Reincarnated As The Villainess's Best Friend

I swallowed.

That voice... I recognized it.

I had heard it a dozen times in my mind, repeating over and over.

I rose to face him, my heart thudding in my chest.

"I expected you to find me sooner," he said, stepping closer until a streak of moonlight lit up his figure. He slipped his hands into his pocket, pushing his glasses closer to his face with a finger. "I see you brought some company as well."

Freya remained frozen, confusion written all over her face.

"Kyro Solaris," I whispered between my teeth. "Or should I say, Thorn."

A cold smirk appeared on his face, far more sinister than Freya's.

"Took you too long, Drey Belford," he said, tilting his head. "I fear you're not as smart as I anticipated."

His jabs hurt as much as Freya's, but I couldn't let his words get underneath my skin.

"Si Ya warned me about you. I actually sent her to find you."

A faint smile flickered on his lips. "Si Ya was destined to fail. The order foresaw it and sent me to make sure I finished the job. I assumed you'd come for me after you defeated her, but you had no idea I was here."

"Your mana was hidden," I replied, "and I assumed it was a cloaking spell. But it's not a cloaking spell, is it?"

"No, it's not," He took off his glasses, tossing them into the bush. "I never needed a cloaking spell or these stupid glasses."

My mind raced as I searched for the answers. Thorn was able to transform into Kyro Solaris and infiltrate the school without detection.

There was no other explanation, but one.

"You used a shape-shifting spell."

His smirk grew into a grin. "I take my words back. You are a smart one."

"It doesn't explain how you hid your mana."

He paused in his tracks, staring at his fingers. "My shape shifting is quite unique."

I wondered what he meant by that, but I didn't have the time to worry about his origins.

"Where's Lucy?" I asked, clenching my fist. "What did you do to her?"

He kept silent, shifting his gaze to the beast on the ground. "Did you know that Blackthorn Forest, is the only forest where Direbears can be found?"

"I know. Where's Lucy?"

He ignored me, stepping closer to the beast. "I came here looking for one. But it seems the dastard creatures have been avoiding me. Thank you for bringing one."

"Spare me your filth and tell me where Lucy is!" I yelled, my voice booming throughout the forest.

I expected Kyro to feel intimidated, but he simply smiled. "She's safe, for now."

"I don't believe you."

"I have no reason to lie," he said, "If I could, I would have killed her a long time ago."

I felt my chest tighten at the word 'killed'.

"What do you mean 'if you could'?"

He stared at me for a moment, his cold blue eyes glinting in the dim moonlight. "You have no idea what she is, do you?"

"I know. She's the Shadow Queen."

"That's just a name. But you have no idea what it means, do you?"

I kept mute. Perhaps I had spent too much time worrying about the wrong problems.

Noticing my silence, Kyro let out a laugh. A short, grim laugh.

"You disappoint me, Grand Mage. You've been reincarnated for months, yet you know nothing about her origin."

"I searched. There are no records of House Daevalia predating the noble war."

"Records?" He scoffed. "All your sensory powers, yet you rely on records. How disappointing."

Kyro leaned closer to the beast on the floor, until he stood right over it. In one deft move, he reached for one of its long fangs and yanked it out of its mouth.

The beast growled, writhing in pain. After a short agonizing moment, it ceased. Permanently.

The fang in Kyro's hand shimmered with a soft red glow.

"As much as I'd like to enlighten you," he said, turning to leave. "I'm afraid I do not have the time. I have a demon to kill."

The word "demon" echoed through my skull. A blood-curdling chill ran down my spine as I recalled the horrible demons I had fought during my battle with the Shadow Queen.

Kyro's footsteps pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Take one more step," I ordered, "and it'll be your last."

Kyro paused in his tracks. "Your threats mean little to me, Grand Mage. You may have your magic back, but I fear you're not powerful enough to face me."

He was right. Kyro's mana pressure was far more intense than mine, but there was no way I was going to let him hurt Lucy.

I turned to Freya, who watched the whole conversation with her mouth agape

"Lucy's nearby. Head in that direction and find her."

Freya stared blankly at me, clutching at her chest.

"I... Lucy..."

"Snap out of it," I yelled. "Find Lucy. Now!"

Like someone waking up from a trance, Freya nodded in compliance. She dashed off in Kyro's direction, her eyes sharp and focused.

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that."

Kyro turned to Freya, narrowing his eyes. He slipped his right hand out of his pocket and raised it at her.

Before he could utter a spell, I quickly raised my arm toward him.

"Wind Spear."

A powerful gust ripped through the air, slamming Kyro into a tree trunk. Freya darted past him, disappearing into the darkness behind as I placed myself between her and Kyro.

Moments later, her voice cut through the silence. "I've found her."

A sigh escaped my lips. I ran in the same direction, catching up to Freya in an instant.

Lucy lay sprawled out on the ground, pale and unconscious, the orange pendant blinking in her chest.

I reached for the pendant to yank out, when I heard a slight shuffle behind me.

Kyro was back on his feet.

"I do not want to harm you, Stormborn," he said, gaining ground with each step. "But if you stand in my way, I'll have to put you down as well."

"I won't let you hurt an innocent girl," I said, rising to my feet, my heart pounding in my chest. I had no idea if I could defeat him, but I was definitely going to try.

Kyro stopped, letting out a sigh.

"Then I apologize for what's about to happen. Goodbye, Stormborn."