[{"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-8":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},1506333,1956,"Chapter 8: Targeted","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-8",8,"\u003Cp>The first period was Magic Theory and Application.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Mireille Anselm — a strict logic-type mage — adjusted her glasses and tapped the podium, instantly silencing the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, we will review the fundamentals of elemental circulation and the safety protocols for spell casting,\" she announced. \"We cannot have cadets exploding themselves before midterms.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No laughter. Everyone knew it wasn’t a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes scanned the class... and settled on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that’s how it was going to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lucien,\" she called, \"can you explain what determines the affinity threshold for basic spells?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every head turned toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some smirks already forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien was infamous for dozing off and making stupid remarks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Samantha Everhart, sitting in the back as supervising instructor, watched closely too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression made it clear she wouldn’t stop the professor from tearing into me if I slipped up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this is what it felt like to be actively targeted in an RPG... in first person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Why so much malice directed toward me? I haven’t even breathed loudly today.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, if she wanted to test me...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The threshold depends on the mage’s mana channels and elemental resonance,\" I replied steadily. \"Stability increases once mana conductivity reaches the minimum safety value assigned to that element.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Correct,\" Professor Mireille said, sounding mildly disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mild disappointment apparently wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She continued, \"Next. Define the formula for core stabilization when handling dual-element mana.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it’s like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to fish for a wrong answer just to punish me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Oh, you are targeting me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’You want to see me embarrass myself?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had thousands of hours in this game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien might be trash at magic, but I wasn’t trash at knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It requires two conditions,\" I answered lightly. \"Mana balance ratio at 5:5 or lower variance, and a stable circuit formation that prevents collision between opposing traits. Fire and water are the common example.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Mireille’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Classmates whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Samantha leaned forward slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she actually rooting for a wrong answer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could almost hear her inner voice:Just make a mistake so I can lecture you properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The questions kept coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happens when elemental polarity collapses?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Describe the mana recoil phenomenon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How many cycles in a standard spell framework?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is the safe distance from spell detonation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time, the stares intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time, I could feel the room holding its breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And every time... I answered correctly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Oh? Disappointed again?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Let me sprinkle my knowledge as a gamer who sadly spent more time in menus than on dates.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the tenth question, even Professor Mireille’s patience had run dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Good. Sit down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve been sitting the whole time...\" I murmured quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The class atmosphere was complicated now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some students looked annoyed their expected entertainment hadn’t arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some seemed confused — as if they were questioning whether they truly knew who Lucien was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael and his group still stared in disapproval, though slightly less amused than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Samantha, however... looked as if she just lost a delightful opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She cleared her throat and turned her gaze away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I leaned back, exhaling slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I really can’t afford to slip even once.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the moment I did...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>everyone here would jump at the chance to bury me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bell rang shortly after, marking the end of first period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the way the class watched me gather my notes...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like this was only the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was placing the last notebook into my bag when a familiarchimeechoed in my head — the first sound from the System since it activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A string of messages appeared before my eyes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[System Notification]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Classmates witnessed unexpected academic performance\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Samantha Everhart has taken interest in you\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Your public perception has shifted from \"Hopeless\" to \"Confusing\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Points Earned: +1000\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I froze for a moment, staring at the floating messages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, some points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the bigger question remained — what could I even do with these points?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How do I use them?\" I muttered internally toward the System.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dumb system...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words slipped out louder than intended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The timid girl sitting in front of me practically jumped out of her seat, hurriedly shoving her books into her bag before escaping like I might bite her. The surrounding cadets who witnessed this exchanged looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Oops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whispers erupted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you, he’s still the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I almost thought he changed when he answered everything right...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, what was I even expecting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t bother returning the attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeking approval from them wasn’t part of my plan anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without looking at anyone, I opened the System interface again to check my updated status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A panel appeared smoothly in front of me:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Name: Lucien Ashborne\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Age: 16\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gender: Male\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Race: Human\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Affiliation: Imperial Academy \u002F House Ashborne\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stats:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strength: 4\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Agility: 3\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Endurance: 3\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intelligence: 12 (+6)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana: 4\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charm: 63\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skills:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana Control Lv. 1 ↑\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Horse Riding Lv. 3 ↑\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basic Etiquette Lv. 4 ↑\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intimidation Lv. 3 ↑\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cooking Lv. 7 ↑\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Points: 1000\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>System Shop: [Locked]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes lingered on the changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My intelligence stat had doubled somehow. Maybe the exams and system influence merged with my memories? Then there was a hilarious addition — Cooking Lv. 7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of all things, the skill I was strongest in... was cooking. The system must have acknowledged my cooking skills I had honed in my previous life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warrior cadet with culinary excellence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, it was proof of something: I was actually good at atleast one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...If things go really bad, I could just open a restaurant and call it a day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small laugh escaped me — quiet, but genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet chuckle slipped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt ridiculous, but oddly comforting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then my eyes fell on a subtle detail — a small upward arrow beside each skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at it for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A guess formed in my mind, one that made my chest tighten with both hope and caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this was what I thought it was... then I might owe the System an apology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a deep breath, I tapped the arrow next to Mana Control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A window appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Upgrade Mana Control to Lv. 2 ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Points Required: 50 ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Confirm ]  [ Decline ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart gave a sudden jolt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was what I thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pressed Confirm without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint warmth pulsed through my body — subtle, but noticeable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana felt... less slippery, easier to guide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped at Mana Control Lv. 5.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each level cost more than the last — 100, 200, 400 — and by the time I reached level 5, my 1000 points were almost gone. I decided to stop there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a slow breath and concentrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference was unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before, whenever I tried sensing my mana, it felt like trying to move thick syrup through a straw — slow, resistant, irritating. Now, the flow was smoother, more obedient, like water following the curve of a channel. It moved where I guided it instead of resisting every command. Though my mana was still pitiful but my control has increased.\u003C\u002Fp>",1205,"2026-06-06T04:52:01.856Z",1,"novelbin.me","2e710080572e3c9b2a355ef61cadde56cfd0acff07399fe84cfad72bd0f46811","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-9","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-7",230,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-a-villain-so-what-cover.jpg"]