I Possessed the Villain’s Childhood Friend – Chapter 80

Is this all just a coincidence?

Ender couldn’t help but think about it.

After all, the person who had just come to the conclusion that they should investigate further was none other than Aike Akses.

He was someone who knew the quirks of the Former Saintess, a fact known only to a select few.

He was also a student who had been the primary target when a stranger ambushed Arcana.

And he possessed an extraordinarily abnormal amount of magical power.

It almost felt like he was blatantly inviting suspicion upon himself.

Of course, having monitored him for a year, Ender had come to understand one thing.

Despite Aike Akses being suspicious, he was not a man who would harm others.

Nonetheless, as the Dean of Arcana, Ender couldn’t completely dismiss his doubts.

“Good day.”

“Welcome.”

Aike Akses bowed his head and greeted Ender.

Then, without hesitation, he sat down and looked at Ender earnestly.

“So, what brings you here, Aike?”

“I’ve come to discuss something serious, Dean Ender.”

At Aike’s mention of an important topic, Ender clasped his hands and prepared himself.

“Is it that you need help again?”

In the year they had spent together, Aike had asked for End’s help multiple times.

That fact did not bother Ender.

He believed it was his role to assist students.

However, when it came to Aike Akses, the situation felt different.

Of course, the result of helping wouldn’t change.

But a certain unease lingered in the back of his mind.

“Yes, that seems likely.”

“Seems likely, you say?”

Despite his uncertain tone, determination glimmered in Aike’s eyes.

“Let me listen and consider.”

Upon Ender’s response, Aike took a deep breath.

Then, slowly reaching into his pocket, he began to speak.

“Before we start, let me clarify one thing.”

“What is it?”

“I think at first, you might not understand what I’m about to say, Dean. But I assure you there will be no lies in my words. I hope you’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you.”

Aike slowly pulled his hand from his pocket and placed something on the desk.

It was a simple silver ring, devoid of any grandeur.

“What is this?!”

Seeing the ring, Ender couldn’t tear his gaze away.

It was the Ring of the Saintess, the Holy Artifact that had vanished with Selene on the day of her death.

Although Martires kept this fact a secret, as Selene’s mentor, Ender was aware of some aspects.

“Aike, how on earth did you come by this ring…?!”

“Please calm down, Dean Ender.”

Even though Aike said that, there was no way Ender could remain calm.

The assassination of the Saintess was not something publicly announced.

The Ring of the Saintess was the only Holy Artifact that had vanished alongside the assailants back then.

For it to be in Aike’s hands now meant—

“Aike, could it be…?”

“I can guess what you’re thinking, but I hope you’ll listen to my story to the end.”

Ender wanted to immediately restrain Aike and interrogate him.

However, seeing Aike’s composed demeanor, he decided to keep his hands down for now.

“Surely, you know about the organization called Avatarara, don’t you?”

“I do.”

It’s the name of the organization that’s been contributing the most to Ender’s growing wrinkles lately.

“And right now, at the age of 18, it was fourteen years ago that the Former Saintess was assassinated by unidentified assailants.”

“…?!”

As soon as Ender heard Aike’s words, his patience finally snapped.

BANG! The sound echoed as Aike’s sofa flipped over.

Hearing Aike’s statement, Ender immediately drew on his magical power to use the B-rank wind magic, Zephyros, attempting to slam him against the wall.

“…What are you doing?”

However, as if Aike had anticipated Ender’s move, he dodged backward to evade the magic.

“Aike, where did you hear that information?”

Ender pointed his right hand at Aike.

What Aike had just said was information that only her closest aides and high-ranking bishops of Martires could know.

Even Ender, Selene’s mentor, wouldn’t have heard it unless it was from the will she left behind.

Even if Aike was the second son of the Akses Duke House, this was information he had no way of knowing ordinarily.

“…Dean Ender, while I understand your shock, I would appreciate it if you would hear my story to the end.”

Yet, Aike appeared unshaken, as if he had expected Ender to react this way, maintaining his usual indifferent expression.

“Why should I? You possess something you shouldn’t have, and you know a fact you’re not supposed to know. I have every right to kill you on the spot.”

“I understand. But if you kill me now, I assure you, you’ll regret it.”

“Regret, you say…”

The determination in Aike’s eyes showed no sign of wavering.

What lay within those eyes? Truth or deceit?

“Fine, let me hear your story. But the moment I sense anything strange, I will immediately use my authority to subdue you.”

“Yes, understood.”

Feeling chills from Aike’s eerily calm demeanor, Ender couldn’t solidify his conviction.

“Then let’s begin again.”

Aike returned the flipped-over sofa to its place and quietly took his seat.

“First, regarding that ring. I received it directly from Lady Olivia during my visit last summer vacation.”

“…Olivia? The Olivia I know?”

“Yes, the very same one you are thinking of.”

Ender couldn’t hide his astonishment.

He found it hard to comprehend that Aike had even met Olivia, let alone why Olivia had that ring.

He was about to ask about it, but Aike’s next words left him completely at a loss for what to say.

“Dean Ender, I know what the future holds.”

★

Naturally, this was not without its troubles.

There was a chance that the conclusion would completely overturn the foundation of his story.

But upon reflection, it was a narrative that didn’t necessarily need to be hidden.

Of course, he wasn’t about to say that this world was like the world of web novels or anything of the sort.

He wouldn’t have considered mentioning it unless someone like Dean Ender, who could provide substantial help, was involved.

Ultimately, the reason I decided to confide this secret was simple.

Because I am weak.

Right now, my abilities are merely based on the body that the original Aike created before I possessed it.

With my talent, I cannot fully utilize this body.

In other words, it means there are limits to what I can do no matter how hard I try.

I often feel overwhelmed even when sparring with Leon or Helen.

Yet, I don’t want to give up on the foolish dream of not wanting to lose anyone around me.

Therefore, I needed someone’s help.

Laugh if you must, calling me a big fool.

I wouldn’t care if they called me a clueless idiot.

Those remarks are something I could laugh off, as this place has become too precious to me.

So, I’ve decided I won’t hide it anymore.

That I know at least a bit about the future of this world.

Even if it means revealing that I am not really Aike Akses.

“What does knowing the future mean?”

“It means exactly that.”

“Are you saying you have the same power as Olivia?”

“That’s not the case. To be precise, I don’t foresee the future.”

All I can share are the pieces of information from the original story.

And even then, how that already altered future will unfold is uncertain.

It’s better to present it in a wrapped-up manner than puffing myself up unnecessarily.

“What I know is just a few tidbits of information, and using them to speculate about the future.”

“I’d prefer if you explained it a bit more.”

“Uh-huh.”

This was a turning point.

If I utter some half-baked statement that doesn’t make sense, Dean Ender would surely catch on quickly.

“All I know for certain revolves around the organization known as Avatarara.”

“…Avatarara?”

Ender’s eyes widened as he looked at me.

“You mentioned wanting to talk about Avatarara earlier, didn’t you?”

“Indeed.”

“Aike, do you imply…”

Just from that much information, he was able to draw conclusions.

As expected, his calculations were quick.

“The unidentified assailants who killed Selene…”

Ender was clenching his teeth, his brows furrowed.

There was a sense of quiet rage emanating from him.

“Yes. Those assailants were all from Avatarara.”

“I want to hear more about that story in detail.”

I took a breath while looking at Dean Ender and nodded quietly.