Cursed Villainess’ Obsession

"I’m sorry, I don’t remember you."

"You bastard!!!" Kazhin screamed, his body bending backward in frustration.

‘Whoever this guy is... this is bad,’ Siegfried thought, realizing that figuring out Kazhin’s identity was less important than surviving the situation.

"Sieeeeg!!" Elise’s voice echoed from the stands, filled with worry.

Despite her cheers, Siegfried’s body refused to move. Only the hand gripping his sword could twitch slightly.

‘Is this... how it ends?’

If only he had a proper unique skill, or even a simple magic spell, he could have used it now. He could’ve done something to turn the tide.

But Siegfried had no such talents. All he could rely on was his physical prowess, and now that his body was restrained, he was helpless.

‘It seems... I truly am without talent.’

Kazhin, who was now slowly approaching, licked the knife that had inflicted a shallow wound on Siegfried.

"...I’ll make you suffer... slowly," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice.

‘Is this... as far as I go?’ Siegfried thought, resigning himself to his fate.

Just then, a voice called out.

"Siegfried, senpaiiii!!"

It was the voice of Ken Feinstein.

"What's important is to never give up!!" Ken shouted, his words echoing across the arena.

Siegfried remembered. The sword in his hand—the black sword Ken had given him—and the words Ken had said when handing it over.

‘If things get tough, channel your magic into this sword. It’ll help, I promise!’

Siegfried had promised to make Ken his apprentice if he won the tournament with the sword. And, determined to claim victory by his own power, Siegfried hadn’t used the sword’s magic yet.

‘Channel my magic... into the sword.’

Strengthened by Ken’s words, Siegfried refocused. With what little magical ability he had, he clumsily channeled his energy into the sword.

Suddenly, the black jewel embedded in the sword began to glow, and the runes etched into the blade lit up.

"What the—?! How are you using magic?!" Kazhin shouted, now wary of the sudden shift.

The magic Siegfried had poured into the sword was transformed by the runic inscriptions and fed into the black gem.

‘...My body...’

A translucent black aura began to flow from the gem, surrounding Siegfried.

‘I can move again!’

Siegfried’s frozen body started to respond. He adjusted his stance, his movements now fluid.

"W-what the hell?!" Kazhin screamed as the crowd erupted into cheers.

Siegfried raised his sword and calmly responded, "I don’t know either."

With that, Siegfried dashed forward, his figure blurring as he left a black streak in the air.

Boom!

Their swords clashed with a thunderous impact.

"Y-you think just because you broke the curse, you can win against me, a magic user?!" Kazhin shouted, backing away from Siegfried and raising his hand.

"Aquus Oculus!" he chanted, summoning a barrage of sharp icicles that formed around his hand and shot toward Siegfried like bullets.

‘I’ll dodge them all,’ Siegfried thought, preparing to move—until he felt a pulse from his sword.

‘...What?’

It was as if the sword was telling him not to evade. Trusting the black sword, Siegfried swung it through the flurry of icicles.

To everyone’s shock, the icicles dissolved into magical energy as they were absorbed by the sword.

"H-how is that possible?!" Kazhin's face twisted in disbelief.

Siegfried smirked, pleased with the sword’s abilities. "This is quite the convenient sword."

He adjusted his stance for a quick-draw technique.

"Well done, Ken Feinstein," Siegfried murmured, as with a single swift motion, Kazhin’s scarecrow-like dummy was shattered into pieces.

"Winner! Siegfried Gardner!" the announcer declared.

With that, Siegfried claimed victory in the tournament.

"What an amazing sword... That black spirit stone... is it an Absorption Stone?" Mary asked, having witnessed Siegfried’s victory.

Indeed, the black gem embedded in Siegfried’s sword was an Absorption Stone, a magical spirit stone that absorbs mana and transfers it to the user.

The sword itself had been crafted using black steel, known for its mana-absorbing properties, and ebony wood, which amplified magical power. All these materials had been combined to forge the sword, with runes designed for absorbing and disassembling magic to enhance the wielder’s physical abilities.

‘It’s the perfect weapon for Siegfried, who can’t use magic,’ Ken thought with pride.

Although in the game, these materials were primarily used for armor, Ken had realized that they could be even more effective in a weapon tailored for someone like Siegfried.

"Ah, it looks like they’re starting the victory speech. It’s great that the person you were rooting for won, Ken," Mary said, smiling at Siegfried’s victory.

Ken was relieved that Mary hadn’t found the event boring. She seemed genuinely engaged and happy with the result.

[Now, let’s hear a few words from our champion, Siegfried Gardner.]

The announcer’s voice boomed across the arena, enhanced by a magical amplification device. Siegfried was handed the microphone.

Everything was proceeding as expected. In the game, this moment usually ended with Siegfried dedicating his victory to Elise, creating a touching scene as she tearfully applauded him from the stands.

‘Whew, looks like everything’s going as planned. I’m ready for the heartwarming finale.’

Siegfried stood in the center of the arena, appearing thoughtful for a moment as he accepted the microphone.

Ken focused intently, anticipating the emotional moment he had seen so many times in the game.

Siegfried finally spoke.

[...This victory...]

His voice resonated throughout the stadium, and he lifted his gaze toward the stands.

Ken followed his line of sight, expecting him to be looking at Elise.

‘...Huh?’

But instead of Elise, it felt like Siegfried was looking directly at Ken.

‘Is... is he looking at me?’

Siegfried continued speaking.

[This victory is not mine alone.]

He then raised the sword in the air and added,

[I owe this victory to Ken Feinstein, the academy’s underclassman who crafted this sword for me.]

The crowd erupted into applause and cheers, taking Ken by surprise.

"Wait, that sword was made by you, Ken?" Mary asked, wide-eyed.

‘What about Elise?!’

Ken, who had been hoping for a heartwarming scene between Siegfried and Elise, was left feeling a bit disappointed.

"Who’s Ken Feinstein?"

"I don’t know, but apparently, he’s the guy who made the sword."

Meanwhile, Ken was feeling slightly embarrassed by all the sudden attention.

"Thanks to you, I was able to win. I’m grateful," Siegfried said later that evening as they met again at the academy, now bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun.

"I just made the weapon, that’s all. You won with your own skills, Siegfried," Ken replied, and he meant it. Had it not been for Kazhin’s ambush, Siegfried would have won easily without needing the sword’s power.

"No."

Siegfried shook his head firmly.

"This tournament made me painfully aware of my lack of talent and the insurmountable gap between myself and those who have it."

The difference he had once believed he could overcome with hard work had now revealed itself to be an impenetrable wall.

Siegfried unsheathed the black sword, holding it up.

"But this sword you gave me... it helped me bridge that gap."

His sharp, determined eyes met Ken’s.

"I wouldn’t say this if it was just a sword with powerful magic. But this sword... it felt like it acknowledged my effort."

If the sword had simply been a tool of raw magic that overpowered his opponent, Siegfried wouldn’t have accepted the victory. He didn’t want to win because of something beyond his own strength. But Ken’s sword had done just enough to compensate for his lack of magic, while still allowing him to win with his own effort.

"That’s why I felt like you, Ken, recognized me through this sword."

Siegfried’s gratitude was genuine, and he expressed it with conviction.

"Here and now, I swear upon this sword and to you," he said, his voice firm with resolve.

"You have acknowledged my effort, and for that, I vow that I will always help you. With this sword, I will protect you and those who are dear to me."

Siegfried had made his promise. And hearing it, Ken could only respond with:

"...This is kind of embarrassing."

He scratched his head sheepishly.

‘Still, I’m glad I have his support now!’

Satisfied with the result, Ken smiled.