Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 702

"...What kind of nonsense are you spouting now?"

I let out a deep sigh, shrugging my shoulders in exasperation. Though I noticed Capella moving to intervene, I subtly signaled for her to stand down—I still couldn't quite grasp Johan's true intentions.

"You're the prince of Zveara, and I'm the heir of House Baldia here as an imperial guest. Shouldn't we both be more mindful of our positions?"

To think slipping away from the banquet would lead to this.

It wasn't that I had no interest in sparring with Johan—if anything, the idea excited me. But self-restraint reminded me that two people in our positions clashing like this was inappropriate. And Tinuk's warning—*"Please refrain from any reckless actions"*—echoed in my mind.

"Positions? Of course I understand that," Johan replied, his shoulders slumping slightly before he continued, "Hey, Ridd... have you ever had fun spending time with kids your own age?"

"Kids my age...?"

I mentally ran through the list—Fara immediately came to mind, then Mel, Kiel, Tis, Citri, and the members of the Second Knight Order. From the Empire, there were the imperial princes David and Addy, nobles like Valery, David, Marone, and Berzelia. In Renalute, there was my brother-in-law Reisis, and here in Zveara, Amon.

"Well, including you, Johan, I've had plenty of fun times."

"Is that so? I envy you."

A sad smile crossed his face before he shook his head.

"But for me, it's different. In Zveara, there isn't a single person my age who can match me in strength—no one who even tries to compete. They're all just spineless sycophants, watching my every move."

His usual cheerfulness was gone, replaced by resignation and disgust.

*Ah... the loneliness of overwhelming talent.*

He almost reminded me of a boy on the verge of falling into darkness.

At that moment, the term *"falling into darkness"* triggered a memory—an image of Johan from *Toki Lera*, his expression twisted with something dangerous.

*"Haha, you belong only to me. I never want to lose the people precious to me again."*

The Johan in my mind was still small in stature, but his eyes were cold, devoid of any warmth. A dark aura radiated from him, his expression consumed by possessiveness and control.

An unpleasant premonition sent a chill down my spine.

In *Toki Lera*, the Beast King was Elba. The *"precious people"* Johan mentioned likely referred to his parents and retainers, all killed by Elba.

*Wait... is Johan actually a traumatized prince with a dark side hidden beneath his cheerful exterior?*

If left unchecked, he might truly fall into darkness—and in the future, he could even become involved in my downfall.

His frustration likely stemmed from his purity. If left unresolved, he might be manipulated by imperial nobles, just like Reisis had been.

Swallowing hard, I forced a calm smile.

"I see. From my perspective, Johan, your talent is extraordinary. It's only natural you'd feel unsatisfied with peers who can't keep up."

His face brightened instantly. "I knew you'd understand, Ridd. That's why I acknowledge you as both my friend and my rival."

With no other heirs among the chieftains' children, Johan must have felt isolated. The only one who might have matched him was Karua of the Bearkin, but he had left his homeland and now served under Baldia.

"But even so, why are you so insistent on sparring with *me*?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Johan grinned, flashing his sharp canines.

"You're someone my own age who might still beat me even if I go all out. Of course I'd want to test my strength against you. Haven't you ever wanted a friend who could push you to your limits?"

"...I'd be lying if I said no."

My father, Rubens, Curtis—all those who trained me were adults. The Second Knight Order had members my age, but none with the same overwhelming talent in magic or combat.

Logically, I knew talent wasn't everything. But somewhere deep down, I'd felt that loneliness too.

"Exactly. So I'll be your opponent, and you'll be mine."

"I see. I understand your reasoning now."

Sighing, I tightened my grip on the wooden sword and glanced at Capella.

"Capella, Johan and I are about to engage in a friendly spar. No interference."

"...Lord Ridd, are you certain? You *will* face reprimands from multiple parties for this."

"I'm prepared. I'm not so boorish as to refuse a sincere request from a *friend*."

Capella sighed in exasperation, but I raised my bokken into a ready stance.

"Well then, Johan. Consider your justification secured."

Johan burst into laughter. "Haha! So you really do accept me as a friend, Ridd!"

"Of course. But remember—if we get scolded later, we're in this together."

"Got it. You're the only one who's ever taken me seriously like this."

His smile was genuinely happy as he raised his tonfa.

*Just how long has he been bottling up this frustration?*

If sparring with me could ease that, then so be it.

The real question was—how well could I hold my own against him at full strength?

Under the flickering torchlight and pale moonlight, the training ground grew tense with the pressure of our magic.

"Then... let's begin."

The moment he spoke, Johan vanished from my sight.

**"—Below?!"**

Sensing his presence, I dropped my gaze just as he closed the distance in an instant.

"As expected of you, Ridd!"

Grinning fiercely, he swung his left tonfa in a sharp strike.

I blocked with my bokken, but the sheer force sent me airborne.

*Deceptively strong for his slender frame!*

"Tch—?!"

"You blocked it? But this technique *expects* defense."

Before I could recover, his right tonfa lashed out—a heavier, more precise blow.

**"Shatter—Lion's Claw Strike!"**

"As if that's enough to—!"

I hastily deployed a magic barrier, intercepting the attack.

**CRACK!**

A dull, crushing sound reverberated as the impact sent me flying back. Though the barrier absorbed the damage, the sheer momentum was unavoidable.

Rolling to break my fall, I looked up to see Johan grinning wildly.

"Haha! Amazing, Ridd! But we're just getting started!"

"Right. I'll keep you entertained until you're satisfied."

As his body became enveloped in white fur—his beast transformation—I activated **Body Enhancement: Blazing Flame**, cloaking myself in flickering crimson magic.

"Alright, Johan. Now the real fight begins."

"Yeah, Ridd. *Entertain me.*"

His tonfa strikes became a relentless barrage, each clash against my bokken sending sparks of magic scattering.

The training ground trembled under the force of our collision, torchlight dancing wildly as our shadows twisted across the ground.