Alaric Vyle packed light for this next world.
Not for lack of belongings. He owned more coats than most men owned games. But style demanded restraint—what was villainy without a little touch of mystery?
His tailored red coat with gilded buttons, the black gloves, the crimson-tinted monocle—those stayed. Everything else, combined pleased him to no end.
As he stood in the dimly lit chamber granted by the Multiversal Villain Agency, he gave his reflection a once-over. The silver-streaked hair, styled immaculately. The gloved hands, flexing slightly. The monocle glinted just as the long hand of the clock struck twelve.
'those bastards asking me a 1000 points per night for a place as shabby as this.'
The room itself that Alaric had rented was barebones only housing the necessities a bed, a simple couch and a table in the middle, the light flickering while Alaric gazed at himself through the mirror didn't help with the atmosphere.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
The hour hand of his broken clockwatch in slowly made it's way to 12 as Alaric continued to adjust his hair.
'It should be about ti-'
*Shwom*
The world blinked.
The moment the clockwatch chime echoed through the air, the space around Alaric folded. In a flash of applause and static, Alaric vanished, reality stitching itself around his form as he then appeared in a new world.
He was no longer in the Agency.
He was seated on a velvet-cushioned seat inside a luxurious, magic-powered train speeding across a breathtaking countryside. Mountains in the distance so large they engulfed his gaze, and ethereal gold tinted trees made a dense forest in the distance.
Outside the window was a view stolen from a painting. Inside..... Another scene plagued our view, a private cabin glowing with warm amber lights and embroidered carpets fit for royalty.
'fuck me in the ass... I'll never get used to teleporting and taking over someone else's body.'
*Cough* *cough*
The person that sat in the private cabin in a royal regal position slowly went into a coughing fit before falling onto the ground clutching the carpet in pain.before.....
"BLLUUURRGH!
"HUUUUAAAARK!"
Emptying out whatever he had yesterday as well as today.
Haaah....haahhh.
'ugh this better pay good or I'm gonna lose it.'
Suddenly infront of Alaric a screen appeared saying,
[Accept memory pack #23589 from custodian Celia?]
[Y/N.]
*Click.*
The broken pocketwatch attached to his belt pulsed. A faint shimmer glowed around his head.
"Memory Pack initializing," a mechanical voice whispered in his mind.
As Alaric clicked yes all the memories of the previous body that he had taken over appeared in his mind at once making him wince in pain.
Images flashed behind his eyes—geopolitical maps, imperial etiquette, noble family trees, slang and dialects, food preferences, school rules, currency values. The history of the Vermillion Empire. Glimpses of Crimsonhart, the imperial capital. And his interview at Academia Imperium, the most prestigious academy in the empire.
'Fuck... Fuck this lazy bastard hasn't done a single thing in his life? How the hell is he a professor?' going through his memories he finally found the reason.
'A distant relative of the emperor? No wonder he was acting so high and mighty when he was just a 4th circle mage.... And he was gonna audition for the spot of professor in the vermillion empire's greatest academy? What a fool.'
'Tch even his four magic circles were destroyed during the transmigration. Useless.'
"Alright," he muttered, yawning. "Time to pretend I'm not an multiversal villain and instead just a humble professor with an inflated ego."
He tapped two fingers to his temple.
[MVA Utility System Booting...]
*Welcome back, Operative Vyle.*
> **Current Mission: Academia Sabotage –
Role: Faculty Infiltrator
Narrative Points: 765,456NP
After that a soft *ding* echoed only in his mind.
>[Displaying Recommended World-Integration Offers for your current situation...]
4th Circle Mage Arcanum Certification Package – 10000 NP
"Unlock structured understanding of 4th Circle spell construction, mana control refinement, and basic combat casting. Included in your glowing resume."
Intermediate Magic Theory (Professor Level) – 8000NP
"Explain spellweaving like you're saying the a b c's and look smug doing it. Bonus: inculdes knowledge to reach upto the 6th circle."
Faculty Manners & Mug Use Simulation – 500 NP
"Avoid looking like a total fraud while sipping coffee. Optional smug chuckle available."
Alaric chuckled. "You're really upping the pricing for this aren't you?"
'well it is 90k+ as a reward... Not that ik complaining'
[Purchase 4th Circle Arcanum Certification Package?]
"Confirm," he said aloud, voice low and amused. "Let's make me employee of the month."
[Processing... Installing...]
The surrounding mana visibly got sucked into Alaric's body as four rings made of pure mana with ancient texts covering them covered his heart.
His left eye twitched.
He could feel the burning sensation of mana flood his body it felt like with a wave of his hand he could manipulate the air into crushing the train
'... Interesting power system, not that bad.'
[Purchase Intermediate Magic Theory – 8000 NP?]
"Sigh"
"Confirm that too."
Incoming data: Lecture slides, spell history anecdotes, A thousand comeback question and answers for difficult students.
Mana diagrams, ancient glyphs, arcane formulae, and the sound of someone shouting 'CONCENTRATE YOUR CORE! 'FEEL YOUR HEART BURNING!'
exploded into his mind.
He could suddenly understand all the diagrams and mana spells that his previous body was barely able to copy and paste.
"Ugh. It's like being tutored by every old man I've ever hated at once."
He blinked, then stretched out his legs with a satisfied sigh. "And just like that… Professor Ashvale is born."
"Oh fuck how could I forget?"
Looking at the mess he made on the carpet of the cabin he sighed.
[Cleanse]
He stretched out his hand as a faint bright white glow of mana appeared.
A whirlwind of mana erupted as the impure mixture of sweat and vomit was evaporated into nothingness.
'neat.'
Knock-knock
As his spell was finally over he heard a sound on the door.
"Uhm... Mister Ashvale are you alright? We've heard some concerning sounds from the cabin... If it's alright with you can we check on your situation?"
"You may."
The attendant on the other side of the door opened it preparing himself to see the worst but what he saw shocked him.
'huh? I expected having to go overtime to clean up this guy's message but what's this? It looks even better then before... It's practically shining.'
As he looked upwards he saw the perpetrator talking to himself in the window.
Alaric gave him a polite nod. "Just rehearsing my welcome speech," he said, eyes twinkling.
"Uh okay? Sorry for the disruption I'll take my leave...."
[+20 appraisal points]
Alaric couldn't care any more assignments he gazed at the interface infront of him.
Inside his mind, the system chirped:
[Remaining NP: 747356]
You have now reached the minimum requirement for Being a professor at the imperial academy as a certified 4th Circle Mage.
"Please don't blow up the academy."
MVA customer services Dept.
Alaric leaned back, folded his arms, and whispered, "Teehee no promises."
A gloved hand reached into his pocket.
The influx of knowledge painted a detailed picture in his mind. The Vermillion Empire, currently the second strongest empire in this world. Its capital, Crimsonhart, was a beacon of magic development and imperial splendor.
A city where golden caraiges roamed through the city and magical spells lit up every alley. A place where the elite came to study, and power comes with privilege.
Tick.
A second pulse went through his pocketwatch.
A different voice whispered now—colder, more clinical.
"Protagonist character sheet download in progress."
A shimmering panel of light blinked into view above his lap. The file unfolded like a digital book across invisible pages, readable only to him.
[PRIMARY TARGET: LYSANDER AELWYN]
Age: 16
Status: First-Year Student, Imperium Academy
Path: Dual Affinity — Arcanic Path (2nd Circle), Titan Vein Path (initiate pulse)
Unique Physique: Withering Star Vessel
Traits: Strong moral compass. Natural leadership. High affinity for celestial and star mana.
Projected Growth: Archmage/ Grand Archmage Potential, Worldbreaker Core Candidate
Narrative Role: Tragic Sacrificial Hero.
Core Conflict: Balances his immense growing power with it's downside of draining his life force while trying to live a normal life.
Relationship Map: (Loading...)
Plot: (Loading...)
Alaric narrowed his eyes as the lines formed.
"OoooooooO… good to meet you my golden goose," he muttered. "We're gonna have a reaaaal good time together."
He tapped through the profile as animated projections appeared. Lysander training alone beneath the starlight, him living a normal day to day life and then his current location as he made his way to the academy.
Perfect.
"I've seen enough."
The sheet faded from view, stitched and stored into his mind.
There was a knock at the door once again.
Hearing the knock the smile on his face scrunched.
'tch what a bother.'
"Mister Ashvale?" A young train attendant peeked inside. Blonde hair, crisp uniform, the nervous smile.
"We'll be arriving in Crimsonhart shortly. Would you like some refreshments before we reach the city?"
Alaric offered her a smooth smile. "I'm sweet enough already. But I'll take tea. Black."
"Of course, sir." She gave a curt nod and turned to leave.
"Wait," Alaric called, smirking. "Quick question."
She paused, glancing back. "Yes, sir?"
He adjusted his monocle like a stage prop. "Why did the fire mage get kicked out of the bar?"
She blinked. "Why?"
"Because he was making things too heated."
The girl's face stood expressionless before she left the cabin.
[+10 applause points]
"Kids these days... They'll never understand true humour"
Alaric reclined onto the sofa once again, hands folded.
---
The train whistled as it neared Crimsonhart.
From afar, the city glowed. Red-tiled roofs, floating bridges of mana-lit stone, The Vermillion Empire didn't believe in subtlety.
And standing atop the city's highest hill, surrounded by waterfalls and mist?
The imperial academy.
It was less an academy, more a fortress of knowledge and power. Towering buildings rose reaching for the heavens. Training fields the size of stadiums surrounded it.
Alaric stepped onto the platform as the train hissed to a stop.
His boots clicked against polished obsidian tiles. A man in a navy-blue coat approached, book and quill in hand.
"I presume you're here for an interview for the professor position?"
"Yes. Professor Ashvale here for you on the dot."
The man stared at Alaric before flipping through his register.
"Indeed. Your name is there."
"This way, sir. The Headmaster awaits."
---
The hallways of Academia Imperium were lined with shifting murals depicting various ancient battles. One moment, a dragon mid-flight. The next, a battle between two archmages. The magic here was alive, woven into the very bones of the academy.
Students in uniforms of white and black passed them by—some wielding daggers, others carrying greatswords across their backs. A few whispered as they passed, their eyes catching on Alaric's crimson coat.
"A foreign professor?"
"Do you think he'll pass the interview? The headmistress has already rejected over 100 people."
"Shh he might hear you"
As the crowd kept on weaving rumours and gossiping Alaric smiled.
'quite the crowd we have here don't we?'
Along the way, he passed by the current professors.
A tall woman with silver glasses and runic tattoos etched into her skin—likely someone who delved into advanced spellcraft, A broad-shouldered man in sleeveless robes, exuding physical might and a Titan Vein cultivator's aura. One professor nodded briefly, eyes narrowing in silent appraisal.
Alaric offered a polite smile. He could sense it already the subtle hierarchy, the glances of disinterest as they looked down upon him and the pressure.
Academia Imperium was no simple school. It was a theater. And he had just stepped onto the main stage.
They reached the Headmaster's office—a white door with golden engravings creating various designs.
"Professor Ashvale," the assistant said, opening it.
Alaric stepped inside.
The office was quieter than expected—warm light spilling from floating crystal lamps, the walls lined with bookshelves and softly ticking clocks. It smelled like parchment, ink, and something faintly floral. Expensive, maybe enchanted.
And standing near the window, looking out at the campus, was her.
Headmistress Selene Vaeloria.
She turned at the sound of the door. Alaric paused for a beat.
She was… striking. Probably in her late thirties, maybe early forties, but carried herself with the kind of confidence that made age irrelevant.
Her black hair, mixed with a sliver of silver, was tied loosely at the back. Her violet eyes looked to swallow you whole.
She wore a long dark coat over a deep red dress elegant, tasteful, and just bold enough to turn heads without saying a word.
'would you look at that? She's just as hot as I read about. I'm barely able to hold my composure while she's around.'
Whether unconsciously or on purpose Selene was slowly releasing her magical power.... Increasing the heat in the room.
"You're here for the new position I get it?" she asked, voice smooth but sharp around the edges.
"Soon to be professor Ashvale," he said, offering a small nod. "At your service."
"I like your confidence young man."
She didn't smile. Not exactly. Just studied him for a second, like she was trying to figure out what kind of problem he might be.
"I read your file. You're just a fourth circle mage. The only reason you've reached this far is because you're a relative of the emperor." she said, turning to walk toward her desk.
'tsk if it was up to me i would've reached this far myself.' Alaric kept on cursing his previous self while maintaining his smile.
"So tell me, Professor Alaric Vyle—what makes you qualified to teach at the finest institution in the empire?"
"Alaric adjusted his monocle, voice velvet-smooth. "I possess the credentials, the charm, and a dangerously effective teaching philosophy."
As he said so he felt the pressure in the tower increase tremendously making it hard for him to even stand. He had to dig into his own hand using the pain to stay concious.
Selene raised her eyebrow almost in suprise before smiling.
"Why don't we test out if you live up to the recommendation why don't we?" Selene said as she got up from her chair.
As he looked at her silhouette that was leaving the room he smiled wryly and finally read the messages that were popping out in his eyes.
[The world has noticed your presence. Continue with caution.]
[The world is cautious of your presence.]
[The world....
'i get it would you shut up?'
---