The Villain Professor's Second Chance

Chapter 96: My Father's Sworn Enemy

My earliest memories of him are of his study, the door always slightly ajar, revealing glimpses of arcane symbols and softly glowing lights. He spent hours in there, emerging only to eat or occasionally check on me and my mother. I would sometimes sit outside the door, listening to the murmurs of his voice as he chanted incantations, the words mysterious and fascinating.

Yet, despite my curiosity, I never dared to enter without his permission.

Mother was the constant presence in my life, the one who nurtured and taught me. She was kind and patient, her eyes always soft and warm, even when she was tired. I adored her, clinging to her stories and songs, finding comfort in her gentle embrace. She spoke of my father with a quiet reverence, never a word of complaint despite his absence in our daily lives.

But everything changed when I was ten. Mother fell ill, a sudden and inexplicable sickness that drained the life from her. I watched helplessly as she withered away, her once vibrant spirit dimming day by day. Father tried everything to save her, pouring over ancient texts, brewing potions, and casting spells late into the night. But nothing worked.

I remember the last time she smiled at me, her voice a mere whisper, "Take care of him, Amberine. He needs you."

After she passed, our home felt emptier than ever. Father's grief was palpable, a heavy, oppressive silence that filled every corner of our house. He retreated even further into his work, leaving me to navigate my own sorrow. For weeks, we barely spoke, our conversations reduced to monosyllables and nods. I missed Mother terribly and longed for the warmth and comfort she provided.

Then, one evening, something changed. Father invited me to dinner, an event that was rare enough to make me anxious. The table was set with our best dishes, a modest feast laid out before us. He sat across from me, his face stern and unreadable, as I fidgeted nervously in my seat. We ate in silence for a while, the clink of cutlery the only sound.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low and awkward. "Amberine, how... how are your studies?"

I looked up, surprised by the question. "They're fine, Father," I replied cautiously, unsure of where this was leading.

He nodded, then took a deep breath. "Do you... enjoy them?"

I hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, I do."

A small, almost imperceptible smile crossed his lips. "That's good. Very good." He seemed to relax a little, the lines of tension easing from his face. "You know, your mother always wanted you to have a strong education. She believed it was important."

I smiled at the mention of her, the familiar ache of loss tugging at my heart. "She did. She always said knowledge was the key to understanding the world."

Father nodded, his eyes distant. "She was right." There was another pause, and then he surprised me by asking, "Have you ever thought about magic?"

I blinked, taken aback. Magic had always been his domain, something mysterious and out of reach. "A little," I admitted. "It's... interesting."

He leaned forward, a spark of interest in his eyes. "Interesting, yes. It's more than that, though. Magic is... it's like a language, a way of communicating with the world. It has rules, structure, but also creativity.

It's limitless."

I found myself leaning in as well, drawn by his sudden enthusiasm. It was the most animated I had seen him in months. "How so?"

He smiled, a real smile this time, and launched into an explanation about the fundamentals of magic, the different schools, and how each one required a unique approach. He spoke with such passion and clarity that I couldn't help but be captivated. For the first time, I saw my father not as the distant, aloof figure he often seemed, but as a man deeply in love with his craft.

That night marked the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship. Father started to teach me about magic, guiding me through the basics with patience and care. He showed me how to channel mana, the lifeblood of all spells, and how to weave it into different forms. I was a quick learner, driven by a desire to connect with him and understand the world he loved so much.

As the years passed, our bond deepened. We spent hours in his study, discussing theories and practicing spells. I discovered that I had a natural talent for magic, a gift that Father was eager to nurture. He often praised my progress, his eyes shining with pride. Those moments were rare but precious, and I treasured them.

Yet, despite our growing closeness, there was always a shadow over our relationship. Father never spoke about his work in detail, especially anything related to his research. He was secretive, locking his study and keeping certain books hidden from me. I didn't question it, respecting his boundaries, but a part of me always wondered what he was hiding.

The truth came crashing down on us when I was seventeen. I remember the day vividly; Father burst into the house, his face flushed with anger, muttering under his breath. I had never seen him so agitated.

"Damn those Drakhans," he cursed, slamming the door behind him. "That arrogant bastard, Draven. He thinks he can ruin everything."

I froze, not sure what to do. "Father?"

He whirled around, his eyes wild. "Amberine, listen to me," he said urgently. "You must never trust the Drakhan family, especially Draven Arcanum von Drakhan. They are dangerous, manipulative. If anything happens to me, know that it's because of them."

I stared at him, my heart pounding. "What are you talking about? What's going on?"

He took a deep breath, his anger momentarily subsiding. "Just promise me, Amberine. Promise me you'll stay away from them. And if I die, know that it was Draven's doing."

The intensity in his voice shook me, and I nodded, too stunned to speak. He didn't say anything more, just turned and retreated to his study, slamming the door shut. I was left standing there, confused and scared, with a gnawing sense of dread in the pit of my stomach.

That was the last real conversation we had. A few weeks later, he was found dead in his study, slumped over his desk. The official report said it was an accident, a spell gone wrong. But I knew better. The look of fear and anger in his eyes that last night haunted me. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his death than what we were being told.

In my grief and desperation for answers, I searched his study, hoping to find some clue, anything that could explain what had happened. That's when I found the letter, tucked away in a hidden compartment in his desk. It was addressed to me, written in his unmistakable handwriting.

"Amberine,

If you're reading this, then I am gone. Know that my death was no accident. It was Draven Arcanum von Drakhan who killed me, just as he has destroyed so many others. I have spent years trying to expose him, but he is clever, always one step ahead. He has a power that I do not fully understand, a darkness that I fear.

You must be strong, my daughter. Continue your studies, become the greatest magician this kingdom has ever seen. And when the time comes, expose Draven for what he truly is. Honor my memory, and protect our family name.

With all my love, Father."

I read the letter over and over, my heart breaking with each word. The father I had come to know and love was gone, and in his place was a man consumed by fear and hatred. But I believed him. How could I not? He had always been truthful with me, even if he had kept secrets.

That letter became my guiding star, the fire that fueled my ambition. I threw myself into my studies with a renewed vigor, determined to become the best. I would expose Draven and avenge my father's death. I trained day and night, mastering spells and honing my skills. I studied everything I could about the Drakhan family, learning about their history and their supposed prodigy, Draven.

I heard rumors of his brilliance, of his unmatched magical abilities, but I refused to be impressed. To me, he was a monster, a manipulative snake who had somehow escaped justice. My hatred for him grew with each passing day, burning hotter than any flame. I vowed that I would be the one to bring him down, to reveal his true nature to the world.

Now, as I stand in the aftermath of the battle, watching the man who supposedly killed my father, I'm filled with a whirlwind of emotions. He doesn't seem like a monster; in fact, his actions tonight were anything but. He saved me, and many others, risking his life without hesitation. It's hard to reconcile this image with the one I've held onto for so long.

But then, Sophie's voice cuts through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. "Amberine," she asks, her eyes searching mine, "what do you think of Draven?"

I hesitate, the memories of myhesitate, the memories of my father and the weight of his words pressing down on me. My mind races, trying to reconcile the image of the monster I've built up in my head with the man who stood before me tonight, fighting alongside us.

I look at Sophie, her question hanging in the air. How do I even begin to explain the tangled web of emotions I feel? The anger, the confusion, the doubt. But most of all, the deep-seated hatred that has driven me for so long.

"He's my father's sworn enemy," I finally say, my voice steady but filled with a cold, unyielding edge. "Nothing will change that."