The last thing Marcus Chen saw before the world went black was the muzzle flash of Detective Rodriguez's service weapon. Ironic, really. After fifteen years of running the Crimson Dragons, the most feared gang in downtown Seattle, he was finally taken down by a cop having a bad day during a routine drug bust gone wrong.
"Fucking pig..." Marcus wheezed as blood pooled beneath his leather jacket. The warehouse around him echoed with gunfire as his boys fought desperately against the SWAT team that had somehow anticipated their meeting. Someone had ratted them out. When he found out who—
BANG.
Darkness consumed everything.
Then came the light.
Marcus's eyes snapped open to find himself staring at an ornate ceiling decorated with floating crystals that pulsed with soft blue light. The scent of lavender and something distinctly magical filled his nostrils. This definitely wasn't the warehouse. Hell, this didn't even smell like a hospital.
"What the—" He tried to sit up and immediately noticed three things that made his blood run cold. First, his voice was higher, younger. Second, the hands he raised to examine were pale, unmarked by the scars and tattoos that had covered his knuckles. Third, and most disturbing, these hands belonged to someone who had clearly never thrown a real punch in their life.
No calluses. No broken knuckles. What kind of pampered little bitch am I now?
A memory that wasn't his own suddenly flooded his consciousness like ice water. Kael Vorthak, third son of House Vorthak, a fallen noble family in the magical kingdom of Aethermoor. Sixteen years old, weak constitution, spent most of his time reading books instead of learning combat. The family had lost their lands three years ago due to his father's gambling debts and political incompetence.
"Oh, you've got to be fucking kidding me," Marcus—now Kael—muttered as he swung his legs over the edge of what appeared to be a very uncomfortable wooden bed. The dormitory room around him was spartan, with stone walls, a single window overlooking training grounds, and the unmistakable institutional feel of a boarding school.
Aethermoor Academy of Mystical Arts. Where noble brats came to learn magic and play at being heroes. Where the original Kael had been scraping by on a scholarship, enduring daily humiliation from wealthier students who never let him forget his family's disgrace.
Perfect. From gang leader to magical punching bag. Could this get any—
[SYSTEM INITIALIZING...]
The floating text appeared directly in his vision, startling him so badly he nearly fell off the bed. More text followed in elegant script that seemed to burn itself into his retinas.
[WELCOME TO THE OMNIVERSAL DOMINATION SYSTEM]
[USER IDENTIFIED: KAEL VORTHAK]
[PREVIOUS INCARNATION: MARCUS CHEN - CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION LEADER]
[PERSONALITY ANALYSIS: RUTHLESS, MANIPULATIVE, POWER-HUNGRY]
[COMPATIBILITY RATING: 97.8% - EXCELLENT MATCH]
"What the hell is this?" Kael whispered, reaching out to touch the floating text. His hand passed right through it.
[THE OMNIVERSAL DOMINATION SYSTEM HAS SELECTED YOU AS A CANDIDATE FOR MULTIVERSAL CONQUEST]
[YOUR GOAL: ACHIEVE ABSOLUTE POWER ACROSS ALL DIMENSIONS]
[YOUR METHODS: WHATEVER IT TAKES]
[YOUR PERSONALITY: EMBRACE YOUR INNER VILLAIN - NO MORAL RESTRICTIONS]
A slow grin spread across Kael's face. This was either the most elaborate fever dream in history, or he'd just hit the supernatural lottery. Either way, it beat being dead.
[TUTORIAL QUEST AVAILABLE]
[QUEST: ESTABLISH DOMINANCE]
[DESCRIPTION: The original Kael was weak and pathetic. You need to change that perception immediately. Find Prince Roderick Goldmane and humiliate him in front of witnesses.]
[REWARDS: 500 Villain Points, Basic Charm Enhancement, Academy reputation boost]
[TIME LIMIT: 24 hours]
[ACCEPT? Y/N]
"Oh, I accept all right," Kael murmured, standing up and stretching muscles that felt foreign but functional. "But first, let me get acquainted with this new... situation."
He moved to a cracked mirror hanging on the wall and studied his reflection. Handsome enough, he supposed. Sharp features, black hair that was probably supposed to look "mysteriously tousled," and violet eyes that seemed far too innocent for someone with his particular set of skills. The face of someone who'd never killed a man, never tortured information out of a rival dealer, never ordered a bombing that took out half a city block.
Time to change that.
The original Kael's memories provided a layout of the academy and, more importantly, detailed information about the social hierarchy. Prince Roderick Goldmane, first prince of Aethermoor, was everything Marcus had learned to hate during his years clawing his way up from the gutter. Rich, handsome, naturally talented, and worst of all, genuinely good-hearted. The kind of person who tried to "help" people like the original Kael out of some misguided sense of noblesse oblige.
Perfect target. Let's see how noble you are when I'm done with you, Your Highness.
Kael rifled through the dormitory room's few belongings—mainly textbooks on basic magic theory and a few worn practice robes. He selected the least shabby outfit and examined himself in the mirror again. Still looked like a weakling, but that could work to his advantage. People always underestimated the quiet ones.
A knock at the door interrupted his planning.
"Kael? Are you awake?" The voice was feminine, hesitant. Another memory surfaced—Lyralei Starweaver, daughter of Duke Starweaver, one of the few students who didn't actively torment the original Kael. She was probably what passed for a "friend" in this place.
And my first potential asset.
"Coming," he called out, injecting just the right note of shy gratitude into his voice. Time to see how good his acting skills were in this new body.
He opened the door to find a girl with silver hair and ice-blue eyes wearing the blue and gold robes of a second-year student. Pretty, but trying to hide it behind a severe expression and conservative styling. Classic repressed attraction pattern—probably harbored some secret feelings for the original Kael that she'd never acted on.
Oh, this is too easy.
"Lyralei," he said, allowing a small, grateful smile to cross his features. "What brings you by so early?"
She fidgeted with her robe sleeves. "I... I heard about what happened yesterday. With Prince Roderick's friends. I wanted to make sure you were all right."
Ah, yes. Yesterday—or rather, the day before his consciousness had taken over—the original Kael had been cornered by several of the prince's hangers-on and publicly humiliated in the dining hall. They'd used a minor charm spell to make him dance like a puppet while they laughed.
Time for some payback, with interest.
"I'm fine," Kael said, letting his voice crack slightly as if fighting back emotion. "Just... trying to figure out how to face everyone today."
Lyralei's expression softened with sympathy. "You don't have to let them treat you that way, you know. You have rights as a student here."
"Rights?" Kael gave a bitter laugh that was only half-feigned. "What rights does the son of a disgraced house have against the prince of the realm?"
"More than you think," she said firmly. "The Academy Charter guarantees equal treatment for all students, regardless of birth. If you file a formal complaint—"
"And become even more of a target?" Kael shook his head. "No, Lyralei. I appreciate your concern, but I have to handle this my own way."
She stepped closer, and he caught the faint scent of winter roses from her hair. "Then let me help you. My father still has influence at court. I could—"
"No." His voice was sharper than he'd intended, and she flinched. He immediately softened his expression, reaching out to gently touch her arm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just... this is something I need to do myself."
The contact sent a small shiver through her—interesting. The original Kael had been too much of a coward to notice, but this girl definitely had feelings for him. Feelings he could use.
[MANIPULATION OPPORTUNITY DETECTED]
[TARGET: LYRALEI STARWEAVER - ATTRACTION LEVEL: 67%]
[SUGGESTED APPROACH: WOUNDED HERO - PLAY ON HER PROTECTIVE INSTINCTS]
[ESTIMATED SUCCESS RATE: 84%]
Now we're talking.
Kael let his shoulders slump slightly, as if the weight of his situation was finally hitting him. "I just... I keep thinking about what my father would say if he knew how I let them treat me. He may have lost our lands, but he never lost his pride."
Lyralei's eyes blazed with sudden fury. "Your father would be proud of you for enduring what you have with dignity. Those aristocratic parasites wouldn't last a day facing the challenges you've overcome."
"You really think so?" He looked up at her with carefully crafted vulnerability, letting her see past his usual reserved facade to the "wounded soul" beneath.
"I know so." Her hand found his arm, returning his earlier gesture. "And anyone who thinks otherwise will have to answer to me."
Hook, line, and sinker.
"Thank you, Lyralei. That... that means more to me than you know." He covered her hand with his own, noting how her breath caught slightly at the contact. "I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like you."
"You don't have to deserve friendship, Kael. You just have to accept it when it's offered."
Oh, sweetheart, if only you knew what you were offering friendship to.
"I should probably get to breakfast," he said reluctantly, as if he'd rather stay here talking to her all day. "Face the lions in their den, so to speak."
"I'll walk with you," she said immediately. "Let them say something with me there."
Perfect. Having her publicly support him would only make his eventual manipulation of Prince Roderick more effective. Nothing got under a noble hero's skin quite like seeing a good person defend someone the hero considered beneath notice.
They walked together through the academy's stone corridors, past tapestries depicting legendary battles and magical achievements. The original Kael's memories painted these halls as a gauntlet of daily humiliation, but Marcus saw them differently. This was a battlefield, and he was about to choose his first target.
The dining hall was already crowded with students breaking their fast before morning classes. The social hierarchy was immediately obvious—nobles at the best tables near the windows, merchants' children in the middle, and scholarship students like himself relegated to the tables near the kitchens.
And there, holding court at the largest window table, was Prince Roderick Goldmane himself.
Golden hair, blue eyes, perfect posture, and that insufferable aura of righteous nobility that made Marcus's new teeth itch. The prince was laughing at some joke one of his hangers-on had made, completely oblivious to the fact that his newest enemy had just walked into the room.
Time to change that.
"I'll get our food," Lyralei said, heading toward the serving line.
"Actually," Kael said, loud enough for nearby tables to hear, "I think I'll introduce myself to His Highness. It's only proper, after all."
Several students turned to stare. Conversations died as word spread that the academy's favorite victim was apparently planning to approach the prince voluntarily. This should be entertaining.
Lyralei grabbed his arm. "Kael, no. Not here, not like this."
He gave her a reassuring smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Trust me, Lyralei. I know what I'm doing."
Famous last words. But in this case, they're actually true.
Kael walked across the dining hall with measured steps, his posture straight but not challenging. The conversations around him faded to whispers as students realized what was happening. By the time he reached the prince's table, he had the attention of half the room.
Perfect.
Prince Roderick looked up from his breakfast, surprise flickering across his noble features. "Kael? What can I do for you?"
The tone was polite but distant—the way someone might address a servant who'd interrupted an important conversation. It was exactly the opening Marcus had been hoping for.
"Your Highness," Kael said with a perfect bow that was neither too deep nor too shallow. "I wanted to thank you."
"Thank me?" Roderick's eyebrows rose. "For what?"
"For yesterday's lesson." Kael's voice carried just far enough for the nearby tables to hear clearly. "I've been thinking about it all night, and I realized you were trying to teach me something important about my place here at the academy."
The prince's companions exchanged glances. This wasn't going the way they'd expected. Roderick himself looked genuinely confused.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Kael. Yesterday was..."
"Educational," Kael finished smoothly. "You showed me that strength isn't just about magical power or swordsmanship. It's about knowing when to endure, when to adapt, and when to wait for the right moment to respond."
Come on, take the bait. Your noble conscience won't let you disappoint an audience.
Prince Roderick's expression was troubled now. The original plan had probably been simple harassment, not life lessons. But with half the dining hall listening, he couldn't very well admit that his friends had just been bullying a weaker student for entertainment.
"Of course," he said carefully. "Resilience is an important quality for any future mage or knight."
"Exactly!" Kael smiled brightly, as if the prince had just confirmed something wonderful. "And I wanted to ask if you'd help me continue learning. Perhaps you could recommend some training exercises? Or maybe share some of your own experiences overcoming adversity?"
The trap was sprung. If Roderick refused, he'd look petty and mean-spirited in front of witnesses. If he agreed, he'd be committing to actually helping someone he'd been content to let his friends torment. Either way, Kael would have gained something valuable.
Roderick glanced around the room, clearly aware that everyone was watching his response. His noble upbringing wouldn't let him back down from a public request for mentorship, no matter how uncomfortable the situation made him.
"I... of course. I'd be happy to help a fellow student improve himself." The words came out stiff, but they were exactly what Kael had wanted to hear.
"Thank you, Your Highness. You're as generous as the stories say." Kael bowed again, deeper this time. "I won't forget this kindness."
[QUEST PROGRESS: DOMINANCE ESTABLISHED - ALTERNATIVE METHOD]
[BONUS OBJECTIVE COMPLETED: PUBLIC MANIPULATION]
[VILLAIN POINTS EARNED: 750]
[REPUTATION SHIFT: +15 WITH NEUTRAL STUDENTS, +25 WITH LYRALEI STARWEAVER]
As Kael walked back toward Lyralei, he caught sight of several students whispering among themselves. The narrative had been established—Prince Roderick had just publicly committed to helping the academy's underdog. It was the sort of heartwarming story that would spread through the school by lunchtime.
Of course, the reality was that Kael had just maneuvered the prince into a position where backing out would make him look like a hypocrite and a bully. Every future interaction would be colored by this public commitment to mentorship.
Phase one complete. Now let's see how long it takes our noble prince to realize he's been played.
"That was brilliant," Lyralei whispered as he rejoined her. "I can't believe you managed to turn yesterday's humiliation into... that."
"Sometimes the best way to deal with a bully is to force them to live up to their own supposed ideals," Kael replied, accepting the breakfast plate she'd prepared for him. "Prince Roderick talks a good game about honor and helping others. Now he has to prove it."
What he didn't mention was that this was only the opening move in a much longer game. By the time he was finished, Prince Roderick wouldn't just be mentoring him—he'd be completely under his control, along with everyone else in this Academy.
One down, four hundred ninety-nine chapters to go.
The system's presence hummed approvingly in the back of his mind as he began planning his next move. After all, he had a reputation to build, a harem to assemble, and a multiverse to conquer.
And Marcus Chen—now Kael Vorthak—had never been one to start small.