After days of bumpy travel, the towering gates of Draconveil Academy finally came into view. Massive, dark strong structures loomed ahead, glowing faintly with the runes that pulsed like a heartbeat.
Inside, students formed lines before the registration booths, handing over their academy invitations. There were so many supernatural creatures here. Some with horns, wings or strange glowy eyes.
However it was going to take forever before it was finally their turn.
After a long time of waiting, it was finally their turn. Evangeline signed first and it was Veronica's turn. Handing over the silver stamped parchment, the receptionist gave her an application form.
Veronica quickly filled in but hesitated when she reaches the part where she was to state her magical powers. She sighed before slowing writing none. He took the application form without looking at her and said, "Dorm assignment and schedule will be given after the evaluations. Next!"
Veronica stepped aside, before following behind Evangeline, quietly observing everything.
New students were gathered in a vast circular hall. Professors and examiners stood at various stations, watching the newcomers with blank expressions.
"First, the written test," a voice echoed across the hall. "One hour. No cheating. Begin."
Everyone quietly settled into their designated seats in the grand examination hall. The air was tense, filled with the rustle of papers and the scratch of quills. Veronica took a deep breath, steadying her racing heart as she flipped through the exam questions.
A slow grin tugged at her lips.
Easy. Too easy.
She knew these questions. Every single one of them. It was like reading a children's book. Why? Because she had read this exact exam in the webtoon before transmigrating.
'As expected… nothing's changed.'
Trying not to look too pleased, she picked up her quill and began scribbling down answers with confidence. In the original story, Evangeline had earned the highest score and was praised for her brilliance—as expected of the beloved heroine.
But Veronica wasn't aiming for high. She was going for perfect.
As she wrote, the system's voice chimed in. "Warning: Host, I'm detecting an intense wave of hostility nearby."
Veronica blinked, paused mid-sentence, and slowly looked up.
'Hostility? From who?' she thought, eyes subtly scanning the room.
Veronica glanced around the hall, trying to keep her expression neutral. Everyone else had their heads down, focused on their papers. No one even seemed to be looking at her.
'Weird… who could possibly hate me already? I haven't even caused trouble yet,' she thought, frowning slightly.
Up in the elevated observation platform, tension thickened like fog.
The examiners sat stiffly, beads of sweat forming on their brows. Their eyes kept drifting toward the man seated in the far corner—calm, composed, and deadly quiet. He sat with one leg crossed over the other, his gaze fixed on a single examinee.
Veronica Ravenshire.
Whispers passed between the professors.
"Why is His Highness here?"
"He never shows up for entrance exams..."
Back below, Veronica leaned back and let out a small yawn. She had finished her test well before the time was up. When the bell finally rang, everyone stood to hand in their papers.
Next up: the combat trial. And Veronica was more than ready.
Veronica rolled her shoulders and stretched her arms as she stepped into the combat arena. After weeks of intense training back home—especially after the brutal beating from her father—she was confident she could hold her own. That day, something had awakened inside her. She'd felt a surge of raw strength, something not entirely normal for a human. It was as if she'd tapped into a hidden reservoir of power.
But now, faced with an actual duel, her confidence wavered slightly.
The academy insisted the matches were fair, that humans and supernatural beings stood on equal footing here. Veronica scoffed. How could that be true when her opponent had claws and enhanced speed?
Still, she gave it her all.
Her attacks landed with surprising force, earning a few gasps from the audience. She overpowered her opponent with brute strength alone, but she was slow—painfully slow. If her opponent had been faster or more strategic, she might have lost.
Still, she passed. Barely.
Evangeline, on the other hand, moved like water—graceful, precise, and untouchable. She ended her match flawlessly and, unsurprisingly, scored the highest once again.
After the duels came the final phase: the power evaluation test.
Crystals lit up one after another as students showcased their abilities—flames, healing light, gusts of wind, sharp shards of ice. The examiners nodded, taking notes, calling out rankings—average, above average, exceptional.
Then came Evangeline.
The moment her hands touched the crystal orb, the entire hall brightened. Two distinct auras surged from her body, and the orb flared with brilliant red and blue.
"A dual magic user…" one examiner whispered, stunned.
Gasps echoed throughout the hall.
"This year has quite a few talented humans, don't you think?" one of the examiners murmured, eyeing the crowd of students.
"Mm," another nodded thoughtfully. "More than usual."
Then came Veronica.
Expression neutral, she approached the glowing crystal ball and placed her hand on it without much thought. Honestly, she wasn't expecting anything. She didn't have magic, and she knew that better than anyone. The best she could hope for was to get it over with quietly.
And just as expected—nothing.
The crystal didn't glow, flicker, or crackle. It just sat there. Silent. Still.
"She has no magic? Then why did she even bother showing up?"
"Did she think this was some kind of joke?"
The whispers grew, some cruel, others pitying. Veronica's jaw tightened, but she said nothing. No magic meant automatic failure. She was placing her hopes on the other two tests.
Not long after the last student left the hall, a strange vibration hummed through the academy grounds. Murmurs spread quickly as students gathered in the main courtyard. All eyes turned to the towering stone pillar at the center.
Suddenly, golden runes lit up across its surface, glowing one after another in a ripple of magic. Then, from the top, a scroll of light unfurled and hovered in the air—shimmering like silk, tall enough to be seen by everyone.
"A floating board?" Veronica squinted against the glow. "How dramatic."
According to the webtoon, this was the final selection moment. The academy didn't accept just anyone. There were five elite classes: Dragonspire, Spellweavers, Shadowmist, Elementara, and Beastcallers. Each was overseen by a powerful professor who would handpick the students they deemed worthy.
Those not chosen? They'd be asked to leave. Simple as that.
One by one, the professors stepped forward, each representing their respective class. With practiced ease, they began calling out names—students who had passed their standards and would officially be accepted into the academy.
Veronica stood still among the crowd, arms folded, expression unreadable. She wasn't waiting to hear her name. No, she was waiting for something else.
This was the moment the heroine—noble, powerful, and radiant—would be chosen by the Dragonspire Class.
It was fate. Inevitable.
The Dragonspire Class was led by the dragon crown prince himself—the most powerful man in the realm and the story's notorious villain. To the outside world, he wore the mask of a regular professor, hiding his true identity carefully. But within the academy's walls, only a select few knew that he was not just an instructor, but also the secret patron who held the academy's fate in his hands.
Why was someone like him pretending to be a professor?
The answer was simple—he was too powerful. Too untouchable. Life at the top was dull, and boredom was a cruel thing for someone like him. So, he came here. To the academy. To play his little games under the guise of a professor.
And just like the original story, he was supposed to be drawn to Evangeline.
He had tormented her, broke her, and controlled her like a marionette.
In the end, all the male leads joined forces just to tear his grip off her and free her from his clutches.
Thinking about what Evangeline would soon face, Veronica felt a twinge of guilt. That girl didn't deserve the torment ahead. If she could help it, she'd protect her—even if just a little.
But as she continued to wait, the villain remained silent.
Why wasn't he calling Evangeline?
"System…" she muttered. "Is the villain really here?"
"Yes, host," the system replied. "He actually..."
Before it could finish, a cold voice sliced through the courtyard.
"The Dragonspire Class will take… Veronica Noire Ravenshire."
Dead silence followed.
Veronica froze. Her ears must've betrayed her.
A familiar ding echoed, and a glowing panel popped up before her eyes.
Zareth Drakthorn
Favorability: -999
The system snickered.
"Congratulations, host. You've officially caught the attention of the main villain… on your first day."