Archmage Villainess

The second my body touches the water, I feel my pores open. I sink into the dark red mixture all the way, covering my entire body in the mixture. Due to my strength, I don't have to breathe nearly as often as regular people. Only about once every ten hours. And even then, I could just use transmutation magic to pull the oxygen from the water into my blood directly.

I close my eyes as my whole head submerges. I informed Annie before this that I'll be okay, she just can't let anyone into my room during that time.

I feel my body greedily suck in the oil. I feel it inching closer to my bones. It's an awful feeling to be completely honest, but it's necessary. The scent passively enters my nostrils, giving me a pleasant sensation despite the blood mixed in. Finally, the oil reaches my bones.

I start drawing in mana, sucking it into my bones gently. I can't use too much mana as that would cause my bones to degrade and possibly break. The water starts to grow cold as mana seeps through it.

That gives me an idea. I want to strengthen Annie, but haven't really thought of a way to do so. Annie doesn't have the ability to utilize anything but cantrips sadly, but if I soak her in a bath of mana water, I'll be able to saturate her body itself with mana. Of course, Annie could always become a knight as literally anybody can do that, but a knight that can use tier 3 spells? That's a force to be reckoned with.

That'll be for a later time. I'll create an underground spring for her to soak in every now and then.

I feel the mana sucking the oil on my bones in. It pushes into them, reaching the marrow and flowing through the veins inside them.

It gets inside every bone in my body, from my skull to my toes. I feel my skin becoming more soft as well, yet this soft skin hides a tough defense, like a Trojan horse. My slim muscles grow stronger, yet do not grow much more visible, instead making me seem fit rather than muscular. I'm sort of like a mantis shrimp. I look rather non-threatening, but damn do I pack a punch.

My bones are stronger than I thought them to be. Seems adding a little more Jelpan oil helped rather than hurt. They're about twice as sturdy as a Minotaurs. However, this comes at a cost. My bones are now dark red instead of white. Except my teeth. The oil never reached them, so they stayed the same. I'll gladly take the dark bones in exchange for this.

As I open my eyes under the water, I'm greeted with clear blue water, almost cold as ice, yet unfrozen. My bath water has turned into a mana spring. A weak one, but still one. I slowly rise out of the water and Annie, who hears the water, walks around the drapes with a towel, only to drop it and gasp as she looks at me.

Her face is blushed as she looks at me. I pull the hair out from in front of my face and look at her.

"Uhm… Annie? Can you dry me off?"

Annie looks at me and says quietly,

"A goddess!"

I chuckle at her and say,

"No, not quite yet. Maybe one day."

Annie eventually breaks from her stupor and slowly walks over to dry me off. Her eyes travel across my entire body. I look at myself and see why she's staring. My body is toned. Not incredibly muscular, but not dainty either. My skin is also a small amount more tan. I look as though I've recently taken a trip to the beach. Most likely due to the Minotaur blood.

Annie fully dries my body and puts my robe on for me. I leave the front untied and walk over to my chair beside my couch. I sit down on it and cross my legs.

I then pick up a book in front of me, specifically a book titled "The Hero of Light". It's a book similar to my previous worlds "A Book of 5 Rings" or "The Art of War". The previous hero of light wrote this book on his experience against the demons. It's quoted quite often by nobility and commoner alike.

Sayings such as,

"A demon can choose many ways to infect our minds. Only choose those dedicated and powerful to become your allies. After all, a weak mind is an easily controlled one."

To be honest, I don't need many tactics against the demons. I myself will be a shield and spear for the world. After all, demons are just a taste of what's to come.

"Hmm. Annie?"

Annie, who has been standing by the fireplace, staring at my reading figure, squeaks as I call her.

"Ah! Y-yes?"

I smile at her gently and say,

"Would you mind asking my father to buy me an empty leather book? I wish to start my own scholarly legacy earlier rather than later."

Maybe writing a book on my journey will be fun. Maybe I'll be a story in a children's book. Nah. My life would be more like an erotica.

I watch as Annie's eyes trace my legs. I swap my legs, giving her a peek at me. Her face blushes even further and I chuckle to myself.

I then pour myself a glass of Frostwine and take a sip. I lick the wine off my lips and look at Annie.

"You know, I'm a bit upset. My Frostwine isn't as sweet anymore thanks to you."

I smile at her, down the rest of the drink, and close the book in my hands. I stretch and step out onto my balcony. Annie yells out in horror,

"Young miss! You can't walk outside like that!"

I turn towards her and lean on the railing of the balcony. Teasingly, I speak up,

"Oh? And why not? Wouldn't it be a sin not to show off such godly beauty?"

Annie runs out onto the balcony after me and grabs the sides of my robe, closing them. I chuckle and wrap my arms around me.

"You're such a dork, Annie. If I can kidnap a prince in his own home, why would you think any of the servants would be able to spot me? I could walk around the entire capital naked shouting 'I SLAYED AN ORC FOR BREAKFAST!' and nobody would bat an eye."

I poke her on the nose as she says,

"You could have used a better hypothetical, but… Haaaaah… What am I to do with you?"

She jokingly shakes her head and sighs. I giggle at her antics and say,

"Well, I can tell you what I'll do with you!"

I grab her waist and kiss her before pulling her back inside. Her giggles are all the sound that echoes as the light blue double lattice door of my balcony shuts behind us.

-------------------------------