I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 258 Mana Circles Theory Class [3]

"Did what, Professor?"

"..." Professor Priscilla observed me for a moment before speaking. "We'll move on to the next circle. Just take your time and make sure not to put your classmates at risk."

"Yes, Professor," I replied with a smile, casting a glance at my classmate who was groaning and glaring at me. "I apologize."

[<Is that how a model student behaves?>]

'I couldn't help it.'

[<Congratulations, you've gained another enemy in your class.>]

'Don't worry. He won't even be able to touch me.'

With that in mind, I continued practicing the first circle while others had moved on to the second one.

It's much easier for me when I'm using Anathemas Fire or Cleenah's ability, but when I'm attempting something that's not innate to me, it becomes quite challenging. I lack a point of reference.

Whatever.

I need to master this. I'll also work on refining my usage of Anathemas Fire if I can get a handle on Mana Circles.

...

I wasn't sure how many minutes had passed, but I was sweating profusely as I kept my hand extended and my gaze focused. Slowly, I was starting to grasp the intricacies of Mana Circles, understanding why and how they were drawn the way they were. I couldn't exactly explain it, but I got the gist of it. It was enough to break through the initial wall I'd encountered.

"Cylien, what are you doing?" Professor Priscilla suddenly approached Cylien.

"Working, Professor," Cylien replied nonchalantly.

But Priscilla frowned as she glanced at the circle Cylien was attempting to replicate. "Which page are you on?"

"Seventeenth, Professor."

Seventeenth?!

Fuck.

I hurriedly refocused my attention.

Though I couldn't help but feel surprised. Even the others, including Victor, Celeste, and Selene, seemed taken aback.

"I-I'm only on the fifth one…" Celeste slouched.

"Seventh for me. Cylien's really something…" Victor muttered in admiration.

I'm still stuck on the first circle though?

Still, that's better than me.

I'd really like to find a hole to bury myself in.

"Cylien… You're progressing too quickly. Take a break," Priscilla advised.

"But Professor… I'm doing well," Cylien replied with a confident smile, seemingly eager to continue.

Priscilla then turned her attention to me, pathetically struggling to master that first circle.

Oh no.

"Why don't you help Amael? He's having difficulties due to not being a native of Sancta Vedelia," Priscilla suggested, as I had expected.

I don't really need help, though.

Cylien nodded at Priscilla's suggestion. "Of course, Professor."

"Oh, are you still on the first circle?" Cylien approached me and observed.

"Yes…"

"Hmm." Cylien nodded thoughtfully, then she circled around me a few times.

What is she doing?

"Your posture seems too tense. Maybe you should try to relax your muscles a bit?" She suggested, and I tried to follow her advice, but she shook her head and tapped my outstretched arm lightly.

"Shall we start again, Amael?" Cylien asked, and I reluctantly agreed.

I lowered my hand and looked at her, awaiting her guidance.

"Here, since you're just starting, it might help to use both of your hands to draw the circle, like this," Cylien demonstrated, raising both of her hands.

I nodded and tried to replicate her posture while watching her movements.

"Yes, like that. Keep your hands straight, but make sure they're not obstructing your view," Cylien adjusted my arm positions to help me.

"Is that better?" I inquired, committing the stance to memory.

"Yes," Cylien smiled and then stood in front of me, locking her gaze onto mine.

Huh?

Is this part of her teaching?

I met her gaze with my own.

Now that I'm observing her closely, she truly is remarkably beautiful. Just as one would expect from an Elven Princess.

But now...

It's been a couple of minutes, and she hasn't said a word.

"What's next, Princess?" I asked, a bit confused.

There was a short pause before Cylien spoke, her voice slightly surprised. "You're not nervous at all?"

"Nervous? About what?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"..."

"Do I need to be calm in order to do this correctly? Because I am calm right now," I stated.

"Yes, you are," Cylien confirmed, her admiration evident. Then she raised my book and displayed the circle. "Now, try to draw it using both hands."

"Draw it?"

"Yes," Cylien agreed. "Just try it out. Let your hands familiarize themselves with the circle."

I didn't completely understand, but I complied, starting by sketching the rings with my index fingers before adding the inscriptions. It was quite intricate, but I attempted it multiple times, as Cylien instructed.

"I think you understand it now. Close your eyes and visualize the circle in your mind. Imagine you're drawing it with a white pen on a blackboard. It might make it easier for you," Cylien instructed.

"Hm," I nodded and followed her guidance. I imagined the circle, its lines, and inscriptions as if I were drawing them on a blackboard with a white pen. I felt like I was getting the hang of it.

"Ah…" I sighed in frustration as I opened my eyes and saw that my mental drawing of the circle was only half complete.

"You were almost there, but you got too impatient, Amael," Cylien remarked with a sigh.

I let my hands drop and clenched my fists in frustration. My gaze shifted from Victor to the others in the class, and I felt a growing sense of annoyance.

Why am I struggling with this like everyone else?

I should be capable of more than what they're doing. If I can grasp these concepts quickly, I could enhance my strength significantly.

Even though I am strong, I need to be even stronger to ensure a Happy Ending for the Second Game. What's more important is that I absolutely must attain the power to defeat the Demigods before the Third Game starts. While the Second Game's Cast were already powerful, the challenges in the Third Game will be even more daunting. I have to be prepared.

"You don't need to worry about your progress. You're doing quite well for someone from the outside," Cylien assured me, seemingly trying to encourage me.

I'm not an outsider.

That's precisely the issue.

"This isn't sufficient," I replied honestly.

If I can't manage this, how can I hope to defeat beings like Hades or Zeus? To confront Deities, I need every possible advantage in my arsenal.

"For a beginner, you're making excellent progress," Cylien responded, looking at me with a hint of confusion.

"Thank you, Princess," I said automatically, brushing my hair back. Right now, all I want is to take a bath.

Wait, what?

Out of nowhere, Cylien grasped my left arm and pushed up my sleeve. Instinctively, I grabbed onto her arm in return. Despite the layers of fabric, I could feel her soft, brittle arm beneath my grip. It felt like it could break easily.

"What are you doing, Princess?" I questioned, a bit taken aback by her sudden action.

Cylien looked at the red marks on my arm and then back at me. "Are you injured?"

"They're old scars," I responded.

"Some of them are, but not all. Some seem fresh," Cylien insisted, seeking an explanation.

Are you my mom?

That retort was at the tip of my tongue, but I managed to restrain it.

"Are you a healer as well as a Princess?" I asked, trying to inject some humor into the situation, as I withdrew my arm from her grip.

Cylien smiled at my words. "I'm just an observant Princess."

My voice dipped with sarcasm. "You don't deny the 'Princess' part. That's refreshingly straightforward, not the usual hypocri-"

[<Amael.>]

"I mean, refreshingly straightforward," I corrected myself.

"..." Cylien looked at me silently again. "Why didn't you speak up like that with Jiren? Is it because you're restrained? Are you concerned about consequences or are you afraid of them?"

She sure does have a lot to say.

"I do wonder," I responded ambiguously.

"I helped you, and you can't even tell me that?" Cylien inquired.

What's she going to do with that information?

I'm just trying to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

"Perhaps I should bring you a gift next time, Princess Cylien?" I quipped, unable to suppress my sarcastic tone.

[<Here we go again.>]

"I have no need for gifts, Mr. Amael," Cylien retorted, clearly displeased with my earlier tone. "I simply wanted to mention that your left arm might be affecting your mana channeling and consequently slowing down your progress."

Oh, it was just that?

For a moment, I thought she had discovered something about yesterday.

[<Not even an apology?>]

"I did thank her."

[<...>]