Rise Of The Villain : In a World Ruled By Anomalies

Arthur followed Athena deeper into the sea of clouds.

The air around them was thin and cold, yet strangely still, as if time itself had been frozen high above the academy. Every step he took felt unreal, like he was walking through a dream that did not belong to him.

Then Athena came to a stop.

She glanced over her shoulder.

"Do you know where we are?"

Arthur looked around.

The space was impossibly vast. Clouds drifted far beneath them, while an endless sky stretched in every direction.

"Well... I’m pretty sure this isn’t heaven. And it’s a surprisingly spacious office."

Athena remained silent.

Instead, she casually flicked a finger.

The clouds beneath Arthur suddenly parted.

His stomach dropped.

He was floating thousands of meters above the ground.

The academy, forests, and mountains below had shrunk into tiny specks, resembling pieces on a map. A freezing wind swept past him, making his body tense as the sheer height finally sank in.

For the first time in a long while...

His legs almost gave out.

He forced himself to remain calm.

’This is bad... very bad.’

The system’s voice echoed inside his head.

[ I’m fairly certain you’ll die a miserable death if you fall from here, Host. ]

A vein bulged on Arthur’s forehead.

’Thanks for calming me down, you bastard.’

[ Relax. You have a dragon now... unless you’ve already forgotten. ]

Arthur paused.

Then his shoulders relaxed slightly.

’Right... that actually helps. I’ll survive... probably.’

Athena quietly observed his reaction.

A faint trace of amusement appeared in her eyes.

"That’s quite an entertaining expression. Especially those trembling legs."

A soft chuckle escaped her lips.

Then her voice became colder.

"Should I throw you off? It would be amusing to see how you survive. It might even make up for all the trouble you caused me last time."

Arthur swallowed.

"Look... I’m not here to cause any trouble. I came because I want to make a deal."

Athena folded her arms.

"And what makes you think I’d accept a deal with someone like you? What could you possibly offer me that I don’t already possess?"

Arthur answered immediately.

"Fifty years of my lifespan."

The system nearly exploded.

[ Have you completely lost your mind, Host?! ]

Arthur didn’t even blink.

’Quiet. Just watch.’

For the first time since they had met...

Athena’s composure cracked.

Her eyes widened ever so slightly.

Silence filled the space.

Arthur smiled.

"You’re desperate for it... aren’t you?"

Athena said nothing.

"The curse inside your body is consuming your life every second. If it weren’t for the blessing of Elysara, the Goddess of Rebirth, you would’ve died long ago."

Her gaze slowly narrowed beneath the veil.

Arthur continued without hesitation.

"But you’ve already reached your limit. Your soul has weakened too much. If you use that blessing one more time..."

He met her eyes.

"...you’ll die."

Another moment of silence passed.

"I can give you part of my lifespan."

He leaned back slightly.

"And not only that... I’ll help you break the curse."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"So... what do you think?"

Athena stared at him for several long seconds.

Then she simply flicked her finger once again.

───────────────

The scenery changed instantly.

Arthur now found himself sitting comfortably inside Athena’s office.

The room was luxurious.

Polished wooden floors reflected the soft light pouring through enormous windows that overlooked the endless sea of clouds. An elegant desk stood in the center, while beautifully carved shelves decorated the walls.

But one thing immediately caught Arthur’s attention.

Books.

Thousands of them.

They covered almost every corner of the office.

Stacks were piled across the floor.

Open books rested on chairs.

Ancient scrolls lay scattered over the desk, covered with hastily written notes and complex runes.

The room looked less like an office...

And more like the battlefield of a scholar who hadn’t slept in months.

Arthur couldn’t help glancing around.

"Stop looking."

Athena’s cold voice broke the silence.

"I was conducting research."

Arthur immediately understood.

’She’s desperately searching for a way to break the curse.’

’Looks like I came at the perfect time.’

Athena remained standing behind her desk.

Her eyes never left him.

"I’ll ask only once."

The room suddenly became much heavier.

"How do you know so much about me?"

Her voice turned icy.

"And if your answer fails to convince me..."

A terrifying pressure filled the room.

"...I’ll kill you right here."

Arthur could tell she wasn’t bluffing.

Her condition was a secret.

A secret that almost nobody knew.

Perhaps only Damian knew the truth.

And even he would never reveal it.

He had most likely sworn an oath.

Breaking it would mean death.

Which raised only one question.

How did Arthur know?

The curiosity had been eating away at her for a long time.

Arthur calmly crossed one leg over the other.

"I can’t promise you’ll trust me."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"But I can answer your question with a single word."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"System."

Athena let out a quiet sigh.

"So... the same thing Damian possesses."

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"You already know about systems?"

She gave a slight nod.

"Damian told me everything he knew. Including the existence of others who possess these mysterious powers called systems."

Arthur smiled faintly.

"So you’ve been using Damian in the hope that his system would eventually help you remove the curse."

A sly smile appeared beneath Athena’s veil.

"I won’t deny it."

She spoke without guilt.

"I did use him."

A brief pause followed.

"But I’ve also taught him countless things in return."

Her expression softened slightly.

"And despite everything... I genuinely consider him my disciple."

Arthur leaned forward.

"So..."

"Will you accept my deal?"

Athena remained silent for a moment before asking,

"What do you want in return?"

"Nothing."

The answer came instantly.

"I only need you to use the blessing granted by the Goddess of Rebirth... when I tell you to."

Athena continued watching him.

Arthur spoke again.

"You won’t ask how I know about your condition... or anything else I choose not to reveal."

He shrugged.

"In exchange, I’ll keep you alive."

"And eventually..."

"I’ll help you remove the curse completely."

Athena fell silent once more.

After a long pause, she asked,

"The person hiding inside your shadow earlier..."

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Who was it?"

Arthur paused.

’So she really did sense Astarte.’

The system answered immediately.

[ It looks like it, Host. But she isn’t here anymore. I have a sneaking suspicion she’s already gone to see aiden. ]

Arthur nodded inwardly before looking back at Athena.

"Don’t worry."

His voice was calm.

"Whoever that person was... I can promise they won’t harm anyone in this academy."

Athena thought quietly for several moments.

Finally...

"Very well."

"I’ll accept your deal."

Arthur let out a quiet breath.

"But..."

His eyes narrowed.

"But what?"

Athena’s expression became serious.

"For me to place my complete trust in you..."

She looked directly into his eyes.

"...you must lead Celestia Academy to victory in the Inter-Academy Competition."

Arthur froze.

"...What?"

A faint smile curved beneath her veil.

"The leaders of every academy have wagered treasures worth unimaginable fortunes."

A confident gleam flashed across her eyes.

"This time...i refuse to lose."

Arthur stared at her in silence.

He understood immediately.

This wasn’t merely a request.