The Legendary Programming Mage

The book of arts wasn't exactly what I had pictured.

On the first three pages were neat, diagrammatic sketches.

A lean male body, a busty female body, and a hulking beast frame — all labeled with their different body parts and organs, with a side column showing their functions.

Red for knights.

Blue for mages.

And black for normal humans.

And yeah, that was it.

Everything else? Blank.

I flipped back and forth, frowning.

"Seriously? That's all?"

But no—this was how it was supposed to be.

Even if my memories weren't the best, I could vividly remember when this was explained.

Knights didn't read their arts like novels or manga.

Instead, when they wanted to learn an art, they infused aura into it.

After doing this the knowledge would sink straight into their skulls.

They didn't need to learn complex formulas and calculations like mages.

However, unlike mages who could find out what their next-rank spell would be from stronger mages with that affinity,

knights couldn't do the same.

When any art is absorbed you will only know as far as your rank permits.

That also means you will never know how strong an art is until you use it.

Mind you, knights could only absorb at most twelve arts in their lifetime.

F-rank? Enjoy Stage One.

The moment you advanced, the book would "unlock" the rest, bleeding new techniques into your head like a download bar ticking upward.

If the art doesn't have anything higher than one, then you're cooked.

I sighed, closed the note and unzipped my pack.

The thing slipped inside neatly, into a smaller section.

Couldn't let it get harmed.

Behind me, Junior tilted his head.

His massive ursine frame practically filled the vault.

"Master… isn't that enough?"

"Enough?" I scoffed theatrically, sweeping an arm at the shelves.

"Junior, my friend, my loyal companion—your master is very poor and weak. So don't get mad if I rob you dry."

I rubbed my fingers together in the universal money gesture and winked.

"The richer I am, the faster you'll stop standing guard down here. Win-win."

The bear blinked slowly, puzzled but oddly touched.

I turned back to business, snatching relics, scrolls, and artifacts like a bargain shopper on Black Friday.

My poor backpack groaned under the weight as I shoved one more crystalline orb inside, using all my strength to compress them in.

"Phew…" I muttered, wiping some sweat off. "That should do—"

Ding!

『An unknown artifact is reacting to user's trait...』

My heart stopped.

'Wait, what?'

『Trait: Primordial Corrosion is being shaken.』

Primordial Corrosion?

Isn't that the life-draining thing that was inside Allen's body?

'I had put a barrier over it but something is reacting to it?'

I spun toward the shelves.

My eyes darted from one artifact to another.

'This is why talking systems are important.'

At the back of a particular shelf one book was glowing faintly crimson.

Not just any tint but the same shade that was inside my body that day.

The cover was simple and old but unmistakably sharp, its letters etched as if by a knife:

Villain's Will to Live.

Ding!

『 User has discovered a book connected to their past and true form 』

『A path to removing the rot in you has been unlocked 』

My breath caught in my throat.

"…No way."

I snatched the book into my hands, clutching it too tight.

Junior, who'd been about to ask his usual naive question, froze mid-sentence.

Something in my expression must've told him to be quiet.

I cracked the book open.

The first line practically screamed at me:

How to Become a Villain 101.

Subtitle: Villain's Academy's Tutorial Guide.

Ding!

『 Part of the Primordial Corrosion has been eliminated 』

『 User has earned extra life force 』

Those words rang in my ears again and again.

For once, I had no explanation for the situation I had found myself in.

I shoved the book into my pack, sliding it beside the knights' art.

Junior finally whispered, "Master… what just—"

"Nothing." I cut him off, zipping the bag.

What was even going on?

A book on how to become a villain?

To be honest it was a little bit funny, like something a kid would write.

But primordial corrosion had reacted to it which meant this had something to do with him.

The Monster.

But there wasn't any use dwelling on it.

Not now, at least.

I patted Junior's fur. "Okay, I'll see you later then."

He lowered his head respectfully. "Goodbye master, I will be waiting your return."

I walked toward the passage and offered him one final wave.

The moment I left the massive door and walked a little into the cave, I reached the exit.

Blink.

From that distance I vanished and reappeared in a forest at the outskirts of the academy.

As soon as I landed I brushed some dust off my blazer and stretched.

"Hey Sylvia, you there?" I muttered into the com.

[Mhmm... Yeah?]

Was she sleeping?

With a breath I continued. "I saw a strange book that reacted to me."

[Oh? What's it called? Allen's pervert class?]

"...."

I didn't respond.

As if noticing my seriousness her voice shifted and I heard the rustle of bedsheets before her tone sharpened.

[Wait are you being serious?... Is it that?]

I hummed once.

[Sigh... I'll be in your room in a moment, okay?]

"I'll buy snacks on my way back."

Click.

Hearing the earbuds switch off I removed the com from my ear and put it in my pocket.

By the time I reached my dorm, the sun had almost set.

Creek.

Opening my room door, my eyes locked with Sylvia.

She was perched cross-legged on my bed like she owned the place.

Her eyes narrowed. "So? What happened?"

I pulled the crimson book from my pack.

Its glow hadn't faded, though it didn't seem like she could see it.

"I think…" I swallowed, fingers brushing the sharp letters. "I might have found a trace."

---

(Added on 30th September 2025)

A/N:

Sorry guys,

I know the quality of my novel has dropped lately, and I'm seeing a lot of inconsistencies myself. I also promised you 15 chapters by the start of the month, but I don't think I'll be able to deliver.

Two days ago, I found out that the hole in my heart I had as a kid has reopened, it's now much larger. I can barely move or think, and honestly, I'm scared.

Hahaha… still, maybe if all this ends prematurely, I'll wake up in the world I've been writing about. That thought honestly keeps me going.

What I'm trying to say is: I don't want to leave the plot unfinished. I at least want to leave a legacy behind.

I have 5 chapters stockpiled and will post them as I travel to Singapore for my operation. After that, I probably won't be able to write as much, but I'll still do my best to deliver a story you'll love, even if it's just one chapter a day.

I hope all of you who've been reading will stay with me on this journey. Webnovels have helped me so much through tough times, first reading The Author's POV two years ago when I had my first surgery, and now writing my own.

I hope that, just like TAPOV left a mark on me, this story will also leave one — even if it's only a speck — in your hearts too.