The Villain Wants to Live

.... I spent two weeks immersed in trying to "understand" magic and my own body.

As a result, I memorized the magic [Basic Psychokinesis] on my "whole body". It was like an invisible tattoo of a huge psychokinesis magic circle engraved on my skin.

–Floaaat

There were three fountain pens floating like paper airplanes in the spacious living room.

My psychokinesis' limit was ten fountain pens. 300kg of "pure" metal.

Considering that the specifications of psychokinesis described in the magic book was,

"The limit of basic psychokinesis is 30kg if it matches well with the magician's own attributes, or if it's just a simple push..."

This was a tremendous improvement.

"This isn't enough, considering it took two weeks, but it's satisfactory"

Of course, only its performance has been amplified, but I was still far from mastering it. Rather it was more difficult to master, because its performance was superior.

Although I was training as efficiently as possible with the help of "Understanding", I still had trouble writing with a fountain pen. I'd only be satisfied if I were able to draw a picture of Choi Min-hwan.

"I'm done with the basics."

I picked up " Beginner Control Magic, Volume 1" from the desk.

Here, the difference between "Basic Psychokinesis" and "Beginner Psychokinesis" lay in the number of lines, which were 18 more strokes.

Basic Psychokinesis was a magic consisting of 20 "Line" strokes and two "Circles", but Beginner Psychokinesis had 38 "Line" strokes and three "Circles".

Of course, I only have to memorize 18 more strokes and not 38, as the basic form is the base for the beginner form and the strokes are extending out from it, however this time the thickness of the line was creating problems.

"I'll do it later."

The body needed time to recover, and if I immediately went to the beginner level without mastering basic psychokinesis, I obviously wouldn't be able to control it.

Therefore, my next objectives were as follows.

[Basic Metal Magic Vol. 1]

[Basic Fire Magic Vol. 1]

[Basic Earth Magic Vol. 1]

Magic books of these three properties.

Among them, I could only learn magic compatible with the control-type.

This was an unexpected side effect. Since the "Control"-type magic, Psychokinesis, had been engraved into my entire body, learning magic that would contrast the control-type would put a burden on my body.

For example, Summon-Spirit was a type that conflicted with control, so it was impossible for me to learn it, but what I could learn was the Malleability type >> Support type > Destruction type, in that order, as it had similar forms to control magic.

Well, it didn't really matter anyway. That guy was only talented in control type magic.

I guess, this was also a type of choosing and focusing.

Knock, knock.

Just when I was about to open a book, someone knocked on the door.

I retrieved the floating fountain pens and answered.

"What's the matter?"

–This is Roy. Magician Allen said he came to bring over some lecture materials...

It meant that Allen came over.

That's right. The first class of the semester would start 10 days later, next Thursday.

"I shall come out in a minute."

I changed my clothes with Psychokinesis. Well, I tried to change them, but my pants always kept floating towards my upper body so I put it on myself.

Going down to the first floor, I saw Allen and my servants putting down large boxes on the floor.

"...Is this for my lecture?"

"Yes! This is the summary for the first semester! I did it like every year!"

The eyes of Allen, who answered like that, were surrounded by dark circles.

Though the reason why I felt sorry for him weren't these dark circles, but rather that bright face he had after completing his work.

"Good work."

The other professors of the Tower had as many as 20 or at least 5 people under them, while I only had Allen.

This was entirely Deculein's fault.

"Okay. Then, I shall go back now!"

I grabbed Allen's robe while he was about to return.

"Eek."

"It's late. Have dinner before you go."

"Pardon? No, I-"

"Eat before you go."

I beckoned to my servant. Following that, the servant quickly led Allen to the dining hall.

"Uh, uhm, I'm really fine..."

"It's fine, sit down."

Even just the appearance of this dining hall seemed to have intimidated Allen into not being able to move from where he stood.

"Sit down."

"...Okay."

"Go ahead and eat."

The meal was prepared quickly. This was a feast even to me. Allen was stunned for a moment, but then skillfully picked up the knife and fork.

"It's already very late, so stay here for the night."

"Pardon? No, I..."

"I shall not have you refuse."

"Ah. O, okay"

*  *  *

One in the morning.

In the silent study where one could only hear the second hand of the clock ticking, I was preparing for a lecture.

[Lecture Summary: Deculein "Understanding Elemental Attribute Magic"]

Thanks to Allen's lecture summary, my preparations in itself were going smoothly.

However, it took me a staggering amount of 3,500 mana to just understand "half" of the first lecture and that was just the start.

That meant that I had to spend about 1000 mana per week for one lecture to proceed smoothly, though, fortunately, what I grasp using "Understanding" isn't easily forgotten.

"...It would be a lot better, if I just took out the useless parts"

I performed censorship for the first time in my life.

Allen only wrote down the essentials and boldy excluded those deemed too basic or useless in his summary.

In fact, these unnecessarily fine details were added partly due to Deculein's uselessly serious nature.

After writing up the plan for about an hour, I checked the schedule.

"It's in nine days now, huh."

It was past midnight, so there were only nine days left until the start of the semester.

Until then, as Professor Deculein, I had to cultivate some magical knowledge.

I was a bit nervous because I was a professor before ever being one, but thanks to the "personality" system, the burden was lightened.

I also had the trait "Arrogant Grace". This trait would make listeners more focused on what I was saying and make it easier for them to understand.

Of course, there was also the way of just quitting my professorship.

That would be the most comfortable.

However, Deculein was always a "Professor" in the game.

In other words, being a "Professor" might be the prerequisite for the side quests and main quests. I shouldn't prematurely quit my job, when I didn't even have a clue of what's going to happen.

"This should be enough."

I folded my handwritten syllabus and put it in an envelope.

For reference, Deculein's lecture was at full capacity with 150/150 students.

It was popular because the lecture was given by a few "Senior Professors" of the Imperial University's Tower — A one-dimensional understanding of such topics tended to be inaccurate after all.

A deeper understanding of such phenomena is needed.

Magicians of the University Tower are assigned to the lower rank "Debutant" as soon as they enter the tower, and only by accumulating enough "Essential Magic Credit" are they able to promote from Debutant to "Solda" enabling them to choose their career path.

In that respect, the magic credits given by Deculein's lecture were just a meager 5 points.

Since it was a combination of three lectures, it couldn't be unpopular even if the professor is a fricking jerk.

–Knock, knock. At 3 a.m. this week's Wizard's Journal was delivered. I shall leave it here.

The butler knocked on the door and pushed a journal under the door.

I brought it in using psychokinesis and read it.

[Wizard Journal – New Year's Special]

It was the most prestigious journal in the world of magic, The Wizard Journal.

Looking at the cover, it seemed like the voice of a certain person was ringing in my ear.

...As players build their reputation, they'll be listed in this journal. Little things like this are what makes this game fun. Woojin, if you start out as a magician, wouldn't you feel proud of your achievements if you read about them in something like this?

It was a memory that made me feel nostalgic for some reason.

Because of that, I could still remember that I was Kim Woojin.

"Let's see if that's really possible."

This setting was explicitly put in by the company as they were aiming for "Game of the Year".

11:30

[Rookie Magician of the Year]

I grinned and opened the journal.

[Rookie Magician of the Year]

First, the Rookie of the Year section stood out to me.

This setting was explicitly put in by the company as they were aiming for "Game of the Year".

[Rookie Magician of the Year]

Award:       Sylvia von Youssepin IliadeAttribute:     OriginMain Type: Specialized

Sylvia, who took over the Iliade family at the age of 17, has three colors of origin in her heart.Red, blue and green.These three primary colors are also called "Realization of Miracles".By mixing these origin colors together  anything can be achieved.Therefore, Sylvia can create everything as long as her mana is enough. Her reputation of being of natural noble character, is by no means a lie....

__________________________________

I was aware of that name. A blonde beauty with the trait "Woman of great Beauty" and successor of the Iliade family, which is equal to the Yucline family.

The status of the Yucline's is still subtly higher, but that difference will gradually widen due to this character named Sylvia.

I turned the pages and looked for something on Deculein.

Deculein, Deculein, Deculein... As I was looking around for my name likes this, I found a fairly large section.

[Senior Professor of the Imperial University: Deculein von Yucline]

He stood out in the field of elemental magic from an early age, and, after graduating from the Academy, became the youngest senior professor in the history of the Imperial University Tower...However, presently, now that he has reached his mid-30s, he has yet to show any further achievements. He's still immersed in the magic study he declared three years ago.Now should be his time to show his worth and new achievements.

__________________________________

If I were the original Deculein, I would have immediately contacted the journal's editorial office.

What kind of bullshit are these journalists writing?

"...They're right."

However, the Wizard's Journal wasn't something money or family prestige could affect. Furthermore, even if some of Deculein's personality traits got transmitted to me, I was still Kim Woojin.

I was ignorant and rather carefree about magic. I didn't  really feel pressured to perform well. I also had no pride in what I do.

People tend to become irritated if they covet more than their own means.

I just want to survive long enough to get an understanding of this game....

"It's already four o'clock."

When I looked at the clock, I noticed that it was 4 in the morning, so I headed for bed.

Like that, I was laying in bed before I opened my eyes again–

It was 6 a.m.

"..."

The performance of "Iron Man" was really astonishing, but that wasn't always a good thing.

"I want to sleep for at least 6 hours...."

It was always so early when I woke up.

Only the shy first rays of the sun were touching the ground, the glow slowly flowing into the room. This languid scenery was peaceful and sleep inducing, but I couldn't fall asleep even if I wanted to.

My mind was fully awake after all. Sleepiness and tiredness simply melted away after just a few hours of sleep.

For me, who was trapped in this game, 22 hours to spend in a day was way too much time.

* * *

The lecture would start this Thursday, but I already went to the Tower on Monday. I intended to use the Tower's "Magic Training Room for Employees".

[Senior Professor Deculein, Permission granted]

The training was quite simple. You only had to solve a given stage, like a "Mini Game", using magic, that's all.

Players gain bonus traits when they clear the last stage, maybe that system will also apply to me as well.

Also, the magic used here is treated similarly to the real world, so you might be able to grasp one's magic's "Aura".

"It's me. Deculein."

[Confirmed. Please select the type of magic you want to train in.]

I chose the control type "Psychokinesis Magic". Several dots appeared mid-air. The dots intertwined and moved intricately.

[Level 1: Manipulate objects with psychokinesis to pierce the dots]

That was easy enough.

I lifted the dagger from my inner pocket using my psychokinetic powers. The dagger beautifully swam through the air, piercing the dots. I finished Level one in about 2 minutes.

Level 2 doubled the amount of dots, so it took me 5 minutes.

Level 3 didn't conjure dots, but illusory butterflies, 15 minutes.

Level 4 conjured a swarm of illusory bees that swarmed around everywhere, 40 minutes.

For the next hour I struggled against a swarm of ants at level 5 before I quit.

"It's hard. Although, it does feel satisfying."

I used up 2500 mana.

Now that I had done this, I should have grasped the aura to some level.

[Checking Magic Aura: Deculein von Yucline]

Every magician's magic had an aura, or simply put, a personality.

For example, violent, provocative, explosive, calm, undulating, manipulative, cunning, subdued, composed, tranquil etc....

This aura usually resembles the magician's character, which seems to be a minor setting but it was surprisingly important.

Why was it similar to "aptitude"?

Violent, provocative and explosive auras tend to strengthen destructive magic,  while manipulative and cunning aura's amplify the performance of enchantment or support magic.

In that sense, my magic aura would be...

Let's see...

[Graceful Aura]

"Oh..."

     •Grace: High in meaning, dignity and elegance.

Simply put, this means that the use of magic itself is imbued with grace and dignity.

"...It fits really well."

I laughed out in exasperation.

In many ways, this was an aura that suited Deculein very well.

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