For the Young Villain’s Happy Ending - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 13

“The world operates by many different standards, but mages have a clear criterion for distinguishing people: those who possess mana within their bodies and those who do not. The former can create a mana heart here, beside the heart, through theory and training.”

It was magic lesson time for Kevenriak and Kin.
I drew upon the knowledge of the Archmage stored in my mind and explained it to the children.

“The mana heart serves to produce and store mana. Depending on a mage’s aptitude and learning, its function differs as vastly as heaven and earth. A mage with an exceptional mana heart can wield far greater quantities of mana with efficiency.”
“S-so if you have more mana, you can use more spells?”

As Kin posed the question to my explanation, Kevenriak shot his hand up as if refusing to be outdone.

“Like you do, Master?”

The two children sat at their respective desks, eagerly raising their hands to ask the next question.

‘Not bad at all.’

I nodded inwardly.

It had been about two weeks since I brought Kin to the Castle.
A few days ago, Kin began attending lessons alongside Kevenriak.
Though the content was likely familiar to her already, the lessons maintained a pleasant atmosphere thanks to my first disciple, who kindled a competitive spirit with Kin.

‘Looking at them now, they do seem to share some similarities.’

I watched the children grow animated with their questions.
Our first meeting had been awkward, and even now… it still appeared somewhat strained.
Yet simply being in the same space was something.
At this rate, it seemed only a matter of time before Kevenriak and Kin became close.

“An excellent question, Kin. With more mana, you could certainly cast more spells. However, that is merely a quantitative matter. To use higher-tier magic, circles are what matter.”
“C-circles?”
“Mana rings generated within the mana heart are called circles. A mage’s skill is sometimes judged by the number of rings they possess. Generally, circles range from 1st to 9th, though the 9th circle is called the domain of dragons. Humans can reach only up to the 8th circle. We distinguish mages and spells this way—1st circle magic, a 3rd circle mage, and so forth.”

Raina Hart used formal speech during lessons.
She had adjusted it to match the Fourth Prince Kevenriak.
Mixing casual and formal speech while teaching would be tedious, after all.

“Master! Does that mean I’m a mage too?”

Kevenriak asked after listening to Raina’s explanation.
The magic Kevenriak currently wielded was First Circle.
Officially, he would need certification from the Mage Association, but he could certainly be called a mage.
A mage at eight years old.
I had known how to use magic since I could think, but that was hardly the standard for comparison.

‘That’s because he’s a dragon quarter. Considering he’s human, Keri is at quite an exceptional level.’

It was likely due to the main antagonist’s stat buffs, but no master disliked having a talented student.

“Of course. You’re an excellent First Circle mage.”

Raina answered with a refreshing smile.
Kevenriak interpreted the word “excellent” as merely Raina’s kindness.

‘Master praised me.’

Still, receiving praise from Raina made him grin widely.

“Kin will soon be able to create a Mana Heart too.”
“…Yes!”

Raina encouraged Kin, who sat beside her.
In the original work, there was only mention of her being a sword genius, which had worried me.
Fortunately, Kin also possessed the aptitude to manipulate mana.

‘I’m grateful I don’t need to make excuses. If I claimed her as my student while she had no mana, everyone would have found it strange.’

Still, it would be a waste to let her swordsmanship talent—mentioned in the original work—wither away.
I should ask Person to take over Kin’s sword training later.
While thinking such thoughts, my gaze met a pair of curious blue eyes.

“Master, what Circle mage are you?”

At Kevenriak’s words, Raina Hart opened her mouth to speak.

***

“Eighth Circle.”

So it was true—Raina Hart was exactly as formidable as I’d suspected.
The second strongest mage after dragons themselves.
Then how much stronger must I become to truly deserve her as my teacher?

‘I wish I could grow stronger faster.’

Then perhaps Raina wouldn’t abandon me.
Kevenriak sat once more on the steps of the main castle entrance, as he did every day.
Kin lingered nearby, but he paid her no mind.

“I’ll be late today. But I’ll return before dinner.”

That’s what Raina had said before departing this morning.
Since we’d eaten lunch not long ago, it wouldn’t be much longer before she returned.
I’d finished my lessons early.
Kevenriak sat quietly, his gaze fixed on the Castle Gate.

‘There he goes again.’

Person, who had walked through the Garden, observed Kevenriak.
Ordinarily, he would have dismissed this as merely the Fourth Prince’s peculiar habit.
But today, he had been asked to do something by Raina Hart.
Person approached and stood beside Kevenriak, then spoke.

“Fourth Prince, are you occupied?”
“Yes. I’m waiting for my teacher.”
“I see.”

Perhaps because he’d learned etiquette from Person, his response was longer than what he typically offered to others.
Yet his gaze remained fixed upon the Castle Gate.

“Then I’m afraid I must impose. Raina Hart asked me to speak with you about something.”
“My teacher did?”

Kevenriak’s curiosity was instantly piqued, and he lifted his head.
Now I understand why Raina Hart refers to the Fourth Prince as a cat.
Person nodded.

“It’s a simple task, but Raina Hart asked that His Highness receive your help. Would you be willing to assist?”

Kevenriak nodded without hesitation and rose from his seat.
So he’s willing to grant any request from Raina Hart without question.

I should probably teach him about impostors sometime soon.

Kevenriak asked Person.

“What do I need to do?”
“I’ll explain once we’re there. Oh, and Kin, come here as well.”

Person called out to Kin, who was playing near the annex, scratching the ground with a stick.
Kin startled at the call, then hesitantly walked over to where Kevenriak and Person stood.

“Let’s go.”

Person led the children into the main building.
What Raina Hart had asked for was nothing extraordinary.
She wanted them to make dessert with the Head Chef and have Kevenriak and Kin taste it.

I’m not sure if this will be alright.

An inescapable worry bloomed in Person’s mind as I walked ahead.
Asking the Fourth Prince to cook—wasn’t that lèse-majesté?

“It’s fine.”
“But he’s royalty.”
“It’s not cooking—it’s a tactile activity.”
“Tactile… activity…?”
“It’s good for emotional development.”

Still, if Raina Hart said so.
She must have her reasons.
Person led the children forward and opened the kitchen door with a soft cough.

“W-well…”

There was something Raina Hart had insisted I say.

“Well then, children. Welcome to our delightful cooking class!”
“…?”
“…”

The children’s reaction was decidedly frigid.

***

‘No issues here.’

I gazed at the girl sleeping in the bed.
Eight years old this year.
The doll-like girl with chestnut hair was Vivian Asperada, the female protagonist of “The Garden of Betuzhenia.”
The sole princess of the Betuzhenia Empire.
It seemed to be her naptime at the moment.
I fell into thought while gazing at the sleeping child’s face.

‘Vivian would suffer the carriage accident at fifteen.’

From that accident, Vivian would fall into slumber for seven years.
The original story began when the sleeping Vivian awakened.

‘The original timeline is fourteen years ahead from now… I’ll just need to check in occasionally until then.’

I was troubled by the change in Kin’s setting.
If that were the result of my interference in Kevenriak’s childhood.
My intervention with Tiernan Fargan, the male protagonist, might also alter Vivian’s setting.
The thought filled me with worry.

‘I’ll understand if there are deviations from the original setting by observing occasionally.’

What brought me some satisfaction was that Tiernan Fargan was at the location where I had placed a location-tracking spell on his identification card.
It meant he was making good use of the Betuzhenia Empire citizenship identification I had given him.
He seemed to have become an errand boy for some mercenary group, and I observed him from a distance before slipping away before being discovered.

‘I need to leave this place as well.’

This is the Princess’s Bedroom—others might come looking.
Just as Raina Hart prepared to teleport, something caught her eye.
A sachet placed on the nightstand beside Vivian Asperada’s pillow.
It was trivial enough to overlook, yet it nagged at her.
Raina Hart untied the sachet.

‘This is….’

A hard seed shell emerged from within.
The seed was a primary ingredient used in crafting potent sleep-inducing fragrances.
The shell itself emitted a scent with sedative properties, commonly used by those suffering from insomnia.

‘Why would this be placed at the pillow of an eight-year-old Vivian Asperada?’

As curiosity consumed her, a sound reached her ears.
From across the spacious chamber, someone touched the door handle.

‘How troublesome.’

Click.

The door swung open.
An elegant noblewoman with her hair pinned up entered the room.
A beauty mark near her left eye was striking.

“….”

She stepped slowly into the chamber, surveying her surroundings.
The room was silent and undisturbed, save for Vivian Asperada’s soft, rhythmic breathing.
As the noblewoman adjusted the blanket over the sleeping child, she noticed the sachet lying on the floor.
It was the one Raina Hart had failed to return to the nightstand.

“Why is this on the floor?”

The noblewoman paused in thought, then walked to the window and drew the curtains shut.
She seemed intent on blocking the view from outside.
From her perch in the tree beyond the estate, Raina Hart observed this exchange.

‘Simona Asperada.’

The new stepmother of Vivian Asperada, who had recently become the Duchess of Asperada.
Was she the culprit behind the sachet?
I didn’t recall any setting about a wicked stepmother.

‘…It’s unsettling, but there’s nothing I can do about it right now. Let’s go back.’

Today, I had seen Tiernan Fargan’s whereabouts and Vivian Asperada’s condition—that would have to suffice.
I teleported back to the Castle.
Opening the Castle Gate and stepping inside, I instinctively spread my arms wide toward the child who would leap down from the stairs.

“Welcome ba—?”

Where had my child gone?
The Garden lay desolate.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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