Rise Of The Villain : In a World Ruled By Anomalies

Layla’s body lay completely lifeless on the cold stone floor before Arthur.

Water had spilled from the bottle in Layla’s loose hand, spreading across the polished floor in a thin, glistening pool.

Her sky-blue hair was scattered around her face.

Her skin had taken on a dark bluish-purple hue.

White foam stained the corner of her lips.

Her half-open brown eyes no longer held their usual sharpness, pride, or challenge.

There was nothing in them.

No breath.

No pulse.

No warmth.

Arthur stood over her for several seconds without speaking.

Then he slowly crouched beside her.

His expression remained grim as he reached for the bottle lying close to Layla’s fingers. He carefully picked it up, turning it in his hand while examining the clear liquid inside.

At first glance, it looked completely ordinary.

Colorless.

Clean.

Odorless.

Just water.

But Arthur brought the bottle closer to his nose and inhaled carefully.

A faint, almost unnoticeable scent reached him.

It was sweet.

Too sweet.

And beneath it was something cold and bitter.

Arthur’s eyes narrowed.

"Looks like there was poison in this water," he muttered. "Even though it looks completely normal."

He looked around the hallway.

There was no one there.

No witnesses.

No students.

No professors.

Not even a trace of the person responsible.

Only Arthur, Layla’s corpse, and the faint sound of water dripping from the fallen bottle.

Arthur’s gaze returned to Layla.

For a moment, his eyes became colder.

’Well, if she is already dead, then this is the perfect opportunity to devour her and take everything at once.’

The thought came naturally.

Her Prodigy System was absurdly powerful.

Supreme Swordsmanship.

Supreme Martial Arts.

Supreme Combat Adaptation.

A talent capable of copying and refining nearly any technique after seeing it once.

If Arthur devoured her now, he might be able to take all of it.

But after a few seconds, he let out a slow breath.

’No. If I do that, I will become the prime suspect in her murder.’

His jaw tightened.

’Athena will not leave me alone if she thinks I have been scheming behind her back. She might think I betrayed her. Or worse, that I killed Layla to take something from her.’

Arthur looked down at Layla’s body once again.

"Maybe I should tell Athena first... and then devour her."

[ You are right, Host. This seems to be the most plausible route we should take in this situation. ]

Then a woman’s voice came from behind him.

"Devour her? What exactly are you planning to devour?"

Arthur’s body tensed.

He immediately turned around.

Athena Emberfall stood behind him.

Arthur’s heart skipped a beat.

"Fuck," he said. "You scared me to death."

Athena did not respond to his complaint.

Her attention was fixed entirely on Layla’s corpse.

Arthur could not see Athena’s face clearly because of the veil covering it.

But he could feel it.

The rage.

The killing intent.

It seeped from her like invisible smoke, heavy enough to make the air itself feel colder.

Arthur stood up slowly.

"Just so you know," he said, "she was already dead when I came here. I had nothing to do with it."

Athena remained silent for several seconds.

Then she spoke in a low voice filled with suppressed rage.

"This is the third time."

Arthur frowned.

"Third time what?"

Athena’s gaze did not leave Layla.

"The third time they have killed Layla."

Arthur’s eyes widened.

"What?"

He looked from Athena to Layla’s body.

"She has been killed before?"

Athena’s head turned slightly toward him.

"What are you acting so surprised about?" she asked. "You are a system user too, right?"

Arthur raised both hands in frustration.

"Wait, wait, wait," he said. "Can you explain what the hell is happening? And why did you just say this is her third time dying?"

Athena remained quiet for a moment.

Then she lifted one hand and flicked her finger.

The floor beneath them began to glow.

A complex magic circle spread across the hallway, its symbols lighting up one after another in deep crimson and pale silver. The air trembled as mana gathered around them.

"It will be easier to show you," Athena said. "I am sure you will be amazed."

The light swallowed them.

In the next instant, Arthur felt the world twist.

The hallway vanished.

When his vision cleared, they were standing inside Athena’s office.

Athena moved immediately.

She picked Layla’s body up with surprising ease and carried her toward the large sofa near the window. With careful movements, she laid Layla down across it.

Arthur watched in silence.

Athena looked at him.

"How much time has passed since you found her body?"

"A few minutes," Arthur replied.

Athena seemed to calculate something in her mind.

Then she nodded faintly.

"Then it is about time."

Arthur frowned again.

"About time for what?"

Athena looked toward Layla.

"Look," she said. "It is starting. See for yourself."

Arthur turned toward the sofa.

Then his eyes widened.

A pale blue light had begun to gather around Layla’s body.

At first, it was barely visible.

A faint glow around her fingertips.

Then it spread.

The soft blue radiance flowed over her arms, her chest, and her face. It wrapped around her body like a gentle mist, carrying a quiet but terrifying power.

[ Oh, fuck. Now I am feeling jealous. ]

Arthur’s brows furrowed.

’Why? What happened?’

[ That girl’s system possesses a system-exclusive ability. Such abilities are usually unlocked only after a system reaches level five. And it looks like hers is overpowered too. ]

Arthur’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Layla.

’Do not tell me...’

The change became clearer by the second.

Layla’s skin, which had darkened into a bluish-purple color because of the poison, slowly began to regain its natural color.

The poison marks faded.

The foam at the corner of her lips disappeared.

Her chest, which had been completely still, rose faintly.

Then her fingers twitched.

Arthur took a slow step forward.

"System, do not tell me..."

[ That is right, Host. The system-exclusive ability the Prodigy System has unlocked is Revival. ]

Arthur’s mouth fell open.

He stared at Layla in disbelief.

"Does that mean she is immortal?"

[ I do not think it is that powerful. There are likely conditions, limitations, a cooldown, or a cost. You should ask her when she wakes up. ]

The pale blue light grew brighter.

Layla’s body continued to recover.

The stiffness disappeared from her limbs.

The color returned completely to her face.

Her breathing steadied.

Within moments, she looked as though she had never been poisoned at all.

Then her eyelashes trembled.

Layla’s eyes fluttered open.

For a brief second, panic flashed across her face.

She immediately sat up and looked around, her gaze moving from the unfamiliar ceiling to Athena, then finally to Arthur.

"Where am I?" Layla asked.

For several long seconds, Layla remained rigid on the sofa.

Her breathing was uneven.

Her brown eyes moved rapidly around Athena’s office, searching every corner as if she expected another assassin to emerge from the shadows at any moment. Although the blue radiance had healed the physical effects of the poison, the fear of dying had not faded so easily.

Athena’s expression softened beneath her veil.

"Calm down, Layla," she said quietly. "It is alright. You are safe here with me."

Layla looked toward her.

Then, slowly, Athena stepped closer and wrapped her arms around Layla.

The hug was gentle.

Protective.

Layla’s body trembled faintly in Athena’s embrace.

For a moment, she did not move at all. Then her hands slowly clenched against Athena’s clothes, as if she had finally allowed herself to accept that she was alive.

A few seconds passed before Athena loosened her hold and stepped back.

Her voice hardened once more.

"What happened?" Athena asked. "Was it the same person as last time?"

Layla took a deep breath.

She closed her eyes for a moment, forcing her heartbeat to slow.

Then she opened them again.

"No," she said. "I remember that after losing the duel, I was walking back to the student council office with Miss Amber."

Arthur remained silent, watching her carefully.

Layla continued.

"She said I looked tired," Layla said. "Then she offered me a bottle of water. I drank it, and after that... my body started becoming paralyzed."

Athena’s aura flared.

The room’s temperature seemed to drop.

"Fucking hell," Athena muttered.

Then she looked directly at Layla.

"Listen closely, Layla. Amber already requested a leave of absence yesterday. She will not return for another two days. It cannot have been her."

Layla’s eyes widened.

She sat straighter, the realization striking her all at once.

"You were right, Miss Athena," she said. "Whoever that bitch is, they possess the ability to shapeshift into another person."

Arthur raised a hand.

"Hold on," he said. "Hold on. Let me get this straight."

Athena and Layla both looked toward him.

Arthur’s expression turned serious.

"So you are saying someone is trying to kill Layla," he said. "They have already succeeded twice before. They possess the ability to shapeshift into other people. And that person is inside the academy right now?"

Athena gave him a sideways glance.

"Well, what do you know?" she said. "Looks like you are not dumb after all."

Arthur smirked.

"I am smart enough to outsmart you, just like last time."

Athena’s mouth twitched.

"That sharp tongue of yours is your only redeeming quality," she said.

Arthur ignored her and turned toward Layla.

"Who is this Amber?"

Athena answered before Layla could.

"Amber works as an instructor in the Alchemy Department," Athena said. "She is well-known throughout the continent for her potions, many of which are in extremely high demand. She helps Layla and me whenever we need something."

Her fingers tightened slightly.

"But she requested leave yesterday and will only return tomorrow. Therefore, it could not have been the real Amber."

Arthur nodded slowly.

Then he asked, "What happened the previous two times? Who attacked Layla?"

Layla’s gaze lowered.

Her voice became quiet.

"The first time, the assassin took Miss Athena’s form," she said. "They came up behind me and pierced my heart."

Her fingers curled tightly against her knees.

"They enjoyed while they did it."

Arthur’s expression darkened.

"And the second time?"

Layla’s face became pale.

"The second time, it was an injured student I had rescued," she said. "Before I could understand what was happening my whole body was on fire as i died screaming."

A deep silence filled the room.

"When we investigated afterward," Layla continued, "there was no such student in the academy."

Arthur let out a long breath.

"Fuck, This is someone at SS-Rank or possibly even higher. Whoever is after you is dangerous."

Athena’s aura surged in anger.

The pressure in the room became suffocating.

"No matter what rank they are," Athena said coldly, "the moment I get my hands on them, I will make their life a living hell, how dare they mess with one of my precious students . They will beg for death before I am done with them."

Then she turned toward Arthur.

"Arthur, you will help us find out who it is."

Arthur sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Damn. It is one thing after another."

He looked at Athena.

"Fine. I will help. But that will cost you extra."

A vein appeared on Athena’s forehead.

"Fine, you greedy bastard," she said.

Then she spoke with the calm tone of someone who had already decided everything.

"From now on, you will live with Layla."

Arthur’s mouth hung open.

Layla’s mouth hung open as well.

"Say what?" they said at the same time.

Then they looked at each other.

Layla’s eyes narrowed immediately.

Athena ignored both of them.

"Isn’t it perfect?" Athena said. "You do not have an accommodation, and Layla has the largest one in the academy. Four people could live there, and there would still be more than enough space."

Layla jumped to her feet.

"That is not the point, Miss Athena!" she said. "He is a man!"

Athena tilted her head.

"Do not call him a man yet," she replied. "He is just a boy in my eyes. Still wet behind the ears."

Arthur’s face twitched.

Athena continued mercilessly.

"And if he tries anything, you can always kill him."

Arthur pointed at himself in disbelief.

"Then I refuse—"

Before he could complete the sentence, glowing magic engulfed both Arthur and Layla.

Athena gave them a casual wave.

"Bye-bye," she said. "I will come visit both of you later."

The magic circle beneath their feet activated.

The office vanished in a flash of light.

In the next instant, Arthur and Layla found themselves standing in front of a large house.

The residence was far more luxurious than an ordinary student accommodation. A wide garden stretched out before it, filled with carefully trimmed hedges, stone pathways, tall trees, and blooming flowers. The house itself had several floors, broad windows, a covered entrance, and enough space to resemble a small noble estate.

Arthur looked around.

Then he felt Layla’s glare.

She was staring daggers at him.

Arthur sighed.

"That damn bitch, Athena, She pushed her responsibility onto me, didn’t she?"