The slap still echoed in the Orientation Hall like a divine insult written across the face of fate.
Ares Flameheart stood there, stunned, a faint red handprint blossoming on his perfect hero jaw. His flaming aura flickered erratically—rage boiling just beneath the surface—but he hadn't moved.
Because deep down?
Even he didn't know how to react to a walking cliché villain slapping him in front of a thousand students.
I adjusted my cuffs like nothing happened.
[Villainy Score +15. Ares Flameheart's "Justice Meter" rising. Flag triggered: Rivalry Level – Moderate]
[Reputation Updated: "Who the hell slaps Ares Flameheart in public?" – +20 notoriety]
[System Notification: Quest Complete – Lucky Draw Unlocked]
[Reward Claimed: Elemental Affinity Draw Token x1]
Oh, right.
The draw.
I stepped away from the now-dead-silent crowd and mentally called up the system.
[System Interface – Lucky Draw (Elemental Affinity)]
You may draw one Elemental Affinity.
Possible Results: Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Ice
Rarity: Single Affinity (Common), Dual Affinity (Rare), Triple Affinity (Legendary)
Warning: Result is randomized. System luck modifiers apply.
Would you like to draw now?
"Hell yes."
The screen shimmered.
A great wheel appeared before me, glowing with elemental icons. Fire. Ice. Earth. Air. Water. It spun fast, colors blurring into a wheel of possibility.
Spinning…
Calculating Villainous Luck Bonus…
Still refusing to give you something rare because, let's be honest, you haven't earned it yet…
Result: Air Affinity – Single (Common)
I blinked.
"Air?"
[Air Affinity – Rank: Unawakened]
You now possess a connection to the elemental force of air. At this stage, you can… mildly move curtains and make your hair flutter dramatically in a breeze.
Progression unlocked. Train, quest, and level it up to unlock actual air techniques.
New Skill Tree Branch Unlocked: Air Path
I grinned.
"Fine. At least I can slap someone and let the breeze carry my villain monologue."
[Status Window – Theo Duskblood (Updated)]
Elemental Affinity: Air (Rank: Unawakened)
Skill Tree: Air Path – Locked
Unique Power: Crimson Resonance – F- (Still Trash)
Points: 125
Titles: Professional Disappointment, Public Menace
[System Shop Unlocked!]
[Welcome to the System Shop. Spend System Points to grow stronger, buy villain gear, upgrade stats, or unlock absurdly overpriced nonsense.]
A dark window unfurled like a scroll of temptation.
[System Shop – Sample Inventory]
➤ Minor Strength Elixir (E to E+) – 100 Points
A single-use potion that boosts Strength slightly. Tastes like sweat and regret.
➤ Basic Air Technique: [Breeze Step] – 250 Points
Allows user to lightly shift movement in any direction. More annoying than useful.
➤ Passive Stat Boost: Endurance +1 – 150 Points
Helps you not faint when you try to move a chair.
➤ Aura Polisher: "Smug Edition" – 75 Points
Polishes your presence. Adds 10% smugness when entering a room. Not useful. Feels necessary.
➤ Mystery Box (??? Tier) – 300 Points
Contains… something. May be a weapon. May be a pink hat. Roll the dice.
My eyes flicked to my points.
"Only 125…"
[System Tip: You can earn more points through villainous acts, completing quests, humiliating protagonists, and generally being extra.]
I considered.
"Buy the Strength Elixir," I said.
[Purchase Complete. -100 Points]
A small vial materialized in my inventory, which apparently was a shimmering pocket dimension that smelled like sarcasm and cold metal. I pulled it out, uncorked it, and gulped it down.
It tasted exactly as advertised.
[Strength increased: E → E+]
[Congratulations! You are now strong enough to lose slightly less badly in a slap-fight.]
"Progress," I muttered, flexing my fingers.
Back in the Dorms
Later that night, I stood in my private room overlooking the floating east wing of the Academy. The moon hung above, veiled by wisps of black mist.
My coat fluttered. My hair caught the breeze just right. My new air affinity barely registered, but it made the curtains dance.
[Air Affinity detected. Air response increased in open environments.]
"Still barely useful," I muttered, "but at least I look cool while being weak."
Suddenly, a knock.
I opened the door to see a young girl in a servant's uniform.
"Lord Duskblood, a message from the Headmaster."
I opened the scroll and read.
Tomorrow begins the combat placement trials. All new students must display their power in front of faculty and peers. Failure to meet minimum standards will result in relegation… or expulsion.
P.S. Ares Flameheart has been placed in your trial bracket.
I looked up slowly, eyes gleaming with wicked satisfaction.
"Well then…"
I stepped back inside and grinned at the breeze brushing across my floor.
"Time to make the academy regret giving the villain a spotlight."