009 The Greatest Enemy

After finishing my daytime training and eating dinner, I moved on to practicing "Light" and "Dark" magic.

The magic books Zebis had procured for me were filled with every imaginable magic formula. That said, advanced magic possessed an incredibly complex structure. It was far too difficult for me to wrap my head around just yet.

However, when it came to elementary magic, I could grasp the mechanics through raw intuition.

"Blessing of Healing—[Heal Light (Minor)]!"

I chanted the Recovery Magic with my right hand. Originally, this spell was non-elemental, but I’d discovered that its effectiveness increased significantly when infused with the properties of light.

And—from here on, things got original.

"Impulse of Destruction—[Dark Light (Minor)]!"

I chanted the Dark Magic with my left hand. It emitted a faint, murky black glow. This spell acted like a poison, inflicting a curse on the target to deal damage over time. It was notoriously difficult to dispel and remarkably effective.

Then, I brought both hands together.

"Sacred Curse—[Dark Heal (Intermediate)]!"

This was my original "Creation Magic," combining the properties of both Light and Dark. When I held my palm over the ground, everyone within a certain radius received automatic healing. However, anyone I recognized as an enemy would instead suffer continuous curse damage.

Right now, the range was only about the size of a classroom, but if I could increase my total mana capacity as Teacher Milk suggested, I’d eventually be able to expand it further.

"Let’s see, next is..."

I slowly turned the pages, continuing to invent new spells that utilized both elements. My body ached from the day’s physical training and my mana was almost depleted, but... I was having the time of my life.

In my previous life, I had been truly lazy. I’d spent all my time waiting for an "opportunity" that was never going to come. But now, that chance was right in front of me. Avoiding my own destruction was a given, but beyond that, I found myself actually wanting to protect these days.

I wanted to be recognized by Lilith, Teacher Milk, and Zebis. I also knew that this world was destined to fall into chaos. I wanted to become strong before that happened.

"Alright, if I combine this and this... I bet I can make [Shadow Light]."

I tried and failed, the light vanishing again and again. I repeated the process dozens, hundreds of times. By the time I finally mastered a spell that could simultaneously attack an opponent and heal an ally, I collapsed from pure exhaustion.

"Yaaaawn..."

"Up late, were we, Master Weiss?"

"My apologies, Lilith. A yawn is hardly appropriate for a venue like this."

A few days later, I found myself attending a party hosted for the nobility. I was still nervous about my manners, but Lilith was by my side, whispering advice whenever I faltered. Even so, the consecutive days of training had left me incredibly drowsy.

I’d spent the evening talking to a parade of "I’m so important!" nobles who did nothing but boast about themselves. Well, considering the original Weiss Fancent was cut from the same cloth, I suppose birds of a feather flock together.

"Well then, I’ll go fetch some strong liquor to snap you out of your daze!"

"Wait, no, that’s—"

Before I could stop her, Lilith wove through the crowd with movements so agile they were almost unsettling. Good grief, she’s like a professional assassin...

"Weiss."

A voice called out from behind me. Thinking it was just another villainous noble, I turned around, only for my entire body to freeze solid.

When had he returned?

Standing there was Agate Fansent. My father.

"F-Father!?"

"It has been quite a while. Have you been well?"

"Y-Yes! I’m fit as a fiddle and... full of pep!"

"Hmm."

I was so blindsided that I responded with a bizarre, high-strung energy. A wave of anxiety washed over me—would he realize his son had been replaced? But more than that... I was just plain terrified.

In the original game, he only appeared briefly at the very end, but he was described as a strict and horrifying man. If his son, Weiss, was this much of an atrocious human being, I couldn't even imagine how much of a monster the father must be.

"You’ve changed."

My heart nearly stopped at those words. Did he notice?! In just a few seconds?! My legs felt weak, and I nearly dropped my glass. Calm down, Weiss. You can do this.

"I’ve chan—"

"You’ve become so... cute, just like your old man... and you’ve grown even more handsome! What incredible growth!"

"...Eh?"

"These cheeks, this hair—simply divine. You surprise me every time we meet. Ah, goodness, you’re just so bwoo-tiful!"

Wait, what? He looked so stern and imposing, but he was unexpectedly... cheery? Wait, what is happening? Is he just a massive dote-on-your-son kind of dad?

"I heard from Zebis that you’re overflowing with talent in both swordsmanship and magic. You really do take after me. Yes, truly wonderful!"

I noticed the people around us whispering. I wouldn't have caught it normally, but I used [Presence Detection] and focused mana into my ears.

"Lord Agate is doting on his son again." "He really is obsessed with the boy. That’s probably why the kid's personality is... well, you know." "Even if he is an only son, surely he could be a bit stricter?"

I see... so that’s the deal.

Father had deep features and sharp, piercing eyes that made him look strict at a glance. But looking closer, his face was completely slack with joy. This man was—without a doubt—a total "stage parent."

Ah, it made sense now. That was why the original Weiss was such an arrogant prick. He was the classic "spoiled rotten" type.

I felt a massive wave of relief, but I also realized this was my biggest opportunity yet.

"Father, I have changed. From this day forward, I intend to be a son who can truly support House Fanscent. To that end, could you entrust me with more of our business ventures? I have several reforms I'd like to implement."

"What? The business?"

Father’s expression shifted instantly. Crap, did I push it too far?

"H-How magnificent! As expected of my boy! So diligent, so responsible! Very well, I’ll let Zebis know! I’m expecting great things from you!"

Nope, I was wrong. It was an immediate "yes." That worked out surprisingly well. Still, he seemed like such a genuinely nice person. It was a miracle Weiss had managed to turn out so rotten under him...

"So—have you decided?"

"Huh? My apologies, Father, I didn't catch that."

"Are you embarrassed? Well, that’s fine. It’s only natural at your age."

With a meaningful, knowing smile, Father took his leave. No, seriously, I actually just didn't hear you...

By the way, Lilith was taking her sweet time. She’d said she was getting drinks, but could it really take this long?

"Master Weiss."

Someone tapped my shoulder from behind. It was a woman's voice. Thinking Lilith had finally returned, I turned around—but it wasn't her.

Instead, I was met with long, golden hair that shimmered like actual gold and beautiful blue eyes that seemed to see through everything in existence. The bridge of her nose was elegant, like a sculpted work of art, and her lips possessed a color so rich it stole the breath from my lungs.

"Cynthia... Lady Cynthia Violetta."

"Is something the matter? You have a look on your face like a crushed goblin that’s been stirred into a muddy soup."

She tossed out the vulgar insult with a perfectly straight face, her voice as melodic as a harp. To any observer, she was the epitome of a perfect, beautiful young lady. She was an angel—no, an archangel. She possessed the most legendary beauty in the entire game, making her the most popular female character by a landslide.

However, my limbs began to tremble.

This was because she was the girl who hated me—Weiss Fancent—from the bottom of her soul. She was the one who would eventually provide the catalyst that resulted in my body being turned into a human sieve.

She was the true heroine of this game: Cynthia Violetta.

"To think a piece of noble scum actually had the nerve to attend a party."

Okay, but... isn't that a bit uncalled for?