The Villain Bought the Heroine

Chapter 36

Recently, Academia has been in turmoil.

Not only students but also professors are buzzing with excitement. While one might have expected the festival episode to bring such liveliness to the Academy, it was all brought forward by the appearance of one person.

The Holy Sorcerer, Hailion.

He could easily be called a Grand Sorcerer in the realm of magic, but he was not only an exceptional magician but also a genius in sacred magic.

Exaggeration aside, it is said that he can dispel or heal any curse or injury except for his left arm. Like a saint.

And another astonishing fact is that despite being in his thirties,

he is ranked 7th among the current warriors.

In five years when he turns forty, he is expected to rise to the 2nd place.

The significance of this ranking is immense.

The warrior ranking exponentially increases in value and power from single digits, with the exception of Hailion, remaining unchanged for over a dozen years.

For instance, to compete with the 9th place, there need to be around four individuals ranked 11th, indicating the stagnation where the existing strong ones monopolize their positions, making it difficult for any change in the warrior ranking by a single position.

Hailion, the figurehead who caused the collapse of the sturdy warrior pyramid.

The protagonists of the novel are chasing after him, experiencing rapid growth literally following in his footsteps.

In the subsequent development, the protagonists could ascend the ranking due to him paving the way and pushing them forward.

Thus, Hailion can be considered an important figure in the story’s background.

“Yes, Barugan. Not only Hailion, but there hasn’t been any record of outsiders visiting our village. Yes… Yes, that’s right.”

A slightly distorted voice of an elderly man mixed with background noise.

The image of an elderly person reflecting in the monitor is speaking with a somewhat tense demeanor.

Slightly off-angle, leaning to one side, he appears unfamiliar even after several communications.

“Alright, understood. Report immediately if any unusual situation arises or traces of outsiders visiting are detected.”

“It’s none other than your command, Barugan. Of course, that’s how it should be. This is Bart. Although my body is aging, I will promptly convey the message.”

Bart, the village chief of Rubid who overcame Alicia’s trauma.

In fact, it was only recently that I learned his name. Until then, I simply called him the village chief without knowing his name, but he revealed his name and requested to be addressed by it.

Through the report of loyal Bram, I learned that Bart was behaving as I had instructed. Although he should be at the Academia now, I can’t visit often to confirm.

I receive updates on the progress through Bram and Bart.

“Thanks to your grace, Barugan, Rubid Village is progressing day by day. I, Bart, am also regaining health day by day. This is all thanks to the great Shugenha—”

I cut off the communication and moved to a different location.

Bart is all good, but once he starts a conversation, it tends to be too lengthy. I wish his lifespan was as endless as his chatter.

It’s bothersome to find a new suitable candidate.

“I assumed there would be some connection to Rubid Village, but… it seems not.”

I don’t know Hailion’s purpose.

I don’t know the route he took.

If I knew, I could move more confidently, but it’s cautious as he’s shrouded in mist.

Therefore, I contacted the village chief of Rubid to inquire if there were any records of Hailion or other outsiders visiting, but so far, there have been no reports of sightings.

The highest probability was there.

If not there… then elsewhere.

There are two main events speculated to be the cause of Hailion’s arrival at the Academia.

One is Rubid Village.

The other is Alicia’s purchase.

I’ll have to wait a bit longer, but currently, Rubid Village is the most likely event.

The rest could be due to Alicia being brought out of that countryside early.

A story where Alicia’s talents were revealed by the pilgrim from the church who visited her home. There’s a possibility that the future changed due to her absence.

But naturally, I cannot provide an accurate explanation or confirmation of the process.

Even with Shugenheart’s wealth and connections, it’s not an easy task to peek into every aspect of the world. It’s impossible to monitor everyone.

“Hailion came here due to some chain of events. We have no way of knowing the exact process.”

Moreover, as much as the cause, or even more important, the result that caught his eye was the relationship between mentor and mentee.

It is a well-known fact that keeping things close yields more information than keeping them at a distance. Therefore, the current plan proceeds without any changes.

First, analyzing newly added information like now to understand his intentions, and showing remarkable results in the class.

This plan is the most suitable.

‘What will happen, indeed.’

Ally closer, enemy even closer.

Whether he will become an ally or an enemy to me is unknown.

However, the risk has always been there, and there is no hesitation in the hand I hold now.

The risk is not significant.

On the other hand, the rewards if successful are substantial.

It would be foolish not to act.

So, let’s plan properly.

Now, who will be the one to hinder me in this episode?

Ranked 5th in entrance exams, a man overflowing with passion and drive, Osel Van Teollo Leon?

Or perhaps ranked 4th in entrance exams, my fiancée who despises me intensely, Portrait Trois Erica?

Could it be ranked 3rd in entrance exams, the saint of the Durek Federation, Diphelia?

None of them are easy opponents, but the biggest threat is this one.

⎯Clang!

I moved a piece forward on the game board with a single word. It depicted a man holding a sword, painted white, wearing a crown.

It makes the surrounding pieces look insignificant as if it were the protagonist of this game.

Yes, this is it.

The goal is set.

The means to achieve it are determined.

The biggest obstacle in the current situation is this guy. And the means to stop him.

⎯Clang.

I face the black piece against the white horse. The black piece obstructs the path so the white piece cannot move forward.

In order for the white horse to reach its target, it is inevitable to fight against the black piece.

Another black piece receiving protection from behind remains still, observing the situation.

As I recall the scene in advance, a smile escapes me.

Well, isn’t this quite a spectacle?

I can’t wait to see how you’ll react.

Your bewildered face is already flickering in my mind.

Isn’t that so?

Inheritor of the sacred royal bloodline, the mere prince.

Please, do not disappoint me.

“The first protagonist, ‘Osel Vui Artellion.'”

***

‘He was always a difficult person, but recently, he’s become even more unbearable. I wonder if he’s not going to harm himself for real with this…’

In front of a room in the men’s dormitory Building A.

A man is staggering helplessly, unable to make up his mind.

His name was Osel Forne Palon.

He was the nephew of the Earl Forne from the Osel Kingdom.

‘What should I do? Should I just knock and enter? But… what if I get scolded for disturbing him? He already dislikes being bothered.’

Palon was lost in thought, biting his nails nervously. It had already been 20 minutes like this.

Now, he had to make a decision one way or another. But for Palon, who was overly cautious in everything, making a decision was like taking medicine.

Occasionally, he could feel the gaze of other students who found his behavior strange. He worried that he might end up being reported.

“All right, let’s knock and enter! You haven’t had your meal today, so you must be hungry for sure.”

On the tray he held with one hand, there was a balanced diet of various breads, vegetables, and meat.

It seemed like he could get all the nutrients he needed.

Palon cleared his throat.

Although he had been here a few times before, he was always nervous, perhaps due to the difference in status.

Finally, he reached out his hand to knock.

⎯Knock, knock.

“Your Highness, Prince Artellion! It’s me, Palon. Are you inside?”

“……”

Silence.

Not even an echo returned.

Palon was taken aback.

Could it be that he wasn’t inside?

Normally, he would at least respond, but today, he remained completely silent.

Palon knocked again and called out for Artellion, but the only response he received was stillness.

For a moment, Palon froze all his movements and unconsciously turned the doorknob. It wasn’t a thought-out action; it was a natural movement, like a human instinct.

“It’s open, right…?”

Palon cautiously opened the door and peered inside the dimly lit room.

“Your Highness… Are you there?”

He called out in a slightly lowered voice, but still, there was no response from Artellion.

“Hmm…?”

However, there was a sense, though faint.

Mana.

A very refined and intricate mana energy.

This prickly sensation that formed the basic essence reflected the true nature of the individual. This was Artellion’s mana. Palon, who had been with him for a long time, could tell.

“…But this is different. It’s like a force he’s holding. Or a presence. Something… This, this is… This can’t be…!!”

⎯Crash!

Palon’s eyes widened in an instant as he realized the dishes he was holding had fallen and shattered, but he rushed inside without a second thought.

Normally, it would be unimaginable to step into a prince’s room without permission.

However, there was something more important to Palon now. He could face the consequences later.

This level of mana.

This level of pressure.

A power that had been perfected in just a few days, which he hadn’t felt before.

“Wow, Your Highness, finally…!!”

In the room where Pheron arrived, Arthellion was sitting on the red magic circle. He was panting heavily.

From his head to his clothes, even the surrounding floor.

All soaked in sweat.

Arthellion’s heat and intense mana exuded by himself alone filled the room.

“Ah, Ah… Your Highness!”

Pheron sat down on the floor, tears of reverence streaming down.

Arthellion, trying not to show his emotions, was undoubtedly quite irritated.

Already short on sleep, he further reduced his already insufficient sleep time, swinging his sword until just before falling asleep, forgetting the etiquette engraved since childhood, even reading magic books during meal times.

Lately, he had been desperately striving to see Pheron’s heart as sore as it was.

“Pheron… is it?”

Though the room was dark, Arthellion didn’t recognize Pheron at once.

He was so absorbed, giving it his all.

“Yes, yes! That’s correct. Your Highness, I am Pheron. Kuhh! Ah, Your Highness… I, I humbly greet you. Finally… finally achieving…!!”

Pheron tightly held Arthellion’s hand. His hand felt hot as if on fire.

Arthellion’s lips moved. He smiled. The emotion felt was satisfaction.

Seeing this, Pheron burst into even more tears like a waterfall.

“How many years has it been since Your Highness expressed satisfaction with his own achievement! 3 years? 5 years? No, it must be even longer ago!”

“…Finally achieved it. Finally… reached the level of using ‘Crimson Aura.'”

The Crimson Aura, a higher stage of the usual blue aura. An aura that emits a red light when manifested.

People say, being able to reach the Crimson Aura level is an area of absolute talent where only a few exceptional swordsmen are praised as geniuses.

To simply call someone who reached that level a genius is belittling.

He reached that level at the young age of 17. The reason Pheron shed tears so profusely was because of that.

Arthellion is a natural swordsman.

In swordsmanship, the aura is as important as the sword or life.

Today is a monumental day where his name will be engraved in history.

“Truly the rebirth of the Swordmaster! Indeed, Your Highness is born with the destiny of the Swordmaster!”

The night before the class competition.

The first protagonist, Arthellion, is now, at this moment.

Approaching the name of ‘Swordmaster.’