I'm in Love with the Villainess!-Chapter 169: Training During Celebrations?

Of course, I was in charge of planning our "fun." Evelina had already experienced everything, after all, and now here I am trying to recreate the same level of excitement she felt when we went tomb-robbing.

But now my question is...

What can I even do?

It’s not like I could just pick another late-arc tomb. Most of them had stronger defenses than the emperor’s. Unless we did all the proper preparations, that was a no-go.

Although there was one option that might work.

"Want to train?"

"Train?"

"I mean... you already have the soul thing going on, so you’re already skilled in hand-to-hand. But what about training your body to be more durable without magic?"

"That’s your idea of fun?"

"Well, it’s pretty hard to choose, considering you’ve already experienced everything the world has to offer~." I crossed my arms, smirking.

"Well, as long as you indulge in my... interests, then I’ll be fine."

"I can do that."

Indulge in her interests? That was no problem. She obviously meant me training shirtless. I guess even now she still has a particular attraction to my physique. Definitely not complaining, though.

***

Instead of teleporting just like usual, we chose to take the scenic route, travelling through the crowded city while a group of D’Arclight bodyguards appeared out of thin air to clear the road.

The academy plaza had turned into chaos.

Not the panicked, desperate chaos of the Hunt. This was the loud, drunken kind. Music rang out from somewhere near the student dormitories. Someone had already dragged out several crates of alcohol that definitely weren’t supposed to be opened until the winter festival, and a handful of illusion mages had begun firing glowing beasts into the air like fireworks.

A massive golden griffin exploded above the plaza.

The crowd cheered.

It was loud, to say the least. And the obvious star of the show? Marcellus, who was currently bathing in the spotlight, standing on a rooftop, looked pretty while doing so.

As for Julius and Lillian, they disappeared without any warning. But I already had an idea of what they were about to do.

As for the two of us? We were definitely more popular than Marcellus; it’s too bad for the crowd, they aren’t getting a chance to get close to us at all.

Getting celebrity treatment feels pretty nice... although, it does grow old quite quickly...

"P-Please, just a quick interview!"

A reporter managed to get past the line of D’Arclight guards, but didn’t last long before he was pulled back and thrown into the crowd.

Yeah, definitely growing old quickly.

*** D’Arclight Estate

The moment we got close to the estate, everything went quiet. Even with all the festivities going on, I guess no one was stupid enough to actually walk near the estate.

I could tell the guards were relieved.

Even skilled mages and warriors like them find it annoying to hold back a crowd when they’re not allowed to use lethal force.

"Your father really doesn’t mind me, huh?" I asked as the two of us walked to the D’Arclight training grounds behind the main mansion, recalling events from back in the sanctum.

"You’re my business, not his," Evelina replied with a hum. "So don’t worry about him. He won’t lay a finger on you."

"That’s not what I’m worried about."

I laughed.

"Really? Then what is?"

"The fact that he doesn’t mind is what’s creeping me out. I mean, I know I’m a great asset and all, but seeing your father smile at me like that is unsettling."

"I guess even someone like you gets unnerved, huh?"

"’Creeped out’ would be the better way to put it."

Evelina chuckled at my reply as we arrived at their training grounds—a huge rectangular space lined with all kinds of weapons and inscribed with runes on the ground, each one designed to mimic a different battlefield.

I could tell Evelina had spent a lot of time here. It was definitely advanced, but we weren’t going to use it for my session.

"Wait, before we start!"

Evelina glanced back at the mansion, then clapped her hands in a strange rhythm. Every curtain snapped shut in response.

[Photographic Memory]

The D’Arclight code for: "Don’t watch me."

"You should get to changing."

I took off my shirt, as promised, and I could already feel Evelina’s predatory gaze wrapping around my body. Even I got chills.

Training while the entire city was celebrating was odd, but I definitely preferred this over anything the city had to offer.

And... I looked at Evelina.

She clearly liked this more, too.

Cute.

[Quick Change]

Evelina’s form shimmered, and she instantly switched into more practical attire: a simple white tunic and black pants. Once again, succubus magic proved to be stupidly flexible, despite being demonic.

"So, how do we start?" she asked, and... I could definitely feel Trish’s influence radiating from her voice. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

I’m still not used to that. It’s like seeing a ghost—only worse, because it’s in the form of my greatest love.

But...

I shook my head. I needed to focus. I’d already lost so much—like my profaned eye. I couldn’t let my decisions haunt me forever.

[Cursed Coating]

My arms instantly lit up with black flames.

I sensed Evelina’s gaze shift into something more sympathetic.

"You can’t use that violet magic anymore, can you?"

"No. Unfortunately not." I chuckled bitterly, unable to hide my disappointment.

"Don’t feel too down about it. I don’t see you as any less for it," Evelina reassured me.

That helped. A lot, actually. Of course it did—she’s my goddess, after all.

"Thanks... but let’s push that aside for now. I’d hate to keep you waiting. First things first: a quick warmup through sparring. Magic is allowed, but you can only use it to enhance physical blows. Can you handle that?"

"That’s more like it. And... did you actually just ask if I can handle it?"

She laughed. She clearly hadn’t expected that from me. Usually, I’d just assume she could handle anything, without a hint of hesitation—and she could feel that.

"I—I..." I stuttered.

"Getting comfortable around me?"

"Y-Yeah..."

"Cute..." Evelina replied, obviously clapping back at my inner thoughts.

Was she reading my mind the entire time!?