The Tale of the Redeeming Villain

[Catherine's POV:]

'You can't perceive someone's true nature.'

'You are too kind for your own good.'

'You should be a little wary of those whom you don't know.'

These kinds of suggestions and warnings, I have been receiving from a very early age. I have become the Saintess after awakening but since childhood, I was told that I was very kind and gullible.

And I think they were correct. I wasn't able to see what kind of person Blake actually is.

I have noticed in these three days that Blake was far from the horrendous person that people think of him as. He isn't sharp-tongued nor he is excessively perverted like how I initially deemed him.

Although it's still unclear why he ever kidnapped me when he didn't do anything with me, I could tell that Blake is a really good man with considerate behavior.

Just like last night, he gave me some sound-cancellation earbuds that can be used to suppress the surrounding noise—just in case it rains again. Also, along with the buds, he gave me a red hand bell which was also an artifact. He said to ring it furiously if something happens. The frequency of the bell increases with time so even in his sleep, Blake would come to my side immediately.

When he gave me these, I could tell that he wasn't trying to win my trust or create a soft corner in my heart. He was genuinely worried about me. And for some reason, seeing those eyes whenever the topic of my trauma came up, I felt like Blake had gone through something similar.

I want to ask him—to reach out to him and listen to what no one ever bothered to listen to. Blake has been such an entity in the Academy that always remained isolated—but after living with him for some time now, I was certain about something.

He desired warmth. And the funny part, he himself doesn't realize it.

"Please maintain your blessings upon the lowly ones. " I was done praying as I usually do early in the morning.

Arranging my bed I got out of the room.

'Hmm?' Blake wasn't there, but it wasn't a surprise since I could hear some strange sounds from his room last night.

I didn't think too deeply about what he might be doing to make such strange noises and made my way toward the washroom.

It took me half an hour to freshen and take a bath before I once again stood in the kitchen while wearing a pair of new clothes that Blake had arranged for me last night.

It seems he knew he wouldn't be able to wake up early that's why he gave me my clothes last night.

"Hmm~mm~" While humming to a tone that I had heard from someone else, I started to prepare breakfast. The ingredients have started to run out that's why I am going to be efficient in cooking now.

Thanks to the cooling box that Blake has with a runestone attached, it was possible to keep the ingredients healthy.

I picked eggs, bread, and some vegetables before returning to the kitchen counter.

It took me fifteen minutes to prepare egg sandwiches along with black coffee—something that I couldn't possibly bring myself to consume.

"Hmm?" I frowned upon not finding any sound from Blake's room. It was already quite late and he never remained in his room after waking up.

Suddenly, an ominous feeling filled my heart as I stepped toward his room with heavy steps.

*Knock*

"Blake?" I called out but there was no response.

*Knock* *Knock*

"I am coming in." Maybe because I was getting anxious, I didn't think twice nor waited long before pushing open the door. The door lock broke easily once I enhanced my strength with mana.

"Blake?!" I panicked as I saw Blake lying on the ground and his whole room a mess.

His complexion was a bit pale and his breathing was unsteady.

I immediately crouched down beside him and joined my palm in prayer,

"By light and love, be healed and whole,
Body and spirit, renew and console."

I chanted the prayer and Blake's whole body was dyed in a greenish hue.

His complexion improved and his breathing returned to normal.

With a heavy sigh, he slowly lifted his back and with my help, he finally got up,

"Thanks...I might have just pushed myself a little too much there."

His casual way of providing the cause of his fall didn't help me much as I spoke in a complaining voice, "What were you even trying to do that caused such grave side effects? Were you putting yourself under some magical experiment?"

Blake chuckled, "Do you think I am foolish enough to experiment on myself?"

"Yes."

Hearing my quick response turned his expression blank, as he looked around a bit and muttered, 'Probably you are right...'

"But no, I wasn't experimenting on myself. While cleaning the house last night I found an ancient scroll in my inventory that helped me gain....this,"

As he said, he pointed his finger toward the cupboard and suddenly a small hole was conjured in the wood.

My eyes widened in surprise before I asked him, "Wind magic? But how?"

"As I said, an ancient scroll. After going through some chanting that was written in the scroll, the parchment suddenly got absorbed in me and I awakened this skill."

"You are lying." My blatant accusation sobered up his smug face as he sighed.

I didn't pry into the matter since if he has to depend on lies, then that means he never intended to tell me how he suddenly reawakened.

Scroll? Chants? No, nothing like that exists or every non-awakened or those who have useless skills can become a warrior using those scrolls. In the first place, a foreign element mixing with one's system could cause severe damage—further explaining why I knew Blake was lying.

"Well, I won't ask you to tell me about it, but why did you train yourself so much? Without examining I could tell that your mana cords are overheated."

As a healer I could somehow sense one's internal condition without using any skills and earlier, Blake showed very usual symptoms of those who overwork their mana cords.

Blake dryly laughed and said, "I need to train so I can face Carlson, you know."

Hearing his words, my vigor subdued and my shoulders slumped.

I had been thinking about that matter since yesterday and couldn't bring myself to hurt Blake. Although I knew it was important, I just...

"Hey, Catherine. Can you help me train?"

"Huh?"

Hearing his words, I was a bit taken aback. Me and help him train?

"I mean, with your healing skills, I can go overboard and whenever I exhaust myself, please heal me back to health so I can continue."

My eyes widened, "You do know your lifespan would shorten in that way right?"

"Yup, but don't worry. We are going to follow this routine for the remaining three including today. I don't think this much would cost me much."

True to his words, this breaking and healing process for three days wouldn't cause much damage to him except for headache and loss of appetite. But still, I deemed it a brute method.

However, I have already been contemplative about the method he suggested earlier. That's why I can't reject this request to help him train as well.

With a slow nod, I assented, "Okay, I will do whatever I can."

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A/N:- Drop a comment.