The Villain Professor's Second Chance

I responded in kind, each of us moving in a deadly dance of strategy and counter-strategy. My mana surged, fueling my [Comprehension], but something was wrong. With every move I made, the skill demanded more of my energy. The pull was subtle at first, barely noticeable, but as the game progressed, I began to feel the drain more acutely.

My mana reserves were depleting faster than I anticipated, each move costing me more than the last.

I glanced at Aurelia. Her expression was calm, but her eyes were sharp, following every move I made with surgical precision. She wasn't aware of the mana drain—I was sure of that—but her natural talent was pushing me to the edge. She was forcing me to use more of my power just to keep up with her.

Another move. Another pull on my mana. I could feel it now, the weight of the game pressing down on me, the stones on the board seeming to hum with latent energy. This wasn't just a game anymore—it had become a battle of willpower, a test of endurance.

With each turn, my mana reserves dropped further, reaching dangerous levels. I was down to a third of my usual strength, and we weren't even close to the endgame yet. I needed to finish this quickly, but Aurelia wasn't giving me any openings. Her strategy was flawless, her control over the board tightening with every move.

But I wasn't out of tricks yet.

I made a final, desperate push, placing a stone that disrupted the delicate balance of her formation. For a moment, the room fell silent, the tension palpable. Aurelia's eyes widened slightly, the realization dawning on her as she studied the board.

She had lost.

No matter what move she made next, no matter how much she tried to salvage her position, the game was over. My final move had sealed her fate, cutting off her last viable option.

For a long moment, she stared at the board, her fingers trembling ever so slightly as they hovered over the stones. Then, with a slow, grudging exhale, she leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.

"You win, you bastard," she muttered, her voice filled with reluctant admiration. But there was no malice in her tone, no bitterness—just a quiet acceptance of the outcome.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, my mana reserves dangerously low but stable. The game had taken more out of me than I expected, but it was over. For now.

Aurelia's eyes met mine, and despite the frustration evident on her face, there was a glimmer of something else—respect, perhaps? She had pushed herself to the limit, and though she had lost, she had learned something valuable.

"Three days," she repeated, her smirk returning as she stood. "I'll beat you in three days, Draven. Not just in Go, but in your Psychokinesis as well. Mark my words."

I gave a small nod, knowing that the real challenge was only just beginning.

I rose from my seat slowly, preparing to take my leave. The game was over, and I had achieved what I came here for. But just as I moved to stand, something made me pause. Aurelia's sharp eyes caught the slight hesitation, and she tilted her head, an impatient look crossing her face.

"And what kind of thing are you trying to boast about this time, you bastard?" she asked, her voice dripping with her usual mixture of sarcasm and irritation.

I didn't respond immediately. Instead, I slipped my hand into the inside pocket of my coat, my expression as calm and indifferent as ever. Aurelia watched me closely, her fiery temper simmering beneath the surface, but there was curiosity in her gaze too—she always suspected I had another trick up my sleeve.

I pulled out a small envelope, the dark material glistening faintly in the room's soft light. Without a word, I extended it toward her, holding it between my fingers. She raised an eyebrow but took it, her gaze narrowing as she examined the envelope in her hand.

"And this is...?" she asked, her tone demanding an explanation.

"It's an invitation," I replied, my voice cool and measured. "To an auction that will be held at the Drakhan manor in three days. There will be many interesting items up for bid—artifacts, rare magical objects, items you might find valuable. If Your Majesty wishes to attend, I can send you the item catalog in advance."

She stared at the envelope, her fingers tracing the edges of it. At first glance, it was just a piece of parchment, finely made but nothing too extraordinary. However, as her fingers brushed over the material, she paused, her eyes widening slightly. The texture of the envelope wasn't normal—it was smooth, almost silk-like, yet there was a weight to it that seemed to hum with energy.

There were faint runes etched into the material, nearly invisible to the naked eye, but Aurelia's sharp senses picked up on them immediately.

"Interesting," she muttered under her breath, more to herself than to me. Her eyes glinted with intrigue as she turned the invitation over in her hands, studying the runes that shimmered faintly along its surface. These weren't just decorative. They were protective, enchanted with subtle layers of magic.

It wasn't the invitation itself that interested her but the craftsmanship, the power woven into the very fabric of the material.

I could see her mind working, trying to decipher the spellwork, her curiosity piqued by the complexity of the runes. They weren't simple, and she knew it. The invitation wasn't merely an invitation—it was a symbol of the power behind it, a glimpse into something more significant. And she wasn't one to overlook such things.

"Who created these runes?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with curiosity.

I remained indifferent, my face betraying nothing. "They were crafted under my supervision," I replied smoothly. "The auction items will be equally... intricate. You'll find them quite fascinating."

Aurelia smirked, her gaze flicking up to meet mine, the fire in her eyes burning brighter. "You think you can lure me with fancy runes and enchanted artifacts?" she asked, but there was a playful edge to her tone now. "Very well. I'll consider attending."

I inclined my head slightly. "Of course, Your Majesty. I will await your decision."

With that, I turned and made my way toward the door. The private tutoring session had come to an end, and there was no need to prolong the conversation. Aurelia had what she needed, and I had accomplished what I set out to do.

As I left the Queen's private study, the castle's atmosphere shifted around me. The corridors were lined with guards, maids, and nobles, all of them watching with cautious eyes as I passed. Whispers followed me, soft murmurs that echoed through the hallways like a distant breeze.

The Queen's private study was a place where no one was allowed to enter—not her maids, not her knights, not even her Prime Minister. Yet I had been granted access, and that alone stirred suspicion among the castle's residents.

"The Earl of Drakhan," I heard one of them whisper, "the one known for his thirst for power and cold ruthlessness. Why does the Queen trust him?"

Another voice chimed in, quieter but just as sharp. "He's a dangerous man, no doubt about it. But have you seen the way he acts around her? Almost like a loyal wolf... a monster, yes, but one that would follow a strong master."

The rumors had already begun to spread. The image of me as a power-hungry, ruthless figure was still alive, but now, there was another narrative forming. People were beginning to see me not just as a threat but as a potential ally. A man who would be fiercely loyal to those above him, a force to be reckoned with, yes, but one who could be trusted if properly controlled.

"A knight in a monster's skin," one of the guards muttered as I passed. "A mage with the heart of a warrior. Could it be... that he's truly loyal to the Queen?"

I could hear the rumors swirling, feel the weight of their gazes as they tried to piece together who I truly was. But none of them would ever understand. I had spent years cultivating this image, this persona of cold detachment, and now the pieces were falling into place.

As I stepped outside into the fresh air, I allowed myself a small, almost imperceptible smile. Everything was going exactly as planned. The Queen, the court, the rumors—each of them was playing their part in a much larger game. The Beast Wave, the auction, the subtle shifts in power... all of it would come together soon enough.

As I walked away from the castle, I muttered softly to myself, the words barely audible in the wind. "Everything... just as planned."

And with that, I disappeared into the shadows, my mind already turning toward the next move.