The carriage was unnecessarily opulent.
Gilded wheels. Velvet cushions. Magical suspension glyphs that made the ride smoother than sin. The emblem of House Duskblood—a black sun devouring a crown—was etched on the doors in obsidian and blood-red enamel. Two crystal-eyed arcane horses pulled us forward with perfect, mechanical rhythm.
And I?
I lounged with one leg crossed over the other, sipping imported spiritfruit juice like the spoiled noble trash I was supposed to be.
System Notification: Aura Calibration In Progress… Adjusting Presence to 'Mildly Punchable.' Success.
Villainy Score: +2
"Perfect," I muttered with a grin. "Let the world know the menace has arrived."
Across from me sat my younger half-brother, Lucien Duskblood—golden-haired, sharp-eyed, and dressed like he bathed in holy light every morning. Of course he had two elemental affinities. Lightning and Wind. Of course he was a genius. Of course he was the perfect contrast to me.
And of course, he was already glaring at me like I'd kicked his puppy and stolen his inheritance.
"Still planning to attend the Ascension Academy, brother?" Lucien asked, voice cool and disdainful. "You… do know what they do to weaklings there, yes?"
I took another long sip of spiritfruit and gave him a slow blink.
"Absolutely. I plan to be the weakest, loudest, most dramatic waste of space they've ever seen."
Villainy +1. Lucien's blood pressure +7.
His jaw tightened.
"You'll embarrass our House."
"Already doing it, aren't I?" I said sweetly. "Might as well lean in."
[Minor Quest Completed: Trigger a Noble Rival's Insecurity]
+25 System Points
I turned toward the window, watching the mountains roll past like waves of stone. The Capital shimmered in the distance, with the Ascension Academy's floating spires glowing like a crown on the horizon.
Status Window – Theo Duskblood (Updated)
Points: 125
Unique Power – Crimson Resonance (F-)
Still trash.
Elemental Affinity: None
Skill Tree: Locked
Title Unlocked:"Professional Disappointment" (Increases sarcasm effectiveness by 15%)
I squinted.
"System. Why is that a title?"
[Because you earned it.]
"…Fair."
Arrival: The Academy Gates
The Ascension Academy wasn't a school. It was a statement.
Massive towers floated mid-air, supported by rune circles larger than most towns. Elemental energies swirled visibly through the air—streams of fire and water interlacing in the sky, students sparring mid-flight, thunder cracking in the distance.
Everyone radiated power. Aura flared from some, elemental pressure from others. I spotted someone casually juggling fireballs the size of carriages while flirting with a girl who looked like she was made of ice. Literal ice.
And then there was me.
Wearing a black coat stitched with gold thread and an expression like I was about to ruin everyone's day just by existing.
I stepped out of the carriage.
And the stares began.
"Is that…?"
"That's Theo Duskblood. The one with no affinity."
"Didn't he faint trying to activate a mana orb once?"
System Notification: [Passive Ability Unlocked – Arrogant Entrance]
Effect: Automatically draws attention when entering a scene. Increases protagonist hostility by 15%. Boosts dramatic tension. Stylish cloak physics enabled.
My coat flared behind me like a villain's cape.
I smiled and adjusted my gloves.
"Let the weak fear, and the strong seethe," I whispered to no one in particular.
Orientation Hall – A Den of Destiny
Inside the main hall, a thousand students were gathered.
Banners from every noble house hung from the rafters. Elemental torches floated overhead, shifting colors based on student affinity. Rows of elite instructors stood on the platform, faces stern, eyes glowing.
And at the center of the stage stood Headmaster Serion, an old man whose presence alone made the air feel heavier.
"Welcome to the Ascension Academy," he said, voice amplified with aura. "Here, the weak are forged into legends. The talented become gods."
The crowd buzzed.
A small part of me—maybe the last piece of my past life that believed in fair stories—wanted to be impressed.
Then someone bumped into me.
Hard.
A tall guy with fire-red hair and a hero's jawline. Broad shoulders. Righteous scowl. Sword at his back. Cloak with a dragon emblem.
He turned, glared.
"Watch where you're going," he said. "Trash."
I looked him up and down.
System Alert: Righteous Protagonist Detected!
Name: Ares Flameheart
Power Type: Fire Affinity – A Rank
Unique Power: Flame Dominion (B+)
Personality Traits: Heroic, Arrogant, Dense, Harem-Seeking, Justice-Oriented,Fallen Noble
Oh.
We've got a live one.
I smiled sweetly and reached for my coat's collar.
[Optional Objective Available: Slap a protagonist. Bonus points if you also insult his sense of justice.]
Reward: 100 System Points
I didn't even hesitate.
SMACK.
It echoed across the hall like divine retribution in reverse.
Gasps. A sharp intake of breath. Someone dropped a spell crystal.
"Did… he just slap Ares Flameheart?!"
"That's hot."
I leaned in close, voice low and full villain.
"Next time, watch where you're going. Trash."
Quest Completed: Slap a protagonist
+100 System Points. [Lucky Draw – Elemental Affinity] Unlocked!
New Title Unlocked: "Public Menace" – Increases crowd attention and raises event flags wherever you go.
Ares stepped back, hand on his cheek, flames licking around his eyes.
Oh, he was furious.
Perfect.
I winked.
"See you in class, flame boy."
Let the record show: The villain didn't come to play nice.