A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11: News (2)

Just as I was about to muster the courage to approach Ganesha, someone blocked my path, their voice overly cheesy and their perfume overwhelming.

“Well, well! Isn't this Professor Deculein? Long time no see.”

A man with blond hair, blue eyes, and a handsome face stood in front of me. Though shorter than me, he exuded a strong magical aura. I knew his face well. I had modeled him myself.

"... Ihelm?" I said.

Ihelm von Gerian Rewind. He was Deculein's rival... though calling him a rival might be overstating it. He was more of a named character who envied Deculein for taking the Head Professor position.

"Yes~ Professor Deculein. How have things been going with your classes and research? I heard there was an incident during your first lecture," Ihelm asked.

"It has been resolved," I replied.

"Haha, of course, it has. More importantly, I've been worried lately because some ruffians seem to be questioning your reputation," Ihelm said, exaggerating his concern.

The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Just as Ihelm mentioned, Deculein's deceptions were slowly being exposed.

"Of course, I am eagerly awaiting your great magical research, Professor Deculein. I assume you are taking your time for a significant achievement? Though it has been almost three years..."

I looked at Ihelm. His exaggerated expressions and movements were extremely cheesy. If cheese could come to life, it would look like this. Human cheese.

"... If the grand research is too complex and you can't find a breakthrough, and if you need my help, feel free to ask. I'll be there right away," Ihelm said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

If I had been the original Deculein, I might have given him a nonverbal cue, but I didn't respond at all. I didn't even blink. Honestly, I didn't even care.

"I understand. The title of Head Professor must be a heavy burden. Even with the honor of being a mage in the Mage Tower of the University... Are you listening?"

After rambling on for a while, Ihelm finally seemed to tire himself out. He scrunched up his nose and furrowed his brow.

"I wasn't listening," I said.

"Tsk... You seem busy, so I'll add one last thing," Ihelm said.

I glanced over Ihelm's shoulder to look for Ganesha. She was gone. Not to the right, the left, near the door, or by the window. An important named character had vanished.

"No one in the world will appreciate you if you continue to act so superior and arrogant as right now. Do you know that? Falling from grace in noble society is quite common. You should give up on that absurd Pure Element Creation research..." Ihelm continued.

Heat surged in the back of my neck. I had missed Ganesha because of this guy, and yet this annoying man wouldn't stop talking.

"Alright, Professor Deculein. Enjoy the good times while they last, because tough times are ahead. Also..."

One word had already stretched into dozens. If I stayed silent, he'd probably lecture me until he was old and gray. So I took a step closer to him.

"Let me say one thing," I said.

"If you follow my advic..."

Looking down at his yellowish-pale face, I leaned in closer.

"Stop meddling and get lost, you rotten cheese," I whispered in his ear.

It could have been a fatal mistake, but it felt amazing. A natural smile appeared on my face. After all, the original Deculein had always hated Ihelm too.

"W-what did you say? Cheese, rotten cheese? Did you just—"

"I'm leaving."

I left him stammering and walked away briskly.

I had just managed to escape from Ihelm, yet many people were still looking for Deculein. Numerous nobles swarmed around me as if they had been waiting for this moment.

"I heard about that recent incident. An Iliade scion was provoked by some low-ranking noble's child, wasn't she?"

"At that moment, Professor Deculein, you appeared like a hero from what I heard. My son told me all about it. Haha! Just hearing about it excites me, so I can only imagine how my son must have felt. Ah, my son's name is..."

"Head Professor Deculein, do you happen to have time tonight?"

They said various things to me. Some were requests for favors, others were personal worries, and a few were almost flirtatious offers.

By this point, I started to have a headache. The sweet desserts and the overwhelming perfume seemed to assault my senses. My Iron Man attribute unnecessarily heightened my senses, including my sense of smell. Feeling utterly fed up, I looked for a place without people.

After making my way up to the quiet third floor, I leaned against the windowsill in the hallway to catch my breath.

"... Professor Deculein?"

Someone called my name. I turned and was greatly surprised. It was Ganesha, the named character I had been searching for this whole time.

"What are you doing here?" Ganesha asked, approaching me with wide eyes.

I had no idea that the original Deculein and Ganesha knew each other.

"... I got lost," I replied without showing any emotion.

"Oh, you are now joking with me? Weren't you waiting for me?" Ganesha said.

It made sense that Deculein might have some connection with Ganesha. I glanced sideways at her as she stood next to me. Mistaking my glance for a glare, Ganesha smiled and clasped her hands together.

"I'm sorry about that mission back then. But I did return the advance payment and the penalty fee. Can you let it slide this once?"

When I remained silent, Ganesha pouted and puffed out her cheeks. Her twin tails swayed side to side.

"Well... I did see a girl with the immense talent you were looking for in the archipelago. I can't say for sure it was magical talent, but she was a remarkable girl."

I silently looked up at the sky outside the window. Night had fallen, and the blue moonlight illuminated the window sill. Ganesha followed my gaze and continued speaking.

"I'm sorry I couldn't bring her. No, I'm sorry I didn't bring her. I grew attached. I couldn't give her to you."

I understood the situation without needing to use Comprehension. Deculein, aware of his magical shortcomings, had intended to use a highly talented and easily manipulated child as a research tool. He had tasked Ganesha with this mission.

"But, Professor, how long do you plan to live like this?" Ganesha asked.

I continued to gaze at the moon outside the window. When I didn't respond, she took out a cigarette from her pocket.

"Can you light this for me?"

"No."

It wasn't that I didn't want to. I simply couldn't. I hadn't learned Ignition yet. Ganesha pretended to pout, and I spoke to her.

"I plan to live differently from now on."

"... Eh? Really?"

Ganesha moved the cigarette from her mouth to her hand. Without looking at her, I nodded.

"Oh... that's unexpected. I thought you would try to kill me. Honestly, I came here to see you. I was so curious," Ganesha said.

"... What was so curious?" I asked.

"I ran away without a word, and you didn't send assassins after me."

Ganesha's twin tails fluttered.

Flap-flap. Flap-flap.

She was probably trying to express surprise, but it was irritating.

"You're worrying too much."

Ganesha was one of the most formidable named characters in terms of combat power. Even her hair moved at will, a sign of her mastery over her body as a martial artist.

Her attributes included the famous Invincible Body and Master of All Martial Arts attributes, making her literally a named character who could kill with a single strand of her hair. Sending assassins after such a monster would have been truly insane.

"Are you really okay, Professor Deculein?" Ganesha asked again. The right tail of her hair was slapping my shoulder.

"If you came to see me, then go back now," I said.

I moved my feet and headed toward the stairs. I had come to build connections with her, but she was already someone I knew. There was no need to stay at this social gathering any longer.

"Oh, is that so? Can I really trust you? You're not planning any assassinations or expulsions, are you?" Ganesha spoke from behind me.

Of course, with the power of the Yukline family, I could easily pressure the Adventurer's Guild. Ganesha had violated the guild's trust by refusing the mission without permission.

"That is beneath my dignity." _{freewēbnoveℓ.com}

Villain’s Fate had activated. Previously, it was overcame, and now it was avoided. The conversation I have just had with Ganesha was also considered a death variable...

"Oh... the chocolate is flowing like a fountain," Yulie said, widening her eyes as she watched the chocolate fountain, the latest novelty and the must-have item in the social scene.

"Oh, come on. Stop it and come here..."

Gurgle gurgle gurgle—

"Hmm? What's Ihelm doing over there?"

Clack—clack—

What is Deculein doing? Is he really leaving? Already? Leaving the social event so soon? The sun had just set a little while ago. Why? Because of Yulie?