The Villain Professor's Second Chance

Upon entering my study, I closed the heavy wooden door behind me, shutting out the noise and distractions of the mansion. The room was just as I remembered it from the game: walls lined with bookshelves filled with ancient tomes, a large oak desk cluttered with scrolls and papers, and a single window overlooking the vast lands of the Drakhan earldom.

I took a deep breath and approached the desk. The first task was to test my newfound abilities. Sitting down, I summoned the store interface in my mind. The catalogue of items and skills I could purchase with store currency appeared before me once again, still glowing faintly in the air.

[Mana: 780/4750]

"Right," I muttered to myself, recalling the boost from the Herculean Physique. I still had much to learn and test about my magical capabilities. I decided to start with the basics, focusing on enhancing my understanding of different fields of magic.

Testing the Basics

I decided to begin with elemental manipulation. Selecting a simple spell for fire manipulation, a basic yet fundamental aspect of elemental magic, I held out my hand and concentrated on the sensation of heat, envisioning a small flame dancing on my palm.

"Incendio," I whispered, the familiar incantation slipping from my lips.

To my amazement, a small flame flickered to life above my palm. It was a modest fire, but the warmth and light it emitted were real. I could feel the heat against my skin, the slight tug of mana as it fueled the flame. With a flick of my wrist, I directed the flame to float above the desk, hovering in place.

Satisfied with my initial success, I extinguished the flame with a thought. Next, I wanted to test my ability to manipulate water. I filled a goblet with water from a nearby decanter and focused on the liquid.

"Aqua Manipulus," I intoned.

The water obeyed my command, rising from the goblet in a twisting, serpentine stream. I guided it through the air, shaping it into various forms before allowing it to settle back into the goblet. The sensation of control was exhilarating, and I couldn't help but smile at my success.

Moving on, I decided to test illusion magic. This field required not only a grasp of mana manipulation but also a keen understanding of perception and psychology. I closed my eyes and envisioned the room around me transforming. When I opened them again, the study appeared to have doubled in size, with additional bookshelves and an ornate chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

The illusion was nearly perfect, though I could still sense the original boundaries of the room if I concentrated. Satisfied with my progress, I dispelled the illusion with a wave of my hand, the room returning to its normal dimensions.

Next, I focused on enhancement magic. This type of magic was used to augment physical attributes, making one stronger, faster, or more resilient. Given my recent acquisition of the Herculean Physique, I decided to test my enhanced strength.

I moved to a heavy oak cabinet on the far side of the room, one I knew was difficult to budge. Placing my hands on its sides, I pushed. To my surprise, the cabinet slid across the floor with minimal effort, a testament to my newfound strength.

"Interesting," I mused, flexing my fingers and feeling the raw power coursing through my veins. The Herculean Physique was indeed a significant boost, and I wondered what other enhancements I could achieve with the right magic.

Divination.

I then turned my attention to divination, the magic of foresight and knowledge. I had always found this field fascinating, both in the game and now in this new reality. I selected a simple scrying spell, one that would allow me to glimpse a possible future.

I retrieved a small, polished crystal from my desk drawer and placed it on the table. Concentrating, I chanted the incantation for the scrying spell. The crystal began to glow softly, and images started to form within its depths. I saw flashes of events—bandits attacking a village, a healer tending to the sick, and strange creatures lurking at the edges of my territory.

While the visions were fleeting and somewhat disjointed, they provided valuable insights into potential threats and challenges. I made a mental note of what I had seen, determined to use this information to better prepare my defenses.

Control Magic.

Control magic was another area that piqued my interest. This type of magic involved influencing the actions and thoughts of others and controlling objects. While I was wary of its ethical implications, I knew it could be a powerful tool if used judiciously.

I decided to start small, testing my ability to influence the behavior of a simple creature. Spotting an ant scurrying across the floor, I focused on it and whispered the command spell.

"Obey," I said softly.

The ant stopped in its tracks and turned to face me. I directed it to move in a circle, and it complied, running in a tight loop. After a few moments, I released the spell, and the ant scurried away, none the worse for wear.

Psychokinesis.

According to [Vision], this is the magic that Draven has the most aptitude in. Psychokinesis, the ability to move objects with the mind, was a field I was particularly eager to test.

I focused on a quill lying on the desk, willing it to rise into the air. Almost effortlessly, the quill lifted off the desk, floating steadily. It was as if my mind instinctively knew how to control it.

"Steady," I murmured, maintaining my focus. The quill hovered in place, responding to my thoughts with remarkable precision. I directed it to move across the room, then return to the desk. The sensation of controlling an object with my mind was both exhilarating and natural.

As I released my hold on the quill, it gently settled back onto the desk. It felt easier than the other tests, I could feel that I'm capable of controlling other things as well, let's have more tests later. I leaned back in my chair, a satisfied smile spreading across my face. This was a good start. There was much more to learn and test, but I was making progress.

The possibilities of magic were vast, and I intended to explore every facet of it.

I leaned back in my chair, contemplating the results of my experiments. I had made significant progress in understanding and controlling various types of magic. The progress is more than satisfying, if it's the original Draven with his curses intact, he wouldn't be able to perform several or even most of those elementary magic. However, I knew this was just the beginning.

The challenges facing my territory were vast and complex, requiring more than just magical prowess.

I turned my thoughts to the store currency system. The Herculean Physique had been a valuable acquisition, but I needed to be strategic about my next purchases. Each store currency point was precious, and I needed to ensure that each purchase would provide maximum benefit.

[Mana: 680/4750]

The expenditure of mana had been considerable, but manageable. I would need to find ways to replenish it more efficiently, perhaps through potions or specific training regimens. Additionally, I needed to consider the long-term sustainability of my magic usage. Overreliance on any single type of magic could leave me vulnerable.

As I pondered my next steps, a knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Alfred entered, carrying a stack of reports and documents.

"My lord," Alfred said, bowing slightly. "These are the latest updates from your territories. I thought you might want to review them."

I nodded, accepting the papers. "Thank you, Alfred. Please ensure that the orders I gave earlier are being carried out. I need to be kept informed of any developments, especially regarding the bandits and the disease outbreak."

"Of course, my lord," Alfred replied, his tone respectful yet efficient. "Is there anything else you require?"

I considered for a moment. "Yes, arrange for a meeting with the senior staff and advisors. I need to discuss our strategy and ensure everyone is aligned with our goals."

"At once, my lord," Alfred said, bowing again before leaving the room.

Planning Ahead

Alone once more, I turned my attention back to the reports. The bandit activity had increased in frequency and severity, indicating a level of organization and leadership that was troubling. The disease outbreak was spreading faster than anticipated, and the sightings of strange creatures were becoming more frequent and alarming.

I needed to prioritize my actions. Strengthening the defenses against the bandits was crucial to maintaining order and protecting my people. Addressing the disease outbreak required immediate medical intervention and possibly magical remedies to contain and cure it. Investigating the strange creatures would provide insights into the potential threats they posed and how to combat them effectively.

The drought, while a significant issue, had a slightly longer timeline before it would become catastrophic. Still, I needed to start planning for long-term solutions, including the possibility of using magic to summon rain or purify water sources.

I made a list of priorities, noting down specific actions and resources required for each issue. I would need to delegate tasks to trusted advisors and ensure that they had the support and resources necessary to carry out their duties effectively.

As I wrote, my thoughts returned to the store currency system. The Herculean Physique had been a game-changer, and I wondered what other enhancements could provide similar benefits. I decided to explore the catalogue further, looking for options that would complement my existing abilities and address the immediate needs of my territory.

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