The Villain Bought the Heroine

Chapter 5

A gap appears.

A hole so small that not even a child’s tiny eyeball could fit through. Through that tiny space, a beam of light enters.

The surrounding darkness is pitch black. Unable to grasp the erratic heart, the young girl clutches her own body instead.

Although the girl was more afraid of the light from that crevice than the darkness surrounding her, she still brought her eyes to the gap.

Sting. As her body trembled violently, a small thorn sticking out of the hole pricked her. However, such minor pain did not distract her attention.

Through that light, the girl looked outside. The situation outside was so dire that one would want to avert their eyes immediately, but she forced herself to look, straining her neck.

In the girl’s sight was another young girl. Although not much older than herself, the girl seemed much older in the eyes of the girl.

Continuously observing the girl, she noticed the large sword she held. The sword, her tattered clothes, and the mysterious bloodstains all indicated she had been in a fight.

Shifting her position to change the view through the gap, something came into sight.

An indescribably unpleasant creature.

Although its body was not yet that of an adult, its blood-red skin and pumpkin-colored eyes without pupils were eerie and menacing.

At that moment, the creature with four legs lunged at the young girl. With fiery speed, the young girl also rushed forward, wielding her sword. And then, the scene continued.

Crack! Blood burst out violently as if released all at once, and the girl’s heart just…

“No!”

She woke up screaming. Rough breaths and sweat drenched her body. Her labored lungs were no different from those dark times.

She scanned her surroundings with dilated pupils. It wasn’t the old, creaky house of vague memories. It wasn’t the wooden building that seemed about to collapse. It wasn’t the squeaky bed whose age was indiscernible.

She saw expensive-looking furniture and the still dim, bright light coming through the large window.

Drip. The emotions that had filled her eyes trickled down her cheeks. She wiped the liquid with a trembling hand.

Her labored breath gradually calmed down. The restless blood and dilated pupils returned to normal.

“…”

She realized the situation. She had depleted all her magic yesterday and lost consciousness. Although her memories up to that point were hazy, remnants lingered faintly.

“If I don’t prepare quickly…”

The remnants of trembling still clung to her, but she had no time to waste. She had a busy schedule ahead of her today.

She got up from the bed, straightening the blanket. Her right hand trembled as if shivering from the cold, but she held it with her other hand to still the trembling.

However, the resistance of trembling is strong. The vibration spreads even to the hand held to stop it, making it difficult to even stand still.

Thud. Eventually, unable to support the weight of the body, I hesitated and sat down on the floor. Wrapping my shoulders with both hands, I try to stop it in any way possible.

“Please… stop.”

The nightmare I had dreamed of after a long time is still vivid as if it were yesterday. The unyielding shackles, seemingly never to be released, still torment Alicia.

***

“hahahahaha, riding the carriage together like this feels exhilarating, as if we’re going on a trip! Don’t you think so, Alicia?”

“…Yes, it does. …Oh, no! Not at all! Though you didn’t mention where we’re going, it must be something substantial according to your intentions!”

“Why are you changing your words when you notice me?”

“Milord, are you asking because you don’t know? If you glare at me with such fierce eyes, of course I’ll change my words. Yes. Right, Alicia?”

“Well…”

Although she maintains a proper posture, Alicia cautiously looks at me from the corner of her eye. Quite an uncomfortable gaze.

“Oh!”

“Do not ask why you were hit. Sometimes it’s necessary to figure out the cause using your own strength.”

“Oh, Alicia’s skin is so pale that it’s turning so red.”

“Professor Paula, be careful not to disturb the surroundings like that, or you might be expelled.”

“…I’ll stay quiet, as I feel like I might really get kicked out.”

Finally, Paula sat down and remained silent. If only he could correct his childish attitude, returning to the Academia would be much easier. But even with talent, without self-discipline, it’s useless.

“Oh! Are you teasing me about being disciplined at the Academia again? I can feel it in your eyes when you look at me like that!”

“…Those eyes?”

“Oh, right. What I meant is… Oh, it’s been a while, Mr. Bram. You’ve been so busy with milord’s missions lately that I haven’t seen your face, right?”

Paula said to the man beside her who was keeping silent.

That guy turned his head along with his gaze. With a natural expression. Boldly, without hesitation.

“…Yes, it’s been a while.”

“You still speak so little! Oh my, look at those thick biceps. It seems like you’re getting healthier and healthier!”

“Get down.”

“Mr. Bram? Or… wait… Milord? Are you telling me to get off this carriage right now?”

Paula looked at me with a bewildered face. Why is she making such a ridiculous expression? I must have clearly stated it.

“Isn’t the teacher an excellent magician? Just because you don’t get on the carriage doesn’t mean you can’t follow.”

“But… the carriage is much more comfortable…”

“Get down, Paula.”

Paula’s cheeks started to twitch, and she began to smile gently. She seems to be ready to pass out.

Before her loud mouth opens again, I emphasize once more.

“Teacher, have I ever teased you?”

“You never have…”

“If you’re a smart teacher, you must have already understood.”

“hahahahaha… I understand, milord.”

I hear such a weak laugh after a long time. It’s much less irritating to the ears than the usual playful sounds.

The carriage door opens as it continues to run.

Paula, who jumps out loudly.

“Ooh! It’s cold?!!”

Upon arriving at the destination, she flew alongside the carriage, facing the true winter weather head-on.

It seemed like she was a magician riding a large staff rather than a carriage.

***

“…It’s probably because it’s a big city that the lodging is so huge.”

“Ah… my buttocks hurt. This is why I didn’t want to ride the staff… Oh, Alicia, that place is expensive. Expensive. Magic isn’t all-powerful, money is. If you have money, everything is convenient. Fuecio! …Lately, I’ve only been stuck in the young master’s mansion, so I haven’t had any outings, but it’s been a while. Fuecio!”

“Teacher… Are you okay in various ways? At least put this on for now.”

“Ah, thank you, Alicia. There’s not a part of my body that doesn’t ache.”

After arriving in the city, despite already being warm with magic, Paula still wrapped herself in the blanket Alicia had given her. Oh, that. If it weren’t for the professor, she would have discarded it long ago.

As Paula stared at me with that look, Alicia’s wandering eyes around us turned towards me.

“But… Young Master? Why did you give me a sword?”

If you were going to give something, wouldn’t it be more fitting for a magician like yourself to give a staff or something, why give me a dirty heavy sword?

Alicia, it seems like you’re misunderstanding something.

“That’s because you need to train in swordsmanship.”

“Swordsmanship… I’ll ask because I’m not familiar with the ways of the world. Do magicians usually learn swordsmanship?”

“Ordinary magicians don’t, but it’s different for a warrior.”

“Ah… So, swordsmanship…”

“However, since you won’t become a magician, it’s a meaningless question.”

“…What?”

The heavily weighted sword with a firm grip momentarily drained Alicia’s strength. She hesitated, wrapping the sword around her body to recover.

“Not a magician… Then why have I been using magic until now… Ouch!”

“Pitiful. Trying to become a butterfly from a mere caterpillar.”

Even a caterpillar just hatched from an egg.

Alicia, with her hand sealed by the sword, struggled to wrap her head as usual, causing her discomfort. Her appearance was quite comical.

“Alicia, you’re not just an ordinary magician. You’ll become a magic swordsman, blending magic and swordsmanship.”

“A M-Magic Swordsman?!”

“Indeed, a very high-ranking Magic Swordsman.”

Normally, a Magic Swordsman would be nothing but a mediocre being between a magician and a swordsman, but she is different.

Alicia inherently possessed the qualities of a Magic Swordsman. However, a fake protagonist. That prince made only the magician part of Alicia’s abilities flourish while remaining ignorant. No, he’s relatively okay.

The bigger issue is with the commoner protagonist of the novel I read, Liam. He’s done even more absurd things.

After discovering Alicia’s talent as a Magic Swordsman while she was growing as a magician, he instigated her to change professions midway. Wow, one can’t help but applaud without clapping. Following Alicia, who literally followed those words, is undoubtedly foolish, but the fundamental problem lies with Liam. If I ever meet him in person, I’d like to give him a piece of my mind. No, I will. Very elegantly.

Changing professions in the middle of an important story. Even if Alicia is a genius, it’s difficult to easily follow that flow. What on earth was he thinking when he made that change? Does he even have a brain?

Anyway, as long as Alicia is in my grasp, I can’t let her grow in such a foolish way. Absolutely not.

“The reason for bringing Bram is also because of that.”

Bram, a combat slave and loyal subject. He was always at the beck and call of Bargan, achieving great success without much fanfare. Almost no change in his expression, taciturn but as reliable and consistent as anyone could be.

Bram nodded respectfully towards Alicia. Though their positions were similar, is there anyone else who would bow so deeply to someone much younger than themselves?

Receiving that greeting, Alicia, too, flustered, bent deeply at the waist. Perhaps due to the sword, her body swayed slightly.

“I’ve heard that you’re quite skilled.”

“Yes, a master in all weapons, be it a sword or a bow. A peerless warrior in all weapons.”

Consider yourself lucky, Alicia. In a humble state, receiving education from both the skilled professor Paula and the exceptional swordsman Bram, whom even the novel regards as a distinguished swordsman. There’s no elite course like this elite course.

“Now that you know, get ready quickly. Time is always ticking away, making it even more precious.”

“Yes, yes! I will prepare right away.”

Alicia moves busily.