Morning rays of dawn slipped through the curtains of my dorm room, landing squarely on my face.
I groaned and turned my head.
"…Morning," I muttered. "Good morning to myself."
The room was silent.
A little too silent.
I slowly sat up and glanced around the luxurious dormitory once more. No matter how many times I saw it, I still couldn't fully get used to the place. The bed was too soft. The furniture too refined. Even the air felt expensive.
"It's kind of lonely," I admitted quietly.
Then I scoffed.
"Well, it's not like I had a girlfriend in my past life either. Nothing's changed."
I rubbed my face and shrugged.
"I was an introvert anyway. Being alone is basically my natural habitat."
With that depressing-yet-comforting realization, I got up and headed to the bathroom. After washing up, I changed into the academy uniform that had been sent to me by the staff.
As soon as I put it on, my eyes fell to the crest stitched neatly over my chest.
A rare academy crest.
Proof that I had survived yesterday's… pressure test from that demon-wearing-a-principal's-face.
Only about twenty students had remained conscious.
Which meant—unfortunately—I was now considered special.
"Great," I sighed. "Attention. My favorite thing."
After fixing my collar, I left the dorm and walked toward the academy building, heading for my assigned class.
The chatter of students echoed through the hallway and spilled into Class A, the classroom I had been allotted to.
Two neat rows of desks filled the room, each row capable of seating twenty students. The atmosphere buzzed with energy—excitement, nervousness, ambition, and ego all mixed together.
I entered quietly, scanned the room, and chose a middle seat near the window.
Window seats were good.
You could pretend to be deep in thought while actually avoiding conversations.
Just as I sat down and made myself comfortable—
The room suddenly fell silent.
I looked up.
An incredibly handsome boy had entered the classroom.
Tall. Confident. Bright eyes. Relaxed smile.
And annoyingly charismatic.
Thanks to the memories of the previous owner of this body, I immediately recognized him.
"Edwin von Leonhart," I muttered under my breath.
"The only son of one of the nation's five SS-rankers."
I watched as he casually greeted the class, smiling as if this were his personal stage.
"…He looks exactly like the protagonist from those cliché novels I used to read," I added internally.
And just like that—
A swarm of girls surrounded him.
Laughing. Talking. Introducing themselves one by one.
The boys, on the other hand, stayed far away, their expressions darkening as realization set in.
Ah yes, I thought. The moment every male lead unknowingly steals future crushes and earns lifelong enemies.
I almost felt bad for him.
Almost.
"This guy's academy life is going to be rough," I thought. "Male-lead aura is basically a disaster magnet."
After a few minutes of friendly conversation, Edwin finally took his seat—right at the front bench, of course.
Dedicated. Upright. Responsible.
I couldn't help but chuckle.
"This really feels like I'm reading a novel."
Then a thought crossed my mind.
"If the male lead has arrived… the heroine should be next, right?"
As if responding to my words—
The classroom stirred.
Every head turned toward the door.
A beautiful girl stepped inside.
Pitch-black hair flowed down her back, and her deep blue eyes shimmered like an ocean hiding countless secrets. Her presence alone drew everyone's attention.
Sarah von Solaris.
This time, even the girls froze.
Some boys tried to approach her—but failed miserably as she walked straight toward Edwin, her steps light and eager.
She smiled brightly and sat beside him, speaking cheerfully. Her cheeks flushed slightly red.
Yeah, I thought. She definitely has a crush.
I glanced at Edwin, fully expecting him to act like the usual dense protagonist who couldn't read emotions if they were written in glowing letters.
But instead—
He smiled back.
Held her hand.
And openly showed affection.
The classroom collectively took emotional damage.
"…Huh," I muttered. "So you're not a blockhead."
My expectations of cliché romance shattered instantly.
I looked away, strangely disappointed.
And then—
The atmosphere changed.
The temperature dropped.
The classroom fell into an eerie silence.
A gorgeous girl entered, walking with perfect posture and elegant steps. Every movement was refined, almost aristocratic.
Her expression, however, was cold. Distant. Emotionless.
Alicia von Valerion.
Another daughter of an SS-ranker.
She walked forward—
Straight toward me.
I stiffened internally but kept my face blank.
She stopped beside my desk.
"May I sit here?" she asked softly.
Her tone was gentle—completely different from the cold gaze she gave everyone else.
Her expression softened just slightly.
Why?
Questions flooded my mind.
Why me?
Why did she approach me?
Why does this feel like the start of a major headache?
She sat down beside me.
And for reasons I couldn't explain—
The cold atmosphere vanished.
Before I could think further, the door opened again.
A calm, composed woman entered the classroom.
Elegant. Mature. Sharp-eyed.
Our teacher.
"Good morning, everyone," she said smoothly.
"I am Carasina von Salvonia, your magic instructor."
The room straightened instantly.
"I will be teaching you everything about magic—from theory and formulas to practical application. By the end of this year, I will make you capable magicians. Stronger than any common mage of your rank."
Attendance began.
Edwin gave a grand introduction about protecting the world.
Sarah followed with a sweet, cheerful one.
Alicia introduced herself briefly, calmly—her villainess aura fully intact.
Then—
It was my turn.
I stood up.
"I am Alden von Astra."
I looked around the room calmly.
And then—
❖ DING ❖
A familiar sound rang in my head.
[Daily Quest Arrived]
[MISSION: Make a solid impression on the class]
[REWARD: Skill rank based on impression level]
[Additional Quest]
[MISSION: Display a Villainous Trait]
[REWARD: Rank breakthrough to next tier]
I froze internally.
"…You want me to act like a villain," I thought flatly.
I glanced at Edwin.
At Sarah.
At Alicia sitting beside me.
Then I smiled faintly.
"Well," I thought,
"this academy really wants entertainment."