Transmigrated as the Villain Between the Heroine and the Villainess

Celestria sat in the black carriage as it rolled across the streets of Elarion.

She had come to fetch her little brother, but deep down she wanted to see how far he had grown.

The carriage slowed to a stop at the tall gates of a large mansion.

A maid rushed forward, bowing her head low.

"Welcome, Lady Celestria. Young Master Azrael is in the backyard. He is training with Master Quill. If you will follow me, I shall take you there."

Celestria nodded once. "Lead the way."

Her steps were steady as she walked through the long marble halls.

The walls were decorated with the banners, but her mind wasn't on them. Her thoughts circled back to her brother.

If he survived this long, Quill must have gone easy on him. Otherwise… there is no way he'd last.

The maid opened a tall glass door that led to the backyard.

The moment Celestria stepped outside, she stopped cold. Her eyes widened at the sight before her.

Quill stood on one side of the yard. His shirt was ripped at the sleeves, and his trousers were stained with dust and dirt. His chest rose and fell heavily.

His face carried strain, though he kept his posture tall.

On the other side was Azrael. He was worse than Quill by far.

Bruises ran across his arms. Cuts marked his cheek and forehead.

Blood smeared his lips, dripping slowly onto his chin.

His stance was shaky, yet his expression made Celestria's breath freeze.

He was smiling.

It wasn't the smile of a boy in pain. It was a grin.

Wide. Twisted. His bloodied teeth gleamed under the sun. A manic expression that sent a chill even through her.

Azrael spat red onto the dirt.

Pss.

He raised his head, eyes locked on Quill. "Master. Let's see if you can survive this move of mine."

Celestria's heart clenched. What madness is this boy drowning in?

Azrael's bare fists tightened until his knuckles cracked.

His body leaned forward, his muscles taut. Quill squared his stance as well.

No gauntlets. No armor. Only flesh against flesh.

Azrael roared as he charged. Quill rushed too, his fists ready.

Boom!

Their fists met in the middle. The impact tore a crater into the ground, a burst of dust shooting out like an explosion.

Quill slid back three steps, his feet leaving long marks in the dirt.

Azrael was blasted much farther, rolling before he caught himself with his palms.

He coughed hard. Blood spilled down his chin. Yet he looked up with that same twisted grin. "Master… are you getting weak?"

Quill's brow furrowed. "You have called me master twice already. Do you not have something better to call me?"

Azrael only laughed, his voice raw. "Heh. Then I will try again." He lunged forward. His fists flew, his body weaving. Quill blocked, ducked, and countered. Their fists collided again and again.

Thud.

Crack.

Boom.

The air filled with the sound of battle. Dust clouds rose. Pieces of the ground broke under their weight.

Celestria whispered, her voice almost trembling. "What in the hell is happening here?"

For a split second, Quill's eyes flicked toward her. He froze. She's here? Too early. Damn it… her gown looks too beautiful. And me? I look like a laborer in rags.

Smack!

Azrael's fist slammed into his cheek. Quill fell, crashing into the ground.

Azrael stood above him, chest heaving, blood dripping. "Master, you were too distracted." His grin stretched wider.

Quill groaned as he touched his swollen cheek. His thoughts turned bitter. 'And now it is even worse.'

--x--x--x--

Later, they sat inside the hall.

Quill sat stiffly on a couch, his cheek swollen and red.

His arms were crossed, and his head hung slightly, as though he wanted to disappear into the cushions.

Azrael sat across from him, leaning casually. Despite his bruises, his eyes gleamed with life.

He wiped the blood from his lips and glanced at Celestria.

"Sister," he said in a steady voice. "Brother Quill is too kind. Not only did he train me after how important figure he was, but he also gave me the water. You know what I mean. And on top of that, he gave me many Aether stones."

Quill brightened at the words. His chest swelled with pride.

He smiled through the pain. 'Yes. Yes, that is true. That is it, my boy. Thank you for saying it.'

Celestria watched Azrael closely. A faint smile touched her lips. So he is using my own tricks now.

Clever little brother.

Azrael leaned forward, voice calm. "And Sister, he even showed me the gauntlet. The heirloom. It is one of the finest weapons I have ever seen."

Quill's face twitched. "Ah… the gauntlet. Yes, it has been in the family for generations. It is valuable. A symbol."

Celestria narrowed her eyes. So this is what it is about.

Azrael continued, his voice smooth. "Brother Quill, your kindness has no end. You push me. You guide me. You heal me. You even trusted me enough to show me the treasure. That kind of trust means more than words."

Quill touched his cheek, wincing. Clench. Yet his pride stirred again. 'Yes… yes. That is right.'

Celestria leaned back in her seat, her voice calm but steady. "Quill, you always stop short of taking credit for what you do. You give more than most would dare, even if you never admit it."

Quill blinked, unsure. His chest tightened. Why does it sound like praise, yet feel like a push?

Azrael wiped blood from his chin, his grin softening. "Brother, you don't even know how much you've done for me. You trained me when I could not stand. You healed me when I should have broken. And you trusted me enough to show me the heirloom." He let out a weak laugh.

Pss.

"Even seeing it once was more than I deserved."

Quill's throat went dry. Pride swelled in him, but unease grew beside it.

He looked from Azrael's bloody grin to Celestria's calm gaze.

His shoulders sank as if the choice was already taken from him.

"Fine," he muttered, forcing a small smile. "You can have one gauntlet. The left one. That is enough."

Azrael's eyes glimmered. His lips curved faintly. "Brother, you honor me.""

Celestria gave a graceful nod. Her eyes sparkled with victory.

Quill rose and walked to a heavy chest by the wall. He lifted its lid and reached inside.

A pair of gauntlets lay within, faintly glowing with ancient power. He took the left one and returned.

He placed it in Azrael's hands with careful weight.

Azrael felt the heavy metal press into his palms. He clenched his jaw. Clench. "I will honor this gift."

Quill forced a chuckle, though embarrassment burned on his face. "Yes. Use it well."

The siblings prepared to leave soon after. Their carriage waited at the entrance. Quill walked with them to the main doors.

Azrael turned back once, the gauntlet gripped tightly in his hand. "Brother, thank you. I will never forget."

Quill smiled faintly, though his swollen cheek throbbed. 'Goodbye, my boy. You are growing too strong. Perhaps too fast.'

Celestria stepped into the carriage, her silver eyes sharp. 'Foolish man. You just handed him what he wanted. And you did it with pride.'

Azrael climbed in, blood still marking his face. His grin was back, faint and cold. 'Goodbye, Brother. One day, you will regret underestimating me.'

The door closed with a thud. The wheels rolled forward, carrying them away.

Quill stood alone at the mansion door, one hand on his swollen cheek. He muttered, voice heavy with regret. "Damn it. And now it is worse. Azrael we will meet in the academy hope you continue to be my wingman"