A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 80  Dreams · Taming · Preparations - II

"So, she is a capricious and extremely fragile person, right, Professor Polonia?"

In the rarely visited sacred study of young Hydral, Ansel was entertaining a distinguished guest.

Hyacinthus Polonia, one of the thirty-two lifetime professors of the Frost Tower, possessed her own independent annex tower in the great tower standing in the north. She had unparalleled expertise in the fields of sound, true speech, and pure ether control, and was also an extraordinary music master. Most importantly, she was the most likely candidate to become the fifth extraordinary being to wear the fifth-stage crown in the Frost Tower in the past decade. Once successful, the balance between the Gray Tower and the Ironblade would be completely broken.

Of course, these seemingly intimidating titles and identities held no value in Ansel's eyes. Although the Duke of Gray Tower regarded him as a junior, it was because he stood at the top of the empire, one of the thirteen people second only to the emperor, excluding Hydral. Moreover, not all grand dukes regarded Ansel as a junior.

Even if Polonia was highly knowledgeable and had a promising future, she should be flattered to be invited by Ansel.

So, why did the busy Mr. Hydral take the time to chat with this professor?

The reason was simple: beneath her many glorious titles, Polonia carried two secret identities.

One of them was the true mentor who discovered Seraphina's talent, brought her to the Frost Tower, and dealt with countless troubles for the then impulsive and unrestrained young Seraphina.

Without a powerful backing, how could Seraphina have not only escaped unscathed but also ensured her family's safety after angering so many nobles?

Polonia, a seemingly ordinary but mature and charming woman, smiled helplessly: "That child is like that... Impulsiveness and anger are not so much her uncontrollable shortcomings as they are weapons she cannot do without."

"She needs these things to cover up her loneliness and fragility, because she is an anomaly in the academy, always subjected to isolation and criticism. She can only use this method to protect... No, to comfort herself."

At this point, Professor Polonia sighed: "I brought her to the academy as an ordinary professor at the time, not wanting a star destined to shine in the empire to be buried, but not wanting my identity to bring her enormous external pressure. I never thought... her character was destined to be unable to stay in an academy like the Frost Tower for long."

"You are a scholar focused on academics," Ansel comforted, "and she was a difficult child to discipline at that time. No one could have imagined what would happen."

"But it's the teacher's responsibility... My friend always said I wasn't cut out to be a teacher."

Professor Polonia smiled bitterly, "After Seraphina dropped out, I realized that too."

The highly esteemed scholar in the north and even the entire empire sighed deeply: "If I had suspended my research at that time and devoted myself wholeheartedly to taking care of Seraphina, perhaps everything would have been different... Ah! I don't mean that Seraphina's choice to serve you was a mistake."

As if realizing that her words were inappropriate, Polonia quickly changed her tone: "She has a better future with you..." Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The woman looked at Ansel somewhat pleadingly: "I hope she can truly have a better future, Lord Hydral."

"Since you have also seen the great talent shining on her, you must cherish her very much."

"Yes, it's just that some unpleasant things happened recently."

Ansel spoke somewhat worriedly: "Seraphina chose to leave me temporarily, and for a while, I was unsure how to handle her. So I wanted to talk to you about her character these days."

The reason why Polonia took the time out of her busy research work to accept the invitation was partly due to the identity of the inviter, and partly due to the reason Ansel gave.

"Ah... It's the matter of the Great Cold Wave, right?"

Polonia's eyes dimmed slightly: "She's a good child, but... I just hope you don't blame her."

The incident in the City of Red Frost, under Ansel's deliberate manipulation, had only recently begun to spread. It was not surprising that people like Polonia knew about it - but for her, who was focused on academics, learning about such matters was not due to concern for the situation, but simply because she had been paying attention to Seraphina's situation since she learned that Seraphina was with Ansel.

The woman pondered for a moment and then said to Ansel quite seriously:

"Although it has been four years, I believe that the child's nature will not change."

"Seraphina... is a very contradictory girl. She is always strong but also very fragile. In front of the things she cares about and cherishes, she has always been fragile, even if she appears fierce, it is only to cover up that fragility."

"Um..." Ansel nodded thoughtfully.

"You are clearly part of what she cares about and cherishes, Lord Hydral."

For some reason, Polonia's expression was a bit strange when she said this.

It seemed to be a mix of relief for her former student finding support and some… inexplicable sorrow or even sadness.

Polonia thought she had concealed her emotions well and continued: "Otherwise, she wouldn't have done that... that absurd thing. Please believe me, you are also part of her fragile cares. Though I don't know what exactly happened between you two, no matter how she treats you with whatever face, it is only to cover up the weakness in her heart."

"...I hope you won't abandon her because of this."

"How could I?" Ansel chuckled, "Rest assured, Seraphina is the person I cherish the most. You don't have to worry about it."

"Is-Is that so..."

Hearing such a promise, hearing a noble existence standing at the top of the empire, putting the student she once cherished so much in his heart, Polonia should have been overjoyed. But for some reason, her smile seemed a bit forced.

"Oh... Well, that's great."

The subsequent conversation was simple small talk. Ansel's knowledge and abilities allowed him to engage in deeper conversations with most people in this world. The two talked happily about music and etheric academics, as if the conversation about Seraphina was just a small interlude.

"By the way,"

Ansel suddenly said, "Speaking of which, it seems that there has been an unexpected situation with this year's 'harvest' in the Red Frost territory."

"...What?"

Polonia's expression froze slightly: "You mean—"

"Yes, that big fellow."

The young Hydral intertwined his fingers in confusion: "I felt that it seemed to have awakened earlier than expected."

"How is that possible!"

Polonia was shocked: "The Blazing Ice Viper has awakened early? Are you serious, Lord Hydral?"

"In the field of academics, I, who have not yet published any papers, may not have a strong say."

Ansel shrugged: "But when it comes to magical beasts, I think that in the entire empire, the entire continent... even including the ocean, there is no one more qualified to express an opinion than me."

The professor's expression was very tense: "Can you explain the situation?"

"That's not a problem, but... Professor Polonia."

Hydral tilted his head slightly: "You are far away in the Frost Tower and should not be affected by the Blazing Ice Viper. Why are you more nervous than me?"

"Ah? I... I'm worried that this disaster will affect more innocent people because of this accident."

The reason given by the professor was very convincing. She said with a worried expression: "After all, it's a magical beast that needs the headmaster or the Duke of Ironblade to send someone to exterminate. If it's not dealt with in time, it's too dangerous."

"Hehe, it won't cause an early outbreak... There's still more than a month before it actually breaks through the soil layer, but it has indeed woken up these days. It's just... inexplicably changed its nest."

He looked at Polonia quite puzzled: "I only have a rough understanding of the 'harvest' in the Red Frost territory. Has this happened before?"

"Well..." Professor Polonia hesitated, "I'm not entirely certain, Lord Hydral. Perhaps... perhaps I could inquire with Professor Marcos on your behalf."

"That would be most appreciated. To be frank, I too wish to resolve this calamity as swiftly as possible, to prevent it from causing extensive damage."

A sincere smile spread across Ansel's face. "Thank you for your assistance, Professor Polonia."

"No, please, there's no need for thanks. It's my duty."

Polonia, the honest scholar, averted her gaze involuntarily, seemingly out of a sense of... shame?

After a long hesitation, she finally stuttered, "Could you... could you inform me where the Blazing Ice Viper has relocated? It would be easier for me to notify Professor Marcos. He has been interested in these etheric creatures for a long time. Perhaps he could be of assistance."

"That's simple," Ansel responded promptly. "I'll fetch a map for you."

He quickly retrieved a scroll from his desk, unrolled it in front of Polonia, and marked a location.

"Right here, near a city called Herewood."

The young man drew a circle around a city with a cheerful smile. "You can have Professor Marocs contact me. I can guide him to the exact location for further investigation."

"Thank you for your generosity and kindness... Lord Hydral."

Professor Polonia bowed deeply. "Only after meeting you do I realize that the rumors about you are not unfounded."

Ansel laughed heartily. "Not all the rumors about me are good, Professor Polonia."

"...No, those so-called bad ones are merely the useless complaints of short-sighted fools."

The woman shook her head with utmost seriousness, looking at Ansel with hopeful and eager eyes.

"You are... the true agent of change for the empire. My friends and I have no doubt about that."

The young Hydral's eyebrows raised slightly. "You shouldn't say such things lightly, Professor Polonia."

Realizing the radical nature of her words, Polonia paused, then quickly added, "No, I didn't mean that you're a rebel or..."

"But it sounds quite good."

Ansel interrupted her with a smile.

"Why not give it a try?"

*

After seeing off Professor Polonia, Ansel felt much more relaxed.

The stage he had set for Seraphina was about to reach its climax. Everything was proceeding in an orderly and gradual manner.

The thought of Seraphina announcing her rebirth to everyone, along with her unparalleled power, stirred a wave of excitement in Ansel.

"We can start spreading the news about the lack of air defense in the cities of Sparklens and Luminopolis."

Ansel, with half-closed eyes, lazily instructed Saville, who was standing behind him. "Remember to control the scope and degree of dissemination. Among our rebel friends, there are many who are sensitive and intelligent."

Saville nodded in acknowledgment, adding, "As per your request, we have marked Miss Seraphina."

Hearing this, a smile tugged at the corners of Ansel's mouth, as if he was thinking of something that delighted him immensely. "How has she been doing recently?"

"Fine, or rather... very well. She has almost everything she wanted."

Saville responded in this way, but his tone and expression were full of pity.

Because Miss Seraphina was about to lose all of that, very soon.

However, Saville's pity only lasted for a moment, because in his eyes, what Seraphina would ultimately gain was something that almost everyone in this world would envy to the point of madness.

A wolf that has lost everything will eventually understand—

Where her destiny lies.