I Like Villains, so I Reincarnated as One

“Well then, with this document Angela… I appoint you as the manager of the Spirit’s Spring. No objections, right?”

“Yeah, of course. I owe you one. Really, thank you so much. I heard some nasty rumors about you when Rosalia introduced us, so I was worried at first, but talking to you was the best decision.”

“Aha, I was doing my best even back then. Don’t say things like that.”

“Ah, you’re right, sorry about that. I should know better than anyone how unreliable rumors can be…”

Angela bowed her head apologetically to my words. A few days after returning from the Spirit’s Spring and catching up on work I had piled up while away on expedition (and dealing with a very sulky Aegis who missed our playtime), I finally settled down and completed the procedures to make Angela the manager of the Spirit’s Spring.

This way, interference from the church would cease, and we could improve our finances through usage fees for the spring water. Moreover, we could create treatments for future diseases and high-performance potions similar to those in games.

“Thanks to you, I got to see that child smile again. I’m really glad…”

Angela said, slightly teary-eyed. She had become an adventurer for Astesia’s sake too. She must have been extremely happy. Well, seeing my favorite character become happy makes me just as joyful!

Astesia is apparently at the church with Angela now. Incidentally, when I secretly asked Rosalia to check on them, she reported they were happily playing with children at the church.

“So… is Astesia doing well?”

“Yeah, of course. She said she found something she wanted to do and left the church.”

“Huh? She left? Nobody told me that!”

I responded with a dumbfounded voice to this unexpected answer. Sure, I did tell her to find her own path, but… couldn’t she at least mention it to me? I thought we’d become pretty close… or maybe she hated me? Perhaps she noticed when I briefly considered peeking at the spring?

“Well… that girl is quite shy. Anyway, show me your training grounds while I’m here. I’ll treat any wounded fighters.”

“Ah, alright…”

I decided to go to the training grounds with her, still feeling shocked. Though having another priest who can use healing magic would be helpful… I can’t help but feel disappointed about Astesia.

At the training grounds, a spear user was fighting multiple strong men. Despite being outnumbered, they were dominating using both magic and spear techniques.

“As expected, that girl’s spear skills are amazing. You must feel reassured having her.”

“Yeah, she’s my proud maid who always helps me out.”

I nodded proudly to Angela’s words. Of course, the spear user was Rosalia. Lately, she’s been training while working as a maid.

She probably felt bad about falling behind Darkness and Emile Rio in the previous battle. Her recent request for training time, saying “I’ll spend less time with you,” is still fresh in my memory. They were among the twelve apostles – boss-level characters in game terms. I wish she didn’t take it so hard…

But I need to get stronger too, so I don’t worry her.

“By the way, don’t you have a personal priest? It wouldn’t be strange for a lord to have one.”

“Personal…? We do have a few priests among our soldiers…”

When I looked puzzled, Angela sighed as if I was missing something obvious. It seems this is common knowledge.

“I don’t mean just any priest. I mean YOUR personal priest. Someone who treats not only wounds but also illnesses. Our healing magic can heal wounds but not diseases. For illnesses, someone needs to be available around the clock to prepare medications. Important nobles usually have specialists in various fields working for them.”

“Ah, I see…”

It’s like having a family doctor from my past life… Come to think of it, in games, the holy maiden would prepare medicine when the protagonist was unwell, sometimes even managing their diet…

Maybe that’s why the holy maiden ranked #1 in the in-game survey for most beloved heroines…

“Unfortunately, we don’t have that luxury. We barely have enough priests as it is. We can’t afford personal ones. Besides, Rosalia cooks for us… Or are you volunteering, Angela? I can’t pay much though.”

“Sorry, the church kids need me more than you do. I’ll help in battles though… But…”

She paused and suddenly smiled mischievously.

“You’re a lord, aren’t you? What if something happens to you? There’s actually someone perfect for the job. Someone who values working for you more than salary… someone who adores you.”

“Haa… there’s no way…”

“I never said anything about adoration. Don’t put words in my mouth.”

A hooded girl suddenly interrupted our conversation, running from the corner of the training grounds. Had she been hiding there the whole time?

“What’s wrong, Astesia? Didn’t you say you found something you wanted to do? I was lonely when I heard you left without telling me.”

“Hmm, you were lonely when I left? That’s… um… Angela said it’d be better to surprise you…”

She repeated my words expressionlessly but blushed, then looked at Angela for help.

“This girl wants to be your personal priest. Of course, you’ll need to pay her… but she graduated from a proper school and has extensive medical knowledge. She was once a holy maiden candidate, so I can vouch for her healing magic skills.”

“Seriously? You don’t need to feel responsible for helping me. Angela becoming the Spirit Spring’s manager already repaid that debt. You’re free to live as you wish.”

When I expressed my disbelief, she looked at me with serious eyes. After hesitating for a moment, she resolutely spoke.

“You told me, right? To follow my own desires instead of divine guidance. I thought about it a lot afterward. I considered revenge against those cult members, or helping people like me who are suffering. But when I was confused about what to do, your face came to mind. You would help people like me, and you wouldn’t side with those cult members.”

“Yeah, that’s true… but you don’t have to be my personal priest. Many powerful nobles are recruiting priests. I could even write you a recommendation letter to Lord Reinhard.”

If she becomes my personal priest, her sphere of activity would be limited to my territory, and my power is still relatively low. It might be better to rely on Lord Reinhard’s influence… However, Astesia looked complicated, and Angela facepalmed in exasperation.

“Astesia… this man won’t understand unless you explain properly. You’re already bad at expressing yourself… you need to convey all your feelings!”

“Ugh… fine. I want to repay my debt to you. No, I want to support you and witness the nation you’re building. It’s not about debts anymore. It’s what I most want to do right now! So… please hire me as your personal priest. Please!”

How could I possibly refuse Astesia’s request, made with such determination and a slightly red face?

Having her, a late-game boss-level character, join as an ally would be incredibly valuable.

But… my heart might not handle having my favorite character tag along with me. While I was contemplating, Astesia’s passionate gaze helped me make up my mind. This girl, who had been rejected so many times before, was now sincerely wanting to stay with me…

I’m here to make my favorites happy. If I feel unworthy of Astesia, then I just need to grow stronger. With Weiss and me, that’s definitely possible.

“Alright, of course. I’ll count on you from now on. Astesia.”

“Thank you… I knew you’d keep your promise.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, you said you’d take responsibility for inciting me.”

Her smile, while still a bit stiff, was beautiful and radiated happiness.

———————————————————————————————

Weiss Hamilton

Martial Power: 45→50 (Increased through daily training)

Magic Power: 70→75 (Increased through daily training)

Skill: 28→30 (Increased through daily training)

Skills:

Dark Magic LV2

Swordsmanship LV2

Spirit’s Power LV1

Occupation: Lord

Nickname: Ordinary Lord

Public Loyalty: 25→40 (Increased through stable governance)

Unique Skills:

Visitor from Another World

Two Hearts

(Blind Faith in Favorite) Leap of Faith

Chosen by the Spirits

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How to Invest in Index Funds for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

Investing can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out. With so many options available, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. But there’s one investment strategy that stands out for its simplicity, low cost, and proven track record: index fund investing. If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly way to grow your wealth over time, index funds are a great place to start.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about index funds—what they are, why they’re ideal for beginners, and how to get started. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to begin your investment journey.

What Are Index Funds?

An index fund is a type of mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the performance of a specific market index, such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Instead of trying to pick individual stocks, index funds aim to replicate the performance of the entire market or a specific sector.

For example, if you invest in an S&P 500 index fund, your money is spread across the 500 largest companies in the U.S. This means you’re not betting on a single stock but on the overall growth of the market.

Why Index Funds Are Perfect for Beginners

Index funds are often recommended for beginners because they offer several key advantages:

• Diversification: With one investment, you gain exposure to hundreds of companies, reducing the risk of losing money if one stock performs poorly.
• Low Costs: Index funds typically have lower fees than actively managed funds because they don’t require a team of analysts to pick stocks.
• Simplicity: You don’t need to be a stock market expert to invest in index funds. They’re a “set it and forget it” strategy that works well for long-term investors.
• Proven Performance: Over time, index funds have consistently outperformed many actively managed funds, making them a reliable choice for building wealth.

How to Start Investing in Index Funds: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to get started? Follow these simple steps to begin investing in index funds.

Step 1: Choose a Brokerage Account

To invest in index funds, you’ll need a brokerage account. A brokerage is a platform that allows you to buy and sell investments. Some popular options for beginners include:

• Vanguard: Known for its low-cost index funds and user-friendly platform.
• Fidelity: Offers a wide range of index funds with no minimum investment requirements.
• Charles Schwab: Provides excellent customer service and a variety of investment options.

When choosing a brokerage, look for one with low fees, a good selection of index funds, and an easy-to-use interface.

Step 2: Select the Right Index Fund

Once you have a brokerage account, it’s time to choose an index fund. Here are a few popular options:

• S&P 500 Index Funds: Tracks the 500 largest U.S. companies. Great for broad market exposure.
• Total Stock Market Index Funds: Includes small, mid, and large-cap stocks for even more diversification.
• International Index Funds: Invests in companies outside the U.S., helping you diversify globally.

For beginners, an S&P 500 or total stock market index fund is often the best starting point.

Step 3: Make Your First Investment

After selecting your index fund, it’s time to invest. Decide how much you want to start with—many brokerages allow you to begin with as little as $100. You can also set up automatic contributions to invest a fixed amount each month, which is a great way to build wealth over time.

Benefits of Index Fund Investing

Index funds offer several benefits that make them an attractive option for both new and experienced investors:

• Lower Risk: By diversifying across many companies, you reduce the risk of losing money on a single stock.
• Tax Efficiency: Index funds tend to have lower turnover, meaning fewer taxable events compared to actively managed funds.
• Long-Term Growth: Historically, the stock market has returned about 7-10% annually over the long term, making index funds a solid choice for retirement or other long-term goals.

Risks to Consider

While index funds are generally considered low-risk compared to individual stocks, they’re not without their downsides:

• Market Volatility: Index funds follow the market, so if the market drops, so does your investment. However, history shows that markets recover over time.
• No Chance to Beat the Market: Since index funds track the market, you won’t outperform it. But for most investors, matching the market is a solid strategy.

Tips for Long-Term Success with Index Funds

To make the most of your index fund investments, keep these tips in mind:

• Stay Consistent: Invest regularly, even if it’s a small amount. This strategy, known as dollar-cost averaging, helps smooth out market fluctuations.
• Diversify: Consider adding international or bond index funds to your portfolio as you grow your investments.
• Avoid Panic Selling: Market dips are normal. Stay the course and avoid selling during downturns.

Real-Life Success Story: The Power of Index Funds

Take the story of Sarah, a 30-year-old teacher who started investing $200 a month in an S&P 500 index fund. Over 30 years, with an average annual return of 7%, her investment grew to over $240,000. This simple, consistent approach allowed her to build a substantial nest egg without needing to pick individual stocks or time the market.

Conclusion: Start Your Investment Journey Today

Index funds offer a simple, low-cost way to start investing and build long-term wealth. By following the steps outlined in this guide—choosing a brokerage, selecting the right fund, and investing consistently—you can take control of your financial future.

Ready to take the next step? Open a brokerage account today and make your first investment in an index fund. Your future self will thank you!