Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

"The Ruah is easily one of the better forms of energy any being can use."

Lirien's annoyed voice echoed within the classroom.

Her long, blonde-green hair was tied into a high ponytail, and her piercing emerald eyes swept over the students.

As she paced at the front of the room, her elongated ears twitched slightly.

"Let me correct myself; only elves can use it properly."

Of course, her pride always came in the way of teaching.

Suppressing a yawn, I adjusted my spectra glasses and rubbed my tired eyes.

My notebook was already filled with theories about Ruah and Mana.

More specifically, how to merge them.

But I'd run into too many issues.

'The most important is the medium.'

Using my own body as a conduit was out of the question.

Whatever came from combining Ruah and Mana would almost certainly be volatile.

'Unless I have a lot of life energy, I won't risk it.'

My hand subconsciously rubbed the two punctured holes in my arm.

"...."

I sighed.

Finding a new source of life energy was my top priority—along with curing Mana Overdose.

[<Haven't you already figured out most of the cure for Mana Overdose?>]

'.....Yeah.'

A month.

That was more than enough time for Yennefer to complete her ritual.

The only thing that had held her back was the lack of runes.

But now that all 24 runes were gathered, her progress had accelerated significantly.

All I need to do is introduce Iffa to her so she can work on space to contain the tree.

'....'

Ugh.

I just hoped Iffa wouldn't say anything stupid when they met.

[<Are you sure using Yggdrasil's mutated seed is a good idea?>]

'I know what I'm doing, Inna. I'm not an idiot.'

[<Yeah, but you're dealing with Hell's energy. One wrong move, and people will brand you an Apostate.>]

'What does an Apostate even mean?'

I remembered that guard calling me that as well.

And who the fuck was that guy?

He was using the Solace royal family's abilities.

'Does Vanya have a brother?'

No.

That didn't make sense.

If she had one, the game would have mentioned it.

[<An Apostate is someone who has abandoned their race. A traitor, a deserter.>]

Inna's voice was soft, but the meaning was clear.

'I see…'

So basically something that I already am right now.

Got it.

[<Qais—>]

'I have made up my mind, Inna.'

I cut her off, my voice firm.

Hell's energy.

Something that has a decaying effect on mana.

A perfect counter to Ragnar's mastery over mana.

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It will be a lethal weapon against everyone.

Even Esmeray.

I sighed.

Let's think about the current problems.

"——El."

Mana and Ruah.

Wish I could reverse its effect using my blessing.

"Himmel!"

Annoyedly, I gazed up at Lirien, who kept on shouting.

She was glaring at me, her emerald eyes burning with frustration.

I blinked. "Yes, Professor?"

"Are you even paying attention?"

Of course not.

"Of course I am, Professor," I said, my expression serious. "How could I possibly ignore your elf superiority propaganda?"

I hit a nerve as her face flushed red.

"Elves are superior!" she practically shouted, pointing at me. "You are the one polluting—."

I sighed. "By being a lesser, yeah, sure."

"Let him be, Professor."

One of the students chimed in.

"He isn't worth your time."

I turned to look at her.

An elf.

A stunning one, at that.

Long, ember-red hair cascaded down her back, her eyes the same fiery hue.

Irenka, was it?

The eldest daughter of the Melrose family.

One of the branch families of Gerald Highbloods.

Lirien inhaled sharply before gesturing toward Irenka. "Learn something from her! She's far better than you!"

I shrugged. "Okay."

I may or may not have hit a nerve again as her body trembled violently.

"Let him talk, Professor." Irenka chimed in once again, glancing at me. "He will be out of the class after our midterms."

I looked at her. She met my gaze without any problem.

Lirien straightened, crossing her arms.

"Yes, midterms are just around the corner." She sneered. "I bet you haven't studied at all."

I nodded seriously.

I have always been busy with other things in her class.

Hell, the only class I concentrate in is Yenna's class, and even then, I concentrate on her.

[<Not something you should be proud of.>]

'Yeah, yeah.'

Why is she grumbling?

"Listen to what I am saying," Lirien barked before she continued to take her class.

I leaned back in my seat.

I was a smart student.

So…

I self-studied.

....

....

....

As soon as I walked out of Lirien's class, a girl caught my attention.

"Oh, sleepy princess."

Pasithea stopped mid-step, her shoulders tensing before she turned around with an irritated scowl.

"Can you stop calling me that?" she asked, though her voice didn't sound pleasant.

"What's wrong with that?" I asked, walking beside her. "Wasn't the princess waiting for her prince charming to save her?"

"I was not," she grumbled, quickening her pace. "And that guy attacked me from behind."

I shrugged. "Yeah, sure."

She shot me a glare but didn't argue further.

We walked out of the building.

Oddly enough, she didn't take the tube elevater.

"Where is Zenith?" I asked as I didn't find her around.

"She is busy," Pasithea replied awkwardly.

"Hm, with what?"

"She is trying to tame her spirit beast."

Ahh, Corvina.

She is still trying to tame her, huh?

She'd manage… eventually.

But not anytime soon.

"Why are you following me?" Pasithea asked, narrowing her gaze.

I tilted my head in confusion. "Aren't we going to meet Zenith?"

"Yeah, but why you—."

"Then let's go," I cut into her words, walking beside her.

She looked like she wanted to argue, but I simply put on my earphones.

Echo's song played, drowning out whatever she was saying.

In the end, she just sighed and led the way.

...

...

...

Ten minutes on foot from our class, there's a grove of trees.

Arranged in such a way that the place behind it was barely visible.

A girl had her face turned towards a pure white Pegasus.

The Pegasus snorted, lying on the ground, its ears flicking with irritation.

Zenith's ember eyes stayed locked on the beast as she stepped forward, carefully avoiding any sudden movements.

Then—just as she was within arm's reach—the Pegasus warily turned its head toward her.

Their eyes met.

Then—

"Come on!"

With a powerful beat of its wings, the Pegasus took off.

I stifled a laugh as Zenith let out a frustrated yell, stomping her foot on the ground.

"Poor girl," Elijah muttered beside me. "Can't even ride her own spirit beast."

"What's so poor about it?" Amaury, who was lounging beside him, scoffed. "Even I can't ride it."

"I can!" Heather chimed in, raising her hand. "But her Pegasus won't let me."

Zenith whipped around, her ember eyes blazing. "Why are you guys here!?"

"I'm here to see you fail," I replied, and her head snapped toward me.

She pointed at me. "Who called this dumb person here?"

I leaned forward and smacked her pointing hand away. "The only idiot here is you."

Heather chimed in. "Amaury as well."

I turned to look at Amaury, who just laughed off her teasing.

Fucking simp.

"Anyway, do you guys have any solutions?" Zenith asked, looking at us expectantly.

Siersha, who gracefully sat on the side, raised her hand.

"Yes?"

"Are you really a virgin?" Siersha asked, narrowing her gaze.

Zenith's face turned pink in an instant. "How many times do I have to tell you, I am!"

"Don't Pegasi love virgins?" Heather asked skeptically. "Then why does it act like that around you?"

Zenith grumbled, crossing her arms. "I don't know."

I raised my hand.

"Yes, dumbo?"

Ignoring her insult, I asked, "Wasn't Corvina originally your mother's spirit?"

Zenith blinked before nodding. "Yeah, Mama was the one who requested Corvina to contract with me."

"Did Yenna ever tell you why?"

"What?" Her eyes narrowed. "And don't call my mother that!"

I ignored her.

"Have you ever considered that Corvina loved your mother and that you are the reason Yenna can't ride her?" I asked, tilting my head.

"..."

Zenith fell silent, lost in thought.

Well, it wasn't that complicated.

Corvina had formed a deep bond with Yenna.

But then Zenith was born—changing everything.

"Then what should I do?" she asked, looking at me.

I shrugged. "Wait for a while. Corvina is a tsundere type; she will eventually open up to you."

"I see," she mumbled, gazing up.

The Pegasus was flying above her head.

It circled around but never came down.

"Himmel."

I turned to look at Siersha.

Her crimson eyes bore into mine, unblinking.

"Yeah?"

She tilted her head slightly. "Do you think Corvina will like you?"

I frowned. "What kind of question is that?"

"I'm just wondering," she said, not hiding her curiosity. "Will it hate you?"

I shrugged. "I don't know."

"Wait, she is coming down."

Zenith's words made Siersha quiet down.

Corvina flapped her wings, descending with slow, deliberate grace.

Her wings folded neatly as her hooves touched the ground.

Then—she walked toward me.

The others instinctively took a step back. Zenith even held her breath.

Her pristine eyes locked onto mine.

A snort escaped her nostrils before she lowered her head.

I recognized the gesture.

Nymeria's Pegasus had done the same.

Slowly, I reached out, running my hand along her soft fur.

Zenith's jaw dropped.

I, however, was more focused on Siersha.

She was… smiling.

No.

Grinning.

I had never seen her this happy before.

"W-what? How!?"

Zenith's startled voice brought my attention back to her.

I smirked. "Your new father is quite capable."