[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-villain-s-path-system":3,"chapter-villain-s-path-system-villain-s-path-system-chapter-10":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Villain's Path System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1138415,1475,"Chapter 10: Hero’s Unease","villain-s-path-system-chapter-10",10,"\u003Cp>\"No.\" Aria shook her head, a small smile touching her lips. \"They wouldn’t have. Most people would have just watched.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian cleared his throat. \"Right. Well. Good catch, Valemont. Lucky you happened to know about that specific injury.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emphasis on \"lucky\" wasn’t subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian finally looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden boy. Protagonist. Destined hero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently looking at Lucian like he was a puzzle that didn’t quite fit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lucky,\" Lucian agreed mildly. Then he smiled—polite, harmless. \"Or maybe I just pay attention in the library.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something flickered in Cassian’s eyes. Annoyance? Suspicion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could respond, Professor Kael took control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thornwell! My office. Now. The rest of you—class dismissed. Get out of here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students began dispersing, voices buzzing with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian turned to leave—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aria stepped closer, Cassian hovering protectively at her side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean it,\" she said. \"Thank you. If you hadn’t spoken up, that boy might have died.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up close, she was even more striking. Warm brown eyes. Genuine kindness radiating from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And underneath all that sweetness, a hidden sadist waiting to come out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contrast was fascinating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just sharing knowledge,\" Lucian said. \"Knowledge should be used to help people, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right.\" She studied him curiously. \"You’re Lucian Valemont, aren’t you? From House Valemont?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The bastard himself.\" He said it without bitterness. Just fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t care about that.\" Aria’s response was immediate. Firm. \"I care that you helped someone when you didn’t have to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian’s jaw tightened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, he doesn’t like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well,\" Aria continued, \"if you ever want to discuss magical theory or healing techniques, I’m usually in the chapel library in the evenings. You clearly have knowledge worth sharing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that... an invitation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[SPECIAL EVENT UNLOCKED]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Saint’s Invitation\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aria Lighthollow has invited you to study with her. In the original story, she only studied with Cassian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is a major deviation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I might take you up on that,\" Lucian said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aria smiled. Genuinely pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian looked less pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We should go,\" he said, hand moving to Aria’s lower back. Possessive. \"The headmaster wanted to see you about the new healing ward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh. Right.\" Aria nodded, then looked back at Lucian. \"I hope to see you around, Lucian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She used his first name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian noticed Cassian noticing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is going to be fun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Likewise, Aria.\" He inclined his head politely. \"Cassian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The protagonist’s eyes narrowed fractionally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they left, Cassian’s hand still possessively on Aria’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she glanced over her shoulder once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Lucian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian didn’t make it ten steps before someone grabbed his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to find Seraphina, still in her training gear, face flushed—from exertion or anger, hard to tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell was that?\" she demanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What was what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t play dumb.\" Her grip tightened. \"Showing off for the Saint? Really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian raised an eyebrow. \"I wasn’t showing off. I was helping someone who was dying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By conveniently knowing exactly what was wrong and how to fix it?\" She stepped closer, eyes blazing. \"You wanted to look impressive in front of her. In front ofhim.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh. Oh she’s jealous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian’s smile turned wicked. \"Are you... upset that I helped someone, Seraphina?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not upset!\" She practically shouted it. \"I’m just—you—why would I be—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because you’re jealous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face went scarlet. \"I am NOT—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are.\" He leaned in slightly, voice dropping. \"You’re jealous that I impressed someone else. That’s adorable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t get jealous!\" Seraphina hissed. \"Especially not over you talking to some goody-two-shoes saint!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why are you so angry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No words came out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, she shoved him—not hard, just frustrated—and stormed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re insufferable!\" she called back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Training tonight?\" Lucian called after her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe!\" She didn’t look back. \"If I feel like it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Definitely jealous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[AFFECTION INCREASED]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New Status Effect: \"Fighting Her Feelings\" (She’s attracted but her pride won’t let her admit it)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian chuckled, shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was going better than he could have hoped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he finally looked around, he caught sight of Elira.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood in the shadow of the arena entrance, half-hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t look away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just... observed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like she was cataloging everything she’d seen. Filing it away for later analysis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she turned and disappeared into the academy halls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[AFFECTION INCREASED]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New Thought: \"He saved someone without seeking credit. He has knowledge others don’t. And he handles attention without arrogance. Who ARE you, Lucian Valemont?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[MISSION COMPLETE]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Saint’s Shadow\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ve made a positive impression on Aria Lighthollow. The protagonist’s fiancée is now curious about you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fate Points earned: +30\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New Skill Unlocked: \"Medical Knowledge (Basic)\"(You can identify and treat common magical injuries)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[WARNING: MAJOR STORY DEVIATION]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the original story, Cassian was the one who identified the corrupted mana injury and impressed Aria with his heroism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That event has been overwritten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian Brightmore is no longer the sole hero in Aria’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fate Correction probability: Medium\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Be cautious. The story will attempt to reassert itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[TOTAL FATE POINTS: 70]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian headed back to his dorm, mind racing with possibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three heroines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three now aware of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three showing interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the protagonist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting to see him as a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile on the central tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian stood at his window, staring out at the academy grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aria had just left after their meeting with the headmaster. She’d been distracted the whole time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kept bringing up \"that Valemont boy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How knowledgeable he was. How helpful. How different from the rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian’s hands clenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian Valemont.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bastard son. The fallen prodigy. The minor villain character who was supposed to be a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why did it feel like he was...everywherelately?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students whispered about him. Seraphina Ashenblade—the untouchable combat prodigy—spent time training with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now Aria was impressed by him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It doesn’t make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian was supposed to be pathetic. Desperate. Easy to dismiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the person Cassian kept hearing about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t the same character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something’s wrong,\" Cassian muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world felt... off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like pieces on a game board were moving in ways they shouldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m being paranoid. I’m the protagonist. Destined for greatness. Nothing’s going to change that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even as he thought it, doubt crept in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Growing.\u003C\u002Fp>",1048,"2026-06-03T12:08:46.595Z","2026-06-03T12:08:55.308Z",1,"novelbin.me","f45f5c57f0652de255feb24b79dc3be103e8d0e06176b56023cf3bc0819d9bc5","villain-s-path-system-chapter-11","villain-s-path-system-chapter-9",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-s-path-system-cover.jpg"]