The Villain's Story

“Are you really sure about this?”

He asked me, standing about ten meters opposite, a spear made of ice in his hands, one that looked fragile but I was certain could rival any A-rank spear on Earth.

I nodded, tying my hair into a ponytail, it was a suggestion from Olivia, in her words, it’s an advantage.

‘I don’t know how it’s an advantage…’

Regardless, I decided to trust her, besides, my hair would interrupt any physical combat I conduct.

Yes, after I had so gracefully forced Alan to fill the crystals with his mana, I made a request. One I had put off for far too long.

My glaring weakness was that I was absolutely awful in physical combat. I always detested the idea of it, sweat and blood flying off as two combatant engaged in a fight, doing everything they could to achieve victory.

I hated nasty things, and I always shuddered at the mere thought of fighting up close. Using magic from a distance, like any elegant lady was fit for me.

But I know I can’t be like that forever. I need to learn how to fight, and what better teacher would be other than my boyfriend, the star disciple of the Sword Saint?

‘I have never seen him use a sword though…’

Putting that aside, Am I not ashamed of this? To coerce him by saying we should spend some couple time together and instead use him to fill my precious crystals?

Absolutely not, relationships are all about mutual benefit. I can make any request of him, and he should be glad!

‘Ha.’

Laughing inwardly, I did feel a little guilty, but I can make it up in other ways later. I’ll figure it out, like I always do.

Once I was ready, I manifested a spear made of darkness, it couldn’t compare to Alan’s though. Mine could hardly be considered B-rank and I had focused quite a bit to construct it.

I took inspiration from Alan’s spear, the Ame-No-Sakahoko as well. And it was clear he realized it.

He chuckled, somehow that felt wrong to me. Of course my mana reserves and control can’t compare to that of a dragon. Even after a year of dwelling into magic, I can’t compare my control to that of a dragon.

Besides, having something to follow is always better than trying to create something new. Both have their advantages. Clearly, I wasn’t going to make a new spear from scratch.

Well, I probably could have constructed a basic spear like Alan had, but a legendary spear, even an imitation fits me much more.

“Here, just take this.”

He manifested the real Ame-No-Sakahoko and threw it towards me. Extending a tendril of dark mana I caught it, or well, I tried to.

But the spear simply resisted my dark mana and I had to catch it manually.

“… “

I was quite surprised to see I could hold it, I was of the opinion that a legendary spear chose it’s wielder. It chose Alan, so why am I able to hold it?

The spear was quite famous for rejecting every other awakened who tried to wield it before… So why me?

Curiously, I tried injecting mana into it, but I was stopped before I could proceed.

“Don’t do that, I wouldn’t recommend it. You can hold it because I allowed it, though if you input any mana it would probably reject you fiercely.”

Alan said, swinging his spear made of ice in the air, I focused my gaze on the Ame-No-Sakahoko.

“Truly, a masterpiece.”

The words escaped my mouth unknowingly, I couldn’t help but marvel at the spear.

It was a work of art, I could go on for days describing it’s immaculate design.

‘I wonder how much it would be worth…’

Tens of billions as an item for collection, and hundreds as an actual item, provided I can find someone capable of using it. It is one of the few SSS-ranked weapons back on Earth, after all.

‘…’

I wonder why I’m even having such thoughts, this magnificent, work of art already has an owner. One that is more than worthy of it.

“You should use it, we won’t be using any mana.”

I nodded, while the thought of physical combat still irked me. It should be okay since it’s Alan.

I’ll be fine, he doesn’t sweat at all, and blood?

‘Pfft.’

I’m pretty confident I would never be able to make Alan draw blood with a physical weapon. Even magical.

Somehow, that made me proud.

Holding the spear in a peculiar stance, one where it was behind my back, pointed towards the ground.

I’m quite unsure if this is an actual stance or not, I simply had th gracious opportunity to see an awakened who also used spears hold it this way during a duel when I was a baby.

He had won that duel, and since we hire only the best of the best I assume it’s quite a good stance.

However, Alan’s gaze of disapproval made me think the opposite.

“What’s wrong with it?”

I questioned. Surely it’s not that bad? That awakened is currently the peak of A-rank…

“Just copy me.”

He pivoted his right foot in front, planting it in the ground with great force. It was like an anchor. While his left foot remained behind, but it was light. There was almost no force on it.

His shoulders were not tense, rather loose, but his grip on his spear was like iron.

Excited, I followed his movements, until.

“Put equal amount of force in your left foot as well. Your footing should be like… What was the word that old man used?”

“Cement, I think.”

“It was Goliath…”

Alexander pitched in from the side, only to be corrected. I struggled to understand, I was doing exactly what Alan was doing.

“Yeah, that. But make sure it isn’t too much. Just enough to be stable, and also able to move but not be moved.”

“But you-“

“… Sorry, it’s a habit. Just put equal force in both feet, plant them into the ground but no too much.”

“It’s because his strength is insane that his footing is like that. Not even Master can flip him easily, you know?”

Alexander’s words weighed in my mind. Certainly, it made sense Alan made that mistake.

His strength was no joke, so his footing was also something else. Perhaps he was so used it to it he didn’t realize it before instructing me to do the same.

I can’t blame him, habits like that are hard to keep track of.

I adjusted my footing, and before we began, he asked me a simple question.

“Sabrina, what’s the essence of combat according to you?”

I didn’t even hesitate.

“Victory.”

“Nah, it’s murder.”

And his spear was in front of me, inches away from my delicate neck.