Chapter 1: The Entrance Ceremony of Villainess Youngae

Has it been 10 years since I was possessed by this world?

I was lost in thought, gazing at the scenery outside the window.

They say that in ten years, even mountains and rivers change.

It would be strange if I hadn’t.

The character I possessed.

The typical villainess who picks a fight with the ‘commoner’ protagonist in the beginning, only to be served a dose of karma, providing the readers with a refreshing sense of justice.

‘Aria Theres.’

The youngest daughter of the prestigious magical Theres Dukedom.

In a hierarchical society, one might question the plausibility and the lack of logical consistency.

But what if she’s a child born into a family of magic, yet unable to use magic?

It becomes more than plausible.

It seemed she had grown up barely treated as a human being within the household, possessing nothing but an inferiority complex.

She was jealous of even a successful commoner, ultimately ending up being sent to a convent.

Of course, after being possessed, I changed the future to some extent, but another problem arose.

***

A maid entered with a knock.

“Miss, the head of the family is calling for you.”

“I’ll be right there.”

This damn politeness comes out regardless of the situation.

Like a passive skill in a game.

Sigh, my poor life.

I followed the maid to the head’s office.

I knocked on the door and heard a response to enter.

Upon opening the door and stepping inside, the head of the Theres Dukedom was waiting for me.

Leon Theres, the Duke and my father, opened his mouth.

“Your father.”

He rose from his seat and approached me.

His cold gaze was so frigid, it made me wonder if we were truly father and daughter.

“Our Theres Dukedom has never missed the top spot. You may have been disappointing in your childhood, but surely not now?”

“I will show you through the results.”

“You better.”

After a brief conversation, I left the head’s office.

Shouldn’t he at least give me something when his child is going to the academy?

Sighing, I returned to my room and packed my belongings.

The long-awaited academy entrance ceremony was tomorrow.

Now it’s time to fully play the role of a third-rate villain.

My goal is to survive, keeping a low profile.

To quickly build a connection with the protagonist and exit this novel.

***

Countless students passed through the school gates and headed towards the auditorium, the venue for the entrance ceremony.

Befitting the academy’s reputation, the building’s exterior was lavishly decorated, gleaming entirely in gold from top to bottom as if a massive budget had been poured into it.

When I get expelled later, I could make a living just by stealing one of those.

“Miss, that’s the auditorium.”

My loyal confidante, the maid Eve, pointed to the auditorium.

“Let’s go.”

The only ally in this world who shares my secret.

Upon entering the auditorium, a bulletin board filled one wall, catching my eye.

Eve and I sat together, waiting, when a professor approached and spoke to me.

“Are you Aria Theres, from the Theres Dukedom?”

“Yes, Professor.”

The professor boasted about knowing my father and asked me to give a speech as this year’s top student.

When I mentioned that I had already yielded to the second-place student, the professor hesitated, eventually revealing his true intentions.

“Well, there are some internal circumstances. The student who entered as the runner-up this year is, ahem…”

Ah, as expected.

The student who entered as the runner-up this year is the protagonist of this world and a ‘commoner,’ which is why he’s making this request to me.

In aristocratic society, a commoner giving a representative speech is unimaginable.

The professor left only after asking me to take on the speech.

“Sigh… This wasn’t in the plans.”

“I have prepared a speech in advance, just in case.”

My confidante was indeed different.

“Thank you.”

As I was reading through the speech, I was called to wait by the podium.

While waiting for my turn to speak, the professor engaged me in small talk.

“So, I hear Aria’s magic is outstanding. Which classes did you apply for?”

“Magic Theory and Practice, Elemental Magic, and Magical Combat.”

“Hahaha, they say there’s no end to learning. You’ve chosen excellent courses. How about Etiquette and Discipline? I must say, it’s a subject I teach.”

He was infamous as the ‘Discipline Professor,’ known for indoctrinating students with his conservative values.

Unpopular, but does he think that if I apply, other students will follow?

The professor was about to say something when my name was announced.

“Introducing Aria Theres, who entered Avalon Academy at the top of her class!”

Hearing that, I bowed to the professor and then ascended the podium, surveying the students.

Curious gazes, admiring eyes, faces filled with jealousy and envy.

With the power of dark magic, I could clearly see people’s emotions.

But what’s that?

Amidst the students, a girl was glowing with pink light in the midst of the students, awash in blue, red, and black.

She had soft, pastel pink hair and a calm smile, looking so lovely as she gazed at me.

Our eyes met, and she smiled brightly.

Is that girl the protagonist of this world?

Or should I lock her up at home, shackle one leg, and raise her?

If I did that, I’d be sent to the executioner’s stand, not a convent.

I stood before the microphone and spoke.

“Nice to meet you. I am Aria Theres, who entered the academy at the top of my class.”

Thunderous applause followed, then gradually subsided.

Now, it was time to fulfill my role as a villain.

A third-rate villain in every sense.

I raised one hand, gathering magic power towards the sky.

The auditorium began to stir at the unusual energy.

This should be enough.

A massive black flame erupted from my hand, piercing the ceiling and soaring into the sky.

“Please take care of me.”

It was the perfect debut of a third-rate villain.