The world was crimson.
Blood—his own blood—coated Leo Aetherwind's body as he lay motionless against the fractured marble tiles of the battlefield.
The sky above shimmered with golden rays piercing through dark clouds, an irony of light in the middle of his despair.
His breathing was shallow, ragged. His limbs trembled, not from fear… but from exhaustion.
Vitality slowly seeped from his body, as if his very soul was bleeding into the ground beneath him.
"Fuck it… Damn the Protagonist… Damn this shitty plot…" he muttered hoarsely, tasting iron on his tongue.
His voice, weak but laced with venom, was swallowed by the battlefield's silence.
He let out a long, bitter sigh.
"So this is how I die? Pathetic…"
He coughed, blood gushing out from his lips.
"I was supposed to be Leo Aetherwind… the Immortal Body… the once-in-a-million-years genius… a transmigrator with all the knowledge of the plot, the world, the future… and yet—"
He remembered it all. The humiliation. The betrayals. The rage.
His father—a once-respected noble—publicly executed like a criminal.
His mother—noble, proud Elena Skydawn—reduced to a shadow of her power, sacrificing her life to shield him in vain.
And then… Serena Luxveil.
Serena. The one woman he had trusted above all. The one he had fought for. Protected. Loved.
Even after she broke off their engagement, even after she spat in his face for a crime he never committed.
A single accusation from Alex Bladecrest was all it took for her to turn away from him. She chose that bastard. She always did.
And standing beside Alex… were two familiar figures. His step-sisters.
Sophia and Zoe Aetherwind.
The very girls he and his father had defended when his mother wanted them gone.
The girls he had treated like family. Like blood.
In the end, they betrayed him. Betrayed his father. Betrayed the Aetherwind name.
And now, as he lay dying—his heart ripped from his chest by Alex himself—he could only watch with bloodshot eyes as the "Hero" laughed triumphantly.
Alex's foot crushed Leo's ribs as he leaned down, smiling.
"Some genius you were."
Everything turned black.
—
Then… the world twisted.
Pain vanished.
He gasped.
Eyes snapping open, Leo sat up, breathing heavily, drenched in cold sweat.
Bright lights. Wooden desks. Youthful voices. The scent of old paper and mana chalkboards.
A classroom.
He looked down at his own hands.
Slimmer. Smaller.
His heart raced.
He knew this place.
This was the Academy of Arcanum Trial Court.
A place he hadn't seen in years. Not since that fateful trial that marked the beginning of his fall.
He covered his face with one hand, masking the growing grin that spread on his lips.
Yes. It was true. He had regressed. He was back. Before it all began.
He had one chance.
One life.
And this time… he would destroy everything.
The other students were stunned by his sudden outburst, but none dared speak. No one noticed the malevolent grin beneath his fingers.
He composed himself quickly and stood up.
Emotionless.
Cold.
"Let's see where we are," Leo muttered inwardly.
Ah… of course.
This was that day.
The Trial of Discipline—hosted by the Student Assembly. The moment Alex Bladecrest would make his "innocent" debut… and where Leo's fate was sealed.
He scanned the room.
And then… he saw her.
Sophia Aetherwind.
His so-called elder sister.
His eyes narrowed, but his expression remained neutral. Inside, the fury boiled.
She sat with dignity and authority as the Vice President of the Student Assembly. She would soon become one of Alex's most loyal allies.
The very person who oversaw his downfall.
Leo exhaled slowly. He couldn't lose control. Not now.
The trial continued. Other students received light punishments for minor crimes.
Then, the room shifted. A new figure stepped up.
Leo's gaze twitched.
That soft expression. That fake humility. Those bright "innocent" eyes that glistened like a frightened kitten.
Alex Bladecrest.
The Protagonist of this damn world.
Leo wanted to laugh. Sissy little worm. He gained the favor of every heroine in the novel just by existing. That pitiful, manipulative bastard who smiled while stabbing everyone in the back.
No longer.
This time, Leo would rip every opportunity from his hands. Every favor, every treasure, every legacy. He would leave him to rot in despair.
As Alex stood "meekly" before the trial, Sophia Aetherwind began reading the charges.
"…Accused of stealing Classmate Leo Aetherwind's resources and artifacts."
The room hushed.
Sophia frowned. "Leo Aetherwind… step forward."
Her voice was cold, detached.
Leo's steps echoed through the hall. All eyes turned.
When he appeared, everyone could feel it—he was different.
Then Sophia scolded him.
Publicly.
Not Alex, the thief. But Leo—the victim.
Leo sneered inwardly. Of course. The first act of the "Protagonist Play."
Alex tried to defend him.
What an actor.
Leo clenched his fists. It was disgusting.
Even Serena… that witch… stood silently beside Alex, eyes filled with pity—for Alex.
No one defended Leo.
Even the Student Council President looked uncomfortable.
But Sophia?
She continued scolding him.
Everyone stared, dumbfounded. She was chastising her own brother—a noble—in front of the entire academy.
She was a villain. No… a traitor.
And then… the verdict.
"Leo Aetherwind is to compensate Alex Bladecrest with training resources, be demoted from Class A to Class D, and serve a six-month suspension."
Gasps rang out.
The crowd muttered. "Too harsh…" "Unfair…" "Is she serious?"
Even Serena looked shocked.
Even Alex blinked, surprised by how far Sophia went.
But then—
"I accept."
Silence.
Every jaw dropped.
Sophia. Alex. Selena. The Council. All stunned.
Leo stood tall, his gaze indifferent.
Cold.
Only he grinned.
Because at that moment… a ding echoed in his mind.
> Ding!
Heavenly Villain System Activated.
Congratulations to Host for slightly deviating the plot.
Reward: 1500 System Points. Beginner Package unlocked.
Leo's smile widened, hidden from view.
This was just the beginning.
He had returned.
He would not be the victim again.
He would not be betrayed again.
He would not fall again.
This time… the Villain would reign.
To Be Continued...
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