The Villain Professor's Second Chance

But, as always, my mind never rested. Far beyond the walls of this mansion, in a secret chamber hidden deep below, one of my clones continued its task, tinkering with the magic core I had extracted from the dungeonification of the magic tower university attempted by Armandra.

I could feel its presence, like a distant echo, as it worked meticulously to align the core's energy with the mansion's foundations. The core itself was a marvel—ancient, powerful, and brimming with raw necromantic energy infused. But it wasn't just for display. No, this was for something far more practical.

The 'Beast Wave' was coming.

I knew from my memories of the mid-game that this world, now real, would soon face an onslaught that would tear through kingdoms like a scythe through wheat. The beasts, mindless and ravenous, would descend upon the land, slaughtering indiscriminately. And Drakhan, the earldom that bore my name, would be no exception.

If I didn't prepare, we'd be overrun, and all the power I'd accumulated would be for naught.

My eyes flicked to the map laid out on the desk. The lands of Drakhan stretched across vast, fertile plains, perfect for agriculture and trade. But they were vulnerable, wide open to invasion. The dungeon core would change that. Once fully installed, it would become a fortress within a fortress, siphoning mana from the very air and land.

Not enough for the people to notice—just a small, imperceptible pull. Enough to summon defensive monsters, reinforce the earldom's structures, and strengthen the Ebon Devourer, who would act as the final line of defense.

The Ebon Devourer had already proven its worth in the dungeon, but with the core feeding it directly, it would evolve into something far stronger. A guardian fit for a kingdom—no, for a man of my caliber. The core itself would act as a power source for the mansion and the surrounding estate, allowing me to control the ebb and flow of necromantic energy across the land.

A shield, a weapon, and a resource, all in one.

I placed the cup down, the sound of the porcelain against the desk crisp in the silence.

The Beast Wave. It wasn't something I feared—no, fear was for the unprepared. But I respected the destruction it would bring. The chaos. And in chaos, there was opportunity. For those who survived, power would shift.

Positions would change. Kingdoms could fall, and others could rise. My job wasn't merely to survive; it was to ensure that when the dust settled, Drakhan would stand stronger than before. And if I played my cards right, I wouldn't just defend the earldom—I'd use the chaos to carve a greater position for myself in this kingdom.

My thoughts shifted slightly. The mana that would flow from the core would also fuel the growth of the land, subtly enhancing the natural magic in the region. Crops would grow faster, the people would thrive, and they'd never realize they were feeding into the earldom's true defenses.

I allowed myself a rare smirk. Perfect.

Just as I finished that thought, there was a faint knock at the door, and without waiting for an invitation, Alfred, my trusted steward, entered the room. His movements were always measured, precise, as if the weight of his responsibilities shaped every step he took.

"Master," he said, bowing slightly. "It is time to depart. We should reach the castle just before the queen's private magic class begins."

I nodded. Right on time. As always. Alfred was nothing if not efficient.

"Are the preparations for the auction complete?" I asked, standing up from my desk. The queen's private lesson was important, but the auction Drakhan was hosting in the coming days was vital. The funds raised would be necessary to further bolster the defenses—and perhaps a few other personal projects I had in mind.

"Yes, master," Alfred replied smoothly. "Everything will be ready the moment you deliver the invitation to the queen. The nobles are already eager to attend. With your endorsement and her majesty's support, there will be no shortage of bidders."

I nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Let's not waste time, then."

As we made our way through the mansion's grand halls, the weight of the day's tasks settled into place, though it did little to slow my stride. The auction was merely a tool, a means to gather resources without raising suspicion. Nobles, after all, loved their gatherings, their pomp, and their shows of wealth.

They would bid endlessly for artifacts and rare items, unaware that they were funding the earldom's war preparations. It was almost too easy.

The grand doors of the mansion swung open as Alfred and I stepped out into the morning light. A carriage, elegant but understated, awaited us. I preferred not to draw attention on my way to the castle. The queen's private magic class was not something the court needed to gossip about—at least not yet.

I stepped into the carriage, the door closing behind me with a soft click. As we set off toward the castle, I allowed myself a brief moment of reflection. Aurelia was... an enigma. A queen with boundless potential, a sharp intellect that many underestimated. And yet, she hid behind a mask of laziness and vulgarity, as if daring the world to underestimate her.

But I had seen through that façade.

She was dangerous.

And that was precisely why I had agreed to teach her.

___

The royal castle loomed in the distance, its high towers piercing the clear morning sky. Inside the throne room, Queen Aurelia sat with a bored expression, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest of her throne. The ministers around her droned on about the kingdom's domestic affairs, their voices a low hum of inefficiency and bureaucracy.

Aurelia sighed, her platinum blonde hair shimmering in the sunlight that filtered through the large windows. Her mind was elsewhere, far away from the tedious discussions of grain storage and trade routes. These ministers spoke too much, offered too little, and seemed to forget that she had already heard the same arguments a dozen times before.

"Bastards," she muttered under her breath, barely loud enough for the nearest minister to hear.

He hesitated, glancing nervously at her, but said nothing. Aurelia had a reputation for her fiery temper, but more than that, she had a reputation for getting results. And while the ministers often treated her with a degree of fear, they couldn't deny her brilliance. She had proven herself time and time again, even if she preferred to act as though she couldn't care less.

Her thoughts drifted to Draven, the cold professor who had agreed to teach her in private. He was different. Efficient. Ruthless in his intellect. The kind of man who didn't waste time with niceties or pointless formalities. He spoke as if every word had weight, as if every sentence was crafted with precision.

It was... refreshing.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Her lips curled into a slight smirk. He intrigued her. More than anyone had in a long time.

One of the ministers, a portly man with thinning hair, cleared his throat and began to speak. "Your majesty, I believe we should—"

The grand doors of the throne room swung open with a resounding creak, cutting off the minister mid-sentence. The guard stationed at the door stepped forward, his voice ringing out clearly.

"Presenting Earl Draven Arcanum von Drakhan."

A chill swept through the room, as if the very air had shifted with his arrival. The ministers froze, their eyes widening slightly as they turned to see the man who had entered. His presence was undeniable, a cold aura that seemed to seep into the very stone of the castle. Draven's sharp gaze swept across the room, his expression unreadable.

Aurelia's smirk widened. "So you finally came, Draven."

She stood, her movements languid but purposeful, as if she were a predator sizing up its prey. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and curiosity as she descended the steps of her throne, stopping just a few feet away from him.

Enjoy new adventures from empire

Draven bowed slightly, his cold eyes locking with hers. "Your majesty."

There was a tension in the room, thick and palpable. The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to react. Aurelia, on the other hand, seemed entirely at ease.

"You're late," she said, her voice playful, though there was an edge to it. "I almost thought you wouldn't show."

Draven straightened, his expression unchanged. "I never waste time, your majesty."

Aurelia chuckled softly. "Of course not. That's why I like you, Draven. No pointless chatter."

She turned on her heel, motioning for him to follow. "Come, let's get started. I've had enough of these fools for one day."