A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 362

Chapter 362: Epilogue (5) Part 1

#16. Mage Tower of the Imperial University

Epherene had returned to the Mage Tower of the University, which was, in a broader sense, her hometown, and was admiring the scenery after a long time.

“... It is spring,” Epherene muttered.

As if to announce the arrival of spring, cherry blossoms were bursting and asserting themselves all over the campus, and beneath them, male and female university students or mages—be they couples, or just casually dating, or something in between—walked around leisurely. It was a sight of a peaceful and gentle youth, a vitality that could not be bought with billions of gold.

"I have been much too far from the mortal realm this whole time."

In the midst of it all, Epherene reminisced about her childhood, which now felt like a distant past to her.

“Back then...”

Epherene, who knew nothing and was utterly ignorant, bound only by resentment for Deculein, the girl Sylvia had once called her foolish Epherene, held a futile ambition in her heart that spring as she stood beneath the cherry blossoms.

“I wanted nothing more than to bring you to ruin.”

Muting her old purpose of Deculein’s ruin—a purpose that may have already been accomplished—Epherene took a single step forward.

Swoooosh—

At that moment, space was folded, and she immediately arrived at the uppermost floor of the Mage Tower of the University, at what was known as the Chairperson's Office.

“Oh my!” the Chairwoman shouted from her seat, caught in the middle of her work, startled by Epherene’s sudden appearance.

Crackle—!

The current Chairwoman was shocked enough to hastily release her mana, and after confirming that the uninvited guest was Epherene, she furrowed her brow.

“... I mean, hey.” 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"It's been a while, Professor Louina," Epherene replied.

It was none other than Louina, the new Chairwoman.

To replace Deculein... no, because all of Deculein's records were completely erased and Deculein has become a villain whose name cannot even be spoken, Louina is not in place of Deculein, but rather the Chairwoman immediately following Adrienne, Epherene thought.

“You startled me. Did you come for the item we spoke of before?” Louina said, a smile on her face as she ran a hand over her chest.

“Yes, just as I said before, I'm going to the Land of Destruction... no, the Explored Region.”

The land that had once been the Land of Destruction was now completely purified and referred to as an Explored Region, where vegetation grew, rain fell, and flying beasts roamed freely.

"Okay, so you need the key to the lighthouse, right?"

However, the lighthouse, a creation of Deculein and the Altar, remained. Whether due to Deculein's magical influence or not, it could not be broken or destroyed, no matter what methods were used. It was currently under the strict supervision of the Mage Tower of the Imperial University.

The reason the Mage Tower of the Imperial University is in charge is that the Explored Region falls under the Empire’s jurisdiction, Epherene thought.

“Here,” Louina continued, handing over the key without hesitation.

“Thank you,” Epherene replied, a smile on her face as she put the key in her pocket.

“No worries. I should be the one to thank you,” Louina said, holding out her hand to Epherene. “I wish you well in all that you do, my respected Madam Archmage.”

“Yes, thank you,” Epherene replied, a warm smile on her face as she shook hands with Louina.

Professor Louina, who had once seemed as high as the heavens, remained Epherene's role model even now, and for that reason, her praise always made Epherene happy.

"You take care, too, Chairwoman."

"Alright, you can go now."

After making a farewell that might have been their last, Epherene was about to leave when she was suddenly overcome with a curiosity about the 77th floor—the floor that had now become someone else's, a Head Professor's floor.

Thud—

Epherene took a step and changed her location to the 77th floor, standing blankly in the middle of the corridor.

"Ah..." Epherene murmured, a sound she didn't realize she was making, her voice trembling with emotion.

The layout and structure of the laboratories, offices, and conference rooms were much different from when Deculein had been here, but the appearance of the corridor was exactly the same.

The unreturnable memories of her running from place to place in the corridor, of Allen following behind her, warning her that she would be in trouble if she ran, of a slightly foolish Drent, and of Deculein always walking with dignity—all welled up like an afterimage or a mist.

“... Sniffle.”

Suddenly, tears welled up in Epherene's eyes, and before the drops could fall, she quickly shook her head, firmed her resolve, and took a step forward.

Thud—

#17. Lighthouse

“I’m sure you will be able to do it. Oh, and when you return from that place, I will not be around. You see, I am not supposed to meet the Professor.”

“Ahem, we are counting on you, Archmage Epherene.”

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