Chapter 2: The Hero and the First Sin
The gates of Aurelion Academy were taller than I remembered.
Black steel engraved with divine runes.
Thousands of students stood before them—nobles in silk uniforms, commoners gripping cheap wooden staffs, prodigies glowing with confidence.
And then there was me.
Lucien Vaelthorne.
In the original story, my entrance was dramatic.
Cold. Arrogant. Silent.
Today… it would be calculated.
Whispers spread the moment I stepped out of the carriage.
"That's him…"
"The Vaelthorne heir."
"Shadow affinity… Rank S."
Fear.
Not admiration.
Fear.
[Fear Detected: 12 individuals]
+12 Sin Points
I paused.
So that's how it works.
Interesting.
A golden light flared near the entrance.
The crowd parted instinctively.
And then I saw him.
Golden hair. Calm smile. Blue ceremonial coat.
The protagonist.
The chosen one.
The future hero who would one day pierce my heart.
He looked… normal.
But the air around him felt warm.
Blessed.
His name surfaced from memory.
Caelum Ardent.
In the novel, this was where we first locked eyes.
This was where destiny began its silent war.
His gaze met mine.
For a second—
The world felt like it held its breath.
He frowned slightly.
As if sensing something wrong.
Good.
The academy doors opened.
A tall instructor stepped forward.
"Welcome, first-years. Today, you will undergo the Initial Resonance Trial."
In the novel, this was simple.
Students touched a crystal.
Their mana type manifested.
Ranks were assigned.
Except—
That wasn't entirely true.
There was a hidden function.
The crystal also detected intent.
Lucien's original self had malicious ambition.
That's why the elders began watching him early.
If I showed too much darkness…
The story might accelerate toward my execution.
So I needed control.
Students lined up.
One by one, affinities were revealed.
"Wind. Rank B."
"Water. Rank A."
"Fire. Rank C."
Cheers. Applause.
Then—
"Caelum Ardent."
The golden boy stepped forward.
He touched the crystal.
Light exploded outward.
The entire courtyard glowed.
Gasps erupted.
"Dual affinity… Light and Flame!"
"Rank S!"
The elders stood up immediately.
Of course.
The Hero must shine.
Then came my turn.
"Lucien Vaelthorne."
Silence.
I stepped forward slowly.
In the original story, shadows devoured the sky here.
It terrified everyone.
It marked me as future calamity.
But this time—
I placed my hand gently on the crystal.
I suppressed everything.
Controlled breathing.
No killing intent.
No ambition.
Just calm.
The crystal flickered.
Dark energy swirled—but contained.
"Shadow Affinity… Rank S."
Murmurs.
Fear again.
[Fear Detected: 37 individuals]
+37 Sin Points
But no sky-darkening phenomenon.
Good.
The elders relaxed slightly.
I had altered the scene.
The story hadn't corrected me.
Yet.
As I stepped down, a thin boy stumbled near the platform.
A commoner.
Nervous.
He tripped—colliding directly into me.
The crowd gasped.
Touching a high noble without permission was punishable.
In the novel—
This boy was humiliated.
And later joined the Hero's faction out of hatred for me.
This small event created one of my future enemies.
I looked down at him.
He trembled violently.
"Forgive me, Young Master!"
Fear.
Pure fear.
+9 Sin Points
I could crush him here.
Gain more.
Establish dominance.
Strengthen myself faster.
That's what original Lucien did.
But—
If I repeated every sin…
I'd reach the same ending.
So I did something else.
I extended my hand.
"Stand up."
The courtyard froze.
The boy stared at me in disbelief.
Even Caelum's eyes widened slightly.
"You should watch your footing," I said calmly.
And then I leaned closer.
Only he could hear my whisper.
"Next time… don't fall where I can't see you."
His face turned pale.
Not kindness.
Control.
The perfect balance.
He stood up shakily.
Gratitude.
Fear.
Confusion.
[Complex Emotional Impact Detected]
Bonus Sin Points Awarded: +25
Oh?
So psychological manipulation counts more.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
A ripple passed through the air.
The sky flickered briefly.
For half a second—
A massive golden eye appeared above the academy.
Watching.
Judging.
Then it vanished.
Only I seemed to notice.
[Warning]
Narrative Correction Probability: 12%
The world has acknowledged deviation.
So it's true.
The story itself is alive.
And it doesn't like being changed.
Across the courtyard—
Caelum Ardent was staring at me.
Not with hatred.
But with caution.
As if his instincts were screaming.
I smiled faintly.
Let him wonder.
Let him doubt.
Let him fear.
Because the moment the Hero fears the villain—
The prophecy begins to crack.
[First Objective Completed]
Fear Inspired Within Academy
Reward Unlocked: Shadow Skill — Abyss Step
Knowledge flooded my mind.
A movement technique that allowed me to slip between shadows.
Useful.
Very useful.
The instructor raised his voice.
"The top-ranked students will participate in a preliminary duel tomorrow."
In the novel—
That duel is where Lucien publicly crushes a noble.
And begins the chain of hatred that leads to war.
Tomorrow…
Will I follow the script?
Or rewrite it again?
As the sun dipped behind the academy towers—
The golden eye briefly opened once more in the clouds.
Watching me.
Waiting.
Correcting.
And for the first time—
I felt it clearly.
This isn't just a world.
It's a cage.
And I just rattled it.