A Psychopath Reborn as a Third-rate Villain

The forest trembled beneath the fury of battle.

Ancient trees swayed violently as deafening roars rolled across the woodland. Every earth-shaking collision sent flocks of birds bursting into the sky, while the ground quaked beneath the weight of an overwhelming presence.

High above the battlefield...

A lone figure stood upon the broad branch of an ancient tree.

Andras Darkmoor.

His white hair swayed gently in the breeze as his violet eyes calmly observed the battle unfolding below.

There wasn’t the slightest hint of impatience on his face.

He had finally found the student he had been searching for.

His gaze settled upon the graceful elf weaving effortlessly through the forest.

Without taking his eyes off the battlefield, he spoke inwardly.

”System.”

”Show me her status.”

A familiar mechanical voice echoed within his mind.

[Ding!]

A translucent blue panel materialized before him.

---

[Name: Elaria Sylvanis]

[Race: Elf]

[Age: 18]

[Class: Mage]

[Bloodline: World Tree Bloodline]

[Realm: Peak Fourth Circle Mage]

[Talent: Nature’s Dominion (S-Rank)]

---

A faint smile appeared on Andras’s lips.

”As expected...”

One of the greatest prodigies of the younger generation.

Even among the elves, her talent was considered extraordinary.

In the original story...

Elaria Sylvanis was destined to become one of the continent’s greatest mages.

A peerless genius.

A woman admired by countless people... and envied by just as many.

Her brilliance was undeniable.

Unfortunately...

Talent alone could never overcome fate.

She was destined to meet a tragic end long before reaching the summit that should have belonged to her.

A waste of extraordinary potential.

Andras watched her in silence as another violent explosion shook the battlefield.

”...Perhaps.”

”...I should change that fate.”

”So that one day...”

”...her talent can be of use to me.”

His thoughts ended there.

The future could wait.

The battle before him demanded his complete attention.

---

Outside the Simulation Realm...

Dozens of enormous crystal screens floated above the academy’s grand observation arena.

Each screen displayed a different battlefield within the examination.

Thousands of spectators watched with eager anticipation.

Cheers erupted whenever a student defeated a powerful monster.

Gasps spread through the crowd each time another participant was eliminated.

Inside the professors’ observation chamber...

Rows of crystal displays hovered in midair, each monitored by one or more instructors.

Some professors focused on Princess Aurelia as she led her newly formed party through the forest with remarkable composure.

Others observed the students currently occupying the highest ranks on the hidden scoreboard.

Meanwhile...

Professor Elowen quietly shifted her crystal display from one participant to another.

Her emerald eyes remained calm beneath long strands of silky green hair.

Like all elves, her beauty possessed an ageless elegance.

Sharp yet graceful features rested upon her fair face, while emerald robes embroidered with silver leaves identified her as one of Ambrose Academy’s senior professors.

Very little surprised her anymore.

Until today.

Her crystal screen stopped.

A white-haired young noble sat leisurely atop a massive tree branch.

Instead of hunting monsters...

He was calmly drinking aged rum.

Smoking an elegantly crafted ebony pipe.

Watching the entrance examination as though he were enjoying an afternoon picnic.

Professor Elowen slowly raised an eyebrow.

”...Interesting.”

She continued watching.

Moments later...

A young vampire landed beside him.

The unusual conversation that followed gradually drew genuine amusement from her.

When the vampire shyly admitted that she wanted to know what it felt like to become drunk...

A faint smile appeared on Professor Elowen’s lips.

That smile widened when Andras casually allowed her to drink his blood.

It widened even further when the intoxicated vampire completely lost her composure.

Then...

Rather than exploiting the situation...

The young man calmly struck a precise point on her neck and quietly put her to sleep.

”...How unexpected.”

Her interest deepened.

Soon afterward...

He effortlessly killed a C-Rank monster.

Saved another student from certain death.

Then immediately eliminated that same student without the slightest trace of hesitation.

Professor Elowen couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

Several nearby professors turned toward her in surprise.

One of them blinked.

”...Professor Elowen?”

”I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you laugh.”

She ignored the remark entirely.

Her emerald eyes never left the crystal screen.

”This child...”

”...is unlike any student I’ve ever seen.”

Cold.

Logical.

Patient.

Every action served a purpose.

Every decision was calculated.

While everyone else rushed headlong into battle...

He simply waited.

Watching.

Planning.

Calculating.

Now...

He was silently observing another student risk her life against a powerful monster.

Waiting for something.

Professor Elowen’s curiosity grew stronger.

”What exactly are you planning...”

”...Andras Darkmoor?”

---

Back inside the Simulation Realm...

The Obsidian Earth Bear unleashed a deafening roar.

Its four-meter body crashed through the forest like a living mountain.

Every thunderous step shattered the earth beneath its feet.

Opposite the monster...

Elaria Sylvanis stood with her silver bow drawn.

Her emerald eyes remained unwavering.

Calm.

Focused.

Mana gathered around the arrow resting upon her bowstring.

The surrounding forest answered her call.

Roots burst from the earth.

Towering vines coiled around nearby trees.

Every leaf shimmered with vibrant emerald light.

”Spirit Arrow.”

The bowstring sang.

The glowing arrow became a streak of green light.

BOOM!

It struck the bear squarely in the shoulder before erupting into countless enchanted vines that wrapped around its enormous body.

For a single heartbeat...

The beast stopped moving.

Then—

CRACK!

The vines exploded apart.

The Obsidian Earth Bear roared as overwhelming physical strength tore through every restraint.

Without wasting the opening...

Elaria fired again.

Three arrows flashed through the air.

Each found a weakness within the monster’s obsidian armor.

Blood splashed across the shattered battlefield.

The bear staggered.

Only for an instant.

Its golden eyes burned with even greater fury.

Then—

It charged.

The earth exploded beneath its feet.

Elaria glided gracefully between the towering trees.

Branches bent beneath invisible mana, creating perfect footholds.

Roots shifted beneath the ground, slowing the pursuing monster at every opportunity.

Again and again...

She escaped by mere inches.

BOOM!

A massive oak exploded into splinters.

BOOM!

Another punch shattered the ground itself.

Shockwaves flattened nearby bushes and sent broken branches flying through the air.

Despite the relentless assault...

Elaria remained astonishingly composed.

Her breathing never became hurried.

Every movement was efficient.

Every spell was perfectly timed.

Every arrow struck the growing fractures spreading beneath the creature’s obsidian armor.

Minutes passed.

The once-beautiful forest had become a wasteland.

Ancient trees lay broken across the ground.

Smoke drifted lazily between shattered trunks.

The bear’s breathing became noticeably heavier.

So did hers.

A thin stream of blood trickled down Elaria’s arm.

Her mana reserves had fallen considerably.

Yet...

The monster refused to fall.

Suddenly—

The Obsidian Earth Bear threw back its head.

A thunderous roar erupted from its throat.

The crimson veins beneath its obsidian armor blazed like molten lava.

Wild mana surged from its body.

The earth trembled violently.

Elaria’s expression changed for the first time.

Without warning...

The monster slammed both colossal fists into the ground.

BOOOOOOM!!

The forest erupted.

Hundreds of towering stone pillars burst violently from beneath the earth.

The devastating attack spread across the battlefield like an earthquake.

Elaria reacted instantly.

She leaped backward.

One pillar narrowly missed her.

Another scraped across her shoulder.

The third—

CRACK!

Slammed directly into her side.

She was launched across the battlefield, crashing through two ancient trees before finally rolling across the broken earth.

Blood stained the silver armor protecting her waist.

A soft cough escaped her lips.

Even so...

She forced herself back to her feet.

Pain surged through her body.

The bear gave her no opportunity to recover.

It charged again.

This time...

It was faster.

Much faster.

The battle changed completely.

No longer did Elaria control the pace.

Every exchange became dangerous.

She dodged by fractions of an inch.

Stone fists pulverized everything they touched.

Roots and vines delayed the monster time and time again...

Only to be torn apart moments later.

An arrow pierced its thigh.

A crushing swipe sent Elaria sliding backward.

She retaliated with another spell.

The bear answered with overwhelming brute force.

The forest echoed endlessly with explosions.

Both combatants accumulated injuries.

Neither retreated.

Finally...

Elaria inhaled slowly.

The surrounding mana surged toward her bow.

Dozens of emerald magic circles appeared behind her.

The forest itself seemed to awaken.

Every remaining leaf shimmered brilliantly.

She slowly drew the bowstring.

Nature’s mana compressed into a single radiant arrow.

The surrounding wind fell silent.

Even the monster hesitated instinctively.

”World Spirit Arrow.”

The bowstring released.

The emerald beam pierced across the battlefield with overwhelming speed.

The Obsidian Earth Bear tried to evade.

Too late.

BOOOOOOM!!

The arrow struck directly beneath its neck.

Spirit energy exploded inside its body.

The enormous beast staggered backward.

Its obsidian armor shattered apart.

Blood erupted from countless wounds.

Its massive legs trembled violently.

Then...

It collapsed.

The mighty monster could no longer stand.

Its breathing became shallow.

Its golden eyes slowly began to lose their light.

Elaria released a slow, exhausted breath.

Her own body had reached its limit.

Blood continued to flow from the wound at her side.

Even remaining upright required considerable effort.

Slowly...

She raised her bow once more.

One final arrow.

The battle would finally end.

Mana silently gathered around the arrowhead.

She aimed directly at the monster’s skull.

Then—

A calm voice echoed from somewhere behind the dying beast.

”Execution Line.”

A single streak of violet light flashed across the battlefield.

Elaria’s emerald eyes widened.