I Am The Game's Villain



[<Looks like people here will treat you similarly to how they did in Celesta.>]

'Well, not exactly. These individuals are excessively full of themselves and wouldn't even bat an eye at a criminal, especially one from the outside like me.'

Those who looked my way were either driven by curiosity or the need to mock, often choosing an 'easy' target like myself. Even so, they seemed hesitant to go further, perhaps because I hailed from the Olphean House, albeit not from the main branch, making me Lydia's son in their eyes.

Celeste's voice brought me back to the present. "This is the cafeteria, and there's plenty of space for everyone, so don't hesitate to find a seat!" Her smile was warm. "As for the food, we have some of the best chefs working here, representing various races. Trust me, it's delicious. You should definitely eat here tomorrow, right Victor?"

Victor nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. By the way, I usually sit at that table." He pointed to a round table in a distant corner of the hall. "If you need any help or just want some company, feel free to join me."

Celeste chimed in playfully, "I doubt anyone will take you up on that offer."

"Hey! I'm not that much of an eater!" Victor protested, triggering laughter from the surrounding students.

The laughter resonated oddly within me, and in an instant, I found myself seated at one of the tables of the cafeteria.

'My' gaze was on the very table Victor had pointed out.

Around it were Victor, Celesta, and two other Heroines, all engaged in lively conversation and shared laughter.

My gaze hardened, and a twisted smile crept across my face.

"Ha…" My eyes blinked, and suddenly I was back where I had been, standing slightly apart from the group that was engrossed in Celeste and Victor's words.

What I had experienced was a memory from the 'me' of the Second Game.

Edward Falkrona, a character I had played in the Second Game, had left the school before the year concluded, wreaking havoc in the Enigma Dungeon that ultimately led to the death of a Heroine. Edward would eventually flee the Kingdom of Celesta and find his way to Sancta Vedelia.

In the Second Game, the Olphean House didn't exist, which meant that my mother and sister were deceased at this point in time.

Following Brandon Delavoic's demise at the hands of Jayden and the Heroines, Edward Falkrona assumed leadership of Ante-Eden. Later, he would adopt a new identity and infiltrate the Trinity Eden Academy in Sancta Vedelia, altering his appearance slightly...

I looked at my own reflection in a nearby window.

Edward Falkrona of the Second Game shared my dark hair and amber eyes. He was the [Main Antagonist] of the [Second Game], responsible for the destruction of Sancta Vedelia.

Shaking my head slightly, I exhaled deeply.

'Status…'

======

PROFILE

[Edward Amael Falkrona/ Idea Olphean] [17]

[6th Ascension]

[Amael Idea Olphean Synchronization: 34%]

[Nyrel Loyster Synchronization: 38%]

[Charm: 50]

[Affection Points: 78]

[Vysindra's Oath~6th Ring~]

[Spirit Lord~5th Anima's Core~] 

[Needle of Fate~2nd Needle~]

[Stigma Of War]

[???]

======

[<Looks like nothing has changed...>]

Are those dreams some sort of hallucinations? Similar to those I was forced to witness by that voice when I was seven?

It's an uncomfortable sensation.

I can feel the hatred and twisted thoughts of that person during these hallucinations, and it's like they're merging with my memories.

"..."

[<Amael?>]

'It's nothing... you know, Cleenah, sometimes I feel like I don't really belong to either of my life's worlds.'

[<...>]

I don't even know what I'm talking about.

"Are you alright?"

It was Victor's voice.

Clearing away my complicated expression, I turned to face him. "Yeah."

"If it's about what Allen said, you'll probably get used to it," Victor said with a bitter smile. "He calls me a Half too, if that's any consolation."

"Doesn't that make you want to, I don't know, punch him out?" I asked.

Victor chuckled at my words and nodded. "You'd think so, right? But every time, I restrain myself for my family's sake. I don't want to create more problems for them..."

"You should go back, your friend doesn't seem thrilled about you being here," I pointed out.

Victor glanced over at Celeste and nodded. "Just let me know if you need anything. Well, you're a Great Noble as well, so I doubt you'll need my help, but I'm here."

Seeing Victor's grin, I asked out of curiosity, "Why would you want to help me? You heard your senior. I'm a criminal. I killed someone, which is why I've been exiled to this place."

Victor smiled at my words. "You might have your own reasons, but I won't judge someone solely based on that... After all, I've also taken a life."

"So, you're a criminal too," I noted.

Victor scratched his head. "It's more complicated than that, but I suppose you could say that."

"I see... By the way," I glanced at Celeste. "Do you love her?"

"Huh?" Victor was taken aback by my question.

"I'm asking about Celeste. Do you have feelings for her?"

"Do I love her? Well, she's a great person... But Cyril already loves her, and she's my friend," Victor responded, looking confused by my question.

I couldn't help but smile a bit at his reaction.

He's a far cry from Jayden.

Victor Raven is remarkably mature, and he thinks things through before diving into matters of love or the like. Even now, he doesn't see Celeste as anything other than a friend, simply because his half-brother loves her.

[<That's a change from the horny apostle, like Layla would say.>]

Indeed, it is.

"Victor?"

"Yeah, I'm coming, Celes!" Victor left me after a wave.

"..."

Feeling Allen's gaze on me, annoyance swelled up inside me.

As we turned a corner, I took advantage of being at the back of the group to slip away from this rather unpleasant situation and started strolling around on my own.

The Academy was just as I remembered from my earlier memories—large, with multiple classrooms stacked atop auditoriums. It was divided into four sections, but the absence of rigid separation between the years meant that you could encounter both juniors and seniors while moving towards your own classroom.

The inner courtyard was probably the most relaxing spot, with an adjacent garden providing a space for relaxation. People often gathered here to chat or engage in various activities. Tables and greenery were scattered around, enhancing the area's appeal. As it was quite spacious and open, the sunlight illuminated the space beautifully.

Unlike the Royal Eden Academy, which had a mix of indoor and outdoor facilities, everything at the Trinity Eden Academy was indoors. This was likely to prevent students from leaving the academy grounds and to ensure a higher level of security, thanks to the presence of several Royals.

"You seem to be quite the carefree one."

"Hm?" I glanced around and saw Melfina standing there with a smile.

"Were you following me all this time?" I inquired while plucking a leaf from a nearby tree.

Melfina's expression twitched slightly. "I don't have time for such trivial matters. I was merely curious as to why you didn't accompany my granddaughter to familiarize yourself with the academy."

"Would you believe me if I said I'm already well-acquainted with most of the academy's layout?" I countered with a question.

Melfina remained silent for a moment before responding. "If that's the case, then why did you decide to come today?"

I raised the leaf in front of my face, pretending to inspect it closely. "I was actually intrigued by the so-called 'Great Nobles' everyone talks about. So, I thought I'd take a proper look at them myself."

"And?"

"Well, I have to confess, I'm rather disappointed," I said, blowing the leaf away and looking at her. "They're nothing extraordinary," I added, offering a polite smile.

"..."

I waved my hand casually and began walking away. "Perhaps the others will prove to be more interesting."

"I'd suggest you keep your impudence in check when you're around them, Amael," Melfina cautioned with a somewhat exasperated sigh.

***

Melfina contemplated for a moment as Amael's figure gradually faded into the distance. "You can come out now."

Someone flinched slightly from behind a small tree and emerged.

It was Roda Cinda Moonfang.

"Since when were you..." Roda began to ask.

"Since the beginning," Melfina sighed. "I am the Headmaster of this Academy, after all."

"Yes, of course," Roda responded with a sheepish smile.

"You should return to your group; otherwise, you might get lost within the Academy tomorrow," Melfina advised, already moving away.

"Professor..." Roda hesitated. "Who is he?"

Amael's words were still echoing in her mind.

"I'm rather disappointed."

"They're nothing extraordinary."

She couldn't believe what she had heard. The arrogance in his tone had ignited a spark of anger within her. She was not someone arrogant or utterly prideful like Allen but Amael's words were clearly condescending.

Melfina continued her walk and let out a sigh. "A criminal."