Ryn sat on a stone bench, his legs shaking slightly. The silence of the academy courtyard felt like a vacuum.
If I'm not on that list, I'm a dead man walking, he thought. No money, no home, and to make things worst, I am a demon.
A flash of purple caught his eye.
A girl walked past, her long black hair swaying with a rhythmic, authoritative grace. Her violet eyes were sharp, filled with the kind of cold determination that only comes from absolute power.
Mira Adrian... the Main Heroine. Ryn's breath hitched. I knew she was beautiful when I wrote her, but seeing her in person... it's like looking at a masterpiece.
Suddenly, the System flickered to life.
[System Prompt]
Objective: Make 'Mira Adrian' your girlfriend.
Cost to Force Fate: 100,000 Glory Points.
[Yes] / [No]
100,000!? Ryn nearly choked. I didn't even ask for a prompt! Is the System mocking me? "The results are up!" someone screamed.
The crowd surged toward the marble bulletin boards. Ryn waited, letting the wave of desperate students thinned out. He didn't bother checking Classes A through F.
He went straight for the S-Class list. Only the top fifteen got the "Full Excellence Scholarship."
He scanned the top... nothing. The middle... nothing. His heart sank into his stomach.
"So, you actually made it into the S-Class."
Ryn turned. Mira Adrian was standing a few feet away. She wasn't looking at him, but her voice was directed straight his way.
"I... what?" Ryn looked back at the board. His eyes snagged on a name near the center.
[Rank 8: Ryn (Commoner)]
A massive surge of relief washed over him, followed by a cold sweat.
He'd been looking for "James Allen." He had to start remembering he was "Ryn" now.
"Yeah. It was nothing," Ryn said, forcing his voice to stay flat. He couldn't let the daughter of the Principal see him sweat.
"Hmph. Don't be late for orientation. Go to the receptionist and get your room key," Mira said before turning on her heel and disappearing into the crowd.
Ding!
[Mission Complete: Enter the S-Class]
Reward: 10,000 Glory Points.
Total Balance: 10,500 GP.
...
Ryn stood in the center of his new room, his jaw dropping. It was less of a dorm and more of a luxury suite.
White marble floors, gold-leaf trim, and a window that overlooked the entire capital.
It was the Aupeimin Dormitory for S-Class students.
"The S-Class life... I could get used to this," he muttered, dropping his uniform box on the mahogany desk.
His stomach growled, reminding him he hadn't eaten since the "Maid Incident."
He headed down to the academy cafeteria, expecting a peaceful meal.
He filled his plate with high-quality steak and imported fruits—the perks of a 50-gold-per-month tuition. He turned to find a seat, but his world suddenly tilted.
CLATTER!
His plate flew from his hands, food splashing across the polished floor. Standing in front of him was Bron Fontera, his blue eyes burning with arrogant disdain.
"What's wrong, commoner?" Bron mocked, his voice carrying across the silent cafeteria.
"Can't you eat off the floor like the dog you are?"
Ryn's blood ran cold, but not because of Bron. Standing right next to the bully was Amilea Fontera. The girl he had saved from the Church's blade.
"Yes, start eating, commoner," Amilea sneered. Her ocean-blue eyes, which had looked so terrified in the forest, were now filled with a cruel, noble pride.
I saved her, Ryn thought, a bitter taste rising in his throat. I traded my safety for hers, and she's teaming up with her brother to humiliate me? I guess the Fontera blood is thicker than gratitude.
"Hey, Bron. Leave him alone."
A blonde youth with golden eyes stepped forward. The air seemed to shimmer around him.
"Is that... Prince Arthur?"
"The First Prince! He's so handsome..."
"You should have more dignity, Bron," Arthur said, his voice smooth as silk but cold as ice.
"Bullying a classmate on the first day is beneath your house."
Bron gritted his teeth, glancing at the Prince, then back at Ryn. "We were leaving anyway. Come on, Amilea."
As they walked away, Arthur turned to Ryn with a gentle, perfect smile. "My name is Arthur Amonith. I apologize for their behavior."
"I'm Ryn. Thanks. Excuse me," Ryn said, bolting out of the cafeteria.
Arthur Amonith... the 'Golden Prince.' James felt a shiver down his spine. In the later chapters, he kills his own father to take the throne. He's ten times more evil than Bron could ever be. If he's 'interested' in me, I'm in serious trouble.
...
Ryn slammed his dorm door shut and collapsed onto the bed. He was starving, exhausted, and surrounded by enemies he himself had created.
"What a mess," he groaned.
Then, he saw it. Two glowing crimson orbs in the dark corner of his room.
A woman stepped out of the shadows. She wore a tattered white gown that contrasted sharply with her blood-red hair.
As she smiled, two sharp fangs caught the moonlight.
She dropped to her knees, pressing her forehead against the floor.
"I greet the Great Demon Prince," she whispered, her voice trembling with fanatical pride.
Ryn froze, his heart nearly stopping. "D-Demon Prince?"
"Your disguise is flawless, Master," she continued, looking up with eyes full of worship.
"To infiltrate the heart of the Human Empire... to start your revenge here... you truly are the wicked master I dreamed of serving."
"Who are you?" Ryn asked, his voice cracking.
"I am Olivia, your humble shadow. A vampire of the third legion."
Ryn sank back onto his bed, his mind racing.
My day just went from 'cooked' to 'charred.'