"Lucian Valemont," the boy said, loud enough for people nearby to hear. "The infamous bastard of House Valemont. I've heard so much about you."
Murmurs spread through the students still lingering.
Here we go, Lucian thought.
In the original story, this was Marcus Thornwell—a minor antagonist. Arrogant son of a wealthy merchant house. He picked on the original Lucian constantly, and Lucian always took the bait.
Marcus stepped closer, arms crossed. "Tell me, is it true you used to be a prodigy? Or was that just a rumor to make your fall more entertaining?"
His cronies laughed.
Lucian felt eyes on him. Students watching. Waiting to see how he'd react.
The old Lucian would have snapped. Would have challenged Marcus right here.
Would have lost.
Instead, Lucian smiled.
Not a fake smile. A genuine, calm, almost pitying smile.
"You must be Marcus Thornwell," Lucian said evenly. "Son of Thornwell Trading Company, right? I've heard your father recently secured a contract with the Northern Merchant Guild."
Marcus blinked, thrown off. "...Yes. What of it?"
"Nothing. Just making conversation." Lucian's tone was perfectly polite. "Congratulations on your family's success. I'm sure you're very proud."
He stepped around Marcus, heading for the exit.
Marcus's face flushed. "Wait—I wasn't done talking to you!"
Lucian paused, glanced back. "Oh. I'm sorry, did you have something important to say? I thought you were just making small talk."
The crowd's murmurs shifted. A few students snickered—not at Lucian, at Marcus.
Marcus's sneer cracked. He'd been ready for anger, for a fight.
Not... polite dismissal.
"I—You—" Marcus stammered.
"Have a good evening," Lucian said pleasantly, and walked away.
Behind him, he heard Marcus's friends trying to salvage the situation, but the damage was done.
Lucian had just completely defused what should have been his first public humiliation.
[STORY DEVIATION DETECTED]
Original Event: Lucian Valemont argues with Marcus Thornwell, loses verbal confrontation, becomes target of mockery.
Your Action: Politely deflected confrontation, maintained composure.
Result: Reputation penalty avoided. Minor positive impression created.
Fate Points earned: +5
Lucian felt a surge of satisfaction.
Five points for not being a complete idiot. The bar is so low it's practically underground, but hey, I'll take the win.
He was starting to like this system.
That night, back in his dorm room, Lucian reviewed his progress.
[MISSION UPDATE]
Mission: "The Villain's First Step"
Do NOT challenge anyone to a duel for the first week.
Progress: Day 1 complete. 6 days remaining.
[FATE POINTS: 5]
[SHOP UNLOCKED]
Lucian's eyebrows rose. "Shop?"
A new window appeared:
[VILLAIN'S SHOP]
Use Fate Points to purchase skills, items, and information.
SKILLS:
Swordsmanship (Basic) - 10 FP
Mana Control (Intermediate) - 20 FP
Charm Enhancement - 15 FP
INFORMATION:
Hidden Event Locations - 5 FP
Character Secret (Minor) - 10 FP
Story Arc Preview - 25 FP
ITEMS:
Low-Grade Mana Potion x3 - 5 FP
Enchanted Training Sword - 15 FP
More items unlock as you progress.
Lucian studied the options.
Five points wasn't much. But "Hidden Event Locations" caught his eye.
In the original novel, there were dozens of hidden opportunities scattered around the academy. Secret training spots. Forgotten artifacts. Encounters that could change everything.
The protagonist stumbled onto them "by fate."
But if Lucian knew where they were...
He selected Hidden Event Locations.
[PURCHASE CONFIRMED: -5 FP]
[REVEALING HIDDEN OPPORTUNITIES...]
A map of the academy appeared in his vision, marked with glowing points.
Lucian's eyes widened.
There were at least twenty markers. Some in obvious places—libraries, training halls. Others in strange locations—abandoned towers, underground passages, the Forbidden Forest.
One marker pulsed brighter than the rest, located in the East Training Grounds - Night.
[SPECIAL EVENT AVAILABLE TONIGHT]
"The Moonlit Duel"
Seraphina Ashenblade trains alone at midnight when she thinks no one is watching. In the original story, the protagonist discovers her secret training spot and they bond over combat.
Alternative Action Available: You can encounter her instead.
Lucian checked the time.
11:47 PM.
He had thirteen minutes.
His heart raced.
This was it. The first major story deviation.
In the original timeline, Cassian met Seraphina tonight. They sparred. He impressed her with his "natural talent." It was the beginning of their romantic subplot.
But if Lucian went instead...
He could steal the protagonist's encounter.
Change the story fundamentally.
[WARNING: ALTERING MAJOR STORY EVENTS INCREASES FATE CORRECTION RISK]
Lucian stared at the warning.
Then dismissed it.
"If I'm going to rewrite this story," he muttered, pulling on his coat, "I might as well start with the biggest changes."
He grabbed a practice sword from his room and headed out into the night.
The East Training Grounds were empty.
Moonlight bathed the combat rings in silver. The air was cool and still.
Lucian walked quietly, following the system's marker.
And there she was.
Seraphina stood in the center ring, sword in hand, moving through combat forms with fluid precision.
But something was different.
Her usual confidence was... softer. More vulnerable.
She wasn't showing off. She was practicing. Genuinely trying to improve.
Her movements were beautiful—each strike perfect, each step measured.
But there was frustration in her eyes.
Lucian watched from the shadows.
[VILLAIN'S INSIGHT - UPDATED]
Seraphina's Current Emotion: Frustrated
She feels unchallenged. Everyone treats her like she's already perfect. No one pushes her to grow.
Lucian stepped into the moonlight.
"You drop your left shoulder when you transition from overhead strike to side slash."
Seraphina spun, sword raised, eyes wide.
"Who—"
She saw him. Recognition flickered across her face.
"...Lucian Valemont?" Her voice was sharp, defensive. "What are you doing here?"
In the original story, Lucian would have challenged her. Would have demanded a duel. Would have embarrassed himself.
But this Lucian just smiled slightly.
"Couldn't sleep. Saw someone training and got curious." He nodded toward her sword. "That last form—you're compensating for something. Your left side is weaker."
Seraphina's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Are you critiquing me?"
"Observing," Lucian corrected. "There's a difference."
She stared at him.
Everyone always praised her. Told her she was perfect. Amazing. Flawless.
No one had ever pointed out a flaw before.
Especially not Lucian Valemont—the academy's newest laughingstock.
"You think you can do better?" she challenged.
Here it was.
The trap.
If he said yes, she'd challenge him to prove it. He'd lose. Story back on track.
Lucian met her gaze calmly.
"No."
Seraphina blinked. "...What?"
"I can't do better," Lucian said honestly. "You're far more skilled than I am. But that doesn't mean I can't see the flaw."
She looked completely thrown.
"Then why are you here?"
Lucian shrugged. "Like I said. Couldn't sleep."
He turned to leave.
"Wait."
He paused.
Seraphina lowered her sword slightly, studying him with new eyes.
"You're not going to challenge me?"
"Why would I?"
"Because—" She hesitated. "That's what you do. What you're known for. Challenging people you can't beat."
Lucian smiled, sad and knowing.
"Maybe I'm tired of losing."
Silence.
The wind rustled through the training grounds.
Seraphina's expression shifted—confusion, curiosity, something else.
"You're... different than I expected," she said slowly.
"People change." Lucian started walking away. "Good luck with your training, Ashenblade."
"Seraphina."
He looked back.
She was watching him with an unreadable expression.
"Call me Seraphina," she said. "And... you can come back. If you want. To watch. Or... whatever."
[AFFECTION INCREASED]
Seraphina Ashenblade: -10 → 5
Status: Curious
Lucian felt the system's notification but kept his expression neutral.
"Maybe I will."
He walked away, leaving her standing alone in the moonlight.
Behind him, Seraphina stared after him, sword still in hand, thoughts racing.
What just happened?
[MISSION UPDATE]
Major Story Event Altered: "The Moonlit Duel"
Original: Protagonist meets Seraphina, they bond through combat.
Your Version: You met Seraphina, intrigued her without fighting.
Fate Points earned: +15
[NEW MISSION UNLOCKED]
Mission: "The Ice Princess's Attention"
Elira Frostveil will notice you within three days. Make a positive first impression.
Reward: +20 FP, Skill: "Frost Affinity"
Failure: She marks you as an enemy early.
[TOTAL FATE POINTS: 15]
Lucian collapsed onto his bed, heart still racing.
He'd just stolen the protagonist's first romantic encounter.
And it had worked.
A grin spread across his face.
"This," he whispered to the ceiling, "is going to be fun."
Outside his window, in the Central Tower, Cassian Brightmore prepared for bed—completely unaware that his destined meeting with Seraphina Ashenblade had just been erased from fate.
The story was breaking.
And Lucian was just getting started.