Surviving the Academy as a Third-Rate Villain in a Mech Suit

　　--The Perspective of Darius Thorne--

I watched Tesline and Rurik from a distance, observing how they spoke and laughed as if they had been lifelong friends. Every display of trust between them only heightened my discomfort.

It was impossible that these two people, whose lives were never meant to intersect according to the original story, now seemed inseparable. Something didn't add up, and I couldn't ignore it.

It didn't matter if this world was an illusion, an alternate reality, or something entirely different. I knew altering key events could have unpredictable consequences. And yet, there was Rurik, defying everything I thought I knew.

At first, I tried to ignore it. Maybe Tesline had just been more sociable than I remembered, or perhaps it was a coincidence. But over time, I started noticing that Rurik wasn't just changing his own fate; he was also influencing those around him. This was most evident with Tesline.

She no longer seemed like the strong but reserved girl who was supposed to focus on her training and goals. Now, she appeared more sociable and unreserved.

She made inside jokes with Rurik, and her world seemed to revolve around him, as if he had managed to become a central figure in her life.

Frustrated, I opened my system and asked the question that had been gnawing at me for days:

"Is Rurik also a reincarnated one?"

[-System-]

[Analyzing... This may take a moment.]

I waited, my heart racing. If Rurik was like me, it would explain why he was out of place, why his relationship with Tesline didn't align with the original development. But as the system worked, I felt a pang of unease.

[Analysis error. Retrying... Final result: Rurik is still Rurik.]

I blinked, confused. What did that mean? How could Rurik "be himself" when he clearly didn't act like the Rurik from the game?

The original Rurik was a cowardly manipulator, incapable of forming genuine connections with anyone. He had committed atrocities out of sheer selfishness, not caring who he hurt in the process. This Rurik, on the other hand, seemed kind, even... pleasant.

Could it be possible that he really had lost his memory? Perhaps, I thought, this amnesia wasn't a lie but a real condition that had erased the darkest aspects of his personality.

But if that were true, what did it mean for the story? What consequences would letting Rurik continue down this path have? Was all of this my fault?

My mind was full of doubts. If there was any chance that this Rurik was pretending, I couldn't let it slide. If the real monster still lived inside him, it was my responsibility to stop him before it was too late.

Determined, I sought out Elaine. I needed a second opinion, someone who also understood the gravity of the situation.

Elaine, as always, was in the library, poring over some ancient tome. Her serene expression turned to slight surprise when I approached.

"Darius? What's wrong?"

I made sure no one else was around before speaking.

"It's about Rurik," I said quietly.

Elaine frowned, carefully closing the book.

"What about him?"

I explained my suspicions, how Rurik's behavior was entirely different from the character we knew. I told her how he seemed to be pulling others into his orbit.

Elaine listened silently, but I could see in her eyes that she understood my concern.

"Do you think he's faking the amnesia?" she finally asked.

"It's a possibility," I replied. "But there's also a small chance that he's genuinely changed."

Elaine sighed, her gaze distant for a moment.

"If that's true, then the amnesia might be our opportunity. If he doesn't remember who he was, maybe we can stop him from repeating his mistakes."

"And what if it's not amnesia? What if all of this is part of a plan to gain everyone's trust?" I insisted. "We can't ignore what he did in the past, Elaine. We can't take that risk."

Elaine nodded slowly.

"Then let's talk to Tesline. If anyone can confirm what Rurik is like now, it's her."

　*・・*・・*・・*・・*・・*

After training that day, Elaine and I waited by the exit portal, knowing Tesline would have to pass through sooner or later. Elaine, with her usual patience, leaned against a column while I paced back and forth, unable to hide my nervousness.

When Tesline finally appeared, her expression shifted from indifference to disgust the moment she saw me. A sharp sting pierced my chest. It wasn't physical, but it hurt just as much. I hadn't expected her to greet me with a smile, but that look... it was as if she wished I would disappear.

"Tesline," I began, trying to sound calm.

She didn't respond, merely crossing her arms and waiting for me to speak.

"We need to talk to you about Rurik," Elaine interjected in a gentler tone.

Tesline's face immediately hardened.

"Talk quickly. I have things to do," she said, her voice a mix of annoyance and exasperation.

I hesitated for a moment but pressed on.

"Listen, we know you trust him, but there are things you should know. Rurik isn't who you think he is."

Tesline let out a brief laugh, void of humor.

"Oh, really?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you think you know about him?"

Elaine stepped forward, trying to ease the tension.

"Tesline, what we're trying to say is that the real Rurik was... a monster. A manipulator. He committed atrocities, hurt so many people."

Tesline turned her head slightly toward Elaine, but her gaze remained cold.

"And?" she replied, with an indifference that left me stunned.

"And?" I repeated incredulously. "Doesn't that matter to you? Don't you understand that he could be faking all of this? That the amnesia could just be a trap to gain your trust?"

For a moment, I thought I'd managed to make her doubt, but Tesline simply sighed, as if tired of listening to me.

"Darius," she said firmly, "I don't have time for your insecurities or your theories."

"This isn't a theory!" I snapped, raising my voice more than I'd intended. "It's a warning."

She completely ignored me and addressed Elaine instead.

"I know you mean well, but this isn't your business. I'm perfectly capable of deciding for myself what I can and cannot do."

"Tesline, this isn't just about you. If Rurik goes back to being who he was, he could endanger everyone around him," Elaine said, still calm.

Tesline shook her head, her expression now tinged with slight sadness.

"I know exactly who he used to be," she said, her voice softer but still firm. "Rurik told me. He asked me to stay away for my own good, but it was my decision to stay by his side."

Her words caught me off guard. "He told you?" I asked, shocked.

"Yes," Tesline replied. "He admitted to me the horrible things he did. But he also told me he doesn't remember any of it. He doesn't even remember himself."

"How can you be so sure?" I pressed, my frustration growing with each word.

"Because we were both tested with a magical artifact that detects the truth," Tesline said, her eyes boring into mine as if daring me to challenge her. "When he was asked if he remembered who he was or what he had done, the artifact showed he was telling the truth. He doesn't remember anything."

"And that's enough for you?" I insisted. "A magical artifact is enough to erase all the harm he's done?"

Tesline took a step closer to me, her eyes now full of determination.

"Listen carefully, Darius," she said, her voice low but cutting. "I'm not erasing anything. I know what he did. I know who he was. But now he doesn't remember any of that, and that gives me a chance. A chance to guide him, to help him become someone better."

I tried to reply, but the words stuck in my throat. Tesline continued, not giving me time to react.

"I can help him become a better adventurer, a better person, even a better friend."

When she said that last word, "friend," she looked directly at me, with an expression so disdainful it left me frozen. My jaw tightened, and I ground my teeth, unable to hide my anger.

"And what happens if he remembers who he used to be?" I asked, my tone now dripping with sarcasm.

"I'll deal with it myself," she responded, her calmness only fueling my frustration. "So I don't need your approval."

Tesline turned away, clearly done with the conversation.

"Tesline, please, we just want to help you," Elaine said, giving one last effort.

"I appreciate your concern, but I don't need it," Tesline replied without looking back. "If I'm wrong, it'll be my mistake, not yours."

With that, she walked away, leaving us there. Anger and pain swirled in my chest as I watched her approach Rurik. Elaine looked at me, worried, but said nothing.

"This isn't over," I muttered.

　*・・*・・*・・*・・*・・*

I had been piecing things together slowly, each fragment of information falling into place with almost cruel precision. But now, as I heard Aldwyn talk about the dungeon that had appeared in the Emerald Valley, everything clicked.

I was sitting in the corner of the guild hall, pretending to read a report, while Aldwyn animatedly discussed the guild's latest events. The mention of the dungeon immediately caught my attention, making me glance up from the parchment in my hands.

My mind began working at full speed. The Emerald Valley. A dungeon. Hidden behind an illusory wall.

It wasn't just any dungeon. I remembered it well, a detail I couldn't ignore. In my past life, I had played through this scenario countless times.

I knew that this specific dungeon wasn't something the inhabitants of this world could discover on their own. The illusory wall hiding it was a perfect trap, designed to be impenetrable unless someone knew its secret.

And that secret wasn't written in any map or chronicle of this world; it existed only in the minds of those who, like me, had played the game before reincarnating.

My suspicions about Rurik, which I had managed to keep at bay for days, returned with force. From the beginning, there had been something strange about him. His behavior was too... erratic. At times, he seemed like the troublesome boy everyone remembered; other times, he acted like someone entirely different. Was it all an act? An elaborate ploy to win the trust of those around him?

But this dungeon changed everything. It couldn't be a coincidence.

"If Rurik knows about that dungeon," I thought, "then there's no doubt. He's like me. A reincarnated one."

I waited until Aldwyn finished talking to the adventurers and returned to his desk. Standing, I approached him, trying to appear casual.

The decision had been made. No matter the cost, I couldn't keep ignoring the truth. If Rurik truly was a reincarnated one, I couldn't allow his presence to go unnoticed. There were too many variables at play—his intentions, his knowledge of the game, and most importantly, how he could affect this world.

I walked briskly toward the dining area, where I knew Rurik and Tesline often spent their time. The air was filled with the scent of fresh herbs, but I couldn't focus on anything other than my plan. If Rurik knew the truth, I'd have to get it out of him, even if it meant using force.

"This isn't violence," I told myself to calm my conscience. "It's justice. It's necessary."

　*・・*・・*・・*・・*・・*

　　--The Perspective of Teslinne Koizumi--

When I was little, making friends was incredibly easy. All it took was a smile and a few words to form a connection with other kids in the village. To my childish eyes, the world seemed vast and full of possibilities, and every new friendship felt like discovering a treasure. It was during one of those days of games and laughter that I met Darius.

He was different. Not like the other kids who ran around shouting and jumping without a care. Darius was more reserved, even a little shy at first.

I approached him one afternoon in the square, where he was sitting alone with a book. It wasn't hard to start a conversation; all I had to do was ask what he was reading. His initially hesitant response quickly turned into an animated talk about heroes, dragons, and adventures. Before long, we were inseparable.

For a time, he was my best friend. We played together, studied together, dreamed together. But as we grew older, something in him changed. Darius started becoming more... controlling. Without realizing it, he began pushing me away from my other friends. Sometimes with subtle words, other times with actions that made others uncomfortable around him.

I remember how, one by one, my friends drifted away. Some said they didn't like how Darius treated them; others simply stopped coming around. I tried to hold onto those friendships, but I always ended up feeling guilty, as if I were betraying Darius. He was my closest friend, after all. How could I tell him he was wrong?

Eventually, I gave up. I stopped seeking new friendships, afraid Darius would ruin them too. Loneliness became my constant companion, though I never told anyone. Even when Darius left, deciding to focus on his own interests and speaking to me less and less, the emptiness remained. I had forgotten what it was like to open up to someone, to trust.

It wasn't until I met Rurik that something inside me changed.

At first, I didn't know what to make of him. He seemed out of place, as if he didn't fully belong to this world, but there was something about his demeanor that intrigued me. Despite his initial clumsiness, Rurik never tried to impose his will. He was someone I could talk to without feeling judged, someone who made me laugh and reminded me what it was like to have a true friend.

Rurik was the first friend I'd made in years. The first who didn't make me feel like I had to choose between him and others. Thanks to him, I began to feel like that little girl who could approach anyone and find a new treasure in a friendship.

And now, here was Darius, trying to ruin it all over again. But this time, I wasn't going to stand by and let it happen.

Rurik was my friend. The first real friend I'd made in years. And this time, I wasn't going to let anyone take him away from me. Not even Darius.

If he wanted to keep pushing this, he'd have to face me. And this time, I was ready to end what should have been dealt with long ago.

　*・・*・・*・・*・・*・・*

　　--The Perspective of Rurik--

The silence between Tesline and Darius was palpable, like a heavy cloud of tension surrounding them. I couldn't help but glance over, wondering what was running through their minds. They stood motionless, as if their bodies had decided to take a break, but their expressions betrayed an internal struggle.

Just as I was about to wonder whether it would be appropriate to make a noise to break the awkward atmosphere, Elaine appeared, her face a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"What's going on with those two?" she asked, gesturing toward Tesline and Darius with a tilt of her head.

"I think they're having a flashback," I replied lazily, shrugging my shoulders.

Elaine raised an eyebrow, visibly confused. "A what?"

I sighed. "A flashback. It's a narrative device. Basically, it's like they're recalling something important from their past that's affecting them now."

Elaine tilted her head slightly, processing my words. "And what exactly does that mean?"

"It's a way to show the reader—or the audience, depending on the medium—the perspective or backstory of a character. It helps explain their motivations or emotions at a specific moment."

Elaine clicked her tongue, looking back at the two frozen figures. "Oh, so that's what it's called. I've noticed it in some books I've read. Although, now that you mention it, it always seemed a bit... lazy? Shouldn't the actions and words of the characters be enough to show what they feel?"

Crossing my arms, I gave her an unimpressed look. "Maybe. But some people like having clearer context. Not everyone enjoys subtlety. Plus, it's also good for adding drama."

Elaine chuckled lightly and rolled her eyes. "Well, it sounds like an excuse to drag out the plot. How much longer will they be like this?"

I glanced back at Tesline and Darius, studying their frozen expressions. "Another minute or two, I guess."

An uncomfortable silence settled between us as we waited for the two of them to snap out of their trance. The only distraction was the soft breeze and the occasional sound of footsteps.

Finally, Tesline blinked, shaking her head slightly as if clearing away cobwebs. Darius followed shortly after, his face still tense, as if what he'd remembered had left him emotionally drained.

Tesline was the first to speak, her voice firm and resolute. "This has to end, Darius. I can't keep putting up with this."

The tension in the air grew even thicker, almost tangible. Then, with a determined look in her eyes, Tesline stared directly at Darius and challenged him. "I challenge you to a duel. A formal one. Tomorrow at dawn."

Darius, though surprised at first, quickly regained his composure. A small, sly smile appeared on his face. "I accept. But I want it to be a tag-team duel."

Without hesitation, Tesline nodded. "Done. If I win, you're not allowed to come near me or Rurik, nor talk to us unless we initiate the conversation."

Darius clenched his teeth, visibly displeased with the conditions, but he didn't back down. "Agreed. But if I win, you'll have to join my 'party.'"

The two locked eyes, their stares like swords clashing in a silent duel. Finally, they shook hands, sealing the agreement.

Without another word, Tesline turned to me, her expression now more relaxed but with a spark of determination I hadn't seen before. "Let's go, Rurik. We need to prepare."

Darius gestured toward Elaine, who hesitated for a moment before following him. I said nothing as we walked away, but I couldn't help glancing back at them.

　*・・*・・*・・*・・*・・*

The sunlight streamed through the guild's large windows as Tesline and I listened attentively to Aldwyn. The guild master, with his imposing demeanor and a gaze that seemed to pierce through our very souls, handed us a mission sheet with an unusual seriousness.

"There's one final task if you want to advance to the next rank," Aldwyn said, crossing his arms. "You'll have to prove you're ready."

Tesline tilted her head slightly, curious. "What kind of mission is it?"

Aldwyn extended the sheet toward us. I took it and read it aloud:

"A subjugation mission. The objective is to eliminate a horde of goblins, along with their leader, a goblin champion. They are located in a cave in the northern forest."

A slight knot formed in my stomach. Goblins weren't particularly difficult to handle in small numbers, but an entire horde and a champion were an entirely different challenge.

"A goblin champion?" I muttered, looking up at Aldwyn.

He nodded. "Correct. They're bigger, stronger, and smarter than the average goblin. According to reports, this horde has been attacking caravans in the area, and their numbers have grown large enough to become a significant threat."

"Are there no other adventurers available for this?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

Aldwyn smiled wryly. "Oh, there are adventurers available. But this mission has been designated specifically as a promotion test for the two of you. Consider it an exam."

Tesline took the mission sheet from my hands and studied it carefully. Her face showed concentration, but she soon looked up with a small smile. "This won't be a problem."

"I hope not," Aldwyn said seriously. "A piece of advice: don't underestimate the goblins. They may seem weak, but in groups, they become dangerous. And with an intelligent leader, they'll be even deadlier."

I nodded, taking his words to heart. "Is there anything else we should know?"

"Yes." Aldwyn leaned forward. "The cave has multiple exits. If you try to ambush the horde carelessly, you could find yourselves surrounded before you know it. Also, it's said that the champion wields a wooden club embedded with shards of obsidian. Be careful with that."

Tesline slammed her fist into her open palm, clearly excited by the challenge. "Understood. We'll handle this."

For my part, I tried to maintain a neutral expression, though I couldn't deny the weight of responsibility felt heavier than ever.

"Good luck," Aldwyn said, dismissing us with a gesture as we headed toward the door.