Nia, having suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Vile Aristocrat, Hollow von Heisenberg, didn't utter a single word in the carriage on the way back. She returned to the Ainsworth Estate in a state of utter despondency. Dragging her battered body along, she somehow managed to reach her bed - and then her emotions finally exploded.
"Why... why did I lose to a man like that...!"
The reason for her loss to Hollow was simple and clear: he was just too strong. With a god-given physical prowess and overwhelming magical power, he was the definition of a chosen being. Yet, a man blessed with everything was nothing but lazy and arrogant.
She remembered the moment immediately after the match.
"As expected of Hollow-sama. A truly magnificent display of power," a maid said.
"Hmph. Naturally," Hollow replied.
Hollow had been surrounded by beautiful maids, wearing a vulgar smirk. (I've never felt more pathetic...)
She was working herself to the bone, while Hollow did nothing but play around. Why was the gap between them so vast? She was forced to realize that the world was fundamentally irrational. Though Nia was cast into the depths of despair, she refused to give up. If she broke now, what would happen to the children whose magic was still being exploited? While they were fighting for their lives, she couldn't allow herself the luxury of the easy path.
(I have to work harder. I have to be stronger. Stronger than Hollow, stronger than Zoeva...!)
Nia Le Ainsworth was the keeper of a noble, pure, and high-minded spirit.
* * *
Eight years later, they had a "fated reunion" at Redrick Academy. When "that man" entered the Special Advanced Class, Nia's body literally froze. It felt as if her heart had been squeezed tight. She had heard the rumors that Hollow von Heisenberg had passed the entrance exams with the highest score. That pointlessly perfect face, those crimson eyes that looked down on everyone, and that listless posture - the man hadn't changed at all in eight years.
In an instant, the trauma came flooding back: the martial arts tournament where she had been hit, kicked, and humiliated. (It's okay. That's in the past. I'm definitely the stronger one now...) She gave her head a tiny shake, trying to rattle the trauma away.
But shortly after, her anxiety took over. "Allen Fortis, why is a White-Vest¹ failure like you in the Special Advanced Class?" Nia asked.
Driven by fear and irritation, she had lashed out at the Preparatory student, Allen. He was a White-Vest who had become famous for being exceptionally assigned to the elite class. Nia's goal at Redrick was to sharpen her skills to eventually defeat Zoeva. Having an outlier like Allen around was a thorn in her side, but picking a fight like this was unlike her. Perhaps she was just trying to make herself feel superior.
When Allen and Nia began to argue, Hollow cut in. Honestly, she was terrified. The fear of Hollow was soaked into her very bones. Yet, she held her ground and desperately fired back.
"Hollow von Heisenberg, I challenge you to a Rank Battle!" Nia shouted.
To drown out her own cowardice, she threw down the gauntlet in front of the entire class. There was no escape now. (It's fine. I can win. I've worked for eight years for this. I won't feel that pathetic ever again!)
And then, she lost again. (Why? How...?)
She had been humble and diligent to overcome a lazy man like him. And yet, the distance between them seemed to have grown. Nia retreated to her room and collapsed onto her bed. She pulled open her white shirt and placed a hand against her soft breast. (It's growing again...)
Time was running out. Through her secret investigations, she had confirmed that Zoeva's goal was the² Primordial Flame. By fusing it with the Primordial Ice, the Patriarch intended to recreate the "Ultimate Innate Magic." The fusion required a massive amount of mana; for that, Zoeva was gathering terminally ill children under the guise of treatment, intending to use them as living batteries.
Once Nia's body reached completion, the Primordial Flame would be ripped out of her, and she would be killed. Once she was gone, the children would be disposed of to destroy the evidence. She intended to fight with her life, but looking at a reality where she couldn't even defeat a student her own age, the prospect of killing the legendary Great Elder, Zoeva le Ainsworth, felt impossible.
"Someone... please, help me..." Nia whispered.
* * *
A week passed. "Hollow von Heisenberg, I challenge you to a Rank Battle," Allen Fortis said.
The rumored Preparatory student had suddenly challenged the demon himself. (A White-Vest is challenging that monster?) It was suicide. Unable to stay away, Nia crept to the underground training hall to watch. Hollow was as arrogant as ever, declaring he'd win using nothing but Wall.
But then, Allen moved. (No way... he broke through Hollow's Wall?!) Using raw physical strength, he shattered the Barrier that Nia had never been able to scratch. However, in the final moment, Hollow proved that even his raw strength eclipsed Allen's.
(How cruel...) Nia thought.
This was Hollow's signature move: dangling a chance of victory only to snatch it away in the most agonizing way possible. It was a method so vile it made her nauseous. It was the same ending as always: his total victory. And yet, she saw a spark in Allen. (If I fight him, I might find the hint I'm missing!)
Nia called Allen to the riverbank after school for a duel. The result was a narrow defeat.
"Phew... it's my loss," Nia said.
"That was a close one," Allen replied.
They traded respect and headed home. Before Nia left, she glanced at the bridge. (There's no one there, right?) She thought she heard a strange, guttural groan - "Guh... agh...!" - coming from the bridge, but she dismissed it. As Nia walked away, Hollow was currently on all fours at the edge of that bridge, clutching his head and screaming at the "Corrective Force of the World."
* * *
A few days later, Nia asked Allen for advice. "How do you think I can get stronger?"
"Why don't you ask Hollow-kun to train you?" Allen replied.
Nia's jaw dropped. "What...?"
"Did I say something weird?" Allen asked.
"Allen, think about what you're saying. Do you really think that man - the living embodiment of Pride - would ever listen to me? He'll just mock me," Nia said.
"Hollow-kun has a sharp tongue, but I think he's actually kind. If you're serious, he won't turn you away," Allen replied.
"There is no way. He humiliated me eight years ago. That man has no heart. He's a demon wearing a human face," Nia said.
But Allen didn't flinch. "I don't know about the past, but I think the Hollow-kun of today is kind. At the entrance ceremony, he saved the White-Vests," Allen said.
"Hollow... saved someone?" Nia asked.
Nia's brain stalled. "Hollow" and "Kindness" were incompatible.
"Apparently, some White-Vests were being bullied by students from the Main Course. Hollow-kun stepped in and saved them. He even gave them advice to encourage them," Allen said.
"You're lying," Nia said.
It was impossible to believe. Yet, Allen wasn't a liar. Nia sat with the thought. (He didn't hit me...) She thought back to their Rank Battle. Hollow never forgave those who crossed him, yet he hadn't retaliated against her. He had simply warned her not to pry.
(It's... weird.)
The past Hollow and the current Hollow were different. She had maybe a month left. (I hate to admit it, but he is a genius. If he actually trained me...) She might stand a chance against Zoeva. (It's a gamble, but it's the only one I have.)
Nia wrote a letter and slipped it into Hollow's desk. That afternoon, she called him to the chemistry prep room. She threw away her pride and begged. "Please, Hollow. Train me in magic."
He refused at first, but she pushed back. However, Hollow knew everything. Her secret, the rot inside the Ainsworth family, the fusion research - he held all the cards. In the end, she threw herself at his mercy.
"I'll do anything. I'll obey any order. Just... please. Teach me," Nia said.
It was a pathetic move. There was no way a demon's heart would be moved. And then, it happened.
"Sigh... fine," Hollow said.
"Thank you... thank you so much!" Nia cried.
The training was hell. She lost consciousness more times than she could count. But the results were undeniable. (It kills me to admit it, but he's on a completely different level...!)
Surprisingly, he was almost normal.
"What's first period tomorrow?" Nia asked.
"Magic Theory," Hollow replied.
"Fiona-san is so cool. I really look up to her," Nia said.
"You need to work on your judge of character," Hollow replied.
He even engaged in small talk, though he remained secretive. "Who are you talking to on Call?" Nia asked.
"No prying," Hollow replied.
(But... I see. Hollow is a person, just like me.) The terror she felt began to melt away. She eventually realized she was looking forward to their time together.
"Ehehe! Look at that! Impressive mana, right?" Nia asked.
"It's passable," Hollow replied.
But happy times are short. A knock came at the door. "Lady Nia. The Master is calling for you in the underground lab," a servant said.
"I'll be there in a moment," Nia replied.
A summons from Zoeva. The inspection. She knew her body was "Complete." The ritual would begin tomorrow.
"So the fun is over," Nia whispered.
The final battle was tomorrow. (I will win. For the children. Even if it costs me my life... I will kill the Patriarch, Zoeva le Ainsworth.)
The hour of reckoning had arrived.
Summary:
Nia reflects on her traumatic defeat eight years ago and her current struggle against the Ainsworth family's dark plot. After losing to Hollow again and receiving advice from Allen, she realizes Hollow has changed and begs him for magic training. The chapter ends with Nia facing a terminal deadline as her body reaches 'completion' for Zoeva's ritual.
Trivia:
- The 'Corrective Force of the World' affecting Hollow suggests he is actively fighting against a predetermined narrative or fate.
- Nia's physical 'growth' is a direct indicator of the Primordial Flame's maturity, marking her for death.
- Hollow's use of 'Call' during training suggests he is being monitored or coordinating with an outside force.
- Allen's breakthrough of Hollow's 'Wall' hints at his potential to disrupt the power scaling of the world
Character Insight:
The dynamic between Nia and Hollow shifts from pure trauma-based fear to a master-disciple relationship built on desperate trust. Allen acts as the bridge that humanizes Hollow in Nia's eyes, specifically through the line: 'I think the Hollow-kun of today is kind.'
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
Introduced the concept of 'Factor Fusion' between the Primordial Flame and Ice to create 'Ultimate Innate Magic.' Revealed the Ainsworth family uses ill children as 'Living Batteries' for mana.
TL Notes:
The title 'Great Elder' (Ookina) was translated as 'Patriarch' to reflect his absolute authority over the Ainsworth lineage and the ritual.
TL Notes:
1 ↩ White-Vest: A term for Preparatory students at Redrick Academy, usually implying lower status or temporary enrollment.
2 ↩ Primordial Flame: A unique, highly potent magic factor hosted within Nia, sought by Zoeva for a dangerous ritual.
Notes:
• Heisenberg - Lord of the Heisenberg family. One of the Four Great Noble Houses. Noted for his immense wealth and territorial holdings.
• Hollow - A calculative and immensely powerful individual with a 'villainous' mana signature. He is currently training Nia. He views his own overwhelming power with a detached, analytical perspective and has a social disconnect regarding 'tact'. The protagonist, a reincarnated individual with original knowledge of Japan. Operates as 'Void', the leader of a secret organization. Focused on avoiding a 'Ruin End' by neutralizing the protagonist Allen. A vile aristocrat and universal genius. He has crimson eyes and a pointlessly perfect face. Known for his slothful pride and overwhelming magical power. A villainous noble and reincarnated individual with meta-knowledge of the world. He possesses the unique magic and is currently a student at Redrick Academy. He maintains a cold, haughty exterior to play his role while internally managing complex plans to avoid his 'ruin end'. The eldest son of Lord Heisenberg, part of the Four Great Noble Houses. A prodigy described as the incarnation of sloth and arrogance. He is highly skilled in 'breaking humans' and psychological torture. The protagonist who has reincarnated as a Vile Aristocrat. Currently Rank One at Redrick Academy. Possesses the Innate Magic Refraction and the unique skill Slothful Pride. He is working on a Protagonist Mob-ification Plan to avoid his ruinous end.
• Nia - A determined girl described as a 'heroine' with a strong inner core. She has a signature fire-based mana. She is training under Hollow to defeat Zoeva and save lives she feels responsible for. She has short-tempered and embarrassed reactions to Hollow's bluntness. A girl with the Primordial Flame magic factor. Described as having a sparkle in her eyes and being easily influenced. She is training to prepare for a fight against Zoeva. The heroine of the original story. She was seen sparring and shaking hands with Allen Fortis at the riverbank. Born into the Ainsworth house. Jewel-like baby girl. Five years old during the primary events. Possesses the Origin Class Innate Magic 'Primordial Flame'. Has blue/jewel-like eyes and a small frame. Later described as looking like a 'tattered doll' after being disciplined. A girl under ten years old belonging to the Four Great Noble Houses. She has spent years in rigorous training to atone for a sin and kill Zoeva. Possesses overwhelming physical and magical strength for her age. A heroine from one of the Four Great Noble Houses. She has long hair and is described as having soft skin and a sweet scent. She is desperate to defeat the Great Elder of her family to inherit the headship and seeks Hollow's training. The protagonist of this chapter. A noble girl with a high-minded spirit. She possesses the Primordial Flame. She has white hair and soft features, currently a student at Redrick Academy.
• Zoeva - A key figure in Nia's life, he oversees her training and took her to the tournament—though she intends to kill him eventually. Current head of the Ainsworth family, known as 'The Great Patriarch.' Over 300 years old, he stopped aging via Origin Class Innate Magic 'Original Ice.' Towering over 2 meters with lean, steel-like muscles, long white hair, a wrinkled face, and hawk-like sharp eyes. The Great Elder or Patriarch of the Ainsworth family—a legendary mage obsessed with fusing Primordial Flame and Primordial Ice.
• Allen - The protagonist of the original story. A student at Redrick Academy who has unexpectedly become attached to Hollow. He possesses the Innate Magic and is noted for his innocent, friendly demeanor. The original story's protagonist. A descendant of the Six Legendary Heroes, specifically the 'Brave'. Possesses the Origin Class magic Zero Counter. Currently sorted as a White-Vest rank. A Preparatory student known as a White-Vest. He is diligent, kind-hearted, and possesses surprising physical strength. He is an outlier in the Special Advanced Class.
• Fiona - An 18‑year‑old Arbiter of the Ministry of Magic, 160 cm, slender, black‑ponytail, mauve eyes, snow‑white skin, wearing a white jacket, black shirt and miniskirt. She is a classmate and mental‑link partner of Hollow, respecting him while speaking casually; former private tutor and now teacher at Redrick Academy, ex‑Ministry member, legend‑class mage. Loyal to Hollow’s family, owes him 60 million Gordo and obeys his whims.