"Why would I trust anything you say?"
"Because unlike others at this academy, I don't pretend to be something I'm not." I smiled slightly. "I'm a villain. I'm ambitious. I'm arrogant. But I'm honest about it."
She turned back, studying me. "One question?"
"One question. And in return, you answer one of mine. Fair trade right?"
A long moment passed. Then: "Fine. What are you planning with Adrian?"
"To compete with him," I said simply. "To push him to be better, and to push myself to be better. That's what rivals do."
"That's it? No sabotage? No tricks?"
"That was two questions," I pointed out. "But I'll answer anyway. There's no point in defeating someone who isn't giving their all. Where's the glory in that?"
[SKILL ACTIVATED: Silver Tongue]
[LUCILLE BELIEVES YOU... MOSTLY]
She seemed to consider this. "What's your question?"
"What do you want, Lucille?"
She blinked. "What?"
"You. Personally. Not what Adrian wants. Not what your family wants. Not what anyone else expects. What do you want?"
She stared at me. "That's a ridiculous question."
"Is it? You're one of the most talented students in A-Class. You could be in S-Class if you wanted. But you stay in A-Class, where Adrian is. Why?"
"Because I..." She stopped. Frowned. "That's not your business."
"Fair enough." I stood. "Thank you for the conversation, Miss Nightshade. I hope we can speak again."
She left without another word.
But as she reached the door, I added: "By the way. Adrian met with Professor Kaine yesterday. Did he mention that to you?"
She froze. "How do you know that?"
"I have good sources." Professor Kaine was notorious for offering "special training" to talented students, training that usually came with strings attached. "Ask him about it. See what he says."
She left, her expression troubled.
[QUEST COMPLETE: THE HEROINE'S DOUBT]
[REWARDS: +300 Villain Score, New Skill Unlocked]
[LUCILLE NIGHTSHADE: Interest +20%, Suspicion +30%]
[She will investigate Adrian. Results pending.]
[NEW SKILL: Analytical Eye (Rank F)]
[Effect: Observe targets to see their emotional state and basic information]
[EVALUATION: Well played. You didn't recruit her, but you planted seeds. Good villains are patient.]
Damian entered after Lucille left. "Young Master... what was that about Professor Kaine?"
"Adrian met with Kaine to discuss training," I said. "But he'll tell Lucille he was at the library. And when she discovers the truth, she'll wonder what else he's lying about."
"How do you know about this young master?"
"What? I also have other sources, Damian."
He went silent. "If what yoy said is true, then you're going to break them apart."
"I'm going to give her information and let her make her own choices." I smiled. "There's a difference."
[WARNING: UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT]
[ADRIAN CELESTIUS IS APPROACHING YOUR LOCATION]
[TIME TO ARRIVAL: 30 SECONDS]
Almost instantly they could hear footsteps approaching them fast. Damian checked and his eyes widened. "Young Master...."
"Damian, leave us," I said quickly.
"But Young Master..."
"Go. Trust me."
He left just as another knock sounded, a more harder and aggressive one.
I opened the door slowly.
Adrian Celestius stood there, his friendly smile in place. But his eyes were cold. "Hadeon," he said pleasantly. "We need to talk about your sudden change in behavior."
I stepped aside and smiled with my brows raised. "Please, come in."
He entered, and I closed the door behind him.
Now it's just the two of us.
The hero and the villain.
"So," Adrian said, dropping all pretense of friendliness. "What game are you playing?"
I met his gaze steadily. "The same game you are, Adrian. Except I'm honest about playing it."
His expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes. Recognition.
"You know," he said quietly.
"I know a great many things. For instance, I know about your meeting with Professor Kaine. About the 'special training' he offered. About the price he asked."
Adrian's hand moved toward his wand. "How could you possib..."
"Because I'm not the fool everyone thinks I am." I sat down, deliberately turning my back to him in a show of confidence. "You've been underestimating me, Adrian. That should end today."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's a fact." I looked at him over my shoulder. "You came here expecting the same stupid Hadeon who throws food and makes empty threats. But I'm not that person anymore."
"People don't change overnight." He insisted.
"Don't they?" I smiled. "You did. Six months ago, you were a nobody. Then suddenly, SSS-rank awakening. Suddenly, everyone loves you. Suddenly, you're the academy's golden boy."
I stood and faced him fully. "So if you can change overnight, why can't I?"
We stared at each other. Two people who knew something was wrong with this picture.
"Stay away from Lucille," Adrian said finally with a flat voice.
"Or what? You'll challenge me? In front of everyone? How would that look, the noble hero beating up a rival who's done nothing wrong?"
His jaw tightened. "I'm warning you, Hadeon."
"And I'm warning you, Adrian." I stepped closer. "I'm not your stepping stone. I'm not your villain to overcome. If you want to compete with me, fine. But it will be on equal terms."
"Equal?" He laughed. "I'm SSS-rank. You're barely A-rank."
"Rank isn't everything. You should know that better than anyone." I tilted my head. "After all, you were F-rank once. Wasn't that what you told everyone?"
Something dangerous flashed in his eyes. "How do you...."
"I told you. I know things." I walked past him to the door and opened it. "Now, unless you want people to see the 'kind hero' threatening a rival in his own room, I suggest you leave."
He stared at me for a long moment. Then, his friendly smile returned like a mask.
"This isn't over, Hadeon."
"I certainly hope not. What's the point of a story without a good rival?"
He left but not before giving him a strage look and I closed the door.
Then I let out a breath I'd been holding.
[CRITICAL ENCOUNTER: SURVIVED]
[ADRIAN CELESTIUS: Threat Assessment Increased]
[He now considers you a real rival, not a joke]
[WARNING: This will increase difficulty]
[COUNTER-WARNING: This will also increase rewards]
[DEATH FLAGS: 1 New, 2 Delayed]
[VILLAIN QUALITY: Competent → Mastermind (Provisional)]
[Prove yourself in combat to confirm upgrade]
I sat down heavily. That had been risky, very risky but necessary.
"Young Master?" Damian's voice through the door. "Is it safe?"
"Come in."
He entered, looking worried. "What happened?"
"Adrian and I came to an understanding." I pulled out my notebook. "He knows I'm not the same person I was. And I know he's not the hero everyone thinks he is."
"That sounds... dangerous."
"It is." I began writing. "Which is why we need to accelerate the plan. Damian, tell me everything you know about next week's combat training."
"There's a sparring exhibition. Students face off in ranked matches."
"And at the end?"
"Top performers get to challenge anyone in their class to a duel."
I smiled. "Perfect. Because next week, I'm going to fight Adrian Celestius."
"Young Master, that's insane! He'll destroy you!"
"Not if I fight smart." I pulled out the novel's information from my memory. Adrian's fighting style. His strengths and his weaknesses.
And the one secret weakness that nobody knew about.
"Damian, I need you to gather some materials for me. And find someone who specializes in enchantments."
"What are you planning?"
"To show everyone that the hero isn't invincible."
[QUEST ISSUED: DEATH FLAG - THE HUMILIATING DEFEAT]
[TIMELINE: 7 Days]
[ORIGINAL OUTCOME: You challenge Adrian, get brutally defeated, become a laughingstock]
[NEW OBJECTIVE: Fight Adrian without being humiliated]
[BONUS OBJECTIVE: Make it a pyrrhic victory for him]
[REWARDS: Villain Quality Upgrade, Major VS Gain, Reputation Change]
[FAILURE: Social Standing Destroyed, Multiple Death Flags Activated]
I looked at my reflection in the window. Seven days to prepare for a fight against an SSS-rank protagonist with plot armor.
"This is going to be interesting," I murmured.
[EVALUATION: You're either brilliant or suicidal. Let's find out which.]