I Am The Game's Villain

"What a weird dream..."

Was that when Ephera forced me to accompany them in that shopping mall?

"Edward!" Professor Erwin's voice jolted me out of my thoughts. "Are you paying attention?"

"Ah?" I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the drowsiness.

I can't believe I'm stuck in this boring history class.

"Thirty points will be deducted from the Basilisk class," Professor Erwin announced sternly, his glasses perched on his nose.

My classmates groaned in protest. We were only a few points away from moving up to the Pegasus class, and this setback meant we might miss the chance.

"Wait, Professor!" I spoke up, hoping to avoid further damage to our class's score.

But before I could say anything else, my classmates started to complain.

"We didn't do anything wrong!"

"This isn't fair!"

But deep down, I knew that even though I had lost my standing in the Celesta Kingdom, they were still afraid of any potential retaliation from my father. It was a pathetic existence, but at least it gave me some power over them.

"Enough," Professor Erwin said, pushing up his glasses with a sigh. "Edward, the midterm exam is coming up, and your behavior isn't exactly setting a good example for your classmates. Everything will be taken into account when we judge whether you're allowed to move up next year."

"Yes, Professor Erwin," I replied, trying to sound contrite.

As I sat there, my mind wandered to the upcoming midterm exams. It had already been over five months since school had started, and the days seemed to be flying by. Was it because of the grueling training or the Events? I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I felt an increasing sense of urgency.

Why?

Because Ante-Eden still hadn't contacted me.

They should have made contact two months ago, a few days after I fought Pyres but nothing happened. You would say, I should be glad but I wasn't glad at all since I was pretty sure their desire to recruit me will only intensify after what I showed in the Holy Church and against Pyres. I don't think a lot of people connected my masked face to Edward Falkrona back then...but during the train fight, I removed my blindfold so...I wasn't sure.

Pyres wouldn't snitch on to Ante-Eden, right?

Pyres was from those psychos of the Iris Project and not from Ante-Eden so I hoped they wouldn't ally themselves or something like that.

Maybe I watched too many movies to think like that?

But what I was afraid of was the midterm exam the next week.

The exam was taking place inside an Enigma Dungeon.

The one from the capital.

The problem was that a big [Event] was going to happen during that midterm exam.

I grimaced remembering that information from the Game.

A Heroine is supposed to die in that Event.

Yes.

A Heroine is bound to die next week.

I could remember the producers of the Game replying to the players who couldn't believe that and couldn't prevent a death but it was the reality. You couldn't save every heroine of the game and as a guy who played that game several times, I know what I am talking about.

It was Aurora in a game, Miranda in another, Lyra in another one and...Elona in another one. I shouldn't forget that Elona was also a Sub-Heroine in the game. Unfortunately or not, Elona didn't have the occasion to speak to Jayden because I was with Jayden and was 'angry' at her for several months. Anyway, Elona's event was about me anyway so she wouldn't have the occasion to be part of Jayden's harem and honestly...I was happy about that news.

I mean...my little sister becoming a member of Jayden's harem?

No way I would accept or feel nothing about that.

But it wasn't enough to protect her from the looming death threat on the Heroines.

"Edward. Can you please tell me what I was talking about?" Professor Erwin, visibly upset that I was again lost in my thoughts, spoke.

"Huh..."

"Xenos..." Someone whispered to me.

I glanced on my left and saw that it was none other than Jayden.

"Xenos Arvatra," I smiled brightly at Professor Erwin. "The tyrant of the Third Great Holy War. He caused a slaughter inside the capital of Dorian 300 hundred years ago. He is still known as the most dangerous man the continent had ever faced. Prince Lumeus Celesta was the one who killed him after a fierce fight."

Yeah, I knew that story really well...since that guy was truly a monster...

I can't believe there were people dumb enough wanting to resurrect him...

"Very good, Edward but..." Professor Erwin grimaced. "I don't think it is something to say with a smile."

"Ah...yes." I erased my arrogant smile and sat back.

"It's not good Edward." Milleia scolded me again. "The class is important for the written exams next week."

"Right." I nodded to please Milleia and turned toward the Professor.

Hm?

I glanced at Lyra who was sitting next to Milleia.

She was fidgeting a lot these last few days...

I shifted my gaze and saw a few rows behind us a black haired man. He was a commoner but was rather popular with girls and boys since he became stronger in a few months. From the commoner girls' gazes on me, I think he must be handsome as well. He was none other than Carlos Dugary. Lyra's previous and secret lover.

I see...he started.

Lyra's event was already ongoing and is reaching its climax. I was eager to see whether Jayden would intervene and if yes, how?

I mean, I knew he was already taking care of Carla Roger's event and it was going well so I hoped he would be able to deal with both of them.

....

....

After the class ended, I, with the usual group, left the class. The usual group was of course me, Jayden, Milleia and Lyra.

"Hey, Edward." Jayden called out to me.

"Yeah?" I matched Jayden's weird slow steps. He probably wanted to say something only to me.

"It's about Lyra and Milleia..."

"What? Did you fall head over heels toward them?"

"N-Not that!" Jayden replied quickly, embarrassed.

Hmmmm.

He might have a crush but not love huh.

But then I wondered what about Carla?

"It's about...you know...it's like they quarreled." Jayden said as he stared at Lyra and Milleia who were walking in front of us. Contrary to a few months ago, where it was Lyra who was the one talking a lot, this time it was Milleia.

Milleia and Lyra were now besties and could be said to be inseparable but-

"Are you ready for the exams, Lyra?" Milleia asked with a bright smile.

"Ah? Yeah...I guess..."

"I am so nervous!"

"Yeah..."

Milleia was speaking and Lyra was nodding but even a blind could tell that something was up with Lyra and Milleia probably noticed that. She didn't seem to have asked Lyra about it though?

Lyra was acting exactly like in the game during her event.

What should I do?

Jayden needed the Heroines at his side to fight the freaks of First Game but a few of them would never be at his side.

Namely, Elona, Aurora and Kleah.

Aurora was certainly a huge loss since she was the strongest girl.

Whatever.

The most important was Milleia.

Let's say that I'm confident in my abilities to substitute Aurora and Elona but I could never substitute Milleia who had Raphiel's bloodline.

Then you would probably say why the Heroines needed to be in Jayden's harem if they had to beat an enemy? They would do it willingly if the enemy was strong but no...it doesn't work like that.

For example the leader of Ante-Eden will soon wish for Jayden's death and will try everything to kill him but the question is...

Would you put your life in danger to save Jayden, a simple classmate?

Lyra, Louisa, Clara, Aurora, Elona, and Kleah would definitely not.

Milleia will definitely since she is close to Jayden now and Miranda might as well...but I think at the last time, she would think about her brothers and chose to leave.

In the end, there was only Milleia.

And the latter would be definitely stronger if she fights for someone she loves. It was also thanks to that, she would use her awakened bloodline well.

[<There is a way though?>]

Cleenah said with a yawn.

'And what would that be? Miss Cleenah?'

[<Hmpf. What about you creating a harem and fighting with Jayden? You could do it like that, right?>]

"..."

I froze when I heard Cleenah's plan.

What the hell?

I never thought of that before because...well...it was like cheating girls in the literal sense just to beat guys. It was bordering manipulation and my threat toward Lyra could be called cute in comparison.

I am not such a bastard?

Even when I influenced some girls to speak with Jayden, I never forced them. Aunt Belle will beat me up and I would be ashamed to even meet her gaze. More importantly after all the things I had done a few months ago...

Elona will surely snap if I go with such a plan also.

After all that happened and I had done, I didn't want to play scum again...

And it's not like there were no other means.

[<Does that mean that I am a 'bastard'?>]

Definitely.

[<Hey! I was just trying to->]

'But it's not that bad of a plan...'

[<Eh? Then you mean...?!>]

"Hey, Edward, what do you think? Lyra is acting weirdly, right?" Jayden elbowed me for my lack of response.

My amber reflected Lyra and Milleia. "Don't worry." I just shrugged.