Maybe I really am a Villian

Chapter 140: Puzzle

Asher then just got ready for class, and as he was heading towards the cafeteria, he thought to himself, ’I lost 30 vessels in just a matter of an hour, and now I don’t even have 100 master-rank vessels left. As expected, grandmasters are a league above masters in fighting power. Even if I use ’Nothing’ to fight against them, I am still too weak to face them unless I have an advantage in numbers. The only reason I won against the necromancer was because my power happened to be exactly his weakness — otherwise, I might have lost.’

’I can defeat those at the same rank as me easily, but defeating those above my rank is still difficult for me. I should probably lay low for some time — I’ve already caused quite a big mess this time. If I do anything more, I might get caught, and I could even die again. I also need more master-rank vessels, but cultivating master-rank vessels takes too much time. And if I kill too many people at once and take them as vessels, it’ll easily arouse suspicion, since those close to the victims will notice the difference.’

Asher then reached the cafeteria, sighed, and thought, ’I should focus on reaching Grandmaster as soon as possible, with as many vessels as I can gather. Because as soon as I reach Grandmaster, everyone of a higher rank will be able to sense my presence in the world, as well as the presence of ’Nothing’ — and their reaction to someone like me would be anything but welcoming.’

’Then it will be time to fight the real fight for the thing I’ve always wanted, and I will finally be able to achieve it... that is, if I win. I also need to meet that dragon soon, before he comes looking for me again.’

Asher was still absorbed in these thoughts when he finally reached the food counter. He then set them aside and muttered, "I shouldn’t dwell on these things — there are other vessels who can worry about that. I should just enjoy this time while I can."

Then Asher sat down at his usual table, and his teammates soon joined him. All of them ate their breakfast together while having some conversation, and then they all went to class.

While they were going to class, Adam looked at Asher and asked in a curious tone, "Hey, why are you even coming to class? If you’re eventually going to sleep through it, you could just sleep in your room. Today’s class isn’t even compulsory."

Asher replied without turning his head, "Because sleeping in class is better. The professor’s theory lectures make a good lullaby."

After hearing his reply, no one said anything else.

They then all reached the classroom. Asher and Aria sat on the same bench, while Adam and Noah sat at a bench some distance away from them. They all used to sit together, but after Noah got his spirit, Adam and Noah started sitting some distance away, since the spirit did not feel entirely comfortable around Asher.

Even though Asher had already learned to hide Nothing completely, perhaps because the spirit still remembered that feeling, it continued to keep its distance from Asher during times when they didn’t need to be together, like class time.

After some time, Professor Elisa arrived, and after looking at everyone and taking attendance, she started teaching.

Everything was going normally, but there was one thing unusual that day — Asher didn’t sleep in class. He was awake the whole time, silently observing everyone.

Everyone was surprised that he wasn’t sleeping that day, but they all ignored it, knowing him, it was probably something pointless.

And while this was happening at the Academy...

At Church headquarters.

Alger had already reported everything about the incident to the higher-ranking members. As soon as he did, he was summoned to headquarters to discuss it in detail.

And now, at this moment, Alger was sitting in front of Solarius Zevark, telling him everything from the start.

Solarius listened to Alger without saying a word, and after hearing everything, he fell silent and thought for a moment. Then he looked at Alger and said in a calm tone, "You may go now. We will investigate it from here."

Alger nodded and then asked, "But Grand Cardinal Solarius, what about the culprits behind yesterday’s incident? What should I tell the media about this, since we haven’t caught the culprits? What should I do so it doesn’t affect our image?"

Solarius looked at Alger and said, "Just get some random prisoner, announce them as the culprit behind yesterday’s incident, and then execute them in front of the public in the name of justice."

Alger simply nodded and left the room without any hesitation.

After Alger left the room, Solarius muttered in a low tone, "Just what were those bastards from the Voltaris family trying to do there in the forest — and that too with two Grandmasters? Are they behind yesterday’s incident?"

But then Solarius shook his head. "No, if it was them, then why would they use a Light Bomb there? Are they trying to put the blame on us for something we didn’t do?"

Solarius stayed silent for a long moment, his fingers lightly tapping on the armrest of his chair.

He kept replaying Alger’s report in his mind.

Two Grandmasters.

Lighting and Necromancy.

A Grandmaster-rank Light Bomb.

And a battlefield that had been completely erased.

None of it made sense.

For the first time in a long while, Solarius felt like he was looking at a puzzle with several missing pieces.

After thinking for a moment, he muttered in a low tone,"If the Voltaris family really sent those two there, then why use a Light Bomb and erase everything?"

"And if they were behind yesterday’s incident, why leave traces of lightning and necromancy behind?"

Solarius then narrowed his eyes and another thought appeared in his mind.

"Or... is there a third party involved?"

"Someone who caused yesterday’s incident and then lured the Voltaris family’s Grandmasters there..."

"And after they fought, used the Light Bomb to erase the evidence and shift the blame onto us."