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The Gravity Villain's Silent Return

Ain Moltern, once known as Atrax, was a villainous genius who wielded immense gravity manipulation powers. After a cataclysmic battle with the three greatest hero of his time, Valorion,Bulk and Vera, Ain’s memory is shattered, as he wakes up in confusion, unsure of his past but with a lingering sense of his overwhelming strength. Ain disguises himself as a student in a prestigious hero academy, embarking on a journey to forge a new identity, whilst hiding his true abilities and unknowingly being hunted by both heroes and villains who recognize the dormant danger within him. As Ain struggles with his past life as a villain and his current life as a student, his extraordinary powers begin to resurface. He tries to live a quiet life, protecting the weak while keeping his true strength hidden, but rumors about his powers start to spread, attracting dangerous attention. His moral conflict deepens as his fragmented memories resurface, revealing the dark legacy of Atrax. The hero academy becomes a battleground for Ain’s internal war as factions from his past—former allies and old enemies—converge upon him. As his old villainous organization seeks to reclaim him, and powerful heroes, including Valorion, suspect him to be a threat, Ain must navigate the blurred line between heroism and villainy. With his gravity powers pushing him to the edge of control and his decisions shaping the fate of those around him, Ain faces a pivotal choice: to embrace the hero he wishes to become or succumb to the shadow of his villainous origins. Will Ain find redemption, or will his past destroy the future he's trying to build? Read to find out :} PS: Any chapter labeled "the journey" is probably an information dump though its not unbearable as it is well paced it can be abit of a turn off so am adding this to tell you that after it is when the novel picks up, havea nice day.

Thy_lin · Action
Not enough ratings
23 Chs

Chapter 4 : The Journey Begins (Part 2) "make things official"?

Chapter 4: The Journey begins(2)

WARNING INFORMATION DUNP AHEAD SKIP TO THE END IF YOU MUST

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As the sound of galloping grew louder due to the prolonged silence between them, Ain glanced at Sophie and spoke, breaking the silence.

"Sophie, I'm starting to wonder," Ain began, his curiosity piqued. "You've got money—plenty of it—but you live in that apartment in the slums. Why?"

Sophie's expression softened, and she gave him a knowing smile. "I've never really cared much for wealth," she replied, her voice smooth and composed, as though this was a sentiment she had expressed countless times before. "Money is just a tool, Ain. It doesn't define who I am."

Ain frowned, not entirely satisfied with the answer. "But why choose to live like that? Someone with your resources could live anywhere."

Sophie paused, her gaze drifting toward the horizon as if searching for the right words. After a moment, she answered, her tone calm and measured. "I choose to live simply. Wealth was thrust upon me, but I've never felt the need to flaunt it. The apartment... it's just a place to rest. It's all I need. Besides, I have my reasons for staying there."

Ain's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing that Sophie's answer was incomplete, but he didn't push her further. There was a finality in her tone that suggested she didn't want to discuss it anymore. Instead, he turned his attention back to the road ahead, the quiet stretching between them.

After a few minutes, Sophie broke the stillness with a sudden shift in conversation.

"You know, Ain," she said, her voice light but tinged with a hint of mischief, "I've been thinking. It seems like we've been traveling together for a while now, and I've come to a conclusion."

Ain glanced over at her, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of conclusion?"

Sophie's smile widened, and she slowed her horse, falling back to ride alongside him. "We need to make things... official," she said, her words deliberately vague.

Ain furrowed his brow, confused. "Official? What do you mean by that?"

Sophie's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I think it would be beneficial for both of us if you agreed to be my 'boyfriend,' for appearance's sake, of course."

Ain blinked, unsure whether she was joking or serious. "Boyfriend? What are you talking about? Are you tired?"

Sophie's expression didn't falter. "Oh, come on, Ain," she said, her voice soothing yet persuasive. "It's not as complicated as it sounds. I'm actually woman of status, but sometimes appearances matter more than reality. You don't have to do anything—just stand by my side at the academy. It'll be mutually beneficial. You'll gain some status by being associated with me, and I'll have the protection of being seen as a 'taken' woman."

Ain stared at her, trying to process her words. His gut told him this wasn't as simple as she made it sound, but there was something about her confidence that made it hard to say no.

"I don't know," Ain muttered, his voice uncertain. "I'm not looking for any sort of arrangement like that. I'm still trying to figure out my identity."

Sophie smiled, her eyes gleaming with an almost predatory sharpness. "It's not about being 'into it,' Ain. It's about practicality. You need to think about the benefits—plus, you'll eventually get your memory back. Trust me, it's just for appearances."

Ain felt the weight of her words, but something inside him urged him to refuse. He didn't want to get tangled in another web of manipulation, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that Sophie was right—this could be advantageous for him in some way. But at what cost?

Finally, after a long pause, Ain sighed in resignation. "Fine. I'll accept, considering how much you've helped me. But I'll only do the bare minimum." Ain voiced out he didn't want to act like a doting boyfriend or anything along those Lines in public for" appearances sake".

Sophie's smile widened, her eyes flashing with approval. "That's all I'm asking for, Ain. Just a little appearance for the sake of convenience. We'll make it work."

As the conversation died down, Ain's mind returned to a more pressing thought. He had been meaning to ask Sophie about something else but couldn't find the right words. He needed more information about his past self, Atrax, and why someone so strong and revered had been left in such a sorry state, forgotten in the slums without his memories. However, he couldn't just ask her directly about a person she had described as a heartless villain. Instead, he decided to ask about something that could easily be linked to him.

"Sophie," he asked carefully, "you know about the top-ranked heroes, right? Could you tell me more about them?"

Sophie glanced at him, her lips curling into a small smile. "Ah, the heroes," she said, her voice light but with an undertone of reverence. "Well, since you seem curious, let me tell you. On this continent alone, there are over 478,000 registered heroes."

"That's quite a lot," Ain said, leaning his horse slightly backward.

"They are," Sophie replied, leaning her horse backward to maintain the same pace as Ain's. "But among them, only a few truly stand out. The ones who shape the course of history, who command respect—not just because of their strength, but because of their influence and legacy. The top five heroes are known across Etheral for their unmatched power."

She paused for effect, her eyes gleaming as though recounting a tale she had memorized. "At the very top is Valorion, as I told you before. He's the strongest hero alive—arguably the strongest to have ever lived. His power is unparalleled, and many say he embodies the very essence of what it means to be a protector."

Ain nodded thoughtfully. "And the others?"

"Second is Bulk," Sophie continued. "A literal titan of an Orc, both in size and power. He's said to be invincible in hand-to-hand combat, a true juggernaut who could level entire cities if he wished. But fortunately for us, his sense of justice is as solid as his fists."

A small smirk played on Ain's lips. "Sounds like someone you wouldn't want to cross."

"Exactly," Sophie agreed, chuckling lightly. "Then there's Vera, the third-ranked hero, who happens to be an elf. She's... unique. A master of elemental manipulation and archery, she can wield fire, water, air, and earth with her arrows as though they're extensions of herself. What makes her stand out, though, is her creativity. She doesn't just use raw power—she's an artist in battle, turning every fight into a masterpiece."

"An artist," Ain murmured. "Interesting. And the fourth?"

"Astrea," Sophie said, her voice taking on a tone of admiration. "She's a tactical genius. While her physical abilities and her mastery of Qi & Arcana are impressive, it's her mind that makes her one of the best. She can out think anyone, turning even the most hopeless situations to her advantage. Some even say she's never truly lost a fight, only retreated when it was disadvantageous to her."

Ain's interest started to deepen. "And the fifth?"

"The fifth," Sophie said, her tone shifting to one of awe, "is Alderien Herit. He's not just a hero—he's also the ruler of Ethereal. As the sovereign of this continent, his influence extends far beyond combat. He's considered the smartest man in Ethereal, and his power is as commanding as his intellect. Despite being ranked fifth, his presence is almost felt more profoundly than anyone else's."

Ain leaned back in his seat, processing the information. "The ruler of Ethereal is a hero?"

"Yes," Sophie said, her voice taking on a more conversational tone as she shifted gears. "He lives in Maestral City, at the heart of the continent. The capital is often referred to as The Rule because it's where the royalty resides. It's not just a city; it's a fortress of knowledge, power, and governance."

"And Alderien Herit rules from there?" Ain asked, intrigued.

Sophie nodded. "Exactly. The Herit family has ruled Etheral for centuries, but they aren't ordinary royalty. Their lineage is intertwined with a legendary human bloodline known as the Draconis Interfector."

"Draconis Interfector?" Ain echoed, his curiosity piqued.

"It's not just a name," Sophie explained, her voice dropping slightly, as if revealing a great secret. "Draconis Interfector is a rare and powerful ability that awakens once every millennium in the Herit bloodline. When it does, the one who inherits it is destined to become the ruler of Ethereal. It's a tradition that's held for generations, and no one questions it. The power is that overwhelming."

Ain narrowed his eyes. "What kind of abilities are we talking about here?"

Sophie leaned forward slightly, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "The bloodline grants its wielder unparalleled combat abilities by giving them memories of all past owners' combat experience. But that's just the surface. Its true strength lies in its dominion over fire and fire-like entities, making the wielder almost invincible in combat against flames. It also amplifies flame abilities using ancient energies from the world itself. They say that when the Dragon Slayer awakens, it alters the very essence of the person who wields it."

"Sounds almost... too powerful," Ain said, his tone skeptical but intrigued.

"It might as well be," Sophie replied. "However, when activated, it is extremely energy-consuming. Because of this, even though Alderien Herit is the current wielder of the Dragon Slayer, he probably would still lose in a fight against Astrea."

After hearing those words, Ain gathered his thoughts, realizing how powerful bloodlines can be. As he tried to recall the words to open his system status to check if he had one, he remembered that he hadn't asked Sophie about Atrax.

"It seems the heroes are strong, but what about Villo—" However, before Ain could finish asking his question, A loud sound of hooves in the distance interrupted their conversation. Sophie immediately stiffened, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword as she glanced toward the road ahead.

Ain followed her gaze and spotted a group of five men on horseback. Their tattered clothing and rough demeanor made it clear they were not friendly travelers.

"Tch bandits "Sophie said the displeasure evident on her face

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