A Regressed Villain: Heroines, Villainesses and Me?

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Name: Avendial Croceaus

Title: Marquess, Regressed Villain, The Black Vessel, Cursed One.

Race: Human

Age: 23

Class: Undesignated

Level: 1

Vitality: 78/97 --⟩ Switch the comparison to others.

Synergy Levels: NULL

Stamina: 09/80 --⟩ Switch the comparison to others.

Strength: 12/70 --⟩ Switch the comparison to others.

Agility: 70/80 --⟩ Switch the comparison to others.

Mental strength: 150/100 --⟩ Switch the comparison to others.

Intelligence: 130/100 --⟩ Switch the comparison to others.

Charm: 94/100 --⟩ (:- Compare with other races )

Luck: Black (Every action faces a 96% likelihood of failing.)

Emotional State: Focused, Calm and Composed

Physical Condition: Exhausted

Physical stats: 74 beats per minute, 19 breaths per minute.

Abilities: NULL --⟩ Cursed

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'What was that?' Aria thought, her expression one of sheer shock as her mind replayed the status window that had appeared just moments ago.

It had come out of nowhere, and unlike the usual brief titles she was familiar with, this one was filled with so many details that it left her bewildered.

Yet, amidst the confusion, she could sense an underlying connection, leading her to realize that she had awakened this ability, just as he had informed her.

Memories of Avendial's words came rushing back.

He had mentioned that he orchestrated everything to help her unlock her potential.

While a part of her was still furious with him, the anger hadn't quite crossed the line into hatred.

She understood that his intentions had been to aid her in awakening this power, but that didn't mean she would simply forgive him for his actions.

After all, this was her first time experiencing such a phenomenon, and the unpleasant memories associated with being subjected to his previous perverted antics lingered like a bad taste in her mind.

"Huh... I see," Avendial said, his expression shifting to one of intensity as he gradually regained his composure.

He realized that she likely couldn't tell whether he was being truthful or deceptive.

He made a quick guess, a miscalculation that led him to take responsibility for falling into the trap of misunderstanding what she meant.

He quickly corrected himself, adding, "Then, it seems you will be safe now once I leave City A, I suppose."

'!?'

"...What do you mean?" Aria asked, her surprise evident.

She couldn't quite grasp the implication of his words.

However, her mind had calmed somewhat, and as the events of the previous day began to resurface, she recalled how he had told her he wouldn't meet with her again and had left the academy after expressing his disappointment when he found she wasn't the same person he had encountered in the future.

Hearing these new words from him now caused her heart to skip a beat.

"I mean, I helped you awaken your ability, so even if I am not here, you will be just fine," Avendial clarified, locking eyes with her.

He reminded her—perhaps for the first time—that it was he who had guided her to this awakening.

He believed that a touch of emotional manipulation was crucial at this moment; after all, the entire situation had unfolded with her feeling overwhelmed and cornered, receiving assistance at a high personal cost to her rescuer.

Transforming that sense of gratitude into something deeper, such as love, required a complex sequence of actions—not just a single overture.

His every word and the way he communicated were not just random; they were deliberate, intended to prevent her mind from grasping the unsettling reality of when and how he had constructed a favorable space for his memories within her.

At that moment, what he had yet to explore was her ability—specifically, the information it allowed her to perceive.

What did the status window reveal to her?

What other insights were available beyond her understanding?

"Why are you talking like this?" Aria muttered, her voice strained.

Her face was partially obscured by her clenched hands, but it was evident she felt the weight of his nonchalance in stark contrast to the torment he had inflicted on her throughout the night.

He hadn't even offered an apology for his cruelty, nor had he revealed how he had helped her awaken this ability, which he seemed to imply was a sacrifice he had made on her behalf.

His words painted a picture: he had compelled himself to endure this torment for her sake, believing it would aid her in developing this power—one he wasn't willing to claim for himself, even at the cost of his own exhaustion.

From his demeanor, she could see how much strength he had lost.

The stats he displayed mirrored the stark decline from his peak condition to a state of depletion, where his stamina and strength were severely diminished.

This realization weighed heavily on her, amplifying her burden in the face of his gestures of kindness.

He was overwhelming her with all the kindness he showered upon her, yet he made no demands in return, causing her to mumble, "Why?"

"Sorry?" Avendial responded, though he had clearly heard her.

Ignoring the intensity of her emotions, he allowed his hand to rest gently on her shoulder.

It was meant as a gesture of physical comfort, an attempt to connect with her even as she struggled to contain her feelings—ones that eventually spilled over.

"Go away!" Aria shouted, her anger directed at both herself and him.

How could he profess to love her when he seemed so oblivious to the turmoil she was experiencing?

She loathed the future version of herself, one that had likely grown accustomed to his generosity and sacrifices—evident from how he also seemed to habitually sacrifice things for her.

It felt as though she had become a pawn in a game where he endlessly offered favors, all without asking for anything in return, prompting her to wonder if her future self had transformed into someone who accepted it all without question.

If she were to place herself in his position and imagine returning to the past, she would undoubtedly feel disheartened and sad to see the person she loves taking her efforts for granted, failing to appreciate her favors.

She realized that she was now in a similar situation—initially hoping for someone to assist her father, yet being selfishly fixated on waiting for him to come to her aid.

Throughout the night, she cursed him as harshly as possible, oblivious to the fact that everything he did was for her benefit, all aimed at ensuring she could live longer and awaken her potential.

Despite the tumultuous events at the academy and her explicit insistence that she was no longer the same as her future self, he continued to make efforts to help her in any way he could.

Upon hearing his words and noticing the status window revealing the extent of his exhaustion, it became painfully clear that he was pushing himself beyond his limits to assist her.

All the while, he endured the anguish of being blamed by her, despite being the very person who sought to help her through it all.

"....." Avendial stood in the dimly lit room, absorbing Aria's frantic yelling as she firmly insisted he leave.

He understood that her outburst was more about releasing her pent-up anger and emotions rather than a genuine desire for him to depart.

He had experienced this kind of episode before, and despite her apparent demand, he sensed she didn't truly mean it.

He was tired, his body craving rest, but in his mind, he urged himself to hang on for just a few more minutes.

He knew that if he didn't act now, he would forfeit one of the crucial advantages he held in this journey.

Thus, he steeled himself and made his way toward the bathroom.

"Where are you going?" Aria yelled again, her voice thick with bewilderment as she sat on the floor, emotionally overwhelmed.

She was grappling with the weight of his unwavering support and the absence of any warnings about the future, the looming threats of a world that could destroy them, and the significance of her unique abilities.

It was as though he was raising walls to shield her from harsh truths while simultaneously empowering her to navigate this tumultuous reality.

Aria was all too familiar with the pain of unreciprocated feelings, realizing how devastating it can be when someone does everything they can for the person they care about, only to find that love isn't returned.

She perceived the sadness behind Avendial's façade, the way his gaze lingered on her—she was a mirror image of the woman he loved, yet there was an undeniable difference.

"I need to pee," Avendial remarked casually, shrugging off the tension that hung in the air.

He aimed to lighten the mood, knowing all too well how overwhelmed she had become.

It was crucial to keep her grounded, to prevent her from spiraling into confusion again, especially since he needed her insights into her abilities, not another trance akin to the one from the night before.

"Ahem, y-you can go then," Aria stammered, feeling her heart race as embarrassment washed over her.

She instinctively slapped her hand over her face, eyes covered, blushing for having questioned him about his destination.

It should have been obvious.

A fleeting glance towards the bathroom confirmed it, and she could hardly believe it herself.

'!?'

"W-wah?! What are you doing here?" Aria exclaimed, startled to find him suddenly close, just a half-hand's distance away.

His relaxed smile only intensified her surprise.

The teasing that had become a regular feature of their interactions this night suddenly returned to her mind, a stark contrast to the serious matters they had just been grappling with.

"Tell me, what are the things you can see?" Avendial asked directly, maintaining his smile as he kept his gaze trained on her, sensing her mood had lightened.

Hearing his question, her eyes widened before settling into a look of calm determination.

She nodded, visibly preparing to share everything with him.