I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 257 Mana Circles Theory Class [2]

”Oh no,” I muttered under my breath as I noticed Victorʼs gaze shift toward me. He offered a faint smile and chose the seat next to me.

”How are you, Amael?” He inquired as he set his bag down.

”Fine, thanks,” I replied.

Victor seemed to hesitate for a moment before continuing, ”I hope nothing unpleasant happened when you were summoned by my father yesterday, Amael.”

”Oh, no. Donʼt worry,” I quickly shook my head, nearly forgetting that James Raven was Victorʼs father.

Victor seemed visibly relieved. ”After all, you didnʼt do anything.”

”Right,” I agreed, grateful that he didnʼt associate me with Johnʼs actions. ”I was just eating.”

”Merely eating, yes,” Victor muttered, a slight grimace on his face that was quickly replaced by a smile. ”I didnʼt realize you had a friend. Is he also in our class?”

”Yeah, heʼs in the Gold Class,” I confirmed.

”Um... I heard youʼre from the Celesta Kingdom,” Victor asked, his expression curious and kind.

Victor was always attentive to othersʼ feelings.

”Yes, just like John,” I confirmed, deciding not to mention anything about the Games.

”Oh! Is there anything different there?” Victorʼs curiosity seemed to spark.

Oh dear.

Truthfully, there wasnʼt much good about Celesta apart from the fact that third-rate nobles were drawn to it like here.

”Well, I guess people there are less arrogant, annoying, and... cringy,” the words slipped out before I could stop them.

The room fell into an awkward silence, all three girls sharing identical stunned expressions.

”Also, maybe the training is more challenging, and thereʼs less oversight,” I hastily added, ignoring the incredulous stares from the girls.

I was quite certain about that. In Celesta, without the blessing of the Holy Tree or a superior constitution, we had to train diligently every day.

”Oh,” Victor nodded, looking impressed, before his attention shifted to my cuffs. ”Arenʼt you angry that theyʼve taken away all your strength?”

Taken away all my strength? Not really. I mean, I can easily work around it by using the mana in the surroundings.

[]

Ah, I see...

So thatʼs why theyʼre so bold in picking fights with me and John. They believe weʼre powerless due to the Anti-Mana cuffs.

Itʼs wonderful.

There is no better feeling than beating up arrogant nobles taking you for a weakling.

[]

ʼIʼm a model student.ʼ

”I-” I began to respond, but before I could continue, footsteps echoed in the classroom. The attention of the entire class turned toward the entrance as two stunning women walked in. One was unmistakably my sister, and following closely behind her was a stunning woman with luxurious, curly black hair tied behind her. She looked really young.

”Most of you already know me, but Iʼll give a quick introduction,” the woman announced, her crimson eyes sweeping over the room. ”Iʼm Priscilla Tepes. Tepes indeed. So any so-called ʼGreat Noblesʼ here can forget about their status as far as Iʼm concerned.”

Nice.

I already love her.

That bastard cringe elf Jiren wonʼt open his mouth here.

The Tepes House was renowned for being the strongest among the Eight Great Noble Houses. It was pretty understandable, considering the head of the Tepes House was a Demigod. But beyond that, they had a long history of strength and power.

Priscillaʼs gaze shifted, and she exchanged a smile with Selene before turning her attention to Christina. ”This lovely girl is my assistant. Youʼll be seeing her often with me from now on. Sheʼll be here to help you out, so donʼt hesitate to ask her any questions. And donʼt be shy; she was in the top five of last yearʼs ranking before she graduated.”

The classroom was filled with gasps of amazement at Christinaʼs accomplishments.

Christina stepped forward, her smile radiant. ”Iʼm Christina Olphean. Iʼm more than happy to help all of you, so feel free to approach me with any questions!” She added a playful wink.

”Donʼt get them too worked up, Christina. These boys are still in their teens,” Priscilla teased with a smile.

I couldnʼt agree more.

Never trust those hungry beasts.

Also, she should probably adjust her skirt slightly.

[]

Donʼt say it so bluntly. Itʼs making me feel even more disheartened.

[]

Could it be that I have been infected by John?

”Weʼre going to begin with the basics so I can assess where each of you stands. Turn to the third page in your books and replicate the circle you see there,” Priscilla instructed.

I turned to the third page and was faced with a circle I hadnʼt encountered before. It looked fairly straightforward, but there was something about it that made me doubt my ability to reproduce it accurately.

”Mana Circles are of utmost importance because their complexity determines their effects,” Priscilla continued, her voice carrying around the classroom as she moved between desks, checking our progress. ”Before you even put pen to paper, you should have a clear image in your mind of the desired effect. And, of course, you canʼt expect a potent result if you canʼt control the exact amount of mana. Moreover, even then, failure is possible due to the fact that each of you possesses your own talent in manipulating mana and drawing from the surrounding environment.”

I understood the concept, but that didnʼt seem to make the task in front of me any easier.

[]

Yeah, right. I canʼt help but feel the familiar dread of being humiliated by a professor when heʼd eventually come to my desk and inquire about my progress. Iʼm not willing to be seen as the untalented one here.

”For centuries, our ancestors have had a natural gift for drawing pure mana from the environment, granted to us by the Holy Tree,” Priscilla explained further. ”Whereas the people from the outside channel mana from their body. ”The classroom filled with laughter and scoffs, and I found myself at the center of amused glances.

Little did they know that I could wipe the floor with their faces even without directly channeling mana from my body.

[]

ʼNo, honesty.ʼ

”Quiet, please. While it may sound odd to you, channeling mana directly from our bodies is a quicker method for both offense and defense. You can bypass the steps of imagining and drawing the circle, though it takes practice,” Priscilla said.

Exactly.

You can all sincerely go fuck yourselves now.

”But,” Priscilla smiled meaningfully. ”Mana Circles are way more efficient, strong and versatile.”

It depends, I would say.

[], Cleenah asked me teasingly.

Still, I can just knock them around and force their heads into their own circles before they could even cast a spell at me.

[]

Anyway, I really canʼt help but feel sorry for John.

Iʼm already worn out and annoyed by the jeers and mockery directed at me, so I canʼt imagine what John must be enduring in his situation. Being in the racist class, and not even a Great Noble, he must be facing a tough time. I should check out his class and see how heʼs handling things.

[]

Iʼd call it more of a curiosity.

[]

”Whereʼs your circle?” Priscillaʼs voice broke my thoughts.

”Um, Iʼm working on it, Professor,” I replied, addressing Priscilla.

”Name.”

”Amael Falkrona, Professor,” I answered, which prompted Priscilla to briefly glance at Christina.

”Youʼre from Celesta Kingdom, right? That would explain your unfamiliarity with Mana Circles,” Priscilla inquired, and I could hear mocking laughter behind me. Priscillaʼs glare silenced them, though.

I love her.

[]

Iʼd only get slapped if I do that.

”Letʼs try again,” Priscilla suggested. I nodded and closed my eyes, visualizing the circle from the book in my mind.

I extended my hand and focused.

”Take your time, thereʼs no rush.”

I took a deep breath and focused even harder. This time, my attention lingered on each line and symbol of the circle Iʼd seen.

I furrowed my brows as I felt myself getting closer to the mark.

”Thereʼs no way someone like you could pull it off!” A mocking laugh came from behind me.

I clenched my fists, and the circle burst apart. Priscilla immediately shielded herself and Christina, but the residual condensed mana shot past me and struck the man who had been laughing.

”Ugh!” He was propelled backward and collided with the table behind him, emitting a groan.

”...”

Silence descended, everyone staring at me with dumbfounded expressions.

Priscilla gazed at me in disbelief. ”You... did that on purpose...?”

”Did what, Professor?” I inquired, blinking, my expression feigning innocence.