To be the Villainess

O48.

Chapter 48

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“THE EMPRESS has been abducted!”

The urgent shout reached my ears just as I was about to push open the chamber doors. My hand froze mid-air. Huh. The Empress? Really? I tilted my head in mild curiosity, then let out a soft scoff.

Not my problem.

I was supposed to be training outside the palace today, but it seemed fate had other plans for me. I let out a small sigh, stepping back from the door. Again. Instead of the crisp air and open fields, I’d be pacing in this oversized room once more.

It had been two days since the Crown Prince last visited. Not that I wanted his presence—far from it. The thought of him and his self-righteous airs was enough to irritate me.

Stepping out onto the balcony, I leaned against the cool marble railing, resting my chin on the back of my hand. From this vantage point, the chaos below was on full display. Servants scurried about like headless chickens, while knights clanged and shouted orders at one another. The Palace grounds were a frenzy of activity, their futile efforts almost laughable.

“What in the world are they doing?” I muttered under my breath, my lips curling into a smirk. “Running around like that isn’t going to find her.”

I rolled my eyes, the absurdity of their actions grating on my nerves. They were acting like blind mice chasing after shadows. Pathetic.

Still, a fleeting thought crossed my mind. She’s strong, isn’t she? She’ll be fine. The Empress wasn’t the sort to crumble under pressure—or capture, for that matter. If she couldn’t handle herself, then maybe she wasn’t as formidable as everyone claimed.

Shaking my head, I pushed the thought aside. I had more pressing matters to deal with, and meddling in their problems was a luxury I couldn’t afford. Time was not on my side.

With a resolute breath, I turned back into the room and approached the wide table that was now my makeshift workspace. Glass vials glinted under the light, their vibrant contents a testament to my improving alchemical skills. The system had yet to issue the third training phase, so I had been practicing on my own.

“Not bad,” I muttered, eyeing the neatly arranged elixirs.

Each one shimmered with a distinct hue, their purposes etched in my memory: healing concoctions for quick recovery, defensive potions for shielding against physical and magical attacks, and offensive brews capable of inflicting serious damage. My fingers brushed over the vials, a sense of satisfaction blooming in my chest.

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Trial of Endurance

Complete the following tasks within the confines of your room: 

- Perform a set of high-knee sprints in place for three minutes. 
- Execute five sets of alternating lunges followed by a controlled backward roll. 
- Finish with a full-body stretch routine, holding each position for at least 20 seconds to test balance and flexibility.

Repeat the entire sequence after the time limit goes to zero.

Reward: Aether Pouch — A small bag that can store any number of items. To retrieve something, simply visualize it and reach into the bag—it will appear in your hand. 
Failure: Lose your strength for 3 days.