The Villain Bought the Heroine

Chapter 2

“Undress.”

In the dimly lit room.

With a few lights illuminating the space.

Just after washing herself, when her hair was still slightly damp.

Alicia was with Shugenhardt’s third son, Bargan.

“…Yes.”

Taken aback by his commanding tone, Alicia, having resigned herself to her fate since the moment she was sold here, swallowed hard and replied that she understood. Slowly, she began to undress.

Swoosh—

Clothes stained with marks that wouldn’t fade no matter how hard she was struck. They were left on the floor for lack of a better place. Putting them on a chair or bed made her own attire look too filthy.

Thus, after shedding one layer, only one set of clothing remained. If she were to remove this as well, she would be left with nothing on.

Alicia, struggling to hide her trembling, glanced briefly at the man who gave her the order.

The man who had become her master from this day onward seemed to scrutinize his own body without any shame. Upon seeing his sharp gaze, her suppressed tremors and embarrassment resurfaced.

The man’s eyes were fixed without a hint of movement.

“…Um, Lord Bargan.”

In the end, Alicia called out his name.

And she met his gaze, sharp as a blade.

“Should… I also remove my undergarments?”

Although she already knew the answer, she asked anyway. She thought she had firmly resolved herself, but her original defensive stance had come undone.

“….”

His gaze deepened as he looked at her. She wasn’t sure if she should be scolded for asking such a question.

Suddenly, he rose from where he was sitting.

His imposing figure felt like a threat to her.

Her mind went blank.

Her thoughts ceased, and a whirlwind began.

“…M-My Lord.”

She couldn’t resist.

She could only accept.

Because there was such a difference in status between him and her.

“….”

His elegant wrists, though long, come closer. The destination is himself. …Hm. Unknowingly, she tightly shut her eyes.

And then, it continued,

“Oops!”

A sharp finger.

Her forehead hurts.

“It seems like everything you’re thinking is written on your face. Tsk tsk. To be in heat in front of your master… I don’t harbor lust towards someone like you, so don’t worry.”

“…Yes?”

“Look at you, all disheveled. Haven’t I measured your body to make clothes that fit you today? It was meant for you to change into them. How long do you plan on wearing such filthy clothes?”

The man pointed somewhere with his chin, as if annoyed.

Touching her chilly forehead, when she glanced there, on the chair neatly laid out were clothes of the same style as the others.

…They weren’t visible in the darkness.

“…I’m sorry.”

Alicia deeply bowed her head. So deeply that her face was not completely visible. The situation arose due to the darkness, but at the same time, thanks to the darkness, she could hide her blushing face…

“…If you’re embarrassed, quickly change your clothes. You have plenty of tasks to do. Time is short.”

“…Yes.”

There was none.

***

As Alicia’s cheeks returned to their original state after embarrassment.

Alicia, unable to close her mouth, was facing a towering mountain of books in front of her.

“Close that disrespectful mouth and focus on my words from now on.”

With a nod, Alicia, who had closed her mouth, looked at me with her large pupils. She expressed her determination to remember every single word I was about to say. Good, the appearance is there.

I asked Alicia, who was concentrating,

“What is magic?”

“It’s the blessing of the gods.”

“…Quite a dignified and orthodox answer. Compare magic to a part of your body. What does it resemble the most?”

After pondering for a while, Alicia, without dragging the question for long, spoke. It seems she thought it would be troublesome if she kept me waiting for a long time.

“The brain… isn’t it?”

The brain.

She wasn’t wrong, but it was different from my intention.

“Magic is like a muscle.”

“A muscle… you mean?”

As Alicia’s gaze, with a bit of strength, loosened slightly, she tilted her head. Alright, I will explain it in a way even a child can understand, so listen first.

“Yes, muscle fibers.”

I used the knowledge of the character ‘Bargan’ I had possessed to give her a basic explanation of magic.

Some parts might be a bit difficult to understand at first, but luckily, as she was an important heroine, her head seemed capable enough to nod and her eyes sparkled even at difficult concepts.

Moreover, she was rare among commoners in being able to read and write, making it easier to explain. If she couldn’t read, it would have been difficult to assign tasks.

“So, if you don’t know how to use it, it might never manifest, but if you familiarize yourself with that sensation, unless you’re a complete blockhead, development is possible. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I do. In the end, what matters are the sensation, size, and density when using it.”

“Good, you’ve finally surpassed the level of a newborn. What you’ve learned now is basic even among the basics of magic, something anyone with an interest in magic should know. …But at the same time, it’s a very important concept. You must never, ever forget it.”

“I won’t forget.”

Her eyes were somewhat serious.

“Alright, that’s settled then. What you learned today will be reviewed tomorrow, so make sure to remember… Let’s talk about something else for a moment.”

Looking at the clock on the wall, a lot of time had already passed. It was time to finish the lesson and move on to a different conversation.

I brought her here for the sake of my future prosperity. Surely, this would come back as a significant butterfly effect later on. In that case, I needed to minimize any damage while maximizing the benefits to myself.

“Let me tell you about the future that awaits you.”

“The future… you mean?”

It’s more about what you need to do for me.

“Yes. As I’ve mentioned before, you will learn both theory and practice simultaneously to master magic.”

“…Yes. I will work hard.”

“Working hard won’t cut it. You need to excel. No one will acknowledge your efforts. In the end, only the results matter.”

“…I will show you the best results, Master.”

“It seems you still don’t fully believe me. You’ve been called a crazy genius, after all.”

Though she played an important role as the heroine, she had grown up in a corner of the countryside, enduring hardships. It would be hard to believe suddenly overflowing with talent, and she might not even realize it.

“…I’ve taken your words to heart, Master. I believe there are reasons for you to speak so.”

“You sure know how to talk nicely, but actions speak louder than words. Anyway, after grasping the essence of magic for six months, you will enroll in the Academia with me.”

“The Academia…!”

“It’s a gateway to nurturing heroes. Also known as the Knight Academy.”

A place of learning and training that attracts attention from around the world. A significant stage where the main characters of this novel world make their appearances.

The place where the two troublesome protagonists would clash.

“You will participate under the name of Shugenhardt.”

Thinking about it made me chuckle.

I, the heroine Alicia, would crush those damn protagonists.

“….”

There was a moment of silence, and Alicia cautiously spoke up. Fear was evident in her voice.

“If that’s your wish, Master, I will do my best. But… I’m worried that I might tarnish the glory of the great Shugenhardt because of me…”

Seeing her anxious, I lightly tapped her forehead.

“….Ouch.”

Quite firmly.

I looked her straight in the eyes and spoke clearly. It seemed like this girl needed a lot of mental training.

“Remember this.”

You, who don’t even know your true worth.

“I am the direct descendant of the great Shugenhardt. The gap between someone like you, a humble farmer’s daughter, and me in terms of status and position is immense.”

“….”

“Those in high positions carry heavy responsibilities and have much to do. They must acquire knowledge to bridge the gap between heaven and earth every day, waste time in useless social gatherings, and even if they cut down on sleep, it’s never enough. In short, it’s a very busy life.”

But I took you with me.

“Anytime, even at this moment, it’s the same.”

I haven’t given up on my own learning, but it’s true that Alicia is my priority.

“I am a very practical and calculating person. If your education was useless and hopeless, I wouldn’t have personally taught you about magic.”

This is a clear truth.

As I revealed the truth, Alicia’s eyes widened in surprise, frozen in place. There was no response, no sound. I looked at her like that.

As the stillness flowed, the blue moon, previously obscured by dark clouds outside the window, gradually revealed itself, casting beams of light into the room.

The room brightened, revealing Alicia’s face.

She simply waited in silence, anticipating the continuation.

“You possess that much value, talent. Why?”

I chuckled.

An arrogant and supremely authoritative chuckle.

“Well, isn’t it because I acknowledged it? No other trivial reasons are necessary. That alone is sufficient and more.”

I inquired of her.

“And the answer is…?”

Alicia lowered her head deeply, concealing her face. It was a gesture she made when she wanted to hide her expression, much like when she felt ashamed.

“…Yes, thank you.”

Her voice was filled with moisture. Alicia herself seemed surprised by the trembling in her own voice.

In truth, I had said very little.

I didn’t console her, nor did I kindly instill confidence in her.

Yet.

A single tear trickled down Alicia’s cheek.

I understand the meaning of her tears.

That she has talent, that she can do something.

Perhaps it was the first time she heard words that seemed to believe in her.

Truly, she is a delicate and twisted woman.

“Very well then. From tomorrow, you must undertake tasks tougher than today, so get some rest quickly. I shall also take my leave now.”

“….”

No response from her forehead.

“Ah!”

“I don’t know how many times the clock struck midnight tonight. My fingers are numb. As I mentioned in the carriage, always respond to your master’s inquiries.”

She replied as she wiped her slightly damp eyes. A faint smile could be seen at the corner of her mouth.

“…Yes. I will keep that in mind!”

***

Alicia lay on the bed. The night was already late, deep in the darkness, but sleep eluded her.

“…Talent, for me.”

Her mother, with whom she lived, had no expectations of her. She said Alicia couldn’t do anything, so she had to help herself and live her life without complaints.

Alicia didn’t mind helping her mother and thought she wasn’t good at anything, so she obediently followed along without complaints.

But she never thought it would turn out like this.

In just one day.

The environment surrounding Alicia had completely changed.

She was truly surprised when a strange man barged into her house today, and when he said he bought her, it felt like the sky was falling.

In the carriage, he poured out unbelievable words like needing to learn magic, having talent, and even moments ago, he spoke of believing in her value and having confidence. Oh, he didn’t exactly say to have confidence. He’s not that kind.

The man who became her master has very high self-esteem and possesses things worth boasting about. Is that why he can say such bold things?

He brought her from afar, originally intending to teach her magic, which costs a fortune.

“If I truly have talent, how should I use it?”

How did I find and bring a commoner from the countryside? Where did I hear about myself?

I still have no idea about him. He seems like a bad person… and yet, not quite. It’s ambiguous to judge someone so definitively.

“Ugh…”

My mind is in turmoil.

I worry about my mother and my own uncertain future.

I made a promise to see my mother once a year, but what if it’s all a lie…? No, he doesn’t seem like that kind of person… or does he…?

…There’s no point in pondering like this.

Yes.

Let’s start by doing our best in the given environment.

Just like I have been doing so far.

With that determination,

A fleeting memory passes.

Today, I misunderstood his intentions, took off my clothes, said strange things, and ended up showing tears.

“……”

I grab the pillow next to me.

Then, I lift it to my face and cover it with both arms. The pillow smells nice and warm, but my fingers gripping it tightly leave deep marks.

“Ugh!”

I may be full of uncertainties, but for now, one thing is certain: this emotion I’m feeling.

“Embarrassment…!!”