Villain's Path System-Chapter 12: S-Rank’s Interest

"You look surprised," she said softly.

The faint curve of her lips suggested she wasn’t.

"P-Professor?" Lucian’s voice came out weak. Confused.

Myra walked toward him slowly, her heels clicking against the stone floor.

"I distinctly remember telling you to stay out of trouble, Mister Valemont." Her smile widened. "And yet here you are. Bleeding. In a forbidden vault. Stealing artifacts."

She crouched in front of him with unhurried grace. The red gemstones in her cross-shaped earrings caught the fading light, glinting briefly as she tilted her head.

Up close, she was stunning. Beautiful in a way that felt dangerous.

"How did you—" Lucian winced as pain shot through his chest. "How did you even find me?"

"Oh, sweetheart." She reached out, fingers trailing along his jawline. "I’ve been watching you since you arrived."

That’s not creepy at all.

"Watching me?"

"Mmm." Her eyes dropped to his wounds. "You’re more interesting than you look. And you look very interesting."

Before Lucian could respond, she pressed her hand against his chest.

Right over the wound.

He hissed in pain—

Golden light erupted from her palm.

But it wasn’t the gentle, warm healing Aria used.

This was powerful. Overwhelming. Like being hit by a tidal wave of pure mana.

His wounds closed instantly. Flesh knit back together. Even his torn clothes repaired themselves.

In five seconds, he was completely healed.

Lucian stared at her.

That level of healing... only S-rank mages can—

"There we go." Myra sat back on her heels, looking satisfied. "All better. Though I do miss the blood. It was a good look on you."

"You’re... not a normal professor, are you?"

She laughed. Bright. Genuine.

"Oh, you’re actually smart. I like that." She stood and offered her hand, eyes trailing over him. "Come on. Up you get. I want a better look."

Lucian took her hand—

She pulled him up and into her.

Suddenly he was pressed against her, her arms around his waist, face inches from hers.

"W-what are you—"

"Just checking something." Her eyes roamed over him, analytical despite the flirtatious position.

"Interesting. Very interesting."

"Checking what?!"

"Your mana flow. Your curse." She breathed against his ear. "Whether you taste as interesting as you look.

Lucian tried to step back.

Her grip tightened.

"Now now. Don’t be rude. I just saved your life."

"And I’m grateful, but—"

"But you’re not into older women?" She pulled back just enough to look at his face, eyes dancing with amusement. "Is that it?"

How did she—

"I can see it in your eyes." Myra’s smile turned wicked. "You’re trying very hard not to react to me. Most boys your age would be stammering. Blushing. Completely useless."

She released him, stepping back.

"But you? You’re uncomfortable but controlled. Impressive."

Lucian straightened his clothes, trying to regain some dignity. "Thank you for saving me, Professor. I should—"

"Myra."

He paused. "What?"

"Call me Myra. ’Professor’ is so formal." She circled him slowly, like a predator examining prey. "And we’re going to be spending a lot of time together, so we might as well be on a first-name basis."

I don’t like where this is going.

"Why would we be spending time together?"

Myra stopped in front of him, arms crossed under her chest in a way that was definitely intentional.

"Because, darling Lucian, you have a curse on you. A nasty one. Someone stole your talent and sealed it away."

His blood went cold. "How do you know about that?"

"I’m S-rank, sweetheart. I can see magical structures others can’t." She tapped his chest lightly. "And yours is fascinating. Whoever did this to you knew what they were doing."

"Can you break it?"

"Maybe. Eventually." Her smile returned. "But it would take time. Training. And a lot of... close contact."

The way she said those last two words made it very clear what she meant.

Lucian’s jaw tightened. "I need to get stronger. The curse makes me weak."

"Oh, I know. You can barely channel enough mana to light a candle." She stepped closer again. "But I can train you. Teach you techniques that don’t rely on raw power. Help you unlock what’s sealed."

"In exchange for what?"

"Smart boy." Myra’s grin widened. "Always looking for the catch."

She leaned in, lips almost touching his ear.

"I want you to be my personal student. Private lessons. Just you and me. Late nights. Very hands-on training."

Every word dripped with innuendo.

Lucian stepped back. "If you’re expecting—"

"Oh, relax." She laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "I’m not going to force you into my bed, tempting as that is. But I will flirt with you mercilessly. Touch you more than is strictly necessary during training. And generally make you very, very uncomfortable."

"That’s supposed to convince me to accept?"

"No. This is." Her expression turned serious. Dangerous. "Without training, you’ll die. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But someone wants you dead, Lucian. Someone powerful enough to curse you. And when they realize you’re starting to become a problem..."

She didn’t finish the sentence.

She didn’t need to.

Lucian clenched his fists.

She was right.

He needed power. Real power. Not just clever tricks and stolen protagonist moments.

"Fine," he said. "I’ll accept your training."

Myra’s smile returned in full force. "Wonderful! Oh, we’re going to have so much fun."

"But," Lucian added firmly, "I’m not interested in anything... beyond training."

"We’ll see about that." She winked. "Most of my students change their minds once we get started."

"I won’t."

"That’s what they all say." She turned toward the exit, gesturing for him to follow. "Come on. Let’s get you back to your dorm before someone notices you’re missing."

Lucian grabbed the Memory Stone from the pedestal and followed her.

[SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP UNLOCKED]