A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Trace (5)

Two hours earlier, at 7 p.m., Sylvia had taken a car ride, carrying a notebook, flowers, and a pen. She was in a decidedly sour mood.

She sat quietly in the back seat, grumbling to herself in silence. How could he assign so many tasks so casually? Though it came with a note saying that completing two out of three is acceptable and does not require a high level of proficiency, it was still unreasonable, even for a five-credit course—

"We've arrived," said the driver.

Lost in her thoughts about the assignments, Sylvia only realized they had arrived when the car stopped. She got out silently, feeling the cool evening air. The setting sun cast a pink hue over the horizon, perfectly complementing the serene atmosphere.

Sylvia walked, holding the flowers in one hand. Her neat shoes clicked on the path until she reached a gravestone adorned with flowers.

Cielia von Elemin Iliade

Beloved wife of the proud mage Glitheon, and mother of dear daughter Sylvia.

This was the resting place of her mother, who had wanted to be buried in her hometown. Sylvia had moved to the capital to be near her.

"I'm here, Mom," Sylvia said, kneeling to place the flowers. "My brother took an aptitude test today."

Her father had remarried five years ago, and now she had a younger brother who was already four years old.

"He has no talent for magic. He looks like a potato. A whole potato. Maybe he's just underdeveloped, or perhaps he was born missing something," Sylvia muttered softly. She continued her rant, "Professor Deculein is awful. He acts like his class is the only one I take."

She couldn't remember her mother's voice, and the sadness had faded. Yet once a month, during these irregular visits, Sylvia found herself talking. Today, it was Deculein’s overwhelming assignments that brought her here, but whatever the reason, sharing her thoughts at the grave always lightened her heart.

"... I'll be going now. Take care," Sylvia said, standing up and turning away without hesitation as her knees began to ache. As she was about to leave the cemetery, she noticed someone who had worsened her mood earlier, someone she hadn't expected to see in such a place—Deculein.

He stood silently, staring at a gravestone. Nearby, a beautiful knight with white hair and light armor observed him from a distance. It seemed they hadn't come together; the woman watched Deculein's back, remaining unnoticed by him.

Deculein stared at the gravestone, silently contemplating the name etched upon it and the memories it held. After a long while, he knelt and gently touched the stone, his eyes growing vacant in the moonlight's reflection. Tears began to form.

Sylvia, surprised by this rare display of emotion, accidentally stepped on a leaf, revealing her presence with a soft crunch. Deculein, startled by the noise, stood up abruptly and glared at her with reddened, tear-filled eyes.

"... You."

"I wasn't trying to spy," Sylvia replied calmly, as usual. She instinctively glanced at the spot where the knight had been, but the woman was already gone.

Deculein followed her gaze and asked, "Was there someone else?"

"No," Sylvia replied, shaking her head. She was not one to reveal secrets.

Deculein closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Sylvia feared she might be scolded, but instead, he seemed grateful. His emotions had been in turmoil, and the interruption had helped him escape the overwhelming flood. He hadn't anticipated being so completely overtaken by his feelings.

"It’s fine. Let’s head back," Deculein said, turning and walking in the direction opposite the entrance. Sylvia hesitated but followed.

"Please don't punish me," Sylvia said nervously, receiving no response. Deculein continued walking, leading them further into the cemetery, which made Sylvia increasingly uneasy.

"I won’t tell anyone what I saw today," she promised, still met with silence.

Should I run away now? But what if he punishes me later? Could he use this personal incident as an excuse to discipline me? Sylvia thought, her mind racing.

"Sylvia," Deculein finally spoke, coming to a halt as he looked around at the ground and the sky.

"Yes?"

"... Where are we?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

Sylvia blinked, noticing his disorientation and likely embarrassment from being seen in tears.

"The exit is in the opposite direction."

"... I see. Lead the way."

They turned to leave but couldn't take a single step. A hooded figure, who hadn't been there moments before, now blocked the narrow forest path leading out of the cemetery. The stranger, clearly menacing, obstructed their way.

"Who are you?" Deculein asked, looking at him with weary eyes.

The figure did not respond. Deculein used a gust of wind to reveal the man's face. When his features were exposed, Sylvia tensed. The long hair, the scar near his eye, the predatory gaze, and the sharp jawline—all matched the description on the wanted posters. It was Lokhak, the infamous Mage Killer.

"Sylvia."

"Yes?"

Deculein observed Lokhak through his Villain's Fate attribute, noticing the ominous red aura surrounding him, indicating his murderous intent.

"You should run. Even if you go back the way we came, you can find a way out," Deculein said, taking a step forward and placing Sylvia behind him.

She asked quietly, "Really?"

"Yes. You can't face him."

Deculein knew that an ordinary mage couldn't stand a chance against Lokhak. His unique attribute, Magic Nullification, was devastating in any situation. It rendered all magic useless within his vicinity, even neutralizing spells cast from outside his range. The price for this overwhelming power was the loss of his own mana.

"Sylvia, leave now."

Sylvia didn't respond, and Deculein's eyebrow twitched in frustration.

"Stop being stubborn and go."

Still, there was no reply. Deculein gritted his teeth.

"Sylvia, you'd only be a hindrance. Don't do something foolish—"

He turned to shout but paused, noticing Sylvia was already gone—sprinting away in her dynamic heels, the sound of her footsteps rapidly fading. Indeed, this was better than her loitering and getting in the way. Deculein let out a bitter laugh and turned to face Lokhak, who had no intention of letting Sylvia escape.

Lokhak held a dagger, an ominous weapon of Rare grade quality. Deculein, still standing, calmly put on his gloves, adjusted his collar, and smoothed out his suit.

"... You can't use magic against me," Lokhak sneered.

Lokhak thought, Mages are always so arrogant and haughty. They rely on their magic tricks, forgetting their own frailty. They delude themselves into thinking they are superior and sort people into hierarchies.

When they realize their magic is useless in my presence, they despair, losing their confidence and pride, crying and begging for their lives. This damn professor is no different. In fact, he is the epitome of a mage. His miserable life, as predictable as the sun setting and the moon rising, deserves to end.