A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Berhert (3)

... The hawk's limited vision couldn't capture all the details. However, Deculein had killed the knight, who then fell off the cliff. To be precise, the escort knight had first attempted to kill Deculein, who then acted in self-defense. In truth, Deculein had tried to save the knight, so in a way, the knight had caused his own death.

Sylvia saw all of this through the hawk's eyes. She heard every word of their conversation. Using the hawk's vision, she saw Deculein standing alone on the edge of an endless cliff. It was a miracle he hadn't fallen.

The meeting would start in less than half a day. Could he reach Berhert in time from there?

At that moment, Deculein looked up at the sky. Startled, Sylvia quickly recalled the hawk. The snowstorm was intensifying, making further observation impossible. More importantly, she didn't want the hawk to get hurt. It was her first creation, and she planned to take care of it for a long time. She would recharge the mana stone whenever it depleted.

"Come back," Sylvia said, opening her eyes. Her vision returned to Berhert.

"Oh! Miss Sylvia?"

She sighed and turned around, only to bump into someone. They were from the kingdom, just as Sirio had mentioned.

"There you are! I've been wanting to meet you!"

"Seeing the Novice Mage of the Year in person is such an honor!"

"I'm from the Leoc Kingdom, from the Judra family..."

Their fawning reactions made Sylvia uncomfortable.

***

Meanwhile, on the platform of the express train track, a high-ranking official was being saluted by the staff.

“It's an honor, Deputy Director!”

Lillia Primien, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Public Safety, was camping in the mountains of the Northern Region when she heard about the train terror incident. In her capacity as Deputy Director, she decided to investigate the scene.

“An explosion and an attack? Is that correct?”

“Yes, ma'am. It happened about two or three hours ago. Incidents like this are quite common on the way to Berhert. The compensation from Berhert is usually ten times more, so it's typically not a big deal,” the staff said, who seemed to be the general manager.

Primien glanced down the cliff and asked, “Were there any casualties?”

“It’s not confirmed yet, but Professor Deculein and the knight Veron are currently missing. For more detailed witness accounts, you can speak to that man over there...”

Primien followed the staff member's gesture and saw a blond man with a mustache and Allen. Allen seemed to be sleeping on the track, while the man spoke animatedly.

“Yes, Professor Deculein and Sir Veron saved me, but when I regained consciousness, the entire train had already fallen. It seems the assassins launched a second attack...”

Primien approached and pointed at the camera hanging around the man's neck and asked, “May I see that for a moment?”

“Sorry? Oh, sure. But I make my living with this...”

“I'll return it promptly.”

“Oh, alright.”

The man developed the film immediately. As Primien examined the photos, she found herself momentarily speechless.

“...Huh?”

She laughed in disbelief. The magical film captured one or two seconds before and after each photo, like a short video. In the images, the train floated in midair. The caster was, of course, Deculein, and Primien recognized the magic.

Using Telekinesis, Deculein had lifted the train effortlessly, calmly reading a book as if it were a trivial task.

As Primien admired the photos, she suddenly received a message from someone somewhere. A magical signal pricked her back. She stood still, interpreting the signal.

— Knight Veron is dead. Veron attempted to kill Deculein under someone's orders, but Deculein survived.

Primien sighed softly. She knew Knight Veron; he was one of the Scarletborn, like her. Though a bit unhinged, he had been somewhat admirable. His death was bittersweet yet also a relief. Like Lokhak, he had been a ticking time bomb, destined to cause trouble eventually.

“What do you think of the photos I took? Quite a sight, wouldn't you agree? As a magic analyst, I'd say Professor Deculein's skills are—”

"That will suffice," Primien said, handing the photos back to the man.

"Oh my! A ghost!" one of the staff screamed.

Primien followed their gaze. Someone who hadn't been there before was now standing on the track. She recognized him instantly as Head Professor Deculein. No one had seen him climb up. He stood silently, gazing at the cliff he had ascended.

He pondered his limits. Despite his proficiency in Telekinesis, he couldn't penetrate the knight's aura. The power of a mage seemed inadequate without ample mana. Even with all his attributes and characteristics, half-hearted effort couldn't surpass innate talent.

He felt a distinct barrier between them. The fixed capacity of his mana at 3,375 frustrated him. Without the mysterious help from someone, he would have been the one falling off the cliff...

"Professor," Primien said as she approached Deculein. "Your assistant is safe over there."

Deculein looked at Allen on the track and asked, “He's unharmed?”

“Yes, that's correct.”

That was all he said before turning his gaze to Primien. It struck her then how incredibly handsome he was.

“What time is it now?”

“Three-thirty.”

“... Six hours left?”

He seemed to be assessing his chances of making it to the meeting. Without a train, climbing the cliff would take at least a day, given a mage's typically poor physical condition.

"Professor, I need to formally ask what happened to the escort knight."

“... He's dead.”

"Was it due to the sudden attack?"

The professor paused briefly, then nodded.

"Professor, could you clear the track?"

At her words, Deculein tilted his head and looked down at Primien with the haughty gaze of a noble addressing a subordinate. For a moment, anger flared up inside her, but she forced it down. _{freewёbn૦νeɭ.com}

"If you clear the track, I can authorize sending another train."

If we clear the track before the snowstorm worsens, we can call a train and increase your chances of making the meeting. So, Professor, this benefits you. Why are you glaring at me like that? It makes me want to rip your eyes out... Primien thought.

“This should be a much better option than walking—”

“I refuse,” Deculein said firmly. “Move.”

Primien clenched her jaw. He had an uncanny ability to get under her skin.

In truth, Deculein was already exhausted. He had no energy left to cast any more spells. His flawless external appearance had misled Primien, but internally, he was completely drained.

“... Yes, sir,” Primien said, bowing slightly before turning to one of the staff members. “Since he’s not helping, so clear the track before the snow gets worse.”

“Yes, ma'am. Right away.”

"One more thing. Is this the only route to Berhert by train?"

“No, there’s another route that goes by land and sea, though it’s much longer and on the opposite side.”

“Hmm...?”

As Primien conversed with the staff, she sensed something amiss and turned around. Deculein had already vanished.

“Did he use Haste?”

He must have decided that using supportive magic to run up the cliff was more efficient than clearing the track. Assuming the intense winds would make it possible by borrowing the energy of the elements.

“Just how much mana does he really have?”

His skills are beyond my imagination. No, they are nothing like the reports. He stopped the train's derailment with his Telekinesis, fought off dozens of assassins, defeated Veron, climbed the cliff unscathed, and even used the high-level spell Haste... Does he have an ocean of mana? Primien thought, clicking her tongue.

"Ugh..." the assistant professor said, and woke up groggily.

"Sorry? Oh, um, where is..."

“Oh, yes! Phew. I’m Allen.”

Mediocre people envy geniuses, but geniuses recognize each other, Sylvia thought, biting her lip but staying silent. Deculein’s talent might be lacking compared to mine, but he's certainly not someone to be dismissed by these people.

“Oh, there it is.”

Creak—

Bong— Bong— Bong— Bong— Bong—

Sylvia felt immense pressure looking at him and thought, Is reaching that level the only way to challenge for the title of Archmage? ... Maybe it's possible.