The aftermath of the Shadow Wraith attack left Crimson Imperial Academy shrouded in unease. Nobles whispered in hushed tones, their paranoia sharpened by the realization that even their gilded halls weren't immune to danger. Servants scrubbed the scorch marks from the ballroom floor, while guards patrolled the corridors with renewed vigilance.
I stood in the dimly lit infirmary, watching Liana sleep. Her rose-gold hair fanned out across the pillow, her face pale but peaceful. The healers had assured me she'd recover, but her hands still flickered faintly with residual magic—a telltale sign of her untamed power.
Quest Updated: [The Villainess' Heart]
Objective: Protect Liana Hart from those who would exploit her abilities.
Reward: Seraphine's Favor +10, ???
So the game wants me to play hero after all.
The door creaked open, and Crown Prince Cedric entered, his expression unreadable. "Leave us," he ordered the healers, who bowed and scurried out.
I tensed but kept my voice neutral. "Your Highness."
He ignored me, his gaze fixed on Liana. "A commoner with Arcane Resonance… Do you know what this means, Lockhart?"
"It means she's a target," I said bluntly.
Cedric's eyes narrowed. "Or a tool. The empire hasn't seen a mage of her potential in centuries. With proper training, she could reshape the balance of power."
My grip tightened on the hilt of my sword. "She's not a weapon."
He turned to me, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Everything in this world is a weapon, Lockhart. The question is who wields it."
Before I could retort, Seraphine's voice cut through the tension. "Your Highness, I see you've taken an interest in my servant's pet project."
She stood in the doorway, her crimson gown replaced by a tailored black riding habit. Her violet eyes glinted with icy amusement, but I didn't miss the way her gaze lingered on Liana.
Cedric straightened, his mask of diplomacy slipping back into place. "Merely assessing the academy's security, Lady Seraphine. Last night's incident was… troubling."
"Indeed," she said, stepping closer. "Which is why House Valois will handle the investigation. I trust you have no objections?"
The prince's jaw tightened, but he inclined his head. "Of course. I look forward to your findings."
As he left, Seraphine's smile vanished. She grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my flesh. "What part of 'stay out of trouble' did you fail to understand?"
"The part where saving lives counts as trouble," I shot back.
She released me with a scoff. "Sentimentality will get you killed. That girl—" she gestured to Liana, "—is a liability. If the wrong people learn of her power, they'll tear this academy apart to claim her."
"Then we protect her," I said firmly.
Seraphine raised an eyebrow. "We? You forget your place, Lockhart. You serve me, not some starry-eyed commoner."
Seraphine's Favor: -49 → -47
The notification flashed in my mind, a small but crucial shift.
"With respect, my lady," I said, choosing my words carefully, "Liana's value could benefit House Valois. Imagine the leverage of controlling the empire's most powerful mage."
Seraphine studied me, her expression unreadable. Finally, she smirked. "Clever boy. Very well—keep her close. But if she becomes a threat, I expect you to deal with her. Understood?"
I nodded, the lie bitter on my tongue. "Understood."
That evening, I found myself in the academy's forbidden archives, a labyrinth of dusty tomes and cursed artifacts. The Shadow Wraith's attack hadn't been random—it reeked of orchestration. And if I wanted to protect Liana, I needed answers.
Game Knowledge Activated:
Forbidden Archives: Contains restricted texts on dark magic and ancient rituals. Accessible only to high-ranking nobles… or reckless butlers with mimicry skills.
I traced my fingers over the spines of grimoires, my borrowed Crest magic humming faintly. The texts were encrypted, their pages blank to unauthorized eyes. But with Seraphine's mimicked aura, the words slowly shimmered into view.
"Looking for something, commoner?"
I froze. Lord Lucien Blackthorn leaned against a bookshelf, his emerald eyes glowing in the dim light. A silver pendant hung from his neck—a twisted serpent devouring its own tail.
"Lord Blackthorn," I said, bowing slightly. "I could ask you the same."
He chuckled, plucking a tome from the shelf. "Curiosity is a dangerous trait in servants. Especially those who meddle in affairs beyond their station."
"And what affairs would those be?"
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "The kind that get people killed. Tell me, does your precious Lady Seraphine know you're here?"
I met his gaze unflinchingly. "Does yours?"
His smile faltered, just for a moment. Then he laughed, the sound echoing through the archives. "You're sharper than you look. A shame you're wasted on House Valois."
He tossed me the tome—a treatise on Arcane Resonance. "You'll need this. Consider it… an investment."
Before I could respond, he melted into the shadows, leaving me alone with the book and a growing sense of dread.
End of Chapter 6