The moment I saw him, my heart sank as if a cold hand had gripped it. Instinct alone would've been enough to warn me of danger, but the System, ever helpful in the worst ways, made sure I fully understood the threat by displaying a status window right in front of my eyes.
[Name]: Kael Ardyn
[Age]: 17
[Gender]: Male
[Race]: Human
[Affiliation]: Imperial Academy
[Personality]: Justice, Goodness, Order, Integrity
[User Perception]: Hatred | Wariness | Disdain
[Special Title]: Protagonist Buff — Lv. MAX
[Skills]:
• Swordsmanship Comprehension Lv. 8
• Mana Control Lv. 8
• Martial Arts Lv. 7
*****
Kael Ardyn. The protagonist of Asteria Online. A boy destined to be hailed as the Sword Saint, blessed with talent so overwhelming that even the gods seemed biased in his favor. At just the beginning of his first year, he had already reached the level of a Gold-ranked warrior, all while pretending to be an unremarkable commoner. Lucien, completely unaware of this hidden identity, had challenged him and been crushed without mercy.
No wonder the original Lucien was erased early.
A disposable villain picking a fight with the final boss in the tutorial—there could never be a good ending to that.
My gaze drifted again to User Perception, and dread knotted in my stomach. Hatred, wariness, disdain—Kael didn't just dislike me; he saw me as something that needed to be removed if it ever got too close.
Suddenly, a violent surge of anger erupted inside me. My heart slammed painfully against my ribs, blood rushed to my head, and for a moment I genuinely thought I might have developed an illness. My vision pulsed red, and every instinct screamed to rush over and punch him.
But that was foolishness—not mine, but the leftover emotional residue of the original Lucien. Even his hatred refused to stay dead.
I shut my eyes tightly, forcing a sharp breath in and out until the irrational rage finally began to subside. When I looked again, Kael had already taken his seat at a table in the corner of the restaurant, surrounded by his companions. He glanced at me only once, a fleeting, subtle shift of his brow, before dismissing my existence entirely.
To him, I was not a rival, not a threat—just a stain on the floor that wasn't worth acknowledging.
Good.
I preferred it that way.
So long as I avoided drawing his attention again, I could live.
Kael, still smiling and chatting naturally with the other boys, scanned the restaurant out of habit. When his gaze briefly collided with mine, his eyebrow twitched ever so slightly. For a moment, I tensed, wondering if something was about to happen. However, he simply resumed talking as if I did not exist, choosing a table in the far corner. His companions followed, taking their seats around him with an ease that made their group appear undeniably central.
The system, always eager to remind me of just how insignificant I was, displayed their information.
[Name] Princess Celestia Aurelian]
[Magic Comprehension Lv 8]
[Mana Control Lv 8]
Princess of the Aurelian Empire, the sole heiress to the throne, and a once-in-a-century genius in ice magic. In the game's storyline, she carried the potential to rise to the rank of Archmage—if only tragic fate didn't claim her life before that future ever arrived.
*****
[Name: Elisha Ravenscroft]
[Archery Comprehension Lv 7]
The eldest daughter of House Ravenscroft, one of the empire's four great ducal houses, famed for their unparalleled archery mastery. Her sharp wit and exceptional beauty placed her at the center of countless social circles, making her not only a genius in combat but also a model of noble elegance.
*****
[Name: Bordon Eisenwald]
[Sword Comprehension Lv 7]
Heir to House Eisenwald, another of the four great ducal families, celebrated for their long lineage of swordmasters. His friendly nature and warm behavior made him the perfect bridge between the protagonist and those too wary or proud to approach him directly.
*****
[Name: Mariella Arlon]
[Magic Comprehension Lv 7]
The eldest daughter of House Arlon, renowned for their profound magical heritage. Despite her timid demeanor and quiet presence, she possessed an intellect and magical potential surpassing most peers her age. A silent genius, unnoticed until her brilliance became impossible to ignore.
The power balance was overwhelmingly one-sided. Even though this academy gathered the best talents of the empire, the average combat skill among first-year cadets was only around Level 3, while the protagonist's party stood confidently at Levels 7 or 8. It was a staggering disparity.
Still, they were far better off than me. In terms of actual combat capability, I was practically Level 0.
As the so-called protagonist's party looked in my direction, their reactions were painfully predictable. Princess Celestia's gaze remained as still and cold as a frozen lake, Elisha's eyes narrowed with contempt sharp enough to shred dignity, Bordon frowned like he smelled something unpleasant, and Mariella didn't even bother to acknowledge my existence.
I understood why.
Lucien—the real Lucien—deserved their scorn.
But I wasn't him.
Who would ever bother to listen to that, though?
The quiet sting of their judgment hit deeper than I expected. I spent countless hours playing as Kael, relying on these people, laughing with them, caring about them. And now, inside this world, all I got from them was a look that implied I should be wiped off the face of Asteria.
This won't work.
If I want to survive—actually survive—I need to get close to the protagonist party.
So, I made the foolish decision to approach them.
And instantly regretted it.
The moment I took two steps in their direction, Kael's instincts sharpened like a blade. His expression hardened. In one swift motion, he stood, unsheathed his sword, and positioned himself protectively in front of Celestia and Elisha. At the same time, Bordon stepped forward and shielded Mariella behind him as if I were about to lunge at them like a deranged beast.
For a second, I actually froze in place.
Their reactions…
were like I was a wanted criminal.
A serial predator.
What the hell?
Lucien may have been trash, but he never assaulted anyone. So why were their eyes filled with such intense wariness and disgust?
Whispers rippled through the restaurant. Students craned their necks to watch, assumptions forming instantly. The stares were suffocating.
Then Kael spoke, his voice cold and edged like winter steel.
"Lucien. What do you want? Have you not had enough beating?"
Elisha let out a short arrogant chuckle.
Even Mariella's eyes flickered with irritation.
Celestia didn't react — which somehow felt worse.
My expression turned cold. Whatever hope I had left about improving relations evaporated.
"…Don't flatter yourself," I said, voice calm but dripping frost. "The world doesn't revolve around you."
Their faces stiffened — Kael's eyes narrowing, Elisha's lips twitching into a deeper scowl.
"I was just going to the counter to pay my bill," I continued, keeping my gaze steady. "Seeing you all here made me lose my appetite."
A harsh silence followed.
Every ear strained to catch my words, every stare digging into my back.
I refused to give them any satisfaction.
Ignored Kael's heated glare.
Walked past the hero party without a single glance to spare.
The cashier blinked in surprise when I slammed down the amount owed.
I didn't even wait for the change.
The coins clattered behind me as I pushed the door open and stepped out into the cold air, leaving behind the whispers, the judgment, and the very people who would decide this world's fate.
But as humiliating as this was…
I clenched my jaw, feeling the sting burn into resolve.