Is The Super Famous Sorceress The Villain?

Sorcerers, individuals with supernatural powers, capable of performing unimaginable feats. Among these gifted people, one group stands above the rest: the Trio Encanto, a trio of sorceresses known as the only level-five sorcerers in existence.

They are famous for two reasons: their unmatched power and their role as protectors of the city from the villain Warmonger.

To the public, these girls are the embodiment of justice and righteousness, often spouting inspiring phrases like, "You can achieve your dreams" or, "If you work hard, you can make it happen." But all of that is a lie. Everyone has been deceived, I was too...

Until that day.

*********

It was a Friday afternoon, and the air felt full of mystery and excitement. That day, I was meeting one of my idols, Katrina Erlenbaugh, the leader of the Trio Encanto. She had asked me to meet her at a specific spot for a private talk.

Imagine having the chance to speak one-on-one with someone you admire more than anything. Fun, right? You can imagine how thrilled I was.

Actually, This wasn't the first time we've met, it was the third time I'd met with her, it's a long story...

But this meeting would be different, different in a way I couldn't have anticipated. What I found that day at that spot, was terrifying.

The meeting spot was an old, abandoned building. Obviously, upon seeing the facade of the old building, I thought there must have been some mistake. However, as I scanned the building with my gaze, I felt something calling to me. So, curious, I entered the building, with a bit of fear but with the hope of finding the person I admire most.

Inside of that building, in a large, dim room full of dust and decay, I saw something that made me tremble in fear.

There were men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds trapped in large, cylindrical pods hanging from metal frames. They floated in glowing purple liquid, as if asleep. There were so many pods it was impossible to count them.

"What… what is this?!" I stuttered while my voice was shaking with panic. My hands trembled, but I still managed to take out my phone and snap a photo.

Then, a dark feeling took over me, like danger was lurking, as if death itself was whispering in my ear.

"I've been waiting for you, Mila Vellerth." The voice, calm yet menacing, came from behind me. I froze. It was a voice I knew well. Slowly, I turned around.

Standing there, dressed in a long shirt with two katanas strapped to her waist, was Katrina Erlenbaugh. Her sharp gaze pierced through me, the usual warmth I associated with her was gone and replaced by something cold and dangerous.

"K-Katrina… what? You were expecting me?"

She nodded, with a venomous smile. "Of course. We had an appointment, remember?"

"R-Right!"

I felt a brief moment of joy at her words, but it was quickly replaced by a growing unease. Something was wrong. Katrina was acting weird, and the sight of the pods made my fear worse.

"B-but, Katrina, these people... What is this place? Oh, I get it! It was Warmonger, wasn't it? You called me here to help rescue them, yes? We need to act quickly!"

Her smile stayed the same, but the feeling around her grew darker.

"It's fine, Mila. These people are exactly where they belong." Her hand rested on the hilt of one of her katanas as she spoke.

"...What?"

My body froze, my mind was spinning. Where they belong?

"W-what do you mean?" I asked.

"This is where people who try to stand out end up," Katrina said coldly and her voice full of malice. "People who threaten the Trio Encanto's fame. People like you, Mila Vellerth."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "S-stop joking, Katrina. That's not funny!"

Instinctively, I looked at the cylinders where the people were. Will I end up like that too? I wondered.

However, Katrina responded as if she had read my thoughts:

"Oh no, Mila, you will have a far worse fate." Katrina's expression stayed cold and firm. There was no trace of humor in her voice.

Before I could process her words, Katrina threw her sharp katana toward me; it moved so fast I couldn't anticipate it, causing a cut on my left cheek.

"Ah!"

Katrina approached me slowly, her steps deliberate and menacing. I started backing away, bleeding as I went, but I tripped over the many cables scattered across the floor.

"K-Katrina, what's wrong with you? Why are you doing this?!"

She smirked, but her eyes remained cold. "Your teacher told me how obsessed you are with sorcery, Mila. At first, I thought you were just a reckless child. But the day I met you, when I looked into your eyes… You reminded me of her."

"Her? W-who?"

Katrina didn't answer my question. "If I let you live, you could reach level five...No, maybe even level six." Her voice turned mocking. "But don't worry. I'll let you say your last words before I take your life. After all, I like to show gratitude to my fans."

I couldn't think straight. My mind was a blur of confusion and fear. Everything I'd believed about the Trio Encanto and Katrina was falling apart.

In the middle of the chaos in my head, one thought stood out: I need to get out of here. I can't die here!

Desperate, I pulled out my phone and pointed it at her. "Stay back! I'll go live if you don't stop!"

Katrina only laughed, unfazed. "Go ahead. Who will believe you? It'll be your word against mine."

I felt hopeless. She was right. No one would believe me over the city's hero.

The truth hit me hard: the Trio Encanto wasn't a group dedicated to fighting for justice. Their fight for justice was simply a show. Now that I thought about it, it was strange that no other sorcerers had reached level five. It was all a lie, a monopoly.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized how foolish I'd been. shut my eyes, preparing for the worst. Suddenly, a well-known phrase popped into my head.

"Never meet your heroes."