A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 88: Solda Promotion (1)

On the airship to the Training Island, Bethan muttered in a subdued tone, “But in the end, she didn’t touch the soup.”

“Let it go. It wasn’t a guaranteed method anyway,” I replied.

“... Yes, you’re right. But I should’ve eaten it myself rather than letting it go to waste. Does she even know the difference between Rotaili and ordinary mushrooms?”

If a Scarletborn consumes even a small amount of Rotaili, their breathing becomes strained, and their face reddens noticeably. However, this reaction is less severe in those of mixed blood, making it an unreliable means of identification.

Considering Rotaili’s value as a delicacy more expensive than gold, using it to identify Scarletborn is incredibly wasteful. If Primien had consumed it, her reaction would have been unmistakable. As a key named character with pure Scarletborn blood, her symptoms would have been impossible to miss.

"I’ve heard you open their chests to confirm by examining their hearts, Bethan."

"Oh, but that’s inefficient, as we can’t confirm it until after they’re dead. We need to identify them as Scarletborn before starting the torture. Of course, it would be a waste to use valuable Rotaili on such vermin. That’s why I’ve been concentrating on developing blood magic lately," Bethan said with a sly grin.

I turned away from his smile; it made me uneasy.

[Villain’s Fate: Death Variables Neutralized]

◆ Store Currency +1

If Bethan had continued to provoke Primien, it’s hard to say how she would have responded. At least I earned some currency from the system for diffusing a potential death scenario in that brief moment.

I had considered confronting Primien directly, revealing that I knew she was Scarletborn, or perhaps watching her a bit longer. I’d need her cooperation eventually, but it seemed premature for that now, so I chose to wait.

“But that Rotaili soup was exquisite. It truly is a mountain treasure,” Bethan said, licking his lips as if reliving the taste. The pleasure in his eyes was nearly euphoric. “Yukline’s lands are extraordinarily fertile to produce something worthy of making Rotaili into soup.”

Rotaili, while a type of mushroom, is unlike any other. It’s a near-miraculous food that only grows in the perfect natural conditions. With the opening of Marik, its price is likely to rise even further, as nothing detoxifies demonic energy like Rotaili.

“It’s a rare delicacy... Mmm. The taste still lingers.”

“Whenever you’re in the territory during the summer, just mention my name, and you can have as much as you want. Winter is different—it’s harder to find then, but there’s plenty in the summer.”

Bethan’s face lit up with genuine appreciation.

***

By the time we reached the Training Island, dawn had already arrived, and what should have been a day’s itinerary had long overrun. We had gone from the Imperial Palace to Hadecaine, then to the Floating Island, and now, finally, to the Training Island. Even with my Iron Man attribute, I couldn’t deny the mental exhaustion setting in.

As soon as I stepped off the airship, the Chairwoman greeted me with enthusiasm, exclaiming, “Oh?! You're finally here, the seventh strongest!”

Her words left me momentarily off balance. She had been strolling along the shoreline with her dog, but the moment she noticed Bethan by my side, her eyes widened in surprise.

“You came with Bethan!”

“Haha, it’s always a privilege to accompany the Professor,” Bethan replied, his constant flattery growing more tiresome by the moment.

“By the way, Professor Deculein, did you hear?!”

"What is it that I should hear?" I asked.

“One of the supervisors died on the way here!”

The cheerful way she delivered such grim news was unsettling. I shook my head, then walked alongside her, with Bethan trailing a few steps behind.

“You don’t look very surprised!”

“What was the cause of death, and who is the culprit?”

“No idea! They haven’t investigated yet! I’ll let you know when they find out!”

The Chairwoman, always ready to gossip, seemed to know everything and loved to talk. I figured if I stayed patient, she would eventually share the details.

“I understand. Now, where will I be staying?”

I hadn’t been able to concentrate on my magic training with all the work piling up. Now that I was close to mastering Intermediate Telekinesis, I needed a quiet place to train alone.

“Ah! Follow me!”

The Training Island spans three square kilometers, about the size of Yeouido[1] or roughly 300 soccer fields. Despite its size, the island only has five main buildings—the examinees' dormitory, the examiners' quarters, the control tower, the supply depot, and the Yukline Grand Hall. I was led to the control tower, which stood like a lighthouse at the northeastern tip of the island.

“This will be your room!” the Chairwoman said as she opened the door.

The interior of the control tower was simple yet tidy, with decor reminiscent of a luxury mansion. It had been thoroughly cleaned, leaving nothing out of place.

“And this!” the Chairwoman continued, handing me a crystal orb. “The security team outside will be monitoring the exam. They’ll contact you if anything unusual occurs.”

She hurried over to the large glass window on the right side of the control tower.

“This is the magic mirror reserved for the person in charge. Do you know how to use it?!”

I moved closer to the glass. A small surge of mana caused the image to shift, revealing a satellite view of the Training Island. I touched the examinees’ dormitory, and the glass zoomed in on that spot. I swiped my hand across the surface, adjusting the view as if navigating a modern map.

“Oh wow! You’re really good at this! This must be the latest, cutting-edge magitech?!”

It felt as natural as breathing. The sensation even stirred a bit of nostalgia, like holding the world in my hand, much like a smartphone.

"It seems I don’t need to explain anything! Well, I’ll be off to continue my walk with Adrienne the Second."

“Go ahead.”

“Woof! Woof!”

Adrienne embarked on another adventure with Adrienne the Second. I remained behind, watching the scenes unfold through the magic window. On the dormitory field, adventurers-turned-mages played soccer, while Epherene dined with some named character in the hall. Among them, a few individuals stood out to me.

“... As expected.”

The first Solda exam had its share of shady figures. From this point forward, major events across the continent would face increasing interference from the Altar and the underworld.

“This is truly remarkable. It appears that all magical technologies are drawn to the Floating Island. Your ability to master these enigmatic tools so swiftly is impressive, Professor,” Bethan added, offering yet another lengthy compliment.

“... Bethan.”

He still hadn’t left.

“Yes, Professor Deculein?”

“You should rest now.”

“Ah, yes. Understood. I shall take my leave now. Please rest well, Professor.”

Fortunately, Bethan was perceptive enough to leave me alone. After he departed, I spent some time exploring the glass interface before heading up to the rooftop of the control tower.

Whoooosh—

The wind whipped around me as I stepped onto the rooftop. To my right, a sheer cliff fell away into drifting clouds, while to my left, the Training Island spread out below. The mana in the air was two to three times purer and more concentrated than on the continent’s surface. With the open sky in front of me, I closed my eyes and activated the spell Memorize.

◆ Memorize Status:

Beginner/Intermediate Telekinesis (49%)

┏Beginner/Intermediate Fire Control (23%)

┣Beginner/Intermediate Fluid Manipulation (18%)

┗Metal Enhancement (80%)

Imprinting the magic circle of Telekinesis onto my body demanded complete focus. As I began, the grass, stones, branches, leaves, and dirt around me started to tremble uncontrollably.

Ruuuumble—!

A deep hum filled the air as the ground shook, and a whirlwind took shape. The magnetic field spiked briefly, and the atmosphere shimmered like a mirage. As my Telekinesis reached the intermediate level, the magic became so vast and complex that it started to manifest on its own.

Far from the control tower, Karixel let out a soft sigh as he spied on the scene through his telescope.

"A sudden attack seems out of the question," Karixel muttered.

"Really? Are you sure?" someone replied to his complaint.

"Yes. I’m not exactly sure what he’s attempting, but it seems like he’s using Telekinesis to tear up the ground."

"Let me take a look."

"Here, take a look," Karixel said, handing over the telescope with a shrug.

With Karixel’s magical talent for equipment, the telescope allowed him to see clearly over dozens of kilometers.

"Is that... Telekinesis? Not an Earthquake?"

"Exactly. An assassination or ambush would be futile. It’s likely to fail, and even if it succeeds, it would only make things worse. We should inform the clan about this, don’t you think?"

"... Agreed. I assumed it was all hype, but it’s more real than I expected," someone replied, nodding with a faint smile as Karixel retrieved the telescope.

I was fully immersed in intense training when a notification suddenly appeared, making me tilt my head in curiosity.

[Villain's Fate: Death Variable Avoided]

◆ Store Currency +1

"... Hmm?"

It seemed someone had been targeting me, but I’d somehow avoided it. Though slightly surprised, I took it as a good sign and gratefully moved on, refocusing on Memorize. I could deal with the details later.

***

The next morning, the Training Island started filling up with advisors, professors, adventurer leaders, and corporate mages from different families and organizations. They all had the same purpose—scouting for talent and building connections.

They gathered on the eastern side of the Training Island in the Yukline Grand Hall, a building made possible by Yukline’s generous donation. The hall was split into two sections: the ground floor, where a thousand examinees would soon arrive, and the upper levels, reserved for those scouting them.

“Please find your assigned seats,” an attendant announced.

I settled into Deculein’s seat, a prime spot with an unobstructed view of the hall through the glass wall.

“Good morning, Professor, hahaha,” Bethan said with a respectful smile, representing the Beorad family.

Nearby stood Mille, the head mage of the Crumacto Merchant Guild; Louina, representing McQueen; Essensil of the Bran family; and several executives from the Mage Towers of various kingdoms.

“Please take an acrylic sheet,” an attendant said, distributing sheets with the names of the examinees.

Sylvia’s name appeared at the top of the list, probably reflecting the high expectations for her. A sense of unease settled over me as I saw it. Then, a voice drew my attention.

“... Well, well, Deculein, if it isn’t our seventh strongest,” Giltheon, the representative of Iliade, remarked as he took the seat beside me.

I met his gaze and replied evenly, “It has been some time, Giltheon.”

The atmosphere immediately turned cold. The Chairwoman, who had been quietly observing, perked up and eagerly jumped into the conversation.

“Giltheon! I heard you’re now the tenth strongest! Deculein has moved ahead by three places!” the Chairwoman remarked.

“Haha, yes. It’s somewhat disappointing, but it’s to be expected. I’m aging, while Deculein continues to grow.”

“But wouldn’t it be interesting to watch the two of you duel?!”

“Hmm, that might not be a bad idea. Lately, I’ve sensed I’m being underestimated since I haven’t been on the front lines.”

“Exactly! Yes, yes!” the Chairwoman exclaimed, clearly thrilled at the prospect.

Giltheon smiled widely.

“Ha! Could an old man like him really challenge the Professor?” Bethan, now one of my close aides, remarked deferentially.

Giltheon cast him a bemused glance and said, “Well... when did you two become so close?”

“Why not let the students see a magic duel between you two? It might give them a needed reality check,” the Chairwoman suggested, her excitement evident.

“What nonsense are you talking about?” a familiar voice interrupted, halting the Chairwoman. It was Louina von Schlott McQueen.

The Chairwoman glared at her and snapped, “You’ve got some nerve!”

“What is the purpose of intimidating the examinees? And since when did we begin ranking mages based solely on combat ability? If that is the case, why not disqualify all but the destruction-type mages? After all, neither Giltheon nor Professor Deculein ranks higher than Mage Rogerio.”

“Hah? Oh, I was just watchin’ with interest. Why the sudden interrupt’n? Hahah,” Rogerio said, scratching her pink hair with a sheepish smile.

She’s a recognized genius in Ductility and Supportive magic, reaching Ethereal rank by her mid-twenties. Her rise was largely due to the legendary feat of constructing a castle in just one day.

“That’s unfortunate. I would have liked to measure my strength against the seventh strongest. Even at my age, I might still prevail. In fact, I believe I would,” Giltheon remarked, his words grating on me.

If we were to fight, I’d likely lose, but my pride wouldn’t let me back down from the challenge.

“Giltheon,” I growled, locking him in a cold stare. My voice held a restrained fury. “You won’t survive if you try.”

“Hmm, I could think of worse outcomes,” Giltheon remarked with a smile, as the Chairwoman and Bethan watched with interest, and Louina sighed.

What unsettled me most was the look on Giltheon’s face. He seemed to embrace the idea of his own death genuinely.

“... That’s enough, Deculein. You too, Giltheon. The exam is about to begin,” Gindalf, the eldest among us, said firmly.

I quietly turned my gaze to the hall, where the mages were gathering. The Solda promotion exam was a major event, drawing not only mages but adventurers as well. With the Floating Island’s lenient stance toward criminals and ex-convicts, there was no predicting what unexpected incidents might unfold.

“Please take a moment to review the acrylic sheets. They contain the personal details and qualifications of the examinees. Kindly mark the most noteworthy candidates, as this is an essential part of the exam. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated,” a mage explained earnestly.

“Let me reiterate that the acrylic sheets contain the personal details and qualifications of the examinees. Please mark the most noteworthy candidates, as this is an important part of the exam. We kindly ask for your cooperation—”

I marked down the names of Epherene, Sylvia, and a few other familiar names.

***

Epherene sat quietly, taking in the scene. The hall was filled with an overwhelming number of mages, which was understandable—earning the title of Solda was seen as the true beginning of a mage’s career.

Many adventurers aspired to this rank, and some mages, even those who had already achieved it, were here for another attempt. It was well-known that passing the Solda exam made future promotions significantly easier.

At that moment, a clear, resonant voice rang out from the stage as the speaker said, “Welcome, everyone! I’m delighted to see you all!”

Adrienne, the Chairwoman of the Mage Tower of the Imperial University, stood on the stage with a childlike smile. She was renowned for her immense magical reserves and formidable destructive power.

“The Solda promotion exam will begin shortly! Do you see the observation seats above?!”

Everyone looked up. Beyond the glass wall, figures dressed in luxurious clothing were visible. Among them, Deculein stood out prominently.

“Many have come to see you. Some of you may already belong to an adventuring guild, but it’s still important to make a good impression, right?!” the Chairwoman said, raising both hands in excitement.

“These individuals will be observing you during the exam! While they won’t be monitoring you constantly, making a good impression could significantly impact your future career! They are all prominent figures in the Magical Realm!”

Tap, tap, tap—

With a sharp rap on the podium, the Chairwoman announced, “Now, let’s officially begin the Solda exam! A thousand examinees is too many, so we’ll have to reduce that number!”

She closed her eyes and released a wave of mana that enveloped her entire body, transforming it into a concentrated mass of pure mana.

Swooosh—!

With a soft murmur, her mana rippled through the hall, flooding it with blinding light. Epherene grimaced and muttered under her breath.

“Everyone, let the first exam begin!”

At the sound of the Chairwoman's voice, they opened their eyes, no longer in the hall but surrounded by a dense forest.

“... Damn,” Epherene whispered.

She quickly grasped that Adrienne had just cast Grand Magic: Mass Teleportation. It was said that the Archmage Demakan had once achieved such a feat, and now Adrienne had nearly reached that same pinnacle.

“Where am I...?”

Epherene narrowed her eyes, peering through the thick, white fog that surrounded her. Around 100 to 200 examinees stood nearby, all of them looking just as confused as she was. It seemed they had been divided into groups of roughly 20% and dispersed to different locations.

A boy’s voice suddenly echoed through the fog, saying, “Greetings, everyone.”

Epherene, startled, turned to find a short man emerging from the fog.

“I am Mimic, the supervisor of the Solda exam.”

Mimic. It was an unusual name. He wore a plain robe and a crossbody bag, but his small stature—likely around four foot seven—was what stood out the most.

“The Solda promotion exam assesses your abilities, potential, and knowledge as a mage. It is a test of practical skills and achievements beyond the academy level.”

“Wow~!” a voice of admiration echoed from somewhere. Epherene turned to see a woman whose face was nearly hidden by a beret and mask, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“The first exam is simple,” Mimic continued, retrieving a map from his crossbody bag.

A single sheet quickly multiplied into hundreds, dispersing among the examinees.

“Your objective is to reach the designated location for the second exam. The means by which you do so are unimportant.”

Epherene studied the map. It was simple, with circles marking various locations, but she had no idea where she was.

“There is not just one destination on the map; there are nine in total. Now, please proceed,” Mimic instructed before vanishing into the fog.

“Miss Epherene!”

“Ah, you scared me!” Epherene snapped, glaring at Karixel, who had suddenly appeared behind her.

“Haha, my apologies. Shall we proceed together?” Karixel suggested with a light laugh.

“... Together?” Epherene asked, glancing around again. Sylvia was nowhere in sight, likely transported to a different location. “Alright, let’s do it.”

“Um, excuse me~ Would it be alright if I joined you as well~?” a soft, languid voice called out from behind.

Epherene eyed the woman with suspicion and asked, “Who might you be? Please introduce yourself.”

“Ah, I’m... I’m Maiho! I haven’t been studying magic for very long, but I was fortunate enough to qualify for the promotion exam!”

“Where are you from?”

“From Y-Yuren—no, the Leoc Kingdom~”

“... Is it Yuren or Leoc?”

“The Leoc Kingdom~” Maiho replied with a shy smile.

Epherene crossed her arms, considered it for a moment, then nodded and said, “Okay, then. Let’s go together. I’m Epherene, and this is Karixel.”

“Oh, okay, okay. Thank you~ I assure you, I won’t be a burden!”

Epherene, Karixel, and Maiho came together as a team.

... I watched their every move through the video on the glass screen.

“How is everything going?” Louina asked as she caught up with me, sipping her coffee as she left the hall.

“Do you intend to stay long?” I inquired.

“No, we’re leaving today. I’ll continue monitoring everything through this acrylic magic panel,” Louina, the McQueen family’s representative, said as she waved the panel in her right hand.

“Why, Boss. Should I remain?” Louina asked with a playful tone, her eyes narrowing slyly.

“No.”

“Ah, yes. You are the supervisor, right?”

“I have not been assigned any major tasks yet.”

I had already received my supervisor duties in writing, so all that remained was to carry out the instructions.

“Security should be sufficient, right? After all, who would dare challenge the seventh strongest?”

I clicked my tongue. Hearing myself called the seventh strongest always made me cringe.

Tap—!

Louina finished her coffee, checked her pocket watch, and set the cup down.

“Ah, it’s time for my airship. I’ll take my leave now, Boss~”

“No,” I said, halting Louina as she turned to leave. She stopped mid-step and glanced back at me. “I’ve reconsidered.”

“What?”

“Stay.”

“... What?” Louina said, tilting her head in confusion.

I repeated myself. “I said, stay.”

Louina’s face twisted oddly.

***

Clip, clop— clip, clop—

Sylvia rode through the fog on a horse created from Primary Colors, pausing briefly to check the map.

“... It’s moving.”

The circle on the map had moved from its initial position. Sylvia wondered if it was an error, a flaw in the map, or if the destination itself was shifting. Her uncertainty lasted only about fifteen seconds.

“The destination isn’t a building—it’s a person,” Sylvia concluded.

Since the target was moving, it couldn’t be a fixed location, which explained the numerous potential destinations. It was likely the supervisor for the second test.

“Giddy up,” Sylvia said, gently pulling on the reins.

Since the target was a person, there was no need to rush. She only had to move slowly and track its location. As she continued, she noticed an odd box partially buried in some vines. Sylvia blinked at the sight, thinking it might be part of the test. They had mentioned possible bonuses. After a brief hesitation, she dismounted and reached out to touch the box.

“Stop!” a voice suddenly called out.

Sylvia flinched, turned toward the sound, and asked, “Who’s there?”

A man and a woman emerged from the fog.

“Good day, Miss Sylvia. I’m Reylie, and this is Dozmu,” Reylie introduced herself calmly. “The reason I told you to stop is that it’s a Mimic—a monster that disguises itself as a box. Watch.”

Then Reylie manifested Fireball.

“Kreeeek—!” the box screamed as the Fireball hit it, sprouted legs, and fled.

“... Clever creature. But don’t worry too much. Even a genius would have trouble recognizing it without prior experience.”

Sylvia nodded, aware that she had narrowly escaped serious harm.

“I’m familiar with you, Reylie,” Sylvia said.

“Me? You know me? How?”

“The Red Garnet Adventure Team.”

Reylie appeared genuinely moved and replied, “It seems our name has spread recently. Most people are only familiar with our leader, Ganesha, so I appreciate your recognition~!”

“What brings you to the Solda exam?”

“Well, I remain a Solda myself. It’s rather embarrassing, but I failed quite badly during my first attempt at the exam, which prevented me from advancing further. I’m here to make another attempt. The gentleman beside me is in a similar position,” Reylie said with a bright smile. She then walked over to Sylvia and admired the horse closely.

“Wow, crafting a horse from Primary Colors. That’s truly impressive. However, Miss Sylvia...”

“Yes?”

“We’ve noticed some discrepancies while comparing maps. To verify our suspicions, we need to compare it with at least two more... Could you show us yours? We’ve already reviewed Dozmu’s,” Reylie inquired, casually twirling a strand of hair.

Dozmu, showing little interest in the situation, gave a casual yawn.

“Yes, I’ll show you,” Sylvia replied, retrieving her map.

In that instant, before Sylvia could react, Dozmu feigning disinterest, lunged forward, snatched the map from her hands, and with Reylie disappeared in a flash.

Fwoosh—!

Sylvia stood in shock as the two vanished in an instant. It all happened so fast and unexpectedly that she couldn’t process it, much less decide how to react. The thought that Reylie from the Red Garnet Adventure Team—a character from fairy tales—was actually a con artist left her reeling.

“Come back,” Sylvia whispered at last, her voice fading into the fog.

Whoosh—

The wind stirred the branches around her. In the icy silence, Sylvia could only look down at the small piece of the map left in her hand.

1. Yeouido is a district in South Korea that covers an area of four and a half square kilometers. ☜