A Psychopath Reborn as a Third-rate Villain

The training grounds remained lively long after the duel had ended.

Groups of soldiers continued discussing the battle with animated expressions, replaying each exchange in excited whispers. Even the veteran instructors, who rarely praised anyone, couldn’t help but exchange thoughtful glances.

At the center of the arena, Selene Vaelthorn looked between the two young nobles.

A faint smile rested on her lips.

”You both fought well.”

Her gaze shifted to Seraphina first.

”Lady Seraphina, your spellcasting is exceptional.”

”You maintained dozens of spells simultaneously without allowing even the slightest instability.”

”Your mana control is among the finest I’ve ever witnessed.”

Seraphina inclined her head gracefully.

”Thank you, General.”

Selene continued.

”However...”

”You rely a little too much on overwhelming your opponents with superior magical power.”

Her crimson eyes narrowed slightly.

”Against someone weaker than yourself, that’s more than enough.”

”But one day you’ll encounter opponents whose mana rivals—or even surpasses—your own.”

”When that day comes, victory will depend on adaptability, not power alone.”

Seraphina listened attentively.

”I’ll remember that.”

Selene then turned toward Andras.

”As for you...”

”You’ve improved far more quickly than I expected.”

”Your swordsmanship has become sharper.”

”Your footwork is cleaner.”

”And your ability to read an opponent’s movements is remarkable.”

A small smile appeared on her face.

”But you still have flaws.”

Andras nodded.

”I expected as much.”

”You rely too heavily on predicting your opponent.”

”Against Lady Seraphina, it worked because you could follow the flow of her mana.”

”But not every enemy will fight so predictably.”

She folded her arms.

”Sometimes the best warriors abandon logic altogether.”

”They’ll sacrifice an arm if it means taking your head.”

”You need more experience against opponents who fight with instinct rather than calculation.”

Andras silently considered her words before giving a respectful nod.

”I understand.”

Selene’s expression softened.

”I’m looking forward to seeing how much stronger the two of you become.”

Both young nobles bowed slightly.

”Thank you for your guidance, General.”

A satisfied smile crossed Selene’s face.

”Now...”

”I believe one of you has collected enough injuries for today.”

She reached into the storage ring on her finger.

A faint ripple of mana spread through the air.

The next moment, a small crystal vial appeared in her hand.

Inside, a brilliant emerald liquid shimmered like captured sunlight.

She tossed it toward Andras.

He caught it effortlessly.

”A Peak-Grade Healing Potion.”

”It should be more than enough.”

Several nearby soldiers stared with unconcealed envy.

Even a single drop of such a potion was something they would likely never possess.

Andras removed the stopper and drank the contents in one motion.

The potion spread through his body like gentle warmth.

The cuts across his arms closed before his eyes.

The bruise on his side faded.

Even the shallow wound on his cheek disappeared without leaving the faintest mark.

Within moments...

It was as though the battle had never happened.

Seraphina watched with quiet fascination.

”As expected of a Peak-Grade Healing Potion.”

Andras lowered the empty vial.

His thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Storage rings...

Artifacts forged through rare spatial enchantments.

Though no larger than an ordinary ring, each contained a pocket of folded space capable of storing weapons, armor, books, provisions, and countless other possessions.

They were priceless treasures.

Not because of their convenience...

But because of how difficult they were to create.

Only master enchanters could craft them, using precious spatial crystals found in only a handful of places across the continent.

Even many noble houses possessed only one.

Within House Darkmoor, only three people owned such treasures.

His mother.

General Selene.

And himself.

That alone reflected the immense value of the artifact.

His gaze briefly shifted toward the empty vial.

Healing potions were divided into five grades.

Low Grade.

Mid Grade.

High Grade.

Peak Grade.

And Supreme Grade.

The one Selene had casually handed him belonged to the fourth rank.

For ordinary people...

Such treasures might as well have belonged to another world.

A common laborer could work tirelessly from youth until old age and still never save enough to purchase either a storage ring or a Peak-Grade Healing Potion.

By the time they had gathered that much wealth...

The grass above their grave would already have grown several feet high.

Power...

Status...

Wealth...

In this world, they were inseparable.

His thoughts were interrupted by Seraphina’s gentle voice.

”Are your injuries fully healed?”

He looked toward her and nodded.

”They are.”

A small smile appeared on her lips.

”That’s a relief.”

After a brief pause, she glanced toward the manor.

”Shall we get something to eat?”

Andras smiled faintly.

”I was about to suggest the same.”

---

The dining hall was already prepared when they arrived.

Warm sunlight filtered through the tall windows, illuminating the long mahogany table where Evelyne was waiting for them.

She looked up as they entered.

”There you are.”

”I was beginning to wonder if the two of you planned to spend the entire day on the training grounds.”

Seraphina laughed softly.

”The duel lasted a little longer than expected.”

Evelyne’s gaze immediately fell upon Andras.

”I heard you were injured.”

She studied him from head to toe before letting out a quiet sigh of relief.

”It seems General Selene gave you one of her healing potions.”

Andras nodded.

”She did.”

”I’m completely fine.”

”I’m glad.”

The faint concern in Evelyne’s eyes quickly gave way to a warm smile.

”I would have been quite upset if my son had spent the rest of the day covered in bandages.”

The three of them took their seats as servants began serving lunch.

For a while, the conversation revolved around the duel.

Seraphina gently set down her fork.

”I underestimated your swordsmanship.”

”I expected you to be skilled...”

”But not to that extent.”

Andras gave a small shrug.

”And I underestimated your magic.”

”Your control is extraordinary.”

She smiled.

”I suppose we were both surprised.”

Evelyne listened with visible satisfaction.

”It seems today’s duel was worthwhile.”

”It wasn’t about winning or losing.”

”It allowed both of you to learn something.”

Neither of them argued.

Because it was true.

As lunch continued, the conversation gradually shifted to lighter topics.

They spoke about the Imperial Academy.

About books.

About the upcoming birthday banquet for the Imperial Princess.

Laughter occasionally echoed through the dining hall, replacing the intensity that had filled the training grounds only hours earlier.

Before anyone realized it...

The afternoon slipped quietly into evening.

As the sun disappeared beyond the distant mountains, the manor gradually settled into silence once more.

After exchanging good nights, Seraphina returned to the guest wing, while Evelyne retired to her study to finish the day’s remaining work.

Andras made his way back to his room.

The events of the day replayed quietly within his mind.

His duel with Seraphina.

Selene’s advice.

The gap that still separated him from the Empire’s greatest young talents.

It hadn’t discouraged him.

If anything...

It strengthened his resolve.

Without another thought, he lay down upon his bed.

Within moments...

Sleep claimed him.