The Villains I Taught Became Heroes chapter 2

2 – Accepted a Disciple – 2

Applying for the position of a master? What kind of nonsense is this?

“Isn’t that the case?”

“If you talk in riddles, no one can understand what you mean. At least explain it briefly.”

“My father has been calling people from here and there, saying he will teach me from now on.”

“Ah, so there was a master?”

“Yes, there was.”

Not there but was.

Nothing could be better.

Anyway, she’s free now.

Of course, there was another meaning in those words.

Either the teachers who had come so far couldn’t teach her because of her exceptional talent.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

Fed up with the arrogance of this kid, some gave up teaching and ran away.

“I don’t intend to tell you to show respect to adults, but isn’t showing such a sharp reaction at our first meeting a bit too much?”

“Why should I when there’s no reason to impress you?”

“I could be your master.”

“Are they not people who came for your father’s money anyway? In that case, I’m not interested.”

“I don’t even know who your father is.”

“Hmm.”

Now she shows interest.

The girl stared at me intently, chuckled, and then turned away.

“Even if that’s the case, nothing will change. Even if you were in the position of my mentor, I won’t have any respect unless you are someone I’ve acknowledged.”

No doubt, he’s shameless.

But still, it doesn’t matter.

What I want is his talent.

I’ll tolerate his shamelessness until he blooms that talent and clears the quest. Until then, I can overlook that level of shamelessness with a smile.

And originally, the world looks different depending on the perspective.

If you think of that shamelessness as a slightly twisted mascot character, wouldn’t it become a moe element?

“Anyway, since it seems the conversation is over, let’s go to your father. By the way… what’s your name? Oh. By the way, my name is Lee Hyun.”

“Sowol.”

“…What?”

The girl’s name sounded familiar.

I stared at her intently and asked.

“Is your father, by any chance, the esteemed Lord Sowol? The top lord of the Eastern Upper Tier?”

“What? You know about my father?”

Huh. Is this really a coincidence?

I knew this child. No, to be precise, I knew about this child from ten years later.

Well, that makes sense since she was the antagonist in the first protagonist’s route, the middle boss of the story.

Sowol’s house.

To be precise, I hesitated as I headed towards the house of Sowol, the owner of the Eastern Upper Tier, who came from the East.

Ragnarok – The Travelers of Three Stars unfolds a story centered around three protagonists.

In other words, each character has its own main story, and there are bosses according to each route.

Sowol was the antagonist who tormented Lygon, the male protagonist, throughout the story, causing trouble from the beginning to the end of the Lygon route.

The character itself is pretty, but with a quirky personality and countless evil deeds, she ranked in the top three worst characters.

I never expected to see the appearance of that character from ten years ago like this…

“Why are you so late when you’re chasing after me?”

I’m conflicted.

Of all the talented kids I could have met for the first time, it had to be Sowol.

What if I raise her deliberately, and she grows up wrong, unable to follow the Lygon route? What will happen then?

Is it better to nip it in the bud now?

“Don’t want to go? Then don’t.”

“…Let’s go. Come on.”

But that thought soon changed.

No matter how much I thought about it, it didn’t seem like I’d encounter another talented person like her. And even if I raise Sowol, even if it messes up Lygon’s main storyline, don’t I have other characters? I have two, to be exact.

If it doesn’t work out, I can just abandon Lygon’s route and pursue another character’s storyline. What matters is seeing the true ending. And do I really need to be bound by the male character’s true ending?

“Your expression seems to have changed. Is something up?”

“If I’m doing this, might as well do it right.”

I know the basic story about Sowol. She’s the owner of the Eastern Top, wielding immense wealth, power, and influence. She swiftly enters the academy, dominating its dark side. And eventually, she uses it to attack Lygon.

Now, Sowol has a wise elder who became her guardian at a young age. Why? Because she was supposed to be assassinated when she was young.

In essence, if I prevent that assassination, Sowol wouldn’t become the guardian of the Eastern Top. And if that happens, wouldn’t her malevolent acts at the academy diminish?

Sowol won’t appear in the main stories of other characters. However, the darkness she leads at the academy has often assisted in attacking or tormenting other protagonists.

So, steering Sowol onto the right path here might make things easier ten years from now.

If I think about abandoning Lygon’s route and making things a bit easier ten years down the line… I might prefer that.

Of course, things might not unfold as I envision, but I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. Dealing with these things on the fly, adapting to situations as they come, is often better than planning them out in detail.

“…What’s with that look?”

I glanced at Sowol with a warm gaze, and she received my look with a bewildered expression.

Alright then. I’ll mold you, just you wait and see.

I nudged Sowol’s back and strode ahead.

“Not over there.”

“Is that so?”

Following behind Sowol, we headed into the village toward the largest house. As we entered the grand oriental-style courtyard, a few guards cast wary glances at me.

Disregarding them, I could spot a man standing at the center of the yard, carrying the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

Is that man the head of the Eastern Top, Sowol’s guardian?

“Father. A new candidate for mentorship has arrived.”

“Hm? You haven’t even found the person yet? Who might you be?”

“Haha. I am someone named Lee Hyun. I’ve heard of So Wol’s remarkable talent from afar and wanted to see it for myself, so I came to find her.”

Of course, it was a lie.

However, perhaps because it was a story praising a child, a smile graced So Jung-yang’s lips.

“Well, it’s not that our child lacks effort, which is why she seems remarkable.”

“Haha. Yes, indeed. She is like the golden leaves of the Dongbang Mountains, possessing that level of talent.”

“Is that so?! Hahaha! Of course, she is! Whose daughter would she be?”

“I’ve heard that many teachers have passed through her life.”

“Uh… That’s… Well, yes, quite a few, not a lot.”

A few words exchanged made it seem like So Jung-yang knew what she was thinking.

Despite inviting numerous teachers for So Wol, they all left with a bitter response. Judging from that reaction, it seemed they hadn’t properly taught her due to So Wol’s arrogance or lack of effort.

If that were the case, there was only one thing to say here.

“There’s a saying: ‘Great vessels take time to form.’ The moment I first saw So Wol, I knew. This child will become a great vessel. There’s no point in discussing those who couldn’t wait for So Wol to grow, those who left. They hold no value in my opinion.”

“It’s gracious of you to think that way. However… I’ve never heard of the name Lee Hyun before.”

Of course not.

I might have gained a lot in the past, but my recent activities haven’t been noteworthy.

In Ragnarok, unless you’re a significant figure, those with low fame don’t even get noticed.

If So Jung-yang, the head of the Dongbang Mountains, saw me, she might just kick me out without a word. The only reason I could have this conversation was because of So Wol bringing me and probably because of the praise I offered.

I smiled back at So Jung-yang, who was looking at me intently.

They say you can’t spit on a smiling face.

“I’m not as remarkable as the rumors suggest. I merely know a few spells, a few martial arts moves, and a bit of swordsmanship. I’ve read a few books, that’s all.”

“Haha. I wonder if entrusting our daughter to someone like you is a good idea. If you’re willing, could we see your skills?”

“Of course.”

“Baek Musa! Are you there?!”

Baek Musa, referred to as a giant, emerged as if he had been waiting.

“Would you prefer martial arts, swordsmanship, or magic?”

“Whichever you’re comfortable with. The conclusion will be quick anyway.”

Quite gracefully put, that they’d knock me down and drive me out if my skills were mediocre.

Well then, I’ll have to give it my all.

I took off the coat I was wearing and swiftly tossed it towards So Wol.

—

*Thud!*

That brat! To dodge like that!

Sowol, instead of grabbing my coat, walked beside me with crossed arms, watching over me.

Goodness.

There isn’t a single person here who’s friendly.

“I’ll yield the first move.”

“I won’t decline. In that case…”

I raised my hand, preparing the most potent spell I could muster.

“Lord of Fire.”

“Gasp!”

A massive flame bloomed from my hand.

Seeing the enormous blaze capable of engulfing a whole building, both Baek Musa and Sowolyang were visibly surprised.

“Forget magic! Let’s settle this with swords!”

“Very well.”

Did he think Baek Musa would be engulfed in a single strike?

Sowolyang yelled in panic. Nodding to him, I drew the sword at my waist.

“Here I come!”

Perhaps due to the earlier magic, the disdainful gaze disappeared. Confidence, however, remained evident. Thus, Baek Musa drew his sword and lunged at me.

*Clang!*

As our swords clashed, Baek Musa’s blade shattered. I redirected mine towards Baek Musa’s neck.

This should pass as a test of skill, right?