A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 279

Chapter 279: Matters Pending (2)

Invention of Pure Mana Appears in Yuren. Jektaine Declares It a Living Work of Art

Addicts from the Floating Island Still Roam the Expo Grounds... No One Knows What’s Keeping Them There

No-Name Mage Berbaldi Shows Talent Beyond Decalane—A New Tide Rises in the World of Magic

As Deculein had predicted, headlines across the continent—both from conventional outlets and the magic newspapers—were ablaze with talk of the Magicore. At the same time, bathed in the golden noon sunlight streaming through the glass windows, Epherene fought off the heavy pull of sleep, dragging herself back to awareness.

Epherene stifled a yawn and stole a glance at her supervising professor. Deculein, as usual, was engrossed in a massive scroll. Since yesterday, as soon as he stepped into his office, that same scroll had held his attention—its surface inked with alien symbols that looked as though they belonged to another world.

What is he even doing? Epherene thought.

“... I’m heading to the library to get some studying done,” Epherene said.

As expected, Deculein gave no response to Epherene’s words, so she gave a slight shrug and left the office, making her way down to the library.

"I didn’t think it’d be this packed."

It was the middle of the semester, and the library was packed with mages—enthusiastic freshmen, seasoned students, and others so drained they looked ready to drop. Epherene slipped into an empty seat among them and set down a thick book—Science Fundamentals I, the introductory textbook for science students at the Mage Tower of the Empire.

Epherene was already halfway through the material, but not a single useful idea jumped out at her. Every chapter just described science as if it were nothing more than a tool to support magic.

“... Sigh,” Epherene murmured, her eyes skimming the sixth page before she shook her head. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

This wasn’t enough, as what she needed was a study rooted in the true laws of the world—a science that stood on its own, not as magic’s support but as a field dedicated to understanding nature itself—in short, natural science.

“Wonder if they’ve got anything like that...” Epherene muttered, dragging herself up and heading for the information desk. “Excuse me, librarian?”

“Yes?” replied the librarian.

“Do you happen to have any new science books or magazines out lately?”

“Oh~ Pardon me?”

The librarian considered Epherene’s question for a moment, as it wasn’t every day a mage came asking for science books.

“Let me see... Oh, yes—there is one new release.”

“A new release?”

“Yes—it’s in section A-37, catalog number 1,503. You’re welcome to take a look at it.”

“Got it—thank you,” Epherene replied, giving a nod before heading toward A-37.

A-1, A-2, A-3...

Epherene passed row after row of shelves until she reached A-37, where the wood was old and worn—fitting for the science section—and she ran her fingers along the shelves, searching book by book.

And...

“Hmm?” Epherene muttered, tilting her head. “Number 1,502.”

Book one thousand five hundred two was there—she checked twice to be sure—but right after it came one thousand five hundred four, with only one thousand five hundred three missing, skipped as if it had never belonged.

“Where’s number 1,503?” Epherene muttered, scanning the shelf.

“It’s over here, number 1,503,” replied a voice—young at first, but with an inexplicable gravity beneath it.

Epherene turned toward the sound and startled—there, tucked into the shadows at the edge of the shelves, stood a child, completely still, reading a book one thousand five hundred three, open in their hands.

“Wait, are you—Ria?”

Ria, from the Red Garnet Adventure Team, was no stranger to the Adventure Journal, with her name and face showing up from time to time.

“Long time no see! What are you doing here—and why is that book in your hands?” Epherene said, her smile blooming before she finished speaking.

Ria is holding the label for number 1,503. Does she like science too? Epherene thought.

Epherene gave a smile and leaned in to see the cover of the book Ria was holding.

“Let's see, the title of the book is...”

“Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, Volume One,” Ria said—her voice unusually rigid, unlike her at all. “In short, it’s called Principia.”

***

... Lately, Ria had been staying in the Capital—no, within the Imperial Palace itself. After making a name for herself during the cursed mansion incident, she’d caught the eye of Empress Sophien.

Thanks to that, she was now both a witness in the Altar’s criminal case involving Sirio and Jaelon, who were locked in the underground prison, and a guest with a rather luxurious room inside the Imperial Palace.

Since then, Ria had been gaining experience by tackling everything from minor quests to major quests around the Imperial Palace. But today, of all days, boredom got the better of her, so she stepped outside with the library at the Mage Tower of the Empire as her destination.

Ria had only come to read a novel, flashing her adventurer’s identification card at the entrance, but she stumbled across that book—that new release—waiting as if it had been placed there just for her.

The moment Ria saw the cover of Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, Volume One, slipped between worn wooden shelves, something stirred within her as she turned the cover and its complex formulas began to reveal themselves, making her heart begin to pound.

“... This is knowledge from the modern world,” Ria muttered.

Anyone could’ve sensed it—even someone without a day of study in their life—but Ria wasn’t one of those people. Having graduated from a respected four-year university, kept up with self-development, and never been the type to give up on math or science, she didn’t just understand the book when she opened it, but also saw the possibility hiding between the lines.

“There’s... someone else? I’m not the only one?”

The possibility that, in this world, she wasn’t the only one from the modern world.

“Hmm?”

It was at that moment, as Ria reeled from the shock, that Epherene’s voice reached her ears.

“Where’s number 1,503?”

There she was—Epherene, moving from shelf to shelf, clearly searching for a book one thousand five hundred three.

“... It’s over here, number 1,503,” Ria replied, her throat tightening as she swallowed.

“Hmm? Wait, are you—Ria?” Epherene said, her eyes widening before her smile bloomed. “Long time no see! What are you doing here—and why is that book in your hands?”

Epherene clapped her hands, delighted to see Ria, who watched her expression closely as Epherene then tilted her head, peering at the cover of the book in Ria’s hands.

“Let's see, the title of the book is...”

“Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, Volume One. In short, it’s called Principia.”

“... Principia?” Epherene said, tilting her head.

At that moment, Ria let out a sigh of relief.

No, it’s not her. Of course—it could never be Epherene, Ria thought.

“Yes,” Ria replied, and the stiffness in her face melted away.

“Umm... I’m not sure what it is, but I think I need that. Are you planning to read it now?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll just take a quick look... Wait, you’re really going to read it?”

“Yes.”

This world inside the game had revealed hints of modern knowledge—and now, standing across from Epherene, who was searching for that very knowledge, Ria knew one thing—she wouldn’t let this strange, fateful moment go to waste.

“Yeah? Then I’ll just..."

“There’s only one copy in the library,” Ria said to a hesitant Epherene.

“... Oh, I see. Then I’ll just wait till you’re finished.”

“Or would you like to read it together at the Imperial Palace?”

“... To the Imperial Palace?” Epherene muttered, her hand reaching to the back of her neck in hesitation.

“Yes, I’m staying at the Imperial Palace these days. They’re really kind to me. I help out with little tasks and all kinds of things.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Would you like to come to the Imperial Palace with me today? We can read the book together there.”

“That sounds good to me—anyone interested in science is always welcome. After all, it all ends up as material for my thesis,” Epherene replied, scratching the top of her head for a moment before offering a smile.

***

It was Wednesday, which meant only one thing—time again for Sophien’s instruction.

However, before I could make my way to the Empress, I found myself standing in the middle of Rohakan’s Vineyard, and the moment I saw Epherene heading down toward the library, I stepped through the mirror without hesitation.

“My protégé, it’s been quite some time~”

And today, the Rohakan I met looked even younger—barely in his early twenties and younger than I am now—with death drawing near.

“What brings you here today?” Rohakan added, offering me a smile.

“... Woah, what in the world is this?” Rohakan said, his eyes widening as he took in the scroll.

“Haha, I must admit, there are things even I don’t know,” Rohakan said, scratching his head. “No one knows everything. If I did, I’d be God—don’t you think?”

Rohakan suddenly reached out, caught my arm, and said, “Woah, woah, my protégé. You visit after so long, only to leave so early—”