Awakening Starting With The Villain System

Luckily, the dorms were in a different building.

If they weren't, I probably would've collapsed somewhere between the secretary's office and the hallway, trying to figure out where to go next.

I had struggled getting into the academy building.

Leaving it wasn't any easier, but it was less painful.

At least this time I had some direction.

The student dorms were more organized, and all I had to do was follow the room number printed on my academy ID card.

Simple enough... in theory.

Reality?

Not so simple.

There were so many damn rooms.

Rows and rows that seemed to stretch endlessly like some rich person's luxury hotel turned maze.

My legs screamed at me to stop, my mind begged me to lie down right there in the hallway.

But I kept moving.

Eventually, I stood in front of a door that matched the number on my card.

I stared at it in silence for a second, confirming the numbers again like I didn't trust my own eyes.

"Hm," I hummed under my breath, barely able to react emotionally anymore.

Sliding the card across the scanner, I heard a soft beep, and the lock clicked.

The door eased open under my push, and I stepped inside.

The first thing I noticed?

It was quiet.

Blessedly quiet.

I closed the door behind me and locked it, letting the stillness of the room wrap around me like a warm blanket.

The room was simple, modern, clean, with sharp lines and a cool palette.

Not too big, not too small.

But for someone like me who'd just spent a night soaking wet on the street?

It felt like a mansion.

And best of all?

It was mine.

I didn't have to share it.

No roommates.

No noise.

No forced smiles.

Just peace.

That was one of the few perks of attending a prestigious academy like Dusk.

Every student had their own room.

Privacy wasn't a luxury here, it was standard.

And for someone like me, who could barely tolerate having someone breathe too loud near me, it was perfect.

I walked over to the bed, and my eyes landed on a box placed neatly on top of it.

I blinked.

A welcome gift?

Sitting on the edge of the mattress, I opened the box slowly, half-expecting something extravagant.

Maybe fresh food.

Or snacks.

Or something warm.

But no.

Reality slapped my hopes aside.

Clothes.

Just clothes.

Specifically, the academy uniform.

I sighed, shoulders slumping slightly.

I don't know what I had expected, maybe a hot meal?

A welcome letter?

A sense of warmth that I belonged here?

Stupid.

This wasn't a hotel.

This was an academy.

A high-class one, sure, but still just a school.

Even if there had been food, I wouldn't have eaten it.

My paranoia would've convinced me that my stepmother or those two snakes I used to call step-siblings had somehow found a way to poison me through a uniform box.

I lifted the pieces of the uniform, inspecting them briefly.

White dress shirt.

Dark blue blazer.

Matching dark blue dress pants.

Black tie.

Sleek.

Clean.

Formal.

Just looking at it made me feel tired.

I let out another sigh.

My body was already shutting down.

Every muscle ached, probably from passing out in the rain last night, or maybe from the miles I'd walked, or the punches I'd taken from someone who used to call me "brother."

I shouldn't have sat down.

Because the moment I did, I stopped caring about anything else.

Without thinking, I lay down fully on the bed.

"Ahhh," I groaned, my voice muffled against the softness of the pillow.

It was too soft.

Too warm.

Too perfect.

It felt like I hadn't been on a real bed in years.

Realistically, it had only been hours.

But mentally?

Emotionally?

My body acted like it had just been released from a year-long prison sentence.

I closed my eyes, feeling the tension leave my shoulders for the first time in what felt like forever.

Finally... some rest.

But even as sleep started to creep in, my mind wouldn't shut up.

What's next?

How would life in this academy unfold?

What would I learn? How strong would I become?

Would I be safe here?

Would I finally grow into something... more?

Would I have the strength to get revenge?

Would I be the villain they already painted me to be?

I didn't have answers.

Just questions.

Heavy ones.

I exhaled slowly, letting the thoughts drift away with my breath.

"I'll let the future decide that," I whispered into the silence.

Right now... I just needed sleep.

Let tomorrow come.

I'll be ready.

Maybe.