A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 286

Chapter 286: Theory of Relativity (5)

— The Mage Tower exists to protect the freedom of magic! Therefore, I suggest a two-year suspension for Assistant Professor Epherene with eligibility for review every quarter, and honestly, if we’re judging responsibility, shouldn’t the supervising professor also be questioned for negligence as well?!

Adrienne didn’t hesitate to lay the blame where it belonged—on Deculein, citing his negligence as supervising professor.

— You all agree, right?!

Adrienne turned to the professors and the board, but not a single answer came as they only lowered their eyes and the room fell into a heavy silence.

— Hmph! Nobody is trying to listen to me anymore just because I will no longer be Chairwoman in no time?! Is everyone scared of Deculein or something?! Anyway, Assistant Professor Epherene!

The Chairwoman called Epherene’s name with a pout, and from the depths below, Epherene looked up, her eyes locking on the distant silhouette above.

“... Yes.”

— I, Chairwoman Adrienne—yes, still Chairwoman—say that Assistant Professor Epherene should receive a two-year suspension!

Adrienne’s voice filled the room, and what she proposed wasn’t expulsion but something far more merciful for Epherene.

— Let’s proceed with a vote.

However, Deculein stood his ground, his voice growing firmer as he continued, each syllable deliberate and unshaken.

— As for the punishment, my advice remains unchanged—expulsion.

— Oh, wow!

Adrienne’s hand met her knee with a clap while Epherene, watching Deculein, bit her lip, unable to suppress the sting of disappointment.

They say that in the Magical Realm, it’s more common for mentors and protégés to skip each other’s funerals than to share any real bond. I wonder if this is how that begins, Epherene thought.

— Alright then! There’s no helping it now, Assistant Professor Epherene! If you’ve got anything left to say, say it now! Maybe you can change Professor Deculein’s mind!

Adrienne said.

— You never know! If you bend just a little, maybe Professor Deculein will reduce it to a one-year suspension!

Adrienne tried to persuade Epherene to reconsider her stance, and sitting in a cramped chair under the weight of their elevated stares, Epherene’s fingers tightened around her robe as she thought about what she had done wrong.

“... Oh.”

At that moment, a sudden realization struck Epherene—a single thought illuminating the fog of her mind.

Gulp—

Epherene swallowed the tightness in her throat and raised her head, her eyes tracing the stark silhouette of Deculein above her.

If I’m going to continue this research, truly integrate magic and science, and claim an achievement of my own as a grown-up mage, then wouldn’t I have to leave Deculein? I mean—don’t I have to eventually, and isn’t that the only choice? Epherene thought.

— Assistant Professor Epherene?! Won’t you say something?! Isn’t there even the slightest part of you willing to bend just a little?!

If I’m the only one they hate, then I’ll deal with it, as Yukline has a reputation to protect, a bloodline that might as well be part of the Empire’s own history, and Deculein is a noble, the Empress’s Elite Guard Lead, and the Head Professor destined to become the next Chairman of the Mage Tower who is too high up and has too much to lose to stand beside someone like me.

Just like Adrienne said—if this is seen as negligence on his part as the supervising professor, then if I don’t give in, if I don’t bend, it might drag Deculein’s reputation through the mud or, worse, cause real trouble. Is that why he wants me expelled? Maybe not. Maybe that’s not what he really means... I really don’t want to think that way.

“... No,” Epherene replied.

At that moment, a breath of disdain and contempt came from high above.

"I have no intention of bending."

However, Epherene didn’t so much as flinch at their response, as if it were just another sound in a room full of noise.

Let's just think that there’s only one person standing with me in this room—Deculein and no one else.

"In Deculein and Luna’s thesis, I saw the potential of science—not merely as a tool of magic, but as a companion that could grow and evolve alongside it," Epherene continued.

Maybe all this time, without realizing it, I had been leaning on Deculein more than I should have.

“Even if my idea was too radical and far from Professor Deculein’s views.”

No, maybe I wasn’t just leaning on him but depending on him without realizing it.

"I honestly believed that the Professor would recognize its value."

Because I thought Deculein would always clean up after me no matter what, I nearly caused a volcanic eruption in Yuren.

"Professor Deculein, my father died because of you. Even well into his thirties, he was never able to cross the threshold into assistant professorship—"

— Watch it!

“My father was overtaken by his juniors—students far younger than him. Humiliated and crushed by shame, he eventually took his own life. And did you really think adding his name to a thesis would make everything right?” Epherene continued, undeterred by Relin’s interruption.

Of course, I know the truth behind what really happened—every detail hidden deep beneath the surface.

“But weren’t those past theses of yours written with my father, Professor? Then why is his name nowhere to be found? Because you removed it, didn’t you?”

— Assistant Professor Epherene! That has nothing to do with the matter at hand! Head Professor, there’s no need to waste another moment, as she has repaid every favor with thanklessness!

But I’ll pretend that I don’t.

“And now, after all that, it seems you would see me expelled as well."

Because I am the arrogant Epherene.

Deculein said nothing, his expression hidden from view so Epherene had no way of knowing whether his silence brimmed with anger, sorrow, or just nothing at all.

However, Epherene could tell that the professors and board members weren’t acting on their own but were merely watching Deculein, waiting for him to move before they dared to speak.

No matter what I say, Deculein probably finds me disgusting right now, staring at me like I’m something foul he stepped in, Epherene thought.

— Alright, let’s conclude the discussion and move to a vote.

Bang, bang, bang—

At that moment, Adrienne banged her palm against the desk.

— Today’s gathering of the Personnel Committee will mark the final decision of my term. Soon, I will take my leave—not only from the Mage Tower, but from this Mortal Realm altogether.

However, Adrienne’s voice suddenly changed from the joy that had danced there just moments earlier to one that carried emotional weight and was unexpectedly serious.

— Of course, the situation has been entertaining—but as Chairwoman, I believe it’s time to bring it to a close.

It was the first time anyone had heard Adrienne speak with such weight of adulthood, and known for her unconventional behavior, the sudden maturity in her voice left the professors speechless so that not one of them dared to speak.

However, in the end, it was Deculein who broke the silence—just as everyone knew he would.

— I will take my leave.

Deculein’s voice was the same as ever, but Epherene felt a deep ache bloom in her chest all the same.

He must be disappointed in me, and of course, what else would he feel? Epherene thought.

— Professor, please vote before you leave.

Adrienne looked to Deculein and asked for his vote, and he replied with his answer.

— The part about being expelled hasn’t changed.

Epherene lowered her head, her tightly bitten lip trembling.

— Understood. Then let us continue—Professor Relin, you may start us off.

Thud—

With the sound of the door echoed behind him and Deculein’s presence faded from the room, the Personnel Committee’s vote on punishment began to move forward...

***

... That had been a week ago, and though the vote had been decided then and there during the Personnel Committee, it was today that the result would finally be announced to the Mage Tower.

Final Decision of the Personnel Committee

Suspension : Epherene

For submitting a disrespectful and incomplete thesis to the Academia without undergoing review by any member of the professorial faculty, thereby damaging the dignity of the Mage Tower...

“Sigh...”

As Adrienne had suggested, the Personnel Committee's decision—a two-year suspension with quarterly evaluations—was displayed on the Mage Tower's bulletin board.

Epherene, however, felt neither disappointment nor sadness because she had reluctantly acknowledged that the Mage Tower would never permit the research she planned to conduct.

“Oh, you mean the one who got suspended?”

“Yeah, she had that air about her—from the very beginning.”

“But is that really true? That her dad died because of Deculein?”

“Yeah, apparently it’s true. They say she brought up a suicide case in the middle of the Personnel Committee—one they tried to cover up years ago.”

“Wow, does that mean she stayed close to Deculein all this time just to get revenge on him? That’s crazy.”

With the eyes of the entire Mage Tower on her, Epherene stepped into the elevator.

Even in an elevator full of mages, I could feel their eyes on me, impossible to ignore. But what could I do? Epherene thought.

Ding—

As the doors opened on the 77th floor, Epherene stepped out and walked down the corridor, her eyes scanning around her.

Professor Deculein probably isn’t here. I came only to wrap things up on my own.

Knock, knock—

“Phew.”

Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. My dad, who took his own life after suffering under Deculein, was also the one who handed the Letter of Fortune to Deculein’s fiancée. Even knowing how twisted that tragedy was, I still brought it up...

This should be enough for the Professor to ascend to Elder, right?

I could bend and stay with Deculein, and maybe that wouldn’t be so bad. But I want to follow my own research. For the first time, it feels like I’ve finally found what every mage calls their lifelong aspiration. I can’t throw away this theory—this thing that might become my own magic. I don’t want to waste even a second. Maybe this is what it means to become a true mage.

My moment is here too—to stand on my own as a mage and, maybe, take my first step into adulthood, Epherene thought.

“... Oh.”

I don’t have a laboratory—or even a place to sleep, as I used to stay in the dormitories and sometimes at the Yukline mansion.

Of course, if I sold all the stocks I own, I could probably buy a house in the Capital, but the cost of mana stones, grimoires, and experimental equipment is astronomical, and no amount of stocks could cover that. For a laboratory worthy of my research, I’d need at least five million elne...

There’s always been that anonymous sponsorship from Deculein dating back a long time, but I could never bring myself to spend it all.

What the.

Who was I even answering just now? Epherene thought.

“Hehe, it’s been a long time~”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify