I Am The Game's Villain

It had been three days since the academy reopened.

Three days of the same cold stares, hushed whispers, and an isolation so absolute it almost felt orchestrated and indeed it was!

And honestly? At this point, I was starting to get used to it. Even the professors—who were supposed to be the mature ones here—weren't above blatantly ignoring me.

Mature, my ass.

It wasn't just the students. Their parents had made sure their precious sons and daughters knew exactly what to do: avoid me like the plague, pretend I didn't exist, and under no circumstances, under any circumstances, should they even think about getting friendly with me.

And for what, exactly?

Did they think I was plotting some grand act of revenge? That I'd set up a terrorist attack on Sancta Vedelia just because I was banished? The whole thing was ridiculous.

I wasn't about to cry over it, but that didn't mean it didn't piss me off. The way they all deliberately avoided me, whispering behind my back like I was some cursed relic of the past. The isolation itself wasn't what bothered me—I had no interest in befriending these self-righteous idiots—but being the constant center of attention, the unspoken villain in their little narrative? That got under my skin.

If I could, I'd have dropped out in a heartbeat. But, of course, that wasn't an option. If I left, they'd probably cut me out of the upcoming trip to Fangoria, which I couldn't afford. The next Event was happening there, and like it or not, I had no choice but to stick around.

In the past three days, I'd barely spoken to anyone. Alicia was the only exception since the library was one of the few places where I could get some peace.

As for John? Yeah, we hadn't exchanged a single word. He was always with Amelia now, and he hadn't made any effort to reach out to me. Not that I blamed him.

The last time we spoke, it ended in an argument, and we hadn't been on good terms since. Then I went off and got married to a new woman, handed the Seed of Eden over to Utopia, and basically made a series of decisions that he probably thought were reckless and selfish.

So, yeah. I wouldn't be surprised if he was pissed.

But it wasn't like I could just reach out to him and ask about his decision. He had his own share of burdens, just as I had mine.

Not that it mattered. My decision had already been made, and I had no regrets—not even after the decision of banishment. I stood by everything I had done for Utopia. Something had to be done to ensure they never dared to move against Sancta Vedelia again.

And practically enslaving Utopia, imprisoning them under the strict rule of a so-called victorious warlord, would never bring peace. If anything, it would only stoke the flames of vengeance.

That was why giving power to Freyka had been the best choice. She never wanted a war with Sancta Vedelia in the first place. She only wanted her body back. Viessa had infiltrated Sancta Vedelia to retrieve it for her, but in the end, they had failed.

My gaze drifted down to the bracelet on my wrist—Viessa's bracelet.

I had considered asking Freyja about it, but in the end, I kept my silence. I still didn't completely trust her. Not yet.

I had no idea why she had given me this bracelet or what its purpose was, but I had a feeling I would find out soon enough. Right now, though, there were more immediate matters to deal with.

Peeking around the corner, I scanned the hallway ahead.

My target was the classroom just down the corridor—the White Class lecture hall. I needed to talk to John.

Technically, I had a class right now, but I had chosen to skip it. One missed lesson wasn't going to make a difference. Besides, ever since I returned to the academy, Brian Moonfang—Roda's father— hadn't stopped glaring at me. I had no interest in sitting through another class under his judgmental stare.

And the real reason I was lurking instead of waiting out in the open?

Elizabeth was in the White Class.

That alone was enough of a reason to stay out of sight.

Ever since her sudden shift in behavior, she had been more aggressive than ever, and dealing with her on top of everything else weighing on my mind was exhausting.

If she saw me here, she would definitely pounce on me again.

[<Pathetic.>]

Shaddap.

Right now, I just needed to talk to John without any issues.

I waited patiently, watching as their class finally ended. Slowly, the students trickled out, heading toward the cafeteria for lunch. I remained hidden, biding my time. Then, when I saw Elizabeth step out of the classroom, I instinctively shrank back further into the shadows.

She was alone. As always.

Compared to the beginning of the year, when she had at least some classmates around her, now people kept their distance, making a clear gap around her as she walked. Not that I could blame them.

Elizabeth practically radiated a murderous aura, something raw and oppressive that sent shivers down everyone's spine. Even from here, I could feel it.

Luckily, she didn't seem all that focused. She walked off without noticing me. If she had been paying attention, she might've caught the scent of my blood.

Two minutes after she disappeared down the hallway, John finally stepped out of the classroom—predictably with Amelia glued to his side. The two were practically inseparable, walking so closely they might as well have been holding hands.

They headed in the opposite direction. Away from the cafeteria.

So they're planning to eat alone together, huh?

This guy sure has changed.

I waited until they were just about to pass me before I called out.

"John."

John stopped mid-step, turning his head to the left.

"Amael?" Amelia blinked in surprise.

I smirked slightly. "Mind if I borrow your boyfriend? Unless, of course, you need him to pamper you during lunch."

Amelia turned a little red, then quickly nodded. "O–Of course! John, I'll be waiting at our usual spot." With that, she left in a hurry.

Silence stretched between us for a moment before John finally spoke.

"What do you want?" He asked curtly.

I raised an eyebrow. "What's your 'usual spot'?"

John shot me a glare.

I was tempted to mock him further but held back—for now.

"It's been a while. I think we should talk," I said instead.

"After class." He turned to leave.

Sure, that would've been an ideal time—but I already had plans after class.

"Now." I made my tone serious.

John eyed me for a long second, then reluctantly agreed.

We walked side by side through the emptying academy hallway, a strange silence lingering between us. Finally, I broke it.

"You seem pretty relaxed for someone whose girlfriend is being targeted by Behemoth."

John let out a scoff. "You think I am?"

"Yeah, pretty much. Behemoth's gonna attack during our trip to the capital of Fangoria—or did you just forget?" I asked, sarcastically

John snorted. "I didn't forget. It's been on my mind this whole time. Grukel confirmed that Behemoth plans to use Amelia to resurrect Deborah Dolphis."

I frowned. So it really was the case, huh?

I had my doubts. From what I remembered, they only needed a royal Dolphis pureblood to activate the Horns of Behemoth. But now they wanted to bring back that madwoman, too?

"They're a lot more ambitious than they were in the game," I muttered.

"Forget that game. Nihil made it for his own damn projects," John scoffed.

"Yeah." I nodded, but the thought lingered.

If Nihil really had knowledge of the future—or at least, a future—shouldn't he have included Deborah Dolphis's resurrection in the game? Or maybe, in the timeline he saw, Amelia wasn't the one used to bring her back?

I mean, there was nothing like resurrecting Deborah Dolphis plot in the game. That whole resurrection thing was only concerning her mad partner Xenos.

Honestly, I had no clue at this point.

"Do you remember how it goes?" I asked, glancing at John.

He furrowed his brows, deep in thought. I couldn't blame him for struggling to recall. Like Eric, he had an early transmigration, so his memories must've been muddled. As for me? Well, I wasn't exactly known for my flawless memory either. It had been, what, three or four years since I played that part?

"Wasn't it that historical cave?" John finally said.

"Yeah. That's where they'll use the two Horns to bring Behemoth back," I confirmed.

It wouldn't be the true Behemoth—only a weakened version—but even that would be a complete disaster.

The only one who had ever managed to kill Behemoth was Victor Quinn Raven, a Demigod at that time. And he died in the process.

If they actually succeeded in bringing Behemoth back… things would get ugly.

Especially with the three other Executives there as well.