason, despite failing the hunter's course test, Ethan was in the top twenty-five, meaning he would be in the first section just like Emily.
Eleanor was a genius, so Emily knew she would be in the top ten; however, when she glanced at her friend, she found Eleanor frowning and looking at the notice board intently.
Emily was unaware of what could have aroused such an unpleasant reaction from the girl, so she followed Eleanor's gaze and checked the leaderboard again.
"Eh?" Emily instantly exclaimed, seeing the top ranker of the list, and it wasn't Eleanor, as Emily and the person herself expected.
Eleanor was on the second rank with 3290 points while Richard rested on the top with ten points more than the violette.
Eleanor clenched her fist before mumbling under her breath, "He cheated."
Emily sighed, recovering from her shock instantly, before she informed her, "Fooling the instructors and the security is barely possible."
Holding Eleanor's hand, she pulled it back and forth and continued, "We both know that Richard is an exceptional mage, and we both know that he has changed, so he must have trained for this, no?"
"I can't believe that the rich and arrogant Scarlette Richard suddenly got so good in every field that he scored that high." Eleanor seethingly spoke as she began to walk away.
Emily chuckled and followed the girl, "Why are you grumpy? You are in the top three you know?"
"Emily." Eleanor suddenly paused and turned towards the blond, and so did the latter, before the Alchemist spoke, "Any spot below the first is a failure to me."
With a grin, Emily asked, "So...are you dropping out of the academy?"
Eleanor narrowed her eyes before continuing her walk.
Emily didn't tease her anymore and the duo soon reached the classroom assigned to them.
Each floor of the building was given to each year and the fourth floor was where most faculty's office was located, along with the headmaster's chamber.
Each class consists of twenty-five students minimum and a forty maximum. The merit of being in the top section is that every student gains fifty points every week for just existing in the top section.
That's why every three months, a re-evaluation happens, and the students rotate through sections throughout the years.
As Emily and Eleanor passed through the corridor, they gathered many gazes in their direction.
Eleanor easily became famous because of her exceptional performance during the assessment. Not to talk about she even argued with a Professor when they tried collecting her method related to Alchemy.
Rumours spread fast that's why Eleanor was hailed as the 'Thorny Genius'
And as of Emily, then along with her beauty that oozed with innocence and an attractive charm, she is the daughter of Count Cravenford. Naturally, among the low-ranking noble children and the commoners, she looked like a celebrity.
Regardless, neither of them ever were hungry for attention, nor they ever would be.
Entering the classroom, Emily and Eleanor slowed down and ran their eyes through the classroom...only to find their Prince, sitting in the back.
Naturally, Ethan also noticed the two lilies walking inside the classroom and glancing at him. He had a mixed reaction in exchange.
For a moment, he thought he should smile and greet them...but then he refrained and focused back on his book(he didn't know what he was reading, but the pictures were cool, so he was pretending to be a scholar).
Emily was struck at her position, seeing him coldly ignoring her. However, Eleanor pulled her away before Emily could block the others' way.
The two sat on the first desk rather than choosing to sit with Ethan making him even more uncomfortable.
"We can start new with friendship and then develop it in..." Emily slowly mumbled; expressing her wishes weakly.
However, Eleanor made it clear, "To start new, we should do one thing, and that is not to pester him."
Emily reluctantly nodded before she looked over her shoulder and gazed at Ethan once again before she also took out a book and mindlessly began to read it.
Slowly other students also began to take seats based on their choices. Since only ten minutes were left, most of the students have filed in.
Amidst the growing silence, suddenly, the classroom door again opened, and naturally, everyone turned to look at the new arrival...and suddenly, many of them gasped in astonishment.
Pale blue hair that fell down her shoulder and reached her mid-back provided an ethereal glow to the girl when she walked inside. Her droopy eyes looked innocent and gave an urge to the people, to always protect the girl.
Most of all, her long ears caught everyone's attention as they instantly realized that she was the one who, for the first time, was sent from the elven society to socialize with the humans.
Emily looked at Nora with a smile and the girl returned the smile after seeing her friend for such a long time.
Nora was about to approach the two when suddenly,
"You....!!" Suddenly, the silence in the class was broken by a loud slam on the desk and the accusing voice of Ethan echoed throughout the classroom.
Nora, Eleanor and Emily, the three of them widened their eyes as Ethan kept his finger pointed at Nora and his eyes became blood-red in agitation.
That face...it can't be anyone else!
"Quiet down you fool. Pointing at someone like that is rude." Someone from the students called out to Ethan, which broke the boy out of his daze.
Turning his eyes Ethan found it was the swordsman whom he saw during assessment.
Slowly, everyone started murmuring about his sudden outburst, and when Ethan glanced back at the girl who trapped him the last time, all he could find in her eyes was shock.
'Of course, she would be shocked that I am still alive...' Sitting back down Ethan crossed his arms and decided to deal with the girl later.
"Nora, sit down." Eleanor's voice brought Nora's attention to her as she anxiously asked the violette,
"But El...h-he-..." Nora was beyond devastated for being disliked by her beloved even though this was the first time they were meeting. Or was it that Ethan retained his memories? But that wasn't possible...
"No, he hasn't been reborn like us, so stop pondering over it and sit down." Eleanor's stern voice made Nora nod in assent before she glanced at Ethan one last time and sat down beside the duo.
Eleanor was about to tell Nora about the whole thing that happened in the Capital when suddenly the homeroom teacher entered the classroom...and along with her was the person who instantly made Eleanor's eyes narrow.
Richard.
"Ah..."
"Is it him...?"
"Yup...no doubt."
"The top ranker..."
"His mom is her, no?"
"Blud got that slicing jawline."
"Waah...he is hot. Hey, how do I look?"
Numerous students began to murmur upon seeing Richard in the class as the said teenager walked in while conversing with the teacher.
Emily looked at Richard with complex emotions...and couldn't help but admit in her heart that he looked good in that uniform. Better than the previous lifetime, truth be told.
After conversing with her, Richard walked down the aisle and chose to sit two seats before Ethan. He wasn't in the far corner or the front.
"Hey, how are you doing?" Richard asked the Protagonist who clearly looked annoyed after seeing Nora in the class
However, while facing Richard Ethan didn't show his anger and calmly responded, "Doing good, I guess. Oh yes, congrats for being the top scorer."
Richard nodded before he focused back on the class.
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In a different classroom, situated on the third floor, a boy hurriedly entered the class and found his friend sitting in the back.
Hopper, Kevin's lackey, looked quite nervous as he approached Kevin, and after dropping his bag, he asked him, "Why did you do that?"
Kevin frowned hearing that voice as he asked, "What did I do?"
Hopper pinched the bridge of his nose before clarifying, "The incident with the Scarlette kid...why did you go to his mansion yesterday?"
Kevin was now genuinely getting annoyed as he spat, "Have you gone insane?! Why would I trespass into that property when I know it is well guarded?"
Hopper frowned, "Then who was the one that put Richard into that spell?"
Kevin shrugged, "How would I know? I ain't got any mind fucking spells. Now just zip it and sit down before I break your legs and make you."
Hopper closed his mouth and did as Kevin said.
It wasn't like Kevin didn't know about what happened last night, but he genuinely was unaware of the true perpetrator.
Then...who appeared in Richard's room last night?
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A/N:- Ahaha...this would be fun.
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Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel Struggling as a Villain Chapter 101: Chapter 100- Accusation(4)STRUGGLING AS A VILLAINC101: Chapter 100- Accusation(4)
"Good morning, class; I am Lucy, your homeroom teacher and I will be teaching the fundamentals of magic and about the common enemy of humanity: Ambrobates."
The woman looked like she was in her late twenties with long violet hair tied in a ponytail and a pair of sharp grey eyes. She wore square glasses and possessed a very alluring physique which was accentuated by her style of clothing.
Moving her eyes around the class she stated, "There would be enough time for you to know each other, so let's skip the introduction and get on with the rules you must follow in my class."
"First, no fighting within the class; if you want, you can challenge someone through a formal procedure, but brawling and bullying are strictly prohibited and can get your points deducted."
"Second, no skipping classes or arriving late. That will also get your scores deducted so beware."
"Any questions?" Lucy asked, allowing the students to take their time before they could ask.
Slowly it was someone from the back who hesitantly raised his hand, urging Lucy to say, "Yes, student Ethan?"
Nora and Emily instantly turned to look at the silver head while Ethan ignored them and asked,
"How...important are these student points?"
Many of the students snickered and laughed at such a stupid question; making Ethan a little embarrassed.
However, Lucy's glare shut all of them before she began to detail the importance,
"Student points are your lifeline while you are in the academy. Your bad behaviour and your good deeds both would affect your points. During recruitment, having positive scores would help you get a good job as well."
"Within the academy, the points can be used for some specific equipment and tools. For extra meals in the cafeteria. For renting some particular books, it can also be used in shopping complexes situated on the island. It is just like currency for students."
Ethan, with his eyes turned round, asked the lady,
"And to gain points?"
"Just work hard, stay in the top section, score high in tests, or win duels against other students and gain points from them."
Ethan nodded again, feeling grateful that at least the teacher wasn't rude like others who laughed at him and she also explained everything in simple words.
Most of the students come from high-class families, so naturally, they have heard about student points. For Richard, he heard it from his mother and Emily had her cousin who told her in the previous timeline. But Ethan comes from a very secluded place and never had the thought of enrolling here.
Once Ethan sat down, Lucy turned her attention towards a girl who sat in the left row. The pink-haired girl looked timid and barely raised her finger to ask whatever she had in mind.
"Yes, student Rose?"
"Umm...ah...a-about d-duel...i-is it necessary t-to accept?"
Lucy raised her brows, "No, it's your right to decline a duel unless it is mandated by an instructor during a training session."
The pinkette sat down instantly; feeling relieved that she wouldn't get dragged into conflicts even if she accidentally offended someone.
A few more questions were asked before the class finally began,
"Write whatever you find important, but don't ask anything unless I permit you to," Lucy warned as she wrote the name of the topic on the green board.
[Dark Star and Aembr Veins]
Turning towards the class, Lucy asked, "I assume all of you must be aware of what Dark Star is and how it brought changes to Clion, right?"
Most of the students nodded, but Ethan wasn't one of them.
Lucy started explaining things related to Dark Star,
"There was a time when this planet wasn't introduced to the concept of magic, then one day, a strange orb appeared beside the moon and a strange phenomenon struck Clion with its darkness."
Richard intently listened to the explanation, as until now, he has only received the knowledge of the Dark Star from the novel he read in his previous life. After rebirth, he didn't get much time to read the history of the world.
"Aembr Veins is the pathway through which Aembr arrives on Clion and corrupts the beasts residing here...didn't I say to not ask questions until I tell you to?" Lucy reminds the one who was raising his hand quite high.
Hearing her words, the dark blue-haired boy slowly lowered his hand, but since Lucy was already interrupted she urged,
"Okay tell me what you are confused about, student Collen."
It was the son of the previous knight commander and someone who had shown great sword skills during the assessment.
Richard glanced at the emo kid as he heard him asking, "Professor, I have always been baffled about the fact that despite being weaker than those beasts, humans were able to withstand Aembr despite remaining unawakened."
Richard raised his brows as he was also curious about it.
The resistant force which humans awakened that allowed them to wield these many skills was named Ether. However, those who didn't awaken ether were not corrupted like Ambrobates and also spent a decent life of forty to fifty years. How?
Lucy hummed before she hesitantly said, "I am not sure if I should be bringing my theory up here or not, but I can't let my students know the nonsense written in the book."
Richard inwardly chuckled. This might be the only Professor in the academy apart from Hailey, who didn't follow the norm and taught within the scope of books.
Putting down the chalk, she began, "It is believed that hundreds of years ago, before the Dark Star appeared, humans tended to live for a very long time, and the fertility rate was also quite high. As such, the birth rate was quite high, and the death rate was almost half of the birth rate, and with passing time, the number of people was exponentially growing."
Heaving a sigh, she added, "However, resources were limited. Expanding the planet was never possible nor was it to search for another habitat. Many species went extinct at that time, and many species evolved to become how they are right now."
Lucy glanced at the class and found every eye was directed at her with many of them holding complex emotions in them. However, she didn't care what they would say after she finished or if some students ended up complaining about her.
She just went ahead and said, "Our planet was nearing its extinction when the Dark Star arrived-"
"This is ridiculous! Are you saying that the Dark Star saved our lives?!" The hulking figure of the boy named Elion slammed his hand on the table and accused Lucy.
Instantly, the atmosphere of the room turned frosty and a wave of overwhelming intent washed over the students.
The hair on the back of his neck stood straight in alert as Richard reflexively summoned his bo staff.
However, he soon realised that it was unnecessary as the Professor was just agitated at the knucklehead.
"Student Elion, do I need to teach you the manners which your parents surely forgot about?"
Elion, who was at the centre of that chilling intent of an S-rank, gulped before he sat back down while sweating bullets.
Lucy heaved a sigh before releasing the intent and telling everyone, "As I said, it's not written anywhere but just myths. However, since it sounded the most logical to me, I taught you all why the Dark Star doesn't affect the non-awakened negatively."
With her eyes turning serious she added, "It just reduces their life expectancy to maintain the balance."
Pin-drop silence ensued in the class once she concluded, which soon was broken by the period bell.
Lucy took a deep breath and began to collect her teaching materials as she informed others, "We will be selecting the class representative tomorrow, so there is no need to bring books for the first period."
Just as she was about to walk away, she called out, "And Elion," The said boy instantly rose from his seat only to hear some words that made his mind numb, "Fifty points deducted. Learn from your mistakes and never repeat them."
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Since there were only four classes on the first day, Richard left the classroom nearly at twelve and walked towards the notice board where he promised to meet Amelia.
Many students were roaming around and checking out the cafeteria and other facilities. However, he couldn't do the same since he had something more important to do.
Meet the Headmaster.
Reaching the rendezvous point he reunited with Amelia.
"Shall we go?" Amelia asked as she extended her hand in his direction, hopefully.
Richard nodded and since he needed some support for this situation, he didn't think twice before holding her hand and urging,
"Let's go."
Things might get awry if Richard goes to the Headmaster and informs the truth about last night. However, he couldn't sacrifice his safety and let anyone torture him for the sake of the plot.
If someone is going to mentally break him down, then Richard would kindly pay them back.
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A/N:- Thanks for reading.
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