Stone Mage: Revenge of the Villain System

The Science Exhibit had always been a source of thrill and excitement not just for the Scholars, but for all the watchers with an interest in science as well.

Many students from the other Spires came to peruse all the cool inventions, or listen to the discoveries of these intellectuals.

Warriors do it to make fun of the things they do not understand, or see if someone had invented a serum to improve physical performance.

Artisans appreciate the beauty of the inventions and the designs.

And the Monks make sure that none of these inventions go against their religious belief, or else they would start another ‘peaceful’ riot.

But for the Scholars, the most important people for today were the Councillors, and the guests from different fields of science that may become their sponsors.

Many nobles seek to gain a good investment, and science had always been a good one.

All they need was to fund these inventions and gain much money once they were released for public use.

The Councillors were usually the ones that help introduce the great inventions and research to these sponsors. So it was imperative to gain their favor.

Lord Blanc D’Argent himself was zealous in presenting inventions in this exhibit, as the Academy gains a percentage as well as a patent for all these exhibited works.

“Oh, you all must wait for the main event!” He laughed heartily with the guest sponsors. “We have made something so spectacular that will change Magecia forever!”

He was talking about the resurrecting machine, which now stood on a platform at the very heart of the Exhibition.

A cloaked Professor Espinella scoffed at this._.

(He used to be so against the research and now look at him flaunting the word ‘We made’ like his gargantuan buttocks had ever been involved in any of these inventions.)

Ronin snickered at gargantuan buttocks, and Professor Espinella finally noticed him.

“Oh, R-Ronin!” He patted his head. “Wh-Where is Vyrill? You would be doing the experiment in a few minutes, Blanc D’Argent could not stop yapping about it.”

Ronin pushed his hand away. “Professor Vyrill felt unwell. I have another kind volunteer to assist me later.”

He took something from his pocket, and gave it to Espinella.

It was a key.

“Thank you for letting me borrow this yesterday. Rest assured, you did not risk taking this from Lord Blanc D’Argent for nothing.”

Professor Espinella nervously took the key back and quickly hid it. “Shhh! Be quiet!”

Ronin chuckled. “Nobody is paying attention to us anyway, Professor. Besides, all your worries will disappear after this presentation.”

Espinella went quiet, and seemed to study Ronin from head to toe.

“….. You said that you needed it to destroy the corruption in the Council. Did you find what you were looking for?”

“Yes. So just take a good seat and watch closely.” Ronin said, and left with a mysterious smile on his lips.

He went to the small stage and pushed away the curtains.

“Are you ready?”

There was a sharp inhale, before a response from someone hidden inside.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

——————————————-

Earlier this morning…..

Pavone and Sordido were discussing things outside the Exhibition building.

“They did not go to Lovushka’s troupe.” Pavone paced back and forth. “The Simians deny being visited by them either.”

“One of them could have been lying,” Sordido said. “If only we could investigate further. But the Student Council will be busy because of the Exhibit.”

“Yes….. Father had been calling out to me several times. He cannot know about this.” Pavone sighed.

He placed a hand on Sordido’s shoulder. “Try to interrogate the Simians even more. They pretended to be a Simian member, it would be more likely that they handed the papers to them.”

Sordido nodded. But before he went…..

Pavone reminded him. “Be careful. Sordi. Do not trust anyone, they could take on anyone’s forms.”

“Alright, Big Brother.” He dutifully nodded.

He passed by Cermin Drychspiel, who was being shown around by Edelweiss. He gritted his teeth, but kept going.

But then the moment he stepped out of the Exhibition goer’s view, his vision went dark.

He was prepared this time, holding out a knife. He had quick reflexes, any movement that comes at him will be—-

SLAM!

He was knocked out again, and dragged like a sack of potatoes before he lost consciousness.

Cermin Drychspiel’s vision also went dark. He blinked in confusion, then suddenly felt fearful.

“Cermin….. I can’t see anything— Ah!”

Edelweiss’ sounded fearful before she suddenly yelled.

“Edelweiss—Gah!”

He also became paralyzed, and dragged by even more hands.

Three unconscious students, one hidden behind a tree, and two placed inside a utility room.

The girl was undressed a little, her dress unbuttoned and her collar pulled to one side.

And the golden boy was placed on top of her in a suspicious position. A paralyzing stone in his hand.

Back to the present…

“I don’t really know if I am supposed to help you this way, Ronin.”

A boy stepped out of the curtain, with a Palladium Heartstone.

It was Sordido.

Or at least, he appears to be.

“You are not being punished for helping me drag the bodies earlier, though.” Ronin grinned. “So my conclusion was right.”

“You can get involved with either of us now that you’re in human form. Not to mention that my skill can also work on you.”

“Only your skill.” ‘Sordido’ responded back. “Mage Focuses don’t work on me. Your skills like Blinding Darkness and Fool’s Eye are not Mage Focuses.”

“That makes you even more fitting for this role.” He grinned. “This will be fun, Kai. I promise.”

And so, they both went out of the curtains to reveal themselves.

Pavone’s eyes widened. Why is his brother coming out off the stage….

No, this is not his brother. This must be the benefactor.

A cloaked figure followed after him, his face and body were completely unseen. He was wearing gloves.

‘Sordido’ spoke:

“Good day, everyone. Today, we will be looking for a volunteer for this experiment. Any brave souls may raise their hands to make history with us.”

One of the guest sponsors asked. “You’re not going to be the one volunteering?”

“No.” ‘Sordido’ grinned. “I am here to bring commentary to the process… As well as some important announcement that you must know later.”

Pavone bared his teeth like a beast, and clenched his fist so much as to draw blood.

Then, someone raised their hands.

“I know someone who would be honored to volunteer.”

It was an Avian candidate. Another one followed after him.

“I agree. There’s only one person worthy of making history in this Academy.”

All the other Avians besides Pavone raised their hand.

“What about Pavone Blanc D’Argent, the great Head of the Student Council himself?”

“The undefeated king of this Academy. Let him be the brave soul that risks his life for the sake of history!”