The room filled with claps and cheers as I eagerly waited for the introduction of the highest-ranking first-year student, Lux.
The excitement was so strong you could feel it, but what happened on that stage completely shocked me. Instead of the expected boy with white hair, a really impressive young man with dark green hair confidently stepped to the center.
His name was Ambos Dilhadia, and that name made my mind shake with surprise.
"For God's sake, why the fuc* this bastard is here? My mind was in turmoil, many thoughts began to arise in my mind such as, why is he present here? Is he the one who ranked 1st in the entrance exam? If he was, then why did a change occur in the story? Is it due to my influence? No, no, It can't be due to my influence, then what?" (Alex).
You see, in my meticulously crafted novel, Ambos was supposed to be confined to his bed, the tragic consequence of a demon-inflicted injury that had left his mana pool irreparably damaged. So, why on earth was he here, confidently walking to the stage?
As I tried to understand what was happening, a notification suddenly caught my eye. It was a secret quest, and its goal was nothing short of confusing:
"Become the best friend of Ambos Dilhadia."
I couldn't believe my eyes. Why on earth would I want to befriend the main villain of my own story?
Ambos came from a really important and powerful family. He was Abos Dilhadia's son, who was an SS rank awakened and the respected leader of the Awakener's Association.
Ambos had incredible potential, and since he was really young, he had been sharpening his combat skills with the expert guidance of his father.
Yet, tragedy struck when Ambos was just 14 years old. A high-ranked vampire attacked him viciously, causing serious injuries and leaving him permanently disabled.
His father, Abos Dilhadia, felt desperate and tried everything to heal Ambos's damaged mana pool, but nothing worked.
It was only because of a mysterious figure, even more enigmatic than Ambos, that he got cured in a way no one could explain.
Since then, Ambos focused on intense training and became a strong force. He even got into the Arcane Academy as a second-year student in the same class as the protagonist.
Ambos wasn't just talented; he had a scary side that gave people chills. On the outside, he seemed kind and friendly, but beneath that, he had a cruel nature. He had a strong determination to get what he wanted and would do anything to achieve it, making him a perfect and really scary villain.
To compound matters, he commanded a legion of loyal subordinates, and even an enigmatic S-rank guardian shadowed his every move.
[The Hidden Quest has been accepted]
Given the confusing situation and the puzzling quest, I found myself reluctantly agreeing to the challenge.
The appeal of Ambos's huge wealth, his unmatched strength, and the powerful organization backing him were too tempting to ignore.
However, the question was still challenging: how do you make friends with a character who, according to the novel's carefully crafted story, was supposed to be the main character's strongest enemy?
As I struggled with this confusing problem, the details of the quest appeared in front of me:
Hidden Quest: Forge a meaningful friendship with Ambos Dilhadia
Rewards: A generous bounty of 1200 experience points
Penalty: None to be feared
Timeframe: An ample 89 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 56 seconds
Choosing to take on this quest was a practical decision. Ambos's extensive resources, his incredible strength, and the unbeatable organization behind him offered an opportunity too good to pass up.
Yet, the task of turning a well-known villain into a reliable friend felt like a towering mountain to climb.
While I was in my middle of thoughts, Ian finished his speech:
"Now you all can go to your respective classes, I hope that all of you will work hard and become a support for humanity in the future!"
The welcoming ceremony ended, and students went to their assigned classrooms. To my disappointment, I soon found myself in front of a door with too many memories.
(A-05)
This was the exact classroom where the main characters in the novel had shaped their destinies. It was a place full of mystery, where jealous rivals and scheming competitors had plotted elaborate schemes.
Despite my worries, I picked a seat near the window, resigning myself with a sigh. My past life had been marked by solitude, and my interest in socializing was minimal.
Moreover, any attempts to interact with my classmates seemed destined to be met with indifference.
With a whole twenty minutes before class started, exhaustion started to weigh on me like a heavy cloak. I had been awake for almost a full day, and the idea of staying alert felt as distant as the stars.
Luckily, it was orientation day, and I expected minimal extensive conversation, a relief that suited my tired state.
Right when I was about to give in to a restless nap, the calm of the classroom was shattered by an unexpected interruption.
A newcomer had walked in, causing a noisy commotion among my recently acquainted classmates.