[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-am-a-villain-so-what":3,"chapter-i-am-a-villain-so-what-i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-18":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Am a Villain, So What?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1506343,1956,"Chapter 18: Favor...","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-18",18,"\u003Cp>The cafeteria was quiet today — not empty, just comfortably sparse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few groups of cadets sat scattered around, whispering, eating, pretending not to glance my way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I leaned back in my chair, mood considerably brighter than it had been in days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Partly because I’d just humiliated a group of walking plot-armors in front of the entire class... but mostly because of what floated right before my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A translucent system window shimmered faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You have verbally defeated the protagonist and his party.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward: 2000 Points]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You have publicly humiliated the protagonist’s party.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward: 2000 Points]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four. Thousand. Points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nowthat’sa satisfying meal before the meal,\" I muttered, grinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system didn’t even reply, but I didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This alone was better than therapy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, as I waited, I couldn’t help glancing at the door every few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Where is she? She should’ve been here by now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had just started to tap my fingers on the table when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Oh, there she is.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana stepped into the cafeteria, looking around nervously like a lost kitten in a crowd. Her gaze flitted over the tables, hesitant, until I raised my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face brightened — subtly, but enough. She hurried over, her steps light, cautious, her bangs hiding most of her expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sat down across from me, hands folded neatly, eyes flickering to the lunchbox immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help it — I chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked like a kid waiting for candy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh wait, that’s right. Therearen’tany candies in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a tragic, uncivilized place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well,\" I said, unwrapping the cloth. \"As promised.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I opened the lid, a soft hiss of steam rose, carrying a spicy, mouthwatering aroma that filled the air. The magic circuit etched into the box kept everything warm and fresh — like a fantasy-world version of a high-end thermosteel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scent alone was divine — roasted hare meat, tangy tomatoes, the faint sweetness of cabbage, and toasted bread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana’s violet eyes widened. She leaned forward slightly, her gaze locked onto the food like a magnet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tested a theory — sliding the lunchbox slightly to the left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They followed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked. \"Cute.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-What?\" she blinked, caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing.\" I pushed the box toward her. \"These are called tacos.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"T-Tacos...?\" she repeated softly, the word foreign on her tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah. Go ahead, don’t be shy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"T-Then... thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked one up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She studied it for a moment — as if expecting it to explode — then finally took a bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana’s POV\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment it touched my tongue — the world stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crisp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spicy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flavors burst all at once — a harmony of heat and sweetness, the juicy hare meat melting with every chew. The tang of the sauce mixed perfectly with the crunch of the vegetables. It was like magic — not the kind you cast, but the kind thatfeelslike a spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her shoulders relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, she forgot to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-What... is this...?\" she whispered between chews.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cafeteria, the stares, the judgment — it all faded away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only the food, the warmth, and that comforting taste that made her heart feel... lighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took another bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faster this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes shimmered faintly — almost sparkling — and a soft sigh escaped her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was ridiculously tasty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back to Lucien’s POV\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I leaned back and watched her eat like I’d just solved world hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every bite she took made her expression soften a little more — from hesitant, to curious, to full-blown bliss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her reaction was so dramatic, it almost felt like one of those anime cutscenes where food transcends logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked. \"I’ll take that as a five-star review.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up, blinking rapidly, her cheeks faintly pink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I-It’s amazing,\" she said earnestly. \"I’ve never tasted anything like this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course you haven’t,\" I replied. \"You people have lived your entire lives without seasoning. It’s a miracle you’re all still functioning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips twitched — almost a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waytoo quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every cadet in the cafeteria — nobles, commoners, even a few instructors — were staring at us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some envious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a few... outright drooling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I followed their gazes down to the tacos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah. Right. The smell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed and muttered under my breath, \"Great. Now it’s a public exhibit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana, oblivious, took another delicate bite, her eyes lighting up again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I leaned back, crossed my arms, and smirked at the gawking crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look all you want,\" I said quietly. \"You’re not getting any.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing her last bite, Ariana sat back, hands folded neatly on her lap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her usually guarded expression softened, a quiet contentment blooming on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That was... incredible,\" she murmured, almost to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was so faint that I barely caught it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cheeks had the faintest tint of pink, eyes relaxed — the kind of peace that comes only after a satisfying meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a girl who looked like the world scared her, she seemed almost... human now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin, she hesitated. Her fingers twitched slightly, as if she was wrestling with whether to speak or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, in a barely audible voice—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"U-Um...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked up. \"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes flickered between me and the empty lunchbox. \"...C-Could you... maybe...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused, her face already starting to redden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...teach me how to cook like that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, I blinked. Then a grin tugged at my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh? Interesting development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face turned crimson the moment she realized what she’d said aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-I mean! It’s just—after eating your food—everything else tastes so bland and I can’t eat the cafeteria food anymore and—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was rambling now, tripping over her words, hands waving helplessly in the air like she wanted to grab them back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I leaned my chin on my hand, watching her flustered face with mild amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm...\" I said, pretending to ponder deeply. \"You want me to teach you, huh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truthfully, I’d already decided. Of course I’d say yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system rewarded me for improving her favorability, and spending time together was the easiest way to raise it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn’t the only reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana Solmere — the forgotten daughter of a ducal house. No talent in sword or spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But hidden inside that quiet girl was one of the greatest alchemic geniuses this world would ever see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I could awaken that potential early... she’d become more than an ally. She’d become a cornerstone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention — free potions and enchanted items?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, that sounded like a future investment to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grin crept onto my face without me realizing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long, thoughtful silence, I said, \"Alright, I’ll teach you. But—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her head shot up instantly. \"B-But?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked. \"I have a condition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression stiffened. \"W-What is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As my friend,\" I said, choosing my words carefully, \"you can’t stay weak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression wavered. The glow of excitement dimmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...B-But I don’t have talent in anything,\" she said softly, voice trembling. \"I’ve tried magic, swordsmanship, archery... everything. I can’t do any of them. I’m just... useless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words hung in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at her for a moment — really looked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way her shoulders hunched, the way she avoided my gaze, the way she spoke like she’d already given up long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who said that?\" I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"H-Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whoever told you that you don’t have talent,\" I said, my tone suddenly firm, \"must be the biggest fool in this academy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her violet eyes widened, caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Listen,\" I said, my voice steady but sincere. \"Just one semester. Give yourself to me — and I’ll make sure no one ever calls you weak again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips parted in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tips of her ears turned red, her face flushing all the way down to her neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’W-What does he mean by that?!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Give myself... to him?!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’D-Does he mean... that?! No, no, no— he couldn’t possibly mean that!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She panicked internally, fumbling with her thoughts so visibly it was almost adorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, I tilted my head, watching her turn pinker by the second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ariana?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She jolted, lost in her own spiral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-Yes?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I asked — will you do it?\" I repeated, raising an eyebrow. \"Will you give yourself to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her entire body froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her brain clearly went straight to the wrong interpretation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips trembled, her face completely red now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I–I... y-yes!\" she squeaked, her voice barely audible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That reaction was... unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, eh, I’ll take it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good,\" I said simply, standing up. \"Meet me at three o’clock at the academy gates. Don’t be late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded stiffly, still dazed, as if her brain had short-circuited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I–I’ll be there...\" she murmured, eyes spinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked, picked up my lunchbox, and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stepped outside the cafeteria, the system chimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Favorability +10]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Current Favorability: 30 (Interest)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward: +100 Points]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? What’s with the sudden jump?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah... maybe it’s because I agreed to teach her cooking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system didn’t reply, but I could’ve sworn the faint glimmer of the window looked amused.\u003C\u002Fp>",1562,"2026-06-06T04:52:01.856Z",1,"novelbin.me","0dedf052222d52d96e78f9d81bb85139d926668f7fe7c25b02fed93c202b1ac4","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-19","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-17",230,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-a-villain-so-what-cover.jpg"]