Raising Villains the Right Way Novel - Chapter 197

Chapter 197

Immediately following his query about Arrows, Alon posed his next question.

It concerned the peculiar narrative he’d heard from the enigmatic man reflected in the World Tree‘s mirror.

“…The technique that defies the heavens.”

“Is that something you’re familiar with?”

Kylrus, absorbed in his thoughts, continued speaking to himself even as Alon questioned him.

“Contemplate the anomaly.”

“Acknowledge it.”

“Grasp it.”

“Don’t flee… hmm.”

As if tasting the meaning, Kylrus slowly repeated the phrase Alon had communicated.

Then, he lowered his hand from his chin and focused on Alon.

“This… appears to be a form of instruction.”

“Is this the standard way mages teach mental images and techniques?”

“What foolishness are you uttering? Absolutely not.”

“? But didn’t you just say it was an instruction? Doesn’t that imply it’s a lesson for the technique?”

“…Honestly. Even with such latent power, you remain an amateur.”

Kylrus sighed dramatically.

“I explained this before. Fundamentally, every mage has a mental image, but its manifestation is unique to the individual. Consequently, the procedures for acquiring a mental image and the resulting variations are entirely diverse.”

“I see.”

“In short, it’s highly improbable for the training methods to be the same when seeking a mental image.”

Kylrus carried on his explanation.

“Despite that, the reason I concluded this was an instruction is that I believe those specific words conceal a deeper meaning.”

“Then couldn’t you reveal what that meaning is?”

“…I must ask just in case. Do you truly believe that if I interpreted those words for you, you would instantly acquire a mental image?”

“…Wouldn’t I?”

Kylrus offered no reply.

Instead, Alon witnessed a clear display of what it meant to scorn someone with nothing but your gaze.

Following a brief period of silence,

“Before we proceed, I need to know if this technique is actually beneficial to you, or more accurately, if it’s even within your capacity to master.”

“What is your point?”

“Why do you suppose the man in the mirror left his instruction in such an obscure manner? Do you think he deliberately phrased it confusingly just to complicate things for the student?”

“That couldn’t be the case.”

“Then why? Why do you think he chose such a convoluted form of transmission?”

Alon reflected momentarily before responding.

“…If, as you suggest, this is guidance, perhaps it’s because I must achieve the realization on my own?”

“At least you haven’t descended to absolute ignorance. That’s a relief.”

“…”

“But you must grasp one essential concept: what’s crucial in gaining a mental image isn’t merely the realization itself, but the entire process leading up to that realization.”

“So, the method of reaching the outcome is more vital than the outcome itself?”

“Precisely. A mental image is constructed from the foundation up. The goal isn’t to reach the moment of realization; rather, the process itself holds the importance. A mental image is ultimately solidified through the process of realization, and enlightenment is the natural outcome.”

“So, ultimately, you are unable to assist me.”

“That is correct. Nevertheless—”

Kylrus made a thoughtful sound before adding,

“It is somewhat peculiar.”

“What exactly?”

“The mention of ‘against the heavens.’ That particular phrase is certainly—”

As if something didn’t quite settle right, Kylrus mulled over the thought repeatedly.

“If your genuine intent is to obtain a mental image concerning going against the heavens, you should travel north.”

“The north?”

He provided unexpected counsel.

“Yes, go to the absolute coldest point at the northern center. You may find something there to aid your process.”

“Do you possess knowledge regarding ‘against the heavens’?”

“Not exactly.”

He concluded by saying he’d only heard whispers of it.

“Now then, novice, if your questions are exhausted, let us commence the instruction.”

Kylrus rose to his feet before Alon.

Alon also turned to face him.

“Understood. But how exactly will this lesson be conducted?”

“Evidently, through combat.”

“…Combat?”

“Indeed. From this moment forward, you will engage me in battle.”

“Wait, you haven’t taught me a single thing yet—”

“Your learning begins now. By witnessing it firsthand.”

With these words, Kylrus abruptly began weaving hand seals.

Though his face remained impassive, Alon was completely disconcerted.

Still, he quickly responded by forming a counter-seal.

“As of this moment, I will attempt to end your life. Therefore, you must fight me with the readiness to take mine in return.”

“…What if I genuinely die?”

“Do not be concerned. This is the mental world. Even if you perish here, you won’t truly die. You will simply be expelled from this place.”

As Kylrus concluded an unfamiliar sequence of hand signs, exactly as he had demonstrated moments earlier,

“So steel your will and confront me. Fight to claim what is rightfully mine as your own.”

He uttered these final words.

“Spiritual Faith.”

Instantly, shadows began to crawl and wrap themselves around Kylrus‘s form.

His silhouette was rapidly engulfed by the gloom, as if sucked into the profound darkness.

And an instant later.

Kylrus reappeared, transformed beyond recognition.

A mask, composed of black shadows, obscured only the bottom half of his face.

Whoosh—

His once-white robes had become jet-black, billowing in the air.

The material, flickering like dark flames, seemed to obscure the shattered world behind him.

His eyes, now shaped like inverted pupils, glowed with a paradoxical, dark brilliance.

In that moment, Alon felt a profound danger.

His opponent hadn’t made a single move.

He was merely standing perfectly still.

Yet, that was enough to utterly paralyze Alon‘s entire being.

And then—

“…! Spirit Wood—”

Alon, belatedly snapping out of his stupor, attempted to chant a technique—

“?”

—But the words wouldn’t form.

The very next instant.

He was back in the waking world.

What in the world just happened—

‘Don’t worry. This is the mental world. Even if you die, you won’t actually die. You’ll just be ejected from here.’

Kylrus‘s voice echoed distantly in his mind.

“Ha—”

Alon let out a dry, unconscious laugh.

He slowly looked down at the dissipating remnants of the Footsteps of the Past.

He had been forcibly returned to reality.

Which meant he had been vanquished within that realm.

A brief sensation of emptiness washed over his thoughts.

But it was only fleeting.

Taking a measured breath, Alon calmly reviewed the recent conflict—no, the humiliating defeat that was not even a proper fight.

‘The moment Kylrus donned that half-mask over his lower face, I began to chant my technique, and then my consciousness was severed.’

The only thing he could faintly recall was that the shadows had spread extensively beneath Kylrus‘s feet.

“Ha.”

Alon let out another hollow laugh.

‘I had suspected I wouldn’t last long.’

From the moment Kylrus suggested that the training would be a duel, Alon had somewhat anticipated this outcome.

He was demonstrably weaker than Kylrus.

But even so, he hadn’t expected to be eliminated with such ease.

After all, he hadn’t spent the last ten years doing nothing.

“Hoo—”

Alon inhaled deeply.

Now was the time to dismiss self-pity.

He replaced the sense of emptiness with resolve.

This was not a battle, but training.

Victory or defeat was irrelevant.

What truly mattered now was—

‘Using the exact same magic as Kylrus. If I can fully assimilate all the techniques he used to command the Shadow Dragon…’

The image of Kylrus in the mental world was strikingly clear in his memory.

Standing there arrogantly with the black half-mask covering his face.

Simply being still, he radiated an overpowering presence that sent shivers down Alon‘s spine.

‘That means I, too, can achieve that state.’

Alon silently tightened his fist.

---

A week later.

True to his word to Penia, Alon departed from the Marquisate of Palatio.

‘Hmm, first I’ll visit the Magic Society, then make a stop at the Thunder Serpent Tribe in the Duchy of Luxibl, and only after that, head north?’

As he mentally organized his journey while feeling the air grow progressively colder, he heard Penia’s delighted voice from up ahead.

“A~D~”

She was so elated that she was even humming a simple tune.

Seated next to her, Phelin watched his sister with a mixture of comprehension and confusion at her exuberant behavior.

At that moment, Evan spoke up.

“Marquis, this excursion appears to be quite lengthy. Is that correct?”

“Yes, even moving at a swift pace, it will require at least four months.”

“…Huh? Four months? I was under the impression three months would suffice.”

Alon clarified the situation.

“There are a couple of additional locations I’ve realized I need to visit.”

“Where?”

“There’s a specific item I must acquire.”

Alon thought of the Footsteps of the Past tucked inside his coat.

‘Its recharge period is far too extended.’

Although the recharge time had always been long, it had never been a major inconvenience until now.

As long as he could enter the mental world once a month, it wasn’t a significant issue.

But with his training underway, it had become a critical barrier.

If one training session consumed an entire month, he urgently needed an artifact capable of reducing that time.

At the very least, he needed to be able to use the Footsteps of the Past once a day.

‘I cannot guarantee that things will unfold precisely as planned…’

But he was obligated to try.

Alon continued to contemplate for a while.

And exactly one week after beginning their travel, Alon arrived at the Magic Society.

Without even pausing for formalities with the mages, he proceeded straight toward the library.

In truth, he wanted to exchange pleasantries with the mages and hear some of the unusual rumors he’d noticed, but—

“Hehe—”

Penia‘s eyes were glistening like a hungry puppy that had finally located a treat.

Ignoring the mages’ curious stares, Alon ascended to the library with Penia.

[Hmm? It has been some time.]

After a brief pause, he naturally encountered Heinkel, who greeted him.

“H-Hello~!”

Penia, rigid with tension, quickly lowered her head.

Though her gaze toward Heinkel was undeniably filled with admiration,

Alon, observing the obvious adoration pouring from her eyes, cut straight to his purpose.

“I have a request to make.”

[Is this another demand to be instructed in magic, like our previous meeting?]

“Yes. And this time, I would like you to offer guidance to someone else as well.”

[Someone else—ah.]

Heinkel slightly inclined her head and gestured toward Penia.

[You mean your betrothed?]

In that instant, the expression of delight completely vanished from Penia’s face.

She began nervously glancing toward Alon.

Since Penia had already confessed the full truth to him, Alon wasn’t particularly unsettled by Heinkel’s misconception.

Still, Penia appeared consumed by guilt, furtively darting her eyes while looking at Alon.

With a simple shrug, Alon stated,

“Ahem, first, allow me to correct that—she is not my betrothed.”

[…Huh?]

After clarifying the misunderstanding, he explained the complete situation.

A moment later—

[Hmm, so that is the entirety of it?]

“Yes. So, if you agree, I will also share my magic with you, as you initially requested.”

Upon hearing this, Heinkel turned her attention to Penia.

Penia hesitated, subtly averting her gaze and pressing her lips together.

“Ack—”

She accidentally bit her tongue, causing tears to well up in her eyes.

Yet, within those eyes, there was unmistakable anticipation.

However—

[No, thank you.]

“…What?”

[I refuse. Had this been your initial proposal, perhaps I would have considered it, but I have a strong aversion to those who deceive.]

It was an unexpected rejection.

“Eh…?”

Penia looked completely devastated.

---

As pale as a phantom whose spirit had departed its body, Penia‘s complexion turned stark white.

Watching her reaction, Heinkel allowed a subtle smirk to play upon her lips.

In truth, this was exactly the outcome she had desired.

Naturally, her principal objective remained the study of Alon’s unique magic.

But even so, the reason she had declined his offer was straightforward—

Penia had been dishonest with her.

She despised liars.

However, that was merely the public justification.

The true motivation was far more strategic—

She intended to extract an additional benefit from this exchange.

‘The entity shadowing him does not appear to be planning any malice. As long as I avoid directly questioning his magic, it doesn’t even move…’

During her previous instruction session with Alon, Heinkel had come to a realization.

As long as she refrained from exhibiting animosity toward Alon,

that ‘eye’ would not present a danger.

Therefore—

‘Now, what precisely should I demand in exchange?’

As she pondered what else she could reasonably extort from him,

[…Hmm?]

Her gaze unexpectedly settled on Alon’s brooch.

A piece of jewelry adorned with a vibrant red gemstone.

Ordinarily, she would have paid it no mind—it was not particularly flashy.

And yet, her eyes were drawn to it by sheer instinct.

At that instant—

A shiver raced down her spine.

She found herself meeting its gaze.

The red eye that was staring directly back at her.

And then—

[Spirit—]

A voice resonated.

[You would be wise to cease your scheming.]

A voice that was simultaneously captivating and deeply unsettling.