Transmigrated as the Villain: I Will Destroy Fate

The white moonlight shone down the path back to the dorms. Ronan was walking in front with Aura a few steps behind.

She’s more silent than usual, Ronan noticed as he observed Aura, who was walking behind him. She hadn’t asked any questions or even spoken to him since the altercation.

He couldn’t see her, but he could tell her mind was filled with thoughts about what had just occurred.

He had told her the general plan prior, but she probably didn’t expect it to play out like this.

However, Ronan put too much thought into what she was thinking. He could see it straight up, after all.

[Character: Aura]

Race: Demon

Status: (Contracted)

Condition: Well

[Affection]: -10

[Trust]: -29

[Loyalty]: 1

The stats were going up; that was good.

The only problem was her trust stat. It was still extremely low, and while it had gone up a few points, it wasn’t much.

She’s still trying to analyze the situation, he thought.

Ronan shoved those thoughts to the side.

[Main Quest: Connections, connections, connections]

Status: Completed

Description: You have struggled and clawed your way into Luminara Academy despite your limitations. In a place where strength alone is insufficient, the value of connections cannot be ignored. The individuals you choose to align with will determine the trajectory of your survival.

Goal: Establish a meaningful connection with a high-value individual within the academy.

Reward: +10% Mana Control

In an attempt to test his reward, Ronan gathered mana at his fingertips and focused. The mana moved far more smoothly than it had before, dancing between his fingers without effort.

That was interesting. So the system could directly increase his ability to control mana.

Suddenly, Aura’s voice penetrated the silence.

"You expected them."

"What was that?"

"You predicted that she would bring people."

Was that what she was worried about? Out of all things, that wasn’t what he had expected her to start with.

"It’s not that I knew for sure," he explained. "It was obvious from the way she acted. Her behavior was too calm in the beginning. Her eyes were also darting unconsciously, but not from any signs of obvious nervousness."

Aura frowned slightly. Not because she disagreed, but because he said it like it was obvious.

"I did notice that too," she said. "But it could have been an act, considering she is good at acting."

Ronan shrugged. "Maybe so. We can call it an educated guess."

"That was enough for you?"

"Maybe."

"And what if you were wrong?" She asked. "What if she didn’t bring assassins?"

Ronan didn’t answer immediately.

There had been a window – brief, but very real – where things could have gone differently. If the assassins had moved earlier. If Aura had been forced to reveal herself in full. If Freya had chosen to escalate instead of listen.

"Then I would have adjusted," he said finally. "Besdies, Aura didn’t look away this time.

Her gaze lingered longer than usual—measured, deliberate, almost invasive. Not fear. Not quite hostility either.

She was trying to understand him.

That was far more dangerous.

Ronan said nothing and kept walking.

If she didn’t bring anyone and came alone, then she is not Freya Lockhart. She would not be worth allying with."

"You talk like you know her well."

He nodded. "I do know her. I told you, I knew her when we were younger. Of course, I know her." It was less of a reasoning and more of a way to deflect from the situation.

"That doesn’t explain how you know everyone in the S class as well. You knew of Luca before he arrived."

"The Ashbourne family influence runs deep."

"I refuse to believe it is that simple. You don’t have any influence in your own family. I did my own research."

Ronan hummed. "And what did you find?"

"I found that you are completely different from what is described."

"That’s why you shouldn’t believe in rumors, princess."

She did not look as offended as she usually did, however. Instead, she just looked him in the eye with a complicated expression on her face.

"I don’t understand what you’re thinking."

Aura didn’t look away this time.

Her gaze lingered longer than usual – measured, deliberate, almost invasive. It wasn’t fear, nor was it quite hostility either.

She was trying to understand him.

That was far more dangerous.

"And I don’t understand what you’re thinking either."

"But you seem to know everything about me," she said. "And you speak as if you know everything about Freya Lockhart as well. You know things that you obviously should not know."

Ronan didn’t react to that and kept walking.

"Just what exactly is your plan?"

"My plan?" He asked. "Accumulate power."

"No," Aura shot back. "I don’t mean that. I mean, what is your goal?"

"My... goal?"

"Everyone has something they want to work for. The reason for their actions. What is your goal?"

Ronan thought about it. "Nothing specific."

"I don’t believe that," Aura said, shaking her head. "That’s not how you act."

Ronan considered it. What was his goal?

In his previous life, he didn’t know, but he had considered it since coming to this world.

"Freedom," he said. It was a generic answer. "I don’t mean freedom in the bastardized sense. I mean freedom in the truest definition. The type of freedom where no one can decide or dictate anything for me."

"That’s not possible," Aura said, no hesitation in her tone.

Ronan did not answer.

Aura sensed his hesitation, but didn’t say anything.

Freedom, huh?

He hadn’t given much time to think about it. Perhaps he had subconsciously avoided the topic altogether.

Freedom of choice. To Ronan, that was the only thing worth striving for.

In his previous life, he had done whatever he wanted. Destroying relationships, doing drugs, donating money, helping the elderly.

The reasoning behind these actions was simply that he wanted to.

It was also what had gotten him killed.

Of course, in this life, he would pursue the same. He would pursue freedom. He would pursue the ability to make whatever choices he wanted.

Ronan frowned at that thought.

He opened up the system again and looked at the completed quest screen. Two quests completed.

But when he looked at the quests and what they asked from him.

He didn’t feel very free at all.