Villain's Path System-Chapter 10: Hero’s Unease

"No." Aria shook her head, a small smile touching her lips. "They wouldn’t have. Most people would have just watched."

Cassian cleared his throat. "Right. Well. Good catch, Valemont. Lucky you happened to know about that specific injury."

The emphasis on "lucky" wasn’t subtle.

Lucian finally looked at him.

Golden boy. Protagonist. Destined hero.

Currently looking at Lucian like he was a puzzle that didn’t quite fit.

"Lucky," Lucian agreed mildly. Then he smiled—polite, harmless. "Or maybe I just pay attention in the library."

Something flickered in Cassian’s eyes. Annoyance? Suspicion?

But before he could respond, Professor Kael took control.

"Thornwell! My office. Now. The rest of you—class dismissed. Get out of here."

Students began dispersing, voices buzzing with excitement.

Lucian turned to leave—

"Wait."

He paused.

Aria stepped closer, Cassian hovering protectively at her side.

"I mean it," she said. "Thank you. If you hadn’t spoken up, that boy might have died."

Up close, she was even more striking. Warm brown eyes. Genuine kindness radiating from her.

And underneath all that sweetness, a hidden sadist waiting to come out.

The contrast was fascinating.

"Just sharing knowledge," Lucian said. "Knowledge should be used to help people, right?"

"Right." She studied him curiously. "You’re Lucian Valemont, aren’t you? From House Valemont?"

"The bastard himself." He said it without bitterness. Just fact.

"I don’t care about that." Aria’s response was immediate. Firm. "I care that you helped someone when you didn’t have to."

Cassian’s jaw tightened slightly.

Oh, he doesn’t like that.

"Well," Aria continued, "if you ever want to discuss magical theory or healing techniques, I’m usually in the chapel library in the evenings. You clearly have knowledge worth sharing."

Was that... an invitation?

[SPECIAL EVENT UNLOCKED]

"The Saint’s Invitation"

Aria Lighthollow has invited you to study with her. In the original story, she only studied with Cassian.

This is a major deviation.

"I might take you up on that," Lucian said.

Aria smiled. Genuinely pleased.

Cassian looked less pleased.

"We should go," he said, hand moving to Aria’s lower back. Possessive. "The headmaster wanted to see you about the new healing ward."

"Oh. Right." Aria nodded, then looked back at Lucian. "I hope to see you around, Lucian."

She used his first name.

Cassian noticed.

Lucian noticed Cassian noticing.

This is going to be fun.

"Likewise, Aria." He inclined his head politely. "Cassian."

The protagonist’s eyes narrowed fractionally.

Then they left, Cassian’s hand still possessively on Aria’s back. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

But she glanced over her shoulder once.

At Lucian.

Curious.

Lucian didn’t make it ten steps before someone grabbed his arm.

He turned to find Seraphina, still in her training gear, face flushed—from exertion or anger, hard to tell.

"What the hell was that?" she demanded.

"What was what?"

"Don’t play dumb." Her grip tightened. "Showing off for the Saint? Really?"

Lucian raised an eyebrow. "I wasn’t showing off. I was helping someone who was dying."

"By conveniently knowing exactly what was wrong and how to fix it?" She stepped closer, eyes blazing. "You wanted to look impressive in front of her. In front of him."

Oh. Oh she’s jealous.

Lucian’s smile turned wicked. "Are you... upset that I helped someone, Seraphina?"

"I’m not upset!" She practically shouted it. "I’m just—you—why would I be—"

"Because you’re jealous."

Her face went scarlet. "I am NOT—"

"You are." He leaned in slightly, voice dropping. "You’re jealous that I impressed someone else. That’s adorable."

"I don’t get jealous!" Seraphina hissed. "Especially not over you talking to some goody-two-shoes saint!"

"Then why are you so angry?"

She opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.

No words came out.

Finally, she shoved him—not hard, just frustrated—and stormed off.

"You’re insufferable!" she called back.

"Training tonight?" Lucian called after her.

"Maybe!" She didn’t look back. "If I feel like it!"

Definitely jealous.

[AFFECTION INCREASED]

Seraphina Ashenblade: 20 → 25

Status: Interested → Conflicted

New Status Effect: "Fighting Her Feelings" (She’s attracted but her pride won’t let her admit it)

Lucian chuckled, shaking his head.

This was going better than he could have hoped.

When he finally looked around, he caught sight of Elira.

She stood in the shadow of the arena entrance, half-hidden.

Their eyes met.

She didn’t look away.

Didn’t smile.

Just... observed.

Like she was cataloging everything she’d seen. Filing it away for later analysis.

Then she turned and disappeared into the academy halls.

[AFFECTION INCREASED]

Elira Frostveil: 10 → 15

Status: Intrigued → Curious

New Thought: "He saved someone without seeking credit. He has knowledge others don’t. And he handles attention without arrogance. Who ARE you, Lucian Valemont?"

[MISSION COMPLETE]

"The Saint’s Shadow"

You’ve made a positive impression on Aria Lighthollow. The protagonist’s fiancée is now curious about you.

Fate Points earned: +30

New Skill Unlocked: "Medical Knowledge (Basic)" (You can identify and treat common magical injuries)

[WARNING: MAJOR STORY DEVIATION]

In the original story, Cassian was the one who identified the corrupted mana injury and impressed Aria with his heroism.

That event has been overwritten.

Cassian Brightmore is no longer the sole hero in Aria’s eyes.

Fate Correction probability: Medium

Be cautious. The story will attempt to reassert itself.

[TOTAL FATE POINTS: 70]

Lucian headed back to his dorm, mind racing with possibilities.

Three heroines.

All three now aware of him.

All three showing interest.

And the protagonist?

Starting to see him as a problem.

Good.

Meanwhile on the central tower.

Cassian stood at his window, staring out at the academy grounds.

Aria had just left after their meeting with the headmaster. She’d been distracted the whole time.

Kept bringing up "that Valemont boy."

How knowledgeable he was. How helpful. How different from the rumors.

Cassian’s hands clenched.

Lucian Valemont.

The bastard son. The fallen prodigy. The minor villain character who was supposed to be a joke.

So why did it feel like he was... everywhere lately?

Students whispered about him. Seraphina Ashenblade—the untouchable combat prodigy—spent time training with him.

And now Aria was impressed by him.

It doesn’t make sense.

Lucian was supposed to be pathetic. Desperate. Easy to dismiss.

But the person Cassian kept hearing about?

That wasn’t the same character.

"Something’s wrong," Cassian muttered.

The world felt... off.

Like pieces on a game board were moving in ways they shouldn’t.

He shook his head.

I’m being paranoid. I’m the protagonist. Destined for greatness. Nothing’s going to change that.

But even as he thought it, doubt crept in.

Small.

Quiet.

Growing.