Struggling as a Villain

It was fun seeing the store staff getting kicked out, while Richard behaved like he didn't know anything and was just a bystander.

Gerald said that he doesn't like to hire shopkeepers but since he was moving toward his old age, he wanted to leave someone reliable behind to handle his store. But until now, the old man had no luck.

"Okay then, Master Richard, tell me what I can do for you." Resting his hands at the front desk, the white-haired man asked with a welcoming look.

Richard took out the note which his mother gave before handing it to Gerald.

The man put on his glasses with his eyes closely scrutinizing the paper, "Potion...hmm....alchemy?"

Turning towards Richard, Gerald asked, "If I am not mistaken then Madame Duchess had written this?"

"Yes. Is there any problem?"

Gerald flashed a sunny smile before removing his glasses and telling him, "If anyone else had brought me this list, I might have to run a background check." Turning around he added, "Just give me a few minutes."

Richard glanced at Amelia and found her looking at the collection of books.

Sitting down beside her, he asked, "Are you a book enthusiast?"

"I appreciate knowledge but I dislike reading."

'Sadly there is no Y**T*be in this world,' Richard inwardly chuckled.

After a brief pause, he asked again, "Have you decided on your Core Subject?"

The central Academy offers different main subjects for the students to choose from. Some common themes are necessarily taught to everyone, but based on students' preferences and capabilities, they get divided into major groups.

Canonically, Amelia gets into the 'Survival' group, which trains students to become a successful hunter and adventurer. She met Ethan there since he was inspired by Cristina and chose that group. But later on, he was promoted to another group.

Richard was expecting a quick response from her, but Amelia stared at him for a few seconds and counter-questioned, "What is your preference, Lord Richard?"

Richard was surprised to hear that. For Amelia to show curiosity? Again desperation...? Or maybe this time she indeed was curious about someone who would be enrolling at the same time as hers. Not to talk both of them were successors of a Ducal house.

Without much thought, he shared his preference, "I will join the Hunter group. Although the selection process is a little complicated, I think I can manage it."

Amelia nodded before she turned her head to the front and uttered, "I am undecided. Might join the Survival group or..."

"Here you go." Suddenly, two big bags were slammed over the table.

Behind the counter, Gerald stood with a red face and his breathing unsteady.

Richard got up before asking, "Here is the payment." Putting the pouch of gold coins on the counter, he easily picked up the stack of books packed in a bundle before calling out to Amelia,

"Let's go."

Amelia nodded and held the door for Richard to pass.

"Please come back again." Gerald waved his hand in farewell.

After exiting the store, Amelia walked side by side with Richard, looking at his hands which were occupied by the two bundles. He was easily treading through the crowd and Amelia had a chance to get lost again, so she asked,

"Let me hold one." She asked Richard while she placed her hand on one of the bundles.

Richard blinked in confusion, before nodding and giving her the books.

He began to walk again, making Amelia confused. She thought that since his one hand was free and so was hers...shouldn't he hold her hand to not let her get lost?

"I might get lost again." She spoke after nearing as close as she could to him so he could hear her clearly.

Richard blinked in confusion before looking down at her weakly extended hand in his direction.

Shaking his head he chuckled and took her hand in his hold before saying, "You could have just asked me to hold your hand."

Amelia instantly said, "I seriously felt like I would get lost and make you worried."

Richard glanced at her with his left brow elevated as he asked, "Aren't you giving yourself a lot of importance? I might not just care about you and return home?"

"I know you would have gotten worried." Reflexively her hold became firm on his hand as she uttered those words.

Richard tilted his head like he was asking 'Reaaaaally?' but he didn't say anything against it. Indeed, since he had asked her out for this trip, there was no chance he would just abandon her and return.

Suddenly, Richard's eyes caught the signboard of a place that Gerald spoke of earlier. A famous eatery of the Silver Leaf market where even the basic set of meals tastes delicious.

Since Richard was feeling hungry, given he was getting trained earlier, he asked Amelia, "If you are not in a rush then would you like to have lunch with me?"

"Yes, I have time." Her answer was as straightforward as ever—no shyness, no embarrassment—just a clear, unflinching statement of her intentions.

Richard pulled her towards the eatery and upon entering, he could tell that Gerald wasn't exaggerating about the place. The fragrance he was assaulted by made Richard even more hungry.

He looked around and found only one table still available. He led Amelia inside and sat on the chair.

"I hope you don't mind," Richard said to the person who was already occupying one of the chairs.

Hearing his voice, the hooded figure suddenly jolted before lifting his face and removing his hood.

"Mister Richard?"

Richard was startled to see the familiar face here as he replied in a daze, "Ethan?"

The familiar silver-headed teenage boy whom Richard hadn't seen ever since that invasion, was currently sitting right in front of him. However, unlike before there was something different about Ethan. Gone was that innocence from his eyes. Although Richard could sense friendliness from the boy, he could tell that Ethan was on his guard.

His eyes no longer contained that warmth that welcomed people to approach him. His aura as well, made it evident that Ethan was an awakened being and a strong one at that.

After receiving blessings, Ethan directly jumped from F to D—which explains why Ethan was occupying this table alone.

"How are you? I never heard from you after....that day." Richard decided to keep a casual stance now.

Ethan maintained a friendly smile as he responded, "I have been living like a nomad these days. Sleeping wherever I find shelter, working for anyone who gives me money, and eating whatever I find edible." There was still a trace of sadness in his eyes when the conversation went back to that incident.

Richard expected to see Ethan getting more emotional given it hadn't been more than ten days. But the Protagonist seemed to have matured abruptly.

"Ah, this is my friend, Amelia." Richard introduced the girl beside him, who had been silently listening to them until now.

Amelia didn't formally introduce herself, realizing Richard wasn't intending to let the third person know about her identity. She just nodded in Ethan's direction and received a soft smile from the other one.

"Did you come here for some task?" Richard asked, feigning ignorance. He already knew Ethan's purpose.

And as he thought, "I came here to buy books, uniforms, and my other necessities for the Academy."

"You were invited there?" Richard asked.

Ethan nodded before showing the letter he received, "I suddenly found this letter under my sleeping bag one day. They are expecting me to be there in thirty days. And also, they provided a token which would help me buy the supplies for free."

Richard was aware of it. Ethan was the Blessed One—and that was enough for him to get the invitation.

Suddenly the waiter arrived near the table and asked, "What would you like to have?"

"One medium set with an extra meat piece and remove the alcohol from the meal." Turning toward Amelia, Richard asked, "What would you like to have?"

Amelia didn't glance at the menu before saying, "One vegetable soup and a loaf."

The waiter nodded before walking away....only after he gave Amelia one long glance.

Richard ignored that and asked Ethan, "So, what's your plan now?"

Ethan shrugged, "I will just gather funds and experience by working around before enrollment...."

The conversation between the two continued while Amelia remained silent.

A few minutes passed before finally their meal arrived.

"I will take my leave now, Sir Richard. I have some more things to buy." Ethan said as he got up from his seat.

Richard nodded before he finally focused on the meal. The beautiful and juicy meat was quite tempting.

He picked up the knife and cut a clean slice before stabbing it with a fork and bringing it near his lips.

The fragrance of the sauce was now making his stomach grumble, but just as he was about to savor the meat, his hand was held by Amelia.

Glancing at her, he heard the girl muttering,

"It's poisoned."

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A/N:- Damn....now they gonna pay.