The cafeteria was exactly as described in the novel. A massive hall with floating lights, tables organized by class ranking, and hundreds of students eating lunch. I spotted Adrian immediately. Blond hair, blue eyes, handsome features. He sat at a table with several other students, commoners, mostly. The underdog and his friends.
According to the original timeline, Hadeon would barg in with lackeys, throw food at Adrian, make threats, and storm out when Adrian remained calm and dignified. Everyone would think Adrian was noble for not fighting back and would think Ezra was pathetic.
I approached alone with no lackeys and with no shouting, just a calm walk to Adrian's table, as I walked, I noticed that conversations died as students noticed me and thd whispers started.
"That's Hadeon Ravana..."
"Is he going to start something?"
"Adrian, watch out."
Adrian looked up, his expression shifting to careful neutrality when he noticed someone looming over his table. "Hadeon. Can I help you?"
I studied him this up close, I could see the calculation behind those blue eyes. The perfect posture and the hand positioned near his wand, as if ready to defend himself if needed. This was the moment and in the book the script demanded I insult him.
Instead, I smiled with sincerity.
"Adrian Celestius," I said, loud enough for nearby tables to hear. "I've heard interesting things about you."
He tensed as if unsure what's happening.
"They say you awakened an SSS-rank ability," I continued. "Celestial Awakening, correct? Light and holy attributes?"
"...Yes," he said carefully.
"Impressive." I inclined my head in a gesture of respect between equals. "Most students spend years trying to reach A-rank. You did it in months. You did really well.
The cafeteria had gone silent. Everyone watching, waiting for what's about to go down.
"I look forward to our competition," I said, nodding to myself. "May the best mage win."
I turned and walked away before he could respond but behind me, I heard confused whispers that started immediately.
"Did Hadeon just... compliment Adrian?"
"What's his angle? He must be planning something!"
"That wasn't like him at all..."
[QUEST COMPLETE: THE CAFETERIA INCIDENT]
[OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED: Made the hero doubt himself]
[BONUS OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED: Did so while improving your public image]
[REWARDS: +200 Villain Score, +50 Bonus VS]
[VILLAIN QUALITY: Petty → Competent]
NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: Silver Tongue (Rank F)]
[Effect: Your words carry weight. Persuasion attempts are more likely to succeed.]
[SUBORDINATE UPDATE: Damian Ashcroft Loyalty 25% → 45%]
I returned to my dorm room, where Damian waited with an expression of shock.
"Young Master," he said quietly, "what are you planning?"
"Tell me, Damian. What's more frightening, a mad dog that barks and bites randomly? Or a wolf that watches and waits?"
He swallowed and spoke after some hesitation. "The wolf, Young Master."
"Exactly." I sat at my desk and pulled out the academy's roster.
'..The original Hadeon was a mad dog. Loud, stupid, predictable. Easy to put down..'
I looked up at him. "I'm going to be the wolf."
[ANALYSIS: Current Standing]
[VILLAIN SCORE: 250]
[VILLAIN QUALITY: Competent]
[REPUTATION: Confused (Students don't know what to expect)]
[DEATH FLAGS: 12 Active, 3 Delayed]
[HERO'S OPINION: Uncertain (He expected an attack)]
[EVALUATION: You've taken the first step. Don't disappoint me.]
I opened my notebook and began writing plans. Fifty-two chapters until my scheduled death. Twelve active death flags to manage. One hero to outsmart. And an entire academy that thought they knew what kind of villain I was. Time to show them the difference between a stepping stone and a mastermind.
A knock interrupted my planning.
"Young Master?" Damian called from outside. "You have a visitor."
"Who?"
"Lucille Nightshade, Young Master. She says it's urgent."
I froze. Lucille? Now?
I checked my mental timeline. According to the novel, Lucille didn't approach Hadeon until chapter 34 when she came to threaten him on Adrian's behalf.
This was chapter 15.
Something had already changed.
[EMERGENCY QUEST: THE HEROINE'S DOUBT]
[A HEROINE IS QUESTIONING THE HERO. CAPITALIZE ON THIS.]
[OBJECTIVE: Speak with Lucille Nightshade without driving her away]
[BONUS OBJECTIVE: Plant seeds of doubt about Adrian]
[REWARD: Potential recruitment path unlocked]
[FAILURE: She reports you to academy authorities]
"Send her in," I said.
The door opened.
Silver hair that caught the light. Purple eyes that could kill and lean, athletic build under her academy uniform. Lucille Nightshade was beautiful in the way a blade was beautiful, elegant but very deadly.
Her hand rested on the dagger at her hip.
"Hadeon Ravana" she said, her voice cold. "We need to talk. About Adrian."
I gestured to a chair. "Please, sit. Would you like tea?"
She stared at me like I'd sprouted a second head. "Tea?"
"I find conversations go better with tea. Damian, if you would?"
Damian, bless him, had apparently decided to go along with my insanity. He quickly prepared tea service and left us alone.
Lucille sat, but didn't relax. "What happened in the cafeteria. What are you planning?"
"Planning?" I poured tea for both of us. "I acknowledged a talented rival. Is that so strange?"
"Yes. You've spent months harassing him. Mocking him. And today you just... compliment him and walk away?"
"People change, Lucille. May I call you Lucille?"
"No."
"Miss Nightshade, then." I sipped my tea. "You're Adrian's childhood friend, correct? You've known him longer than anyone at this academy."
Her eyes narrowed. "Yes. Which is why I'm here. If you're planning something to hurt him..."
"What makes you think I want to hurt him?"
"Because that's what you do. You're a bully and a..."
"And yet I didn't bully him today." I set down my cup. "Tell me, Miss Nightshade. Why are you really here?"
She hesitated. Just for a moment, but it was enough.
I saw it.
"I wanted to warn you," she said. "Stay away from Adrian. He's not someone you can push around anymore."
"I have no intention of pushing anyone around." I leaned back. "But I am curious about something. You said 'anymore.' Implying I could push him around before?"
"That's not....."
"Adrian Celestius has SSS-rank potential. He's been praised by professors. Admired by students. He's gathered quite the following in just a few months." I met her eyes. "So why does his childhood friend feel the need to warn people away from him? Shouldn't he be able to handle one arrogant noble himself?"
She stood abruptly. "I shouldn't have come here."
"Wait." I didn't move from my seat. "I apologize. That was rude of me."
She paused at the door.
"Miss Nightshade," I said quietly, "I'll make you an offer. You can ask one question and I'll answer it completely honestly. No tricks or games, just the truth between us."