Class had begun.
The professor was explaining the theory behind the formation of magic circles.
Diagrams of interlocking shapes pulsed with light, forming a glowing ring on the board.
It was undeniably one of the most intriguing subjects I had ever studied—
—yet I couldn't focus.
My mind kept drifting, spinning endless thoughts about what I'd done.
Helping the main lead… running away right after, almost as if I couldn't bear to face her.
She probably noticed.
Then again, I wasn't Vulkan.
Playing the villain felt like wearing a skin two sizes too small.
Especially when it came so suddenly.
But what could I do now?
It's better not to dwell on it.
I needed to focus on the magic classes.
Vulkan's primary strength was magic.
While it felt oddly familiar, I didn't know the first thing about using it.
I'd have to relearn everything from the ground up.
If I wanted to survive—
If I wanted to foster Ignis—
I had no choice.
But honestly, I felt… dulled. Like someone had turned down the volume on my soul.
I was slowly returning to who I was before.
The me who wouldn't bat an eye at someone else's pain.
The me who wasted his life like it meant nothing.
Maybe it was Vulkan's body that gave me the small push I still had.
Had I made a mistake?
Was trying to lead too arrogant of me?
Then again, if the protagonist failed, the world would likely be destroyed.
But still…
I'm not Vulkan.
And with my motivation slipping away, I wondered—
Would it really be so bad to spend what time I had left just enjoying the parts of this world I liked?
No one would miss me.
Not my parents.
Not my sister.
Why kill myself trying to survive?
I didn't want to go back anyway.
"Vulkan! Are you listening?!"
The professor's voice sliced through my spiral like a blade.
His face looked ready to explode.
I slouched in my seat, legs splayed—A noble's posture ruined by apathy.
I tried to concentrate.
At the very least, magic still fascinated me.
One thing this world got right.
Due to the sudden change in demeanor, nearly everyone gawked at me.
It was as if the impossible had happened.
Their stares screamed at me, as if silently asking if I was sick.
Among them, a pair of starry eyes had caught onto me without warning.
She looked at the lazy boy, as if waiting for something.
Her thoughts churned in confusion, wondering if this was even the same guy she knew and hated.
In the six months she had known him, he had never behaved like this.
Not even once.
She waited and waited, the whole day, preparing for whatever was to come.
Yet, in the end—nothing happened.
The day passed as it normally should for any student.
After my motivation slipped, I didn't feel like doing anything at all.
There was no way I was going to act like some corny villain just because the plot demanded it.
Whatever happens to the scenario, happens.
I don't care anymore.
If the main character, Ignis, can't handle it—then so be it.
I'll just fulfill my own wants and enjoy the rest of my time without any burdens.
Surely, that would be possible.
Right?
The day went by, and I found myself back at the dorms.
The dorms, like the other buildings, were simply luxurious.
It was as if student housing had been modeled after five-star hotels.
From the room designs, to their sheer size, to the maids assigned to each one—it was all top class.
In front of my room stood a tall girl with white hair tied into a ponytail.
She nervously darted her eyes toward me.
Absolutely terrified by what stood before her.
I could feel my fingers itching to cast a spell—one that would injure her.
But I held back my instincts.
"Young master Vulkan.
What kind of play do you desire of me today?"
Ah, right. I forgot.
This guy had treated her like nothing more than a toy.
To the point that she had no will left to resist.
I could feel her hands trembling, like leaves in a snowstorm.
I reached my hand out toward hers, lazily.
She braced for a hit—
—but I held it gently.
"Nothing. Just brew me some tea.
You can take the rest of the day off."
To my response, just like Hania, she looked dumbfounded.
Clearly thinking I was about to set up some cruel act.
But when the time came and she set the cup down—
—nothing happened.
I just drank it and went to sleep without a care in the world.
In the process, ignoring her completely.
Well, soon enough, I won't be getting tea from her anymore.
So, I didn't bother acting like I had a relationship with her.
After all, her background would soon be revealed, and she'd join the main cast.
She had probably already met Ignis by now.
Maybe even planned an attack on me with his group.
I knew the pattern all too well.
It was a decent quest, after all.
In the end, she awakens her powers and gets accepted into the academy through special admission.
Well, that aside.
Even though I had gone to sleep, she didn't leave her spot outside the room.
Probably keeping watch.
Just like Hania.
Waiting for me to do something.
Too bad to disappoint her, but I'm not planning to do anything.
Not one bit.
But fate is a cruel thing.
I had no idea what my inaction would lead to.
For both her… and the main cast.
That was, without a doubt, a mistake.
Morning came.
Light seeped through the windows and hit my face.
I could feel strands of white hair scattered across my skin.
The scent of sweet roses invaded my nose in the gentlest way.
It was none other than the maid—Rin.
At first, I was surprised.
But knowing how Vulkan behaved, this was probably just another of his disgusting demands.
I felt even more disgusted with myself.
Her face was turned toward me.
She held me in an embrace—
—shivering, probably from fear even in her sleep.
I let out a long sigh and slid my hand onto her head, giving her small pats.
I'm also a man.
I couldn't help but feel something, not with a beauty this close.
But knowing who I am now…
I knew I had to stop.
As the excitement died down, the sloth crept back in.
I didn't want to go to class.
Not one bit.
But I doubted I could fall back asleep with Rin lying next to me.
Our bodies touched.
I could feel the warmth of her skin.
'Ah… so this is what an embrace feels like.'
If only I had experienced this in my childhood.
How nice that would've been.
Anyways, it was about time I woke her up.
"Rin, Rin. Wake up.
It's almost time for your duties."
I woke her up gently.
But as expected, her hands didn't stop trembling.
Though unexpectedly, after waking up, she just kept staring at me.
"Young master, awfully surprising to see you wake before me.
Did something happen?"
She asked casually, betraying her fear.
Maybe she was testing the waters—
—to see how far I had changed.
Smart move, really.
"Well, I couldn't sleep from all your snoring.
What do you expect?"
I said it cheerfully, with a smile.
Forced to say it, betraying my laziness.
If I confuse her with my change, maybe she'll delay the attack on me.
Hence, letting me laze around a little longer.
Truly a smart investment on my part.
Just then, I noticed a flicker of something soft in her eyes before she replied.
"Says the one who used to snore the most back in the day."
It was as if she was reminiscing—
—a time not covered by the game.
After all, there was little to no reason to flesh out a villain's backstory that much.
I didn't know much about the prior connection Rin and Vulkan had.
After saying that, she suddenly tensed up and took a more official tone.
"Young master, if you would excuse me, I will take my leave."
"You know, Rin, you can stop attending to my sleep from now on."
She shot me a surprised glare before closing the door behind her.
Sheesh. I'm trying to put her out of her misery.
What's with people suspecting some ulterior motive from me all the time?
Truly sad—
—but for Vulkan, to be expected.
With that, I started getting ready for class.
My laziness screamed at me, but in order to satisfy my own fascinations, I had to attend school.
After a thorough cleanup and getup,
I headed toward class.
Though I didn't carry myself with the noble demeanor Vulkan was supposed to have.
Naturally, there were a lot of eyes on me.
They were probably wondering why I'd changed so much.
But I couldn't care less.
I just need to go to class, study, come back, and sleep.
That's all I want to do, anyway.
If the main cast decides to get rid of me,
They can go right ahead.
I see no reason to fight for a cheap life like mine.
As time passed, my energy and motivation continued to plummet.
It felt like something was draining it.
But by that point, I couldn't care less.
While I was on my way, a short and petite figure stood in front of me.
Hania—
—the main heroine of the story, and the one destined to kill me in almost every route.
"Vulkan, you...
Are you really Vulkan?"
My eyes widened at her question.
I was startled a bit before regaining composure.
A sly smile played across her lips—
—as if she had been waiting for that exact reaction.
'Ah...
Looks like I've got a lot coming at me.'