Stuck as a Villain!

Chapter 84: Reality check!

“I will be fine, so please rest assured.”

Generally, Serena doesn’t leave her mansion since she has no affection regarding those hobbies which a girl of her age considers the norm. She more likes to dwell herself in her training or books since she has a dream for herself as well.

There is also another reason why the blonde maiden doesn’t leave the mansion and that was the high security she was generally surrounded with even though she feels like strolling around for a bit.

It was an unhidden fact that Count Stephen had phenomenal battle experience and a tremendous army at his disposal which makes him stand out at his post the most. And so, being such a high and mighty figure, there were numerous instances in the past where Count was subjected with malicious intents.

The number of attacks and ambushes on Count Stephen is basically uncountable but there were some rats as well who sought to attack the weakness of any man regardless of their position. Their family.

In the past, Serena was a highly vulnerable nerve of Count because, unlike her two older siblings, Serena awakened a skill that was unfit for combat as per what Count and many others believed. And since her family followed the tradition of males in the lead and women pushed as passive, Count Stephen instructed his wife to teach Serena more of knowledge about housework and management.

She wasn’t disheartened but a little bit sad that she failed to make her father proud of her. But that doesn’t mean she ever thought of herself as inferior and always trained herself behind her father’s back so one day she can prove her worth.

The reason she was allowed to attend the Pristine Academy stems from the incident where Serena single-handedly subdued five ambushers who tried to take her carriage as a hostage. That day she made it dead certain that she was not just a mere woman who can only marry some young master and follow their steps to survive in society.

Her father, allowed Serena to attend the academy and show her worth if she wanted her freedom.

However, until she doesn’t proves that she was alone enough to protect herself, Serena was bound with these heavy securities which even came to see her off in the library which was ten minutes from the mansion.

Thankfully, they didn’t pester much and let her roam in the library freely until evening.

‘Sigh* Talk about exaggeration…’

Sighing Serena moved to the first floor of the central library which was one of the biggest establishments in Growmdur.

Generally, Serena comes to this place to venture among different genres and explores new things but today she had a different motive for which she walked casually to the second last row of the first floor which was far enough from the entrance.

She knew her bodyguards would get suspicious if they don’t see her that was why she took a seat at the table which despite being bare, was visible to her guards.

Taking a book from the nearest shelf which was written under the heading ‘Ancient Temples and Discoveries’ Serena seated on the leftmost side chair which had four more seats vacant beside her.

Across her sat a single boy on the rightmost side of the opposite arrangement who had his eyes drawn on Serena with a faint smile over his lips.

“You really did come eh…Thank you, Serena.”

Hearing Arata’s nonchalant remark, Serena frowned slightly as in a whispering voice she responded almost consecutively.

“Why did you call me on such urgent notice? Is there any trouble?”

Last evening Serena received a letter from an anonymous sender but his writing and the code behind his nonsense phrases of poetry told Serena that Arata needed to meet her as soon as possible.

She had no idea what happened but fortunately, she had her--a visit to the library excuse-- which she could excise once only during her vacation. She knew Arata wasn’t a person who would joke about something which could pose danger to no one but him if they got caught.

She wasn’t in any kind of relationship with Arata other than friendship but having any connections with commoners and more so, of the opposite gender was strictly forbidden. Serena had been punished by her mother in the past, which sends shivers down her spine every time she remembers it. So if someone spots her meeting Arata out of school, at such an age would not only trigger rumors but might also inflict damage to her father’s reputation.

At such risk, Serena would have just rejected Arata’s request to meet in person if not for the urgency he signified with his words.

However, she never expected his reasoning would be so childish, to begin with.

“I…I just wanted to see whether you are fine and doing good or not…ahaha..sorry if I troubled you.”

After he gained his memories and also after he saw Serena’s condition when she returned from the vault, made Arata was quite tense about Serena’s condition and well-being. He indeed met her for some minutes after she returned to her hometown at the beginning of vacation, but at that time he just like an idiot was fixated on the rewards he saw in his dreams.

He became so selfish that he never took a good look at how Serena was doing or how was her family condition these days that was why after returning to his village and sorting his thoughts, he decided to check on her.

However, he never thought Serena’s reaction would flicker in such a manner.

“You really called me to check on my condition?! Do you know how risky is it for me to meet here with you, Arata? Knowing full well how critical my relationship with my family members is, you chose to call me here so you can rest assured?! What were you even thinking to take such a step?”

Arata had his eyes widened as he heard each and every syllable of agitation she let out with his jaw hanging low in shock. He did expect that Serena might get annoyed with him but right now she was fuming because of something he never really thought about.

He just wanted to meet her and see if she was fine, but he failed to take the minor details into account until Serena didn’t point them out to him. Indeed he was careless and utterly stupid this time.

“I…I am…I apologize for what I did, Serena. It was my selfish desire to check up on you which made my mind think single-dimensionally. I never considered your position and acted out of my free will. I really am sorry.”

Serena’s hold on her book loosened as she heard his genuine words of apology which signified that he really was guilty of his actions. She might be agitated about his decision but not to the point where she would start disliking her childhood friend.

After some moments, Serena sighed deeply as her shoulder relaxed in the process. Taking a second glance at Arata, she asked in the same whispering tone.

“So, are you preparing for the upcoming tournament?”

Arata was relieved to hear Serena’s tone which signified she was no longer that much angry with him. He was barely suppressing his grin as he replied in a merry tone.

“I am…but the problem is my sword.”

Serena frowned with her eyes still fixated on the book as she raised the obvious question in the matter.

“Sword? Did you break it?”

Serena had heard it from Arata a very long ago that his sword is a legendary weapon that would help him reach heights where no one could match him. Since it was around the age of seven or eight Serena always got fascinated by his words and thought he would be the savior on the white horse and she would follow him wherever he goes.

But time passed and nothing noteworthy transpired which could maintain her belief in Arata’s swords and his promise. Sure she believed in his hard work but with his Skill Tier and his limitation, it was nearly impossible for him to reach the domain he has dreamt of.

“No...more like I am disappointed in its(sword’s) underperformance and have a feeling that I would never trespass this limitation my skill has bound me with.”

Serena took a third glance at her friend and saw the unhidden guilt and sadness overwhelming his gaze.

She somehow could understand how he was feeling at the moment but in place of sympathizing with him, Serena chose to utter facts.

“Yeah, you are weak Aru.”

For a moment, Arata couldn’t believe what he heard since he was expecting to hear words of consolation which in normal circumstances, Serena would have uttered. But as he expected Serena has changed ever since that incident in the temple.

“You are weak since you are depending on a weapon for your progress and blaming everything on your skill tier. You are not doing enough for what it takes to become someone you could be proud of. It might sound like boasting, but ever since I escaped death I have come to know how much I am lacking and how many things I can learn from the people around me. And the same is for you, Arata.”

This time she made direct eye contact with him as Serena stated the words she found helpful for her friend at the moment.

“You need to let go of all of your superficial excuses and put yourself in a situation where you have no other option rather than to fight if you want to get stronger. Ever since entering the Academy, I haven’t seen the spark in your eyes which made Arata a man different from others. You are either after President, or your seniors or sometimes mindlessly chasing Anabelle. You no longer have the passion for what it takes to become a true warrior. And to be honest, I am quite disappointed because of it.”

To say Arata was shocked would be a huge understatement since after hearing such a reality check, Serena slammed on his face, making Arata’s mind numb. He forgot to even breathe for quite a long minute until he felt the stinging sensation in his heart as his body reminded him to respire.

Despite it taking him a long, Arata was able to understand the meaning behind her words and how come, Serena whom he always thought of as his foremost ally, felt disappointed in him.

It might be harsh but what she said was nothing untrue.

“Thanks, Serena.”

Serena who had her eyes back on her book heard the chair across her sliding before Arata got up from his seat and with his fading words, left the library.

“But don’t worry. I will earn your respect once again, by winning the tournament. Just wait for me…”

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A/N:- I hope you guys don’t dislike Serena just because she came to meet Arata. I mean they are childhood friends who have met like this in secrecy before as well.

Anyway, drop a comment if you are liking the story so far~