Struggling as a Villain

Chapter 157: Chapter 156- Brainwash

It was around seven on the clock and after Richard had dinner, he and Lilia could be seen walking around the garden leisurely.

After returning from the Academy, he received a call from his mother but since they could only talk a minute over the artifact, nothing much they were able to converse.

"I wonder when I can summon my own soul beast..."He wondered aloud.

Lilia replied, "Soon, in the academy, the summoning ritual would be introduced. Given it is prohibited to perform the ritual unless there is someone officially recording the event from the Capital, Madame Duchess never taught you the summoning."

Richard was aware of the whole drama related to the summoning ritual. They have to keep a record of every familiar being summoned from the third realm that lies between Light and Darkness. The same place where Endless Hold resides.

There has been no explanation given in the book regarding it, and from what Richard has discerned after asking people, Soul beasts can be a massive asset during wars, so the Emperor made it mandatory to make every summoned beast officially registered.

Possibly Ethan's summoned beast would be a Pegasus from the heavens. An S-rank summoning that will shake the world.

Talking about the Duchess, Lilia remembered something which she instantly mentioned, "I received a second letter, this evening, my lord."

Hearing her words, Richard was surprised. He read the first letter which his mother sent to Lilia, asking for his well being and other things related to him. Literally the whole page was filled with Richard and everything related to him.

But a second letter?

"What did it say?"

Lilia sounded uncertain, "It's about your vacation. She told me to take you to Awsperg for some reasons."

It was unexpected, "Awsperg Hmm...not a bad plan actually. That's a nice holiday destination and given you can be with your mother, it's actually a great idea."

Lilia wanted to sigh. Awsperg can never be a good holiday spot, considering the whole place smells like fishes and the town is smaller than Capital's market.

But well, she didn't point it out and nodded, "As you wish, my lord. The school would be closed for twenty days starting next month, right?" welcome-to

Richard nodded, "Yes."

A few moments of silence remained before Richard stated, "Lilia...tonight I won't be in my room."

Just a moment of pause it took for Lilia to understand what he meant before she asked, "Does master Richard want me to prepare some flowers?"

She was very well aware that there was someone else other than herself on this island who had the right to spend her nights with her master.

Richard remained silent and asked something unrelated to her query, "Are you hurt?"

Lilia didn't deny it, "It does pains me, but I have already accepted the fact that my master cannot be mine alone." They paused as she held his hand and smilingly said, "Such a great man you are, naturally, I alone cannot possess you."

Richard held her face, "Do you regret it? Falling for me?"

"Not even once. I have always been treated as an emotionless tool for as long as I worked as a soldier. I never actually blamed them for not even seeing me as a woman, since I never desired to walk on that path."

She leaned her face in his touch, feeling the warmth from his skin calming her heart as she added, "You made me realize that I am not only made to protect others and other than a tool I have an existence."

Lilia, after leaving her house, has always been the one who stood before danger and protected others. However, that day, when her master arrived from the skies and slaughtered each of those who harmed her...

After all, foreign delegates would be arriving in Obsidian Citadel soon to witness the competition between the two central affiliated academies.

Although they say it's just a friendly battle between the brains of both academies, Lucy very well knew that the teachers brainwashed the students that how their school's reputation was on line and how they should be doing anything in their power to win this.

Lucy was also encouraged by her fellow teachers to give the same knowledge to Rose, but never even once Lucy thought of calling out to that girl and making her feel more stressed than she already was.

Considering Rose's personality, Lucy can already imagine how she would react if Lucy suddenly dumps things like reputation and responsibilities on her shoulders. That frail girl might even faint.

"Are you done, Miss Lucy?" The Professor who teaches the third year, and someone whom Lucy openly respects; Max, approached her with a smile on his face.

The man has an excellent control over his skills and someone who gained his position as a senior professor through his merit alone. Just like Lucy, Max also comes from a commoner's background, which explains why she admires him so much.

"Far from it. But I think I will stop for today." Lucy spoke as she began packing her stuff in her bag; preparing to leave

"The security department is under your command, I suppose?" Max asked to which the violet haired nodded.

"Indeed. I am told to arrange the security within the academy. Outside the school, the island would be under the protection of Knight Commander Bennett."

Max raised his brows, "That golden warrior for security, huh? This competition is surely taken quite seriously." Max commented as he, along with Lucy began to make their way out of the staff room.

Lucy heaved a sigh, "I mean, slight altercation can lead to political distress, worse a wa-"

"Please don't jinx it, Miss Lucy." Max stopped her with sweat already building on his forehead.

The violet haired smiled, "You don't particularly like fighting even though you are an S-rank?"

Max exhaled a sigh, "That's a curse...being strong doesn't mean the person always remains battle hungry...."

Lucy could sense deep remorse and years of exhaustion reflecting in his voice as the man lowered his eyes.

Lucy was aware that Max has gone through experiences which have shaped him into the person he is right now. However, no one knows what exactly happened to him two years ago that caused this change in him.

He vanished during a confrontation against a criminal group and when he returned he had lost all the vigor of his youth and had turned into a completely different person.

A person on whom people actually rely rather than using him just as a mad bull to demolish the opponent.

The duo continued to walk in silence

Max realized his mistake and hurriedly spoke, "Ah...well, I am quite relieved that you were given the opportunity to take care of the security. After all there could be no one better than Miss Lucy to maintain peace-"

**BOOOOOOM**

Both adults paused with Max's eyes widened as they heard a loud explosion from the building across from them.

Lucy turned her eyes toward the explosion and faintly she could see the figure of a student flying across the campus.

"Shit!"

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.