The Villain Bought the Heroine - The Villain Bought the Heroine chapter 64

Chapter 64

Crackle! Clang!

Crunch!?!

When the sun is exactly in the middle of the sky.

The vast mock battlefield is filled with the phenomena caused by the members of Arbol Prutal.

“Alicia! Cover the right!”

“Yes, I’ll go right away!”

Not only the members of the always-gathering ‘Roots,’ but also the 33-member research society… No, now 32 members since Tigris left, of the large research society. Most of the students, if not all, are currently engaged in combat.

It would be strange if it were quiet.

“Hmm…”

I observed them slowly, reading the flow of the battlefield.

The sight of two teams engaging in a full-frontal confrontation exuded the intensity reminiscent of a class battle.

They pushed each other to their limits, fully focusing on defeating the opponent in front of them.

Alicia, with her glistening white hair under the sunlight, effortlessly dominated her opponents. Her movements were swift, precise, and devoid of any awkwardness, akin to a dance.

Serena, armed with a quiver full of arrows, was exchanging shots with Ventro, while Emily was holding her ground in her own way. As for Finn… well, carrying the relic of Hailion, he wasn’t doing too bad.

Surprisingly, even Frida was actively participating, not hiding her foxy nature, selectively targeting opponents she could defeat one by one. It was her unique combat style.

“Huh, hey!!”

“Isn’t this cheating?!”

However, what caught my attention the most were not the members of my team. At the center of chaos was Victoria Francesca, a second-year student from the Mokdae faction.

The situation shifted with the flick of her finger. Currently, with the absence of fourth-year seniors and my magic severely limited, she, a formidable second-year student, was the practical ruler of this place.

Clatter. Clatter.

The area around Francesca was filled with the sound of bones colliding. Her dignified gaze and radiant blonde hair remained motionless. Various skeletal soldiers moved on her behalf, protecting her like nobles.

Kaboom?!

Alicia began clashing with one of her soldiers.

Naturally, after several clashes, Alicia’s sword shattered the soldier’s head, but their numbers were significant, causing a dilemma.

“…”

As Alicia’s sword mercilessly took down her own soldiers, Francesca seemed uncomfortable, knelt down, and infused them with additional magic.

Zzang?!

A blue aura surrounded all the soldiers’ weapons.

Their movements became quicker, their power intensified. It was said that the soldiers’ strength could be controlled.

The situation tilted completely in one direction.

“The bones of demons…”

If you look closely, not only human bones but also those of demons. Unintentionally, my gaze drifted in that direction.

By the way, those small and cute bone demons belong to the rodent family, if classified as animals.

…Oh, no. That’s not it.

Speaking of Francesca, she is one of the four heroines in this novel. In other words, she could be described as a character who was part of Liam’s female group.

“Commander Francesca”

Being in the same dark magic category as me, she should have naturally leaned towards the villain side, but she was clearly a heroine and a significant ally to Liam, almost on par with Alicia.

Hmm… it will be revealed as the story progresses.

At the beginning of the story, she had no connection to Liam. They were not in the same grade, same club, or had overlapping classes.

Just passing by without any contact.

The episode of the second semester festival in the first year.

In the incident where Frida and Liam had a confrontation, Francesca met Liam.

For quite intriguing reasons.

“Argh!”

“Hmm?”

Thud.

As I reflected on the information about Francesca, it seemed they perceived a vulnerability, as one of the members lunged at me, thrusting a sword, but the attack was futile. My ‘Shade’ shot up from within my shadow, blocking it.

Yesterday, I utilized the Darky in various forms, but originally, it was only used to protect the body from physical attacks. It must be a truly grateful and lovely creature. Even without commands, it protects its master diligently.

“When the attack on the opponent is blocked, it must not just stand there quietly. What is this little rascal doing? Find another way, create distance, do something. Anything should be done. Such a coward.”

Not pleased with the reaction of the man aiming at me, I kindly provided feedback.

Fortunately, being the one I recruited, he did not falter, quickly regained his composure, and continued with additional strikes, glaring at me.

He is not someone whose spirit has rotted. Such individuals would have been caught early on.

However….

“I didn’t tell you to put on a poker face.”

“Yes…?”

I compressed a high-density gas in the form of a basketball and forcefully threw it at his abdomen. With a groan, he disgustingly spat out liquid from his mouth.

Seems like it hit the mark.

After a long time, I materialized magic not as a curse but as elemental magic. It wasn’t smooth. The wind element that should have been released at the moment of impact due to the powerful effect of the artifact took a whole 2 seconds to take shape.

Even that didn’t meet my standards.

It’s definitely uncomfortable. Mana consumption is excessive. But it’s for training for a month. It should be used effectively.

Clatter clatter.

The march of the skeletal army is noisy.

I turned my gaze back to them.

Francesca is facing them alone. Alicia was among them, but even if she’s growing faster than the usual story, she’s not a match for Francesca at her current level.

Francesca is excellent in tactics, but her personal combat skills are also top-notch. There are some personal regrets, but they can be improved through research society activities…

Soon, it will be necessary to encourage her to approach more and engage in conversation. Although there is a summer vacation before the second semester, deep relationships must be formed before that.

The second semester festival starts fresh and lively.

The early episodes should be filled with dreams and hopes.

The scene where the protagonist Liam and the heroine Francesca exchange words for the first time.

It was a festival full not of cheers and hope, but of screams and chaos.

The culprit of that chaos was the tactical mage Francesca.

Clatter clatter.

Francesca’s forces advance, trampling over the enemies.

Forward without looking back, forward.

Guarding the flames.

***

Having finished the mock battle, Vargan attended the remaining afternoon classes and then went to the research lab with Alicia and Emily.

The academy is in the midst of assignment season.

In one practical class, the three who ended up in the same group had to collaborate to solve a group assignment.

“Why… why… does it keep getting tangled…?”

A sigh escaped from Emily’s mouth, slumped over the desk.

“I’m sorry, Emily… you must be tired of being in the same group with me…?”

“Oh, no! It’s not like that! Alicia did nothing wrong.”

“It seems like I’ll be taking the bus with Alicia more often.”

“Bus…? What’s that about? I don’t know what it is, but it doesn’t seem like a good thing.”

The group members were randomly selected.

Therefore, Bargan had no involvement in this matter.

Emily’s words were not meant to blame anyone but rather a sigh of complaint.

“Oh, I see. It must have been painful for you to imagine Liam enjoying himself with other women by now.”

“No, it’s not like that… And! Liam is not that kind of guy?!”

“Come to think of it, I often see him hanging out with that female wizard lately.”

“…That’s…right! That’s it! Why are they so close? When did that happen??!”

“Emily, calm down! You’re getting too excited!”

As Alicia wiped the spilled tea with a mop, Emily gradually calmed down and felt sorry for her heightened emotions.

Whether speaking or not, Bargan sipped his tea.

“He seems to attract trouble.”

Emily reacted to his murmuring.

The atmosphere was more tense than usual.

“…Even if Liam is not dating her and even if there is…something…even if there’s only one person, what kind of trouble is that.”

‘Because you don’t know the backstory. You’re clueless.’ Bargan wanted to answer like this but held back.

Of course, while heroines supported Liam, there were frequent minor conflicts among them. Alicia, the main heroine, ended up being knocked around by the others, but Emily managed to maintain her position steadily.

*Clank.*

Bargan set down his teacup.

“Whatever happens, do your best till the end. I truly hope things work out between you and Liam.”

Listening, Alicia blinked her eyes and nodded subtly. She also hoped for the continuation of their relationship.

At this, Emily’s expression changed oddly.

Smiling but embarrassed, denying with her mouth but seeming happy somewhere.

“Oh my… It’s not like that for both of us…!”

For the first time, Emily thought that Bargan might actually be a decent guy.

On the other hand, Bargan inwardly clicked his tongue.

“Enough chit-chat, let’s start the assignment.”

The three of them dove into the assignment.

Alicia suggested using most of her mana considering Bargan’s current mana output status, but it was rejected.

Bargan argued that limiting it on purpose was for training, and without using it, it would be meaningless.

In the end, Bargan handled mana output, Alicia controlled it, and Emily took care of other matters as they continued their work. With a high level of understanding between them, the blue magical form was taking shape smoothly.

While working on the assignment, Bargan intentionally expanded the mana vessel for extreme inefficiency. If it weren’t for training, he would have trembled uncontrollably.

“Suddenly remembered, Alicia. So, did you end up doing Professor Luisa’s assignment? The one about stating what you want to achieve before you die. It shouldn’t be related to the heroics, so it’s quite vague.”

“Oh… No. I haven’t done it yet.”

“The deadline is approaching slowly, that’s the issue.”

“That’s true… But if it’s not related to heroics and I’m already happy, then… Ah.”

“Huh? Judging by your reaction, something came to mind, didn’t it? What is it? What did you just think of?”

Emily asked with a curious face. Alicia showed signs of embarrassment to anyone looking.

“Oh, no. I haven’t…! I haven’t thought of anything at all!”

“Both of you, focus and concentrate.”

While this was happening.

Swish?.

The door of the lab opened.

A slender woman entered.

“What’s going on, Erica.”

From Noble mtl dot com

“It’s a surprise inspection by the student council. They’re checking all research activities due to recent incidents.”

Exploitation by the research group using illiteracy. The case that Liam resolved as planned.

As a result, the academia decided to closely monitor the research group’s activities, directly observing them through surprise inspections conducted by student council executives and officials like now.

Clack clack?

The sound of unhesitating footsteps echoed around the room. Erica examined shelves, drawers, books, and documents before sitting on a chair a suitable distance away.

“Finish what you were doing. Don’t worry.”

“You planning to just sit there?”

“I don’t like standing.”

She intended to monitor Arbol Frutal’s activities.

Erica’s sharp eyes fixed on the three people. Uncomfortable, she crossed her legs.

Ah.

Like a light bulb turning on, Alicia started to move quickly. She heated the teapot with magic, precisely controlling contact with the air and time as she filled the teacups.

Alicia poured tea for Erica.

As steam rose from the freshly poured tea.

“You can leave it if you don’t need it.”

“….”

Erica looked at Alicia’s kind smile. Even Erica, who had no close relationship with her, could easily see that this act was based on genuine kindness.

…She must be a good person.

To the point where Diphelia comes to mind.

Instead of thanking her, Erica simply nodded slightly, and Alicia returned to her work. As the fragrant scent of tea rose with the steam, Erica spoke up.

“Alicia… right? I have news for you.”

The person she addressed was not Vargan but Alicia.

“Yes? What…”

“He insulted Lavan Del Tigres. They dueled for it, and that’s why he was punished.”

Erica added an explanation.

Arthellion, who happened to witness the duel, investigated the witnesses present to learn how Tigres had insulted her. Seeing how uncomfortable Tigres seemed, he personally confronted him to confirm the details, leading to Tigres receiving a third warning from the upper echelons.

“In the end, he was expelled.”

Erica shrugged, saying it was his own fault.

“Ah… So that’s why he left the research group….”

Tigres was not only expelled from the research group but completely banned from the institution. Alicia felt a slight sense of guilt as if it was all her fault.

As her expression darkened, Erica was perplexed.

Erica couldn’t imagine Alicia blaming herself.

It wasn’t appropriate to cause a scene like this with others around.

Vargan didn’t allow their misunderstanding to continue.

“Don’t try to understand Alicia from a conventional perspective. Right now, she’s depressed not because of herself but because of Tigres.”

“…What do you mean?”

“To the extent that being excessively kind is foolish.”

*Tak!*

“Ouch! My, my forehead…”

Only then did Erika understand Bargan’s words. She then turned her gaze back to Alicia. Not what she thought it would be, but the delicate Alicia who was trying hard to clap her hands.

She had guessed at the type of person she might be, but it was beyond imagination. To think that such a person truly existed in this world.

“…”

Erika raised the teacup Alicia had given her and gazed at the surface of the tea inside. Her face was reflected faintly in the gently rippling layers. It shook along with the vibrations.

She brought the cup to her lips. As she tilted it, the warm tea gently entered her mouth.

Drinking the tea, she observed Alicia.

…It has a nice aroma.

Even without adding sugar, it felt delicious.

Unlike herself, it didn’t need any additives.

It was complete in itself.

So she poured some more.

…

That’s how silence slowly engulfed the space.

Erika didn’t move from her seat for a while.

Without any conversation. Only silence flowed.

And there was a woman who had appeared and not said a word.

“Ah… I want to escape from here.”

In the awkward atmosphere of the three.

Emily was suffering.