Regaining his composure quickly, Alex promptly apologized to the woman he had bumped into: Anastasia Blake, the main villainess of the novel into which he had transmigrated. Brief flashes of what seemed to be memories of what he had read in the novel appeared in his eyes.
Anastasia Blake was no ordinary villainess, nor was she obsessed. She did not love the protagonist nor did she want him for herself. In fact, the protagonist was indifferent to her.
So, how did a woman who was indifferent to the protagonist become the novel's villainess?
The answer was simple: necessity.
The author made Anastasia's constant rejection of the protagonist be misunderstood by his harem as a form of contempt for him.
This leads us to the next step to sink her: rumors and time skips.
From the beginning, it was a nonsensical novel, as shown when, after a few rejections, the female protagonists say something like: "Don't you dare belittle my love, or you will have problems." And of course, after reading something like that, one expects an interesting development, but it turns out there isn't one.
You just enter the next chapter, and there's the legendary "time skip." You don't know how much time has passed, but you do know that suddenly, the woman who had rejected the protagonist is labeled as a villainess.
And Alex didn't like that. The character he loved the most, whom he wanted and respected, was incriminated from one day to the next, and a couple of chapters later, she is killed off so the protagonist can gain some power. Something very generic in today's novels, but it leaves a bad taste in the mouth of any reader.
Putting aside all those futureless thoughts, Alex put on a kind smile and briefly apologized. "Umm, sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going, and before I knew it, I had bumped into you," said Alex, with a touch of embarrassment in his voice.
Anastasia, who had regained her composure almost instantly from the collision, gave him a small nod while maintaining a severe and cold facial expression. "Don't worry about it," she said with her icy voice. She passed by Alex and continued on her way, without bothering with anything else.
Bewildered by the encounter, Alex shook his head from side to side while sighing. 'Of course, what was I expecting? For her to fall in love with me at first sight or something?'
'Although it's not like I was...'
'Let's go home and see when the academy starts, and what day the ritual is.' Half an hour after arriving at his house, quickly opening the door, he entered and started the computer to search for the academy's calendar.
"So classes start on September 12th, and it's the 10th now, perfect. I must prepare everything then."
He spent the next two days resolving any issues the previous body owner might have had and also tried to enter the tattoo again, but to no avail.
It's September 12th, and Alex steps out the door to catch the subway to the academy, his home for the next few years. You could see the youngsters getting on the subway and saying goodbye to their parents; all had bright expectations, many had desires for adventure, to be recognized, to bring honor to their families.
Pity many wouldn't expect that the Academy of Myths and Legends was not for mere mortals, it was for legends. Beings who could leave a mark on humanity by fighting in its name; everyone can grab a sword, but not everyone can cut with it.
Alex got on calmly, he didn't know anyone and had no intention of making friends, so he did the only thing a man like him could do: sleep. The journey was approximately 5 hours, so it would give him time to take a good nap.
Time passed, and an alarm woke him from his relaxing sleep. A pleasant voice came out of the subway speakers.
[To all students, we will be at the stop of the Academy of Myths and Legends in 3 minutes. Please take all your belongings; remember, we are not responsible for items lost during the trip. Thank you for trusting us.]
Standing up, he grabbed the backpack he had been holding throughout the journey and approached one of the exit doors. A crowd was gathering at that exit, and Alex could recognize some interesting faces:
Leon Starfire, Karah Bones, Charlotte Roses, Drag White and Leyra Green.
These names that came to his mind were the names of some of the faces he had recognized. And of course, these are the main cast, the ones charged with saving the world and standing out, the chosen ones.
Putting aside his thoughts, he waited for some space to clear before exiting. Once outside, he was stunned by the sight.
Alex POV:
From the first moment my eyes landed on the Academy of Myths and Legends, I knew I was about to enter a world completely different from anything I had known before. The sight was as imposing as it was magical, as if a fragment of an ancient dream had materialized before me in the modern world. The walls surrounding the academy, tall and robust, were adorned with reliefs that narrated stories of heroes and legendary creatures, shining with a light of their own that seemed to change with the angle of the sun.
The main gate, a masterpiece in itself, appeared to be forged from a metal not of this world; it was dark in color but with flashes of captured stars within its essence, spinning and shining with its own life. The gate was guarded by two griffin statues, so detailed and majestic that for a moment I wondered if they would come to life at any moment.
Crossing the threshold, the path bifurcated into a cobblestone avenue flanked by trees whose leaves whispered stories of bravery and magic to the wind. The path led directly to the main building of the academy, an imposing castle that combined architecture from different eras and cultures, from medieval towers to pavilions reminiscent of ancient temples. It was as if each stone and tower were a tribute to the countless stories that had been woven into the tapestry of time.
The gardens surrounding the path were meticulously cared for, with flowers that seemed to emit their own light and fountains whose waters danced to the rhythm of an inaudible music. Every element, from the most grandiose to the minutest details, was imbued with a magic that made the air vibrate with the promise of adventures and hidden knowledge.
The first sight of the Academy of Myths and Legends was overwhelming in its beauty and mystery. I felt a mix of awe and reverence, a sensation of being on the threshold of a world where the impossible intertwines with the everyday. It was evident that this place was not just a learning institution; it was a portal to a realm where myths and legends come to life, inviting those brave or curious enough to explore their secrets. At that moment, with my heart beating strong in my chest, I knew my life was about to change forever.