The Villain Purchased the Heroine

"Sis… I wanna sneak out of the village again."

"Shh, quiet⎯! Freesia, we said that was our little secret!"

In a small village hidden in the mountain valley, the mischievous girl Edel and Freesia were playing in the yard as usual.

They were picking flowers and making crowns and little rings when Edel was startled by Freesia's statement and quickly covered her mouth.

She accidentally shouted a bit too loudly in the process.

Feeling worried, Edel looked around and, relieved that no one had heard her, was able to calm her racing heart.

Then she leaned in close to Freesia's ear and whispered, wrapping her hands around to ensure no one overheard.

"Listen carefully, Freesia. If Mom finds out we went on an adventure outside the village, she's going to be super mad."

"But… lying is bad…"

"There are good lies, too. The world can't exist without a bit of deception."

Freesia didn't quite understand Edel's grown-up logic, but she nodded along, agreeing with her sister.

"You don't want to get in trouble, right?"

"Uh-huh…"

"And you want to go on adventures again?"

"Yep!"

"Then we have to keep our adventure a secret."

"Why…?"

With eyes blinking like a curious chick, Freesia looked at Edel, tilting her head in confusion at the random connections.

Edel rubbed her forehead with one hand and groaned, trying to simplify her explanation.

"Okay, sis. What about that uncle we saw? Can we talk about him?"

"Huh? Oh, that guy named Helion? No way! If we mention him, it'll get us caught being outside!"

"Oh, I see…"

"And, Freesia, let's keep our voices down. It would really be a problem if someone overheard."

"Village Chief."

"Exactly, if the Village Chief or Mom hears us, we're in serious trouble… huh?"

Clink⎯!

A pickaxe fell to the ground.

It had dropped from an old man's shoulder.

"Edel… Freesia… did you guys go outside?"

"Uh… well…"

"And you met someone named Helion there?"

"Village Chief, wait! I'll explain everything. Just please don't tell Mom! Okay? Okay?"

The hands of Bart, the Village Chief of Rubid Village, trembled. Recent words he'd shared with Vargan flashed before his mind like a slideshow.

—Yes, Vargan. We've had no outsiders visit our village, let alone a guy named Helion.

Could it be that those words became a prophetic warning for him?

Of course, he had told himself he would report swiftly if he found a clue afterward.

But getting information from no one other than Edel and Freesia? Those girls were the closest to Vargan after him!

He should have checked this out right away…!

"It's a crisis. We're in big trouble…!!"

The bells inside the Village Chief rang loudly.

Ding ding ding ding.

They didn't stop for a second.

This is a crisis…!!

*

"So, that's it. From Edel and Freesia."

"Such cute little girls."

"That's what they said."

"..."

What a coincidence, indeed.

After completing the church's mission and on his way back, Helion shared some water with two kids playing in a nearby forest. It might not be much of a favor, but he heard some news about the village…

How likely is that?

"At first, they were wary and tried to avoid me, but after getting a bit friendlier, they boasted that Captain Vargan and the princess saved them and the village together."

"..."

"The princess… you're talking about Alicia, right?"

"…Seems like it."

He sips from his teacup and moisten his throat.

Excluding the trivial stories, when I think back, it seems Helion became intrigued by my possibly exaggerated exploits and began his investigation.

He reflected on that day when Altife invaded, examining the faint traces of mana that have since faded over time.

"The curse I cast on Alicia and Altife's invasion. These two are inevitably connected."

He didn't enter the village itself. He felt no need to.

Since there was no sign left inside the village at all.

The high concentration of mana I had planted on the outskirts, which was meant for casting the curse on Alicia, distorted the information of that incident, which had already crumbled to mere fragments.

The outskirts of the village were the only place where he could still pick up on anything.

"It's quite strange, isn't it? Unless you can see the future, such a stage wouldn't have been possible."

He tilted his head.

Still, his gaze on me did not waver.

"Helion, in the end, you think I can see the future."

"Yes, that's right. Didn't you intentionally show off during the class battle?"

"Show off? Not at all. I simply placed the optimal strategies to seize victory."

"You don't claim to see the future, do you?"

"Honestly, I don't have any ability to see the future."

I wasn't lying. I can't see the future; I just know the plot because I've read the story.

I have no divine prophecies or anything of the sort.

Furthermore, even if there were divine prophecies, they wouldn't necessarily show the future I want; they could pop up randomly and be hard to use.

"I'll firmly deny any suspicions regarding the Goddess Church."

"I considered it, but I suspected it wouldn't be the case."

He also dismissed the possibility that it could have been from the goddess's blessing.

Helion, staring intensely into my eyes, closed them briefly and leaned back.

As if to reconfirm the truth of my words. He fell into thought for a moment, without uttering a word.

Then his eyes opened.

They looked more relaxed, unlike before when he scrutinized me.

"I have many questions left regarding the curse cast on them, but I think I'll learn more by continuing our mentoring. A jagged stone will stick out of the pocket."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Captain Vargan shows some peculiar tendencies. He seems to be pretending not to know already known information and trying to reconfirm it."

I couldn't help but smile.

It was impossible not to.

"You've known since I called you. I intend to select Captain Vargan as my mentee."

⎯It's done.

With this, my range of movement in this story world has broadened significantly.

Not only that, but considering the abilities or opportunities I could gain from Helion, I felt like dancing with joy!

But, of course, I wouldn't want to lose my noble dignity over it.

I should express my gratitude to Edel and Freesia, who brought Helion here. While I need to be careful and manage how much I blabbed to outsiders, I ended up riding on an unexpected opportunity.

When we meet later, I should shower them with gifts until they get tired of it.

Of course, the village chief, who failed to keep the kids quiet and didn't realize the gravity of the situation, will have to face the usual consequences per the existing regulations.

"I have three reasons for selecting Captain Vargan as my mentee."

"I have something."

First, to keep it close for observation. To inspect every nook and cranny of myself which seems to possess some kind of foresight ability.

Second, while there is a talent for magic, I'm particularly intrigued by the impressive amount of mana. I want to discover this through prolonged observation as well.

And lastly, the third reason is…

"I feel like you share a similar ideology as me."

Helion says.

I couldn't suppress my laughter and shrugged my shoulders. I had a hunch about what he meant.

"Well then, what do you plan to do about the remaining position for the mentee? Don't tell me you intend to leave it vacant?"

"I was just about to mention that."

Helion pulled out a piece of paper from his leather bag. It was a certificate proving the relationship between mentor and mentee, and his name and emblem were already inscribed in the signature section.

As if waiting for two individuals to become prospective mentees.

The two signature lines below it were empty.

"I'd like to transfer the authority to Vargan."

I raised my eyes while scanning the paper.

Helion displayed his palm, gesturing as if he was handing me something.

"Let Vargan choose what he wants for the remaining spot. He can leave it vacant or invite someone he knows."

His tone wasn't testing me.

His eyes were free of any other emotion or judgment. Having experienced his background and the current situation, I understood.

He didn't care.

Except for me, his initial point of interest.

Even the overwhelming power of someone like Arterion or the extraordinary talent of Alicia didn't move him. Therefore,

It didn't matter who it was.

In any case, when it comes time to formally select mentees, they would simply be falling leaves.

"That's surprising."

As I took my time, Helion spoke again.

"I thought a student like Vargan would outright request to leave the position vacant."

"That is indeed an attractive proposal, but as a noble and a student of Academia, I must properly offer this invaluable opportunity."

"That means you already have someone in mind?"

Well, that's true.

No matter how much of a falling leaf I might be, the chance to learn from a hero like Helion is incredibly precious.

Helion himself cared enough to come all the way to Academia after developing an interest in me.

I can be reasonably sure I won't fall, but even if there is some risk, it would be a shame to let this go to waste.

"Helion, I will grant it to you."

Helion leaned in while not moving any closer, but at least I could see he was attentive.

"The remaining position…."

*

Bottom of the entrance exam results.

Toylen Troa Finn sat on a bed in the airship's infirmary, wrapped in bandages, gazing outside while reminiscing about someone.

Schugenharz Troa Vargan.

An overwhelming genius.

Finn, who was born with mediocre talent, grew up hearing stories about Vargan.

He heard that at such a young age, he could already handle middle-ranked elemental magic.

They said he particularly excelled in curse magic, which only a few can utilize.

Some might have frowned with jealousy at the news of Vargan's exploits, but Finn was different.

Incredible.

He wanted to be like that!

Finn genuinely admired Vargan.

Even though they were both nobles and the differences made opportunities rare, he was moved by Vargan's talent and wished for his success.

Then, what's this situation?

After barely getting into Academia, his idol, Vargan, ended up in the same team as him!

Finn, who never spared effort in training, became even more dedicated after being in the same group. He felt like he was wasting time if he didn't sleep.

He even fainted a couple of times along the way.

To become a hero.

He worked hard so that he wouldn't bring shame to the one in the same group…!

"…No, it's not enough… far from it."

Finn was tormented by memories of the class battle.

That wound throbbed again.

Then,

Creak⎯.

Startled by the unexpected guest's arrival, Finn exclaimed.

"V-Vargan?!"

He glanced down at Finn from his superior height, then casually strolled over and sat down in a nearby chair.

Vargan's eyes looked as cold as ice crystals.

Finn flinched and lowered his head. He had no face to show. He had managed to grab Fallon's leg in the Class Battle as ordered, but the whole process was so humiliating and pathetic that he couldn't lift his head.

"S-sorry, Vargan. I didn't… live up to your expectations—"

"Finn, I watched your fight."

Finn's body jolted like he had hiccups.

Vargan continued with his dry tone.

"It was truly a desperate struggle."

A flush spread across Finn's face like flames. It was embarrassing, as if he were exposing his weaknesses. Guilt washed over him for disappointing someone who had believed in him.

"You didn't even use the swordsmanship I taught you effectively. The sight of you rolling on the ground and clutching Fallon's pants was utterly tragic."

His cheeks throbbed from being stomped on by Fallon multiple times.

It wasn't just his face.

His thighs, his shoulder blades, his ankles—all the bruised and hurt places reacted to Vargan's words.

"I'm… ashamed."

Finn lowered his head even further, biting his trembling lip. He had confidently replied that he understood when told not to disappoint Vargan, but now he was a mess.

Pathetic and ashamed.

"I'm really… really sorry."

Finn couldn't muster any excuses beyond an apology. The longer he talked, the more miserable and worthless he felt.

It was okay if everyone else criticized him.

He could endure the mockery or condemnation from the professors and students who watched on screen.

But if he were to hear genuine insults from Vargan, the genius he had idolized since childhood, he felt he wouldn't be able to get back up again.

"Finn."

Fear gripped him.

Just imagining what Vargan would say next made his body tremble.

He might be cast aside.

He could get kicked out of the Research Society he had created.

"Yes, Vargan."

Finn was tense, but he was also half-ready to give up.

If he were in Vargan's place, he would have ended it himself. An opportunity like this wasn't meant for someone without talent or vision.

Then Vargan's next words left Finn speechless.

"Struggle even more."

"… What?"

Vargan handed him a piece of paper.

Finn's eyes widened as if they would pop out, and his breath seemed to stop in shock.

"Train even if your muscles tear. Focus even if the overheated mana circuits break."

Vargan's lofty gaze pierced right through Finn.

"Rest is a luxury for you. Only after death can you relax. Push yourself. Move by force. And…"

His tone carried a brutal reality with complete pressure. But as Finn listened to those orders, it was a struggle to hold back overwhelming emotions.

If he didn't endure, it seemed like tears would pour out uncontrollably.

"Prove your worth."

A certificate announcing the relationship between mentor and mentee.

Heilion's name was written in the mentor's section.

And below it, Vargan's name was listed under mentee.

At the very bottom, there was one empty signature line.

Vargan offered him a pen.

"This is your first and last opportunity in life."

As Finn's hand tightened painfully around his thigh, thick tear droplets began to fall.

"I… I…"

With tears blurring his vision, he cautiously took the black pen.

He lowered his head.

His throat began to quiver, making a sound like air escaping. The tears that had been dripping now flowed in streams, and his body shook.

"Really, … thank you so much."

In a room at over a thousand kilometers above ground, inside a massive airship returning to Academia, Finn cried quietly.