I Am The Game's Villain

294  Two Weeks Of Training and Annabelle

"Reverse Claws."

-BOOOOOM! n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Damn!

I crossed my arms but couldn't stop my body from being hurled away. I embedded myself in the wall and dropped to my knees.

The entire training hall was engulfed in purple flames that showed no signs of fading.

"Argh…" I groaned, resting my tired hands on the ground as I struggled to rise. Sweat drenched my body, and blood trickled from a wound on my head.

We had a two-week break after the final day of class and practical exams. While most of my classmates were off enjoying their holidays in other countries, I couldn't. John was probably the closest friend I had here, but he wasn't the type to suggest a vacation. Victor hadn't reached out either. Last I saw him, he seemed frustrated with his weakness, likely devoting his time to training like me.

But I doubt he was training as intensely as I was.

For two weeks, I maintained a grueling schedule. Early mornings, a light breakfast, hours of physical exercise until lunch, followed by intense training on controlling Vysindra's fire and mastering mana circles, then dinner, and finally, sleep.

I'd kept up this relentless routine for two weeks. Mom and Christina were worried, but I assured them it was nothing. I was training not just for myself, but for their safety as well.

John had a point.

I should have given my all to eliminate Manuel. Actually, the ideal scenario would have been to rid ourselves of Manuel, Nikolas Tepes, and Pierre, but that was clearly beyond the capabilities of John and me at the moment.

Sancta Vedelia was teeming with monsters.

"Edward." Samara appeared with a towel, wiping my face as I tried to summon a weary smile. "Thanks."

After a while, she sat beside me in silence.

"Say, Samara, how much do you yearn to regain a true body of flesh and blood?" I asked her.

Samara stayed silent for a moment before stretching out her legs. "I don't mind the time it will take. As long as I'm with you," she said calmly before fixing her gaze on me. "Do you want me to have a body of flesh and blood?"

It was an unexpected question.

"Well, I would be glad to see you truly alive again. I'm sure you will like it as well," I replied with a smile.

"Then fine," she said.

Suddenly, the door to the training room swung open, and an adorable girl of twelve years old jumped toward me.

"Ugh!" I groaned as I felt her head hitting my chest.

"Edward!" Annabelle raised her blue eyes with a pout. "You are training again!"

"My bad…" I patted her hair gently.

She was growing up too quickly. Just a few months ago, she was a little girl below ten.

"You are spending more time with Samara sis than me too…" Annabelle hugged me and cast a sulking glance at Samara, who tilted her head.

"Well, she is helping with my training," I explained.

"Then I will help you as well!" Annabelle declared with a wide smile.

I smiled and shook my head. "I want you to grow up like a normal girl, Annabelle. Study, play, enjoy your life as a girl of your age should. Mary wanted that for you as well, remember?"

Annabelle lowered her gaze when I mentioned Mary.

Flicking her forehead, I grinned. "You should show her your growth once we see her again. She will be impressed."

Annabelle nodded before grinning back. "Yeah! She will be amazed!" Adding that, she dragged me by the hand. "Big sister and aunty are calling you and Samara!"

"Right." I nodded and headed straight to the bath.

I was feeling lazy about going back to school.

Dealing with third-rate nobles and the others was getting tiresome.

But I knew Mom would beat me up if I didn't.

At least my grades were holding up for now.

Putting on my uniform and slinging my bag over my shoulder, I descended the stairs.

"Mom isn't here?" I inquired, finding Christina wearing an apron.

"Nope. She left quickly today," Christina replied before setting a plate in front of me—a delicious-looking omelet.

"Wow, you're great at everything, big sis," I remarked, taking a bite.

"Of course, I am," Christina puffed out her chest with a proud smile.

My eyebrows raised as I noticed Annabelle, also wearing an apron. "Annabelle?"

"Oh, Annabelle wanted to learn how to cook, so I'm teaching her. She's learning very quickly. It's amazing," Christina explained.

"Hmpf." Annabelle smiled proudly.

"She will be a great wife, that's for sure," Christina said with a giggle.

My hand paused at Christina's words. "She won't marry anyone."

10:28

"Hey! You can't keep her with you until the end, y'know!" Christina retorted.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Anna is too good for the poor men of this world. She deserves someone better."

"No! I want to marry too, Edward!" Annabelle arrived in front of me angrily, spatula in hand.

"Nope. Forget it," I shook my head.

"I want to marry you, Edward!" Annabelle declared with tears gathering in her eyes, then ran away.

"..."

"..."

Christina and I fell silent at Annabelle's words, while Samara continued to eat peacefully.

"Amael, we will have a great talk later," Christina cast a cold smile at me and left.

I sweated a bit before making a quick escape from the house.

…

…

Navigating the bustling corridors of the academy, I found myself entangled in a conversation with Cleenah as we made our way to class.

Cleenah's voice echoed in my mind, stern and accusatory: [<It's your fault, Amael.>]

I retorted, "How the hell is that my fault?"

[<You should have been more strict towards Annabelle.>]

I countered, "How can I be strict with her? She's too good."

[<Exactly, and now she's head over heels for you.>]

"Aren't you exaggerating it?" I questioned.

[<Not at all, and you can only blame yourself.>]

"Huh? I did nothing except be nice to her, Cleenah," I defended myself.

[<Too nice. You hugged her more than your own fiancée Layla. Is that normal?>]

I stammered, "Ugh... I mean, I hugged her as a good elder brother."

Cleenah remained adamant: [<Not for her. Despite her appearance, Annabelle is very mature. As a banshee, she is maturing fast.>]

Admitting my mistake, I scratched my head. I might have been too close to her, but I genuinely thought she was joking around, given her young age.

I care deeply for Annabelle, much like I do for Samara and Mary. They know everything about me. Moreover, she has been with me since last year. I just don't want to hurt her.

"I will ignore her advances and play it like before, thinking it's a joke. What do you think? She might surely, some days, understand that it was merely familial affection toward me."

[<I don't know, Amael. Do what you think is best.>]

"Thanks for the uselessness," I sighed.

[<I wonder what Layla's reaction will be once she finds out that you are seducing a vampire princess, Annabelle. Invading a princess' bedroom too.>]

I rolled my eyes, muttering, 'Shaddap.'

I'm just curious about Elizabeth and the 'invasion' of Celeste's bedroom was merely an accident.

[<A lucky one. Admit it.>]

"I guess?" I smiled a little.