Secret Route: Villain Unlocked

Julien shut the dorm door behind him and sighed.

He didn't feel used to this room. It was identical to every other one in the Academy. Even his own in the past had looked similar. 

But it was neat to the point of looking staged--not a single paper out of place, not a scuff on the polished desk. The bed was made, corners tucked in tight. A pair of ink pens rested in perfect alignment on a desk.

I should look through his things and see if I can find any clues. 

Julien moved over to some drawers near the window and pulled them open one by one. The top three contained clothes, textbooks, and some gear. Slightly worried he'd find nothing of value, he opened the bottom one. 

A plain brown leather book lay alone in the center, only a little worn at the edges. No name, no crest.

Bingo. That must be his journal. 

Julien carefully picked it up and flipped through the pages. There weren't any confessions like he'd hoped, but just words about his daily life. Some observations from class, thoughts on skill structures, diagrams of spell formations. A few dates were underlined. That was all.

He set it down, disappointed.

Nothing about friends. No idle musings. Just work. He'd expected more from a journal.

Maybe he hid his real one? 

The system pinged.

[Main Quest Unlocked]

["The Beginning" – Part I]

[Objective: Interact with Haley Lendouria, observe her behavior. Do not break character.]

[Reward: Ian Mooring's 'Real' Journal]

[Failure Penalty:???]

Julien stared at the window for a long second.

A main quest? Haley Lendouria?

His mind flashed back to what he remembered. Haley had been a talented student, just like Ian. A natural A-tier, who was thought to be the second most powerful in the Academy behind him. Ian's closest friend.

Another of Ian's memories flashed across Julien's mind. 

Ian and Haley, playing with wooden sticks as small children, laughing together. 

They had no idea what would happen to them. 

She was Inferno's second victim, though less talked about. She too had her power stolen by him--and had it gifted to Blaze. 

Julien slipped the leather book back into the drawer and straightened, rubbing a thumb over the corner of the desk while the quest text faded from view. Interact with Haley Lendouria. It almost sounded simple, until he remembered how many eyes followed her whenever she crossed a hallway.

She'd helped him a few times during his first year, back when he was still a rookie running laps around the training yard. Once, she had stayed after class to correct his footwork, adjusting his stance with quick, no‑nonsense taps on his shoulder. 

Another time, she had dragged him away from the library just before curfew with a casual, "Rules are there for a reason, kid." He could still picture that small, approving nod she'd given him after a spar.

Right now, she would be a fifth‑year, finishing her academy career at the top of every ranking board that didn't belong to Ian. Popular, respected, always on schedule--an archetype of order and confidence. And according to history, she would be dead within a year.

Julien closed the drawer, and checked his reflection. He smoothed his hair, and decided to change into his proper uniform, with the [Character Guidance] skill feeling like a soft hand on his shoulder reminding him of his part.

Julien was still sorting through the rest of Ian's belongings when a firm knock came at the door.

Not urgent, but not hesitant either.

He paused, waiting. Three seconds later, it knocked again. Slightly louder this time.

[Character Guidance Activated]

He didn't need the system prompt to know who it was.

He opened the door.

"Morning," Haley Lendouria said flatly, arms folded. "You skipped breakfast."

Julien blinked.

"Sorry about that," his body responded automatically. "Must've lost track of time!"

Haley raised an eyebrow. "Sure, you did."

She didn't press further. Just leaned lightly against the doorframe, eyes scanning the room behind him like she was ticking off a checklist. Bed made, desk clean, no fire damage. No signs of a secret mental breakdown.

She nodded once, satisfied.

"You're not working already, are you? It's Sunday."

Julien shook his head. "Nope. Just reorganizing a few things."

"You're allowed to just relax once in a while, you know," she said, brushing a strand of blond hair behind her ear. 

"If you weren't gonna come out of your room, you should've just slept in," she added, but not unkindly.

Julien hesitated. What time do Ian's mornings usually start?

"'Maybe I should've," he agreed vaguely. "Too late now, though!"

That seemed to pass. Haley gave a small shrug. "Well, if you're not planning on staying holed up all morning, come to the courtyard. Ray and Amara got bored waiting for you… so they started a mini duelling club right then and there."

He smiled. "Sounds like fun. Any prizes?"

"Not for you," she retorted, already turning halfway down the hall. "The Divine Priestess knows nobody'll even put a scratch on you."

Thank the gods for [Character Guidance]... She's just as intimidating as ever. 

The system pinged again as he moved to follow her.

[Main Quest: Progressing…]

[Bonus Objective: Compete in the Duelling Club]

[Current Status: Success – Haley Lendouria's suspicion: None]

A few minutes later, Julien stepped into the courtyard beside Haley, momentarily blinded at the sudden flood of light. 

The open space buzzed with weekend energy. There were students chatting happily on benches, others huddled around a chalk-marked dueling ring in the middle of the grass. Some instructors watched from a distance, but nobody intervened. Weekend sparring was tradition.

"There they are," Haley said, nodding forward.

Ray stood with one foot propped on the chalk border, twirling his spear casually as he spoke to Amara, who was adjusting a small scoreboard near the edge. She glanced over, spotted them, and waved with her usual commanding grin.

Julien returned the wave, and something in him relaxed slightly. They were familiar faces from Ian's memories. They were loyal, competent, loud, and always dragging him into trouble.

"About time you joined," Ray called. "Thought you were pulling another all-day meditation session."

"You're not that dramatic," Amara added, smirking. "Usually."

Julien grinned. "Was trying to be, but I got caught."

Haley elbowed him lightly as she passed.

His attention drifted toward the center ring, where the students gathered around, cheering.

Two students faced off in the middle. One was tall--third-year, maybe fourth. The other was shorter, still growing into his uniform, but he was already steady on his feet. A wooden training blade rested at his side, held with casual confidence.

…No way…! It can't be!

He recognized him immediately.

The only other natural S-tier in the Academy besides Ian. A first-year, only one month in, and already the talk of the school. The instructors couldn't stop mentioning his mana burst test during orientation. 

Light brown hair, golden eyes. Only a kid, really. Yet he had the kind of talent anyone could see instantly.

Me. 

Julien watched the boy's sword glow with light. He swung in clean lines with sharp focus. Still a bit tight around the shoulders, but that would ease with time. Ian had seen him a few times around the halls, and he always looked at him in awe. 

Julien's stomach flipped.

He hadn't even considered that.

Of course he existed. He had to. This was five years ago. But seeing him--his old self--like this, alive and unaware, laughing quietly between rounds like he didn't have the weight of the world waiting just beyond the year's end…

Julien didn't move.

"That's him, right?" Ray said beside him, nodding toward the ring. "The new S-tier guy. Just as talented as you, Ian. Pfft, probably more."

"Julien-something," Amara added, looking thoughtful. "Top of his year group already."

"Impressive. He'll go pretty far," he said, letting [Character Guidance] do its work while his mind blanked. Even if he could interrupt it, there was nothing he could say.

He watched his younger self preparing. The movements were slightly rough, less refined than what he'd become over time--but familiar. So familiar it was like watching a memory act itself out in front of him.

The other student lunged. Little Julien stepped back and countered cleanly, the blade catching the strike at just the right angle. Cheers rang out from the edge of the crowd.

Julien felt a strange detachment. Like the past had cracked open and invaded his present.

He remembered this duel. Somewhat. Just another sparring match from early academy life, but one of the first that had gotten the upper-years to take him seriously.

But watching it from outside…

I can hardly believe it. Just a few hours ago, I was battling the worst villain of our time. Now, I'm stuck as someone I used to admire, and seeing myself from his eyes.

"This place will be in good hands after we leave," Haley said quietly.

"He's really good. You've always said the melee departments needed someone like me. Your wish came true!" 

"Obviously," Ray muttered.

"He's definitely a cut above the rest," Amara agreed. "Still green, though. You can see it in the way he holds tension in his left foot."

Julien knew exactly how that fight would play out. Duelling was something he used to practice nonstop. Hours of trial and error, tuning every movement until it was reflex. This duel was as good as over.

One final strike. The fourth-year lost balance.

Young Julien stepped forward and gently tapped his opponent's chest with the wooden sword.

The ring exploded into applause.

The boy lowered his weapon, clearly trying not to look too pleased. But Julien could see the light in his eyes. That little glimmer of I did it.

He remembered it so well.

Ray let out a low whistle. "Remind me never to underestimate first-years again."

Amara elbowed him. "Remind yourself to train more."

Julien smiled faintly but said nothing.

Just beyond the crowd, he noticed a few other first-years cheering the boy on. Familiar faces from his old group of friends.

Alec, with his mismatched gloves. Jenna, excitedly yelling at the top of her lungs. And Karis, bouncing on the balls of his feet, grinning with unfiltered pride.

I saw each and every one of them die. And now they're all alive again… and I can't talk to them.

Julien started to turn away, then paused. A small part of him remembered what came next.

Young Julien, still holding his wooden blade, glanced toward the sidelines. Not at the crowd, not at his cheering friends.

At him.

The boy's golden eyes lit up, proud and a little breathless, as if waiting for a sign.

Right. Ian smiled at me then. Gave me a thumbs up. That meant the world to me.

So he smiled, just like back then.

He smiled. Lifted one hand in a quiet thumbs-up.

Across the ring, young Julien lit up even brighter, grinning like a kid who'd just been knighted.

Julien looked away quickly, heart twisting.

So this is what it feels like to be your own role model.

He watched the group reunite, laughing, ruffling the younger Julien's hair. Alec tried to mimic the finishing move, nearly tripping over his own feet. Jenna clapped like it was a championship victory. Karis actually lifted him into the air.

Julien's smile dimmed just slightly.

They're all here again… and I can't even say hello.