[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-46":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","THE VILLAIN'S POV",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},336833,598,"Chapter 46 46: Against the Ice Queen (2)","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-46",46,"\u003Cp>I woke up early the next morning—5 a.m. sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After taking a quick shower, I put on my training clothes and made my way out of my room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elite Residence was massive, housing various facilities for different purposes—including multiple training grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were designated areas for every combat discipline, from swordsmanship to archery and beyond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, I was heading toward the dueling grounds. The reason was simple: the people I was looking for were there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon entering the spacious hall, I was met with an array of training equipment and a selection of swords neatly displayed on the racks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn't the first to arrive. Two figures were already inside, locked in their own training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were engaged in attacking practice dummies—sturdy mannequins designed to withstand relentless strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first was distinguished by his white hair and golden eyes—Snow Lionheart. The second was a young man with black hair and deep crimson eyes—A-4, Dawn Polaris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They both noticed my presence, evident from the quick glance they shot my way before resuming their training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring them for now, I approached the displayed swords and picked one that closely resembled Balerion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking position in front of a training dummy, I began my own drills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason I was here was straightforward—I wanted to challenge those two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the protagonist himself, Dawn Polaris was the most skilled swordsman in the Elite Class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparring with them would be incredibly beneficial. It might even help my shadow adaptation progress further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the real question was—how should I go about it? Should I just walk up to them and request a duel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to take my time. Rushing things wouldn't do me any favors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Engulfing my blade in a surge of black aura, I struck the dummy before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One strike. Two strikes. Four strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I unleashed the Ten Thousand Steps of the Shadow technique, my sword weaving through the air in a storm of dark slashes, filling the hall with the sound of relentless impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow and Dawn took notice, perceiving my display as a silent challenge. Their own intensity spiked in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn's sword ignited with blazing flames, while Snow's was cloaked in a brilliant white light as he slashed at inhuman speeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room became a cacophony of steel and power as the three of us relentlessly assaulted the dummies, pushing them to their limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These training dummies were built to endure attacks from C-Class Awakened, yet now they trembled violently, threatening to shatter under our combined assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was going as planned—I was on the verge of drawing them into a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until something unexpected happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three of us froze mid-swing. A fourth presence was approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My expression darkened as I turned toward the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is she doing here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris Moonlight stepped inside, dressed in a short white training outfit that covered only her upper body. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and in her hand, she carried a medium-length sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked forward with her usual unshaken composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Snow Lionheart took the lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seris Moonlight, right? Mind telling us what brings you here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes… deal with her, Snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This cursed body always reacts strangely when she's around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris simply raised her sword and responded with her usual cold indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I came to train.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her short reply left the three of us even more puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn was the next to step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I'm not mistaken, you're a Wave Controller. This is a dueling ground.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris nodded. \"I'm aware.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a thin layer of frost spread across her blade as she swung it a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My role as a Wave Controller requires me to fight from a distance. But if an opponent manages to close the gap and break through my defenses, I'll be at a disadvantage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused briefly before continuing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's why I need a way to fight in close quarters. Is that explanation enough?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn and Snow exchanged glances before nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Man… she treats them like children. This is the protagonist I created and took pride in?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed, resigning myself to the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as I was about to continue my training, something completely unexpected happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris studied the sword in her hand before slowly raising it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In truth… that's not the real reason I came here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her blade pointed at a specific person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My expression faltered, and before I could stop myself, I blurted out—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing the emotions of this damn body, I faced the girl standing before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want to duel me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. A swordfight, nothing else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This girl was supposed to hate Frey. He tried to assault her, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet there was no trace of hatred on her face. No emotion whatsoever. Just a cold, unreadable expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A duel with swords… You understand what you're doing, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do. I know I'm handicapping myself right now. But I want to test something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Test what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris stepped back, adopting a ready stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to see how much your sword has changed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sigh, I lifted my own weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine. I accept.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know what she was trying to prove. As a Wave Controller, close combat was the worst decision she could make.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn't stupid. She had to be aware of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she still wanted to fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I had no reason to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, one of my objectives was to defeat her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow and Dawn stepped aside, watching from the sidelines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Seris lunged forward, her body radiating a faint white glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slashed horizontally at my left side—her speed sharp, controlled, and far above what a typical Wave Controller should achieve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my sword vertically to block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our blades clashed, and the frost coating her weapon attempted to freeze the dark aura surrounding mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris quickly retreated before thrusting toward my face, but I dodged with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I observed her closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This level of swordsmanship was far beyond what someone of her background should possess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, I was reminded of the terrifying talent this girl held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pressed on. Left. Right. High. A feint, then a strike from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her technique was impressive. But that was all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never even came close to landing a hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her positioning and judgment were remarkable, but she was still far from being a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My real struggle wasn't her attacks—it was this damn body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time she got too close, I flinched instinctively, unable to suppress the lingering trauma of Frey's past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It infuriated me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, Seris caught on, pausing momentarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Frey Starlight… are you mocking me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I narrowed my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mocking you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long do you plan to just defend?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She dashed forward again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fight me seriously!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her charge, I couldn't help but chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As you wish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Biting my lip hard enough to draw blood, I forced my body to steady itself with pain .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I unleashed Ten Thousand Steps of the Shadow at full power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten clones of myself materialized around Seris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mirage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She barely had time to react before a storm of slashes engulfed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She raised ice barriers in an attempt to block, but I didn't stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mirage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mirage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ten Thousand Steps of the Shadow: Mirage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten slashes became twenty. Then thirty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris Moonlight vanished within the relentless tide of black steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her defenses shattered like fragile glass before collapsing completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sword was sent flying as she crashed onto her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a final motion, I drove my sword into the ground beside her face, looking down at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks for the match.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Snow Lionheart Pov-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelming… utterly overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had never witnessed such a relentless sword style before. In that short exchange, he had unleashed dozens of strikes, making any form of defense impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ended it flawlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I realized it, a small smile crept onto my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey took a few steps back as Seris slowly rose to her feet. She showed no frustration—perhaps she had expected this outcome from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, almost instinctively, I found myself standing before Frey, a sword in my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet chuckle escaped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed I could no longer hold myself back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey noticed and laughed as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want a piece of this too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Frey Starlight, face me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Dawn Polaris stepped in, attempting to dissuade me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The girl's fine… there's no need to escalate things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey, however, just smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's fine. He's not here for revenge… He just wants to test himself after seeing what I can do. Isn't that right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words caught me off guard—he had read my intent perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I confirmed it with a nod and readied my stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we begin?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey Starlight did the same, raising his sword toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come, hero.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1481,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.067Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","73b87fe316079c55ee3bdd78b3e2df03fa00cc0e48018adde3c6260c425e9925","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-47","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-45",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]