Reborn as the Fated Villain

Damien located his car surrounded by a group of interested students; they hastily dispersed upon noticing his return. The duel had ended only moments ago, so it was unlikely that word of the outcome of the duel had spread yet.

Or that he had murdered the Head Professor.

Entering the backseat, Fay sleepily moved her body and sat up. "Did you win—" she asked, but Damien interrupted her.

"I never lose. I either win, or I learn. There has been a change of plans." Tapping the front seat, he commanded, "To the Mage Tower."

Walter nodded and promptly began his water jet spell. Damien leaned back and enjoyed the calm sound of rushing water. "Hmm, much better than the hum of petrol engines, that's for sure. It has a certain melodic charm instead of the mundane of the mechanical."

Neither Fay nor Walter understood Damien's mutterings; they sat in silence for the twenty-minute journey from the university to the Mage Tower in the distance. Due to the Mage Tower's enormous size, it was easy to assume it was at the other end of the university campus, but it was, in fact, located at the furthest end of the eastern wing.

The car maneuvered unimpeded through the Mage Tower's majestic gates. Just a single glance at the carriage gave the guards a hint that the occupant of the vehicle had unprecedented status.

Damien didn't even glance at the surroundings, but Fay's face was practically plastered to the window; small gasps of amazement occasionally escaped her lips. The car was parked alongside a group of fancy carriages, and Damien stepped outside into the freezing January wind.

Cranking his neck to the limit, he could barely make out the top of the kilometer-high tower, the white stone tower that was covered in runic formations cast in gold. Damien felt like a small creature gazing upon God's creation.

The level of wealth on display was a testament to the Mage Tower's influence and bountiful historical importance. "It was said a king, forgotten in the passage of time, was so interested in the limits of the arcane that he had this tower crafted in his image."

Interrupting his thoughts, Fay commented, "What are we doing here, Master?"

"Hopefully to scam some old fogies far too thirsty for knowledge." Damien cryptically replied.

Fay tilted her head in a confused manner but made no further comments. As Damien usually played mage classes, he had naturally spent hundreds if not thousands of hours exploring the endless sections of the infamous Mage Tower. However, he had only ever been an Apprentice Mage, as the Master Mages and Council Members were all quest-giving NPCs.

But what about now? Was there any game mechanic stopping him from becoming a teacher within the Mage Tower? Usually, a person would spend half their life being an "Apprentice" Mage. Upon acquiring a school of magic in the B-grade, a mage would have the opportunity to advance and be promoted to a 'Master Mage.' These Master Mages were expected to help lead the next generation of Apprentice Mages while also advancing their own research into the endless depths of the arcane.

Once a year, an international conference was held between the various Mage Towers across the continent. The magic community often judged a kingdom based on the number of 'Archmages' they possessed. To become a certified Archmage, a person must meet two requirements. First, they must have at least one magic school at the A-grade. The other requirement, which was arguably harder, was to have a research paper granted a first tier by the current Archmages.

Advancing to an A-grade in a school of magic just required wealth, connections, or luck. However, creating a research paper that would reach the highest priority and be given recognition by other Archmages? That only happened once every few years.

Therefore, to not seem weak in magical research, a kingdom would pump funding into their own Mage Tower, hoping to create the next Archmage. In return for the funding, the king got a small say in the matters regarding the Mage Tower and could also expect the Mage Tower's Archmages to stand in to defend the kingdom when a threat was posed. For example, when Amaltheia Magigrace stepped in to assist with the Wyvern attack.

Although the Head Librarian was not a minor position, it was one that didn't hold decision-making power within the Tower. This was why the king was able to pressure the tower into accepting an outsider into the position. If the king requested Damien to be given a spot on the council, he would be laughed at and kicked out the door.

The Mage Tower appreciated and utilized the funding from the kingdom, but the king ultimately had little power over a tower filled with powerful mages residing within his city walls. If they wished, they could cause devastating damage to both the city and its citizens inhabitants.

So long as the king didn't meddle too much in the affairs of the tower, the tower would happily cooperate with the king's small requests.

I have no need for Prince August's handouts. Since runes appear as English to me, I should be able to climb the ranks in the Mage Tower on my own merit.

Damien nodded to himself as he gazed at the magnificent tower, which he hoped would be his home for the next few years. Even when this was just a game, he was fascinated by the magic inside the world of Throne and Awakening; to be able to advance his own magical knowledge for real this time filled him with a strong sense of excitement.

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Due to his illness in his past life, he never got the experience of school life. Not that he wished to become a student, but a teacher… Now that was something he could do.

Damien patted the car's door and said to Walter, who looked terrible, "Walter, I am unlikely to need your services for the next few days. If I do not return for another hour, feel free to leave the car to the Mage Tower's security and get some much-needed rest and food."

Walter gave Damien a tired but relieved nod. "I will do as Young Master instructs. You can contact me with this. I will head over as soon as I receive notice." Walter reached into the pocket of his suit and retrieved a communication stone.

Damien received the small stone and tapped it three times; another stone in Walter's pocket vibrated and illuminated his pocket. After verifying the stone's functionality, he nodded in satisfaction and gave Walter a final nod before proceeding toward the Mage Towers doorway.

Damien was in the inner courtyard. He glanced at the surroundings. Encircling the entire area was a three-meter-tall wall constructed out of dark magic–resistant metal. Within this encirclement was a campus. There were many buildings of various sizes that catered to numerous functions, such as a dormitory for the apprentices or a canteen.

These buildings all surrounded the Mage Tower, which stood in the center as a kilometer-tall structure that reached for the heavens, overshadowing everything. Along marble pathways, flanked by gardens filled with bare trees and shriveled flora, adult men and women of various races all wore distinct blue robes, showing their status as Apprentice Mages of the Tower.

Out of the corner of his eye, Damien noticed an elderly man holding a cane. He wore an unmistakable silver robe. A group of eager Apprentice Mages surrounded him. "That's unexpected," Damien commented. "Master Mages almost never leave the upper realm of the Mage Tower."

The Apprentice Mages were respectfully keeping their distance from the silver-robed senior while trying to ask him various questions relating to the arcane. It was a rare opportunity for these mages to gain some insight from a Master Mage that wasn't in charge of them directly.

Enlightenment was a difficult thing for most Mages to grasp, so obtaining differing opinions on certain topics may propel their magical understanding and allow them to grasp the desirable fruit of wisdom that they so desperately required to reach the next grade.

The difference between grades was astronomical. D-grade mages were abundant, nothing noteworthy. At the C-grade, a person would be considered an actual mage, as they may be employed to utilize their skills. Meanwhile, a B-grade mage stood at the beginning of the path to becoming a 'true' mage.

The Master Mage seemed bored and indifferent while answering the various questions. He wasn't under obligation to provide knowledge to anyone but his own few assigned disciples. But this was the difference between the university and the Mage Tower.

Anybody living or working inside the Mage Tower had dedicated their lives to the pursuit of knowledge regarding the arcane. While in the university, subjects other than magic were taught, such as economics or business. Everyone was there to achieve their education certificate or a paycheck. Meanwhile, residents of the Tower were all devoted mages that loved to exchange knowledge and pointers. They were all there because they wanted to pursue the arcane for the rest of their mortal lives.

This was why Prince August was able to infiltrate the university and build up power from within. Money and promised benefits were enough to sway the loyalties of those within the university to his side. But in the Mage Tower? They would laugh at his pathetic attempts to bribe them. They only respected knowledge in this place.

Wanted someone to obey you or do your bidding in the Mage Tower? Not a problem, but you better have the knowledge and skills to impart to your followers. Prince August was only legally a B-grade in Wind magic; although enough to be regarded as a Master Mage, it was certainly not enough to be fully acknowledged. Respect had to be earned in ways like this elderly senior was doing. Imparting knowledge upon the younger generation was a great way to increase your reputation amongst the potential future Master Mages.

As Damien and Fay walked past the group of Apprentice Mages, the senior's bored expression changed to one of interest. He looked toward Damien and scrutinized him further. Damien felt the wave of invasive aura consume him but fought it off with his own, more powerful aura.

The senior's expression changed to one of shock and then apology. Damien turned toward the Master Mage and spoke in a neutral tone. "Greetings, Master Gray. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Damien naturally knew the senior's identity; he was a popular Master Mage within the Tower as he regularly gave quests to the players in the game. The man's wrinkly face showed surprise. "Hello, how may I address this senior?" he asked with a warm and calm voice.

The group of apprentice mages all turned with astonishment as they looked upon the unknown man. He was handsome and radiated a noble aura, but none of the apprentices paid that any attention. What shocked them was the fact he was referred to as a senior by a Master Mage!

Damien knew Master Gray was polite and kind in game but was pleasantly surprised that he didn't look down on him due to his status as an outsider.

With a smile, he replied, "The name is Damien Nightshade. I am a duke of the kingdom and technically Head Professor of the university, though I turned the position down in favor of coming here."

Master Gray ignored the part about him being a duke, as he would only bow down to an Archmage or the king himself. Yet he did respect the fact that Damien had turned down a high position within the university; although it was below the Mage Tower in his eyes, it was still an educational institution.

"Ah, so the name is Damien Nightshade… Wait, Nightshade?" the old man pondered out loud. The surname seemed familiar…

Damien gave the old man a grin, showing off his fangs. "I am here looking for a teaching position. Would you believe that to be possible?"

The old man moved at lightning speed and appeared before Damien. He quickly reached out his hand for a handshake. Damien saw he was wearing gloves, just like himself and gave the old man an enthusiastic handshake.

Damien could practically see stars in the man's eyes. "You're a vampire royal. Do you know Blood magic? What other magic does the vampire race know? Oh, I have so many questions…ignore me. Haha, what a find! I can't believe it."

Damien just nodded with a weary smile. He expected the old man to have some questions, but not these kinds. Master Gray didn't care if he was a vampire or a unicorn, so long as he had knowledge to share. Everyone was the same in his eyes. Just walking and talking books. He was practically being dragged by the old man.

"Come on! I will show you around and introduce you to the higher-ups. With your aura alone I can tell you will qualify to become a Master Mage. Let's go. This old man's time is short. I could fall over dead any second now. This anticipation is not good for my heart!"

Damien just laughed. For the first time since he came to this world, he had never been in such an amusing situation before.