I lounged in my room, sprawled across the oversized armchair.
As I tried to shake off the lingering annoyance of last night's fiasco.
The Saturday sunlight barely crept through my curtains.
Giving the room a gloomy atmosphere that suited my mood perfectly.
Yesterday had been an... event, to say the least.
All that noise, the insults, the fear on their faces.
All of it was intended, carefully orchestrated.
But in retrospect, it wasn't nearly as satisfying as the points I'd gained.
False Evil Points—FEPs—had flooded in thanks to that scene outside my door.
The system chi echoed in my mind.
Each point notification flashing before in twisted reminders of my so-called achievents.
[ 4 FEP] — Cruelly shad a classmate's family lineage.
[ 8 FEP] — Accused student of harboring lewd intentions, expertly shattering her ego.
[ 10 FEP] — Instilled profound fear in multiple students through physical intimidation and condescension.
[ 6 FEP] — Insulted a female student's dignity, calling her beauty and vanity into question, thus diminishing her self-worth.
[ 12 FEP] — Issued violent threats to a student, breaking his composure and confidence.
The points tallied up nicely, pushing closer to the skill I so desperately wanted to unlock—Killing Intent Detection.
It was a necessity, especially when existing as one of the most despised people in the academy.
You'd think being hated would be an easy task.
But the truth was that it ca with its own set of challenges.
My reputation required maintenance.
And the system seed to revel in my every misstep or miscalculation.
Even the smallest lapse in decorum.
A smudge on my clothing, an unpolished shoe—could trigger penalties that left writhing in pain.
Playing the villain to perfection wasn't just about flinging insults and glares.
There were nuances, rules to follow, limits to balance.
Firstly, being detested while keeping people on edge required constant vigilance.
One poorly tid smile, a hint of vulnerability, and the entire facade could start to crumble.
Second, the role demanded an exhaustive level of consistency, the kind that left drained by day's end.
And third, it was... well, lonely.
The isolation grated on more than I cared to admit.
Yet, as much as I despised the work it took to maintain my infamy, the benefits were worth it.
I'd always been pragmatic—no use dwelling on the fallout of past events, as unappealing as they were.
The points I'd amassed yesterday were proof enough that my effort had paid off
And if I kept things up, I'd soon have that Killing Intent Detection skill.
That would an one less weakness in a school filled with overly ambitious students and hidden threats.
For today, though, I had another agenda.
My financial situation needed attention, and the weekend presented the perfect opportunity.
Despite being born into the most prestigious family in the empire.
I had been cut off from any monetary support.
A reminder of my so-called transgression.
My family.
Even thinking about the situation left a sour taste in my mouth.
The second sester of my first year had ended in disgrace.
After a particularly unfortunate incident involving one of the school maids.
Drunk, arrogant, and entirely unaware of the consequences, I'd ended up in her quarters.
She had later testified it was consensual, yet no one had believed her.
Most assud she'd been intimidated into lying to protect .
The truth hadn't mattered to the academy, nor to my family, who seed more than willing to accept the scandal as another nail in my coffin.
Father had wanted to disown outright, erase my na from the Ashbourne line.
But Mother had intervened.
I'd been spared the ultimate disgrace, but the punishnt still stung.
No money, no resources.
Nothing, except the personal maid Father had provided.
The sa one who served as a constant, mocking reminder of that mistake.
"If you're so desperate for a good ti," Father had told , "take it out on the maid.
She's yours to do as you wish.
But don't think of seeking a single coin from ."
That mory still crawled under my skin like a disease.
I hadn't asked for any of this.
Hadn't asked for the isolation, the distrust, or the responsibility of a family na weighed down by centuries of tradition and legacy.
And yet, here I was, alone in my room.
Needing money just to survive the rest of my ti at this academy.
I'd have to find a way to make a steady inco, and I knew just the place to start.
A dying supply shop nestled in the academy's town center.
It sold everything—potions, rare ingredients, and supplies for students venturing into the academy's Western Woods or taking on personal projects.
Despite its usefulness, it was barely holding on.
A lack of support from the academy, low visibility.
And a stubborn owner who refused to modernize his business practices had left the shop in near-ruin.
For , though, it was a perfect opportunity.
It would take only a bit of leverage, so careful persuasion, and I could position myself as an investor.
There was no need for money up front if I played my cards right.
Just a convincing argunt and perhaps a bit of help from the system's skills to seal the deal.
Standing from the chair, I strode over to the mirror and began pulling on my attire for the day.
A fitted black turtleneck, a designer coat, gloves, and tailored pants.
Every detail had to be perfect.
The system's punishnt was quick to remind of that.
Each ti I let even the slightest flaw in my appearance go unaddressed, I'd suffer searing pain in my chest.
An unbearable sensation that dragged on for minutes.
Once my appearance was pristine, I stepped back and inspected the final result.
The image was as polished as it needed to be.
Every inch of exuded the cold confidence of a noble.
A figure above the rest.
Not just another student scuttling through the academy's halls.
I was ant to be detested, feared, and despite the frustration it caused, the role was one I wore like a second skin.
Stepping out of my dorm room, I could already feel the familiar stares.
My peers edged out of my way.
Keeping a wary distance, so glaring while others avoided eye contact altogether.
Good.
Let them believe what they wanted.
Let the rumors swirl.
I'd made my na as a villain here, and the FEPs kept flowing.
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