False Villain of the end

The girl with eyes shining like stars in her retina.

The main heroine.

Stood in front of me.

Looking at me with a confidence she had never shown to Vulkan before.

I was agitated, to say the least.

But it was clear from her complex expression—

This wasn't easy for her.

"You aren't Vulkan...

Are you?"

"Yeah. I'm not."

She stared at me.

As if trying to read my face.

Well, I had nothing to hide.

Besides, it'd be better if things weren't awkward between me and the main cast.

I just want a chance to enjoy life for once.

"So what?"

I asked.

"Who are you, then?"

"I'm Vulkan.

Don't get me wrong, the Vulkan you knew isn't me.

I'm basically another version…

one without most of the emotions the old me carried."

Her eyes widened at my statement.

She looked visibly shocked... and confused.

"Alright then.

You wouldn't mind me sticking around, right?"

Of course, she didn't trust me.

No one would.

No one expects their arch-enemy to suddenly become someone else.

It's not out of the ordinary to be suspicious.

But as she followed me, I just did what I had to do.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

Classes.

Eating at the café.

Though, that wasn't the problem.

The problem was the stares.

Constant, burning stares in the cafeteria.

They wouldn't let me have a proper meal.

How could anyone eat with dozens of eyes gawking at them?

Just then, I felt something ominous behind me.

I didn't know the exactly that was but had a pretty good guess.

A boy with black hair and red eyes glared at me—

—as if those eyes were peeling the skin from my bones.

The boy in question was someone I knew all too well—

—The main character of False Hero, Ignis Virelion.

"Hania.

Why are you following this bastard around?"

Yeah...

Ignis was always the type to say whatever he wanted.

Plot armor made sure he rarely faced consequences.

"I'm just doing a little research.

Don't disturb me right now."

She said, while shoving a giant chicken leg into her mouth.

What a feisty girl.

At least this way, he wouldn't trouble me further.

But to my surprise, it didn't improve the situation one bit.

In fact, it made it worse.

Ignis, being Ignis, snapped at her.

"Fine! I don't need to know, right?

Who am I to ever judge?!"

He stormed out of the cafeteria without another word.

Looks like the arrogance from all his achievements is finally getting to his head.

Speaking of which, this version of Ignis was part of one of the routes too.

The one where his arrogance led to his downfall.

From the way Hania spoke with him, it seemed she had noticed the change as well.

She probably just wanted to leave him alone and let him reflect.

Well, none of that concerns me.

More importantly…

"Hania, I'm finding your presence very annoying.

When are you going to stop tailing me around like a spotlight stalker?"

Her lips curled into a sly smile.

"Till I feel like it."

Ah, right.

This was her personality.

A brat who went out of her way to indulge in anything that piqued her interest.

A trait that, in the original timeline, Vulkan had beaten out of her by the end of term two.

That was supposed to be her turning point.

The moment she had enough.

Her retaliation ended in a power-up for Ignis… and the death of Vulkan—me.

But the damage had already been done.

She became timid afterward, developing a softer, more reserved personality.

Then again, that route is long gone now.

"Fine then.

Do it your way."

She really was persistent.

She didn't take her eyes off me all day.

Just watching as I went through each class.

Finally, the magic bell rang.

A green chime made of wind magic, cast by the academy's timekeeper, signaled the end of the

day.

It rang seven times—

—marking the completion of all seven classes.

We were free to return to our dorms.

By then, my body had practically collapsed from exhaustion.

Hania, who had sat next to me the whole day, looked just as drained.

She, too, had suffered through the tedious lectures.

Well… at least they were interesting.

I stood up lazily and began making my way back to my room.

She followed suit, trailing me all the way to my door—

—where a woman with hair as beautiful as moonlight stood.

It looked like she intended to step inside.

No.

Just... no.

"Rin, could you make sure our guest here doesn't make it inside?"

Both Rin and Hania exchanged glances.

How could I forget?

They'd probably already met, weaving together some plan for my downfall.

Hania did stop, likely to have a private conversation with Rin.

Probably about me.

"Hania, I'd appreciate it if you could keep our situation a secret."

I said that before closing the door on both Rin and Hania, who remained outside.

Rin, however, wore an extremely peculiar expression at my words.

Whatever.

I headed for my bed and slowly sank into sleep—

—on my five-star comfy mattress.

Yet again, I woke up to the sun's rays shining brightly on my face through the window.

And yet again, I felt strands of white hair brushing against my skin.

To my surprise, a girl lay next to me.

A tall girl, embracing my arm like a pillow.

My personal servant—Rin.

'Didn't I tell her not to keep doing this?'

"Rin, Rin. Wake up."

I tried to rouse her by shaking her gently.

Not only did my attempt fail, but her grip on me tightened.

It wasn't from fear.

Her hands were steady, calm.

It was as if she were basking in warmth.

Watching her sleep so peacefully…

I couldn't bring myself to wake her.

So I let her be.

At some point, while watching her,

I found my eyes closing again.

A strange sense of déjà vu washed over me.

Ah.

This is the second time I've woken up today.

Time had passed.

I'd fallen asleep again.

I hurriedly checked on Rin, only to find her wide awake—

Still embracing me.

Still watching me,

As if she had been doing so for a while.

I let out a small cough.

"Rin…

Didn't I tell you not to continue doing this?"

"Yes, young master.

But you didn't order me specifically to stop immediately.

I'll keep doing it as long as I like."

I was dumbfounded.

Was she always like this?

"I… uh…"

I couldn't form a proper reply.My emotions were torn—

Between the comfort of a warm embrace,

And the knowledge that distancing myself from her now

Might save us both from pain later.

In the end…

I gave in.

This was a chance to experience something I never got to develop back in my world.

"Young master, you…

You've returned, haven't you?"

Huh?

What?

What was she saying?

"The master I grew up with…

The young master before that incident…

He's back, right?"

Her words tangled in my mind.

What was she talking about?

I couldn't recall anything like that.

As far as I knew—

As far as any player knew—

She had always hated Vulkan.

"Young master,"

She tilted her head slightly,

Sliding her hand across my cheek.

"Vulkan…

You've finally returned to normal.

Right?"

I didn't remember anything.

I was at a complete loss for words.

"I… Rin…

I don't understand what you're saying.

I can't recall anything you're referring to."

She let out a soft chuckle.

And with it, an expression bloomed on her face—

A genuine happiness.

The kind rarely seen from anyone.

"Yes, you have.

I don't need to question what I already know."

She smiled.

"Don't expect me to stop sleeping beside Vulkan anytime soon."

Although I had no clue what she was talking about,

There was probably no escaping this anymore.

"Alright, alright. Fine…

But you should get going and attend to your duties.

I'm already late anyway—might as well skip the whole day."

'It also helps me avoid Hania.'

"No, young master.

With all due respect, I decline."

Huh?!

At this point, her change had become so drastic

I stopped feeling surprised altogether.

Either way, I really had no choice.

Better to let things end peacefully while I still can.

I don't know why…

But I feel like she might throw hands if I try to argue her refusal now.

"Alright, do what you want."

I said, tucking myself into bed with one arm, ready to drift off.

"Of course."

She was genuinely happy at my response.

Her lips reflected it.

It felt like any leftover tension in the air had vanished.

As if her heart was set ablaze again.

As if what she had hoped for… was now etched in stone.

Without much time passing, we both fell asleep.

But…

I hadn't taken something very important into consideration.

Something I should've realized.

A mistake born from pure carelessness.

The consideration in question?

Hania's bratty personality.

I opened my eyes to the sound of a door creaking open.

Two eyes emerged—

Glowing with a star-like brightness.

Uh oh…