A Psychopath Reborn as a Third-rate Villain

After finishing breakfast, Andras quietly left the dining hall.

The massive doors closed behind him with a muted thud as servants along the corridor bowed respectfully. His expression remained calm, but beneath that composed exterior, his thoughts moved rapidly.

There was something important he needed to confirm.

Without wasting time, he headed toward the library using the memories left behind by the original Andras.

The corridors of the Darkmoor Estate stretched endlessly around him, lined with black marble pillars, silver chandeliers, and portraits of past dukes who had once ruled the duchy.

The mansion resembled less a noble residence and more a royal palace.

Eventually, Andras stopped before two enormous doors crafted from dark wood and engraved with intricate silver patterns.

The library.

He pushed the doors open.

The scent of aged parchment and polished wood greeted him immediately.

Andras stepped inside and silently surveyed the vast chamber.

The library was enormous.

Towering bookshelves stretched toward the distant ceiling, filled with ancient tomes, scrolls, and records accumulated by the Darkmoor family over countless generations. Some shelves were so high that enchanted ladders had been attached to them, moving on their own when needed.

Floating crystals drifted near the ceiling, bathing the room in a soft silver glow.

Several long tables carved from dark oak occupied the center of the chamber. Velvet chairs surrounded them, while ancient globes, detailed maps, and mysterious magical artifacts rested inside glass displays near the walls.

Even kings would struggle to assemble a collection of this magnitude.

Andras walked deeper into the library, his footsteps echoing softly against the marble floor.

Soon, he arrived at the history section.

The reason was simple.

He needed to confirm whether this world truly matched the Rise of the Sword Hero he remembered.

In countless stories from his previous life, protagonists transmigrated into novels only to discover that certain events had changed. Some characters behaved differently. Some historical details were altered.

Small differences often led to completely different futures.

Andras could not afford to place blind trust in his memories.

Outside the system, knowledge was his greatest weapon.

If the future remained unchanged, then he possessed an advantage beyond imagination.

But if things had diverged from the original story...

Ignorance could easily become fatal.

After several minutes of searching, Andras finally pulled out a thick volume bound in dark leather.

The Chronicles of Xandria.

He selected several other books as well before carrying them to a nearby table.

After taking a seat, he opened the first book.

The pages were old, yet perfectly preserved through magic.

Andras began reading.

Time passed quietly within the library.

According to the records, the world was called Xandria.

Exactly as it had been in the novel.

Xandria was divided into four great continents.

Valtharyn.

Cirdia.

Vesperia.

Daemonia.

Andras’s eyes narrowed slightly as he continued reading.

Valtharyn was the homeland of humanity.

Empires, noble houses, and Ambrose Academy all existed there. It was widely regarded as the political center of the world due to the influence and power of the human race.

It was also the continent where Andras currently lived.

Then came Cirdia.

The land of the elves.

Ancient forests overflowing with mana covered nearly the entire continent. The elves valued beauty, magic, bloodlines, and nature above all else. Their cities were hidden among colossal silver trees that had existed long before most human kingdoms were founded.

After that came Vesperia.

The continent ruled by vampires.

Unlike the tranquil forests of Cirdia, Vesperia was a dark and frigid land where powerful vampire clans governed through strength and bloodline superiority. Crimson moons frequently illuminated its skies, a phenomenon caused by the continent’s unusual mana atmosphere.

And finally—

Daemonia.

The continent of demons.

Andras paid closer attention as he reached that section.

Daemonia was considered forbidden territory throughout the rest of the world.

Centuries ago, a devastating war had erupted between the demons and the alliance formed by humans, elves, and vampires.

Entire kingdoms vanished during that conflict.

Millions perished.

Even now, the hatred born from that war had never fully faded.

As a result, demons were viewed as enemies across most of Xandria.

Travel to Daemonia was strictly forbidden.

Andras continued reading before a faint thought crossed his mind.

Every generation produced its share of fools.

No matter how dangerous a place became, there would always be people drawn toward it.

Throughout history, countless adventurers had ventured into Daemonia hoping to uncover its secrets.

Most never returned.

Humans were curious by nature.

There was a reason the phrase ”curiosity killed the cat” existed in both worlds.

The more mysterious something became, the more desperately people wanted to uncover it.

Some truths seemed universal.

Andras leaned back slightly after reading several more pages.

Everything matched perfectly.

The continents.

The races.

The history.

Even the details of the ancient war remained exactly the same.

A faint sense of relief settled within him.

Good.

Very good.

That meant the future events he remembered would most likely remain unchanged as well.

He continued reading through several additional books.

There were records detailing the history of Valtharyn’s empire, information regarding influential noble families, and documents describing the founding of Ambrose Academy.

According to the records, the academy had existed for more than a thousand years and was established by the legendary Peak Ninth Circle Mage, Ambrose himself.

Even after death, his influence continued to shape the world.

The academy accepted both nobles and commoners, though nobles naturally dominated its political structure. Every major noble family sent their most talented heirs there.

Humans.

Elves.

Even vampires.

Students from every corner of the world gathered within its walls to study magic, swordsmanship, mana control, and combat arts.

Andras quietly closed another book after finishing it.

His expression remained calm, but his mind was already calculating.

If history remained unchanged...

Then the protagonist would remain the same.

The heroines.

The villains.

The major events.

Everything.

A faint smile almost formed on his lips before fading away.

Slowly, he returned the final book to its shelf.

The library had grown quieter during the hours he spent reading. Above, the floating crystals dimmed slightly as evening approached.

Andras turned and made his way toward the exit.

The heavy doors closed behind him as he stepped back into the corridor.

By the time he returned to his room, it was nearly time for the afternoon meal.

He entered quietly, his eyes sweeping across the chamber.

The broken tray from earlier had disappeared.

The floor had been cleaned spotless.

Even the bedsheets had been replaced with fresh ones.

Andras immediately understood who was responsible.

Lyra.

A faint smile touched his lips.

She really was efficient.