The next morning came far too quickly.
My back ached. My ribs throbbed. The floor of my dorm room was cold, the bed even colder, and someone had drawn "TRASH LIVES HERE" in glowing red paint on the door.
Emotion harvested: Mild Public Ridicule — 9 observers
+3 Defense. +1 Passive Resistance to Magic Graffiti.
Hilarious.
I wiped the words off with a towel, then paused as I caught sight of myself in the cracked mirror. My reflection looked sharper today — my jaw more defined, the look in my eyes less hollow. That wasn't just my imagination.
Stat Change Registered: Confidence Modifier +10% Activated
Current Charisma Bonus: Passive Female Curiosity Increased
I grinned.
Today was combat assessment day, and in the original novel, this is where Kael Draven's fate was sealed. He'd challenged a duel out of desperation, got wrecked, and became the academy's permanent joke.
But me?
I had a Villain Evolution System. The more they bullied me, the stronger I'd grow. And today, I wasn't going to beg for scraps.
I was going to earn my first public reversal.
The combat arena was packed. Students filled the stone steps in circular rows like an ancient coliseum. Professors floated above the central platform, suspended by gravity runes, judging every movement.
I took a deep breath and stepped into the ring.
"Is that the trash noble?"
"He's gonna get wrecked again."
"Bet he cries like last time."
Emotion harvested: Anticipated Humiliation — 132 observers
+20 Strength. +15 Defense. Passive Skill Unlocked: [Fuel the Hate]
[Fuel the Hate]: Stat gain increases proportionally to emotional negativity directed at you.
I felt it immediately — a surge of heat in my limbs. My muscles tightened, my breath steadied, my vision sharpened.
Let them hate.
Renar Altheron stood at the opposite end of the ring. Blonde hair glowing, blue fire dancing in his hands, his enchanted sword slung casually over one shoulder. He was every inch the golden boy.
"You again?" he drawled. "Still not dead?"
"Not yet," I said. "But you're about to lose in front of everyone."
The audience howled with laughter.
Even Renar smirked. "You've got a death wish."
A bell rang.
The match began.
Renar charged like a thunderbolt, sword slashing down, flame erupting along the blade. In the original timeline, Kael didn't even react.
But this wasn't the same Kael.
I moved. Fast.
Steel screeched as his sword missed by a breath. I ducked low and spun, catching him off-balance.
[Dodge Success — +1 AGI]
[Surprise Reaction — Public Engagement +80]
Audience Emotion Shift: "Wait, did he just dodge that?"
I gritted my teeth. My body still wasn't trained — I could feel the clumsiness under the speed. But I forced it to move.
Renar turned, flames roaring. "Beginner's luck, worm!"
He launched a fireball — textbook Arkwright nobility technique.
I didn't dodge this time.
I stepped forward and took it head-on.
BOOM.
Smoke filled the ring. Gasps echoed around the arena.
"Is he dead?"
Damage Taken: 67
System Conversion Activated: 60% Damage converted to Strength (Temporary — 5 min)
New Skill Triggered: [Burn Within] — absorb magical pain to boost counterattack power
The smoke cleared.
I stood in the center, cloak smoldering, arms burned — but eyes burning brighter.
And then I punched him.
Right in the face.
The sound was so sharp it echoed.
Renar staggered back, stunned.
The audience went silent.
[Critical Strike Achieved]
[Reversal Triggered: Villain Beats Golden Boy – Audience Shock Level 72%]
Reward: +50 System Points. Rare Skill Fragment Gained.
"Get up," I said, voice calm. "That wasn't nearly enough."
Renar screamed and lunged again, sword blazing.
We clashed.
And this time, I didn't just dodge. I redirected.
The system buzzed again.
New Passive Unlocked: [Counter Shame]
Every attack from a higher-ranked opponent that you block restores HP and Confidence.
I could feel it — the rhythm. Each time he struck, the momentum turned slightly in my favor. I was still weaker — no doubt. But I didn't need to win by overpowering him.
I needed to win by lasting long enough for the world to see me refuse to break.
And so I did.
Slash. Block. Slam. Fire. Endure.
Until Renar's attacks slowed. Until his expression twisted into confusion, then frustration.
"What… what kind of trash won't fall?!"
Emotion harvested: Frustration. Insecurity. Self-doubt.
Bonus: Opponent Mental Breakdown — 17% Chance of Fumbling Next Move
Then came the moment.
Renar overextended.
I caught his arm, twisted it, and kicked him hard in the stomach.
He hit the ground with a thud. The arena exploded in gasps.
"Kael Draven wins," the professor announced, clearly stunned.
For a moment, the world went still.
Then came the real power surge.
[Quest Complete: Face-Slap Reversal]
Reward Gained: Rare Skill – [Infamy Aura]
[Infamy Aura]: Your presence now radiates unpredictability. Weak-willed enemies hesitate before attacking. Strong-willed enemies become obsessed with defeating you.
+1 Skill Ticket Unlocked. Choose 1 of 3 Bonus Skills?
A prompt opened in front of me.
[Cruel Comeback] – Triple damage to enemies who previously mocked you
[Unworthy? Watch Me.] – Boost to stats when rejected or looked down on
[Yandere Magnet] – Increases the chance of enemies developing twisted romantic feelings toward you
I didn't even hesitate.
Skill Chosen: [Yandere Magnet]
If I was going to rewrite this story, I wasn't just going to be feared. I was going to be desired — in that twisted, obsessive, dangerous way that would make me unforgettable.
Renar lay groaning on the floor. His fan club was already sobbing. Professors exchanged confused whispers.
And in the stands, I saw her — Selena von Arkwright.
She wasn't sneering this time.
She was watching.
Quietly. Eyes narrowed.
Good.
Let her watch.
Let all of them watch.
Because the bullied villain they mocked?
Was just getting started.