The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

White Magic differs from Holy Magic.

Healing wounds and buffs.

Although it has the basic ability to be strong against the undead and bestow beneficial effects on allies, White Magic, unlike Holy Magic, boasts exceptional efficiency in combat against opponents.

The divine power stems from a god's love for humans, hence it's almost ineffective in combat, but White Magic is not so constrained.

Celestial Magic.

The name alone makes one feel chosen, a magic that Ruin stumbles upon in an old library in the latter part of the novel.

After losing to Hans.

After the death of his master, the Tower Master.

At a time when he was mentally overwhelmed, he miraculously acquired this magic.

The foundation of Ruin's nickname as the White Flame Magician in the latter part of the novel.

Growing mentally.

Learning patience over anger.

After many failures, he attained this power at the moment when he blossomed.

That was one of the fortunes Ruin was destined to acquire.

The current Ruin was very different from his depiction in the novel. Perhaps because this was the early to mid part of the story, he was much younger and lacking.

The Ruin in the latter part of the novel was different.

The Ruin in the novel, a charming secondary male lead, though not to my taste, was remembered for his respectable actions.

In the novel, Ruin was somewhat colder, a majestic presence in front of Yuria.

Cool yet decadent, confident in his talent without being a bully.

And his temperament wasn't as foul as it is now. Of course, the Ruin I remember appears in the middle to the latter part of the novel.

In the early parts of the novel, Ruin didn't have much of a role.

Specifically, his importance increased after the upcoming kidnapping incident involving Yuria.

From then on, he seemed to have matured, or at least, presented a different feeling from the current Ruin.

Somewhat serious, with a foul temper, but like a docile lamb when Yuria asked him to endure.

Maybe my arrival caused Ruin to become considerably unsettled.

Ruin's rivalry with the lady wasn't detailed much in the novel.

There was mention of a rivalry, but I don't recall him getting angry or bristling at the sight of the lady like now.

Maybe it was because the novel only showed snippets, but the Ruin I know from the novel seems a bit different from the current Ruin.

Growing deficiencies.

Quick to anger.

Childish behavior.

Of course, this might be because these stories weren't covered in the novel, or perhaps they're perceived differently from Yuria's perspective.

Michail too.

To my eyes, they seemed like children caught up in their deficiencies, but in the novel, their characters were portrayed as resolute and impressive.

I guess it's a matter of perspective.

"That's why it's a problem to meddle too much. I should have just let it be."

I tried not to disturb the storyline, but it's slightly regrettable that things haven't gone as planned.

And about the ranking tournament… I have no words for how harsh I was to Ruin.

At that time, being at the academy excited me too much. It felt thrilling to legally slap the protagonist I'd only read about in novels.

-Thrilling…!

-Stop…!

-This is the best…!

-Stop hitting me, you crazy bastard!

-Is this possession…?!

-It hurts! You dog!

I admit, I went too far.

Laughing to myself, I pulled out a dust-covered book from the mansion's basement bookshelf.

In a space known only to the lady and me, the flickering lantern light illuminated the dark basement where no one else was permitted entry.

Holding the lantern, I inspected the book I'd taken out.

"Is this the one…? Ah, it is."

Covered in dust, with a cover made of monster hide, this unremarkable book, seeming to contain trivial content, was hiding its presence under layers of dust.

"I never thought I'd use this book."

Ancient Grimoire:

[Infinite Dance of Light]

A fortuitous event from the novel that propelled Ruin to become a grand magician, setting him apart from other magicians.

I never thought I'd use the book I had stolen just in case.

Essentially, grimoires contain knowledge of magic and the unique spells of the grimoire itself.

Learning from someone is a good method, but the knowledge and understanding passed down by magicians who have long departed this world through their grimoires are too significant to ignore. Even a grimoire containing basic spells like Firestorm boasts a high price.

Especially ancient grimoires are astronomically valuable, priceless in monetary terms.

Standing before such a grimoire, I found myself deep in thought. Should I use this grimoire?

I took it out thinking I'd rather keep it than give it to Ruin, but I wonder if I can truly harness its efficiency.

Besides, stealing a secret manual or weapon from Michail is one thing, but for someone like me with no talent in magic, using it might not be beneficial.

This grimoire vanishes once a successor appears, making it a tricky entity.

"Ah… What a dilemma."

Fundamentally, I lack talent in magic.

I've come to objectively realize I lack the talent for calculating formulas and visualizing them.

That's why I joined the swordsmanship department, not the magic faculty, and why I clashed with Michail.

I've tried learning many fortunes and magics, but alas… I couldn't grasp the feeling and gave up on learning magic.

It was for the best.

Even without magic, mastering a sword alone could achieve unparalleled feats, and it would be useful in unforeseen battles with heretics.

After all, in one-on-one combat, a sword is stronger than magic.

Here I am, deeply contemplating learning magic.

It's too precious to give to others.

And too bitter to hand over to Ruin.

Becoming stronger is great, but perhaps it's better to pass it to someone who can use it more efficiently.

The potential storyline issues from the grimoire's subtext could be resolved simply by my childhood actions against the heretics.

If Ruin can't resolve it,

It's not a problem with the fortuitous event but a lack of effort on his part.

Hans, of course.

A grimoire taken by a heretic.

Most of the villains who would grow into great evils later were either killed or their fates altered by me in their childhood.

If problems arise, I'll step in. No need to overthink.

Unable to reach a decision, I pondered until the lantern's wick nearly burnt out.

Wishing for someone smart and trustworthy…

After some time,

The day's start was heralded by a loud alarm overhead.

-Air raid siren!!!!!

I smiled.

‘Found one.'

A fool.

Hates studying but possesses unmatched magical talent.

And even if betrayed, a person who could joyfully accept it.

Olivia.

With the lady in mind, I ascended the stairs, thinking of her lying in bed.

*

"Lady."

The lady, lying in bed, rolled over and looked at me.

"Hmm."

"A gift for you."

"Huh?"

Looking at the dark brown rectangular object, the lady twitched her eyebrows, rubbed her sleepy eyes, and smiled, spreading her hands wide.

"Chocolate!"

"No, it's not."

"Eh…"

At the firm denial, the lady lost interest and looked away from the ancient tome. If it's not chocolate, it's only natural for her to dismiss it as irrelevant in her life.

This one book possessed the value to construct a chocolate palace.

The lady sighed deeply, expressing her minor wish to me.

"I thought it was a huge chocolate and got excited."

"This is even better."

"Ricardo, you're too much. Nothing is better than chocolate in this world."

"…"

The lady spoke to me decisively.

"I don't need it, give me something else."

I looked at her with a meaningful smile.

"It's an incredible gift."

Losing interest at the mention it wasn't edible, the lady waved her hand dismissively, urging me away with a relaxed demeanor.

"Books are boring."

"This one is very interesting."

"Even more than the books you gave me before?"

The lady referred to my personal collection she peruses every night. How did she know to ask such an adept question?

Feeling guilty, I remained silent.

"It's not that. It's a grimoire."

"A grimoire?"

The lady's interest piqued, but soon she turned away towards the window with a dejected expression.

Seems she didn't want to talk.

"I can't even use magic."

"Wouldn't it be interesting to look at?"

"What's the fun in looking at something I can't use?"

The lady huffed and pulled the blanket over her head, clearly sulking.

A magician who lost her magic.

Despite possessing unparalleled talent, the fact that the lady couldn't use magic must have brought her immense emptiness and shock.

But personally, I hoped she would read the grimoire.

Just in case.

Maybe this grimoire could find a clue to restore the lady's lost magic, creating such a miracle.

I don't know much about its abilities myself.

The novel's description was just one line: "Gained wisdom along with a white light."

What abilities it possesses, without having read it myself, I cannot say.

So, with a glimmer of hope, I offered the grimoire.

"I won't look."

The lady's whim brought an end to the matter.