The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains and spilled across Xiao Ming's face.
He slowly opened his eyes, a cold smile curling on his lips. Memories from last night came rushing back—the furious and unwilling face of Zhang Tian on the basketball court, Lin Xiaoxiao's admiring gaze—all of it filled him with immense satisfaction.
"Is that all you've got? What a pathetic protagonist halo." Xiao Ming stretched lazily, got out of bed, and looked at his reflection in the mirror. Despite his high school appearance, his eyes gleamed with a maturity and cunning far beyond his age. After all, he'd spent over two decades as a shut-in in his past life, reading countless web novels and becoming intimately familiar with every overused plot device.
He lay back down and swiped his hand through the air. A red, semi-transparent system panel appeared before him.
"System, show current status."
A stream of data quickly appeared on the panel:
Host: Xiao Ming
Current World: Campus Novel School Tyrant's World (Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆)
Identity: Class Bully, Grade 12 (Class 3)
Skills:
Mind Manipulation LV.1 – Basic ability to sense emotional changes in others and influence them accordingly.Villain's Instinct LV.1 – Basic perception of the protagonist's plot armor.
Female Lead Affection Level:
Lin Xiaoxiao's affection for Xiao Ming: 42/100
Plot Distortion Level: 63%
Xiao Ming smirked. Just getting started, and the female lead's affection was already this high? So much for this so-called protagonist of destiny—nothing special at all.
He dismissed the panel, got up to wash, and changed into his school uniform. He looked every bit the well-behaved student—not a trace of a school tyrant in sight.
"Playing the good guy is more fun than I thought." He muttered, amused by how much more effective subverting expectations was than straightforward bullying.
On his way to school, he made a detour to a bakery and bought Lin Xiaoxiao her favorite blueberry bread—a preference he'd sensed using his Mind Manipulation skill. Every time she passed by this store, she'd pause and gaze longingly at the display.
At school, something felt off. Small groups of students were whispering, casting strange glances his way.
"Xiao Ming, do you know what happened this morning?" his sidekick, Chubby, leaned in conspiratorially.
Xiao Ming raised an eyebrow. "What's the big secret?"
"Zhang Tian posted a bunch of stuff online last night. Said you used to beat him up and even threatened his family. Now you're just pretending to be good to get close to Lin Xiaoxiao." Chubby whispered. "The school forum's blowing up."
Xiao Ming sneered. This is his counterattack? How childish.
"Oh? Really? I don't even know who he is. How could I have beaten him up?"
Just then, commotion erupted at the classroom door. Zhang Tian barged in with a few unfamiliar tough guys, marching straight toward Xiao Ming.
"Cut the act, Xiao Ming!" Zhang Tian shouted, fury in his voice. "Everyone knows what kind of person you really are!"
Xiao Ming stared coolly at the supposed protagonist, inwardly amused.
"Zhang, calm down. No need to get physical, right? Bringing people into school to start a fight—isn't that grounds for expulsion?"
Zhang's face twisted; clearly, he hadn't expected Xiao Ming's calm. His backup looked uncertain.
Xiao Ming pressed on. "You said I beat you? Any proof? Can anyone here say they saw me bully you?"
Classmates looked around, but no one dared speak up.
"You... you..." Zhang stammered, face flushing red.
At that moment, Lin Xiaoxiao walked in, frowning at the scene. "What's going on?"
Zhang turned to her like a drowning man clutching at a lifeline. "Xiaoxiao, this guy is no good! He's just pretending to be nice to get close to you!"
Xiao Ming inwardly laughed. Trying to play the hero? Too bad I struck first.
"Zhang, what's that supposed to mean?" Xiao Ming said solemnly. "Sure, I have a past. But people change. I'm trying to be better, and you're here slandering me?"
He turned to Lin Xiaoxiao, his face sincere. "Lin, I know I've made mistakes, but I don't want to keep making them. I'm really trying."
Then, he handed her the blueberry bread. "Breakfast for you. You mentioned during astronomy club yesterday that you liked bread from this place."
Lin Xiaoxiao accepted it, glancing between the two boys, her expression conflicted. "Thanks."
Zhang's face turned crimson. "You're all being fooled! He's faking it! That's not who he really is!"
Xiao Ming sighed, pretending to be hurt. "I admit I used to be a jerk. But can't a guy change? Why are you so against me, Zhang?"
Murmurs spread through the classroom. Zhang was just a recent transfer, and Xiao Ming had recently donated to charity, helped classmates, and acted completely unlike his old self.
Compared to that, Zhang's dramatic entrance and accusations now seemed excessive.
"Let's go find a teacher," Zhang finally said, storming out.
Xiao Ming watched him leave, smiling coldly. That's your move, protagonist? Still too naïve.
The atmosphere in the class returned to normal. Lin Xiaoxiao hesitated, then approached Xiao Ming.
"I believe people can change. But I hope you're being genuine."
Xiao Ming smiled warmly. "Of course. I just want to make up for my mistakes."
She nodded and returned to her seat. Xiao Ming watched her back, smirking internally. So much for the female lead—too easy to fool.
Later, the school broadcast summoned Xiao Ming and Zhang Tian to the principal's office.
The real show was just beginning.
In the principal's office, Zhang's thugs had already been dismissed. Principal Li sat behind his desk, looking stern.
"Zhang Tian, bringing outsiders onto campus is a serious offense!"
Zhang tried to explain. "But Principal, I just wanted them to testify that Xiao Ming—"
"Whatever happened in the past can be investigated," the principal cut him off. "But today's actions were a security risk. According to school rules, you deserve a serious warning."
Zhang turned pale.
Xiao Ming spoke up. "Principal, I think Zhang might have misunderstood something. He's new and probably didn't know the rules. Maybe we could give him a second chance?"
Both Zhang and the principal looked stunned.
Xiao Ming continued. "We're classmates. Let's resolve things peacefully."
The principal hesitated, then nodded. "Since Xiao Ming is willing to speak up for you, you'll get a verbal warning. You should thank him, Zhang Tian."
Zhang was speechless. Saved… by Xiao Ming?
Outside the office, he demanded, "What are you playing at?"
Xiao Ming smiled. "Nothing. Just helping out a classmate."
"Cut the crap!" Zhang growled. "I don't know what you're up to, but I won't let you get away with it!"
Xiao Ming patted him on the shoulder. "Don't be so paranoid. Relax and enjoy school life."
He walked away, leaving Zhang trembling with rage.
For the rest of the day, Xiao Ming played the role of reformed student—attentive in class, helping clean, even speaking at the class meeting about "campus harmony."
Zhang, on the other hand, became more isolated. Some students even accused him of being jealous of Xiao Ming and Lin Xiaoxiao.
After school, Xiao Ming "happened" to leave with Lin Xiaoxiao.
"Thanks for earlier," she said. "If you hadn't spoken up, Zhang might've been punished."
Xiao Ming smiled. "It was nothing. By the way, isn't your class entering a speech contest next week?"
"You know about that?" she asked, surprised.
"Heard it somewhere. Are you entering?"
She nodded. "Yeah, but I'm nervous. I've never spoken in front of so many people."
"Perfect timing—I've won awards in city-level contests. Want me to coach you?"
She hesitated. "Would that be too much trouble?"
"Not at all," he smiled. "Let's be friends."
They agreed to meet at the library over the weekend to prepare.
As he watched her leave, Xiao Ming's smile faded. In the original plot, it was this contest where Zhang saved Lin from a blunder and won her heart.
"Too bad. I'm getting ahead of the story." He sneered.
Back home, Xiao Ming lay in bed and reopened the system panel:
Host: Xiao Ming
Current World: Campus Novel School Tyrant's World (Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆)
Identity: Class Bully, Grade 12 (Class 3)
Skills:
Mind Manipulation LV.1Villain's Instinct LV.1
Female Lead Affection:
Lin Xiaoxiao's affection: 56/100
Plot Distortion: 78%
Xiao Ming grinned. In just two days, he had stolen the spotlight, turned the tables, and even surpassed the protagonist in the female lead's affections.
"So much for your damn protagonist halo." he murmured, eyes flashing.
He knew Zhang Tian wouldn't give up. The protagonist's fate came with the world's support—he'd surely fight back.
"Come on, Zhang Tian. Let's see which is stronger—your halo or my villain system."
Xiao Ming closed his eyes, lips curled in a cruel smile, already plotting his next move—to steal the heroine and crush the protagonist's rise.