Hollow von Heisenberg, the villainous noble, and Entia, the Witch of Intellectual Greed, locked eyes in a heavy silence.
"Now then, let the Witch's Trial¹ begin," Entia said.
Spreading six obsidian wings, Entia offered a thin smile. In response, Hollow drew his sword with his right hand, letting the blade dangle carelessly at his side.
"Oh dear. You haven't the slightest clue how to even hold a sword, do you?"
The moment Entia's shoulders shook with a condescending giggle, Hollow was suddenly inches from her face.
"!?"
She leaped back on pure instinct. A jet-black flash of steel streaked past her eyes, shearing away pink bangs that fluttered to the floor. The Witch of Intellectual Greed sucked in a dry, sharp breath.
(That was close... If my reaction had been a fraction of a second slower, my head would be rolling on the floor right now.)
"Hmm. I intended to finish you with that," Hollow said. "You're unexpectedly fast."
"You... you aren't just some child, are you?" Entia asked.
"I wonder," Hollow replied.
A look of effortless composure was etched clearly across Hollow's face.
(Hollow von Heisenberg... He was supposed to be blessed with genius but stunted by innate laziness and arrogance. He should be living a life of total debauchery. If that's the case, then what on earth is this?!)
The records in the Forbidden Library² were a total mismatch with the reality standing before her. This was a first.
(Regardless, this boy is a freak - an absolute anomaly. For an irregular like this... I'll just have to crush him with overwhelming force!)
Her threat assessment spiking, Entia beat her black wings and drifted gracefully into the air.
"--＜Black Wing: Annihilating Sweep＞--"
A storm of feathers erupted from her wings. These jet-black projectiles, reinforced by raw mana, were a hailstorm of buckshot that could punch through thick iron plating as if it were paper.
However...
"Hah," Hollow scoffed.
With a mocking smirk, Hollow wove through the barrage with the bare minimum of movement, evading every single one.
(No way... He didn't even use defensive magic?!)
Entia's eyes went wide. She blinked once - and Hollow vanished.
(What?! Where did he-)
"Over here," a voice whispered from directly behind her.
Entia spun around on pure spinal reflex, crossing her arms in a desperate guard. But the kick Hollow delivered carried a weight that defied his small stature.
"～～! (What is this weight?! I can't... I can't kill the momentum!)"
Entia was sent flying horizontally, slamming into a massive bookshelf with a sickening thud.
"Ka... ha...!"
The air was driven from her lungs along with a pained wheeze.
(This is bad... I have to get away. The follow-up... it's coming...!)
Fighting through her hazed consciousness, she flapped her wings ungracefully to regain altitude. The air was her safe zone - a domain reserved for Entia alone, far beyond the reach of a wingless boy.
(Pant... pant... that boy is... huh?)
The follow-up never came. And for good reason.
"Hmm. I'd say my swordsmanship and hand-to-hand specs are at a passing grade," Hollow said.
In the middle of a life-and-death struggle, Hollow was busy scoring his own performance.
(You... you little monster...!)
Hollow wasn't even trying. He was fighting as if he were testing his equipment one piece at a time. He was using the Witch's Trial as a mere testing ground. Her grand game was being treated like a child's science experiment. That realization bruised Entia's pride more than the kick ever could.
"Hollow von Heisenberg. For you, in all your boundless arrogance, I shall grant a true Witch's Trial."
The air around Entia shifted. She slowly raised her right hand and began to weave the spell.
"--＜Ultimate Star of the End: Las Meteor＞--"
The Forbidden Library was instantly plunged into night. As the obsidian veil descended, a dazzling, terrifying starlight ignited in the darkness.
"Beautiful," Hollow whispered, a sigh of genuine admiration escaping his lips.
The stars in the simulated sky began to glow with a malevolent, reddish-black hue. In an instant, pillars of light pierced through him. A cataclysmic shockwave roared through the library, shaking the very foundations of the dimension. As the dust billowed and the screams of tearing stone subsided, Entia looked down at the site of the annihilation.
(Perhaps I went a bit too far? Las Meteor³ is a pinnacle-rank spell. It bypasses all known defensive magic. Used properly, it has the power to erase an entire city block. Aiming it at a ten-year-old was overkill.)
(Well, whatever. He was being an insufferable brat.)
Entia folded her wings and descended slowly to the floor.
"Now, where was I in my book?"
But as she reached for the volume on the desk...
"That was some gorgeous magic," a voice said.
Hollow stepped out from the settling dust, completely unscathed.
"No... that's impossible..." Entia said, her pupils shaking.
Las Meteor was a spell designed to pierce every physical substance in existence.
(How? How is he still standing?!)
At that moment, she didn't know the truth. She didn't know that Hollow von Heisenberg was a monster who commanded a domain that didn't exist in this world - the 'Void.'
(That wasn't normal defensive magic. That was an Innate Magic... an irregular power beyond all logic!)
As Entia scrambled to find an answer within her vast store of wisdom, Hollow flashed a wicked grin.
"Consider this a thank-you for the planetarium show. I'll show you something truly interesting."
His crimson eyes flared with an eerie light. A second later, the world began to warp and distort with a wretched groan.
(Illusion magic?! No... wait... is this the Innate Magic of the 'Calamity' Xeno?! Void?!)
It wasn't Hollow who was warping. It was Entia - no, it was the entire Forbidden Library.
(I can't dodge... the range is too big! Defensive magic - no, I won't make it in time-!)
The world twisted.
"Ka... ha...!"
Her entire body felt as if it were being shredded and wrung out like a wet rag. The witch collapsed forward, her strength failing.
"Yeah... I might be a little too strong," the King of the Void said, idly scratching his cheek after securing his flawless victory.
* * *
Entia, the Witch of Intellectual Greed and Guardian of the Forbidden Library, is a monster. If I were the original ten-year-old Hollow from the game, I wouldn't have stood a chance in a million years. But that was the "Lazy Arrogant Route." Since I'm currently on the "Humble and Honest Route," I figured I could pull it off.
(As expected of a genius like Hollow. To be this 'built' after only two years...)
With his mastery of the blade, hand-to-hand combat, and the absolute defense of the Innate Magic ＜Void＞, I was much more "finished" as a character than I had even imagined.
As I mused, Entia's remains dissolved into particles of light and reformed into her healthy body in the blink of an eye.
"Whew... you really caught me off guard. To think you'd use Void, just like that Xeno," Entia said.
Entia is immortal. To be precise, her Innate Magic keeps her in a pseudo-immortal state. Since I've already "played" this world in my previous life, I know the secret to her immortality, meaning I could kill her whenever I wanted. But Entia's death would cause the Forbidden Library to vanish. That would be a waste of resources, so I settled for just breaking her physical vessel this time.
"Hollow von Heisenberg, I honor your prowess. You shall receive the wisdom of the witch. Now, tell me the knowledge you seek."
Entia recited the exact same dialogue as in the game. Man, I love this. It really hits home that I'm living in the world of Ronzolkia.
"My mother, Leila, has been struck down by the Sky-Eater⁴ curse. She's been bedridden ever since. I want to know the method to break it," Hollow said.
"Knowledge to break the curse on Leila von Heisenberg? You seek the magic of Dispel, then?"
"Yes. That's correct."
"Your wish is granted," Entia said.
With a snap of her fingers, a tome drifted down from the high shelves and landed in her hand.
"This is the grimoire left behind by the Great Sage Amour. Inside, you'll find the Dispel magic you require. For a Mage of your level, mastering it should be child's play."
"You have my thanks," Hollow said.
I took the ancient grimoire.
"I'll be seeing you around," I said to Entia before leaving the library.
Returning to the manor, I went straight to my father's study and gave the door three firm knocks.
"What is it?" a voice asked from inside.
"It's Hollow. I have something to report to Father."
"It can wait. I'm busy."
A cold rejection, as usual. But this time, I pushed back.
"With all due respect, Father - I have everything I need to break Mother's curse."
The moment those words left my mouth, I heard a chair crash to the floor. The door was flung open with violent force.
"W-What did you say?! Explain yourself!" Daphnes shouted.
"I just cleared the Witch's Trial. I have the Dispel magic."
"You... you found the Forbidden Library and slew the Witch?!"
"Let's just say I found the place and convinced Entia of my worth," Hollow said.
"Hollow, you... you actually..."
My father's voice shook. He immediately turned his gaze toward Mother's room.
"The magic the witch gave you... can you use it now?!"
"Yes. I've already mastered it," Hollow said.
"Incredible! Start at once!"
"As you wish."
I stood at my mother's bedside and focused my mana.
"--＜Holy Light of Purification＞--"
A divine radiance enveloped her, washing away the tattered remains of the curse.
One second, two seconds, three seconds... as the clock ticked in the silent room, my mother's eyes slowly fluttered open. Father couldn't contain himself.
"Leila! It's me! Do you know who I am?!" Daphnes cried.
"Daph...nes...?"
"Leila...!"
Thick tears began to stream down my father's face. He grabbed her hand, his voice breaking.
"I'm so sorry... I'm so, so sorry! I should have thrown that damn work aside and stayed by your side. Please... please forgive your foolish husband!"
"The Sky-Eater only won because I was weak. You have nothing to apologize for, dear," Leila said, shaking her head weakly. She then looked over at me. "Hollow... you were the one who broke the curse, weren't you?"
"How did you know?" Hollow asked.
"I could feel it. While I was fighting in that cold darkness, I felt a warmth - your kind magic. Thank you, Hollow. You've grown into such a fine young man. I wonder if your talent comes from your father?"
Leila smiled brightly. Father placed a trembling hand on my shoulder.
"Hollow... what you've done today is... it is truly magnificent. You are my pride," Daphnes said.
"You honor me, Father," Hollow replied with a shallow bow.
Just then, Mother let out a soft cough.
"Leila! Are you alright?! Is the curse still-"
"No, no, silly. I've just been asleep for so long, my throat is a bit dry. Could I have something to drink?"
"Oh! Of course! Forgive me, I wasn't thinking!"
My father, now completely swept up in the joy of the moment, practically sprinted into the hallway. He poked his head back through the door and bellowed at the top of his lungs.
"Olvin! Bring something warm to drink! Now! Make it the highest priority! Leila is awake!"
"The... the Madam is awake?!" Olvin-san cried from the distance.
After that, the house was in an absolute state of pandemonium. Not just Father, but Olvin-san and the rest of the staff were moved to tears by Mother's recovery. It really showed just how much everyone loved her.
(Well, that's one major crisis averted.)
I watched the chaos for a moment before quietly slipping out of the room.
In the original game, Father only made contact with the Great Magic Cult⁵ because he was desperate to save Mother from the Sky-Eater curse. Now that she's healed, he has no reason to ever associate with those cultists. The flag has been snapped clean in two. I've officially avoided the Condemnation Guillotine Ending.
With my primary goal achieved...
(Now then... I think it's time I took control of that Forbidden Library for myself.)
I set my sights on my next target.
Summary:
Hollow confronts the Witch Entia in the Forbidden Library, defeating her with his innate Void magic to claim the knowledge needed to save his mother. He returns home and dispels Leila's curse, successfully breaking the narrative 'flag' that would have led his father to join a dark cult. The chapter concludes with Hollow planning to annex the Forbidden Library.
Trivia:
- Hollow is currently eleven years old, but his body is only ten in the eyes of the game logic.
- The 'Void' magic belongs to a character named Xeno, known as 'Calamity'.
- Entia's immortality is tied to the existence of the Forbidden Library.
- The 'Condemnation Guillotine End' is the specific game over Hollow is trying to avoid
Character Insight:
Hollow demonstrates a cold, calculated side by sparing Entia only for her utility as a resource. Meanwhile, Daphnes reveals a vulnerable, devoted side, proving his previous coldness was driven by grief and desperation.
Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the 'Humble and Honest' route as a parody of typical 'Villainess' or 'Evil Noble' redemption tropes where the lead over-corrects.
TL Notes:
1 ↩ Innate Magic (固有魔法, Koyuu Mahou): Magic unique to an individual's soul, often breaking the standard laws of mana.
2 ↩ Witch's Trial (魔女の試練, Majo no Shiren): A legendary challenge issued by Entia to test the worth of those seeking knowledge.
3 ↩ Forbidden Library (禁書庫, Kinshoko): A mythical space containing all restricted knowledge of the world.
4 ↩ Las Meteor (終末の極星, Rasu Miiteia): A high-tier annihilation spell that converts mana into absolute light.
5 ↩ Sky-Eater (そらぐい, Soragui): A powerful parasitic curse that drains the victim's life force and magic.
6 ↩ Great Magic Cult (大魔教団, Daimakyou-dan): The primary antagonistic organization in the original game Ronzolkia.
Notes:
• Heisenberg - Lord of the Heisenberg family. One of the Four Great Noble Houses. Noted for his immense wealth and territorial holdings.
• Hollow - Ten‑year‑old heir of the Heisenberg Duke house, now 150 cm tall, sports red medium‑length hair in a ribbon‑ponytail, crimson eyes, lean build, navy jacket and black trousers. Son of Daphnes and Leila, he is a reincarnated Japanese noble wielding Origin‑Class Innate Void magic, learning healing, and plotting as a polite yet ruthless villain.
• Entia - Roi, the Witch of Intellectual Greed and Guardian of the Forbidden Library, appears 20‑year‑old, 165 cm tall, with pastel‑pink hair, pink bangs, porcelain skin and six obsidian wings. She bears the Innate Magic , is immortal yet bound to a 'Book of the Spirit', and watches over the library’s secrets.
• Leila - Hollow's mother, the late Mistress of the Heisenberg house, wears a silvered cloak, sharp eyes and a scarred visage. Known as the Sword Saint and the family's Sun, she was the kingdom's top super‑genius swordswoman, now bedridden by the Sky‑Eater curse.
• Daphnes - Hollow’s father and current Lord of Heisenberg, a gaunt, silver-haired titan of the underworld with a long beard, he wields Origin Class Innate Magic: Affectation—a genius of twisted brilliance, driven mad by his wife Leila’s curse, ruling his lineage with chilling, vanity-fueled mastery.
• Olvin - A tall, composed figure with a refined, gravelly voice, serving as Hallow's swordsmanship instructor and a loyal attendant/knight of the Heisenberg family, reporting on territorial security and showing deep respect for Hallow's status.