Hiroshi Kuroda woke up with a pounding headache and an overwhelming sense of dread. The rich, ornate bedroom around him was straight out of a fantasy novel—gilded mirrors, velvet curtains, and a massive canopy bed. But none of that mattered because he knew exactly where he was—and what was about to happen.

"No… No, no, no! This can't be happening!" Lucien whispered, clutching his head.

Memories flooded in. Lucien von Zephyr—arrogant, entitled noble, despised by everyone around him. The villainous background character in the anime Crimson Dawn. And this was Episode 7—the episode where Lucien died.

He knew it was Episode 7 because the details matched perfectly—the ornate room and the timing

The reason for his death was no mystery either. Throughout the anime, Lucien had been portrayed as a pathetic, obsessive noble who constantly tried to win the affection of the heroines—Lilia Elthorne, the so-called villainess, and Cecilia Winslet, one of the main heroines. His approach? Lavish gifts, grand confessions, and creepy persistence. But in Episode 6, things escalated. Lucien, in a moment of desperation and arrogance, tried to get physical with Cecilia. That was his breaking point—and the moment where anime's protagonist, Leon Albright ,stepped in to deliver his judgment.

It all clicked because of one thing: his past life.

In his previous life,Hiroshi —an extreme introvert who focused solely on studying. No hobbies, and certainly no interest in anime or manga. The only reason he even knew about Crimson Dawn was because his one and only friend had forced him to watch Episode 7.

"You'll love this one!" his friend had said.

Hiroshi had hated it. But that one episode—the episode where Lucien von Zephyr pushed too far and met his brutal end—stuck with him.

And now he was here. As that Lucien.

A sharp chime rang in his head.

[Survival System Activated]

Lucien froze.

[Welcome, Host. Objective: Survive.]

"Survive?! You're kidding me! I know what happens next—I die!" Lucien shouted.

[Correct. Host's current survival rate: 5%. Would you like assistance?]

"Yes! Yes, I want assistance!" Lucien cried.

[Then you must attend the academy and face your fate. Failure to do so will result in immediate death.]

Lucien paled. "But everyone hates me! The heroines, the servants—everyone!"

[Then you'd better change their minds, Host.]

The system went silent, and Lucien felt the weight of his situation crash down on him.

The academy was his only chance. And if he wanted to survive, he'd have to rewrite Lucien von Zephyr's story.

But with the entire world against him, how long could he last?

Taking a deep breath, Lucien swung his legs off the bed and stood up. His reflection in the mirror showed a face both familiar and foreign—sharp features, cold blue eyes, and an air of arrogance that felt unnatural to him. He was dressed in an opulent night robe, embroidered with gold and far too extravagant for his taste.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. "Young Master, your bath is ready," a maid's voice called from behind the door.

He hesitated. The fear in her voice was obvious—she was terrified of him. He remembered why. The original Lucien was infamous for his temper and cruel behavior toward the staff.

"Thank you," Lucien said, keeping his voice calm.

There was a long pause before the maid answered. "Y-Yes, Young Master."

As the door clicked shut, Lucien sighed. It was going to be a long day.

Later, dressed in his academy uniform—a sleek black coat with silver accents—Lucien stood at the entrance of the mansion. A carriage waited to take him to the Royal Academy of Aetheria. The thought of facing his classmates made his stomach twist.

[Reminder: Avoiding the academy will result in immediate death.]

"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Lucien muttered.

As the carriage rolled through the city, he took in the sights of Aetheria—towering spires, bustling marketplaces, and streets lined with magic-powered lanterns. It was breathtaking, but he couldn't appreciate it. His mind was too busy preparing for what lay ahead.

He had to survive. And to do that, he'd have to face the people who hated him most.

The Royal Academy of Aetheria loomed ahead—an imposing castle-like structure with intricate towers and sprawling courtyards. The students milling about the entrance turned to glare as Lucien stepped out of the carriage. Their whispers were immediate and cutting.

"Ugh, it's him."

"I heard he threatened a servant just yesterday."

"Why does he even bother showing his face here?"

Lucien swallowed hard, his resolve weakening. But the system's warning echoed in his head.

[Face your fate, Host. Survive.]

Taking a shaky breath, Lucien stepped forward. His story was just beginning.

The academy's grand entrance hall was just as overwhelming as the outside—polished marble floors, towering stained-glass windows, and intricate chandeliers. Students walked in groups, laughing and chatting—until they noticed Lucien. Then the laughter faded.

"He's here already? Great," one boy sneered.

"He'll probably start something again," a girl muttered.

Lucien kept his head down, fighting the urge to turn and run.

[Escape is not an option, Host. You must endure.]

He moved toward his classroom, each step heavy with the weight of countless eyes on his back. He didn't know how he was going to change his fate, but one thing was clear.

If he wanted to live, he'd have to start now.