Chapter 12 Future Plans

Rohan Humboldt had spent the past three years of his new life meticulously planning his revenge. Time had been on his side, and he had used it wisely. Steadily, he gained access to his previous spells and charms. However, his dragon mage abilities were out of reach. This included the powerful ability to summon a dragon.

"Young master, are you paying attention?" Rohan's tutor called out.

Rohan's thoughts drifted back to his grand plan of revenge, even as his private tutor's voice filled the room.

"Rohan," the tutor called his name firmly, "you must pay attention. You will be sent to the academy this year, and your studies are of utmost importance." His tutor's stern tone pulled Rohan out of his daydreams, reminding him of the responsibilities he had as a young nobleman.

The mention of the academy brought a bittersweet feeling. In his past life, he had never been given the chance to receive formal education… Or a last name.

The thought of attending an academy, where he would have to mingle with other noble children and immerse himself in their world, was a daunting one for Rohan. He couldn't help but harbor a deep resentment toward the nobility, especially after everything he had experienced in his past life.

It didn't escape his notice that the majority of the thirteen heroes, the very individuals who had betrayed him and Hammus, had been nobles themselves.

So boring... Can't anybody teach me Dragon magic?

"Teach," Rohan called out while balancing a pencil on his nose, "I already know this stuff. Can you teach me something else?"

His tutors had to admit that despite his daydreaming, he was a prodigious child, mature beyond his years… Though, his personality changed quickly once he was familiar with people.

Nonetheless, his tutors often praised his quick grasp of various subjects, even though his mind was clearly somewhere else.

Ever since Aldric had welcomed him, Anne, and Eliza into his care, Rohan's life had changed drastically. The viscount had spared no expense in ensuring Rohan's education. He had hired the finest teachers to help Rohan catch up with other noble children, making up for the years of education he had missed. Despite his initial resentment toward his father, Rohan couldn't deny that he was grateful for the opportunities he had been given. Aldric's kindness had allowed him to grow, learn, and ultimately prepare for the revenge he had been planning for years.

One thing is for certain, Rohan's tutors were nothing like Varian.

Varian was unlike any teacher Rohan had ever encountered. One could even call him eccentric, with his unconventional approach to magic. While most mages specialized in a particular school of magic, Varian was a "Jack of all trades, master of none." He had a relentless curiosity and a thirst for knowledge that led him to study every niche magic he could find, no matter how obscure or seemingly impractical. Rohan vividly remembered some of Varian's favorite spells: a charm that kept your clothes from getting dirty and a spell that made your flying kisses materialize in the air, floating towards the recipient. It was a testament to Varian's eclectic interests.

"Nobody is as weird as that crazy kook, that's for sure," Rohan mused.

"Did you say something, young master?"

"Nah," Rohan chuckled to himself, "just something fun I remembered."

However, what truly set Varian apart was his philosophy. He was a pacifist at heart and believed that magic should be used for the betterment of society, not for destruction or harm. As a result, Varian never taught Rohan combative spells. Instead, he focused on nurturing Rohan's intellect, creativity, and understanding of the world around him.

Rohan had often questioned Varian's teachings, wondering why he wasn't learning the powerful spells that would help him become a formidable mage. But as he grew older in this life, Rohan reflected on his time with Varian and came to appreciate the wisdom in his mentor's approach.

Varian had taught him the value of knowledge, the importance of empathy, and the beauty of magic as a force for good. It was Varian who had laid the foundation for his love of learning and his commitment to using magic responsibly.

I'm sorry, Varian, but I think I'll 'forget' some of the things you taught me. I can't really exact revenge with a spell that simply ties the enemies' shoelaces together, now can I?

Now, at the age of sixteen, Rohan was ready to set his revenge into motion.

He had tracked down each of the so-called "heroes" who had betrayed him and Hammus in his previous life. While some of them might have changed, Rohan knew that vengeance would be sweeter than forgiveness.

His first target was Elara, the elven archer who had been ordered to kill Prince Lionel. Yes, even Rohan was surprised when he found out.

She had pretended to be on Lionel's side but had ultimately sided with the traitors to keep her cover. Rohan couldn't help but think about her expression when he fell to the ground. She was genuinely shocked to see Lionel's actions, but it was a brief flash of emotion—then she kept her cool and continued her act for Lionel, it seems.

Too bad I wasn't alive to see her kill that traitorous scum. She deserves a spank.

He marked an "X" on her name.

She had been a pawn in someone else's game, just like him. He intended to use that secret against her, to manipulate her into helping him take down the others.

Next was Sydnia Schwartz, the water mage who had always been a slave to power and money. She had a secret too, one that involved her older sister. Rohan had uncovered a rivalry between the sisters, a deep-seated hatred that he could exploit to his advantage. Her sister was much more talented at water and ice magic and Sydnia always felt inferior to her.

He wasn't sure if Sydnia deserved a spank or be choked to death for what she did to Azure. Rohan first marked an "X" on her name but erased it soon after. He instead rewrote her name as "Bytchnia."

As for Hammus, the strong dwarf warrior who had fought by Rohan's side in their previous life, he had been an innocent victim in their betrayal. Hammus had no secrets, and even if he had, Rohan vowed to avenge him nonetheless. Hammus had been like a father to him, and he would make sure his death was not in vain.

Rohan had also remembered something interesting about Father Dalton, the priest who had a succubus lover helping him in battle. Dalton's secret would be his downfall, as Rohan planned to expose his unholy alliance to the world.

Kind of ironic since it was Dalton himself who revealed his secret to me. I promised to keep it a secret, but he did nothing when I was killed… He deserves a spanking.

He proceeded to mark Dalton's name with an "X."

The other "heroes" on Rohan's list, including Nemesys Dread, Fiona Lux, Leonora Frei, Sigmund, Lexus Lee, Blanca, and Thirteen, all had their own secrets and weaknesses. Rohan had spent years gathering information, learning about their lives, and manipulating circumstances to his advantage. Yet, he has nothing on Thirteen.

I don't even remember who that was… Whatever.

He knew it would not be easy, and there would be risks involved. But Rohan was determined to exact his revenge on all those who had betrayed him and Hammus. The time for retribution had come, and he was ready to play the game of secrets, lies, and revenge. 

There were those who needed a spanking and those who needed a beheading.