Chapter 1: The Simp’s Escape

“Yalin, is it truly your intention to transfer to the Alchemy Branch?”

Within Arcadia Academy, specifically the Magic Arts Branch.

A young woman stood in Yalin’s path, blocking his way along the marble-paved corridor.

While a hint of childishness still clung to her fair, delicate features, the stern expression in her eyes and brows perpetually revealed her formidable aura.

Her flame-red hair cascaded neatly over her shoulders, and paired with a meticulously tailored battle gown, it accentuated her striking, heroic presence.

Yalin subtly lifted his gaze, his dark eyes reflecting the young woman’s graceful figure.

Her name was Celeste, his childhood friend.

She had begun to distinguish herself during the entrance examinations, and was later personally designated by the Academy Head as a once-in-a-century genius.

Her illustrious reputation was known to all within the Magic Arts Branch, and even students from the other two branches had heard of her.

Beautiful and powerful—these words perfectly encapsulated her essence.

As for Yalin… in a certain sense, he too was a well-known figure.

This was evident from the bystanders’ comments.

“Hey, isn’t that the simp (TL Note: ‘tiangou’, is a derogatory term for someone who excessively fawns over another person, often to the point of being subservient and lacking self-respect, usually in pursuit of romantic attention.) from the start of the semester?”

“Oh, it’s that guy. Just because he knew Celeste when they were kids, he got all presumptuous and clung to her every day. So disgusting!”

“A useless young master from a fallen noble family, acting as if he’s someone important.

I heard he completely shut himself off after being rejected a few times.

I thought he’d disappeared, so has he won some kind of resurrection match now?”

“Ugh, if you ask me, Celeste is too kind-hearted to tolerate him for so long.

If it were me, I would’ve kicked him so hard he’d be lost forever.”

As the academy’s universally acknowledged legendary beauty, Celeste invariably drew the gaze of everyone around her, and Yalin, standing before her, naturally became the subject of their commentary.

The undisguised mockery and disdain in their voices even caused a flicker of emotion in Celeste’s usually composed expression.

She cast a glance at the crowd nearby, opening her mouth as if to speak, but ultimately chose to remain silent.

Surprisingly, Yalin, who had become the target of everyone’s scorn, maintained a gentle smile on his face throughout.

“Yes, after studying for some time, I’ve come to realize that alchemy suits me better than the magic arts, which is why I’ve made this decision.”

He placed his left hand over his chest, executing a flawless, elegant noble bow.

“Miss Celeste, I am endlessly grateful for your continued care throughout these years.

My past self, in his foolishness and immaturity, caused you much trouble, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”

“Ah, um, it’s fine…”

A flicker of bewilderment and confusion crossed Celeste’s amber eyes.

This childhood playmate, whom she had known since infancy, and who had simultaneously caused her countless headaches, had transformed into a completely different person in just two months—so unfamiliar that it sent a shiver of apprehension through her.

What exactly had happened?

Could it be that the words she’d spoken back then were too harsh, prompting this change in him?

A faint pang of guilt stirred in Celeste’s heart, but she swiftly suppressed the emotion.

She couldn’t help it; Yalin had been utterly unbearable, pushing her past her breaking point, which was why she’d uttered words like, ‘I hope you never come near me again.’

Yalin remained smiling, his tone placid. “Well then, that’s that. I’m leaving. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.”

“Since you’ve said as much… then you do your best too.”

“Yes, goodbye.”

With a polite nod, Yalin walked directly past Celeste, brushing shoulders with her, and departed without a backward glance.

Celeste watched his retreating back, momentarily unsure how she felt.

She ought to have been happy.

Yalin transferring to the Alchemy Academy, thus removing himself from her life—wasn’t this precisely the outcome she had always desired?

Yet, she hadn’t expected him to truly leave like this, without even a word of farewell to her.

Only a short while ago, he had been a persistent shadow, clinging to her every day, reporting on every trivial matter; now, he was departing so decisively that Celeste was caught completely off guard.

But never mind, let it be.

Celeste shook her head and returned to the classroom.

Though a little puzzled, she had no intention of dwelling on the matter.

Meanwhile, having walked out the main gates of the Magic Arts Branch, Yalin let out a long sigh of relief as he faced the setting sun of dusk.

“Finally, finally escaped from this hellhole!”

Indeed, the Yalin of the present was not, in fact, the same Yalin from two months prior.

He was a transmigrator.

He had merely been happily playing a bishoujo (TL Note: ‘beautiful girl’) dating sim late at night when his heart suddenly seized, causing him to faint.

Upon waking, he found himself reincarnated in another world.

The thought of dying so casually, and worse, not having had the chance to delete his browser history, filled him with utter despair.

However, upon second thought, becoming an overpowered protagonist (TL Note: ‘Long Aotian’ refers to a common trope in Chinese web novels where the male protagonist is exceptionally powerful, often arrogant, and effortlessly overcomes all obstacles.) in another world wouldn’t be such a bad option.

Alas, as his memories gradually returned, reality delivered a merciless blow.

He discovered that he had transmigrated into a novel he had once read.

He had forgotten the novel’s title, as it was so embarrassingly bad that his brain had automatically blocked it out, but in essence, it was a classic Mary Sue-style overpowered protagonist novel.

The protagonist of this novel was none other than the red-haired girl who had just intercepted him—Celeste.

Despite her commoner origins, she had displayed astonishing magical talent from a young age, mastering elementary magic by the age of twelve without any formal instruction.

Even more remarkably, she was found to possess the highest affinity for all elemental attributes, earning her the title of ‘A Born Mage.’

Not only was she directly admitted to the kingdom’s most prestigious magic academy, but magical treasures and fortuitous encounters practically spawned at her feet.

Although he hadn’t read much of the later plot, judging by the original novel’s typical progression, she would likely slay gods and demons alike.

Of course, none of that truly mattered.

What was crucial was the identity he had acquired after transmigrating.

The original Yalin Ravenster—was a delightfully familiar villain.

No, calling him a villain would be an insult to the term; more accurately, he was the ultimate simp.