The Novel’s Antagonist: I walk the path of a Villain - Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Manipulation gone wrong
“Today marks your final day in this zone. Starting tomorrow, you will resume classes in the main academy building. With that, the entrance ritual is officially concluded.”

The principal’s voice echoed through the strategically placed sound devices across the building.

At that moment, I was in alchemy class, brewing another potion. Except… I wasn’t exactly following any proper recipe.

Alright, fine. That was a lie.

I wasn’t brewing anything. I was just mixing random ingredients together.

Because, honestly? I don’t know the first thing about alchemy.

Like I don’t know shit about ANYTHING in here.

Even the simplest looking potion.

But that wasn’t even the worst of my problems. We were just informed that knight path is now mandatory.

Mandatory.

And that is seriously starting to freak me out.

Why the hell is everything deviating from the original plot?!

“…Stop doing that.”

A familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned and found myself face-to-face with the one person I had been trying (and failing) to get the attention of.

Celestina.

I knew exactly what kind of person she was. Proud, arrogant, and utterly convinced that she was above every single person in this room—even the professor. A certified genius, no doubt. But that very brilliance makes her almost impossible to approach.

If I just walked up to her and started a conversation, she’d immediately assume I was trying to flirt with her.

Because, yes, she’s a hopeless narcissist.

But since I wasn’t exactly bad-looking myself… she wouldn’t completely berate me, right?

“…..,”

Well…. Not that it matters. I never planned to take any romantic route with her.

No, my plan was much simpler.

I would use the one thing she couldn’t resist against her—her curiosity.

Alchemists were always encouraged to be curious. Without it, there was no advancement. And Celestina? She was second only to Rizel when it came to an insane level of curiosity.

Speaking of Rizel…

I haven’t seen her in a while. But I can’t shake this unsettling feeling.

Like someone’s watching me.

At first, I thought it was Selena. But one day, while I still had that eerie sensation, I spotted Selena sparring with someone. She saw me, abruptly ended the fight—which she had clearly been dragging out on purpose—then approached me.

And just like that… the feeling disappeared.

Which means it wasn’t her.

That leaves me with one wild guess.

Rizel.

And if—just if—it really is her…

Fuck.

That would be an absolute nightmare.

In the novel, Rizel only started stalking Lucas once she had reached the point of no return.

Damn it.

I need to do something. I can’t just sit back and let things spiral further out of control.

The only reason she hasn’t tried to kidnap me yet—like that psychotic Miranda bitch—must be because either Ariana or Selena has been with me most of the time. And back at my dorm, there’s Shelly and Nelia, who are constantly at each other’s throats.

Well, to be fair, it was mostly Nelia pissing Shelly off, and Shelly finding some way to retaliate.

But at the end of the day, one thing was clear—Rizel wasn’t strong enough to handle them both at once.

….at least I hope so.

I am no where strong enough to bet her if she ever attacks me.

I am at this moment, level 5.

Yeah. Level 5.

I won’t lie—my own growth is starting to terrify me. Ever since that day with Lucas, I barely have to do anything, yet I keep getting stronger.

Nelia hasn’t said anything yet, but I have a feeling the blessing might actually be merging with me. It’s so subtle that even she, despite being directly connected to my soul, hasn’t noticed it. Of course, that’s just my theory. But all that aside…

I need to deal with Rizel. If she really has been stalking me, I have to stop her before she does something really crazy.

But…

I’ll have to wait for the right moment.

Wait.

That’s right.

I think I can actually fix that crazy bitch.

I just need to get something from the black market in Sector 17. However, I need to get to her before anything else.

“HEY! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING?”

An annoyed voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I finally decided it was time.

Yes.

My plan was to make her approach me.

Not just approach me—I wanted her to be the one to initiate the conversation.

However, I planned to give her a taste of her own medicine by acting as if she didn’t exist. That should frustrate her enough to make her desperate… just a little.

Yes, a rivalry approach is my objective.

I’d manipulate her into making me that potion by making her think doing it would be her besting me.

Well… I still have a feeling that won’t work.

“What?” I asked, barely glancing at her.

She froze.

Well? Wasn’t she going to—

SWOOSH!

Her hand suddenly shot through the air, aiming straight at me. I reacted instantly, catching her wrist before it could connect.

“What the hell?!” I glared at her, annoyed.

“W-what… what was that?!” she shouted, her face twisted in anger. By now, the whole class was turning to watch our little standoff.

Good thing the professor had stepped out to validate some health documents.

“What was what?!” I shoved her hand back in irritation.

Honestly, I felt like I had saved her rather than myself by stopping that punch. Not because it would’ve hurt—no, that wasn’t the issue.

It was that feeling again.

Darker this time.

Rizel.

If there was one thing I knew, it was that Rizel was one of the most dangerous yanderes in the novel when she reached the point of no return.

“Why… did I suddenly feel that way?!”

She stepped back, and this time, twin daggers materialized in her hands. Her entire face was flushed red.

What the fuck is going on?

“Are you trying to charm me or something?!” she demanded, eyes narrowing. “What did you use? An airborne sedative?”

She was furious, but the way her face burned red completely contradicted her anger.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said flatly. “But that doesn’t matter. Don’t try that again. Only a few people get to act out around me, and I don’t like it when random people touch me.”

That cold, colorless feeling was returning.

Fuck.

I have to end this quickly.

I hate this feeling.

“Same here,” she spat. “I don’t like it when people think they can play with my intelligence.”

And then—

She lunged.

Great.

Just great.