Villain Transmigration: Author Transformation

"I'm finally here…." 

Athan took several steps while looking around in Mystique's room.

There was nothing peculiar as far as he was concerned. 

It wasn't as quiet as it could be when light taps caught his ears; turning in that direction, it was Nero that prowled against the polished marble flooring.

Such a small, feline golem roamed around and ventured into a place for as much as he could.

He rubbed his chin, with eyes squinting, as he pondered, 'Something's going on in here, it's elusive….'

Meanwhile, he also tried to decipher anything that Nero had overlapped; so far, nothing caught his interest.

There was nothing special behind those doors hinged even with his power, but it was different for his familiar.

'If only I could get into that—' 

Curiosity got the best of him when Nero moved on rather quickly, as though there was nothing special in it, and of all the places he had to go was the vanity.

With a jaunt, sailing nimbly in the air, he landed between the cozy seat and landed on the countertop. But he lost sanity when the display of jewels and ornaments found on top of it, such high-quality with high mana density around it.

The satchel bag was his first target, devouring in one gulp, and then went into the next.

'No! This is not good!' Athan grabbed a handful of his air as he roared in anger.

It was like a banquet to Nero; it was fun while it lasted when he came near the drawers, sniffing.

'This stupid fool! I should've gotten a serious punishment—'

But it was too late when Nero flinched—body curled up with legs and tails turned rather stiff—before running as fast as he could beneath the bed.

'...I hope she never gets here for a while...'

The door clinked, and it was in the nick of time he slipped under the several layers of bedsheets.

Mystique began to strut to the lounge area of her bed-chamber, with Keith behind her. Soon as the door closed, she turned around and looked at him in the eyes.

[Keith, there's something I need you to do.]

Keith was on bended knee as he dropped his head, avowing, "Your wish is my command, Your Grace."

On the other hand, Mystique had her lips twitch before she rummaged her hand into her dimension pocket—like a leather pouch, not bedazzling as Athan thought it would be—and pulling out was none other than a grimoire that she handed it to him right away.

[Here is the manual that would make you stronger by several leaps and bounds—]

"While I do appreciate your benevolence, Your Grace..." he said, raising his head and meeting her eyes with such resolve. "I would like to prove with my own strength in this plight I'm about to undertake."

[I know how vital our deal was, Keith. But this is a far more important case.]

"Deal?"

'A deal?'

Keith's face was no different from Athan, but the latter had his mind turning into a direction he never thought would cross his mind.

'I'm beyond curious what kind of deal they had…'

[Through the sentinel, I learned that His highness, Athan, will come here at any time soon. We must make haste.]

The knight's face was no longer his concern as the prince's face was beyond livid. 

It was just a hunch, but learning about it now had him vindicated.

Mystique already knew, and his instinct clawed him deep right then and there; he was a step too late and a tad bit complacent, and he might not have the upper hand.

"His Highness—But why, perhaps?!"

She tapped her cheek from giving it some thought before she wrote in her grimoire and sent the words his way.  [I don't want to assume but, I suppose it should be related to me...]

Keith widened his eyes, and his ears perked higher than ever.

"Impossible!"

[Almost everyone knew my Father would rather stay there and appeal to His Majesty, yet it has already come to their mind that he gave up, didn't he return as soon as possible?]

Keith bowed; never could he meet her gaze, implying something he was afraid to face.

The indigo in her eyes darted at him, almost skinning him alive. Sweat began to break out in his forehead and down to his neck.

Even staring at the ground didn't let him escape from her words that etched on its smooth, shimmering surface.

[There was no way Father would have returned so quickly, and after giving it much thought, I presume it was someone else's.]

Keith slammed his face on the ground and spoke countless apologies to her. Meanwhile, Mystique slowly went down to her knees and lifted his chin.

[What you did was commendable; all hope is not lost for as long as you follow my instructions from now on.]

Mystique stood up to hand him the 'manual,' and with his nod, he accepted immediately.

[Athan, I have yet to know his other objectives, but this would be the first step.] Mystique turned around with a smug smirk. [He's a dangerous man we should be wary of—a violent man, and he would never hesitate to harass me.]

Meanwhile, Athan watched how it unfolded and scoffed at her claims. 'No one has ever defeated me in so many ways.'

But his ego was not of importance from their conversation.

"...I shall try to—"

A gust of frigid air blew his face.

"That book would change how you perceive strength, and it would then be a breeze to counter him."

The clenched fist of his had several streaks of vein etched from his hand from the revelation.

'Was that why he was able to land a hit on me that hard? Good, very good of you, Mystique….'

But his surge of rage shifted drastically. 

Fear.

Anxiety.

Heart thumped hard on his chest with every step closer.

Then, Mystique screamed bloody murder.

"MY JEWELS!"

'Damn it! I almost forgot it—Nero!' He looked in the direction, but in that couple of seconds, from her feet spread the thicket of frosts in all directions.

With a hiss, she ordered.

"Keith!"

"Right away…"

Tracking the area found a familiar she knew so well.

"Why don't you look at that, it's Nero!" Her sultry voice echoed after a cackle maniacally.

"Your Grace…"

[Oh?] Mystique almost creaked his head, and it made Athan uncomfortable. [What do we have here?]

She had a sinister smile and gaze at his astral form; written words now blew his way.

[We shall welcome the guest.]