The Villian Who Broke The Story

The evening air was calm as Kael made his way back toward the first-year dormitories.

The academy grounds had become noticeably quieter after the conclusion of the preliminary round of the tournament. Students could still be seen discussing the day’s battles excitedly, while others hurried toward the cafeteria or their dorms to recover from the exhausting matches.

Kael walked alone, his hands tucked inside his pockets.

Although his expression remained calm, countless thoughts occupied his mind.

Tomorrow...

The real tournament would begin.

Unlike the preliminary round, where only first-years participated, tomorrow’s audience would consist of influential nobles, guild representatives, military officials, academy graduates, and countless powerful individuals from across the kingdom.

Some had come to recruit talented students.

Others had far more dangerous intentions.

Kael sighed quietly.

”There was a Demon King Candidate within the Velvet Gang...”

His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.

”I’m more concerned about when they’ll finally decide to make their move.”

From everything he remembered from the game, the Velvet Gang rarely acted without careful preparation. They preferred manipulating events from the shadows before revealing themselves.

”So why haven’t they acted yet?”

He already knew the answer.

”It seems they’re being cautious because of Mother... Madam Draven.”

A faint smile appeared on his face.

”Well... that’s understandable.”

Even within the game’s original storyline, Madam Draven had been regarded as one of the strongest women in the kingdom.

Kael remembered how frustrating it had been trying to defeat her during certain routes.

”She really was ridiculously powerful.”

Even after learning every attack pattern...

Even after memorizing every ability...

Victory had never come easily.

If people like the Velvet Gang feared attracting her attention...

That made perfect sense.

Eventually Kael reached the dormitory building.

Most students were already resting after the day’s tournament.

The usually lively hallway had become surprisingly quiet.

He unlocked his room before stepping inside.

Click.

The familiar scent of polished wood greeted him.

His room wasn’t particularly luxurious despite his noble status.

A neatly made bed rested beside the window.

Books and several practice manuals occupied the desk.

His sword leaned carefully against the wall where he always left it after training.

Kael let out a long breath.

”What a day...”

Without wasting another moment, he walked toward the bathroom.

He turned the faucet.

Warm water poured into the bathtub, steam slowly rising as the room filled with comforting warmth.

While waiting for it to fill, Kael removed the dirt-covered clothes he’d worn throughout the tournament before stepping beneath the shower.

Cold water washed away the sweat and dust that had accumulated after hours of fighting.

Only then did he sink into the warm bath.

The heat immediately relaxed the tension throughout his body.

”...Much better.”

He leaned back, closing his eyes.

The sweet scent of vanilla from the academy-issued soap drifted through the room.

Combined with the warmth of the water, it created a surprisingly calming atmosphere.

For several minutes he simply remained there.

Silent.

Thinking.

Charlotte’s surprised expression suddenly resurfaced in his mind.

”I completely forgot you were a noble.”

Kael chuckled quietly.

”I guess we’ve spent so much time training together that she stopped seeing me that way.”

It wasn’t something he particularly disliked.

If anything...

He preferred being treated like an ordinary student.

Eventually the water began cooling.

Kael opened his eyes before standing up.

He dried himself thoroughly with a towel before rubbing the moisture from his dark hair.

After changing into a simple pair of trousers and draping another towel loosely over his shoulders, he stepped back into his room.

Then he froze.

Someone was already sitting comfortably on his bed.

Long smooth black hair.

Gentle ruby-colored eyes.

An elegant academy uniform.

”Lilith.”

She looked up and smiled as though she had always belonged there.

”I’m surprised.”

Kael folded his arms.

”With the fact that some of the top brass members of the Velvet Gang might appear tomorrow, I’m surprised you’d come here.”

Lilith tilted her head.

”And why would you say that?”

Kael walked closer.

”Because the Velvet Gang told you to stay away from me.”

He raised an eyebrow.

”And yet you seem determined to do the exact opposite.”

Lilith simply shifted farther onto the bed, making herself comfortable.

”Maybe.”

She smiled teasingly.

”Or maybe I just missed you.”

Kael couldn’t help smiling back.

For a brief moment...

The worries surrounding tomorrow’s tournament seemed much farther away.

Still...

His attention drifted toward Lilith.

She truly was beautiful.

The evening light filtering through the window highlighted her smooth skin and long crimson hair, giving her an almost ethereal appearance.

Her academy uniform fit perfectly, accentuating her graceful figure without appearing extravagant.

Kael quickly looked away.

”What are you doing here, Lilith?”

She studied him quietly before answering.

”Well...”

”I missed you.”

”Everything about you.”

Her smile gradually disappeared.

”But that’s not the only reason.”

Her tone became noticeably more serious.

”Members of the Velvet Gang have been watching you.”

Kael’s expression sharpened immediately.

”I expected as much.”

Lilith nodded.

”It’s mainly because you’re a Demon King Candidate with direct ties to the royal bloodline.”

Silence filled the room.

Neither of them spoke for several seconds.

Finally Kael sighed.

”I see.”

”So you came to warn me about that.”

Lilith slowly shook her head.

”That’s not the only reason, Kael.”

She stood from the bed before walking toward him.

Stopping only inches away, she looked directly into his eyes.

”I have a feeling...”

”...that you’re becoming a little unstable.”

Her voice was quiet.

Almost worried.

Kael blinked.

”What do you mean unstable?”

He smiled reassuringly.

”I’m perfectly fine.”

Lilith wasn’t convinced.

”You grew from F-Rank to C-Rank within two months.”

She gently placed both hands against his cheeks.

”That kind of growth doesn’t happen without consequences.”

”There has to be a price.”

Her eyes searched his face carefully, as though hoping to find reassurance.

Instead, Kael simply smiled.

”No need to worry so much about me.”

He lightly rested a hand over hers.

”I know what I’m doing.”

Then his expression became thoughtful.

”And besides...”

He glanced toward the academy grounds outside the window.

”This academy is far more sheltered than most people realize.”

Somewhere beyond its walls...

The real battlefield was already waiting.

And Kael intended to be ready when that day finally came.