I Am The Game's Villain

"How was your day, Nyrel?"

The question sliced through the air, and Nyrel's gaze settled on Marcel with a simmering irritation. "Asking the same question won't yield a different answer."

Marcel, unperturbed by Nyrel's tone, continued in his composed manner. "It's been a year since you joined this Academy. Have you managed to make any friends?"

"No," Nyrel replied tersely.

Marcel, seemingly unaffected, scrolled through information on his computer screen. "I have different information, though. Shayna, Emric, Ephera. They seem to have grown close to you."

"Stalking individuals is apparently a lucrative profession now, and quite well-paying at that," Nyrel retorted with a sarcastic edge.

"Monitoring potentially dangerous individuals is a necessity at times, Mr. Nyrel Loyster," Marcel answered calmly, his smile unchanging.

"Dangerous individual? The truly dangerous one is still alive, being nursed back to health, while I'm stuck in therapy sessions," Nyrel scoffed, his frustration seeping through.

"I'm here to assist you, Nyrel," Marcel replied, his fingers lacing together atop the table. "What do you currently feel? What do you desire to do in the future? Maybe we can help you?"

Drawing nearer, Nyrel brought his face close to Marcel's. "I don't need your assistance, Marcel."

Marcel allowed a moment of silence to linger before a smile graced his lips. "Were you aware that your friend, Shayna, underwent a lengthy rehabilitation process here?"

Nyrel's initial response was silence, a hint of surprise lurking beneath his stoic expression.

No, it couldn't be true.

Why would Marcel lie?

"She killed her foster parents right in front of her adopted brother. Yet now, she blends in like an ordinary student, making friends. Do you not aspire to a life like hers?"

"I'll lead a normal life like anyone else when Leon Grimlock is dead," Nyrel shot back before abruptly rising and exiting the room.

"His death won't bring you the solace you seek, Nyrel. It will only plunge you further into despair," Marcel's words echoed in the empty room, a quiet reminder as Nyrel walked away, his determination unswayed.

…

As the gate clicked shut behind him...

"Nyr, took you long enough?"

Nyrel's gaze turned toward the girl who was practically a magnet for attention. Dressed in black pants and a white blouse, her black hair pulled back into a ponytail, and her blue eyes reflecting puzzlement as they settled on Nyrel.

"Marcel was busy schooling me once again on the complexities of humanity," Nyrel replied dryly, falling into step beside her.

Ephera's laughter tinkled like bells, a sound that could catch anyone's attention. "You and your deep discussions. Come on, let's walk."

As they moved forward side by side, Ephera edged closer to Nyrel, a move he promptly countered by subtly adjusting his own position.

Amusement danced in Ephera's eyes as she took a quick step and playfully nudged Nyrel's shoulder.

Nyrel sidestepped, only slightly thrown off by the interaction, and shot her an unamused glare. "Finding it amusing, are you?"

Ephera's smile grew more radiant. "Yes, actually."

Nyrel diverted his gaze, feeling a hint of irritation. "As I've said before, I won't fall for it. Friendship is the furthest it will go."

Over the last year, Ephera had been persistently pursuing Nyrel, but he had remained steadfast in his refusal. Their unconventional companionship hadn't escaped the notice of Ephera's brother, Emric, who had begun spending time with Nyrel as well. Shayna had also joined their circle, becoming friends with both Nyrel and Ephera.

"Is it because you secretly like Shayna?" Ephera inquired, her head tilting to the side.

"For the ninth time, no."

"Then why are you rejecting me?"

"Because I won't be your father's pawn," Nyrel retorted.

Ephera's expression shifted momentarily, her eyes reflecting a touch of expectation. "Do you want to meet him, Nyr?"

"I neither know nor care about him."

"I understand..." A trace of disappointment laced Ephera's voice.

Nyrel redirected the conversation. "Where are Emric and Shayna?"

"Home. I practically dragged them away so I could have you all to myself," Ephera admitted candidly.

"Now that your mission is accomplished, you can go." Nyrel's response was curt.

Ephera pouted, adopting an endearing sulking expression. "Why must you be so harsh, Nyr?"

"I see no reason to be kind in this world," Nyrel murmured, his gaze fixed on the velvety night sky. "Do I even truly belong in this world?"

"You do." Ephera's voice was determined as her hands cupped Nyrel's cheeks, her touch warm against his skin. "Can you feel my hands?"

Nyrel's heart seemed to beat a little faster, but he maintained his composure. "They're cold."

"But you can feel them, right?" Ephera's grin was infectious.

"I can, Ephera," Nyrel replied, his reflection mirrored in her captivating blue eyes.

"Then that's settled. You belong in this world. You belong with me."

"You didn't need to add that last part," Nyrel quipped, moving away, though a faint smile played on his lips.

Ephera blinked at the sight. In the past year, she had never seen such a genuine smile from him, directed at her or anyone else. It sent shivers down her spine and warmed her cheeks. "Uh..."

"Forget something?" Nyrel's voice cut through her daze.

"No," Ephera shook her head. "I just got a bit light-headed when you smiled like that."

"What?"

Ephera smiled again, recovering. "You know, Emric doesn't mind if it's you."

"Since he met Lucy, he's been acting strangely. Don't trust his words," Nyrel replied.

"He's in love with her, did you notice?" Ephera asked, surprised.

"It's hard not to."

"Why don't you notice my love for you?"

"There's a distinction between love and obsessive curiosity," Nyrel shot back.

As they bantered, a speeding motorcycle came barreling toward them.

Nyrel's brows furrowed as he peered through his glasses, realizing the driver was quite clearly drunk. He glanced behind them and noticed a corner leading to a bridge.

"Move!" Grabbing Ephera's arm, he pulled her aside, waiting for the right moment before delivering a swift kick to the bike.

The motorcycle crashed, the driver rolling to the ground and injuring his hand, much to Ephera's shocked expression.

"Was it an accident? Yes. Yes, he's alive. Yes. Thanks." Nyrel spoke into his phone, briefly explaining the situation to the person on the line. He then approached the injured driver, putting him in a more comfortable position before returning to Ephera. "Let's go now."

Though he had said he would stay with the injured man, Nyrel had no intention of doing so. Saving the life of someone he held resentment for, even a drunk, was a significant act in itself. He had even hesitated before taking action to save him.

"Your cheek!" Ephera's voice was alarmed as she noticed the blood on Nyrel's cheek.

"Huh?"

"We need to go to the hospital!" Ephera grabbed Nyrel's hand and began dragging him.

"Hospital for a scratch? Do you want to become the talk of the hospital?" Nyrel raised an eyebrow.

"If it means you're treated, I don't mind."

"Your tendency to overreact is escalating-"

"Am I really overreacting?" Ephera suddenly turned to Nyrel, frustration evident in her expression. "Am I?"

Nyrel fell silent, taken aback by her question.

"You could have gotten hurt, even seriously injured. Is that how little you value your own life, Nyr?" Ephera's voice was earnest.

"I saved him, Ephera..." Nyrel furrowed his brows, not quite grasping her point.

"It's his actions that put him in this situation. He should face the consequences on his own and not have others jeopardize themselves for him. If he had survived, he might still have had a chance to make amends in this world. Don't put yourself in harm's way for someone who isn't deserving of it."

Though he had seen this side of Ephera before, it seemed more pronounced now.

"Every time, you question where you belong..." Ephera stepped closer to Nyrel, her hand resting gently on his chest. "Find me."

"Find you?"

"Yes, because..." A shy smile played on Ephera's lips. "You belong where I belong."