The Villainess's Reversal: Dodging Destruction, Falling into Obsession - The Prince's Gaze and the Master's Shadow

On the morning of her second day at the academy, Elicia Fernandes woke in her dormitory room. Pale violet light filtered through the window, gently tinting the curtains and bathing the room in a soft glow. Dawn had broken. That hour when starlight gave way to sunlight. In this world, many called this time the "Star's Exchange." She hadn't slept well last night. Her mind kept replaying the game's scenarios. Today's second class. The instructor would be teaching stellar sorcery. She knew what should happen from her previous life's knowledge—or so she thought—but reality had already shown her many differences from the game. The heroine was purer than she'd imagined. That smile carried a warmth she'd never seen in the game. *(I need to be careful...)* Elicia took a deep breath and removed her nightgown. The prepared dress was deep navy, the uniform of the Royal Star-Bound Academy. A constellation embroidered the collar, and the crest of Leo adorned her chest. As she dressed, she felt anew that she was part of this world. The girl in the mirror had chestnut-colored short hair and deep brown eyes, a noble lady gazing forward. On her left wrist, a faint, irregular star-marked pattern glowed softly. She descended the corridor and ate breakfast. A few students were in the dining hall, but Elicia chose a corner seat. Remaining inconspicuous was the priority. She nibbled morning porridge with salted vegetables and black bread. A student at the next table greeted her with "good morning," but Elicia simply smiled politely and replied briefly. Then the academy bell rang out. Its sharp sound echoed across the entire grounds, announcing the start of classes. The stellar sorcery classroom was located on the north side of the academy's central building. As she pushed open the door, she caught her breath. The room was circular, its floor inscribed with the twelve zodiac constellations that formed the foundation of this world. Each constellation's position replicated their actual arrangement in the night sky. At the center stood a complex crystal apparatus, emanating pale blue light. The faint magical power it released made the entire air tremble. Students took their positions at their respective constellations. Elicia moved toward Leo's position. Several other Leo students were there, but she ignored them all. No one approached her. "Well then, shall we begin?" The moment that voice sounded, the air in the room transformed. A woman slowly entered through the door. Not long black hair, but dark crimson waves. Deep violet eyes swept coldly across the entire classroom. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties. She wore instructor's robes with black and silver trim. On her left shoulder was a faint, patterned mark—the scar of a forbidden stellar sorcery ritual. This woman was no ordinary person. "I am Leeza Violetta. Your instructor for this class." Her voice was low and composed. Emotionless in its delivery. Yet beneath that coldness, Elicia sensed something else. Everyone held their breath. "Stellar sorcery—the technique of manipulating magical power according to the constellation of your birth. For the next four years, you will study this art. If you lack resolve, leave now." No one moved. "Then we begin with the basics. First, the star mark—the constellation-corresponding sigil drawn with your own magical power. This is the foundation of everything." Leeza raised her arm. The motion was elegant, yet carried an icy coldness. Her fingertips traced light across the empty air. The Leo constellation—a complex figure of four lines and a circle combined—rose as pale blue light. Perfect. Not a single flaw. "This is it. Try it yourselves." The students moved. A few managed something resembling the shape, but most failed. Light vanished, forms warped grotesquely. Elicia began drawing, relying on her previous life's knowledge. She moved her fingers, gathering magical power from deep within her mind. This sensation matched the game's explanation. But feeling it in her own body was entirely different. A warm current arose from her chest, flowed through her arm, and poured into her fingertips. The star mark appeared. A perfect form. Stable light. Elicia hastily erased it. She couldn't stand out. "Miss Fernandes." Leeza's voice called out. For an instant, Elicia's heart jumped. Leeza's deep violet eyes fixed directly on her. That gaze was sharp, clear. A look that seemed to see through everything. "Your star mark is too precise. Relax a little. For a beginner, a slight distortion is just right." The classroom fell silent. Other students' gazes turned toward Elicia. "Understood," Elicia answered in a low voice, careful not to lose her composure. The class continued for two hours. Leeza's sharp gaze caught Elicia repeatedly. Not once, but many times. By the end, Leeza had begun to furrow her brow slightly. Had she noticed something? Or was she suspecting something? When lunch break came, Elicia exhaled. She would head to the library tower. Ideally, she wanted to research old texts on stellar sorcery that existed in this academy. To learn about actual techniques that didn't appear in the game's explanations. But as she crossed the Star Spring Plaza— She noticed a crowd gathering. Elicia's instinct told her to take a detour. But then it happened. "You there, might I have a moment?" A low, composed male voice echoed. All eyes turned to Elicia at once. Looking at the figure in the plaza's center, she understood why immediately. Deep navy wavy hair. A refined face. Deep navy blue eyes. His clothing was not the academy uniform, but royal attire. Below his left collarbone was a faint star-marked scar. Claude Verdina. First Prince of the Verdina Kingdom. In the game, he was portrayed as a cold wielder of power. A crucial figure in Elicia's destruction. For that reason, he was someone she absolutely could not approach. But she couldn't flee either. As a noble lady, ignoring a summons from royalty was unthinkable. Elicia took a deep breath and recalled noble etiquette. "It is an honor to meet you. I am Elicia Fernandes of the Fernandes Marquessate," she said with a polite bow, eyes lowered appropriately without being disrespectful. Claude smiled faintly. "Ah, so you're the one. The heroine mentioned you yesterday. She said you were kind to her." That smile was completely different from the cold expression she'd seen in the game. Unexpectedly gentle, even warm. Elicia's body tensed. This was dangerous. This smile might be the game's greatest trap. "I merely did what was natural," Elicia replied. "There's no need for modesty. You're a Leo, aren't you? You should have high aptitude for stellar sorcery," Claude continued, his gaze never leaving her. The weight of that stare pricked her skin. She needed to answer humbly. Perfectly. "Perhaps. I am still inexperienced," Elicia said. "Modesty again. Even Leeza-sensei praised you," Claude said. That single sentence set off alarms in Elicia's mind. Was Leeza close to the prince? Or was there some other connection? Her previous life's knowledge contained no detailed record of their relationship. Anxiety swelled. Her calculations might be off. "Is... is that so?" A note of confusion slipped into her voice. Even she noticed the unnatural tone. But Claude didn't seem to mind. Or rather—he noticed but said nothing. "Have you grown accustomed to the academy?" he asked casually. Yet beneath the question lay something Elicia couldn't discern. "Yes, thank you. The seniors have all been kind," she answered briefly. Brevity was necessary to end the conversation. But Claude continued. "I'm glad to hear that." As he said it, his expression changed. His eyes softened slightly, his mouth curved upward. That smile—appeared unexpectedly genuine and kind. Her heart skipped a beat. *(Why would that affect me...)* Elicia blamed herself internally. Don't let your emotions waver. This is merely strategy. That smile might be seduction. She tried to convince herself. Yet instinctively, she sensed something else beneath that smile. As she turned to leave, Claude said one final thing. "Let's talk again. I think we'd get along well." The meaning of those words eluded Elicia. Was there hidden intent? Or mere social courtesy? Surrounded by the envious and jealous gazes of other students, Elicia bowed and hurried away. The weight of his gaze lingered on her back. How long it would persist, she couldn't know. --- When Elicia knocked on Leeza's research room door that afternoon, the sun had already tilted westward. The research room was located deep within the academy's west wing, at the end of a dark corridor. Beside the door hung a wooden sign reading "Stellar Sorcery Research Room." "Come in," Leeza's voice called. Opening the door, the room was filled with ancient grimoires and stellar observation instruments. Bookshelves occupied an entire wall, and the desk was stacked with complex star charts. A simplified star map was drawn on the ceiling. The air was thick with silence, as if time itself had stopped. Leeza sat at her desk, studying an old parchment. She appeared even more composed than during class. There was a heaviness about her, as if she carried something unseen. "Sit," Leeza said, gesturing to a chair. As Elicia sat, Leeza slowly closed the parchment. "Your aptitude for stellar sorcery far exceeds the average," Leeza said bluntly. "Yet you deliberately suppress your power. Why?" she asked. Elicia's words caught for a moment at that question. "That is... personal circumstances," she managed. "You don't wish to stand out. Or perhaps you have another reason," Leeza said. Leeza's deep violet eyes fixed on Elicia's inner self. Before that gaze, nothing seemed concealable. "Personal circumstances," Elicia repeated. She couldn't say more. She needed to protect her secrets. Leeza fell silent for several seconds, still watching her. During that time, Elicia found even breathing difficult. But eventually, Leeza gave a small nod. "I understand. I won't pry into your affairs," she said. At those words, Elicia felt a thread of relief. "However, it would be a waste to let such talent wither. I will provide individual instruction once weekly. We'll develop your abilities within appropriate bounds," Leeza said. The offer was unexpected. Elicia's wariness reflexively heightened. What was Leeza's true intention? Was there some hidden purpose? Yet Leeza's expression clearly conveyed sincerity. There was a softness in her eyes. "Thank you very much," Elicia said, bowing deeply. "Next time is the day after tomorrow, in the evening. Don't be late," Leeza said, returning her attention to the parchment. As Elicia left the research room, she gazed at the sunset through the corridor window. The sky was dyed deep crimson, gradually shifting toward deep purple. *(What is that woman's true intention...)* Leeza's offer of individual instruction. Leeza's relationship with Prince Claude. And beyond that, the complex power structure of this world. On only her second day, Elicia already faced developments she couldn't predict. What awaited her tomorrow? What lay ahead? Elicia Fernandes proceeded toward the dormitory without knowing the answer.

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Episode 2

Name: The Villainess's Reversal: Dodging Destruction, Falling into Obsession
Author: Novelia

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