Struggling as a Villain

It has been fifteen days since Amelia's departure. These past days, Bellarine had been giving most of her time to her baby, training him in every field she excels at and also, those in which she was 'new'.

These fifteen days have been enjoyable and painful for Richard. Who said that a woman who loves you madly couldn't get angry at you? Bellarine showed a different version of herself when they trained. She often became harsh to teach him lessons. Although it was painful, Richard, thankfully, learned a lot of things.

Now, he was in the position to launch distant casting. He not only has gained good control over his flames but has also polished his combat thanks to Lilia's assistance.

Now, today, Richard was being taught about his origin. The bloodline he carries and the reason why he could summon flames, unlike other elementalists.

"I have already told you about the clan I belong to and also about your great-great-grandfather. The Inferno Warden." Hearing Bellarine's words, Richard nodded.

Crossing her legs, she rested her hands over her thigh before adding, "The reason why you are the most stable heir of the Warden is because you have retained your sanity while possessing those ancient flames."

"Ancient flames? I have heard the name but what is it actually?" Richard asked.

Bellarine raised her hand, and a small fireball was dancing over it. Throwing it on the metal vest placed nearby, she allowed Richard to first observe.

Naturally, since she didn't congregate her ether in the flames, and the vest was made out of heat-resistant material, the flame soon lost its vigor and was extinguished without causing any damage to the vest.

"Any spell cast by any person can only retain its form for a certain time before it loses its effect—common knowledge." Seeing Richard nodding, she added, "However, the ancient flames we are talking about here, would not extinguish until it completely devours the target it was thrown at. Whether the person is in their physical form or astral form. Whether the target is a living thing or not.

The ancient flames belonging to the Warden burn until the target doesn't cease to exist."

Richard was blinking slowly and registering each of her words deep in his consciousness.

He remembered the flames he conjured during his first session of training after rebirth. He burned the whole place and was later informed that those flames remained alive for two constant days—until the whole gymnasium was brought to cinders.

'Amazing...' Richard was amazed by himself and his bloodline. Who could have thought that the heartbroken mid-rank villain would have such broken skills?

"Then comes your true true form—Elemental Ascension." Bellarine began, "Remember the time you butcher that butler?" He nodded, clearly remembering that day when he killed Albert.

Bellarine smiled fondly remembering that day as she slowly muttered, "You looked quite hot with those crazed eyes. Haah~"

"Mom."

"Ah, yeah sorry. So, your emotional stability is directly connected to that form of yours. Any emotion if reached to the extreme level, can trigger your Elemental Ascension. In most cases, hatred and greed play the role of catalysts for bringing out that form."

Richard frowned while he asked, "And what's the catch?"

Bellarine heaved a sigh before telling him, "What would happen if god-like strength is poured into a mortal vessel?"

"....slow death," Richard answered grimly.

Bellarine nodded to affirm, "Your soul would receive damage. But thankfully, as the child of the Scarlette clan, your natural life expectancy is above four hundred years. However, regular use of the Ascension will break you slowly and would impair you in the long run."

They both became silent after that. Richard was thinking of that time when the original Richard went berserk in the canon timeline because of his sorrow and agitation.

That bothered him.

"Mom...is there any way of voluntarily ascending?"

Bellarine was startled hearing that, "Willingly adopting that form?! I have never heard of such a thing before. Not even the progenitor was able to release his Ascended form once he reached there. In my knowledge, there is no way to gain control over Ascension, Richie."

Richard nodded; already expecting such an answer. Losing control and becoming a behemoth sounded so disastrous.

Seeing her baby being so conflicted, Bellarine decided to bring the positive point into play, "On the other side, carrying the bloodline of the Sage, you have a unique spell in your possession."

"And that is?" Richard asked, somehow recovering from his dilemma.

"Spell nullification! The prized weapon of every Sage. You can nullify any spell whether it originated from ether or Aembr."

"And how do I do that?"

Bellarine got up and demonstrated, "Just create a small orb of ether with enough density to throw your opponent's spell haywire." She launched a fireball in the air and from her other hand, a nearly invisible force launched at the flame ball before it disappeared into embers.

Richard tilted his head, "Just like that? Then, can't this be done by anyone who is a magician?"

Bellarine swayed her index finger from left to right before clearing his doubts, "Our ether has a unique blessing to it. Only those who belong to the family of the Seven Sages can accomplish it."

Taking a pause and after humming a bit, he again asked, "So I just need to apply extra ether to any spell to dispel it?"

"That's right. The chanter always applies enough magic into a spell to accomplish what they desire. Any addition would cause them to lose control and the spell would lose its original shape."

Richard nodded, finding it easier than he initially anticipated.

"Madame Duchess," Hearing Violet's voice, both of them turned towards her before the blue-haired maid stated, "A messenger from the royal court has arrived."

Bellarine frowned before asking Richard, "Would you mind waiting for me here?"

"No, please go ahead."

Bellarine fondly kissed his cheek before making her out of the indoor arena.

Richard heaved a sigh. So the time was already nearing, huh?

'Just before the enrollment, the Capital would be invaded. I just hope the enrollment doesn't get delayed.' Richard inwardly prayed since if there happened to be any delay, various canon events might diverge from their original path.

Richard was thinking of continuing his training when suddenly, the familiar voice again called out, "Young Master."

Turning around, he found Violet again standing there as she informed him, "Some guests have come to meet you."

"Do I know them?" He asked.

"The other one looks unfamiliar, but one of them is the heiress of the Cravenford house. Emily Cravenford."

Richard's brows drew closer. What does she want from me now?

"Where are they?" He asked, only to get informed that they were standing near the main gate.

Richard told Violet to invite them to the garden before he went to his room to change.

He had sweated a lot, so he took a quick shower, and after changing his clothes, he exited the room—and found Lilia standing there.

"Young master, are you going somewhere?" She asked while holding the tray full of food. He was supposed to have lunch with her but sadly,

"Emily is waiting for me downstairs. How about we meet her first and have lunch after that?"

Lilia's heart sank hearing that name but she somehow uttered in her usual tone, "Will it be wise for me to be there?"

Richard stated without hesitation, "You are my fiancée so of course you can be there."

Those words erased all those complex emotions she was feeling as with a faint smile she looked down. Although she was aware that they were engaged now, hearing it from him made Lilia a bit shy.

He took the tray from her and handed it to the first servant he saw; telling him to bring it once they returned.

Lilia and Richard made their way downstairs and headed towards the garden where two people were seated.

A wounded Eleanor on the left and an anxious looking Emily on the right.

"Were they attacked?" Lilia asked to which Richard casually stated, "Looking at those scratches I think it was Emily who attacked her."

Once they reached the duo, Richard pulled a chair for Lilia before sitting beside her and asking, "What can I do for you?"

The gesture he showed by offering the seat to Lilia, made Emily feel complex emotions within but she suppressed it and asked, "Some days ago, did you meet Ethan in the SilverLeaf marker?"

Richard raised his brows, wondering how they found out but he answered truthfully, "Yes, I did. He went there to buy books. But what happened?"

Emily glanced at Eleanor before hesitantly uttering, "Actually…Ethan has been abducted and we need your help to find him."

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A/N:- I wonder if he would help them. But surely it is quite a problematic situation for the Protagonist to suddenly disappear just before the canon beginning.

I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. See you.