I died reading a webnovel on the toilet.
Not my proudest moment but there it is.
What made it worse? I woke up inside that novel, as Hadeon Ravana, the pathetic young master who exists solely to make the protagonist look good before dying at chapter 67. Yes, that kind of looser.
What made it even worse than that?
[WELCOME TO THE VILLAIN REFORMATION SYSTEM]
[ANALYZING HOST...]
[ANALYSIS COMPLETE: You are scheduled to die in 52 chapters]
[MISSION: Don't avoid being a villain. BECOME THE BEST VILLAIN.]
[REWARD: Survival. Maybe.]
I stared at the translucent blue window floating before my eyes. Around me, an opulent bedroom decorated in blacks and silvers stretched out, the kind of room that screamed "villain's lair". I stumbled to the floor-length mirror and stared at myself.
I now have sharp features, cold gray eyes and my black hair styled with deliberate carelessness, I also put on the uuniform of Astral Haven Academy that fit perfectly over an athletic frame. I looked like every arrogant young master villain ever written. The most cliche and predictable kind, a perfect stepping stone.
"Status," I muttered, testing the system.
[Hadeon Ravana - THE DISPOSABLE VILLAIN]
[AGE: 16]
[CLASS: Shadow Mage / Swordsman]
[RANK: A-Class Student]
[VILLAIN QUALITY: Petty]
[VILLAIN SCORE: 0]
[DEATH FLAGS: 12 Active]
[NOTABLE SKILLS: None worth mentioning]
[EVALUATION: A waste of potential. Destined to be a stepping stone.]
"Harsh," I said. Then again, the system wasn't wrong, it was exactly what Hadeon in the book was.
I accessed Hadeon's memories like flipping through a photo album. Every scene confirmed what I already knew from reading "Chronicles of the Celestial Hero", this body's original owner was an idiot.
Hadeon Ravana bullied the protagonist, Adrian Celestius, at every opportunity. He sabotaged Adrian's training. He mocked Adrian's commoner background. He threatened anyone who associated with Adrian. And what did he get in return?
Adrian stayed calm and noble, gathered allies, he grew stronger. And at chapter 67, Hadeon died, poisoned by his own subordinate who'd been inspired by Adrian's teachings about compassion and second chances. It was the kind of death designed to show how villains sow the seeds of their own destruction.
"I have fifty-two chapters," I said aloud. "Fifty-two chapters before Damian poisons my wine at the Spring Festival."
[CORRECT. Unless you change the narrative.]
[However...]
The system's text shifted to red.
[WARNING: This system will NOT help you become a hero.]
[WARNING: This system will NOT help you avoid being a villain.]
[WARNING: This system exists to create THE PERFECT VILLAIN.]
[QUESTION: Are you willing to embrace villainy?]
I thought about that. About the novel I'd read up to chapter 300 before getting bored.
I thought about Adrian Celestius, the hero who manipulated everyone around him while maintaining a perfect facade. Who gaslit his love interests into dependency. Who stole credit from those who helped him. I thought about the villains who'd actually made valid points before being defeated through plot armor and friendship speeches.
I thought about how the novel had been so frustratingly predictable that I'd quit reading. Then I smiled at my reflection.
"If I'm going to be a villain," I said, "I'll be magnificent. The best there is."
[ANSWER ACCEPTED]
[VILLAIN REFORMATION SYSTEM FULLY ACTIVATED]
[FIRST QUEST ISSUED: "THE CAFETEREA INCIDENT"]
[OBJECTIVE: Today is the day you're supposed to publicly humiliate Adrian Celestius in the cafeteria. The original Hadeon would bully him, throw food, and make threats, making Adrian look noble while you look pathetic.]
[NEW OBJECTIVE: Make the hero doubt himself WITHOUT petty bullying.]
[REWARD: 200 Villain Score, Skill Unlock]
[FAILURE: Villain Quality decreases to Trash Mob]
[TIME UNTIL INCIDENT: 3 Hours]
I checked Hadeon's memories for today's date. Second month of second year. Chapter 15 of the novel.
Three hours until I'd encounter the protagonist for the first time.
I needed information. I needed a plan.
And I needed to figure out how to be a villain without being an idiot.
A knock sounded at my door. "Young Master Hadeon? It's time for breakfast."
I recognized that voice from the memories. Damian Ashcroft, my personal retainer. The man who would eventually poison me.
In the original timeline, Hadeon treated Damian like garbage. A servant beneath notice. A tool to be used. Which was why Damian's loyalty was so easily turned by Adrian's kind words.
"Come in," I said.
The door opened to reveal a young man in his early twenties. Butler's uniform, dark hair tied back, competent posture. His eyes held the wariness of someone expecting abuse.
"Good morning, Young Master," Damian said with a perfect bow. "I've prepared your meal. Also, you have combat training at noon, followed by...."
"Damian," I interrupted. "How long have you served the Ravana family?"
He blinked. "Five years, Young Master. Since I was seventeen."
"And in those five years, how have I treated you?"
Confusion crossed his face. This wasn't the script. "I... serve at your pleasure, Young Master."
"That's not what I asked." I met his eyes. "Have I treated you well?"
A long pause. "You've treated me as a servant should expect, Young Master."
Meaning, like garbage and trash.
"That changes today," I said. "From now on, I need your honest advice, Damian. Not a servant's placating words. Can you do that?"
He stared at me like I'd grown a second head. "Young Master... is something wrong? Are you ill?"
"I had a revelation," I said, which was technically true. "Playing the fool helps no one. The Ravana family has enemies, and I've been too busy acting like an arrogant child to notice."
[SUBORDINATE ANALYSIS: DAMIAN ASHCROFT]
[LOYALTY: 25% (Obligated by duty, no personal attachment)]
[SKILLS: Combat Butler Style, Information Gathering, Estate Management]
[POTENTIAL: B-Rank if properly trained]
[NOTES: Will betray you at chapter 67 unless relationship improves]
"I need your honest assessment," I continued. "What do the other students think of me?"
Damian hesitated, then seemed to make a decision. "They think you're a bully and a coward, Young Master. You only pick fights you can win. You mock those weaker than you. And you've made an enemy of Adrian Celestius, who most students admire. And see ad the brightest."
"Good. Honesty. That's what I need." I gestured to a chair. "Sit."
"Young Master, I couldn't..."
"Sit. That's an order."
He sat, looking deeply uncomfortable.
"Here's the situation," I said. "I've been playing a role, the arrogant young master. It served its purpose, but now it's a liability. Starting today, we change tactics."
"What... kind of tactics?"
"The kind where people fear us because we're competent, not because we throw tantrums." I pulled out a notebook from Hadeon's desk. "Tell me everything you know about Adrian Celestius."
Over the next hour, Damian gave me information I already knew from the novel, but hearing it from someone inside the world provided useful context.
Adrian Celestius, Commoner background, awakened an SSS-rank ability called "Celestial Awakening" six months ago. Enrolled at Astral Haven Academy through a scholarship. Currently in A-Class but expected to be promoted to S-Class soon.
Personality, Publicly humble and kind. But privately Damian had noticed soms inconsistencies with him.
"He smiles at everyone," Damian said carefully. "But his eyes don't match his smile. And the students who've helped him... they seem more devoted than simple friendship would explain."
So Damian had noticed too. Interesting.
"What about the girls around him?" I asked.
"Lucille Nightshade is the closest to him. They're childhood friends, supposedly. But lately, she's seemed uncomfortable."
[HEROINE ANALYSIS UNLOCKED: LUCILLE NIGHTSHADE]
[ROLE: First Heroine]
[CAPTURE PROGRESS: 23% (Novel Timeline)]
[EMOTIONAL STATE: Conflicted]
[RECRUITMENT DIFFICULTY: Moderate]
[NOTES: Currently being manipulated by Adrian. Vulnerable to genuine honesty.]
Perfect.
"And what about my standing with the faculty?" I asked.
"Most professors view you as a talented student wasting his potential on childish grudges. Professor Iris Shadowmere has specifically mentioned her disappointment in your behavior."
Professor Iris. The mentor character who dies at chapter 134 protecting Adrian.
"Good to know," I said. "Now, about today's cafeteria incident..."
"You're planning to confront Adrian at lunch," Damian said slowly. "Young Master, he's SSS-rank. If you challenge him...."
"I'm not going to challenge him. At least, not the way he expects."
[1 HOUR UNTIL CAFETERIA INCIDENT]
I stood and checked my appearance one more time. The uniform was immaculate and my expression was calm. No sneering or scowling.
"Damian," I said. "How would you serve me if you actually respected me?"
He looked up, startled. "I... I don't understand the question, Young Master."
"You will," I said. "Come on. Time to meet our hero."
[CAFETERIA INCIDENT: COMMENCING]
[ORIGINAL OUTCOME: You publicly humiliate yourself. Villain Quality decreases. Death flags increase.]
[YOUR OUTCOME: Unknown]