I spent three days preparing for the duel. Not training, though I did that too but not like one would expect for someone trying to punch so high. No, I spent those days gathering information, analyzing patterns, and planning. Because I'd learned something important from reading thousands of chapters of online.
Protagonists always won through power while villains had to win through planning.
"Young Master, the materials you requested." Damian placed a box on my desk. Inside, three enchanted crystals, a vial of silver dust, and a sealed scroll.
"Perfect. And the enchanter?"
"Marcus Voidstep agreed to meet with you. He's... surprised you know about him."
I smiled.
Marcus Voidstep is a minor villain who appeared at chapter 45, got defeated easily by Adrian, and died stupidly at chapter 47. In reality, he was one of the most talented enchanters in the academy's underworld.
"Schedule the meeting for tonight. Discreetly."
"Young Master, Marcus is known to associate with criminals."
"So am I, apparently." I gestured at myself. "Villain, remember?"
[REPUTATION ANALYSIS]
[PREVIOUS STATUS: Petty Bully (Universally Disliked)]
[CURRENT STATUS: Unknown Threat (Nervous Curiosity)]
[ADRIAN'S FACTION: Increased Vigilance]
[NEUTRAL STUDENTS: Waiting to See What Happens]
[POTENTIAL ALLIES: Becoming Visible]
The system had a point. My behavior change had attracted attention, both good and bad. And that in itself isn't a bad thing at all. Three different students had approached me in the past two days but not to befriend me, but to cautiously probe what my "new angle" was.
I'd been polite but distant with all of them.
Except one.
"Young Master, there's someone else here to see you." Damian's expression was carefully neutral. "Lucille Nightshade. Again."
Interesting. Two days since our first meeting, and she was back.
"Show her in."
Lucille entered, and I immediately noticed the difference. Her posture was more aggressive. Her hand wasn't just resting on her dagger, she was gripping it. Her eyes were more cold than before.
"You were right," she said without preamble. "Adrian lied about Professor Kaine."
I gestured to the tea set. "Would you like to... "
"No tea and no games today. Tell me what you know about Adrian."
[SKILL ACTIVATED: Analytical Eye]
[LUCILLE NIGHTSHADE]
[EMOTIONAL STATE: Angry, Confused, Betrayed]
[TRUST IN ADRIAN: 78% → 64%]
[TRUST IN YOU: 5% → 12%]
[DANGER LEVEL: High (Will attack if provoked)]
I chose my words carefully. "What did he tell you when you confronted him?"
"That it wasn't important. That I was overreacting." Her jaw tightened. "Then he smiled and changed the subject, just like he always does when I ask difficult questions."
"And that bothers you."
"We've been friends since we were children. We don't hide things from each other." She met my eyes. "Except apparently we do."
I sat down slowly, making sure my body language was open and non-threatening. "Lucille...Miss Nightshade...I'm going to tell you something, and you're not going to like it."
"Try me."
"Adrian isn't the person you think he is. And I think part of you has known that for a while now."
Her hand tightened on her dagger. "Careful."
"I'm not saying he's evil. I'm saying he's changed. The Adrian you knew as a child, that person might not exist anymore." I leaned forward slightly. "Tell me honestly. When was the last time he asked how you were doing? Not as part of a larger conversation. Just... checking on you to know how you've been?"
She opened her mouth to answer without hesitation but then she closed it and frowned.
"When was the last time he thanked you for something?" I continued. "When was the last time he acknowledged that you've been protecting him, helping him, supporting him through everything?"
"He doesn't need to thank me. We're friends."
"Are you? Or are you..." I hesitated, then decided to risk it. "His tool?"
She moved faster than I expected. One moment she was across the room. The next, her dagger was at my throat.
"Say that again," she hissed.
I didn't move or flinch, I went perfectly still and just met her eyes steadily.
"You're a better fighter than Adrian," I said quietly. "Everyone knows it. Your assassination techniques are legendary. Your poison resistance is unmatched. You could be S-Class if you wanted."
"So?"
"So why are you in A-Class? Why do you spend your time running errands for him? Why do you threaten people on his behalf?" I paused. "Why did you come to warn me away from him instead of him handling it himself?"
Her blade didn't waver, but something in her eyes shifted.
"Because he asked me to," she said.
"And you always do what he asks. Because you're friends. Because you've known each other forever." I kept my voice gentle. "Because he needs you."
"There's nothing wrong with helping a friend."
"There isn't. Unless the help only flows one direction."
She pressed the blade closer. A thin line of blood traced down my neck.
[WARNING: HEALTH -5%]
[RECOMMENDATION: Surrender or defend yourself]
The dagger must poisoned!
But I ignored the system as this was too important.
"When you awakened your A-rank ability," I said, "did Adrian celebrate with you? Or did he spend that evening telling you about his SSS-rank awakening instead?"
Her hand trembled slightly.
"When you mastered that poison technique, the one that took you six months to learn, did he congratulate you? Or did he mention how he'd learned a similar technique in two weeks?"
"Stop."
"When you told him you were scared about the upcoming dungeon practical, did he comfort you? Or did he tell you not to worry because he'd protect everyone?"
"Stop it."
"I'm not trying to hurt you, Lucille. I'm trying to show you what you already know but don't want to admit." I looked directly into her eyes. "Adrian doesn't see you as a friend. He sees you as a supporter. A follower. Someone who exists to make him look better."
The dagger withdrew. Lucille stepped back, her face pale.
"You don't know anything about him," she said, but her voice lacked conviction.
"I know enough. And more importantly, you know I'm right." I touched the small cut on my neck, barely more than a scratch. "If I'm wrong, prove it. Ask him a difficult question. See if he gives you a real answer or another deflection."
She stared at me for a long moment. Then asked. "Why are you telling me this? What do you gain? Why are you suddenly doing all of this?"
"Honestly? I'm not sure yet." I stood slowly. "Maybe I just don't like seeing talented people waste themselves on someone unworthy. Maybe I'm a villain who enjoys causing chaos. Or maybe..."
I walked to the window, looking out at the academy grounds.
"Maybe I'm tired of watching the hero win through manipulation while pretending it's friendship."
[SKILL ACTIVATED: Silver Tongue]
[LUCILLE'S TRUST: 12% → 28%]
[LUCILLE'S DOUBT IN ADRIAN: 64% → 71%]
[WARNING: Push too hard and she'll reject everything you've said]
"I should go," Lucille said quietly.
"One more thing." I turned back to her. "The practical dungeon exercise next month. Adrian is planning something."
"What do you mean?"
"He's been studying the dungeon layout in the restricted section of the library. Why would he need to do that unless he already knew what would be inside?" I shrugged. "Maybe it's nothing. Or maybe he has information the rest of us don't."
"That's impossible. The dungeon configurations are randomized each year."
"Are they?" I met her eyes. "Just... watch him during the exercise. See if he seems too prepared. Too knowing."
She left without another word.
[QUEST UPDATE: THE HEROINE'S DOUBT]
[LUCILLE WILL NOW ACTIVELY OBSERVE ADRIAN]
[RECRUITMENT PROGRESS: 15%]
[WARNING: Adrian will notice her suspicion soon]
[ESTIMATED TIME UNTIL CONFRONTATION: 5-7 days]
Damian entered after she left. "Young Master, that was extremely dangerous. If she had decided you were lying..."
"She would have killed me. I know." I cleaned the blood from my neck. "But she didn't. Because deep down, she knows something is wrong."
"You're gambling with your life."
"I'm gambling with something, I can't deny." I checked my notes. "Now, about that meeting with Marcus Voidstep."