I Possessed the Villain’s Childhood Friend – Chapter 33

“Heiros and Raynen, huh.”

Rex walked down the corridor, his mind mapping the area.

At first glance, the two locations seemed to have no major similarities.

“Anna Magret, was it?”

Before leaving the Avatarara base, he had looked up the records of the assassin who betrayed the Black Wolf.

Most records concerning the Black Wolf’s hideout had completely vanished, but it was enough to piece together information solely from the communication records left at Avatarara’s headquarters.

“The traitor is working as a servant at the Rozelia Duke House. Her position is the personal maid to the eldest daughter. The most suspicious person must be the eldest daughter she serves.”

Rex shook his head.

According to reports, the eldest daughter of the Rozelia Duke House, Reina Rozelia, is indeed talented, but he could not imagine her defeating the Black Wolf.

“The opponent must be at least at the level of a junior knight.”

The Black Wolf was an unparalleled assassin.

Yet he was the type to prefer direct confrontations, his skill only roughly matching that of a junior knight.

Of course, that doesn’t mean junior knights are weak, but it was nonetheless a clear limitation for the Black Wolf.

“He’s been staying in Heiros and would likely be on friendly terms with the traitor.”

A single figure appeared in Rex’s mind.

“The Crown Prince of Astraya.”

Dubbed the greatest genius in Astraya’s history, he had a betrothal arrangement with Reina Rozelia.

It was a compelling theory.

“… But that’s not it.”

Yet Rex shook his head again.

The day the informant from Heiros died coincided with the martial arts tournament held to celebrate Reina Rozelia’s birthday.

There were no records of the Crown Prince participating in the martial arts tournament, nor did he attend the ball that took place right after the tournament ended.

While the skills and relations were clear, the timing just didn’t line up.

“Then who is it?”

Someone capable of overpowering the Black Wolf.

A relationship that would allow for friendship with the traitor, Anna Magret.

An opponent who was in Heiros during the tournament three years ago and currently resides in Raynen.

“… It must be the second son of the Akses Duke House.”

A same-age childhood friend of Reina Rozelia, due to the fact that he’s the second son of a duke.

And most importantly, the winner of the martial arts tournament in Heiros, who is currently attending Arcana.

“I’ve found you.”

There was no definitive proof.

He could not decipher how he had learned about and attacked Avatarara’s members.

But Rex was already convinced.

Aike Akses was connected to the death of the Black Wolf.

“Arcana, huh.”

He promised his lord he would retreat immediately if it seemed dangerous.

However, simply visiting Arcana shouldn’t pose a major problem.

The chances of Avatarara being revealed were almost nonexistent.

After all, they themselves wouldn’t know who they were.

With his destination firmly set, Rex hesitated no longer.

In truth, he himself felt he was moving a bit too hastily, just as his lord had said.

But Rex sensed he couldn’t remain still.

An inexplicable anxiety whispering that if he didn’t act, he would be the one to suffer.

Trusting solely in his instincts, Rex continued on his way.

★

Today, there wouldn’t be any theoretical lessons—only the start of practical exercises.

In the practice area stood a target board, which had not been present in their last session.

“I asked you to come up with a new spell formula for basic spells last week, didn’t I? Given how simple it was, I’m curious to see what you all have submitted.”

Professor Dande’s eyes were brimming with interest.

Of course, I had managed to create a new spell formula to some extent with Atal’s assistance, but would I be able to satisfy that man?

“Well then, let’s begin by ranking based on grades. Crown Prince Leon?”

“Yes.”

The Crown Prince stepped forward first.

“You were able to utilize all attributes, correct?”

“That’s right.”

The Crown Prince could convert his magical power into any element.

Professor Dande seemed greatly intrigued knowing this fact.

“Shall we go in the order of fire, water, earth, wind, and light?”

“Do as you wish.”

Upon hearing Professor Dande’s response, the Crown Prince slowly extended his right hand.

“Fireball.”

As he uttered the incantation, a fireball materialized from his right hand.

And the summoned fireball shot forth with lightning speed, striking the target board.

“Fireball is fast. You prioritized speed when interpreting the spell, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I’ll continue now. Barrier.”

Again, the Crown Prince called out just the spell name.

Instantly, a wall of water encircled the Crown Prince.

“To unfold a front-facing barrier in all directions—remarkable!”

It was Atal who exclaimed in admiration.

Being a fellow user of water magic, he must’ve felt something.

After that, the Crown Prince cast all spells solely by name, each with improved performance.

This was the moment everyone could understand why he was deemed a genius.

“Truly impressive, your Highness.”

“Thank you.”

After Professor Dande’s compliment, the Crown Prince slightly bowed his head and returned to Sophia’s side.

“Completing spells merely by name is the easiest to think of but is challenging to execute. You must conjure a perfect image in a short amount of time. Next is Miss Reina?”

Reina slowly approached the target board without answering, taking her position.

“Miss Reina was capable of transforming all four major attributes, wasn’t she?”

Reina quietly nodded at Professor Dande’s question.

Then she slowly aimed her right hand forward.

“Impressive!”

Professor Dande exclaimed with excitement.

However, Reina casually bowed her head and returned to her spot, seeming unfazed.

“You can already utilize magic through silent casting. That too for all four major attributes!”

The other students also displayed expressions of surprise.

Utilizing magic through silent casting meant she had fully grasped the concept of that magic.

Silent casting only allows for very minor mistakes; otherwise, a reverse flow of magic begins, leading to a meltdown.

Achieving that without any mistakes from the start proved she was incredibly gifted indeed.

“Even though it’s basic magic, it must have been difficult; I truly want to applaud you.”

By the standards of attribute magic, Reina was among the top three most talented individuals in the history of the world.

Unfortunately, her talents couldn’t fully bloom in the original work due to her status as an antagonist.

After this setting was released, a joke circulated among fans.

“If Reina was truly Avatarara, wouldn’t Astraya be on the brink of destruction already?”

“Fr.”

Even the original author remarked upon hearing this, saying if that were the case, Astraya could truly come close to extinction, which ignited a fire among readers.

Many were genuinely upset, believing the work was elevating a villain who should have been sidelined.

However, after witnessing the officials of Avatarara that would later emerge, such discussions faded away.

In truth, public sentiment embraced the author’s comments as the mainstream idea, especially following the appearance of that man, when no one could contest the reality any longer.

Some claimed the author had pitted Reina against an overly strong opponent to boost her up.

Yet the author had always stated he had predetermined all endings, consistently revealing plot development and character settings that were generally acknowledged, making that opinion unlikely to gain traction.

“Next, Atal?”

“Yes.”

Atal stood upon Professor Dande’s call.

“You possess two attributes: water and light, correct?”

“That’s right.”

Atal was slightly trembling, perhaps due to nervousness.

Well, it would be strange if he felt nothing after witnessing such displays before him.

If I were next in line, I would have felt extraordinarily burdened.

“Haah.”

Atal exhaled and slowly extended his right hand.

And then.

“Is Aike Akses here?”

A cold, heavy voice that resonated deeply echoed throughout the practice area.

“Huh?”

Whose reaction was that?

Turning my head, behind us stood a towering man clad in a hood and cloak.

“Who are you? There wasn’t any mention of an outsider attending today’s class.”

Professor Dande asked, yet the man did not respond.

“Is Aike Akses here?”

He merely repeated the same phrase.

He was searching for me, but somehow I had a feeling I should not answer.

What was this feeling?

It was a chill I had never felt before.

“Anyone who’s wiped them all out will be one of them.”

It was plainly the terror of death.

“Get down!”

With Professor Dande’s shout, magic was activated in an instant.

Earth walls surrounded the towering man.

They looked vastly larger and sturdier compared to the gnomes I could conjure.

However, the walls crumbled in an instant.

“What?!”

With a rumbling sound, a massive cloud of dust swirled around.

And from within appeared a man wielding a gigantic greatsword.

No, could one even call that a greatsword anymore?

The weapon used by the opponent I had fought and taken down last time.

The greatsword used by the Black Wolf seemed like child’s play compared to that.

A greatsword that could cover half of that man’s body. Rather, it should be called a colossal sword.

The man swung the colossal sword as if it posed no weight at all.

“People gathering will be a nuisance, so shall I end this quickly?”

His speed was unbelievable considering his size and that gigantic sword.

In the blink of an eye, he dashed toward the Crown Prince and Sophia, bringing the sword down.

“Frost!”

Of course, Professor Dande did not stay idle.

He moved as quickly as possible, extending his hand towards the greatsword to cast his spell.

The greatsword began to envelop itself in ice.

The ice progressively crept towards the man’s hand, forcibly freezing his movements.

“What a bothersome trick.”

“Everyone! Quickly request support! If you go to the Dean’s office and say it’s an emergency level zero, it will suffice!”

“Don’t think they’ll listen to you.”

Before long, the thick ice covering up to his elbow easily shattered when the man exerted effort.

“Bind!”

Yet Professor Dande followed up with a spell to restrict his movements.

“Quickly!”

“Everyone, gather!”

With only the Crown Prince and Sophia protected behind Professor Dande, Atal called the rest of the students.

Feeling the urgency of the situation, everyone moved swiftly.

“Let’s split up, everyone.”

“Split up?”

“Yes. The reason this man won’t move freely is that our side currently holds overwhelming numbers. He’s unable to predict how we will move.”

No, I can’t.

We need to run.

I felt like saying that, but my mouth wouldn’t open.

Knowing who this man was made splitting up feel like a death sentence.

If they planned to move, then they should move together.

“I’ll support the professor since I can use light magic, and I’d like the knight aspirant Aike Akses and Helen to bind him down as much as possible. Lastly, Miss Reina will unleash her most powerful spell.”

Atal’s orders were precise.

If the opponent were anyone else, it would have worked.

“And Meil, Vera, Nicole, Alber, please gather as many people as possible. One of you should head to the Dean’s office immediately, while the rest should find someone who can request backup from nearby. Understood?”

“Understood.”

However, to follow his orders, even Reina nodded.

I lacked the conviction to resist this course of action.

“The first priority is to get His Highness Leon and Miss Sophia out of this spot. If the professor is to move comfortably, we have to do this first.”

As Meil, Vera, Nicole, and Alber took their leave, the rest of us took our positions.

“Light Shield!”

Atal cast a protective spell.

“How bothersome.”

And that was when it all ended.

“Aike Akses!”

Surprisingly, I found myself the sole individual standing in this vast practice area.

I hadn’t been standing idly by.

I had moved along with Helen to bind the man, as Atal had instructed. He simply hadn’t chosen to engage with me.

“Is it you?”

“What’s going on?”

Following the man’s movements was beyond my capacity.

Which was expected because.

He was someone who should not have appeared here.

A man swing a ridiculously large greatsword as if it were light.

He was the man who adorned a page during the final chapter of the original work against Avatarara.

“Are you the one who killed the Black Wolf?”

“…Why?”

Unequivocally recognized by readers as the epitome of calamity.