I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist

After a quick cold shower, it was time for lunch.

"Leon, let's head to the cafeteria and grab something to eat," Aaron suggested, walking alongside Ivan.

"Yeah, let's get something good! The cafeteria here is always serving amazing stuff. I heard world-renowned chefs are working there, y'know!"

Aaron ignored the noise behind and shot a sidelong glance at Ivan and muttered, "Leon… let's just leave this place."

But Ivan ignored Aaron, continuing to walk ahead as if he hadn't heard a thing.

"Fine, let's grab some takeaway and eat somewhere else! How about the campus garden? It's really nice there!"

Aaron's patience finally snapped. He turned around, glaring at Jaxon. "Why the hell are you following us?!"

Jaxon blinked, confused. "Huh? Dude, I thought we were all going together."

Aaron's brow twitched in irritation.

Jaxon was notorious around the academy for being overly nosy and inserting himself into groups where he wasn't necessarily wanted. His overbearing personality and nonstop chatter drove most people away, leaving him with few real friends. Yet, for some reason, he had latched onto Ivan. It seemed Jaxon had misinterpreted Ivan's indifference as acceptance, which only made him more eager to stick around.

Even Aaron hadn't completely shut him down, partly because he was following Ivan's lead. Jaxon took this as a sign that both of them had accepted him into their circle, which couldn't be further from the truth. Aaron simply assumed Ivan had some hidden plan involving Jaxon, so he held back from being openly hostile. But in reality, Ivan couldn't care less about Jaxon—he was as indifferent to him as he was to the rest of the academy. To him, Jaxon was probably just some annoying old friend of Aaron's, someone Aaron was too tsundere to admit he liked.

Suddenly, Ivan stopped in his tracks. "Go ahead without me. I'm heading somewhere else."

He had no intention of going to the cafeteria because food held no appeal for him. Though his sense of smell still worked, he could never truly savor the taste of anything. Eating was just a meaningless chore.

Aaron looked like he wanted to follow, but he merely nodded, resigned. "Alright."

"Okay, dude! Aaron and I will save you a seat. You'd better join us later!" Jaxon called out with a friendly wave before trailing after Aaron, who was anything but pleased.

"Get lost."

"Huh?!"

…

…

After parting ways with Aaron and Jaxon, Ivan stepped out of the building, his footsteps echoing softly along the garden pathways that connected the different structures of the campus. His destination was the Director's office—a place he needed to infiltrate to obtain any files related to the serial murders that had plagued Ocryphia fifty years ago. He hoped those dusty records might contain a clue, perhaps even a lead to the location of the Vault.

As he walked, the world around him seemed to exhale in harmony with his own breath. The air was alive with the melodious chirping of birds, the gentle rustle of leaves stirred by a warm breeze, and the golden afternoon sun pouring down from a cloudless sky. For once, it was perfect weather.

Feeling a sudden urge to soak in the serenity of the moment, Ivan veered off the path and settled on a wooden bench. He leaned back, draping one arm casually along the backrest, closing his eyes as the sunlight warmed his face. This heat was different—nothing like the scorching flames that haunted his memories, reminders of being burned alive in a past he'd rather forget but needed to remember.

This warmth though was gentle, comforting, wrapping around him like a quiet embrace. It was a rare moment of peace, a feeling he could hardly recall experiencing.

At this hour, most people were gathered in the cafeteria, leaving the garden pathways almost deserted. The solitude suited him, granting a much-needed reprieve from his always agitated life.

Here, surrounded by nature's quiet beauty, Ivan could almost forget who he was The innocent chorus of birds, the vibrant lines of flowers swaying in the breeze, and the delicate dance of butterflies fluttering from one bloom to another—it all made him smile, a rare and genuine expression that softened his usually stern features. Even a stray cat darted playfully between the bushes.

This was the world Ivan had always yearned for. Not just for himself but for all the Antagonists, who, like him, had dreamed of a peaceful existence once their ambitions were fulfilled. But for Ivan, this dream went deeper. He envisioned a world united under the banner of Seraphiel's Faith, where every soul would offer their prayers to the one true Goddess. A world without conflict, without war, without bloodshed or discrimination.

And once that vision was realized, he could finally rest. Not in some bustling, high-tech metropolis, but in a quiet village reminiscent of the one where he was born—a place far removed from the clamor of the modern world. He imagined it vividly: a small, tranquil settlement where he could live out his days surrounded by those he loved. That, above all else, was his greatest wish—a life of simplicity, peace, and contentment.

Of course, given the current state of both worlds—Arcadia and New Earth—this dream of his seemed nothing short of impossible. The chaos, the conflicts, the fractured societies on both sides made his vision feel like a distant fantasy. But Ivan was determined. He would bring his dream to life, no matter the cost, no matter the methods he'd have to employ.

He would make it happen.

Just as he let himself sink deeper into the warmth of the sun, a voice broke through his thoughts.

"It's my spot."

Ivan's eyes snapped open without bothering to hide the irritation on his face at the unwelcome interruption. But that irritation quickly turned to mild surprise as he took in the sight of the person standing before him. Her presence was all too familiar.

The woman gazing down at him, her silhouette framed by the afternoon light, held a picnic basket in her hand. Strands of her dark hair, slightly tousled by the breeze, brushed against her face before she tucked them neatly behind her ear. It was none other than Angel Elysphira.

She looked at him expectantly, as if waiting for him to vacate her bench. But Ivan had no intention of moving.

"What's this nonsense about it being your spot?" He replied, his tone utterly dismissive, showing not even a hint of respect despite her seniority of three years.

"..."

Angel stared at him for a moment with her dark eyes.

"..."

Ivan answered the staring conquest that lasted a long minute.

It seemed both of them were thick skinned as they didn't feel a single shred of awkwardness as they stared at each other as if they had fallen in love at first sight.

Then, without a word, Angel sat down beside him, placing the basket between them like a barrier. The wicker basket's woven handle rested on the bench as she began to unpack its contents, paying him no further mind.

Ivan's peaceful moment didn't last long.

He couldn't help but wonder why on earth she was choosing to eat outside, let alone next to him, of all places. Maybe she was as much of a loner as he was, seeking the same tranquil atmosphere. But the odds of her picking this exact bench, at this exact moment, seemed too coincidental to ignore. Yet, it became apparent she was genuinely there just to eat.

Realizing there was no point in pondering her intentions, Ivan closed his eyes once more, determined to reclaim the serenity he'd been enjoying just moments ago. As a practiced recluse, he had mastered the art of erasing other people's presence from his mind. In his world, only six people ever truly mattered to him, and Angel certainly wasn't one of them so it was pretty easy to fill up his left side by darkness.

He leaned back again, letting the sunlight warm his face, shutting out the intrusion at his side. For Ivan, it was as if Angel had simply ceased to exist—a mere shadow on the periphery of his consciousness, easily ignored.

But as Ivan settled back into his attempt at tranquility, a subtle furrow creased his brow.

Now that he considered it more carefully... was it really wise for him to sit so close to Angel Elysphira?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

In the world he knew from the novel, she was destined to become the strongest Medium within just a few years—a prodigy whose abilities would soon eclipse those of her entire family. Could someone like her sense the presence of a Devil-ranked demon lurking within him?

No, he reassured himself, forcing his shoulders to relax again. If she had even an inkling of what was inside him, he wouldn't still be sitting here. Angel would have already alerted the Director, and Ivan was confident—perhaps too confident—in the measures he had taken to seal away the Devil within. His meticulous barriers and wards should make it impossible for anyone to detect the entity he kept imprisoned inside his own soul.

Besides, this was still the beginning of the novel's timeline. At this stage, Angel was very much in her rebellious phase, that infamous 'I don't give a damn about exorcists' attitude. She detested her lineage, the prestigious Elysphira Family, and wanted nothing to do with her innate talents as a Medium, despite being a prodigy. That thought was enough to ease his nerves; she likely wasn't paying him any serious attention.

With those worries dealt with, Ivan allowed himself to sink back into the bench, the tension leaving his body as he closed his eyes again. The peaceful atmosphere brought back a flood of memories. The scent of blooming flowers, the warmth of the sun—it all reminded him of simpler times, days spent with his family on trips back on Earth. A wave of nostalgia washed over him, stirring a deep, unfulfilled longing. He wished, more than anything, that he could see them again. At the very least, he wished he could let them know he was still alive.

Time seemed to blur as he rested like that, drifting in and out of the present moment. He had no idea how long he'd kept his eyes shut, lost in memories of a life that felt like it belonged to someone else.

"..."

But when he finally opened them, he was met with the close, inquisitive gaze of Angel. Her face was startlingly beautiful up close, with delicate features that truly lived up to her name.

An Angel indeed.

But her next words wouldn't sound angelic at all for Ivan.

"Are you possessed?"