Elias—or rather Kane Elgard—sat in the corner of the Academy cafeteria, his tray of bland, unappetizing food untouched. Around him, the hum of conversation and laughter filled the room as students from noble houses and powerful families formed cliques. Kane's memories told him that this scene was familiar—because he was always on the outskirts of it. A nobody. A failure. A third-rate villain who barely passed his classes and whose peers mocked him openly.
Perfect, Elias thought. The less attention I draw, the better.
It wasn't that he lacked ambition, but every instinct screamed that stepping into the spotlight in this world would only lead to disaster. He knew how stories like this went. The protagonists—powerful, destined heroes—would rise, and characters like Kane? They were stepping stones. The nameless, faceless cannon fodder meant to be crushed underfoot.
Not him. Not this time.
System Notification
Daily Mission: Maintain a Low Profile
Objective: Avoid drawing attention to yourself during lunchtime.
Reward: +5 Stealth Points.
Penalty: Increased suspicion from peers.
The glowing text flickered in his vision, making Elias grimace. The system seemed intent on throwing missions his way, and while he appreciated the rewards, he couldn't help but feel like it had a dark sense of humor.
"Low profile it is," he muttered, scooping up a spoonful of lukewarm stew.
"Hey, Kane!" a sharp voice rang out.
Elias froze mid-bite. A gangly boy with a shock of red hair and freckles stood over him, sneering. He recognized the boy as Lyle Ferris, a low-ranking noble who somehow managed to punch down on Kane despite his own mediocrity. Lyle and his friends stood behind him, laughing.
"What's the matter, Elgard? Too good to sit with the rest of us now?" Lyle's mocking tone set off a wave of chuckles from his entourage.
Just stay quiet. Don't escalate, Elias reminded himself.
He forced a sheepish smile. "I'm just eating, Lyle. That's all."
"Oh? Eating in a corner like a stray dog?" Lyle leaned in closer, his voice dripping with cruelty. "You really are pathetic. No wonder your family barely acknowledges you."
The words stung, not because Elias cared, but because Kane's memories carried the weight of that truth. House Elgard was a minor noble house with dwindling influence, and Kane was its black sheep, a constant source of disappointment.
Elias tightened his grip on the spoon, debating his next move. He could stand up, shout back, or maybe even throw the stew in Lyle's face. But all of those options screamed attention.
Instead, he laughed—softly, self-deprecatingly. "You're probably right, Lyle. I am pretty pathetic. But hey, at least I'm not wasting time bothering someone even lower than me."
The cafeteria went quiet. Lyle's smirk faltered, his face reddening as some of the students began snickering. His friends shifted uncomfortably, clearly unsure how to respond. Elias kept his eyes down, focusing on his tray, pretending the entire encounter hadn't just happened.
Mission Complete!
Reward: +5 Stealth Points.
Bonus: +1 Wit.
The system notification popped up, and Elias sighed in relief. Lyle mumbled something under his breath before stomping off, his entourage following like lost puppies. The tension in the cafeteria eased, and conversations resumed.
One crisis down, a hundred more to go.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Elias kept his head down during lectures, relying on the system's assistance whenever a question was directed at him. It was a strange partnership—one he didn't fully trust—but it was better than failing outright. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the Academy grounds, he found himself back in Kane's cramped dorm room.
The room was as unimpressive as its occupant: a small bed, a desk piled with ungraded assignments, and a window that barely let in any light. Elias collapsed onto the mattress, staring at the cracked ceiling.
"I need a plan," he muttered.
Surviving day-to-day wasn't enough. If he wanted to avoid becoming fodder for the Academy's main storyline, he needed to map out a long-term strategy. That meant avoiding entanglements with the main cast, steering clear of conflicts, and keeping his role as insignificant as possible.
But as much as he hated to admit it, he also needed power. Even staying invisible required some level of strength in a world where the weak were trampled without hesitation.
The system chimed softly, almost as if responding to his thoughts.
A small smile tugged at Elias's lips. "Well, looks like I've got my work cut out for me."
For now, he would remain Kane Elgard, the third-rate villain no one cared about. But if anyone thought that meant he was weak, they were sorely mistaken.