I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 255 [Nyrel Loyster] Flashback [5]

”How was your day, Nyrel?”

The question sliced through the air, and Nyrelʼs gaze settled on Marcel with a simmering irritation. ”Asking the same question wonʼt yield a different answer.”

Marcel, unperturbed by Nyrelʼs tone, continued in his composed manner. ”Itʼs been a year since you joined this Academy. Have you managed to make any friends?”

”No,” Nyrel replied tersely.

Marcel, seemingly unaffected, scrolled through information on his computer screen. ”I have different information, though. Shayna, Emric, Ephera. They seem to have grown close to you.”

”Stalking individuals is apparently a lucrative profession now, and quite well-paying at that,” Nyrel retorted with a sarcastic edge.

”Monitoring potentially dangerous individuals is a necessity at times, Mr. Nyrel Loyster,” Marcel answered calmly, his smile unchanging.

”Dangerous individual? The truly dangerous one is still alive, being nursed back to health, while Iʼm stuck in therapy sessions,” Nyrel scoffed, his frustration seeping through.

”Iʼm here to assist you, Nyrel,” Marcel replied, his fingers lacing together atop the table. ”What do you currently feel? What do you desire to do in the future? Maybe we can help you?”

Drawing nearer, Nyrel brought his face close to Marcelʼs. ”I donʼt need your assistance, Marcel.”

Marcel allowed a moment of silence to linger before a smile graced his lips. ”Were you aware that your friend, Shayna, underwent a lengthy rehabilitation process here?”

Nyrelʼs initial response was silence, a hint of surprise lurking beneath his stoic expression.

No, it couldnʼt be true.

Why would Marcel lie?

”She killed her foster parents right in front of her adopted brother. Yet now, she blends in like an ordinary student, making friends. Do you not aspire to a life like hers?”

”Iʼll lead a normal life like anyone else when Leon Grimlock is dead,” Nyrel shot back before abruptly rising and exiting the room.

”His death wonʼt bring you the solace you seek, Nyrel. It will only plunge you further into despair,” Marcelʼs words echoed in the empty room, a quiet reminder as Nyrel walked away, his determination unswayed.

…

As the gate clicked shut behind him...

”Nyr, took you long enough?”

Nyrelʼs gaze turned toward the girl who was practically a magnet for attention. Dressed in black pants and a white blouse, her black hair pulled back into a ponytail, and her blue eyes reflecting puzzlement as they settled on Nyrel.

”Marcel was busy schooling me once again on the complexities of humanity,” Nyrel replied dryly, falling into step beside her.

Epheraʼs laughter tinkled like bells, a sound that could catch anyoneʼs attention. ”You and your deep discussions. Come on, letʼs walk.”

As they moved forward side by side, Ephera edged closer to Nyrel, a move he promptly countered by subtly adjusting his own position.

Amusement danced in Epheraʼs eyes as she took a quick step and playfully nudged Nyrelʼs shoulder.

Nyrel sidestepped, only slightly thrown off by the interaction, and shot her an unamused glare. ”Finding it amusing, are you?”

Epheraʼs smile grew more radiant. ”Yes, actually.”

Nyrel diverted his gaze, feeling a hint of irritation. ”As Iʼve said before, I wonʼt fall for it. Friendship is the furthest it will go.”

Over the last year, Ephera had been persistently pursuing Nyrel, but he had remained steadfast in his refusal. Their unconventional companionship hadnʼt escaped the notice of Epheraʼs brother, Emric, who had begun spending time with Nyrel as well. Shayna had also joined their circle, becoming friends with both Nyrel and Ephera.

”Is it because you secretly like Shayna?” Ephera inquired, her head tilting to the side.

”For the ninth time, no.”

”Then why are you rejecting me?”

”Because I wonʼt be your fatherʼs pawn,” Nyrel retorted.

Epheraʼs expression shifted momentarily, her eyes reflecting a touch of expectation. ”Do you want to meet him, Nyr?”

”I neither know nor care about him.”

”I understand...” A trace of disappointment?laced Epheraʼs voice.

Nyrel redirected the conversation. ”Where are Emric and Shayna?”

”Home. I practically dragged them away so I could have you all to myself,” Ephera admitted candidly.

”Now that your mission is accomplished, you can go.” Nyrelʼs response was curt.

Ephera pouted, adopting an endearing sulking expression. ”Why must you be so harsh, Nyr?”

”I see no reason to be kind in this world,” Nyrel murmured, his gaze fixed on the velvety night sky. ”Do I even truly belong in this world?”

”You do.” Epheraʼs voice was determined as her hands cupped Nyrelʼs cheeks, her touch warm against his skin. ”Can you feel my hands?”

Nyrelʼs heart seemed to beat a little faster, but he maintained his composure. ”Theyʼre cold.”

”But you can feel them, right?” Epheraʼs grin was infectious.

”I can, Ephera,” Nyrel replied, his reflection mirrored in her captivating blue eyes.

”Then thatʼs settled. You belong in this world. You belong with me.”

”You didnʼt need to add that last part,” Nyrel quipped, moving away, though a faint smile played on his lips.

Ephera blinked at the sight. In the past year, she had never seen such a genuine smile from him, directed at her or anyone else. It sent shivers down her spine and warmed her cheeks. ”Uh...”

”Forget something?” Nyrelʼs voice cut through her daze.

”No,” Ephera shook her head. ”I just got a bit light-headed when you smiled like that.”

”What?”

Ephera smiled again, recovering. ”You know, Emric doesnʼt mind if itʼs you.”

”Since he met Lucy, heʼs been acting strangely. Donʼt trust his words,” Nyrel replied.

”Heʼs in love with her, did you notice?” Ephera asked, surprised.

”Itʼs hard not to.”

”Why donʼt you notice my love for you?”

”Thereʼs a distinction between love and obsessive curiosity,” Nyrel shot back.

As they bantered, a speeding motorcycle came barreling toward them.

Nyrelʼs brows furrowed as he peered through his glasses, realizing the driver was quite clearly drunk. He glanced behind them and noticed a corner leading to a bridge.

”Move!” Grabbing Epheraʼs arm, he pulled her aside, waiting for the right moment before delivering a swift kick to the bike.

The motorcycle crashed, the driver rolling to the ground and injuring his hand, much to Epheraʼs shocked expression.

”Was it an accident? Yes. Yes, heʼs alive. Yes. Thanks.” Nyrel spoke into his phone, briefly explaining the situation to the person on the line. He then approached the injured driver, putting him in a more comfortable position before returning to Ephera. ”Letʼs go now.”

Though he had said he would stay with the injured man, Nyrel had no intention of doing so. Saving the life of someone he held resentment for, even a drunk, was a significant act in itself. He had even hesitated before taking action to save him.

”Your cheek!” Epheraʼs voice was alarmed as she noticed the blood on Nyrelʼs cheek.

”Huh?”

”We need to go to the hospital!” Ephera grabbed Nyrelʼs hand and began dragging him.

”Hospital for a scratch? Do you want to become the talk of the hospital?” Nyrel raised an eyebrow.

”If it means youʼre treated, I donʼt mind.”

”Your tendency to overreact is escalating-”

”Am I really overreacting?” Ephera suddenly turned to Nyrel, frustration evident in her expression. ”Am I?”

Nyrel fell silent, taken aback by her question.

”You could have gotten hurt, even seriously injured. Is that how little you value your own life, Nyr?” Epheraʼs voice was earnest.

”I saved him, Ephera...” Nyrel furrowed his brows, not quite grasping her point.

”Itʼs his actions that put him in this situation. He should face the consequences on his own and not have others jeopardize themselves for him. If he had survived, he might still have had a chance to make amends in this world. Donʼt put yourself in harmʼs way for someone who isnʼt deserving of it.”

Though he had seen this side of Ephera before, it seemed more pronounced now.

”Every time, you question where you belong...” Ephera stepped closer to Nyrel, her hand resting gently on his chest. ”Find me.”

”Find you?”

”Yes, because...” A shy smile played on Epheraʼs lips. ”You belong where I belong.”