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Join the ServerLife in another world is not entirely beautiful.
There is no leveling system where you grow stronger by defeating monsters, nor an overpowered “isekai” beginning like in typical light novels. Instead, there is only a curse imposed by a goddess out of malicious amusement, forcing her to bully a certain boy.
The future of the world is not bright either. Rather, it is filled with darkness.
A ticking bomb known as demons hangs over all life on the continent like the Sword of Damocles. Since the Catastrophe of Despair fifty years ago, less than half of the lands occupied by magical beasts have been reclaimed.
And after that, demons will return once more. The hero who once saved the world is gone, the blade that could destroy demons is shattered, and no one will be able to stop their advance.
Even so, despite all this…
If Lila were given the chance to return to that crossroads of fate and choose again, she would still make the same decision.
Because before the end of the world arrives, she can still experience the beauty of life.
As a member of the Stuart family, even if she is neglected and unwelcome within the family, she still possesses privileges and wealth that ordinary people could never obtain in a lifetime.
Compared to her previous life as an ordinary person drifting aimlessly, this life is far more interesting, and far more comfortable.
And unlike before, when she was always called a “pushover” who cared too much about others, this time she would walk further and further down the path of being a villain.
Not to derive joy from others’ suffering, but simply to be selfish.
And thus, after bullying, insulting, and punishing others, she should not feel guilt.
Because everything is for herself, she should disregard everything else.
****
“What are you spacing out for? Why did you come to see me?”
A low, puzzled voice interrupted Lila’s thoughts.
She suppressed the chaos in her mind, her expression returning to cold indifference, and said in a sharp tone:
“Perverted old man, have you dealt with that demon subordinate?”
“Shh.”
Ulysses’ expression changed immediately. He made a silencing gesture and looked around cautiously before speaking in a hushed voice:
“What demon subordinate? That thing has never appeared.”
Of course, Lila had no intention of playing along.
“So, you haven’t dealt with it?”
“…No. Can you stop saying that so casually? If news spreads and causes panic among students, even ten of me wouldn’t be enough to handle it.”
Ulysses shrugged helplessly.
“Then what have you been doing these past few days?” Lila asked casually.
“Waiting, I suppose. And hoping to catch that… thing soon.”
“By ‘waiting,’ do you mean going on dinner dates with every girl and proposing to them?”
“Not every girl. I have standards, you know.”
“Who cares about that? Shouldn’t your job be to eliminate it quickly?”
Lila snapped.
“That thing won’t show itself, and I can’t easily detect it. But I can tell—you’re not really here because of that.”
Ulysses calmly adjusted his sleeve.
“So, why did you come?”
Lila turned her head away, a trace of unease surfacing.
She hadn’t expected him to be so perceptive—or perhaps her thoughts were just too obvious.
Still, she spoke the words she had prepared.
****
After listening, Ulysses nodded, though a look of disbelief appeared on his face.
“So you’re reporting Jack and Arnold for bullying Simon?”
He raised an eyebrow, clearly astonished.
The girl who bullied Simon the most was now reporting others for doing the same.
He even dug at his ear, as if suspecting he misheard.
“You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
Lila lifted her chin, her crimson eyes firm, though her voice lacked conviction.
“I just happened to see it. They went too far. Simon’s forehead was bleeding… so I thought the academy should handle it.”
Ulysses was utterly confused.
Was this her conscience awakening? Or some strange aristocratic way of expressing affection?
After all, among everyone in the academy, the only one Lila treated differently was Simon. Everyone else received nothing but her indifferent gaze.
“…How is Simon now?” he asked after a pause.
“He’s been treated. I found a healer.”
Her voice was soft but resolute.
She then placed a rhombus-shaped crystal on his desk.
“If you need proof, this is it.”
A recording crystal, made from a special mana-storing gemstone engraved with a light magic array. Expensive, typically used by nobles.
From the moment she saw the scene, Lila had activated it.
Even she didn’t fully understand why.
Perhaps… she just wanted to preserve the sight of Simon’s miserable state, to enjoy it later.
Ulysses accepted it and sighed.
He was used to her contradictions by now.
“I’ll handle it.”
He nodded, his gaze complicated.
“Then I’ll leave.”
Lila turned to go.
“Wait.”
Ulysses stopped her.
“You’ve awakened your sword intent, haven’t you? Want to try it out?”
****
They moved to the training grounds, each holding a steel sword that gleamed coldly under the sunlight.
This was Ulysses acknowledging her, not as a child playing around, but as a true swordsman.
“I’ll suppress my strength to your level again,” he said, waiting for her to strike.
But this time, Lila didn’t attack.
She took a perfect defensive stance.
‘Interesting.’
Ulysses frowned slightly.
Then, in a flash, he struck.
A crescent-shaped slash cut through the air, but instead of landing, it collided with something invisible.
A harsh metallic sound rang out.
His blade was blocked, and a continuous force pushed back against it.
“Your sword intent is just a turtle shell?”
Lila smiled.
“That’s right.”
She admitted it openly and stepped forward.
The invisible barrier advanced with her.
His attack rebounded violently, numbing his hand.
“Tough shell…”
Ulysses smiled faintly.
But…
He gripped his sword tighter.
His sword intent was simple:
To cut.
Nothing in this world was unbreakable, unless he lacked the strength.
In an instant, he gathered power through his entire body and unleashed it.
The air itself seemed to tear apart.
Lila saw it clearly.
The invisible barrier surrounding her cracked.
Why?
She had no time to retreat.
She raised her blade to block.
Too slow.
The cold edge of his sword rested against her neck.
“You’re too confident.”
Ulysses withdrew his blade.
“My sword intent is ‘cutting.’ Whether tangible or intangible, everything is affected. That’s why your barrier broke so easily.
So what exactly is your sword intent? It’s not just a simple shell, is it?”
He looked at her.
The red-haired girl turned her face slightly, her expression hidden.
Then she answered:
“Rejection.”
“My sword intent… is rejection.”
The excitement doesn't stop here! If you enjoyed this, you’ll adore How to Avoid Regression. Start reading now!
Read : How to Avoid Regression
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