I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 162

Chapter 15: Academy City · Candle Tower

A girl ranger in a dark green cloak was gnawing on a stick while playing with her short sword. With her full, round legs casually crossed, she struck a pose that screamed ‘big boss.’

In front of her were a bunch of bystanders who had come to tease her but ended up flat on their backs.

“What a joke! I heard the kingdom is all about martial prowess, but it turns out they’re just a bunch of small fries~”

As a blossoming young lady ventured out alone, danger was bound to follow. However, Nia decided to give them a good lesson in what it meant to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

With an Elite Grade 8 bloodline of a Forest Elf, and a childhood spent loving to fight, Nia had developed quite the impressive combat skills.

Having walked this far with no one putting up a fight, Nia was starting to feel a bit tired of it all.

“I mean, don’t you guys in the kingdom have anyone stronger?” Nia kicked one hapless guy in the head.

At that moment, a fake-wise snicker came from a corner.

“Young lady, I suggest you don’t get too cocky. The world is much bigger than you think!”

Nia looked up to see a burly gray-haired man in the distance and felt a flicker of interest spark within her.

“Are you strong? Why don’t we have a little sparring match?”

But the gray-haired man simply shook his head and smiled.

“Compared to you, little girl, I’m nothing spectacular. But I can assure you, even you can’t match our kingdom’s real heavyweights!”

Nia’s greatest passion was adventuring, and second only to that was listening to the tales from the veterans at the Adventurers’ Guild about their incredible adventures—or should I say, their tall tales.

But who cares if they’re true? As long as it’s entertaining!

With excitement bubbling over, Nia hopped up and skipped over the fallen foes, plopping herself down next to Gray.

“Uncle, spill the beans! I’ll cover the drinks!”

“Oh…”

Gray, having lived this long, had never encountered someone willing to pay just to hear him brag, especially someone as charming as her.

As he marveled at how strange this girl was, he began recounting his own adventures.

Gray didn’t think much of his own dull life spent reaching only Grade 8; when it came to bragging, he’d rather talk about the truly impressive people.

For instance, that black-haired boy he met yesterday.

He told tales of how he met Roy, underestimated him, but then was blown away by his humble demeanor and went on an adventure together, witnessing that sharp sword that slayed that monstrous ogre.

The story was good, but unfortunately too short to satisfy a curious girl’s thirst for knowledge.

“Uncle, you can’t stop there! One more drink for five silver coins!”

Under Nia’s relentless demands and her generous offer of silver coins, Gray downed drink after drink.

Not only was he getting free drinks while bragging, he was certainly feeling tipsy.

Nia kept peppering him with questions like “Was that guy handsome?” “What color was his hair?” “Someone that strong must be famous in the kingdom, right?” giving Gray plenty of room to expand.

And so, the tales started spiraling out of control.

Tales of facing hundreds without losing a ground, battling dragons and fighting cults, being dashing and debonair, winning the fancy of the princess and the affection of maids, seeking justice without caring for fame or fortune, hiding one’s true identity due to destiny…

Once the drinks took full effect, Gray finally showcased the storytelling skills he had kept hidden for half his life, leaving Nia dazed and entranced.

By the end, nearly everyone at the Adventurers’ Guild had gathered around, some whispering amongst themselves if such a person really existed.

Nia, however, was absolutely struck.

In her mind, thanks to Gray’s storytelling, she had already painted a picture of a legendary adventurer who was strikingly handsome, extraordinary in skill, free-spirited yet indifferent to fortune, and around her age!

Initially, she only wanted to hear a story.

But now, she truly wanted to meet this legend.

“So, is there really such a person?!” Nia could hardly believe it.

“Of course! Didn’t I say? I was lucky enough to adventure alongside him!” Gray laughed heartily with a tipsy grin.

With that confirmation, Nia’s eyes sparkled: “So what’s this legendary adventurer’s name?!”

Just as Gray was about to speak, he suddenly realized.

Wasn’t the young master supposed to keep his adventurer identity under wraps?

Gray’s heart skipped a beat, waking him out of his drunken stupor.

But then he thought, if I only mention the title and keep the name secret, I should be in the clear.

The Adventurers’ Guild specifically offers identity protection to A-ranked and semi-A-ranked adventurers; many adventurers have sworn enemies but can only be tracked by their title, not their real name.

Moreover, with Veszyra being so vast, this girl probably wouldn’t cross paths with Roy even in this lifetime, so what harm would come from sharing?

And so, Gray boomed, “That legendary adventurer is none other than the Sword Demon from our Lionheart Kingdom! Little girl, make sure you remember that!”

“Sword Demon, huh…” the girl murmured the name with a slight smile.

She looked up at the countless stars overhead, extending her hand towards the fuzzy yet beautiful figure forming in her heart, filled with a deep longing.

————————————

Half a month later, Roy and Alice crossed thousands of miles, leaving the Lionheart Kingdom and arriving at the very center of Veszyra—the capital of the land of magic, Academy City.

As the carriage rolled into town, an exceptionally lively scene dazzled their eyes through the window.

With marble-paved, spotless streets, pedestrians of all kinds mingled—strong orcs, slender elves, snow-white-skinned northerners, and eastern clerics clad in pure white robes, you name it.

Even the mounts people rode were a mixed bag—everything from giants to gargoyles, countless in number.

Such a bustling sight left the little maid agape, while even Roy, who was prepared for it, couldn’t help but glance around a few extra times.

Yet, even among all the rare magical beasts gathering in this melting pot, the lightning-bolted Golden-Winged Griffin stood out, capturing quite a few gazes.

As the epicenter of the western continent, Academy City boasts a flat terrain, developed transportation, abundant extraordinary elements, and a thriving superlative market.

Moreover, it’s economically prosperous, a hub of talent, and has an extremely long history, clearly making it the unrivaled center of economy, culture, and supernatural power in the western continent.

It’s said that during the Second Era—also known as the Age of Magic—Academy City was just an unremarkable savage land.

Until the crazed wizards discovered a plethora of extraordinary resources here, leading to over a hundred years of fierce competition, transformation, and construction.

Under the power of magic, mountains sank, rivers changed course, seeds were planted, and life was birthed.

Although these wizards faded with the ages, the Academy City—born from their relentless efforts—remained, providing hope for humanity’s counterattack against the demon race in the Third Era.

At the southernmost end of Academy City stood a magnificent, unyielding tower, surrounded by hues of all kinds—that was the Candle Tower, the headquarters of the Wizarding Society.

In the early days of the Third Era, when the demon race launched a massive invasion, human powers faced utter destruction, and the entire human world was pushed to the brink of existence.

It was during that dark time that the Candle Tower rose.

This tower symbolized the last glimmer of hope in humanity’s darkest hour, still revered by people to this day.

However, the real heart of Academy City, the stage of Angel’s Dance, was still that very center, the Central Continental Magical Academy, which nurtured countless heroes during the Third Era who led humanity through the dark times, earning it the title of “The Hero’s Starting Point.”