I Am The Game's Villain

"S-Sir N-Nyrel..."

Ah, this situation has become quite awkward...

My intention was to confirm Reiss' demise and then make a swift exit from this place. However, it seems things have taken an unexpected turn.

"Jayden!" Carla, abandoning any pretense of secrecy, leaped into Jayden's embrace, hugging him tightly.

"Sir... Nyrel?" Miranda's tangerine eyes locked onto me, widening with realization. "You're the person from the Falkrona Enigma Dungeon, aren't you?"

"N-Nyrel?" Carla turned to me, her lips twitching uncertainly.

"You know him, Carla?" Jayden, still embracing Carla, inquired.

"Ah, yes," Carla replied, catching sight of my glare. "He's someone I just met... What about all of you? It seems you're familiar with him?"

"Oh, yes! Sir Nyrel is a friend of ours. He's been a great help to us since the day we entered, and..." Milleia started to explain, but I cut her off.

"And?" Jayden prodded.

"N-Nothing!" Thankfully, Milleia regained her composure and refrained from mentioning the incident with the Golden Grasses. Explaining that would have been quite a challenge.

"What are you doing here?" Miranda narrowed her eyes, suspicion evident. "The floors between the 40th and 50th are designated for the students and staff of the Royal Eden Academy."

"Oh, that's because Sir Nyrel is also a student at the Royal Eden Academy. When we first met him, he was wearing the same uniform as us," Milleia answered.

"Why are you hiding your face?" Miranda fired another question, her gaze pressing upon me.

"For personal reasons," I curtly replied.

Elona remained silent, but her expression seemed relieved.

"Carla, did you encounter any teachers?" Miranda inquired.

"No," Carla shook her head. "And about the exam-"

"It's undoubtedly canceled, we're aware," Miranda interjected. "Caishen's involvement suggests the presence of other enemies. Have you encountered them? Where are the others from your group?"

"Ah... that's..." Carla's complexion paled at the thought of Louisa. She stole a quick glance at me, and I shook my head.

Not now.

This wasn't the right moment to divulge that information, especially not to Elona and Miranda.

"They're trailing behind," I spoke up in Carla's place. "But we haven't come across any teachers."

Considering the number of teachers that should be present on each floor overseeing the exam, it was indeed strange that we hadn't encountered any until now. Ante-Eden or the Iris Project might have eliminated them all.

"I see," Miranda nodded at me. "In that case, we should ascend to the higher floors to rendezvous with the teachers on the 50th floor. However, let's wait for a little while longer in case the others arrive."

She was right.

It would be prudent to wait for the rest of our group and ensure our collective safety before proceeding further.

…..

…..

"I'm glad to see you again, Sir Nyrel," Milleia approached me and whispered.

Startled, I flinched slightly as her face suddenly appeared in my vision. "You scared me."

"A-Ah, sorry..." Milleia apologized and sat down next to me. "Um... Are you also a first-year student, Sir Nyrel?"

"Yeah," I nodded.

Damn it.

My mind is exhausted.

Should I just reveal my identity once all of this is over?

The same goes for Aurora.

I'll do it on her birthday since she invited me.

Yeah.

The First Game is coming to an end, and after that, I'll leave for Sancta Vedelia, where no one should know me. I won't need to hide my identity from the heroines there.

"Do you have enemies, Sir Nyrel?" Milleia asked, probing further.

I glanced at her. "Why do you think that?" I asked curiously, considering the dangers I was indeed facing.

"Um... You're hiding your face and said it was something personal. That's why. Jayden, my friend, had to conceal his identity because he was in danger as well."

A smart deduction.

"Yeah, I do."

Milleia's eyes widened upon my confirmation. Her mouth opened slightly, hesitating before she spoke again. "Do you need any help? I can assist you, Sir Nyrel!"

"..."

Do I need her help?

Yes, I truly need her and Jayden's help to eliminate the bastard who killed my mother. If I can just get rid of him, then I can focus on the Iris Project. They saw in me the perfect vessel, but I refuse to become that abomination. All of that happened because I didn't join Ante-Eden.

"Yes, but not at the moment. Will you help me, Milleia?" I asked sincerely, addressing her by name.

Milleia was initially taken aback, but she eventually nodded with a delighted smile. "Y-Yes!"

I know she would help me since we're close friends, but by asking her like this, she'll feel even more grateful towards me.

"C-Can I ask one more thing in return?" Milleia timidly inquired.

"What is it?" I asked curiously.

"U-Um... In two months, the closing ceremony of this academic year will be held, and during that event, there will be a competition to elect the m-most beautiful girl of the academy, Miss Eden..." Milleia began seriously, but her face turned crimson toward the end.

The closing Ceremony...

Miss Eden....

The Closing Ceremony or Miss Eden is the last [Event] of the First Game before the Final.

In that [Event], Jayden was guaranteed to have a confession of a [Main Heroine]. In my game, I got a confession from Kleah.I think you should take a look at

It's soon...

My expression hardened remembering that everything will be decided in two months. 

We must reach an Happy Ending.

Jayden and Milleia must survive for the other Games otherwise the world is doomed.

But why is she bringing that up to me?

"Sir Nyrel?"

"Ah..."

"About the ceremony..."

"I will be there," I replied. After all, I'm a student, and I have no intention of skipping the final event.

"Thanks!" Milleia beamed at me, her smile capable of causing the downfall of a kingdom.

Does she feel that indebted to me?

Or perhaps... does she have feelings for me?

No.

I shouldn't jump to conclusions hastily, especially when it comes to Milleia.

Milleia has a tendency to act affectionate with people she considers friends or feels grateful to. She can be so close that it could lead to misunderstandings, especially with men.

At this point, I don't think she's in love with Jayden, even though she clearly cares a lot about him. She wouldn't have cried so much or hugged him like that otherwise. Although I used to spend time with them, I've been absent a lot lately due to my training. When Milleia faced difficulties, Jayden was the one always there for her. She was definitely closer to him than me obviously.

Whatever.

She awakened, so she must at least feel affection for Jayden, and that should be enough. Besides, I'm here with them this time, not against them.

"Thanks," I heard a voice on my right and turned to see Jayden extending his hand towards me.

"Thanks again for helping us on the entrance day," Jayden said with a grateful smile.

I shrugged and shook his hand in return.

Jayden nodded appreciatively and moved around me to sit next to Milleia.

"…"

Am I a nuisance?!

There was an empty spot right beside me!

"How are your injuries, Jayden?" Milleia asked.

"Better, thanks."

I ignored the laughter and giggles coming from my left and closed my eyes, using my arms as pillows.

****

As I slowly opened my eyes, my surroundings transformed into a pristine expanse of white, distinct from the oppressive presence of the arrogant Goddess.

"Pleased to meet you, Edward Falkrona," a voice resonated, breaking the silence.

Startled, I turned around to find a figure standing before me, bathed in an ethereal glow. It was none other than Zeus, the enigmatic white-haired man.

His raised brow conveyed curiosity as he took deliberate steps towards me, his presence commanding my attention.

In that moment, a mixture of recognition and apprehension coursed through me. I immediately knew who he was—Zeus, Jayden's Legacy. There was no doubt...

My body remained frozen, unable to muster the strength to react amidst the chaotic turmoil that had consumed me.

The air grew heavy with tension as Zeus drew closer, his icy blue eyes devoid of iris and shimmering with an unsettling intensity. His voice carried a subtle undercurrent of malice, sending shivers down my spine. I felt a profound fear, the kind that arises when faced with a being existing in a realm far beyond my own.

I was stunned as Zeus spoke, his words echoing in the white space around us.

"Do you know me?" Zeus asked, raising a brow.

"N-No," I stammered in response.

Zeus nodded and his eyes narrowed, shimmering with a blue light. "Why are you hiding your identity from your friends?"

I couldn't find the words to answer. Did he somehow know about Cleenah?

"There's something really strange about you," Zeus muttered, his face drawing closer to mine. In this dimension, I had my original gray hair and amber eyes so it was useless to hide anything except my Legacies. "I feel like I've seen you before... but no, it's more like you remind me of someone." His tone carried a chilling and terrifying hatred that sent shivers down my spine. I felt a deep fear at that moment, afraid for my life.

He existed in a realm I could never reach.

The suffocating feeling I experienced when I met Laima washed over me once again.

"W-Who are you?" I managed to ask, my voice trembling.

Zeus pulled back and smiled. "I'm Zeus, Jayden's Legacy."

"Jayden's Legacy... Why did you bring me here?" I asked, fearing the worst.

"I was merely curious about what you are hiding, but it seems like I am unable to find out," Zeus muttered.

Oh, thank goodness. He doesn't know.

Just as relief washed over me, Zeus turned around with his usual faint smile. "If you become a burden or a threat to Jayden, I will kill you regardless of your closeness to my protege and no one will lift a finger to stop me," he said as his smile widened even so slightly. "Not even Horus."

I was left speechless, unable to respond.

"As a parting gift, there is an enemy heading straight toward you all. You should leave," Zeus said, his voice carrying a finality that sent a chill down my spine.

******

"!"

I raised my body immediately and stood up.

"Sir Nyrel?" Milleia stood up with a questioning gaze but I was too concentrated on looking around me.

Where?!