Confusion—that's the only word that describes what I'm feeling right now. But there's no time to process it. Right in front of me, Brian is charging, his wooden sword raised for an attack.
He swings a horizontal slash, and instinctively, I leap backward. Despite spending most of my life glued to a computer screen, dodging him feels almost... easy.
"Even if this is just sparring, at least fight me seriously, Raul!"
Once again, Brian calls me Raul de Garcia, the antagonist from the game I created. Could I really be inside his body? Is that why my reflexes seem so sharp?
I glance at his armband. He and Raul are second-year students at Grunbelt Academy, an elite school for training knights, mages, and priests in the Aragon Empire.
Which means... I'm in Path of Destiny's opening event. This is the first advanced swordsmanship class, where Raul spars with Brian.
Brian shifts his stance, preparing for another attack. I recognize his technique—it's one of his signature moves from the game.
What should I do?
If I let Brian win, the game's storyline will unfold as it should. Raul will lose, fall into disgrace, and eventually make a pact with a demon for power. But what if I beat him? Will that change the story's course? If Brian doesn't shine, he may not become the hero humanity desperately needs in the war against the demon army.
I steal a glance at Ariel de Lusignan—the platinum-haired girl watching Brian anxiously from the sidelines. Raul's unrequited love. Her worried gaze sends a strange wave of anger through me. Is this Raul's lingering emotion? Whatever it is, I can't seem to shake it off.
Fine, Raul. You want this? I'll give you what you want.
"Get ready, Raul! Here I come!" Brian yells, his sword glowing faintly with Temper Magic, a spell that enhances weapons.
He rushes at me with a series of slashes—horizontal, then diagonal. I dodge them with ease, but he's relentless, launching a seven-hit combo.
I block three and evade the rest.
"You dodged everything!?" Brian stares at me in shock.
Well, I did design your moves, after all.
"But don't think that's all I've got! Accelerate!" he yells, and glowing particles gather around his legs.
He charges at double speed, faster than I anticipated. He's talented—this is high-level magic, even for third-year students.
-Clang!
Our swords clash, but mine cracks under the pressure. I leap back, barely avoiding his next strike.
-Crack!
My sword shatters.
With my guard down, Brian aims a final, decisive blow.
Heh~ You're too naive, Brian.
I activate Temper Magic in my hands and block his strike, then punch him in the gut with my free hand.
"Ughhh!"
Brian drops his sword, doubling over. I don't waste the chance. A flurry of punches lands before he can even react.
"Stop! The match is over!" the instructor yells.
Ignoring him, I deliver one last uppercut, sending Brian sprawling across the arena.
Ariel and the instructor rush over to him, Ariel immediately casting healing magic.
"The winner is—Brian!" the instructor declares coldly. "Raul de Garcia, minus 30 points!"
As expected. Victory goes to whoever knocks out their opponent or breaks their weapon. I already knew the outcome when my sword shattered.
Ariel approaches me, her face dark with anger. Her beauty is even more striking in person than it ever was on-screen—platinum hair like spun silver, eyes glittering like jewels, a face sculpted by gods. My heart pounds, and I can't tell if it's Raul's feelings or mine.
"Why did you do that? The match was over the moment your sword broke!" she yells, her voice trembling with fury. "Do you hate Brian that much, that you'd go that far just to humiliate him?"
Tears brim in her eyes, and once again, I feel that familiar, heavy ache. Raul's emotions weigh on me like a burden I can't shake. Her harsh words cut deep.
"Why have you turned into such a cruel person, Raul?"
My body trembles. I want to explain, tell her I was only defending myself, that Brian struck first when I was defenseless. But no words come.
I've faced worse criticisms in the real world, but something about her words leaves me hollow. Raul's emotions cling to me, amplifying the pain.
Without another glance, I walk out of the arena. I can still feel Ariel's hateful eyes following me as I leave, her disappointment heavier than any wound I've taken.
For the first time, I understand Raul's torment. I know now why he broke.
At last, I reach Grunbelt Academy's dormitory for nobles. The grandeur of the place makes it clear just how privileged Raul's life was compared to the common students.
Raul de Garcia—the heir to Duke Alvaro de Garcia. A character destined to die within three chapters of the game, always at Brian's hands.
Arrogant, prideful, and ultimately, a tragic figure consumed by his obsession with power and love. A man whose hatred drives Ariel away, pushing him further into darkness.
I stand before a mirror in my room, staring at the reflection of a black-haired young man with cold, distant eyes.
In the game, Raul's talents are barely above average. He's neither a skilled swordsman nor a powerful mage. But he does possess one unique ability—Villain's Destiny.
A Blessing bestowed at birth, like a magical signature that defines one's potential. Raul's Blessing allows him to tolerate immense pain while enhancing his physical abilities. But it comes with a cost: the more people despise him, the stronger it becomes. The more hatred he incites, the closer he steps to destruction.
"Will finishing the game's storyline return me to my world?"
I don't know. But what I do know is this—this is my reality now.
And if I want to survive as Raul de Garcia ... I need to avoid every death flag and somehow keep humanity from falling to the demons.