I Am The Game's Villain

"Then? What news have you got for me?" I questioned, my arms crossed as I leaned against the wall. My gaze remained fixed on Jiren, who stood shivering before me.

Jiren stammered, struggling to voice his thoughts. His eyes remained cast downward, unable to meet my piercing gaze.

Impatient, I waited for him to continue, my irritation growing. When the silence grew too protracted, I clicked my tongue impatiently.

"...! A-Allen just complained to me about S-Sephira and h-he wanted to prove himself to his older brother and sister! He is probably planning to do something to her or other H-Halves…" Jiren finally blurted out.

The news left me uninterested. Allen's obsession with Sephira was no concern of mine. It seemed he had nothing better to do with his time.

"Nothing about Alvara or Kendel?" I inquired, mentioning the two names that held a particular terror in the Academy.

Jiren flinched and turned pale at the mention of Alvara and Kendel, quickly shaking his head in response.

Those two held a unique kind of fear in the Academy, particularly among the Elves. Satisfied that I'd gleaned what information I could, I waved Jiren away and followed him at a distance.

Today was a special day, as we were going on a trip. It had been a month, and, as expected, nothing truly significant had occurred. While within the Game, events transitioned swiftly to the important parts, in real life, I had time to relax and live like an ordinary high school student.

It wasn't bad, honestly. I studied, ate, went out like a normal teenager. It was doing me some good. Last year, I'd been so obsessed with achieving that Happy Ending and preparing Jayden and Milleia that I'd barely had time to rest or think about myself. This time, I could relax more, especially with my family by my side.

It was honestly nice, but I couldn't deny that I missed that feeling of unpredictability and excitement in my life. I missed Layla, who had brought so much entertainment to my days in that wretched Academy. Now, since no one knew who I was, I felt like just another anonymous noble.

[<You just want to be the center of the world with you at the top, right?>]

"Who do you take me for?" I responded with a grimace.

[<You know, Amael…I've known you for a year now, and I have to admit that sometimes your behavior really resembles Lucifer's. I don't know if I should be worried or not.>]

"Do you know Lucifer?" I asked in surprise.

[<Yes…everyone knows him. He tried get me on his side.>]

"Is he another Zeus?" I chuckled.

[<Not at all. For him…women are not instruments of desire like Zeus thinks. He's a quite unique way of perception. Everything he's done was for…>]

There was an unusual pause from Cleenah.

'Blame his brother for what he has become,' I suggested.

[<Eden really loved his brother, but something happened, and everything went awry.>]

'And today, he's the most dangerous person for both mortals and Gods.'

Lucifer, Eden's youngest brother, was the [Main Antagonist] of the [Third Game], the Final Antagonist of All Games, the most dangerous and most hated character in the trilogy of [Princess And Dragon]. He was also the Evil God, the Game Edward contracted. I had barely played the Third Game, so I didn't know much about Lucifer, but...

I glanced at my trembling hands. Something wasn't right about me. I hadn't contracted Lucifer, and I didn't know him, so why did I feel this strange familiarity with him?

The only thing I knew was that if Lucifer managed to recover all his strength, this world would be doomed.

[<Amael, about Lucifer…you shouldn't try anything, trying to win him over with your knowledge. He wasn't cast away by Eden for nothing. If he manages to reach you…it will be over, Amael.>]

'Right,' I agreed, 'but Cleenah, I have a feeling you know the connection between me and Lucifer, as well as other things about me, don't you?'

[<Yes. I do. But do you really want to know right away? It will definitely burden you, and this knowledge won't do any good for you, Amael.>]

I smiled and nodded. 'I trust you, Cleenah, and you're right. I'm already busy enough with a lot of things.'

I still had time until the Third Game, after all.

Anyway, a new [Event] starts today.

We were all gathered in the Garden of the Academy, students from various classes, waiting with chatter filling the air.

Eventually, a Professor stepped forward. It was none other than James Raven.

"Silence, please," he requested, walking to the front of the crowd of students before addressing us. "You've all been briefed about this excursion to the Zestellas' Kingdom for the Practical Exam. The exam will consist of defeating a Mana Beast, which will be hidden in Zestel. However, the location and the method to defeat it will be unique to each Mana Beast you'll be assigned. It's your task to discover everything and bring us the defeated Mana Beast within three days."

I couldn't help but find it a bit of a hassle.

"I'll be overseeing this exam along with Professor Harvey, who is well-versed in this area," James added, giving a friendly nod to his colleague.

Of course, Harvey, the future head of the Zestella House, would be familiar with the location where the exam was to be held, right in his own Capital.

I had good feelings about Professor James Raven, but I couldn't deny that I would have given a big pass to Celeste's daddy.

At least I thought I could avoid the sis-con here...

"I'll also be assisted by a few graduated students."

Great.

"Oh! Look, it's the Student Council President!"

"Oh, Evan!"

"Even Miss Jennyfer is here!"

"I want her to oversee me."

Behind James Raven, a group of third-year students arrived, including Evan Indi Zestella and Jennyfer Eginfer, Jayden's sister.

I truly wonder if Zeus is reporting to Jayden about my actions here.

[<Well, I'm sure Jayden asked Zeus to make sure you don't harm his sister.>]

"That's quite harsh. I have no intention to kill another of his siblings. The first time was just a mere..."

[<Vengeance?>]

"Right."

I killed his innocent brother, who hadn't done anything wrong, in cold blood. It was an act I couldn't deny, and I found it despicable. While I had wanted to seek vengeance or perhaps manipulate Jayden, there could have been other paths to follow. But in the heat of the moment, my desire for revenge had led me to commit a terrible act. Because of him, I lost Jarvis and Mary, and I had nearly lost Annabelle after all.

In the grand scheme of things, I wasn't much different from Brandon, who, at least, had twisted justifications for his actions. My own actions were driven solely by vengeance.

Some people might understand my actions and not turn away. Cleenah was one such example, especially when it came to Annabelle. Layla, too, had seen my memories and hadn't reacted too negatively, but that was in line with her nature. However, I feared Miranda's reaction. I loved her deeply, but I worried that her affections were reserved for the better parts of me, the parts she was more familiar with. Ephera and Layla, on the other hand, loved me despite my flaws and my ongoing struggle with my inner problems.

The truth remained that ordinary, sane girls would likely never love someone like me, a person with a personality disorder capable of turning into a monster at any moment.

[<Ephera, Persephone and Layla love you despite that. Even Milleia and Seraphina in one way.>]

"Ephera, Persephone, and Layla aren't exactly the picture of sanity themselves," I replied. "Each of them has their quirks. But Milleia? She's something else entirely, and not in a good way."

Cleenah clarified, [<I don't know what kind of childhood she had, but awakening Raphiel's bloodline at the tender age of seven is nothing short of monstrous. To awaken a Divine Bloodline like Raphiel's requires more than just talent; it demands enduring psychological trauma.>]

My response held a touch of irony, "What exactly are you trying to do here, Cleenah? Are you attempting to create a soft spot for Milleia inside me?"

Cleenah quickly clarified her intentions, [<Definitely not. But you should remember that Milleia is one of the rare individuals who love you despite your dark past and she cares about you, that's certain.>]

"I'm quite honored," I replied simply.

Honestly, I didn't want to deal with Milleia right now. I was in the Second Game and I knew that I would have to deal with her next year when the Third Game will start. 

Anyway, she was dangerous.

Extremely dangerous, Layla warned me herself so I'd rather take care of her prepared next year.

[<You won't ask me about Seraphina?>]

'Well…'

Seraphina had always been cautious around me from the start. She was annoying me right from the start back then when I met her along Maria in the Holy Church.

At first, I just thought she was just a girl like that but as a Saintess' candidate, she should have received enough education to behave differently with me except…

She was aware that I was far from holy. She had persistently urged me to keep my distance with her and Maria.

Now, it was evident that she knew I wasn't aligned with Eden's side. It was truly remarkable how she had remained composed and refrained from reporting me to the Pope. Her insightfulness was a result of her unique bloodline, coupled with her inheritance of Saintess' powers, much like Maria and Helen.

[<It's because she's a 'Daughter' of Raphiel.>]

"Yeah…" I nodded, my expression conflicted.