Ascension Of The Villain

Vyan stood in the ballroom, a glass of wine in his hand, listening to Ronan's complaints about their grandfather's increasing pressure as his sixteenth birthday loomed closer. Meanwhile, Ronan sipped on a vibrant, fruity drink, his expression reflecting his recent worries.

"Some people never change—" Vyan started muttering, rolling his eyes. But before he could finish, a sudden tightness gripped his chest. It wasn't just any discomfort—it was the familiar, unwelcome pang he felt when dark magic was nearby.

His gaze darted across the grand room, scanning the finely dressed guests and the twinkling chandeliers, searching for the source. But everything appeared normal—no shadowy figures, no sinister auras. Maybe it was his fever acting up again, still lingering from earlier in the week.

"Vyan, are you alright?" Ronan's voice pulled him back, his face lined with concern.

Vyan forced a casual smile, brushing it off. "Just feeling a little off again. Because my body is a weak, little bi– Eh, it's probably for pushing myself too hard after a fever."

Ronan frowned, his worry deepening. "Should I call for the imperial physician?"

Vyan shook his head quickly. "No need. Some rest should do the trick."

"If that's the case, you can crash in one of the guest rooms upstairs," Ronan offered.

"That sounds perfect. Thanks." Vyan's eyes subtly searched the room again as he sent a telepathic message to Clyde, letting him know he would be resting for a while. Not surprisingly, Clyde didn't push back; he knew better than to try and convince Vyan to leave, especially on a night that was so important to Iyana.

As they made their way to the grand staircase, Vyan's limbs grew heavier with every step, like his energy was being drained. I must be coming down with something again. His mind was clouded with discomfort, but Ronan was oblivious, chatting casually as he waved at the guards stationed at the top of the stairs.

"Let him pass," Ronan said with a firm authority that only someone with their family's influence could command. The guards, recognizing Vyan as the Grand Duke, stepped aside without question. Ronan expected resistance, especially with Wyatt—the Commander of the Aura Knights and the one in charge of their family's protection—tightening security lately.

But everybody knew Vyan was one of the emperor's favorites. That was probably why.

"Alright, I am heading back down," Ronan said, giving Vyan's shoulder a firm, reassuring squeeze. "The guest room at the end of the hallway is the best. Use that one."

"Will do, thanks." Vyan's voice was distant, his focus now entirely consumed by the growing presence of something negative.

The sense of dark magic was getting stronger. He could feel it in his bones. He used to only sense it through touch, but now, thanks to his recent exposure with those black magic-infested monsters sent by Sienna, he could sense black magic from faraway.

Fantastic. Most people build immunity with repeated exposure. Leave it to me to get more vulnerable instead.

Vyan made his way down the long, dimly lit corridor, the lively hum of the ballroom fading behind him with each step. The soft glow of candlelight flickered along the walls as he walked.

But halfway down the hall, a wave of nausea hit him like a punch, his vision swimming. His chest tightened. He could feel it—the dark magic was closer. Much closer. His breath came in shallow gasps, and the walls felt like they were closing in.

Grimacing, he abandoned his wine glass on a nearby windowsill and leaned against it for support. His fingers fumbled with the latch of the nearest window, and with a grunt, he managed to push it open.

The crisp night air rushed in, cool and soothing against his fevered skin. For a moment, the world righted itself, the heavy fog in his mind lifting as he gulped down fresh air.

Slowly, the effect of dark magic ebbed away, retreating into the background. He exhaled in relief, leaning against the window frame, the tension easing from his body. Finally.

Just as he was about to turn back to the guest room, the sound of doors creaking open below caught his attention. Arching a brow, Vyan glanced down and saw Iyana and Leila stepping onto the balcony beneath him.

What are they up to? Curiosity tugged at him, but he turned around regardless, ready to leave them to their privacy.

That was, until he heard Leila's teasing voice.

"So, I saw you talking to Easton."

And that's how it started.

After this, he couldn't turn away anymore as their conversation got messier and less sensible.

Novels… Fate. Breaking pattern. Protecting Vyan. Modern world. Villain. Main girl.

Real world. Scripted plots.

What in the world… He was freaking out from what he heard. He knew that something was bothering Iyana, but something like this?

Oh, Goddess…

However, once he was done freaking out, he started piecing the clues together. It sounded like Leila thought that this world was a novel-world and it followed a certain plot until it didn't…

Until Iyana changed it by winning today's duel. And there was something about a villain and a main girl, which sounded suspiciously like Vyan and Iyana respectively.

Vyan's mind raced to a book he had read once about theories related to parallel universes. The book was called bogus by the majority of the people for two reasons: first, the writer claimed they were actually from another universe from the year 2010, and second, it was a science non-fiction book and people here simply aren't fond of science knowledge. They believed everything was magic.

However, Vyan still found the book interesting and thought that the concept could actually be true—a world where magic didn't exist, nor did monsters, demons, fairies, and divine powers, and most importantly, science ruled everything.

But he never had too much time to ponder on such things. He was a busy man. He could hardly handle his own life, let alone think about parallel or alternate ones.

Coming to the matter at hand, if the thing about parallel worlds were to be true, could that mean Leila was from another world—a parallel world where apparently she thought Vyan and Iyana's lives were part of a fictional novel? But if she read their lives as a novel, did that also mean she knew their future? How far did the novel cover?

At least he knew it was covered until the result of today's duel. Then again, how would that work? How could somebody know that hasn't happened yet? Maybe alternate timelines?

Vyan's mouth went dry as the implications settled in. If Leila knew the future, this could change everything. He could use that knowledge—hell, the possibilities were endless.

"Damn, I need a drink," he muttered, grabbing his wine and taking a long sip.

There was no way to know anything for sure unless he confronted her—Leila, the supposed dimension-traveler. If she really did know the future, the excitement of it all sent a rush through him.

Vyan smirked to himself. There were a lot of ways this could play out, and he was ready to find out just how far this strange, twisted rabbit hole went.

So, without further ado, he took on his sinister expression and leaned over the windowsill, appearing confident, because, well, that was the key.

With his wine glass still in hand and his tone amusing, he began, "What's this I am hearing about our world being a novel?"

Leila turned around and looked at him in shock. "Vyan…"

He smiled in that innocent yet intimidating way he often did. "Hello, Lady Leila. Long time no see."

Leila's scared expression soon turned strong and polite, and Vyan could see she was applying the same tactic as him—appear confident even if you don't actually feel it. "Yes, indeed. How can I help you, Your Grace?"

"Oh, helping me is a piece of cake. I mean, I practically had a front-row seat to the delightful little chat you and Iyana just had. So, do enlighten me—I am absolutely dying to hear more."

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Leila said nonchalantly. "Iya and I were only gushing over a recent novel we both read."

"Oh, I wasn't aware you two had bonded so well once again. Congratulations."

"Yes, we did." Leila nodded her head. "It's truly unfortunate that Iya can't remember anyt—"

"Keep playing games with me, and you might be tossed off that balcony faster than you can scream for help," Vyan cut her off with his smile still intact. "I heard everything clearly, Lady Leila, and I don't have to be a genius to figure out that you are from another world. So, do us both a favor and don't waste any precious time."

Leila dropped her formal act and chuckled. "Wow, I have no idea how you managed to figure that out from just our convo right now, but I gotta give you some credit for it. Damn, bro. Hats off."

Vyan chuckled in amusement. "What an interesting way of speaking."

"Obviously. It's tiring to talk formal all the time. I gotta let out my inner Gen-Z once in a while."

"I absolutely have no idea what you meant by that."

"You won't get it. It's a thing from my world," she shrugged. "Anyway, man, too bad, I can't tell you anything more."

"Well, you told Iyana. Why not me?"

"To start with, you threatened to unalive me just a minute ago. And secondly, I don't trust a man who doesn't freak out after hearing about the existence of another world."

Vyan laughed lightly and said, "If it makes you feel better, I did freak out all by myself before calling out to you."

"Okay, good. That makes you more humane."

"Thank you, Lady Leila, for re-identifying my existence," Vyan smiled tightly. "Now, how about you open your mouth or do you want me to actually, what was it, unalive you?"

"Good try." Leila rolled her eyes. "But just know this: you will be answering to your girlfriend if you put a scratch on me."

"You guys are that close, eh?" he smirked.
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"Nope. But I have some important information that she needs. So, think again before wanting to hurt me. Because what I know, nobody in this world knows those things."

Vyan tilted his head to the side, still smirking. "A smart woman."

"I have read way too many novels to not know how to deal with situations like that, so spare me the threats. I ain't talkin'."

She was about to leave when he called out again, "Okay, then. How about this, Lady Leila? Be my partner."