Struggling as a Villain

It might be the second time Richard was sharing his energy with Jasmine, however, little did he think the second time would be so awkward.

Not only his mother and sister but his loves as well gazed at Richard, who had Jasmine positioned on his lap with her hands wrapped around his waist and a smile of contentment on her face.

The heart Richard awakened after meeting with Zulcriz was the ultimate bank of Aembr, and as of now, all Richard could do with that was to change others into Ambrobate or share his energy with them. Richard hasn't utilized that dark energy for himself until now.

"How long does it continue, Richard?" His mother, calling him by his name unnaturally, asked.

The way she was tapping her finger on her arm it was evident that she wasn't liking the closeness of the duo. And not only her but the others were the same. Even Lilia, who has the best control over her emotions, was frowning as she continued to glare at Jasmine.

"I think this should be enough, right Jasmine?" He slowly tried to remove her, but the damn woman wrapped her hand even more firmly around him; reluctant to let go.

"Still a little left master~"

Amelia took the liberty, as the 'first wife', to separate the leech from her lover.

Resting her hand on Jasmine's shoulders and another one on Richard's, she used the strength worthy of a Hawkbridge to pull them away.

"Moh~so cruel!" Jasmine, from whom her greatest joy was snatched, sulked and glared at the raven-haired teenager.

Amelia bluntly stated, "Watch yourself, Jasmine. And wear some proper clothes from the next time before performing this…vulgar ritual."

Richard dryly smiled, "How was it vulgar?"

Every woman except for Jasmine glared at him.

In the name of clothes, all Jasmine wore was a bra and shorts that exposed most of her body. And like a succubus, there was not a single flaw in her body…and those curves were something that made every other lady in the house insecure.

Emily and Amelia are the most bothered ones since their body has yet to fully develop.

Richard chuckled as he got up from the bed and said, "Okay, now that I am done, and there is nothing else to do, why don't I prepare food for everyone today?"

Hearing Richard's words, Amelia showed great surprise and so did Emily, "You can cook?"

"Same question."

Bella grinned, "Brother has a talent for barbeque but mother never allowed him to continue with the passion."

Bellarine huffed, "Richie was good in math so I wanted him to pursue a dream worthy of him."

Hearing the two ladies bantering, most of them were confused.

Richard stepped between them and said, "Okay now, no fighting. We are already far too ahead of such a period where we can discuss my dreams and goals. Now go downstairs and prepare the barbeque grills and charcoals with others. I will go and bring the vegetables and meat."

Following his words, Bellarine, Bella, along with Amelia and Violet, went to the back garden. Jasmine went to prepare for the ritual. Elizabeth and Nora were in a separate room; probably discussing things.

Emily and Lilia were invited by Richard to the kitchen.

Lilia brought all the vegetables and meat.

Richard was washing the vegetables in a wooden tub when he asked her,

"You must be surprised to hear that I am aware of the previous timeline right?"

Lilia discerned from the things happening around her and the conversation she heard between her master and Elizabeth that there indeed was a timeline of which she was unaware.

And the fact they called him a wandering soul piqued her interest.

Emily, who was peeling carrots also listened intently as Richard told her,

"I am aware of that timeline in which we never got together, and around some time in the second year of the academy, I killed myself."

Lilia had heard about it, but still, it didn't lessen her shock at all.

"But…why master?"

Richard glanced at Emily and seeing her looking back at him, he heaved a sigh, "I misunderstood something and couldn't face reality."

Lilia discerned that whatever the cause was, Emily was a major reason for her master's death.

"So yeah, I died, then my soul was thrown to a place called Earth. I lived there for a while with a different identity until things went downhill. Then I died in that world again, and returned to this world."

Richard was done with washing the vegetables, so he brought them to the kitchen station and took the knife to dice rough and square.

Lilia had a lot of questions and she picked the one that concerned the present,

"Then…Lady Bella is your sister from the previous life?"

Richard nodded, "Yup, she is. For her, I was everything. She barely had any friends and even in the family, her favorite was me."

"It's the same now as well," Emily added with a smile. Having siblings who don't care about her, Emily sometimes feels envious of Richard and Bella's bond.

Richard chuckled, "True."

Lilia thought for a moment before asking, "There…wasn't anyone else back in that world who was close to you?"

The hand that was restlessly chopping the cucumber slowly came to a halt as the face of a certain tomboy came to his mind.

However, he soon shook his head, "There was a close friend, but I don't know whether she is even alive or not."

Lilia and Emily narrowed their eyes as the first thought that came to their minds was,

'Why always a woman?'

As Richard continued to dice the vegetables he added, "It has been a crazy journey, Lilia…I met so many people, lived two lives, and died two times. But thanks to this third chance, I was able to meet you…make so many memories together and feel excited for the upcoming future."

Lilia smiled, and this time she didn't restrain her emotions from showing it on her face.

She held the hem of his shirt and slowly whispered, "The feeling is mutual."

Soon, the trio began to cut and prepare the necessary ingredients, and Richard made the marinade in which everything goes.

Once they were done, they carried the thing towards the backside….only to halt in shock upon seeing the scene awaiting.

"What the….." Richard stared at the flame torches reaching the skies by the two ladies who share the same name.

Bellarine was conjuring flames that reached almost forty feet, with a smug look on her face.

Meanwhile, Bella was only able to launch flames at the height of twenty or so feet.

"Weak~" Bellarine softly whispered, making Bella grit her teeth and use her both hands to extend the flames even more.

Richard asked, "You guys do know that you can possibly send SOS in that way right?"

Bellarine shrugged, "The Academy is already in an emergency. More help will be beneficial."

Richard couldn't believe his mother was justifying her little stunt.

Amelia, who was sitting nearby, couldn't help but ask, "How far can your flames go, Richard?"

Richard huffed, "Not you too now, Amelia."

"I am also curious, baby!" Bellarine chimed as she urged him, "Come here and replace the weak one."

Bella was on the verge of redirecting the flames to her mother—however, upon realizing the futility, she snarled and released the hold on her flames.

Richard ruffled her hair softly and whispered, "Don't mind her; she is just joking."

Bella shyly smiled, "Mm…"

Lilia also was now curiously watching and Jasmine appeared out of nowhere when she heard that her master was showcasing his strength.

Everyone now watched Richard in anticipation and excitement as Richard stood beside his mother and folded his sleeve.

"This is so childish…" Heaving a sigh he finally raised his hand.

A small magic circle formed above his palm before a stream of flames erupted from the circle.

"Woah…" Amelia's eyes sparkled, seeing the beauty of the flames as she watched it grow in height until it reached around Bellarine's pillar.

However, anyone could tell that Richard's flame torch was about a few feet shorter than Bellarine's.

Bellarine grinned before extending her hand and patting her son's shoulder, "Aww baby…don't worry your Mom will train you even more in private later, okay?"

Richard smirked before he glanced at her and said, "I would suggest you remove your hand."

Bellarine was startled by those words but she followed his instructions and did as he said.

Under everyone's astonished gazes, Richard's body was suddenly engulfed in flames, nothing but his eyes visible.

"God…" Emily exclaimed as she saw the flame torches, now not only surpassing Bellarine but piercing through the sky and illuminating the surface.

Bellarine smiled in satisfaction and even before Richard could have switched from his elemental form, she jumped on him.

"Baaaaby~~~~"

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A/N:- So yeah, he is the (one of the) strongest sorcerers on Clion. Thanks for reading. Drop some comments and PS.