I Enrolled as the Villain

Evelyne sat at the head of the chamber, the crest of House Valery faintly glowing behind her.

"Let's begin."

Azmat, always direct, stood first. "Security has been increased. Portal entries, outer gates, and internal communications are all under active monitoring."

Adelina nodded politely. "Good. But who's monitoring the headlines?"

Evelyne narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"

Cassian slid a holo-tablet onto the center of the desk. A newsfeed scrolled rapidly.

'Valery Heir Steps Down — Quiet Power Shift or Internal Collapse?'

'Why Kael Valery Won't Speak — Is the Mythrigan Eye Silent Too?'

'Academy Power Rankings Shake Up: Is House Valery Losing Influence?'

Cassian's smile was thin. "This is the narrative slipping beyond our control."

Evara, seated beside Evelyne, added, "Kael's silence is growing too loud. At an academy like KVE, every action or inaction echoes. And right now, our name looks uncertain."

Lucien spoke softly, "Even faith grows uneasy in a vacuum."

Evelyne remained calm. "Kael was ordered to stay quiet. Strategically."

Cassian shrugged. "Then we must revise the strategy. The academy is fractured factions, whispers, rumors. If Kael doesn't speak, someone else will."

Matthias crossed his arms. "So what? They're just students."

Adelina's smile sharpened. "Students, yes but legacy. In five years, they'll be executives, captains, governors. Their opinions shape nations. And right now, they believe the Eye of God is hiding."

Evelyne rose slowly, voice low and clear.

"Then we remind them who we are."

Her gaze swept the council.

"Activate our representatives at the academy. Subtly. Let the Valery name move not with threats, but presence. We need direction."

⸻

Later, Evelyne entered her study. The door clicked softly behind her. She paused by a shelf, fingers grazing a framed photo of her younger self in academy uniform. Things had once seemed simpler.

She tapped her watch.

"Status report."

Lucia's voice came through.

"The Velvet Eye faction remains stable. But several new groups are testing us Kael, especially. They're watching for weaknesses."

Evelyne frowned. "And the staff?"

"One professor remains loyal. We've quietly influenced minor administrative decisions through him."

"Good. Keep it discreet. We don't need another scandal," Evelyne muttered, moving to her desk.

"And Kael?"

"He's arrived. No ritual yet. Keeping a low profile."

Evelyne exhaled. "That won't last."

She sank into her chair, eyes sharp. "Strengthen our PR. Any rumors of Valery instability must die quickly. Lean on alumni, staff, and our sponsored groups. If anyone provokes Kael, spin it as resilience."

"Understood," Lucia replied. "Should I approach him?"

"Not yet. Observe. Advise only when necessary."

Evelyne's eyes flicked once more to the photo. "He's different now. But is that better… or more dangerous?"

⸻

"I see," I said, sensing the awkwardness.

I turned from Lucia and headed inside, taking the elevator to the sixth floor.

The moment I stepped into the dorm, I paused.

Too luxurious for a "student room" more like a penthouse for dignitaries.

Kael's political weight may have waned, but the world still bowed to the Mythrigan.

I smiled faintly. This is where I sleep?

I wandered until I found a sealed, windowless room built to endure violence: Kael's private training chamber.

Spotless.

"Strange," I muttered. "They must clean often… but it's like Kael never used it."

No matter.

Tomorrow, classes begin. I need something anything reliable from the Mythrigan. A simple offensive move would do.

In the novel, Kael barely used his powers before it was too late. He died without mastering the Eye.

That won't happen again.

I closed the door and stood in the middle of the room, centering my breath.

Focus.

My left eye flickered unnaturally as the Mythrigan activated.

The room brightened. I saw dust particles, residual heat from footsteps, fibers of the walls.

Outside, I spotted the silhouettes of servants.

…Playing cards?

I stared for a second. One of them had three aces tucked in his sleeve.

I sighed.

"They're probably bored," I murmured. "Let them be."

Turning back, I focused deeper.

Particles. Molecules. Threads of air no normal eye could see.

The world slowed and stretched under my gaze.

What if I focused further?

Driven by instinct, I narrowed on a cluster of particles.

They compressed.

The air twisted.

BOOM.

A sudden fire blast erupted, licking the walls. I stumbled back, wide-eyed. The wall scorched but held. Fireproof, thankfully.

I stared.

"…Did I shrink air molecules until they combusted?"

Not just vision. Control.

If I can shrink it… can I enlarge it?

I grabbed a decorative pin from my collar, holding it before me.

Expand.

The pin swelled instantly, nearly dagger-sized. I twisted aside just in time.

"Alright," I exhaled. "That could've taken my jaw off."

I caught my breath and turned toward the armory.

Racks of swords and ancient weapons lined the walls.

Kael never touched them.

But me?

My eyes settled on a thin black shard, sharp as a needle.

Perfect.

"If I shrink this… embed it… then enlarge it…"

They wouldn't feel it go in.

Until it tore them apart from inside.

Of course, the academy healers are good at putting students back together.

"Heh…"

⸻

Hours passed. Sweat dripped from my chin as I crouched low.

So far, I'd shrunk air into fire, solidified it into ice, and expanded it into wind.

What else could I force from the world?

I focused again on the space ahead.

Same air. Smaller. Tighter.

Slowly, carefully, I compressed it.

The molecules shimmered faintly in my Mythrigan Eye.

But something was wrong.

Too fast. Too close.

CRACK!

Lightning burst, snapping right before my face.

I stumbled, cheek burning, smelling singed cloth.

"Damn—"

A graze. Could've been worse.

Exhaling slowly, I muttered, "Lightning… too volatile up close."

I sat, chest rising and falling.

Three so far.

Fire when air collapsed.

Ice when frozen tight.

Lightning when I got too close.

It's simple: shrinking and enlarging.

⸻

Few hours passed as my body Sweat dripping, I lay on the floor.

The door opened.

Lucia and Elira stepped in, their expressions shocked as they surveyed the fire, ice, and scorch marks but kept quiet.

Lucia stepped carefully, avoiding a patch of frost.

"You realize," she said calmly, "you're the official head of the Velvet Eye faction here."

I didn't move. Body aching. Mind burning.

She continued, clipped, "Your actions, attitude, and public image reflect on us all."

Elira poked a scorch mark on the wall.

"Right now Your public image is 'mysterious burnout who doesn't show up.'"

I glanced at Elira. She shrugged.

"She's right. Even if you don't act like it, you're our faction's public face."

Lucia stepped closer, voice low and sharp. "If the Crowned Princess of Valkcross sneezes, three articles go viral. If Selene Dais winks at a professor, half the Federation responds."

"And me?"

"You're still Mythrigan. You're still Valery. For now, that means something." Her eyes narrowed. "But that won't last."

Elira added, "We blocked two broadcasts attacking your low rank. But there's only so much spin if you keep hiding here."

I said nothing, then opened my left eye, faintly glowing.

They paused.

I sat up slowly, breathing steady.

"They're testing our name," I said.

Lucia blinked. "What?"

I looked at her fully, clearly.

"They're testing Valery. Waiting to see if we've rotted inside. If I've rotted."

Lucia's mouth parted. Not what she expected.

"They're not wrong," I added. "I haven't earned the title yet."

I stood, brushing dust from my shirt, mana tingling at my fingertips.

"But if they want a show…"

My left eye pulsed.

"I'll give them one."

Elira whistled softly. "There it is."

Lucia's voice dropped. "Tomorrow?"

I nodded.

"Tomorrow."

For the first time since the academy arc began, the room fell silent not from fear.

But Because I had finally decided to move.

⸻

As they left, the door slid shut behind them.

Lucia said, "Elira, you've been with Kael more than anyone recently."

A pause.

"What happened to him? He never trained. Never took things seriously."

Elira's eyes dropped.

"I don't know," she said softly. "But ever since that day—"

Lucia stopped. "What day?"

"There's a rumor," Elira whispered, "Kael destroyed his quarters. Alone. No servants. No warning."

Lucia's brow furrowed. "He destroyed his own room?"

Elira nodded faintly.

"I think he saw something," she added. "Something bad enough to break him."

Lucia said nothing, unease showing for the first time since the heirship transfer.

⸻

The walls bore embedded shards. Fire simmered in one corner, ice clung stubbornly to the floor. The air smelled of ozone and burnt steel.

I exhaled.

If I don't move now for Velvet, for Valery the future will be hollow.

Evelyne can't hold this house alone.

And I can't stand idle.

That's the burden of responsibility.

One I no longer intend to dodge.

My eyes caught the ice-covered panel across the room.

My reflection stared back familiar, but different.

This one had chosen.

A quiet smile tugged at my lips.

I turned to leave.

The door slid open.

Elira stood there, holding something in both hands.

"Here."

I blinked.

"…A football?"

Or close enough.

"How did you—?"

"I saw you kicking that sad, deflated one a few days ago," she said, avoiding my gaze. "Figured you'd like this better."

I stared a moment longer, then took it.

"…Thanks, Elira."

⸻

After resting in my dorm, I went to a small corner outside.

I juggled the ball and kicked it against the wall.

If only I had someone to play with.

Too bad football isn't as popular as it was back then.

⸻

Inside the Velvet Eye Chamber

Soft golden light flickered above the large round table where the core members of the Velvet Eye faction sat. Around them, dozens of Valery students lined the walls, perched on balconies, or watched through holoscreens, eyes fixed on the meeting.

Lucia stood at the head. With a wave, a holographic screen bloomed mid-air, casting blue light across the room.

The feed showed clips of Kael in the academy training room, manipulating elements.

First, fire erupted from his fingertips without a spell. Then lightning crackled down a corridor. Ice bloomed on the floor in an instant, followed by a sharp gust of wind.

One by one, the clips confirmed what no one else had seen: Kael wielded five elemental forces, with no visible affinity or incantation.

Murmurs rippled.

One senior whispered, "No one's supposed to have more than one or two affinities… How is this possible?"

Lucia's voice cut through.

"This is why the Valery name is both revered and feared."

She turned to the students.

"Kael isn't just our leader in name. His Mythrigan Eye changes the rules. But his silence leaves us vulnerable."

Murmurs flickered again, quickly silenced.

"We've had factions the Keshar Red Line, Blue Star, Valkcross Regents, Commoner Union all testing us since the semester began. Now, they're circling." She tapped the table. A holographic feed showed rankings and forum threads highlighting words like 'weakened', 'washed out', 'hiding.'

"And they're circling because our leader doesn't speak."

A junior frowned. "Why hasn't he shown this power publicly?"

Another voice said, "Maybe he's locked on something deeper."

Lucia nodded.

"Elira's report suggests he's preparing. What we do now will define Velvet Eye's future."

The room thickened with tension.

Kael's power was no longer a secret but whether it was promise or threat remained to be seen.