I Am The Game's Villain

"Why does the Teraquin family always seem eager for a brawl…" Cylien sighed softly as she watched Celeste stepping in between Victor and Jiren.

"..." Selene, standing beside her, was silent, her crimson gaze locked on Victor's retreating form.

"Are you alright, Selene?" Cylien inquired, offering a friendly smile. She suspected that Selene might be a bit perturbed that Celeste had intervened before her. It was apparent to everyone, except perhaps Victor himself, that Selene had feelings for him. Victor took their connection as a deep friendship, which was adorable in its own way.

'It's rather endearing,' Cylien thought, finding this aspect of Victor quite charming.

"I am," Selene replied softly.

"Hm?" However, Cylien's attention was briefly diverted as her enchanting leaf green eyes caught sight of a young man who had remained inside the room while the other students left. He was undeniably handsome, but Cylien wasn't overly surprised; after all, she was a princess, not an ordinary maiden. Among Elves and Vampires, there were countless handsome men, like Cyril, for example, even though she didn't hold him in high regard. In her circle, even Victor held a certain allure due to his pale complexion and Half-Vampire features. But there was something distinct about this young man.

'His name is Amael, if I recall correctly.'

She remembered his name partly because he was from the prestigious Olphean House, and also because he was related to Connor Olphean, a well-known figure in the Academy.

She was aware of his criminal background, but it didn't faze her much. Rehabilitation of former criminals wasn't unheard of in the Academy. He didn't appear any more remarkable than the other Great Nobles. Still, she retained his name in her mind simply due to his noble status.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she observed Amael nimbly traversing the tables, paying no mind to the tension nearby. She noticed a subtle distortion in his expression as he passed, seemingly oblivious to the brewing conflict. As he continued without so much as a glance, Cylien's gaze lingered on him for a moment. While Selene remained fixated on Victor, Cylien's attention briefly strayed towards Amael.

"I don't form opinions based on birthright; it's one's character that counts, Jiren. And frankly, you're not exactly someone fit to be judging others," Celeste's voice brought her back to the problem.

"It's alright, Celeste…" Victor's voice sounded slightly awkward, his arm gently restraining her from further action as Jiren seethed nearby.

With an irritated face, Celeste turned and walked away, her teal eyes resolute.

"That was an intervention worthy of our Great Heroes, Celeste," Cylien quipped, her finger tapping playfully at her cheek.

Celeste turned her head slightly, her face a shade redder. "You should stop holding back when they insult you, Victor. You're a Great Noble, your stature surpasses theirs."

Victor rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "I know... but I don't want to—"

"...trouble my family," Selene completed Victor's sentence.

Victor glanced back, a warm smile on his lips. "Exactly," he agreed, before falling into step alongside his friends.

Celeste let out a sigh, her ears growing tired of the recurring comment she had heard countless times since last year. "Let's head to our assigned table in the cafeteria quickly."

"Agreed," Victor chuckled, falling into step.

"Hey! Hold on, please!" Celeste suddenly accelerated, her sprint aimed at the open elevator.

Victor, Selene, and Cylien followed her lead, hastening to catch the elevator. However, just as they approached, the elevator doors slid shut.

"Did he not hear me at all?!" Celeste stared incredulously at the now closed elevator doors and stomped the ground.

Cylien couldn't help but giggle, a sudden realization dawning on her.

'No doubt about it...'

The elevator doors seemed to have closed more swiftly in response to Celeste's plea.

Given that it was now her second year in the Academy, Cylien was familiar with how the elevators operated.

'Did he intentionally press the door-close button to avoid us?'

It might not be an issue for most, but with three princesses like them, it was a different story. Any regular individual might have held the elevator door open to be with them even Great Nobles.

….

….

"Thank goodness the table's unoccupied," Victor breathed a sigh of relief as he carefully balanced his plate, navigating his way to the designated table, joined by Celeste, Cylien, and Selene.

"Well, it's been our spot since last year," Celeste pointed out with a smile, her statement reflecting the familiarity of their presence to the others around.

"Yeah, and with the same group," Victor concurred.

Celeste nodded, turning to Cylien. "Though Cylien just started joining us more frequently last year."

"Did you miss me, Celeste?" Cylien teased with a grin.

"Absolutely!" Celeste responded playfully.

The group settled in and began their meal, engaging in light conversation.

"Professor Harvey is really skilled at teaching," Victor remarked thoughtfully.

"Indeed. I had him as a teacher last year, and he's quite effective," Cylien confirmed.

Celeste chimed in with a chuckle. "My dad is like that only within the Academy. At home, he transforms into a typical doting father, just like my older brother."

"Evan?" Victor questioned. "Is he still involved with the Academy even though he graduated last year?"

"Mm-hmm!" Celeste nodded, taking a bite of her food. "He's the newly appointed President of the Student Council."

"What?!" Victor's shock was palpable, and while Cylien found the news surprising, Selene seemed unfazed.

"You are surprised, right?" Celeste chuckled. "Imagine how stunned I was when he told me."

"Senior Evan has the capability for the role, Celeste," Cylien pointed out, humor lacing her words as she observed Celeste's playful exasperation.

Celeste sighed. "But it's still so awkward! I'm planning to join the Student Council, and now I'll be working with my brother. It's a little embarrassing... I'm just hoping he doesn't embarrass me the way Dad does…"

-Bam!

A sudden loud crash disrupted their conversation, prompting all four to turn their attention toward the source of the noise.

"Fighting on the very first day?" Victor expressed his disbelief under his breath.

"To hell with you, you motherf*cker."

All four of them winced at the black-haired man's direct and coarse language.

"He's also a rehabilitating student," Celeste observed the silver cuffs on John's wrists. "Is he crazy? He's in rehabilitation!"

Now, the attention of the entire ground floor of the cafeteria had been drawn to one table.

The two High Humans, initially frozen in shock at the unfolding scene, regained their composure and glared at John.

"You! How dare you!" The first one lunged forward with clenched fists, but John skillfully evaded the attack, causing the aggressor's face to land in his plate, splattering food.

"..." Cylien's gaze remained fixed as the second man at the table, Amael, calmly picked up his plate, holding it in one hand, and continued eating with his fork, as though completely unfazed by the brawl.

Meanwhile, the other attacker pressed forward, attempting a punch to John's stomach. John sidestepped the blow, his movement threatening to slide the table back, but Amael, with a simple raise of his foot, braced the table in place. He continued to eat, his eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before him, as if it was a curious entertainment.

"Ah!"

"Ugh!"

"Cough!"

What followed was a chaotic sequence as John adeptly handled all three aggressors. The onlookers were perplexed, unsure of where to direct their attention.

Should they focus on the brawl?

Or should they pay attention to the young man sitting just a meter away, calmly enjoying his meal while quietly observing the spectacle? The sight was surreal, leaving many unsure of what to make of it.

"What's going on with him…" Celeste's voice carried the shared confusion that many felt as they watched Amael nonchalantly nudge the table slightly with his foot, causing his chair to slide back and avoid colliding with the fallen body, all the while he continued to eat, as if this was the most ordinary of situations.

"Cease this immediately!" A loud voice resonated as approaching footsteps drew near.

"Father…" Victor murmured, noticing James Raven's arrival with an obvious frown on his face, indicating his disapproval.

James Raven's gaze first fell upon the three students who were now groaning on the floor. Then, he turned his attention to the scene at the table in question. One individual stood, another remained seated...

"...what are you doing?"

"Fighting."

"Eating."

"........."

John's and Amael's simultaneous and contrasting responses filled the air.

James Raven's cheek twitched slightly, caught off guard by their candid yet exasperating answers. He directed a cold stare at them. "Both of you. My office. Immediately."