The last thing I remembered was the blaring horn.
Then a bright flash.
And then… darkness. Deep, suffocating darkness.
It wasn't dramatic, not like in those stories I used to hate-read out of boredom. No beautiful girl crying over my body. No mysterious power awakening at the last second. Just a delivery truck, a slippery road, and the very satisfying thought:
"Finally. No more righteous main characters."
But fate is a twisted little bastard.
Because when I opened my eyes next, it wasn't to heaven, hell, or the sweet, eternal silence of death.
It was to luxury.
Silken sheets beneath my hands. A chandelier above that looked like it cost more than my entire apartment. A velvet canopy hanging above a bed that could fit five people, maybe more if they were creative. Gilded walls. Marble floors. Servants. Actual servants.
And then—ding.
[Welcome, Theo Duskblood. Host has awakened. Initiating system binding…]
[System Binding Complete: Activating… The Arrogant Young Master System]
I blinked. Sat up.
"...What?"
[Congratulations! You have been chosen as this world's destined villain!]
[System Objective: Embody the spirit of every young master ever punched in your past life's fiction. Flaunt. Crush protagonists. Steal their lovers. Laugh dramatically. Profit.]
I stared at the glowing blue screen floating in front of me.
Then I grinned.
"Finally. Fucking finally."
Status Window – Theo Duskblood
Race: Human
Age: 16
Title: Heir of House Duskblood
Power Type: Arcane (No Affinity Detected)
Status Grade: Bronze Tier
Attribute
Rank
Strength
E
Agility
E
Endurance
E-
Intelligence
E+
Arcane Power
F+
Unique Power
Crimson Resonance – F- (Can be Upgraded)
Skill Tree: Locked
Elemental Affinities: None Detected
System Functions Unlocked: Quests, Inventory, Status Window
My grin faded fast.
"...Wait. What the hell is this garbage?"
E in Strength? E- in Endurance? F+ in Arcane? F- in Unique Power?! Even my blood power—which sounded metal as hell—was a literal joke. I tapped on it.
[Crimson Resonance – F- Rank]
Allows host to slightly manipulate their own blood in direct contact. No ranged control. May cause dizziness if overused. Useless in combat unless enemy is very… very confused.
"...You're telling me my unique power is a weak-ass blood trick that might make me faint?"
I slumped back against the gold-trimmed headboard and stared at the ceiling.
"System," I muttered. "Explain. Why am I so weak?"
[Host was reborn as a decorative young master. The original Theo Duskblood was a pampered rich heir with no talent, no training, and no ambition. You're starting from the bottom—just how all great villains begin.]
"Bottom?" I laughed bitterly. "Bro, this isn't a bottom. This is a basement under rock bottom with rats laughing at me."
But then it hit me.
I wasn't dreaming. I wasn't hallucinating.
I was Theo Duskblood—heir to one of the richest noble houses in the kingdom of Virellen. Mansion? Check. Gold? Check. An entire staff ready to pamper my useless behind? Check.
And best of all?
I was the villain.
Not a supporting role. Not a disposable lackey. Not some sidekick whose only job was to get smacked around by the plot.
I was the young master. The arrogant noble jerk. The guy who swaggered into scenes and said things like:
"How dare you speak to me, peasant."
"This lady is clearly wasting her time on a trash protagonist like you."
"I'll give you three seconds to kneel."
I let out a long, slow breath.
"Time to be the villain."
A knock at the door interrupted my moment of inner villain monologue.
"Master Theo," a calm voice called from outside. "The head steward requests your presence in the Great Hall. The House Patriarch has summoned all heirs."
Right. Of course.
Rich family meant politics, posturing, and prestige.
But more importantly, I remembered what came next from the memories flooding into me—memories of the old Theo, now mercifully deleted.
The Ascension Academy.
A place where nobles, talented commoners, and geniuses from across the continent trained in elemental combat and unique powers.
People born to become heroes.
And I had... I checked the screen again. No elemental affinity detected. Zero. Nada. Zilch.
I had less elemental talent than a soggy potato.
Meanwhile, in the Great Hall...
The Duskblood estate's main hall was built to intimidate. Polished obsidian floors, scarlet banners etched with gold sigils, and massive stained-glass windows that painted everything in holy light.
At the center, seated like a king, was Lord Albrecht Duskblood—my new father. A tall man with hair like silver fire, eyes like steel, and an expression that made statues feel insecure.
Around him stood siblings, cousins, and heirs—most of them sneering or indifferent.
And then there was me.
The disappointment.
The black sheep.
The boy with zero arcane talent, an F- blood power, and a tendency to faint if he flexed too hard.
As I stepped forward, I caught more than one whisper.
"That's the Duskblood heir? I thought he was still bedridden."
"He has no element. It's embarrassing."
"At least he's pretty. That's worth something."
I smiled.
I'd be hearing a lot of that. For now.
System Notification: New Quest Unlocked!
[Quest: Attend The Ascension Academy]
Objective: Survive enrollment. Establish villain presence. Make a dramatic entrance.
Optional: Slap a protagonist (Bonus: Steal his spotlight)
Reward: 100 System Points + Unlock [Lucky Draw – Elemental Affinity]
I stared.
"Optional objective: Slap a protagonist?"
[Highly recommended.]
I cracked my knuckles and adjusted my collar.
"Guess it's time to make some righteous fools cry."
Let the academy beware.
The Young Master has entered the game.