Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son - Chapter 334

Chapter 334: [Who Killed Mary?] [2] [Nostalgia]
‘Urgh.’

I groaned internally, rubbing my face.

Whatever Siersha had done was still affecting me.

It wasn’t enough to make me lose control, but it left an unsettling discomfort crawling under my skin.

[<It’s just a basic charm. You can resist—>]

‘You knew, didn’t you?’

[<Knew what?>]

My irritation spiked at the feigned confusion in her voice.

‘About Siersha. You knew she’d turn obsessed—’

[<And so did you. Don’t pin everything on me. Since the day we met vampires, I warned you not to let them drink your blood.>]

I groaned, leaning my body against the wall.

‘Was her condition supposed to be this serious?’

I knew she was supposed to have adverse effects, but this much?

Wasn’t she supposed to be the calm type?

[<Are you actually concerned for her now?>]

‘…..’

[<Even subconsciously, you knew exactly what you were doing.>]

‘She started it.’

If she hadn’t forced me, I never would have done anything like that.

Giving me a dose of life energy and using it to control me…

Why?

What was she trying to gain?

I didn’t know why she would do such a thing.

‘She’s dangerous.’

[<Oh, congratulations. Now she’s obsessed with you.>]

‘…..’

I ran a hand through my hair, pushing myself off the wall.

That wasn’t important.

Now that she was addicted to my blood—

‘How much longer until she’s willing to trade more of her life energy for it?’

If she wanted my blood; she had to give me something in return.

That was her condition.

Now, how much would she give for just one sip of my blood?

A month?

Two months?

Six?

It would weaken her, maybe even kill her, but…

‘She should have seen this coming.’

[<I don’t like it.>]

‘Then you should have stopped me.’

[<I promised someone not to interfere with your choices.>]

‘…Christina?’

[<…>]

I see.

My gaze drifted around.

Why is this place so beautiful?

Even though it looks like an ancient palace, it’s still more breathtaking than any I’ve seen in the human domain.

‘Makes me wonder who it belonged to.’

I mused as I turned a corner—

And collided with someone.

“Urgh, look where you’re going!”

A midget girl yelled, glaring at me.

Her hands moved to rub her head that had slammed into my chest.

I raised a brow as I asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for Siersha,” Zenith grumbled, avoiding my eyes.

She huffed and tried to walk past me, but I stepped in her path.

“She’s not here.”

“Move.”

“Come with me.”

Before she could protest, I grabbed her wrist and started pulling her away.

I wasn’t letting that crazy vampire corrupt my little midget daughter.

“What happened to her?” she asked, her ember eyes narrowing.

“She is having her period cramps,” I lied effortlessly.

“Liar. Vampires don’t have periods,” she grumbled, still letting me drag her.

I paused.

Then turned to her, tilting my head. “How do they get pregnant, then?”

Her eyes slitted like a cat’s. “Why do you wanna know that?”

“Fine. Don’t tell me.” I turned away—

And immediately froze.

Epione.

She stood just ahead, her soft silver hair catching the dim light.

“What’s going on?” she asked, glancing between us.

“Epione~” Zenith beamed as she rushed towards her.

She hugged the girl, squeezing her. “How have you been?”

Epione stiffened but let her. “I’m fine.”

“You should hang out with us more,” Zenith pouted. “You’ve been avoiding us ever since our classes changed.”

“It’s not like that.” Her voice was quiet, her eyes holding a distant glimmer as they met mine. “Are we going to the garden?”

“Yeah,” I said, gently patting Zenith. “Come with us.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“I need information,” I said, meeting her gaze. “About Lumi.”

Her eyes brightened. “Just ask me! I know everything!”

I started with the most basic question. “Who was she?”

Her reply was instant. “A scholar. She lived about… three thousand years ago.”

I nodded. “That voice said only her husband could solve Mary’s murder. Why?”

“I don’t know,” she replied, shaking her head.

“But from what I have heard from rumors, it’s because this riddle was made for her husband only.”

“….I see.”

[<Are you interested in this case?>]

‘I don’t know.’

There was just something about this place… something familiar.

“You know,” Zenith suddenly said, “this palace is based on hers. Basically a replica, I confirmed it a while ago.”

“No wonder it looks so good.” My gaze swept over the surroundings again.

“Was Mary important?” I asked.

Zenith hesitated before whispering, “Lady Lumi’s sister.”

A dull ache spread in my chest, but I ignored it.

“….I see.”

Glancing to my side, I noticed Epione looking at me.

No.

She was looking at my horns.

“Do they look bad?” I asked, offering a small smile.

“Can I touch them?”

Zenith reached up before I could answer—

But she was too short.

“..…”

“..…”

“Shorty—”

“Shut up!” she yelled, storming off.

I love teasing her.

She is way too easy.

“Ruh-Ibtin.”

“Hm?”

I turned to look at Epione as she mumbled something.

Her crimson eyes met mine as she whispered again, “Your horns are made of Ruh-Ibtin.”

I tilted my head in confusion. “Uh, what?”

Instead of answering, she picked up her pace, leaving me behind.

Dumbfounded, I scratched my chin.

What the hell was that?

[<Soul threads. That’s what Ruh-Ibtin means in ancient civilization.>]

‘….’

My horns are made of soul threads?

[<You’ll understand when you start using them.>]

I sighed and kept walking.

The halls were eerily empty, not a single student in sight.

After a few minutes, we reached the garden.

‘….’

As soon as I walked inside the garden, my heart started to beat faster.

I looked around.

Fireflies drifted lazily above the flower beds, their golden light flickering like tiny stars.

The garden stretched far into the distance, but I couldn’t move.

A strange sense of nostalgia washed over me, thick and suffocating.

“Himmel?”

Zenith’s voice snapped me out of it.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I forced myself forward.

The night made visibility low, but I could see everything clearly.

A weird sense of nostalgia continued to hit me, making me more uncomfortable.

My heartbeat never stopped rising.

Placing my hand on my heart, I sighed.

Zenith was playing with the fireflies while Epione stood close to a large oak tree at the center.

I started walking towards her.

The nostalgia started turning into blurry memories.

…I remember this place.

I don’t know how, but I remember—.

—Proposing to her.

Right here.

I stopped right beside her.

She looked at me. “You’re shaking.”

“I’m fine.”

I whispered, wiping my sweaty forehead.

“There’s something written on the tree,” she pointed ahead.

I followed her gaze—

And froze again.

“That’s Lady Lumi’s writing.”

Zenith informed me from behind.

But.

I wasn’t focusing on her.

Slowly, I started reading those words engraved on the tree.

“Break the cycle, and I return to ash.

Let it reset, and I suffer eternally.

Choose, Kaveh, but know I would wait a thousand resets for one more dawn with you.”

I frowned.

My heartbeat pounded against my ribs.

“What’s ‘Kaveh’ mean?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Warrior. Madman.” Epione’s gaze met mine. “Lover, too.”

A mad lover?

Ah.

I let out a hollow chuckle as I whispered,

“….Qais.”

Zenith hesitated before rubbing my back. “You don’t look good.”

“I don’t.”

I exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself.

My eyes returned to the engraving.

“I don’t feel like continuing this exam, Zenith.”

She frowned. “Himmel—”

“Will it stop,” I murmured, “if I kill everyone?”

*******

Aimar’s golden eyes followed the group of boys sprinting ahead of him.

He didn’t know much about them,

Just that they were in the same class.

“Move faster!”

A voice snapped from behind him.

Aimar turned, his gaze meeting the towering figure of Dexter Hadid—the eldest son of the Von Castia branch family.

With his massive frame and long, blackish-brown hair, the guy looked more like a minotaur than a student.

“What are you staring at?” Dexter growled, raising a hand to slap Aimar.

Aimar tilted his head ever so slightly—just enough to evade it.

Dexter’s face twisted with humiliation.

His anger flared, and he immediately turned to one of the boys beside him.

“Zoki! Hold this fucker in place!”

The brutish boy glanced at them, then scowled. “Now’s not the time! We need to get rid of the body before anyone finds a trace!”

Dexter clenched his fists but forced himself to calm down.

Like Zoki said, now wasn’t the time.

With a grunt, he shoved Aimar aside and moved forward.

The six of them—minus Aimar—were ready for battle.

Then, a shadow dropped from the second floor.

Aimar shoved his hands into his pockets as Elijah landed gracefully, his sword poised parallel to his body.

“You’re not going to fight?”

A voice echoed beside Aimar.

A boy, identical to him, casually popped a piece of popcorn into his mouth.

“No.” Aimar’s voice was soft. “Let them handle it.”

The boy nodded, watching as Dexter stepped forward.

“Step aside, redhead,” Dexter sneered at Elijah. “Don’t waste our energy.”

His group began flanking Elijah, positioning themselves for the attack.

Aimar looked up.

Elijah’s teammates weren’t moving.

“They’re confident in him,” the boy murmured, crunching on his popcorn.

Aimar gave a short nod.

“Move,” Dexter warned Elijah one last time.

Elijah lowered his stance. “Just charge already.”

Zoki lunged first, his axe crackling with energy.

“An artifact?” Elijah muttered, spinning to avoid a spike aimed at him.

Zoki slammed the axe into the ground.

The floor ruptured, jagged stones shooting toward Elijah.

He moved passed them effortlessly.

A spiked chain lashed toward Elijah.

Elijah pivoted, his sword humming through the air—

—A single arc—

—The chain snapped, broken links scattering.

The wielder barely had time to react before Elijah’s blade cut across his chest.

Then—

“ARGH!”

Electricity surged through his body.

Eliminated.

A teleportation circle glowed beneath him, whisking him away.

Elijah didn’t pause.

Another attacker lunged, dagger poised for his ribs.

Elijah twisted—

His elbow slammed into the boy’s throat.

A sickening crack.

No scream.

Just silence.

The same thing repeated itself.

Dexter’s roar shattered the tension. “Kill the Verdant trash!”

Zoki charged again, slamming his axe down.

The floor vibrated violently, throwing Elijah off balance.

Another boy seized the opportunity, his dagger flashing toward Elijah’s lungs.

A grin stretched across his face—

Until—

An arrow buried itself into his back.

“Agh—!”

Electricity surged.

Another one down.

Elijah’s gaze flicked up.

Pasithea stood in the distance, lowering her bow.

Dexter’s face turned an ugly shade of purple. “These insects…”

Zoki quickly approached him. “We need to retreat.”

“No—!”

“We can’t win,” Zoki snapped. “We need more people!”

Dexter’s hands clenched, but after a long, furious breath, he nodded.

They turned—

“Elijah didn’t give you permission to leave,” his voice rang out.

Dexter snapped. He spun, ready to attack.

But—

“Let them go.”

Aimar stepped in front of Dexter.

Elijah’s eyes narrowed. “And why should I?”

“Unless you want to fight me,” Aimar said, tilting his head.

Silence.

Then—

Elijah sheathed his sword and turned away.

Aimar turned arround. “Let’s go.”

Maybe it was because he planned everything.

Dexter burned with humiliation, but for now, he swallowed it.

He followed Aimar in silence.

“Why save them?” The boy walking beside Aimar asked.

“…”

Aimar remained silent.

As they reached a secluded area, Aimar abruptly stopped.

Dexter frowned. “What now, lesser?”

No response.

He sneered, reaching out. “I’m talking to you, you little—”

A sickening crack echoed through the space.

Dexter blinked.

Confused.

He looked down at his hand—

Or rather—

What was left of it.

Most of his flesh was hanging on the broken bone.

Aimar turned.

Before Dexter could scream—

A blade—solid yet unseen—rushed through their bodies.

A clean, merciless cut.

One by one, their chests split open.

Teleportation circles flared beneath them.

And they were gone without knowing what actually happened.

“Hahaha!”

The boy beside Aimar burst into laughter.

“That was so random, bro!”

“Shut up.”

Aimar flexed his fingers, watching his points climb.

Zero to a thousand.

Just like that.

The first killer was identified.