===Status===
Host: Sebastian Fairfax
Combat Power: 67 (Average of a human: 100)
Villain Points: 100
Villain Halo: 89
Luck: E
Charm: E+
→ Skills: None
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Sebastian stared at the translucent blue screen that had appeared in his vision. His combat power was lower than average. That explained why he never bothered learning to fight in this body.
The E+ charm rating caught his attention. Based on the grading system, E+ seemed low, but maybe that was actually decent? He wasn’t sure how the rankings worked.
Then his eyes landed on [Skills: None] and he frowned, his thoughts drifting to more... personal matters.
’Maybe I’m not as strong as I think I am,’ he thought with growing concern.
But what really bothered him was the Villain Halo at 89 points. He had no reference for whether that was good or bad.
He decided to just ask.
"System, what does the Villain Halo mean? Is 89 more or less than average?" Sebastian communicated through his thoughts.
[The Villain Halo is unique to you. The minimum halo of any villain shall not be lower than 500 points. Your current value of 89 points is quite low, Host. You are weak. Please improve quickly.]
"Damn it," Sebastian cursed inwardly.
500 points minimum? He wasn’t even at a fifth of that.
"How do I increase it?" he asked.
[The Host can increase Villain Halo points through the following methods: Successfully suppressing the protagonist, stealing the protagonist’s opportunities, and capturing the hearts and bodies of the heroines. Each action that damages the protagonist’s development will reward you accordingly.]
Sebastian’s lips curved into a slight smile. That he could work with.
"Is there a Protagonist Halo too?" he asked, though he already suspected the answer.
[Naturally, Host. The protagonist Ethan Cole currently possesses a Protagonist Halo of 550 points.]
Sebastian’s expression darkened. The gap was massive.
"What happens if my halo points are less than his? Does that mean he’ll definitely win?"
[When your Villain Halo equals the Protagonist Halo, you will become the final boss villain and can survive until the story’s finale. Only when your halo surpasses the protagonist’s can you truly defeat him. Currently, the gap is too large. If you cannot close this difference, the protagonist will eventually destroy you according to the original plot.]
Sebastian felt a chill. So he really was on a timer.
"So... I can kill the protagonist too?" he asked carefully.
[Naturally, Host. You finally show the basic mindset of a proper villain. When your halo points exceed the protagonist’s, your chances of successfully killing him through any means you employ will increase dramatically. The greater your advantage, the easier it becomes.]
So it was possible. He just needed to raise his Villain Halo above 550 points, and then Ethan Cole’s plot armour would fail.
The protagonist wasn’t invincible—he just had a massive head start.
"Marcus," Sebastian said suddenly.
"Yes, boss?"
"Tell me everything you know about Ethan Cole. His schedule, his friends, and where he goes after school. Everything."
Marcus blinked in surprise but nodded. "Sure, boss. I can have that ready by tonight."
Sebastian walked through the hallway toward his classroom. The moment he appeared, heads turned.
"Sebastian! Good morning!"
"Sebastian, did you finish the chemistry homework? Can I see yours?"
"Sebastian, are you free after school today?"
Three girls immediately surrounded him, all smiles and batting eyelashes. One of them, a girl named Ashley, walked beside him, trying to match his pace.
"I heard you got a new car. Is it true it’s a limited edition?" she asked sweetly.
Ashley wasn’t by any means beautiful, so Sebastian wasn’t interested, to say the least. She was an ugly bop.
Sebastian barely glanced at them. "Yes."
His cold tone made them hesitate, but they still followed him to the classroom door like puppies.
As Sebastian entered the classroom, even more eyes landed on him. Several girls whispered to each other, giggling.
But Sebastian’s attention was elsewhere.
At the front of the classroom, near the window, sat Isabelle Tian.
She had long dark hair, delicate lips, and an air of elegance that made her stand out from everyone else. She was wearing the school uniform, but somehow she made it look good.
And sitting next to her was a boy.
Ethan Cole.
The protagonist was leaning close to Isabelle, pointing at something in her textbook. "So if you move the variable to this side..."
"Oh, I see now!" Isabelle smiled warmly at him. "Thank you, Ethan. You’re really good at explaining things."
"No problem. Anytime you need help, just ask." Ethan smiled back, his expression gentle.
Sebastian’s eyes narrowed.
He walked directly toward them, his footsteps measured and deliberate. The conversations around him quieted as students noticed where he was heading.
[Ding! New Quest Detected!]
[Quest: Defend Your Territory Description: The protagonist Ethan Cole is sitting next to the heroine Isabelle Tian, during this class period. As the designated villain, you must prevent him from doing so.
Reward: 200 Villain Points, +5 Villain Halo.
Failure Penalty: -10 Villain Halo, Isabelle’s affection toward Ethan will increase.]
Ethan was still talking when a shadow fell over him.
He looked up and saw Sebastian Fairfax standing right beside him, looking down with a cold expression.
"Move," Sebastian said flatly.
"What?" Ethan blinked.
Sebastian placed his hand on Ethan’s shoulder—not aggressively, but with clear authority. "I said move. That’s my seat."
"Your seat?" Ethan frowned. "You usually sit in the back."
"I’m sitting here today." Sebastian’s voice was calm but left no room for argument.
The classroom had gone completely silent now. Everyone was watching.
Isabelle looked between the two of them, a slight frown on her face. "Sebastian, Ethan was just helping me with—"
"I can help you better," Sebastian interrupted smoothly, his eyes finally moving to her. "Chemistry, right? I’m ranked fourth in the school. I think my explanations would be clearer."
His tone wasn’t arrogant—it was simply stating facts.
Ethan’s jaw tightened. "I can stay and—"
"You can leave." Sebastian’s hand pressed down slightly on Ethan’s shoulder. "Now."
For a moment, it looked like Ethan might resist.
But before he could do so, the homeroom teacher immediately interrupted. "Ethan! What do you think you are doing?! Move right away?"
Sebastian flashed the homeroom teacher a smile and a wink that made him smile immediately.
Ethan took a breath and stood up slowly. "Fine. Whatever."
He grabbed his bag and walked to another seat, but not before shooting Sebastian a look that promised this wasn’t over.
[You have been rewarded 200 Villain Points, +5 Villain Halo.]
Sebastian slid into the seat next to Isabelle without another word, completely ignoring the stares from the entire classroom.
Isabelle looked at him with slight annoyance. "That was rude."
"Was it?" Sebastian opened his textbook. "I just wanted to sit next to you. Is that a crime?"
Sebastian leaned back in his chair slightly, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. He glanced toward where Ethan had moved—three rows back, glaring daggers at him.
’Come on then,’ Sebastian thought. ’Let’s see what you’ve got, protagonist.’
===Status===
Host: Sebastian Fairfax
Combat Power: 67 (Average of a human: 100)
Villain Points: 300
Villain Halo: 94
Luck: E
Charm: E+
→ Skills: None
===========