I Like Villains, so I Reincarnated as One

“No…”

I woke up to the warm sensation of something covering my forehead. My head hurt, probably because I’d overdone it. When I opened my eyes, I saw Astesia standing there. Her expression was still stiff, but a faint smile played on her lips.

“Where… am I?”

“You’re awake—thank goodness. I was worried because you slept for half a day. This is an inn that someone named Darkness prepared for us.”

“I see… Did you take care of me? Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it; I did it because I wanted to. More importantly, how are you feeling? Tell me if there’s anything wrong, even a little. And if you want to thank someone, thank your companions. Despite being exhausted from fighting, they stayed by your side and nursed you until they reached their limits.”

She pointed to Rosalia, who was asleep in a chair. The blanket draped over her was probably Astesia’s doing.

I’d made them worry again. As I thought about that, something squirmed inside Astesia’s clothes. Wait, her chest was moving—what the heck, that’s creepy!!

“Eek, wait a second!!”

“Kyu-kyu!”

“White, you were worried about me too?”

“Ahh, so fluffy…”

White jumped out from Astesia’s chest and happily licked my cheek. It was undeniably soothing… Though I felt a little bad for Astesia, who looked incredibly disappointed, White chirped happily as I petted it.

“Still, this person’s amazing… Even though she’s supposed to feel aversion toward me because of the curse, she said, ‘If Lord Weiss trusts her, then I will too,’ and left your care to me. She looked so exhausted, but she insisted on staying awake to see you open your eyes. I had to give her some medicine to make her sleep, though.”

“Yeah, Rosalia’s my best maid, after all.”

“You two really trust each other. I’m jealous.”

Astesia looked back and forth between me and Rosalia, as if gazing at something dazzling. I’d accidentally called Rosalia my maid, but there was no need to hide it anymore, so it was fine.

Still, this girl uses a lot of medicine… Maybe it’s a necessary skill for a priest who heals. Magic can mend injuries, but it can’t cure illnesses. In the game, she wielded both Zeus’s blessing for healing and Hades’s blessing for attacks, so it’s nice to see this unexpected side of her.

“If your curse gets lifted, Astesia, I’m sure you’ll find someone like that too.”

“Yeah… thank you…”

For some reason, her face clouded over for a moment after I said that. Had she recalled some painful memories?

I quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, what happened with all the commotion?”

“That Darkness person mostly took care of it. Keith and Catalina, who were captured by the cult, were rescued and will live at a nearby church. They’re now investigating the remaining cult members, as well as the nobles and merchants who bought slaves, based on the documents left behind. Oh, and… they found evidence that the man posing as a priest tried to pin the blame on me, so I was questioned a bit. He didn’t seem affected by my curse either—maybe he’s a divine beast user?”

“Nah, Darkness is one of the Twelve Apostles. With strong divine blessings, they’ve got high resistance to heretics.”

“What? That guy’s one of the Twelve Apostles? No way…”

Astesia let out a rare, dumbfounded sound, and I couldn’t help but smile. She blushed a little, embarrassed, and gave me a half-hearted glare.

“You don’t have to laugh… But thanks to you, this whole mess is resolved. Thank you, truly. It’s a shame about the priest, but… Keith, the others, and I avoided being sold off to slave traders.”

It’s impressive that she can worry about Keith and the others despite her own hardships. In the original story, Astesia wasn’t supposed to become a slave—she was meant to turn to the Hades cult because of this incident. But that storyline didn’t happen, and there’s no need to bring it up.

“Yeah… you’re right. So, what are you going to do now, Astesia?”

“Well… once you lift my curse, I plan to follow the church’s guidance. Thanks to the gods, I met a savior like you. With this, I’ve overcome the trial Zeus gave me. As a priest, I want to work to save the world.”

She hesitated for a moment before answering smoothly, as if she’d rehearsed it. But her expression was oddly complex, and I felt something was off.

“Is that… really what you want, Astesia?”

“Huh? But… this is why I was given this power. Everyone said my abilities are special, that they’re meant to be used for the gods. That’s why the gods saved me this time.”

“No, that’s not true.”

I looked her straight in the eyes and refuted her words. She was completely off the mark. I don’t know what Zeus intended when he gave her this power—whether he truly wanted her to become a saint to save the world or just a stepping stone for the game’s protagonist to fight. That doesn’t matter, and I don’t care.

But there’s one truth only I know: Zeus didn’t save Astesia. He didn’t rescue her when she was supposed to fall into darkness and suffer.

So… she doesn’t have to blindly follow Zeus’s will. Because the one who saved her was…

“It wasn’t the gods who saved you. Angela’s wish moved me, and we defeated the enemy. The one you should thank isn’t a god—it’s Angela. Once you’re free from the curse, do what you want to do. Not what the gods tell you, but what you truly desire.”

“What are you saying…? You came to save me in my moment of need with a divine beast’s blessing—was that just a coincidence!?”

Her voice trembled with disbelief as she responded, but I pressed on.

“No, it’s not like that. I bonded with White because of my own power. And the reason you were saved was because of Angela, me… and because you endured without giving up, Astesia. It wasn’t the gods’ power at all.”

That’s right… bonding with White was pure chance. Well, if I had to pin it on something, maybe it’s thanks to that weird voice I heard before reincarnating, but I still don’t know what that was.

“So, Astesia, you’re free to live as you please now.”

“But… is that okay? I mean, I was given this power by the gods…”

“It’s fine. The gods might have given you power, but they didn’t save you, right? So, just take it and run with it. You’ve suffered enough—it’s not like you’ll be punished for that much. And if anything happens, I’ll take the blame with the gods for you.”

“Take it and run…?”

Astesia’s eyes widened in shock at my words, but then she let out a small laugh. It was the most genuine, joyful smile I’d seen from her yet.

“Seriously… telling a former saint candidate to betray the gods—you’re awful. But… thank you. I feel lighter somehow. I don’t know what I want to do yet, but I’ll take my time and think about it.”

“Yeah, if anything comes up, come to Hamilton territory. I’ll take responsibility for egging you on.”

“Hmm, I’ll hold you to that.”

“Lord Weiss…?”

As we bantered lightly, I locked eyes with a sleepy-looking Rosalia. When she saw me, her eyes widened, and tears began to spill over.

“Rosalia, I’m fine…”

“Lord Weiss!! I was so worried!! Thank goodness… I’m so glad you’re okay. If you hadn’t woken up, I…”

“Whoa!”

“Kyu—!?”

Rosalia sprang up from her chair and threw herself at me, hugging me tightly. Enveloped by her ample chest, I couldn’t even protest.

Damn… I really made her worry that much…

“Rosalia, I’m sorry. I…”

“I’ll get stronger. You’re bound to do something reckless for someone else again, Lord Weiss. So I’ll become strong enough to support you even then… Oh, and let’s train to boost your magic power. I’ll be extra strict this time.”

“…You two are quite the passionate pair… I’ll leave you to it. This is a nice inn with good soundproofing, so don’t worry.”

Astesia stood up with a complicated expression, as if she couldn’t handle being around us anymore. Wait, has she misunderstood my relationship with Rosalia?

“Um… thank you both. I’m going to find my own path.”

“Yeah… I’ll cheer you on.”

Before leaving the room, Astesia blushed bright red, thanked us, and walked out. Afterward, I had quite a time calming down an extremely worried Rosalia.

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Top Tools for Learning Japanese: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Beyond

Learning Japanese opens doors to a rich culture, unique career opportunities, and a rewarding personal challenge. Whether you’re captivated by anime, planning a trip to Tokyo, or looking to expand your linguistic skills, the right tools can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. With so many apps, websites, and resources available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

This guide highlights the top tools for learning Japanese, catering to different learning styles, budgets, and proficiency levels. From gamified apps to immersive software and conversation practice platforms, these tools will help you master vocabulary, grammar, Kanji, and more. Let’s dive in!

Why Learn Japanese?

Before exploring the tools, it’s worth noting why Japanese is a valuable language to learn:

• Cultural Immersion: Understand anime, manga, and Japanese literature in their original form.
• Career Opportunities: Japan’s global influence in technology, business, and entertainment makes Japanese a sought-after skill.
• Cognitive Benefits: Learning a non-Latin script language like Japanese can enhance memory and problem-solving skills.

Now, let’s look at the best tools to help you achieve your goals.

1. Duolingo

• Best For: Beginners seeking a fun, gamified approach.
• Key Features:
  • Free with optional premium upgrades.
  • Bite-sized lessons on vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.
  • Listening and speaking exercises to practice pronunciation.
  • Gamification elements like points, streaks, and leaderboards.
• Why It Stands Out: Duolingo’s user-friendly interface and reward system make it ideal for building a daily learning habit. It’s perfect for beginners but may need to be supplemented with other tools for advanced learners.

2. Rosetta Stone

• Best For: Learners who prefer immersive, structured lessons.
• Key Features:
  • Paid subscription with a focus on immersion.
  • Interactive lessons covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
  • Speech recognition technology for pronunciation feedback.
  • Lessons build on each other for gradual progression.
• Why It Stands Out: Rosetta Stone’s immersion method helps you think in Japanese rather than translating from your native language. It’s ideal for serious learners looking for a comprehensive curriculum.

3. Memrise

• Best For: Vocabulary building with spaced repetition.
• Key Features:
  • Free with premium options.
  • User-generated courses and official Memrise content.
  • Spaced repetition and mnemonic techniques for memory retention.
  • Audio and video clips from native speakers.
• Why It Stands Out: Memrise excels at making vocabulary stick. Its use of real-life videos and community-driven content adds variety and cultural context to your learning.

4. Anki

• Best For: Customizable flashcard learning, especially for Kanji.
• Key Features:
  • Free on most platforms (paid iOS app).
  • Create custom flashcard decks or download pre-made ones.
  • Supports images, audio, and example sentences.
  • Spaced repetition system (SRS) for optimal review timing.
• Why It Stands Out: Anki’s flexibility allows you to tailor your learning to specific needs, like mastering Kanji or advanced vocabulary. It’s a favorite among serious learners for its effectiveness.

5. Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese

• Best For: Grammar-focused learners.
• Key Features:
  • Completely free online resource.
  • Comprehensive grammar lessons from beginner to advanced levels.
  • Clear explanations with practical examples.
  • Available as a mobile app for offline access.
• Why It Stands Out: Tae Kim’s guide is a go-to for understanding Japanese grammar. Its straightforward approach demystifies complex concepts, making it a must-have for self-learners.

6. HelloTalk

• Best For: Conversation practice with native speakers.
• Key Features:
  • Free with premium options.
  • Connects you with native Japanese speakers for language exchange.
  • Text, voice, and video chat options.
  • Built-in correction tools and translation features.
• Why It Stands Out: HelloTalk bridges the gap between textbook learning and real-world conversation. It’s perfect for practicing speaking and listening in a supportive environment.

7. Kanji Recognizer

• Best For: Learning and recognizing Kanji characters.
• Key Features:
  • Free app available on Android and iOS.
  • Draw Kanji on your screen to search for meanings and readings.
  • Provides stroke order, example words, and readings.
  • Offline functionality for on-the-go learning.
• Why It Stands Out: Kanji Recognizer is a handy tool for quickly identifying and learning Kanji. It’s especially useful for beginners struggling with character recognition.

Tips for Maximizing Your Learning

To get the most out of these tools, consider these strategies:

• Set Clear Goals: Whether it’s mastering 100 Kanji or holding a 5-minute conversation, specific goals keep you motivated.
• Practice Daily: Consistency is key. Even 15-30 minutes a day can lead to significant progress.
• Mix and Match Tools: Use a combination of apps for well-rounded learning. For example:
  • Vocabulary: Duolingo or Memrise.
  • Grammar: Tae Kim’s Guide.
  • Speaking: HelloTalk.
  • Kanji: Anki or Kanji Recognizer.
• Embrace Mistakes: Language learning is a process. Don’t be afraid to make errors—they’re stepping stones to fluency.

Conclusion

Learning Japanese is a journey that requires dedication, but with the right tools, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. From gamified apps like Duolingo to immersive platforms like Rosetta Stone and conversation tools like HelloTalk, there’s something for every learner. Start with the tools that best fit your style and goals, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different combinations.

Ready to begin? Choose your first tool and take the first step toward mastering Japanese today!