Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

[Half A Month Later.]

Mist.

Everything around me was submerged in a thick layer of swirling mist that almost seemed to have a mind of its own.

And within it, I stood with my eyes closed, focusing on the footsteps yet I heard none.

Swish!

I tilted my head and let the sword whistle past my cheek.

Raising my halberd, I swept it down but Buinal's solitude was already gone.

He reappeared right on my side, aiming to puncture my lung.

I twisted in time and stabbed the halberd forward.

It collided with something and sparks ignited in the mist.

An ethereal glow enveloped the sword of Buinal, a type of mana form that made weapons much more sturdier.

He vanished in the fog once again as I closed my eyes.

'Huff…'

Mana accepted my will as hundreds of glowing paths formed before Buinal even moved there.

'Huff…'

I held my halberd low as I dashed toward the first mark.

The ground beneath me broke as I covered it with mana like Buinal.

In an instant, my blade met his, creating a spherical wave from the sheer concussive force of our impact.

Immediately following up, I moved to the second mark and swept the halberd that he blocked once again.

The impact threw him to the side and I spun closer, sweeping my weapon over him.

The earth shook violently as my attack indented a large chunk of the ground.

Buinal moved back just in time as the shockwave dropped the row of trees closest to us.

The mist was still thick, but the air had shifted.

Buinal's boots scraped against the broken earth as he steadied himself.

I charged again.

He stepped back, just enough to avoid my strike but I wasn't aiming for him this time.

I slammed the halberd down on the ground beside him, releasing a burst of mana through the soil.

The shock exploded beneath his feet.

Buinal stumbled, and I seized the moment.

I shifted forward, closing the gap, swinging the halberd's blunt end straight at his side.

Clang!

He blocked it with the flat of his sword, but he slid several feet back, boots dragging lines through the dirt.

Our weapons clashed again. A brilliant burst of sparks flew from the impact.

The mist rippled outward with the force, finally giving way to the shattered training ground we'd turned into a cratered battlefield.

He ducked under my swing and went for my legs.

I jumped.

The halberd spun above my head as I twisted mid-air and brought it down in a full arc.

Boom!

The strike shook the entire field. Dust and debris flared outward.

I landed hard, knees bending, halberd digging into the broken earth.

Buinal stood just outside the edge of the crater, a single cut on his cheek.

It wasn't deep, but it was there.

Slowly, his body mingled with the mist as he vanished.

[<Alright, that was good enough.>]

I let out a sigh as I stretched my body feeling a lingering pain.

'It was just a cut on his face.'

[<His power output was of peak Eternal, you are going toe to toe with someone a whole rank higher than you.>]

'Tch.'

I clicked my tongue as I stretched my neck.

'He is still stronger than me.'

[<Don't belittle yourself, Qais. You are up against the strongest elf in history.>]

'….Yeah.'

I let out a sigh as I walked towards the bench placed on the side.

[<Alright, you should now focus on breaking their kingdoms.>]

'Hmm, how so?'

[<Right now and even later on. You need to know how to break a flawless Kingdoms.>]

'…Why?'

[<There are your enemies out there that has kingdoms with no flaw.>]

'..Is Esmeray one of them?'

[<…I don't know.>]

I let out another tired sigh as I arrived to the bench and sat down.

I would rather think of worst-case scenario and assume she has one.

To break a flawless Kingdom, huh?

A bottle passed towards me made me acknowledge the presence of the nuance beside me.

"Why are you still here?" I asked, snatching the bottle from her hand.

Nymeria didn't seem to like her as well as she made a repulsive look.

"Do not be mistaken." She replied, looking away. "I am merely here to find ways to defeat you."

"Oh?" I raised my brow while opening the bottle cap. "And what did you learn?"

"That I can't beat you." She replied, gritting her teeth. "Seriously, how can you be on par with Sir Buinal?"

"Because he is an elf." I replied. "All elves are weak as fuck."

That earned me a glare but I chose to not acknowledge that.

'What a pain she is.'

Taking a sip of the water, I glanced at the woman.

It's been half a month and she is still coming here, daily.

Time and time again, she would come here to disrupt my training.

"Are you still not going to tell me how you recognize Buinal?" I asked, placing the bottle down.

She remained silent for a while before she shook her head.

"Why should I tell you?" She replied, glaring at me.

I let out a dry chuckle. "Right. Of course. You're just here for 'research.'"

Nymeria folded her arms and looked away again, her expression pinched like she'd bitten into something sour.

"I don't need to explain myself to a fallen," she muttered under her breath.

"Says an elf." I replied, standing up. "Fuck your stupid race. I don't like you guys."

"Then return the Nourishment of World Tree!" She snapped, abruptly standing up. "Why take—."

"I don't want to hear another lecture." I cut in her words. "Stop wasting both our time and leave."

Her face flushed slightly, her expression twisting in visible frustration.

I smirked and turned away, letting the silence settle between us for a moment.

Just when I was about to walk away. "Lady Daina is calling for you."

I stopped as I turned back to look at her. "Why?"

"You will know once we meet her." She replied, turning away. "Let's go."

I remained standing as I looked at her departing figure.

A part of me doesn't want to move from here as I could feel myself grow.

Yet…

'I really want to know what's the situation outside.'

It's been a while since I have gotten out of this place.

I don't ask Nymeria much cause I don't even like to talk to her.

'Urgh, whatever.'

With a tired sigh I walked towards her, already feeling worse.

---

The way out of the place was much easier to find than coming inside.

It only took us fifteen minutes to reach back to the main base.

I know full well that even if someone comes dozens of times, they still won't be able to remember the way in.

That's why it always makes me feel absurd how Nymeria could always find the place.

The army was still as busy as ever but now, they seemed to notice me.

And…

Let's just say the look in their eyes wasn't really pleasant.

They didn't say anything as I walked past them, but their silence was louder than words.

A few even stopped what they were doing just to glare.

'Tch… annoying.'

Nymeria walked ahead of me, her head held high, ignoring the others completely.

The air of arrogance was clear around her.

As we reached the inner compound, the noise died down.

Eventually, we arrived at a large, dome-shaped structure.

Guards stood at both ends of the entrance, armed and sharp-eyed.

"Lady Daina is inside," one of the guards said. "She's expecting you."

Nymeria nodded and walked in and I followed right after her.

I walked through the doorway, stepping into a large chamber dimly lit by hanging crystal lanterns.

At the far end of the room stood a woman in a long, silver robe, her back facing me.

Daina was still working on some documents as she looked back.

A smile bloomed on her face. "It's been a while, Himmel."

I didn't smile back as I sat down on a chair. "Why was I called?"

I looked around as I found some particular things.

Like the map that was placed on the table.

'…Hmm?'

I quickly noticed some of the markings inside elven territory that have been crossed out.

I looked at Daina who also noticed my gaze on the map.

"Sir Lorvil's side of army lost a battle a few days ago." She replied with a bitter smile. "Demiurges have accrued some of our lands."

"Is Lorvil dead?" I asked, and immediately heard Nymeria click her tongue.

"He is safe with some injuries." She replied, shaking her head. "He was lucky to come out safely."

"Don't you find that odd?" I asked, looking straight into her eyes. "Him being—."

"Are you questioning loyalty of my father?"

A voice cut in as someone walked inside the tent.

I looked at the boy with long green hair tied in a ponytail.

I frowned immediately. "Who the fuck are you?"

He seemed enraged as he heavily stepped forward. "Don't get ahead of yourself you pest."

What the fuck?

I was genuinely asking who he is?

"He is Kelvhan." Daina quickly jumped in glaring at me. "Sir Lorvil's son and lady Nymeria's cousin."

Kelvhan.

I gave Nymeria a look who remained lost in her own thoughts.

I leaned back in my chair, arms folded behind my head. "Cousin, huh? That explains the attitude."

Kelvhan's expression darkened. "You dare insult my father, then speak like that?"

"I didn't insult anyone," I said flatly. "I asked a question and work on your fucking behaviour young man, tch. Kids these days."

He stepped forward, fists clenched, but Daina raised a hand.

"That's enough, both of you," she said, her voice calm but firm. "We don't have time for childish squabbles."

Kelvhan gritted his teeth, but backed away, clearly biting back a retort.

"Tch." I looked away, bored already. "So, what do you want from me, Daina?"

She gave a quiet sigh and walked over to the map, placing a holographic device on it.

The device buzzed and immediately a miniature figure appeared on the table.

Daina and Kelvhan immediately bowed in front of her. "Your majesty."

I remained seated as I kept on staring at Pasithea who also kept on staring at me.

'…She has changed a lot.'

The way her eyes have dulled down, her posture to her behaviour.

She has already changed in every way possible.

"Himmel, Heir of Segyal household." Pasithea said, after acknowledging their bow. "It seems you are doing great."

I smiled softly. "By your grace, your majesty."

"It's not my grace." She replied, with a flat look. "Must be something you stole from us."

"Urgh, not you too." I replied, rubbing my temples in frustration. "And I didn't steal it for fuck sake."

"That's not for you to decide." She replied, her voice firm.

I turned silent as I looked at her.

"You are hereby ordered to visit the capital the first thing in the morning."

She said, her voice cold like I had never heard before.

"Your fate will be decided by us."