Preparing for the Academy (1)

Duke Maxamus Residence.

Walking to my father's office, I was lost in thought.

I reviewed all the plans I had prepared before going to the academy, as tomorrow was the first day.

What was the first event? I thought to myself.

Living in a world of my favorite video game initially sounded like a dream come true. But, unfortunately, things quickly took a turn for the worst. I realized I was not the protagonist but instead the villain who was supposed to die during the academy's second year.

Why not just avoid the protagonist? You may ask.

Well, I'll tell you why.

I've tried everything to avoid becoming the villain, but no matter what I did. The world still saw me as a villain. I came to this world a little over ten years ago, and the first thing I learned was that there were rumors about me who would mess with girls, and I was only five years old at the time.

Now I would chalk that up to the developers who wrote my character in the game but come on. Five years old, really.

Just a few months ago, I was charged with consorting with demons, which carried the death penalty. Luckily, I had an 'ally' in the form of Princess Olivia, who helped me through that time. I loosely use the term ally, as she was more like a villain who wanted to trap me within her claws.

Feeling my anger rise while thinking about the Princess. It wasn't until I felt a soft breeze caress my chin that I calmed down.

Turning my head slightly to the left, I sighed with relief.

Standing nearly a head taller than me was the most beautiful Elf I had ever seen, with silver-colored hair that reached down to the small of her back and those soft blue eyes that peered at me. Telling me everything will be all right.

Callista or Cas, as I call her. Is my aide sworn to serve me even in death.

She was much more to me than my aide. She was my heart, and it drove me insane that I couldn't have her.

Why, you ask?

Princess Olivia. She was so obsessed with me and wanted me all to herself. I couldn't even trust my fiancé, whom she was already manipulating. Every time Liz and I met, all she would talk about was Princess Olivia and how great she was.

What scared me about Princess Oliva was when the developers released a FAQ. They stated that she was one of the smartest being in the world. Even shaming Elves and most dragons were known as the wisest and most intelligent of all the races.

After witnessing firsthand how smart she was, I needed to tread carefully. That's why I had to distance myself from Cas as much as possible, lest Princess Olivia does something to her.

Thankfully Cas was smart enough to pick up the hints that I was dropping, and we established a master and-servant relationship.

Letting a barely than a noticeable smile cross my lip for no more than a fraction of a second. I turned my eyes forward as I knocked three times on my father's door.

I've done everything I could to figure out her plan. I even sent the Queen of spiders, Qhessa. To observe her, but to my dismay, I only learned of a few of the plans she had enacted for me when I attended the academy.

Waiting for my father's response. I took a deep breath.

Remember when I was charged with consorting with demons? Well, I saved a town under a demon clan's control, and do you know what my reward was? An official inquiry as to how I defeated a demon general. I even managed to save some students who attended the academy, and as thanks? Of course, they're saying how I fused with a demon or something along those lines.

Thankfully, Princess Olivia could stop that official inquiry, but I felt she started it in the first place. Did I forget to mention that those students were chosen by Olivia herself to help save the town?

I have been trying to avoid becoming the villain for the last ten years. Until I finally realized something. This world wanted me to be a villain; no matter what I did to avoid it worked. So, I was done trying to play the nice guy.

No longer will I hide in the shadows. No longer will I be used as a pawn.

I will leave a trail of death and destruction in my wake as I ascend to the top of the world, and all will bow before me, including Olivia.

Feeling another soft breeze caress my cheek. I closed my eyes for a moment.

Thanks, Cas. I thought.

"Enter." Came the booming voice from behind the door.

Without any hesitation. I opened the door and walked to present myself in front of my father.

To say my father was an imposing figure was not doing him justice.

Duke Vajran Maxamus was rumored to be the strongest person in the Kingdom, and there were very little people could do to dispel the rumors. Even the King was unable to refute those rumors. It was said that if the Duke and the King ever fought. There wouldn't be a kingdom left.

Staring at those cold black eyes. I couldn't help but remember ten years ago when I first laid eyes on him and nearly died of fright.

Now? Now I was wondering how long it would take me to kill him. If he didn't fall in line, he would fall like the rest who refused to bow before me.

"Father." I said as I stopped in front of his desk.

"Consider this as a right of passage." My father said as he handed me a sealed envelope.

Opening it up and reading it, I couldn't help but chuckle a little bit.

"I went through the same thing when I was your age." My father added.

"Will there be anything else, father?" I asked after I put away the letter.

"Two things. Never let an enemy escape your grasp." My father said as he paused.

"And the other." I urged him.

"A Maxamus never bows. No matter how much weight is on their shoulders." He said after a moment.

"Thanks for the words of wisdom, father. I will keep it in mind." I said with a smile.