I Am The Game's Villain

"I have a sense of déjà-vu…" I mumbled, finding myself once again in Professor Raven's office with John.

"As do I, Amael," James shook his head in exasperation.

John ignored both of us and took a seat with a groan.

Following his lead, I settled into the seat next to him.

Professor Raven's gaze on us remained stern, but he eventually sighed in exhaustion. It was clear he was already tired of dealing with both of us.

"Then it started with you, John? Tell me exactly what happened," he asked John.

John clicked his tongue. "They started it. They insulted me and my family, and I retaliated, and then they attacked me together like cowards."

"And I intervened to help my friend, that's all, Professor," I added with a smile.

Professor Raven looked sternly at my words. "You still severely wounded Allen Teraquin."

"Professor, you can ask any of my classmates. Allen Teraquin was about to beat me. I defended myself, that's all. It's merely self-defense," I said, feeling outraged.

"I believe you that Allen started it, but you should have at least held back," Professor Raven pointed out. "I'm only saying that for your sake. He is a Prince of the Teraquin House. Do you understand the kind of repercussions it could have on you and your family?"

"Has my aunt been made aware of this?" I asked.

James shook his head. "Not yet, but I don't expect Alea to scold you. She will be rather happy."

As expected of my mom.

"Listen, both of you aren't native to Sancta Vedelia. Queen Tanya won't let what happened to her son slide. Be prepared," James warned us.

Queen Tanya.

She was the Head of the Teraquin House and the mother of the three twisted royal siblings of the Teraquin House. She was the reason why her children grew up like that, honestly. She transferred her own hatred for humans and halves to her children.

"Thanks, Professor," I expressed my gratitude sincerely.

James Raven was undoubtedly the most caring professor I had encountered in Sancta Vedelia. He seemed genuinely worried about us, but the hands of authority were tied when it came to dealing with the Teraquins. Being royals, warnings and repercussions were directed to their parents.

With a wry smile, James Raven glanced at me before turning to John. "You're exactly like your father, John. Do you want me to transfer you to another class?"

"Are you suggesting I run away to another class? I'm not scared of them," John scowled.

"You misunderstand, John. Your situation is already complicated. If another incident occurs, you might face expulsion for the sake of maintaining harmony between Houses. Considering what happened, you might not be welcomed in your current class," James explained.

He was spot on.

Given what I said earlier, Alvara or Lykhor might not take kindly to me or John remaining in their class. They could try to cause trouble for us.

The Second Year Gold Class was under the complete control of Alvara and Lykhor. Adrian Dolphis, who had influence, didn't care about class competition or power struggles. He didn't oppose Alvara, who had proclaimed herself the leader of the Gold Class. His sole obsession was Alicia.

John remained silent, clearly understanding the situation.

James nodded, preparing to transfer John to another class, likely mine—

"Never," John interjected hastily. "Transfer me to the White Class."

"You don't want to be with your friend?" James inquired.

"I'd rather be anywhere else than in that class," John retorted.

I scoffed, a knowing look crossing my face. "Oh, could it be you just want to be in Amelia's class?"

John's eyes widened, glaring at me. "You bastard!"

"Come on, it's the only reason," I chuckled.

"I don't care about her! I just want to be nowhere near that witch Selene or those goody-two-shoes, Celeste and Cylien!" John countered.

Ah, I see.

He felt uneasy with the overly bright and cheerful atmosphere of that class. Turns out, he wasn't the sociable type.

"No, you just want to be near Amelia," I insisted, poking at him.

"Fuck you."

"Could both of you please calm down?" James intervened, massaging his forehead. "I will transfer you to the White Class then."

"Thanks," John mumbled, leaving immediately, clearly fatigued from the day's events.

"You're a good professor," I commented to James.

"I'm happy if my students think so," James replied modestly.

Considering everything that had happened to him, from his wife's divorce to his daughter's coldness, he truly deserved better. Knowing the truth, it was clear that he cared deeply for both his family and his House.

"I have a request, if you will, Professor Raven," I said.

"What is it? If it's within my duties as a professor," James responded, acknowledging the limitations of his role.

"I want you to take me as your personal student," I revealed my true intention.

James was left speechless at my unexpected request.

"I'm serious, Professor. I want you to teach me the Raven Style," I stated, meeting his crimson gaze with sincerity.

Mastering his style could significantly boost my strength. The Raven Style was renowned as one of the most formidable fighting styles in the world, surpassing even the Septem Treina I had learned from the old man.

James furrowed his brows. "You are aware that I can't do that, even if I wanted to. It's a legacy of my family."

"Partially, but you've adapted it, Professor," I pointed out.

"I regret that I cannot," James shook his head. "Even if you're Oryanna's son, I cannot teach you my 'style'."

"I suspected as much," I sighed, standing up. "But I'm confident that if I offer you something significant, you might reconsider."

James chuckled and shook his head once more. "I'm afraid not. You should learn from your mother. She's a force to be reckoned with."

While I acknowledged my mother's prowess, her fighting style didn't align with mine.

"I want yours, unfortunately. I will make you change your mind," I declared with a determined smile before leaving his office.

…

…

If I wanted to convince James Raven to take me as his pupil, I had to make him feel indebted to me. The idea that crossed my mind immediately was to mend his relationship with his wife and Alicia Raven. It would be tough, requiring solid evidence, but if it worked, James wouldn't hesitate to teach me even his Raven Style.

I needed to get stronger, even more so than before.

[<I'm more worried about little Layla finding out that you lost your virginity, Amael.>]

"That's… indeed worrying…." I grimaced, contemplating how the hell I could explain that to her. Rather, regardless whatever explanations I will give her, she won't hear me out...

I couldn't believe I got engaged again.

"You can't escape me…"

Huh?

I raised my gaze and grimaced again.

Me and my messed-up timings.

Another sense of déjà-vu struck me as I watched Adriana cornering Alicia, harassing her once again while the school was in a state of commotion.

"This guy…"

While the school was going through chaos, this guy was busy harassing his junior.

"..." Alicia, as usual, was closing her eyes while Adrian continued to touch her.

I closed my eyes for a moment before walking past them.

Adrian was so engrossed that this time he didn't notice me.

[<...>]

"..."

Turning on my heels, I took a quick step to my right, positioning myself in front of them.

Adrian frowned and shifted his gaze to me, separating his face from Alicia.

"Do you want to die?" Adrian said coldly.

Alicia, noticing my presence, opened her eyes and locked her gaze on me.

I looked back at him calmly. "I'm sorry, but can you move away? I'm in a hurry."

Adrian glared at me, pointing to the large corridor. "Leave now or you will die here."

When I ignored his words again, he took a step forward, facing me. We were at the same height.

There was a small silence until—

-BAM!

"Wha…!"

Adrian caught my leg just as it was about to reach his temple.

He had remarkable senses, and unlike Allen, he was a monster. I'll give him that, at least.

"Ruah," I muttered, continuing to push my leg toward his temple.

Adrian's grip on my leg tightened as he glared at me, both of us leaking powerful mana that surged through the entire corridor.

Even though I invoked Ruah, he firmly held my leg in place, displaying remarkable resilience compared to others.

"Anathemas Fire."

"...!" Purple fire enveloped my leg, clashing fiercely against the water Adrian summoned to protect himself. The collision caused an intense evaporation, shrouding us in hot smoke and cracking the ground beneath.

"Not bad," I smirked. Finally, someone capable of pushing me to my limits.

Adrian remained silent, his eyes glowing green. Sensing the impending surge, I readied myself. "Reverse Claw Foot."

-BAM!

Adrian gritted his teeth, attempting to shield himself but couldn't entirely withstand the force. He hastily raised his other arm to defend against the incoming impact.

-BOOOOM!

Adrian was propelled backward, breaking through the glass at a tremendous speed. The shock between our combined mana shattered every glass in the corridor.

-Thud.

Alicia, surprised, dropped her book, which landed on the ground.

"What an annoying guy," I muttered, frustrated. While he managed to protect himself at the last moment, at least he was out of the academy now.

Lowering my leg, I sighed, feeling that I made another enemy.

"..." Alicia looked at me in disbelief. I smiled, stooping to pick up her book.

"No need to thank me, junior," I quipped, handing her the book.

Alicia stared at me, looked down at the pages of her book, then looked up again.

"Then, bye," I said, walking on the broken glass, knowing my mom would likely have to cover the damage cost.

Continuing down the corridor, I raised a brow, turning my attention to the right junction.

"Celeste?" I murmured, surprised to see her there. "Were you spying on us?"

Celeste averted her gaze at my words. "I-I was just passing by."

"Oh?" I nodded before thinking for a moment and then smiled. "So, am I a coward now?"

Celeste looked at me, her mouth opening and closing. She shrugged and crossed her arms. "Maybe not."

"Maybe not?" I grimaced.

A small smile formed on Celeste's lips. "Yes."

She said before turning and leaving.