Struggling as a Villain

Max had been through the same phase Richard was experiencing now—the overwhelming urge to kill someone for hurting someone close to you. Max knew that feeling all too well.

However, with that feeling, he also knows what kind of consequences one has to suffer if they don't think rationally.

A murder conviction would ruin Richard's life as a student and lead to his arrest. The law clearly states that all crimes must first be reported to the authorities—no citizen has the right to pass judgment. At present, Richard hasn't reached a position where he could lawfully pass judgment, no matter the severity of the culprit's crime.

"Richard, you need to calm down and listen to what we have to say," Lucy argued, however,

"He won't listen to you or anyone right now, Lucy," Max responded in Richard's stead as he prepared to counter any attack that Richard might release.

Richard's eyes sang the tale of his emotions and intentions. He was not in agreement with resorting to anything other than killing Kevin. And as a teacher, Max has taken the role of protecting him.

"If that's your choice," Richard growled, his voice a dangerous whisper. "Then burn."

With a flick of his wrist, a fierce blaze erupted from his hand, surging straight at Max. The ground beneath cracked and blistered, peeling away as the searing flames tore their path forward.

Max's eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, he clapped his hands together, fingers locking tightly. In an instant, he formed a hollow shape, palms open and poised.

A violent, ripping sound exploded from his hands, sending brutal sonic waves barreling into the fire. The force shattered the flames, scattering fiery embers in every direction as they clawed their way toward Richard.

Kevin staggered back, clamping his hands over his ears to block out the deafening blast. The air crackled and split, both fire and sound raging in a fierce clash of power.

Richard clicked his tongue, springing back and narrowly evading the vicious wave of sound.

In mid-air, he brought his hands together in a forceful slam, his lips moving in a relentless chant. His eyes burned with focus, channelling overwhelming energy.

"Damn…" Lucy gasped, watching as seven massive magic circles ignited around him. Richard, barely sixteen, unleashed a power that made the air tremble.

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From the centre of the circles, a colossal dragon roared to life, forged entirely from blazing flames. Its scorching glow lit up the dark clouds, casting a fierce light across the battlefield. The dragon's eyes bore into Max, a silent, fiery promise of annihilation.

Max narrowed his eyes; as he thought, the scion of the strongest witch could not back down just by a single spell.

"Lucy, back off!" Max ordered, his tone edged with urgency. He twirled his finger in the air, etching the chant of a spell he never imagined he'd use against a student.

With chilling, unblinking eyes, Richard unleashed the blazing dragon, a serpent of death hurtling straight toward the professor.

In response, a massive, radiant frog took shape around Max, its pure light casting a protective aura like an ethereal guardian. Max's eyes glowed fiercely, his hair lifting as raw energy surged through him. Fixing his gaze on the incoming dragon, he opened his mouth wide.

The frog mimicked his movements, and with Max's voice, the beast let out an earth-shaking, ear-splitting soundwave. The wave ripped through the air, colliding head-on with the dragon, a storm of fire and sound colliding in a devastating clash.

**THUUUUMMMMMMMMM**

The ground splintered, cracks spiderwebbing out in every direction as the surface shattered beneath the clash of these titans. Nearby windows exploded, shards scattering as several alarms shrieked, their wails lost in the chaotic symphony of raw power.

Richard frowned, his fist clenched tight as he poured every ounce of ether the blazing dragon could contain. His entire being surged with the intent to overpower, to unleash a force that could crush any enemy. But Max wasn't just any opponent—he was an S-rank ex-soldier, hardened by battles and far beyond the common criminals of Endless Hold.

With unyielding resolve, Max held his ground against the relentless dragon, his radiant frog guardian amplifying his defiant roar. The soundwaves intensified, pushing back against the flames with devastating force. Bit by bit, the dragon faltered under the pressure, its fiery form peeling away, layers of ether torn apart until, with a final resounding blast, it shattered down to its very core.

Richard's spell crumbled, dissipating in a burst of embers as the reality of Max's power settled heavily over the battlefield.

Once both sides settled, the scene of the front campus was no longer the same. Students from each dorm have come out, and so have the other instructors and staff members.

Max's breathing was a little ragged. He had used his soul beast after too long, which surely tolled over his body. However, the very thought of continuing like this shattered when he noticed the other students around.

'This is bad...we both are dealing in wide area spell.' Max gritted his teeth. Another confrontation meant the students would get injured and taking them away would take a lot of time.

'Do I have to ask for other instructors help?' Max wasn't prideful and nothing was bigger than his students' safety for him.

He was contemplating what he should do when suddenly Richard returned to the surface with his aura no longer radiating blood lust.

Max was surprised as he asked, "Have you finally calmed down?"

Richard nodded, "Yes, and for the damage I have caused, send me a report about it. I will provide compensation."

Saying so, Richard walked towards Max, but rather than stopping before him, he walked past the older one and after holding a familiar raven-haired hand, Richard walked away.

Max and the other students stared at Richard's retreating figure with complicated emotions in their eyes.

Max couldn't comprehend what was going on with Richard for him to suddenly cease-fire. However, if he pulled back without any damage being dealt to anyone, then it was all fine...

"Max," Hearing her voice, Max turned towards Lucy, only to hear the violet-haired saying, "Kevin is dead."

....or so he thought.

--------**-------

Richard brought Amelia back to his mansion.

He was going to make her stay here from now on after he realised the level of security the dormitories provide.

Amelia was abducted the previous time and no one spotted Ethan. And this time, Kevin barged in without anyone noticing as well. Too lenient they are.

Lilia was silently following them from behind. She arrived near the school, the moment she sensed her Master's presence. However, when she reached there, the chaos had already come to a pause and she spotted her master escorting Lady Amelia out of the school.

She faintly heard the students' murmurs and understood the whole situation.

'I have to inform the Duchess...' Considering Amelia killed Kevin and Richard attacked a professor, surely some action would be taken against the two.

If Amelia had killed Kevin back when he was still in her room, then no one would have raised their voice against her. After all, Kevin would have been charged with sexual assault.

However, things have turned problematic now that Amelia beheaded Kevin in front of everyone's eyes.

But naturally, she wouldn't get imprisoned, given the other party in question already had several allegations pending. And even Viscount Butcher wouldn't interfere considering his relationship with his son.

'In the end, all that matters is Lady Amelia's feelings.' With those thoughts, Lilia entered the mansion not so long after the two.

Richard led Amelia to the reception area and made her sit down.

He asked for some water which Lilia instantly brought.

Kneeling before the girl he asked, "Are you fine now? Did he harm you in any way?"

Amelia drank a few mouthfuls of water before she shook her head, "No, he just touched my shoulders, and that was enough for me to know that it wasn't you."

Richard's eyes went to Amelia's shoulders as a rush of anger surged within him. However, to not make Amelia worried, he contains his emotions and asked her,

"He didn't use any spell on you, right? I have a healer-"

"Richard, " She suddenly held his face so his eyes could only remain on hers before the raven-haired clearly stated,

"I am completely fine. Until you are here, I know nothing can affect me. Neither physically nor mentally."

Amelia was aware of Richard's source of worry. She was recently kidnapped and just a few days after that, someone came into her room with evil intentions.

Any person would get paranoid, however, Amelia wasn't. As she said, the only thing that can shake her up is something happening to Richard. And until he is with her, nothing can go wrong.

Richard leaned forward and planted his head against hers. With his eyes closed he softly whispered,

"I love you, Amy."

"The feeling is mutual~"

-------**-------

A/N:- I think we got an arc with every heroine by now. Thanks for reading.

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