I Am The Game's Villain

"I heard you skipped the Academy tour, little bro," Christina said, brushing her hair while studying her reflection in the living room mirror.

"Ugh..." I groaned, spooning cereal into my bowl.

"Care to explain, Amael?" Mom playfully pinched my cheeks. "Starting to play truant already, huh?"

"Don't worry, Mom. I've already memorized the entire layout of the Academy. I decided to explore it on my own and learn more," I explained with a proud grin.

"Papa?" Annabelle, seated next to me, looked up, so I smiled and fed her a spoonful of breakfast.

"Don't try to fool us, little bro. Professor Melfina said you were just being lazy," Christina teased, motioning for Samara to join her. Samara finished her breakfast and sat across from the mirror, allowing Christina to brush her dark hair.

I made a face at Christina's words. "That snooping headmaster... Does she have nothing better to do than spy on me?"

Mom chuckled and lightly smacked my head. "She's responsible for you here in Sancta Vedelia, my dear. I don't know what's happened, but she needs to ensure you stay out of trouble."

"Ah…" 

Must because of that bastard of Charles.

"Must be because of that bastard of Charles, I will take care of him later," Mom cursed with a click of tongue.

"Pfff-!" I coughed, nearly choking on my food.

"Y-Young Lord?" Blaire, Christina's handmaid, rushed to clean the table with a towel.

"My apologies, Blaire," I said, giving her an apologetic smile.

"Mom, you really should watch your language regarding the King of a kingdom. It could lead to trouble," Christina scolded, concern in her voice.

"No need to worry, sis. He's already terrified of me," I responded, holding up my cuffed wrists to emphasize my point.

"And you, stop bragging about your 'criminal's cuffs'!" Christina scolded, tossing a comb at me that I narrowly dodged.

"Thanks," I thanked Blaire after taking a sip of water from the glass she handed me. Then, my gaze fell on Blaire's pointed small elven ears. "You're a half-elf, Blaire?"

Blaire flinched and nodded, her expression anxious.

"Helga is a half-elf too as well huh," I said as Helga was Blaire's mother.

But Blaire's face turned pale as she stammered, "I-I hope that's not a problem, Milord... I-I will—"

"No, it's not an issue," I reassured her with a wave of my hand. "I'm a half as well. And if it can reassure you, I was insulted as a 'half' yesterday by one of those Great Nobles."

"M-Milord?! That's not exactly reassuring!" Blaire was clearly taken aback by my nonchalant words.

Suddenly, the atmosphere grew cold, and I felt a bead of sweat forming on my brow.

"Who insulted you?" Mother's voice turned frosty.

"A-Ah, don't worry, Mom. I'll handle it," I quickly intervened.

"No, tell me, Amael. I'm a teacher, and I will take care of that wretch," Mother's tone was firm.

"Yes, you're a teacher, mom!l That's why you can't attack your own students!" Christina chimed in assertively.

"Exactly. Don't worry, Mom. I've already planned to take care of him someday," I reassured with a smile.

Mom's face lit up immediately, and she affectionately ruffled my hair. "That's my cute son!"

"Little bro, you can't just go around beating people up, especially not a Great Noble! And Mom, please stop encouraging him!" Christina couldn't help but shout.

[<She is without doubt the sanest person in the family.>]

'I'm sane but also resentful,' I mused silently as I finished my breakfast.

"Just wait for me, little bro. I'll show you where the gathering will happen," Christina said, rising from her seat after finishing Samara's hair.

"Sure thing," I nodded and put on my blazer.

"Edward!" Annabelle called out and came over to hug me.

I embraced her gently and patted her head. "Be good, Annabelle."

"Okay," she murmured.

"What about me?" Christina asked, spreading her arms with a playful pout.

Annabelle grinned and peeked her head out of my hug to run into Christina's arms.

"Oh, I love my little sister so much!" Christina laughed, hugging Annabelle tightly.

"I'm heading out, Mom," I announced, slipping on my shoes.

"Take care, and Christina, please give your brother a hand. It's his first day, after all. He might be a little nervous," Mom advised.

"No way, Mom. I'm seventeen already! No nerves here," I retorted.

"I'll be quite occupied with Professor Priscilla, anyway," Christina muttered.

"Let's go, Samara," I signaled to her, and she waved at Mom and Annabelle before joining me in her unique dimension.

"Goodbye, Mom!" Christina waved, then turned to join us with Blaire.

"Is Blaire coming along too?" I raised an eyebrow, noticing Blaire in a similar maid uniform.

"Yeah," Christina confirmed. "In Trinity Eden Academy, students are allowed to bring their maids or butlers to assist them, mainly for safety reasons. Most parents are quite protective of their children."

Right, I had forgotten about that. Victor and Celeste don't bring any assistants, so it slipped my mind.

Since we were traveling together, I climbed into the backseat of Christina's car, sitting beside her. Blaire took the front passenger seat next to the driver.

"Feeling nervous, brother?" Christina shot me a teasing grin.

"I don't get nervous about such trivial things, sister," I replied confidently.

I might have been nervous when the First Game had started but not now.

"I'm so nervous lil bro!" Christina said while grabbing my arm. "I will be assisting Professor Priscilla, my dream!"

"Professor Priscilla?"

"Yes! Professor Priscilla Raven, she's incredible!" Christina's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Raven? What's her connection to Victor?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Oh, you met Victor too? She's his aunt," Christina replied.

"You know Victor as well? I just met him yesterday," I said.

"Yep, I'm familiar with all the Great Nobles of my generation. It's important to know who will be shaping the future alongside you," Christina explained with a smile.

And she was right.

Back in Celesta, our group was brought together by circumstance, but we eventually formed genuine friendships. We understood that as the future leaders, maintaining good relations among ourselves was crucial.

Today's route was different from yesterday's. We entered an underground parking area connected to the Academy. Christina's position as a staff member allowed us to use this reserved space.

My mother and sister were working for the most prestigious academy of Sancta Vedelia and I was Great Noble. This was actually amazing. I will make sure to take advantage of it.

Stepping out of the car, we walked further into the modern parking structure until we reached an elevator. Christina pushed the button, and we waited.

"Oh, isn't that Christina?" A voice called from behind.

We turned to see a man with white hair and blue eyes. He strongly resembled Melfina, and I recognized him as Victor's class teacher, Harvey Indi Zestella.

Melfina's son and Celeste's father.

"Professor Harvey! Thank you again for your help last year," Christina expressed her gratitude with a smile.

"No need to mention it, Christina. You've been one of the best students I've had the pleasure to teach," Harvey chuckled warmly and playfully tapped Melfina's shoulder.

It was an innocent, fatherly gesture, but I quickly stepped between them, stopping Harvey's hand from moving any further towards Christina. I smiled at him. "Thank you for looking out for Christina."

[<Is that a sister complex?>]

'I'm not John!'

Speaking of John, I completely forgot about him.

Damn…

He didn't even come yesterday for the visit.

Melfina probably prepared him an apartment or something anyway. 

But I had no way to contact him…

I should really buy a new phone.

That bastard of Charles broke my phone, suspecting me to have a hand in all the mess that had happened in the Dorian Capital.

Harvey's expression shifted from amusement to a slight frown, as if he sensed something off about the situation. He seemed to consider my intervention but then brushed it aside. "And who might you be?"

Christina placed her hands on my shoulders and grinned. "This is my charming cousin, Amael!"

"Ah, Amael?" Harvey's eyes held a glimmer of understanding. "My mother warned me to be cautious around you, ahaha."

Her again!

"That granny is quite the gossip," I couldn't help but blurt out.

"Excuse me?" Harvey's laughter halted abruptly, and he looked down at me.

"Ah…" Christina gave an awkward smile and swiftly guided me into the elevator, pressing the button for the upper floors.