A Psychopath Reborn as a Third-rate Villain

The carriage carrying House Darkmoor continued its steady journey toward Ambrose Academy.

Far away, within the heart of the Holy Dominion, a magnificent cathedral stood beneath the morning sun.

Its towering white spires pierced the heavens, while countless stained-glass windows bathed the marble halls in radiant colors. Intricate carvings depicting the Goddess Veylora adorned every pillar, and silver-threaded banners fluttered gently in the breeze.

The cathedral was dedicated to Veylora, the Goddess of Fate.

Throughout the continent, she was revered as The First Weaver, for ancient legend claimed that before the world had taken shape, she had spun the first threads of reality itself, weaving together fate, time, and destiny.

Whether those legends were true, no one could say.

Yet for thousands of years, millions had devoted their lives to her worship.

Today, the cathedral was unusually lively.

Priests, nuns, and holy knights filled the central courtyard, their white robes swaying gently in the morning breeze.

At the center stood a young woman dressed in elegant white robes embroidered with delicate silver patterns.

Long platinum-blonde hair cascaded to her waist, and gentle sapphire-blue eyes reflected a serenity uncommon for someone her age.

She was only eighteen.

Her name was Vespera.

The newly appointed Saintess of the Church of Veylora.

Despite her youth, she carried herself with quiet dignity.

An elderly bishop stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

”Saintess.”

”Everything has been prepared.”

Vespera inclined her head.

”Thank you.”

Her gaze swept across the gathered clergy.

”I’ll return before long.”

Warm smiles spread through the crowd.

”We pray for your safe journey.”

”May the Goddess guide your every step.”

Vespera lowered her head once more.

”I shall not disappoint Her.”

Standing a few steps behind her was another young man, roughly the same age.

He possessed short golden hair, bright blue eyes, and an easygoing smile that radiated warmth.

Unlike Vespera’s composed demeanor, his expression retained an almost childlike innocence.

His name was Lucian.

Few knew the truth about him.

Eighteen years ago, the previous Saint had discovered an abandoned infant lying at the cathedral gates.

Wrapped only in a worn blanket, the child had neither a name nor a family.

No one ever discovered who his parents were.

The Church raised him as one of its own.

Over the years, he grew into a kind-hearted young man who devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Goddess.

Every priest and nun adored him.

One year ago...

His talent awakened.

On that very day, the previous Saint received a divine revelation.

A prophecy.

Lucian had been chosen as the Hero of the Goddess.

Only a handful of the Church’s highest-ranking members knew the truth.

The revelation remained a closely guarded secret.

If the outside world learned of the Hero’s existence before he became strong enough...

Countless forces would seek to eliminate him.

Lucian smiled at Vespera.

”Nervous?”

She let out a soft laugh.

”A little.”

”This is my first time leaving the Holy Dominion.”

”You’ll enjoy it.”

”I’m not going there to enjoy myself.”

She shook her head.

”The Church wishes to strengthen its relationship with the Empire.”

”We’ll be meeting many of the Empire’s future leaders.”

Lucian nodded.

”That’s true.”

The two entered the waiting carriage.

As the horses began to move, Vespera quietly gazed out the window.

Her thoughts drifted back several weeks...

To the night she became the new Saintess.

She had knelt before the sacred altar and offered a prayer with complete sincerity.

”Goddess...”

”Lucian is Your chosen Hero.”

”I will devote my life to supporting him on the path You have prepared for him.”

The moment her prayer ended—

Laughter echoed within her mind.

Ancient.

Gentle.

Timeless.

A voice unlike anything she had ever heard.

It spoke only a single sentence...

Then vanished.

Leaving behind nothing but silence.

Even now, weeks later...

Vespera still couldn’t forget it.

Those words continued to echo within her heart.

---

Far to the east...

Within Valebright Duchy...

Seraphina Valebright stood before the grand entrance of her family’s manor.

The Duke and Duchess watched their daughter with proud smiles.

”I’ll be leaving now.”

The Duchess stepped forward and embraced her gently.

”Take care of yourself.”

”I will.”

Seraphina smiled reassuringly.

Yet another face occupied her thoughts.

Andras.

A faint smile touched her lips.

”We’ll meet again soon.”

She stepped into her carriage.

Moments later, it departed toward Ambrose Academy.

---

Within the Imperial Palace...

Princess Aurelia prepared for her own journey.

Attendants busily packed books, uniforms, and luggage while royal knights assembled outside.

Unlike everyone else...

Her thoughts revolved around only one person.

Andras Darkmoor.

The banquet had left her with far too many unanswered questions.

What exactly was he?

Why couldn’t my talent perceive his true nature?

And why would he give me a gift like that?

She intended to uncover every answer herself.

Soon, the royal carriage rolled through the palace gates.

---

Meanwhile...

Within Ravenhart Manor...

Romeo Ravenhart released a long breath.

For nearly two weeks, he had lived in constant fear.

Every knock at the door.

Every arriving messenger.

Every unfamiliar carriage.

Each one made him wonder if House Darkmoor had discovered the truth.

Yet nothing happened.

No summons.

No retaliation.

No execution squad.

The silence convinced him of one thing.

The assassins had failed...

But they had died before revealing his name.

A smile slowly spread across his face.

”I’m safe...”

At least...

That was what he believed.

Completely unaware...

The wolf had already begun watching its prey.

---

Inside House Darkmoor’s carriage, the atmosphere was peaceful.

Golden sunlight filtered through the curtains as the carriage rolled steadily along the Imperial Highway.

Lyra sat opposite Andras, a neatly stacked pile of books resting beside her.

His gaze lingered on them before a faint smile appeared.

”I’m impressed.”

Lyra looked up.

”Young Master?”

”You accomplished exactly what I asked.”

”You spent the last two weeks strengthening your foundation instead of rushing ahead.”

A hint of pride flickered across her face.

”I tried my best.”

”You did well.”

He leaned back against the seat.

”Which means...”

”It’s finally time.”

Lyra blinked.

”...Time?”

”I’ll teach you.”

Her blue eyes widened.

”Really?”

Andras nodded.

”Everything begins with sensing mana.”

He raised one hand.

A tiny sphere of pale-blue mana appeared above his palm, rotating slowly like a miniature star.

”This...”

”...isn’t merely energy.”

”It is the foundation of every mage.”

He gently closed his hand.

The sphere dissolved into countless shimmering particles.

”They exist everywhere.”

”In the air.”

”In the earth.”

”In the water.”

”And even within every living creature.”

Lyra listened with complete concentration.

”The first lesson isn’t controlling mana.”

”It’s learning to perceive it.”

He pointed toward her chest.

”Close your eyes.”

She obeyed immediately.

”Slow your breathing.”

”Don’t chase mana.”

”Simply become aware of yourself.”

”The beat of your heart.”

”The warmth flowing through your blood.”

”The rhythm of every breath.”

Minutes passed.

Only the steady rumble of carriage wheels broke the silence.

Gradually, Lyra’s breathing slowed.

The tension left her shoulders.

Then...

”I...”

She frowned slightly.

”I think...”

”I feel something.”

Andras smiled.

”What does it feel like?”

”...Like tiny streams of warm water.”

”They’re flowing through my body.”

”Good.”

”That’s your mana.”

A smile slowly blossomed across Lyra’s face.

”I can really feel it...”

”You’ve taken your first step.”

His voice remained calm and patient.

”Mana meditation is simple in theory.”

”Guide those streams.”

”Expand them.”

”Allow them to circulate naturally.”

”Never force them.”

”If you force mana...”

”It will resist.”

”If you guide it...”

”It will follow.”

Lyra nodded earnestly.

”And... breakthroughs?”

Andras looked out the carriage window before answering.

”A breakthrough isn’t something you seize.”

”It’s something you prepare for.”

”When your mana reaches its limit...”

”When your control becomes refined...”

”When your foundation is stable...”

”The next Mana Ring forms naturally.”

He turned back toward her.

”Most people fail because they become impatient.”

”They try to force open the next stage.”

He shook his head.

”In doing so, they damage the very foundation they spent years building.”

Lyra absorbed every word.

”I understand.”

A faint smile appeared on Andras’ face.

”No.”

”You understand the theory.”

”True understanding...”

”...comes only after years of practice.”

Lyra laughed softly.

”I suppose that’s true.”

The carriage continued toward Ambrose Academy.

Beyond its windows, the endless road stretched toward the horizon.

The journey continued until the setting sun painted the western sky in shades of crimson and gold.

At last...

The Darkmoor carriage arrived at its destination.

Ambrose Academy.

The academy stood just outside the Imperial Capital, built atop a vast plateau overlooking the surrounding lands. Towering walls of white stone encircled the campus, while elegant spires and countless grand buildings rose beyond them, giving the academy the appearance of an independent city.

Although the new academic year would not begin until tomorrow, the area surrounding the academy was already bustling with activity.

Students from every corner of the Empire had begun arriving days in advance.

Many ordinary citizens had come as well.

They had no intention of studying there.

They simply wished to witness the Empire’s greatest academy with their own eyes.

Unable to enter the campus before enrollment officially began, they wandered through the lively streets surrounding it instead.

The roads were lined with markets selling magical artifacts, books, clothing, and souvenirs. Restaurants welcomed travelers with the aroma of freshly prepared meals, while inns and luxurious hotels stood ready to accommodate the endless stream of visitors.

The carriage came to a halt.

Andras stepped onto the street, followed closely by Lyra.

His gaze swept across the bustling surroundings before settling on a luxurious hotel not far from the academy’s main gate.

”That one.”

Lyra nodded.

”It looks comfortable.”

The two entered the hotel and quickly reserved a room for the night.

After continuous travel, both welcomed the opportunity to rest.

Night gradually fell over the academy district.

Inside their room, the candles burned softly, casting a warm glow across the quiet space.

The two spent the evening together in private before retiring for the night.

Outside, the streets remained lively with travelers excited for tomorrow’s opening ceremony.

Tomorrow...

A new Chapter of their lives at Ambrose Academy would finally begin.