Please Leave The Sickly Villainess Alone

I tightly gathered my hair and donned training garments from top to bottom.

This attire reminded me of when I used to attend the dojo, although the styles differed.

Over two weeks had passed since the debutante ball.

During that time, I had visited the palace at least five times, it seemed.

It had practically become my second home.

I went to check on Rachel’s well-being, was invited to the Empress’s dinner, played games with Luka, met with the Imperial mages, and most recently, just two days prior, an intense craving for Chef Gaori’s soufflés had led me there.

The Rachel incident was thoroughly reinvestigated through Luka’s trusted aides, ultimately concluding it to be the sole act of Viscount Louiscone.

Duke Kablos had been summoned to the capital on multiple occasions, but no records indicated any recent meetings between him and Viscount Louiscone.

Their relationship had irreparably deteriorated following the orphanage’s collapse, prompting the increasingly desperate Viscount Louiscone to act out after facing the loss of his vassal title.

After the unprecedented debutante ball, Luka once again came into the spotlight.

With foreign envoys present as well, his presence seemed to have rapidly spread across other nations through their accounts.

Never before had there existed an individual capable of rending space-time itself with sword energy.

Luka’s demonstration of his full power had aimed to counter the formidable Lady Jeria faction while simultaneously expanding his own influence before the assembled nobility.

And I, as well…

‘A healing mage, really?’

Initially, that thought had naturally arisen. Not some video game character, but an actual healing mage – a healer!

Whenever gaming, I had always been a sword user.

The ancient power once known as ‘sacred power’ had gradually transformed into healing magic over time.

During the 700-Year War, as black magic was sealed away, sacred power too had vanished from this world. Yet at some point, mages capable of wielding this unique form of magic resurfaced.

Their scarcity rendered them invaluable assets to national strength, placing healing mages under the absolute protection of the Imperial household and Magic Tower alike.

They were treated akin to national treasures, and presently, Senia and I were the only healing mages in the entire Greffin Empire.

Traditionally, healing mages had descended from the elven lineage of the Rayes ancestors, manifesting within the Rayes Duchy. Senia’s case, however, was an anomaly.

Generations ago, there had been an intermarriage between the Kablos and Rayes, possibly awakening that bloodline within her.

In addition to physical injuries, healing mages could treat internal afflictions caused by curses or black magic. Existing only in records, they were even rumored capable of reviving entire million-strong armies devastated by plagues and wars.

‘700 years ago, when sacred power still existed – such an overpowered ability would undoubtedly be nerfed in any game for disrupting game balance.’

Imagining a healer instantly restoring the maximum health of an enemy force that had been utterly annihilated was downright terrifying.

While such records explained the absence of any conflicts rivaling the Great War, healing mages posed an inherent threat to other nations through their very existence.

On the flip side, some had begun claiming my awakening as definitive proof of Laveria’s Rayes lineage.

Granted, there would always be naysayers labeling me a witch from the Dark Forest or a monster’s spawn.

Nevertheless, I couldn’t overlook the fact that the more I utilized this power, the greater the toll on my body.

When the surreal chain of recent events had nearly felt like a dream, that radiant Sun’s Emblem would manifest once more, its overwhelming presence reasserting itself before my eyes.

Curiously, the birthmarks that had plagued my abdomen seemed to have vanished completely upon closer inspection.

Previously, I had sensed those marks gradually coalescing into some form, strikingly reminiscent of this emblem upon my hand.

‘Did they… transfer locations?’

Perplexed, I found myself fixating intensely upon my palm.

Even so, if this was the power of healing magic, it couldn’t be an entirely negative force for me.

It represented the sole means of dispelling the agonizing curse etched upon Luka’s body.

While that task would fall primarily to the more potent healing mage Senia, I too could potentially aid Luka if needed.

‘At the very least, I could alleviate his suffering.’

On the other hand, this incident had made me realize the necessity of investigating the Kablos Duchy more thoroughly.

Obtaining information about the realm of darkness they commanded wouldn’t be easy, but according to the original story, there was one character who could prove helpful.

Though still empty-handed, I knew I would need to meet this person eventually.

Lost in contemplation, Garnett and Serine entered the room.

“Shall we depart, Miss?”

* * *

Radiant morning sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, illuminating a serene woodland straight out of a fairy tale.

Beyond this tranquil forest scenery…

“Hyah! Haah!”

“Kraaah!”

…Lay the training grounds, where sweat-drenched knights bellowed furious shouts from the crack of dawn, their resounding roars prompting us all to cover our ears simultaneously.

“Miss, perhaps you should reconsider this…”

“Ah, no. I must do this.”

Having previously declared my solemn intention to learn swordsmanship from Hewt, the captain of the Rayes knights, I had postponed starting due to the impending debutante ball and subsequent hectic schedule until today.

For this occasion, I had commissioned this attire from the Laveria Shop, while Luka had gifted me a sword. There was no turning back now.

Yet upon witnessing the scene resembling a wild beast’s den, I couldn’t help but instinctively retreat a few paces.

It was then that Ion, engaged in a sparring match, spotted me from afar.

Beaming radiantly, he waved enthusiastically, drawing everyone’s attention towards my presence.

“Oh, the young miss has arrived!”

His sharp perception enabled him to notice me first, just like the previous time.

I awkwardly waved back in response.

Then, a familiar voice called out from behind me.

“Ria, you came today.”

It was Miller. Having always attended the morning training sessions, he wore light practice garments with a wooden sword slung across his back.

“I’m still a bit worried, but I’m sure you’ll manage just fine, Ria.”

He seemed unaware of the news that I had once bested Ion, the newest knight recruit.

* * *

Thwack, thwack, thwack!

A series of powerful, dull impacts resonated.

I relentlessly struck a wooden dummy marked with red X’s indicating vital human pressure points.

Swinging the practice sword at the optimal angles and force to target those vulnerable areas.

Miller watched with an astonished expression.

Noticing this, the nearby Ion remarked:

“As I had mentioned, young master, do you believe me now?”

Though my palms stung from gripping the sword after so long, I had to persevere until completing the 100 strikes commanded by the captain.

Seventy-nine down, and my accuracy had yet to falter.

Upon finally achieving the hundredth strike, Captain Hewt spoke:

“Excellent. Your accuracy is truly impressive.”

This had been a sort of admission test he had set for me.

During our previous encounter, he had detected faint traces of sword energy emanating from my blade, so faint they were barely perceptible.

Having already acknowledged my potential then, this test seemed intended to gauge my resolve.

With each swing, my scrawny physique had cried out in protest, yet in my previous life, I had never lowered my sword until achieving the designated goal.

“Allow me to congratulate you on your official induction, Miss.”

Despite being unable to dedicate myself to training every waking hour like them, I had genuinely been accepted as part of the knight order.

“Ugh, haah, haah, thank… you.”

Catching my breath, I managed those words of gratitude.

“For now, building stamina should be your priority. Run five laps around the practice yard every morning you are able.”

Five laps? I surveyed the expansive practice yard.

It spanned nearly twice the size of a regular sports field.

Glimpsing Garnett and Serine’s sympathetic gazes from afar, I swallowed back tears of dismay.

* * *

“Ria, just a bit more! This is your third lap.”

Did that guy ever tire? Miller had started running the practice yard laps alongside me, but I was only on my third while he neared the end of his fifth.

As he caught up to me once more, I silently raised my thumb in acknowledgment.

It seemed the Rayes future would remain bright, thankfully.

Miller tilted his head, puzzled by my gesture’s meaning.

“The best… meaning… ugh, ughh…”

Speaking had indeed been ill-advised, only worsening my breathlessness.

Thanks to Miller stubbornly persisting as my self-appointed cheerleader and running mate, I ultimately completed all five laps before collapsing right there on the spot.

It was then that a refreshingly cool water bottle materialized beside me.

“Well done, Miss.”

“Ion.”

I guzzled down the water he had provided. Truly, nothing beat a drink after exercise.

“I never imagined the young miss, unaccustomed to any prior training, would persevere through the full regimen.”

Adding that he too had fled during his third lap on the first day, earning punishment from the captain, Ion brushed aside the damp strands clinging to my forehead as I remarked breathlessly:

“Just… feeling a bit overwhelmed.”

Unlike the past, when my hands had refused to obey my will, leaving me dejected, this ability to wield a sword exactly as desired filled me with a sense of sublime elation.

Though Ion inquired about the meaning behind my words, I could hardly divulge my previous life, so I simply took another sip of water instead.

* * *

After finishing my training, I returned to the estate, thoroughly cleansing the grime of dirt and grass clinging to my sweat-drenched body.

Changing into fresh clothes, I settled onto the sofa and opened the book ‘So I Became a Mage?’.

The Imperial mage grandfather had recommended this essential reading for newly awakened mages during my previous palace visit.

[First, one must understand the conditions for magic to manifest. Novices struggle the most with grasping this. I hope this book will provide adequate instruction.]

The author’s tone was quite blunt, to put it mildly.

As I was engrossed in reading, a knock sounded.

Knock knock-

Rising to answer the door, I turned back upon hearing another knock from behind me.

It hadn’t come from the door, but rather, the window.

There, perched on a tree branch outside, was Jen.

Turning towards the window, I flung it open wide and remarked:

“You’re here again?”

In response to my words, he brushed aside his cascading aquamarine locks and grinned.

“I’ve come as a representative of the Magic Tower.”

To oversee healing mages, the Magic Tower continuously dispatched liaisons. Jen served that role.

“Didn’t we agree to just speak casually?”

“Ah, I forgot.”

Momentarily flustered by my nonchalant demeanor, Jen soon broke into laughter.

“You really are an amusing one.”

He undoubtedly still viewed me as a subject of observation.

Noticing the book ‘So I Became a Mage?’ in my hands, Jen commented:

“Oh, a work by the Old Geezer?”

“Old Geezer?”

“My mentor. The author, Princess Neuw.”

I hadn’t checked the author’s name, unaware it had been penned by a mage with such an adorable moniker.

“Classical texts like these are pointless. Practical experience is key.”

“Practical experience?”

* * *

Following Jen’s words, I found myself transported to the Magic Tower.

The moment I grasped his hand, I was whisked away, now standing atop a verdant plain with an immense ivory tower piercing the heavens.

White-cloaked mages bustled about, each consumed by their own tasks, while my own attire had transformed into matching robes.

“This is the Magic Tower…?”