The majestic creature before Jass was a peculiar sight - a golden-hued lion adorned with enormous wings, granting it the power of flight.
Despite its unusual appearance, it has the similar rank as her in this strange tiers system.
The beast lunged towards her. Jass wanted to gauge her own abilities, experiment both her endurance and raw strength against this formidable or… weakest opponent if she could.
"You are not so fast!"
Watching the slow motion moment, Jass called out, nimbly evading the lion's clawed swipe.
Though she is not yet at the peak of her powers, Jass was eager to explore the limits of her current abilities.
She sidestepped gracefully, allowing the creature to rush past.
Undeterred, it circled back, prowling around her while searching for any sign of weakness. Suddenly, it pounded from behind, seizing an opportunity as per its instincts.
Jass taunted.
"What a craven tactic and imbecile king."
With lightning-fast reflexes, she grasped the lion's paw mid-strike and twisted it forcefully.
—Crack!
"Grooohhhhh!"
A deafening bone shattering sound spread into the air with an agonised roar.
The lion collapsed, then struggled to its feet, carefully avoiding putting weight on its injured limb.
It fixed Jass with a menacing angry glare, baring its fangs in a display of defiance and pain.
"You dare lay hands on me."
The creature snarled with whammy and fury.
"What choice did I have? I'm a lady, and you're clearly male. It's you who shouldn't be touching me."
Jass replied, feigning innocence. She blinked childishly, acting a facade of naivety as her gaze deliberately roamed to the lion's lower regions.
"You—Grohhhhhh!"
The creature's retort was cut short by a pained howl as Jass delivered a swift, powerful kick to its sensitive area.
When it lashed out with its claws, aiming for her throat, Jass warmly leapt aside and catched its tail and spinned around.
"Release me!"
The lion's voice strained with affliction from the previous assault.
If were it not for its magical nature, the beast would likely have been incapacitated, writhing on the ground in humiliation.
Jass didn't deactivate herself after listening to the command and played more.
"What's this? The mighty little kitten reduced to begging? I thought you were supposed to be powerful."
Unbeknownst to her foe and own self, her strength had increased slightly due to the exertion, her muscles rapidly repairing thanks to her light element abilities and demonic bloodline.
At first, intending to merely test her limits but seeing that lion was a far weaker adversary than she had anticipated.
It changed her mind as who wanted to waste the time.
'Still, it could prove useful for my necromancy spells.'
Without mercy, Jass slammed the creature against the earth several times before fabricating an ice-infused scythe.
Sensing its upcoming doom, the lion attempted to take flight, but Jass was quicker.
With deadly precision, she waved her newly formed icy weapon, its razor-sharp edge cleanly severing the beast's neck mid-escape.
The lion died on the spot.
"At last, you may prove more valuable. [Shadows Reanimate!]"
Jass held her hand aloft over the lion's lifeless form, channelling her magical energy.
The exertion left her physically and mentally drained.
A purple aura enveloped the lion's corpse. Its shadow detached, coalescing into a new entity that bowed beside the original body with a wagging tail.
"Mistress!"
The reanimated lion manifested as a dark silhouette, wreathed in crimson energy.
There was also a Intricate pattern with her name that adorned its form as it gazed at Jass's shadow. She is very happy at the spell's potency.
This dark affinity allowed her to create her own forces while affording new vessels for victims to the deceased.
Nevertheless, the duration of a soul's resurrection can't not be sure at present.
'A remarkable incantation, yet so taxing for the current body situation.'
It wasn't long when soon fatigue clouded her vision as it blurry very much. Her body, exhausted by the spell, felt as if it might crumble at any moment.
"Guard me until I am awake. If something happened… Call me if there is any danger… I will be…"
She was sentenced before crashing into earth and losing her own consciousness.
"As you wish, Mistress!"
The lion's unwavering loyalty was ensured by the spell. Any hint of betrayal would condemn it to the depths of hell and painful death.
***
"Urghh!"
Jass opened her eyes at pace, finding herself seated on the ground at her ass weight.
The lion stood nearby just as if he was a king of forest, and she noticed it was now afternoon.
Instead of questioning her surroundings, she observed a mysterious lifespan indicator above the lion's head, tilting her head in idiosyncrasy.
'System, will its lifespan increase as it advances in cultivation? Or is its progress tied to mine, only changing when I discuss ranks?'
[Indeed. Its development totally relies on your cultivation and progression. For instance, if you create a subordinate of higher rank than yourself...]
[These subordinates cannot cultivate independently and lean on your betterment. When you acquire a new tier, they too will advance from their original rank. Rest assured, they retain their own minds but will never disobey your commands...]
[Their existence is associated with yours. They are also detailed about it. As long as they are bystanders that should you perish, the spell amalgamates them will end, and they will cease to be.]
"I see."
Jass also erected to her feet and instructed the lion to merge with her shadow, which it promptly did. Since the creature lacked a name, she decided to call it Ln.
***
"Welcome back, Miss!"
As Jass put her foot into her hotel, several waiters greeted her.
The establishment bustled with patrons, drawn by its renowned cuisine.
Having thoroughly researched the restaurant's operations, Jass approached the female manager and briefed the president on a few matters - congregating all in the office room.
"Excellent work, Lia. I have a task for you. From now on, you are superior to make decisions on your own, considering the hotel at your discretion. Also launch some branches to other divisions and generate positive publicity for us."
Jass crossed her legs on the head chair and clapped for everyone.
"If we achieve favourable results by year's end, I'll double everyone's salary. Additionally, you'll all receive a bonus this month."
"Thank you, Madam Chairwoman! We'll give it our all."
The staff exclaimed in unison, their eyes gleaming with enthusiasm, exiting the office room leaving two people alone.
Lia in her thirties, maintaining a serious demeanour as an adult woman, elucidated to Jass that she would handle everything.
Jass knew she could blindly trust Lia, implicitly for business matters.
"Leave it all to me. Little Jass, are you planning to attend Nexus Campus?"
Lia probed as they settled in the office, pouring tea for both of them and sat beside her.
Jass sipped her beverage before responding.
"Indeed, I am. It is $10,000 monthly tuition but thanks to you all employees handiwork, application on all production, our other short and share market business, I've covered up the costs for the next three years in advance."
"Is that so? Shall I arrange a new wardrobe for you?"
Lia proposed earnestly, no stranger to that… Jass had rarely indulged in personal shopping, always prioritising others' needs.
Jass detected Lia's concerned expression.
Though she brought only a few fragments of the original owner's memories and novel, she still is… overlooker of the identity of the villainess.
The System had withheld this information, insisting she unearth everything by herself which will be a better adventure for everyone.
After her conversation with Lia, Jass visited the salon.
She opted for a butterfly haircut, which accentuated her features and elevated her allure to new heights.
At last, the day came to light for her journey to Nexus Campus.
She travelled overnight to reach this renowned institution, which is situated in Asia's premier metropolis and acclaimed worldwide for its academic excellence.
As morning broke, Jass donned a sophisticated ensemble: sleek black trousers, a crisp white shirt, and a smart black blazer.
Her attire polished the air of a seasoned businesswoman, reflecting her professional attitude and ambitious spirit as she entered the campus gate.
'This Nexus campus is impressive, its aesthetic appeal matching the images online perfectly.'
From her peripheral vision, she noticed numerous individuals gawking at her face, drooling and separate lips. She even caught a few people gulping audibly by her hearing senses.
'Tsk! You all repulsive vermin. Once you learn of my demonic lineage, you'll estimate or account to me with revulsion.'
The previous evening, she had perused the Villainess's journal, which babbled that society had convicted her due to her infernal heritage.
Even her own family had cast her out when she turned eleven. Demons were regarded as refuse due to their history of savage deeds.
Thinking about this matter, she clenched her hands into fists and strode into the campus, looking at the board to check her classroom.
The notice was indicated examination hall results, and Villainess, being intellectually gifted, had successfully secured a place in Class A.
The institution divided students into four tiers - D, C, B, and A - each accommodating 200 pupils.
A represented the elite, while D was fashioned for those who collectively scored 50% on the assessment.
Jass stood at the gate of classroom A…
'Damn it! These blasted heroes and heroines always stir up shit. The classes have barely begun, and you two idiots are already causing me grief.'