A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 304

Chapter 304: Again, Mage Tower (2)

Restricted Access Area

Epherene was stealthily walking down into the basement of the Mage Tower library. Since the library itself was located in the Mage Tower’s basement, this meant she was effectively descending into the Mage Tower’s basement.

“... Why are these stairs so long?" Epherene muttered.

Epherene checked Deculein's map once more.

"It should be correct, right here."

There is certainly something within this basement. I don't yet know what it is, but this basement is the very epicenter of the earthquake. And the Professor's map cannot be wrong... Epherene muttered.

Tap—

At that moment, she reached a flat floor, and cautiously surveyed her surroundings.

This place is dark, but surprisingly clean. Like an office in a basement prison, perhaps?

"... Where am I?" Epherene muttered.

It was a space of entirely unknown purpose. Epherene walked forward stealthily, concentrating all her attention on her surroundings, yet found no magical security devices.

Tap—

At that moment, a pointed finger touched Epherene’s shoulder, and a silent scream welled up from her very core.

Epherene clapped both hands over her mouth, trembling as she turned to look. There stood a woman—no, a stranger—in a black suit, who curled her lips at Epherene as if she were pathetic.

“Foolish Epherene.”

It was a familiar greeting, far too lacking in manners to be proper, but a greeting nonetheless.

“Who are...?”

"It's Sylvia, who else?" Sylvia replied.

Even with Sylvia's self-introduction, Epherene's face remained entirely confused because Sylvia's appearance was too different from before.

"As expected, your foolishness prevents recognition," Sylvia added, removing her glasses.

Only then did Epherene's eyes widen.

“What.”

It's strange. Sylvia and I are the same age, but her appearance is so mature now, as if she alone has aged, Epherene thought.

"Did you dye your hair?" Epherene asked.

"Do you really believe that is what’s important now, foolish Epherene. What are you doing here," Sylvia replied.

“... Oh, I mean—”

"More to the point, you stole it, didn't you," Sylvia interrupted, her brow furrowing.

"... Hmm? Stole what?" Epherene replied, tilting her head innocently.

"The painting I painted on the island, of course. You stole it," Sylvia said, glaring at Epherene.

One of Deculein’s paintings, created by Sylvia on Sylvia’s Island, had been stolen long ago. However, the investigation results pointed to the most likely culprit being...

“Epherene, answer me.”

"What painting? What are you talking about, all of a sudden?" Epherene asked.

"... Don't pretend to be ignorant," Sylvia said, twisting her lips and shaking her head. "Your mana has already been detected."

"Okay, stop. For now, shhh," Epherene said, putting a finger over her lips.

Clank—

From a distant upper floor, the resounding click of the Restricted Access Area’s lock opening reached their ears.

“... What? How could the lock be... But I snapped it?”

"I recreated it with the Primary Colors," Sylvia replied, manifesting the Primary Colors. "Now, hide."

The floor Sylvia intended to paint over was the ground they stood upon. After digging a circular hole like a manhole, they hid themselves beneath it, and by fashioning and covering it with a lid, the simple concealment was complete.

“Wow, your talent is amazing as always. This is convenient,” Epherene whispered.

"And you are as foolish as always," Sylvia replied, scoffing at Epherene.

"... Even when complimented, you're such a pain. You never change, do you?"

"If you had just admitted to stealing the painting, I would have been nicer to you."

“Oh, come on. I didn’t steal it—I am telling you.”

"I told you, your mana was detected."

While Epherene and Sylvia were engaged in their spat, steady footsteps approached, not from a single person, but from many.

“... This is fascinating.”

The voice expressing fascination was familiar to Epherene—it was Professor Siare of the destructive category.

What's so fascinating? Epherene thought, her ears perking up.

"It is certainly so."

The one who replied was Professor Relin.

What's that fat one up to now? Epherene thought.

"As they mentioned, consuming the potion has modified the quality of my mana."

At Relin's words, Sylvia and Epherene looked at each other.

“Yes, that is so. Pedhel was the first to consume it, wasn’t he, Professor Relin?”

“That is correct. To see a newcomer who was once nothing of note now named as a rising star... it is, I would say, rather presumptuous.”

The conversation between Siare and Relin is very suspicious. Could they both be involved with the Altar? Epherene thought.

"However, we are now, by all accounts, in this together, Professor Relin. Such matters can be discussed for later," Siare replied, a smile gracing her lips.

“Agreed. Well, what importance do such matters hold now, when the Mage Tower of the University is about to become a Yukline house institution? Our very necks are on the line, courtesy of that Plagiarist Professor.” Relin said, revealing his true colors.

"By the way, the potion delivery should be arriving soon," Siare replied.

Relin turned toward something—it was the center of this empty space.

“They adhere strictly to their schedule. Therefore, the countdown began—three seconds, two seconds, one second—”

Whoooosh—

Magic resounded in some way, and then two bottles of potion materialized, and as Relin had said, a delivery had arrived.

"... Then, let us return," Relin said.

"Yes, let us go," Siare replied.

Epherene and Sylvia watched, their expressions rather serious, as Relin and Siare each took a bottle of potion and walked back up the stairs.

***

“... No, I didn’t steal it. I am telling you. Why do you keep picking on me when I didn’t do anything?” Epherene said.

Although they had reached the ground floor, Epherene and Sylvia continued their argument in the café located on the first floor of the Mage Tower.

“There’s no one else who could have stolen it except you. I told you your mana was detected—”

“Then the detection must be wrong. What even went missing?” Epherene asked.

I cannot bring myself to say it. How can I, with my own mouth, admit it was a painting by Deculein. Could she know what it is about. That's why she's playing with me right now, Sylvia thought.

“How shameless,” Sylvia muttered.

“What are you saying? By the way, Sylvia, could you make me an identification card so I can stay here?”

"... An identification card," Sylvia replied, her eyes narrowing.

“Yes, can’t it be done with those Primary Colors or something? I can’t keep going back and forth like this. Something might happen at the Mage Tower, you know.”

“Well, your status is in ruin,” Sylvia replied.

I’d heard news of Epherene before—that she had become estranged from Deculein over her father’s incident and, out of spite, completely stripped him of his office, Sylvia thought.

"... Yeah, I'd be arrested immediately if I were found out," Epherene muttered.

In response to Epherene’s words, Sylvia twisted her lips and then created an identification card for Epherene, labeling her as Mage Tower Janitor.

“No, not like this. Can’t you just have me registered as a proper mage?” Epherene asked, shaking her head.

"You ask for much. Why must it be mage."

"I need to attend Professor Relin and Professor Siare's lectures. I must understand what has changed to properly prepare."

“Alright. But on one condition,” Sylvia replied, a hint of agreement in her voice.

“Condition? What would that be?”

Creating identification cards with the Primary Colors was simple. While further investigations—such as searching Mage Tower employee records or student lists—might expose the forgery, there was no risk as long as it remained unnoticed.

"Attend my lectures."

“... Your lectures?” Epherene replied, furrowing her brow.

“Yes, I am a professor as well. Since it's still the drop period and the class is currently under-enrolled, you can join midway.”

Epherene remained silent.

“And one more thing,” Sylvia continued, her face unnecessarily serious as she addressed a confused Epherene. “Give my lecture evaluation a perfect rating.”

“... What?”

At that moment, a Mage Tower employee carrying a poster entered the café where the two were seated, and Epherene’s and Sylvia’s eyes were naturally drawn to it.

Swish, swish—

The contents of the poster, pressed against the cafe wall, were as follows.

Notice of Empress Sophien's Instructor Mage Selection Examination

◆ Qualifications Required : All mages of the Empire, registered on the Floating Island.

◆ Selection Process : First-round theoretical examination, second-round practical examination, and a final audience with Empress Sophien.

◆ Reward for Selected Candidates : Three million elne, and an artifact personally crafted by Chairman Deculein.

◆ Reference Materials for First-Round Theoretical Examination: All magic tomes of Advanced grade or higher, categorized by their respective categories.

The person who posted the poster was already gone, but the eyes of both Epherene and Sylvia remained glued on the paper. Epherene desired the three million elne and the opportunity to showcase her magic to Her Majesty, the Empress, and Sylvia, on the other hand, desired only one thing—an artifact personally crafted by Deculein.

Gulp—

"... Wait, wouldn't it be a problem if Professor Relin or Professor Siare were assigned to that?" Epherene asked, swallowing hard.

“Yes, it would be a problem,” Sylvia replied.

For it being a perfectly good excuse, after a brief silence, Epherene and Sylvia soon met each other's eyes and nodded.

A new lecture, taught by a part-time professor? Could it be...?

The lecture title itself is a bit much, and the teaching is absolutely terrible, Sylvia thought.

“Pfft—”

“... Oops, sorry,” Epherene said.

"Pfff!" Epherene murmured, her laughter growing louder.

"Heheheh. Right, of course. You, a descendant of a Count's house, must exercise patience."

Snap—

"Oh, I know. Your father works in the Imperial Palace, after all."

How dare that fool speak like that, Sylvia thought.

“Oh, but a fucking idiotic topic? That’s a bit too much, I would say~”

“Hmm~ Sylvia, you’re not just obsessed with lecture evaluations for no reason, huh? You might actually get fired—”

"... Oh~ Imitating Deculein's manner of speech, are we? But imitating his lecture skills seems more urgent for you—"

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