A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 308

Chapter 308: Why Is My Time the Only One That’s Messed Up (3)

Epherene dropped onto the publishing company's basement floor, her thoughts momentarily blank.

Of course, it was because of the past she had just witnessed that Epherene, without a word, picked up the pocket watch.

Click—

With a sound, the past replayed, and Deculein and the director of the publishing company reappeared.

— ... Might I, perhaps, dare to ask your reasoning, sir? Forgive my audacity, but this is the first time the Floating Island has sent someone directly that leaves me no recourse but to inquire in this manner...

— Even such a disturbing forbidden book might yet prove useful to a certain individual.

Epherene knew who the certain individual Deculein spoke of was—and the certain individual could be none other than that certain individual.

— ... One day, she will come and steal it again on her own.

Epherene caught Deculein’s muttered words, markedly different from when he ignored her research and dismissed it as arrogance, as she looked at his face slowly then more intently and saw a smile touch his features.

However, the past soon faded away, crumbling like a sandcastle.

... It doesn't matter, Epherene thought.

Epherene once more took hold of the pocket watch.

Click—

At that moment, time rewound.

— Even such a disturbing forbidden book might yet prove useful to a certain individual.

It was Deculein who said that it would prove helpful.

— ... One day, she will come and steal it again on her own.

Epherene found herself letting out a dry chuckle, for she was, in fact, stealing exactly as Deculein had predicted. The past crumbled once more, and again Epherene clutched the pocket watch.

Click—

— Even such a disturbing forbidden book might yet prove useful to a certain individual. ... One day, she will come and steal it again on her own.

Click—

— Even such a disturbing forbidden book... she will come and steal it again on her own...

Click—

— She will come and steal it again on her own...

Epherene repeatedly watched the same scene from the past dozens of times, until she had exhausted all her mana.

“... Why?” Epherene muttered, slumping down, nearly exhausted and in a daze.

Epherene still found it difficult to comprehend.

What made Deculein act that way, and why did he risk so much to leave this forbidden book for me?

"You said it was foolish research."

Calling it foolish research, saying it would bring shame upon the Mage Tower of the Empire’s reputation, then despising and ignoring it...

“... Do you not hate me?” Epherene asked in a trembling voice, alone in a place where none remained, with time itself holding its breath in the sheer nothingness.

“I’m surprised.”

Epherene murmured to herself, recalling that day at the Mage Tower and reliving the words she had spoken to Deculein during the Personnel Committee hearing—words that accused him of plagiarism, denounced him as a plagiarist professor, and brought up her father...

"I wanted you to hate me."

I even stole all your laboratory's equipment and facilities, and I only caused trouble while by your side...

Epherene lowered her head and stared at the manuscripts scattered across the ground.

Tick, tock—

At that moment, the pocket watch moved, and Epherene turned her eyes towards it.

"Did you show it to me?"

Tick, tock—

Tick, tock—

Tick, tock—

Epherene gripped the pocket watch, which merely ticked without answering, and stood up from her seat.

"Then, to the..”

Mage Tower.

Before Epherene could even finish her words, the location changed entirely, shifting from the publishing company's basement to the Mage Tower's corridor in an instant.

~

Tick, tock—

Before Epherene could even flinch, the pocket watch began its ticking.

— Was it really necessary to expel her? Might it not have just opened a can of worms?

From somewhere, Louina's voice came, and Epherene turned to look.

— ... Was it not too excessive a measure?

Louina and Deculein were two individuals conversing on the Mage Tower's 77th floor, looking down from the window.

— I could not allow her to remain here as she was.

At Deculein's words, Louina's brow furrowed, and Epherene slowly approached the corridor where they stood.

— Why?

Louina asked, and Deculein answered.

— Because it is dangerous.

Dangerous.

Epherene now realized the meaning of danger from Deculein's perspective, understanding it as she looked at the person he was watching.

— ... Dangerous?

Below the window, a mage was being expelled from the Mage Tower with boxes dangling from her by Telekinesis, her back alone enough to identify her as Epherene, while Deculein watched her.

— Epherene rushed headlong. Though her work may find recognition someday, the Floating Island cannot condone it at this time. The responsibility to issue punishment falls to me.

— Is it not better to offer protection?

Louina asked, but Deculein shook his head.

— Rather, it would be more dangerous for her to be associated with me. Epherene alone—a mere childish mage—could be ignored by the Floating Island. But should I cover for her...

— That there is a distinct risk that the Floating Island, mistaking Yukline for the mastermind, would escalate it into a major incident?

Deculein did not specifically answer Louina, and Louina, understanding his silence, shrugged before changing the subject.

— Hmm... That matter aside, what of your reputation, Professor? The child, after all, has ignited a considerable conflagration.

Louina's question made Epherene's chest tighten. Because of Epherene's words at the Personnel Committee at that time, Deculein had been subjected for a while to insults, being called a plagiarist professor. Meanwhile, the Mage Tower's internal factions, led by Relin and Siare, had fractured.

— I am unconcerned.

However, Deculein spoke, his face indicating, strangely enough, that he found Epherene rather proud.

— ... Really?

— It is indeed correct, for now, that our estrangement appears as it does. Epherene will continue her magic on her own even without me, for she possesses such talent...

~

... With that scene being the last, Epherene returned once more to the stopped present.

"I see," Epherene muttered, nodding.

No matter what strange things I did, even acting spitefully just to be hated, stealing equipment and facilities, and behaving like a scoundrel—Deculein remained the same.

Because I published my thesis in a rush, Deculein was concerned for my safety, worrying that the Floating Island would notice it and that the Purger would come for me. Deculein himself wanted to protect me before the Floating Island could act...

Tick, tock—

Once again, the scenery changed with a ticking sound.

~

This time, it was the near past—no, it was merely a few days ago.

— ... Shh. It is the Purger.

The moment Epherene was eating with Sylvia in the Mage Tower dining hall, the Purger entered and came close enough that it seemed he was able to strangle Epherene...

— That is enough. Under whose authority are you conducting arbitrary inspections of the Mage Tower's mages?

Deculein’s voice was heard, as he restrained the Purgers.

— I recall that I never granted permission for such a haphazard approach. Treating all mages of the Mage Tower as criminals is unacceptable.

The Purgers retreated due to Deculein's admonishment as Chairman, and Deculein left the dining hall after telling them to continue eating.

— ... You may resume your meal.

— ... Phew.

The Epherene of the past could be seen, sighing in relief and then shoveling food into her mouth once more.

“That foolish...”

The Epherene of the present frowned as she watched her past self. However, she was curious about what happened next.

Why did the pocket watch specifically show this scene to me?

Epherene ran in the direction Deculein had left.

— Ethereal Deculein, Epherene's mana can be sensed here.

Not long after, in the Mage Tower lobby, the Purgers were protesting to Deculein, their furious blue eyes glaring wide.

— I believe I have already stated that the Mage Tower falls under my authority. Furthermore, Epherene's mana is far more familiar to me than to any of you. If Epherene were here, it is impossible that I would be unaware.

However, Deculein on the other hand remained resolute.

Grit—

As the Purger gritted their teeth, Deculein’s eyes darkened, becoming even more terrifying—like those of a ferocious beast.

— It is a principle that organizations of the Floating Island cannot exercise authority within the Mage Tower. The Mage Tower belongs to the Empire, and the Floating Island is merely an outside entity.

— You are a mage, Ethereal Deculein.

— Hmph, how foolish. I am, first and foremost, a noble rather than a mage. You often mistakenly believe that a noble’s authority cannot reach you, but that is only true when you are in the sky.

Deculein pushed the Purger agent's shoulder with his index finger, and a broad smile spread across his face.

— Even that privilege—your ability to reside perpetually in the proud skies—is owed entirely to our silent acquiescence.

— ... Ethereal Deculein.

— Close your mouth. Your unauthorized intrusion into the Mage Tower is, in itself, an act of considerable leniency on my part.

The Purger remained silent.

— I will not repeat myself. Begone, before my tolerance and patience are exhausted.

Without another glance at Deculein, the Purgers turned their backs. Those who had lost the power game walked out, leaving the Mage Tower.

— ... Pardon me, Chairman.

At that moment, a Mage Tower employee hesitantly approached and called Deculein.

— Throughout the Mage Tower, crystal orbs are positioned to monitor its interior. Upon viewing them, Epherene was—

— Dispose of it.

— ... Pardon me?

At Deculein's instruction to dispose of it, the engineer's eyes widened, while Deculein spoke, looking down in a threatening manner.

— I command immediate disposal. It will not do for the Mage Tower to submit to the likes of the Floating Island.

— Oh, yes, Chairman! Understood!

Humm— Humm—

— You are in there, Epherene.

— ... Foolish child.

Tick, tock—

Tick, tock—

Time and space are interrelated through speed. However, in this world where speed has stopped, the duration to travel any distance is now under my control. For example, I can change the time it takes to walk from the desert to the Empire, all according to my desire. Why? Because time is my talent, Epherene thought.

"... Heh," Epherene murmured, a confident chuckle escaping her.

A method to make stopped time move. My understanding of that magic is now clear.

I no longer counted the days. There was no need, for I was soon to become Time itself, Epherene thought.

Anyway, the magic circle to move stopped time is already complete, and it spans the entire continent. In fact, I drew the magic circle all the way to the continent’s fringes with my mana. In this stopped world, mana stones are merely bricks, so there was no other choice. To manifest a spell of similar power without mana stones, the magic circle had to be immense.

“Hoo.”

My comprehension of time is more certain than it has ever been. I've read all three of Caasi's manuscripts and understood them completely.

“Hooo.”

Thud— Thud— Thud—

There is no way, is it Professor Deculein?! Epherene thought.

"Epherene Luna. The Falling Moon. The child born from a meteor. You definitely live up to that name," Quay concluded. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

A mistake. Can time really stop with just a single mistake from a mage? Epherene thought.

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