The Academy was the very definition of an elitist school, stated in the novel. It had not only the best teachers from across the entire continent but the best facilities designed to cater to each individual student’s needs. It truly was the learning place.

This was where I would be for the next Chapter of my life.

I peeked out through my window, watching as guards opened the massive academy gates. Everyone here screamed noble. In this world ruled by females, beast-men were mainly companion souls and served their masters, but none had been bold enough to have four beast-men like how the original Villainess did. I’d be sure to stand out here even with all these noble figures.

I licked my lips. "It reeks of noble," Ryker said, peeking out, and I sighed.

I really don’t know anyone here, but thinking back at the novel, I’ll look for the special characters. But first, I’d need to rest. We had been traveling for a while straight to make it here. Me and my beast-men were exhausted.

Finally, the carriage came to a halt, and I stood up, straightening my dress before stepping out. My beast-men following right behind me. Wow! It was really huge, exactly as described in the novel. The air scented of magic dust... even the buildings were massive, like ancient castles. The ground had neatly colored tiles.

I couldn’t help but marvel at the sight, looking like a small kid, smiling ear to ear. I’m sure everyone here found it weird, including my beast-men, but in the modern world there were no buildings like these. I focused my gaze and trailed it to a girl. She was the only one dressed in a linen outfit, yet she came out from an expensive carriage.

"Please take that out for me!" she said, yet her maids rolled their eyes, annoyed at the request. "We don’t follow your orders. You’re here because your step-mother allowed it. Don’t forget your place!" they sneered and walked back into the carriage. I watched as she sighed and walked to get it off herself. Was there ever a character like this in the novel? And where was her beast-man?

I had taken a step to go ask her when suddenly someone bumped into me, making me miss my step. Luckily Azrael held me from behind and glared daggers at the girl.

She had red hair, sharp blue eyes, and round lips. "Oh excu—" she paused as she fully sighted me.

"Oh my, if it isn’t the mad tyrant herself!" she called out, raising her voice to attract everyone’s attention. The entire entrance went silent.

"Who’s she?"

"Did she just call her out? I heard Bibi call her the mad tyrant." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Oh my, is a fight about to happen on the first day?"

"Bibi is not to be messed with. She’s the Empress’s niece. She stands no chance."

The crowd murmured. Now I understood. She had intentionally bumped into my shoulder to try to pick a fight. The thought made me sneer inwardly. Another scheming bitch like Elowen. I did remember this character. She hated Elowen’s rival and hated her... but why the sudden interest in me?

"Do I know you?" I asked coldly and watched as her prideful smile darkened.

"Really, did you hit your head or something? I’m Bibi, the Empress ni—"

"Oh! So apart from that, you’re a nobody. Understood." I cut her off and watched her cheeks turn red with anger.

"How dare you slander me!" she jabbed her finger at me, and my beast-men moved closer towards me. I felt the sense of inferiority shimmering in her eyes, but she masked it well.

"So now lowly beast-men dare stand up to me, for a mad tyrant like you?"

"Lowly?" The word slipped out and I chuckled. Of course, the villain character knows nothing but how to cause trouble.

"My beast-men have awards and recognition yours will never have. Apart from being your fuck toy, what else does your beast-man do?" I paused, staring at her, and watched as the face of her white-haired beast-man darkened.

"Eh—"

"Of course, he makes you scream the loudest in bed!" I mocked, and her face went pale. The whole crowd burst into uncontrollable laughter and she stared around, clenching her fist.

"Shut up! I’ll report you all to the Empress!" she ranted, and everyone froze. Seeing their reactions, she felt her confidence return and walked towards me, but I stepped back.

"I didn’t realize filth thinks it could stand next to me!" I said and clicked my tongue, staring at my nails with a calm smile.

"Filth? You think the things about you belittling and torturing your beast-men isn’t already out? How shameless of you to act all righteous now!" she spat.

The air suddenly became tense. I felt my beast-men’s faces turn angry, and slowly realization set in that her words were true.

If I let this drag out, old wounds might reopen and I might lose the trust I fought so hard to gain.

But then Ryker stepped forward. "Shouldn’t you look at yourself, Miss Bibi? Your beast-man surely doesn’t look satisfied with you," he said calmly.

Everyone snapped their gaze to her beast-man, who was staring at a noble girl that just passed by, licking his lips, his gaze lustful.

"Oh my, you must not be good in bed."

"He isn’t even satisfied with her!"

"Raven, really put her in her place."

"So sad, I was actually hoping for Bibi to win."

"Wow, her beast-man really stood up for her. I thought they hated her just like the rumors said?"

The words circulated. I sighed and turned to leave, but then I sighted Elowen walking down the stairs. Her gown was designed to attract attention; it clung to her waist and had a slight cut at the side of her legs, revealing how lean and fair they were. Her hair shimmered too. She was dressed to kill, and it worked. Everyone’s head turned. Of course, that’s the effect the female lead always had.

"Sister, you should learn to be cautious with your beast-men. You don’t want to bring disgrace to our family with what they might say," she called out and the entrance went silent.

I rolled my eyes inwardly, but what I hated was her word "cautious."

"Elowen, seems you didn’t learn your lesson last time? If I remember correctly, you were kneeling, begging me for forgiveness from me and my beast-men for slander, and now you dare slander them and me again?" I asked, and watched as the colour drained from her face.

"Sister, t—"

"I don’t remember my mother giving birth to you! Lily is my only sister!" I didn’t wait for her comeback. I turned my back on her and glared at everyone.

"What are you all staring at?" I watched as they shivered in fear. I even caught Elowen’s hands clenched into a fist out of the corner of my eye, making me smirk. Bibi, thoroughly embarrassed, got up and walked off.

I glanced back at Elowen one last time, shooting her a glare, and walked off.

My beast-men followed, but I was sure they had questions.

"I’m sure you all have your questions, so ask," I said.

"Why did you speak up for us?"

"Did you really change? Do you really care about us? Will this last forever?"

"Are you playing with us?"

I stopped in my tracks and stared at them. My vicious eyes went calm instantly. In this life, I vowed to take care and support those who care about me, and return tenfold to those that dare to stand in my way.

"Firstly, I stood up for you because I care about you. Remember, I promised to never hurt you!" I answered Ryker, and he seemed satisfied.

"Secondly, I have changed. I promised to love you all and make sure you all live the best life. And this change? I’m never changing again!" I called out and turned to Azrael. "And no, I’m not playing with anyone’s feelings," I said, watching as their expressions eased slightly.

I yawned. The journey wasn’t long, just a day’s trip. But I really needed to rest. In the meantime, the pool was going to be built and Thyrian would be moved here in a few days.

"Any more questions?" I asked and they all nodded negatively, except Azrael who seemed to be avoiding my gaze. Since when did he become like this?

Well, I’ll deal with that later. I turned to move but froze as I caught the lace girl from earlier staring straight at me... Her eyes widened, realizing I was looking at her, and she looked away.

But this was the first time I was getting a good look at her. She really was cute. Her eyes were also big and very shiny, plus I finally sighted her beast-man. He was holding her shoulders as she blushed nervously beside him.

I gazed at the beast-man, Eagle. I’ve never read about this character. Maybe I’ll rest up and try to remember.

I watched as her weak beast-man led her away, maybe to room allocation...

"Master, you keep staring at him. Do you want him? Are we not enough?"

"Whattttttt!"

...

...

...

[System: Warning, host> this is your final day to complete the kiss requirement.

Failure: Bedridden/Coma]