"Against the Heavens: The Villain's Return"

Alex truly felt, at that very moment, that he should have just dug up the entire ground beneath his feet and buried himself inside rather than continue standing there. His face burned with an unspeakable humiliation, his whole body trembling with shame and anger. The commotion around him was loud, filled with snickers, laughter, and hushed whispers, each word like a sharp blade stabbing into his pride.

He wanted to scream. He wanted to roar. He wanted to deny everything. But no words came out.

His eyes turned, almost unwillingly, towards Leo.

And what did he see?

Leo—his eternal rival, the person Alex despised most—was not even paying attention to him anymore. With calm steps, utterly unbothered, Leo walked away peacefully, heading toward the classroom as though nothing that happened here had anything to do with him.

That very act was salt on Alex's wound.

Leo, however, had his own thoughts. Inside his heart, he truly believed that Alex must have felt great after receiving the recognition he deserved. A trace of mockery lingered in his heart as he thought sarcastically to himself, "What a kind-hearted person I am, even to my enemy. Truly, what a kind-hearted person."

He sighed helplessly in his mind, as though he himself couldn't believe how generous and benevolent he was being.

Of course, if Alex could hear those exact thoughts, he would probably cough blood on the spot and faint right then and there. Alex would scream that Leo was no saint, no angel, but his eternal enemy. For Alex, Leo was like a nightmare given human form—mocking him, humiliating him, and now pretending to be "kind-hearted."

The sarcasm hidden within Leo's thoughts was invisible to others, but it was sharper than any blade.

Soon enough, the mocking laughter spread even further, echoing throughout the academy's corridors, classrooms, and courtyards. The humiliating title, "Fart King," resounded across the entire academy. Students whispered it with mischievous delight, while others openly laughed. Some even repeated it like a chant.

Alex's face grew darker and darker, like a storm cloud ready to explode. His reputation had been shattered. His dignity trampled. His pride thrown into the mud.

And all of it was tied to Leo.

Meanwhile, Leo continued on his path without looking back. His steps were unhurried, his expression calm, but suddenly, his footsteps slowed slightly. His brows furrowed just a little, a faint frown appearing on his handsome face.

Something wasn't right.

He felt it instinctively—the faint prickling sensation of being watched.

Turning slightly to his right, his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings. And then, he noticed it.

An ordinary-looking guy, seated not too far away, was sneaking glances at Selena.

This young man's eyes were not filled with malice or arrogance; rather, he looked very shy, even awkward. His head would lower every time Selena shifted, but his eyes would inevitably be drawn back to her. He appeared nervous, his fingers twitching faintly as though he wanted to speak but couldn't summon the courage.

From a casual perspective, from the perspective of ordinary onlookers, this guy looked completely normal.

But Leo was not "ordinary."

From Alex's perspective—if Alex had been in Leo's place—this kind of guy was definitely another protagonist.

Leo's heart skipped a beat at the realization.

He wasn't concerned about the young man's outward shyness or timid demeanor. No, what struck him was the identity—the aura, the subtle atmosphere clinging to him. Whether major or minor, this person was undoubtedly a protagonist, one marked by fate itself.

Leo's sharp mind raced for a moment. Why did a protagonist suddenly appear here? What was the meaning of this?

Still, he didn't let any unease show. Instead, Leo's lips curved into the faintest smile. His expression was calm, his demeanor composed, but within his eyes a glimmer of cold calculation flashed.

Without hesitation, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. His movements were smooth, deliberate, and calm.

He angled the device carefully, captured the young man's photo with a quick snap, and then opened his messaging application.

The picture was immediately sent to Butler Wang. Along with the image, Leo typed a short but direct order.

"Enquire about him. Gather every piece of information. Send it all to me."

There was no hesitation in his words, no ambiguity. Butler Wang, his loyal aide, would understand and obey without question.

After sending the message, Leo's lips curled into a smirk.

What a fate, he thought. Truly, what a fate.

Almost as though destiny itself had decided to send another piece onto the chessboard for him to play with.

And with that smirk lingering faintly on his lips, Leo continued walking forward.

All around him, countless gazes followed. The academy students couldn't take their eyes off of him. His aura, his confidence, his calm stride—it all drew them in like moths to a flame. Whispers spread, admiration shone in their eyes, and excitement filled the air.

Leo, however, remained composed.

At last, he arrived at his usual seat, the place that had practically become his throne inside the classroom.

As soon as he sat down, the reaction was immediate. A commotion erupted as many girls rushed forward with bright eyes, eager hearts, and flushed cheeks. To them, the chance to sit beside Leo, to even be near him, was a dream. They were crazy with excitement, their movements quick and desperate, as though competing for a priceless treasure.

But before they could reach him, before they could claim the empty seats beside him, a figure suddenly stepped forward, blocking their path.

The rushing girls stopped abruptly, frowns forming on their delicate faces.

"Why are you stopping us?" one girl said unhappily.

"That's right," another chimed in, her voice full of displeasure. "How can you stop us from getting closer to Leo?"

"You can't monopolize Leo alone!" a third girl snapped, her words filled with frustration.

The crowd of young women glared at the figure blocking their way, unwilling to accept such interference.

The figure, however, frowned with equal displeasure.

Her sharp gaze swept over them like a cold sword, and instantly the girls faltered. Their hearts trembled, their courage melted, and fear flickered in their eyes.

It was Roxanne.

With a snort of disdain, she looked at the other girls as though they were nothing. Her voice was cold, sharp, and domineering as she declared:

"Leo is my fiancé. How could I possibly let other girls approach my fiancé? I will definitely not allow it."

Her words were like iron, firm and absolute.

The surrounding girls froze, unable to refute her. Roxanne's status, her authority, and her relationship with Leo were undeniable. One by one, they fell silent, their faces filled with frustration and disappointment but no rebuttal.

Seeing their silence, Roxanne felt deeply satisfied.

Her lips curled upward in pride, and she raised her chest high with confidence. In her heart, she thought triumphantly, Surely, my lovely fiancé will be unable to take his eyes off me now. Surely, my actions have proven to him just how devoted and protective I am.

But when she glanced at Leo, her expression faltered.

Why?

Because every single girl's gaze wasn't fixed on her at all.

No, their eyes were looking toward Leo's other side.

Her heart skipped a beat. A sense of unease filled her chest. Something wasn't right.

Quickly, she turned her head to see what was happening.

And what she saw made her grit her teeth in fury.

Selena, who had silently observed the heated commotion between Roxanne and the other jealous girls, seized the perfect opportunity when everyone's attention was diverted. While the others quarreled noisily, Selena's slender figure moved with quiet decisiveness, her steps light yet filled with determination. Without announcing her intentions, she gracefully slipped through the slight gap in the crowd, approaching Leo as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

In the next instant, Selena's delicate hands reached forward, and she happily clung to Leo's arm. The warmth of his presence made her cheeks flush faintly, and with a sweet smile that radiated joy, she leaned her head against his shoulder. Her long hair cascaded down like a silky curtain, brushing against Leo's sleeve as she settled comfortably beside him. For Selena, this was not merely an act of bold affection — it was a declaration, subtle yet firm, that she intended to stay close to Leo no matter what others thought.

Her expression was one of pure satisfaction, the type of happiness that could not be faked. The corners of her lips curved upwards as if every worry in her heart had melted the moment she leaned against him. In her mind, she congratulated herself for acting at the perfect moment. Where Roxanne confronted the crowd with force, Selena chose subtlety and timing, slipping in like a sly fox that had been waiting patiently for the right opportunity. And now, she had achieved exactly what she wanted — sitting right next to Leo, attached to him intimately.

Across from her, Roxanne's eyes widened in disbelief. For a brief moment, her proud confidence faltered, and her entire body stiffened. She had just declared in front of everyone that Leo was her fiancé, and the weight of her words had silenced the angry girls. She believed she had secured her position by force of authority, raising her chest proudly as though she had won. Yet the reality she now faced struck her like a blade to the chest — Selena had stolen the seat beside Leo with flawless precision.

Roxanne's pretty face turned slightly red, not from embarrassment alone but also from the rising heat of frustration. She gritted her teeth so hard that her jaw ached faintly, her thoughts burning with indignation.

What a sly fox… what a shameless opportunist… this Selena…

Her inner voice echoed sharply, filled with disdain and fury. To Roxanne, Selena's move was cunning beyond measure. It was as though Selena had been waiting for Roxanne to expend her strength defending Leo's position, only to swoop in at the last moment and reap the rewards.

But Roxanne was not someone who would surrender easily. Suppressing her irritation, she forced herself to remain calm on the surface. With quiet determination, she moved forward, her steps elegant yet firm, and sat down on Leo's other side. As soon as she settled into place, she leaned against Leo's opposite arm, mirroring Selena's gesture.

Her body pressed against him confidently, and though her heart beat with rapid intensity, she forced herself to maintain a dignified expression. She then turned her gaze toward Selena, her eyes narrowing like sharpened blades. The silent glare she delivered was filled with challenge, the kind of fierce hostility that words could never fully express. Roxanne's eyes declared her intent clearly — she would not surrender Leo, not now, not ever.

Selena, however, seemed unaffected. Though she noticed Roxanne's piercing glare, she refused to acknowledge it. Instead, she tightened her hold on Leo's arm and rested her cheek against his shoulder even more intimately, her smile never fading. In her world, there was only Leo, no rival worth recognizing. The hostility from Roxanne slid past her like wind against glass — seen, but leaving no trace.

Leo, seated between the two beautiful girls who now clung to him from either side, found himself in a situation that could drive others mad with envy. The jealous eyes of countless onlookers bore into him, but he simply allowed the scene to play out with calm amusement. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as his gaze shifted between Roxanne and Selena.

Inwardly, he was entertained by their contrasting approaches. Roxanne, domineering and forceful, had attempted to stake her claim openly, crushing opposition with her declaration. Selena, sly and cunning, had slipped in quietly, seizing the seat beside him without confrontation. Both methods had succeeded in their own ways, and now they were locked in silent rivalry, using his arms as the battlefield.

Truly… these girls… he mused to himself, the thought tinged with helpless amusement. He chose not to speak, for he understood that any words he added now would only fan the flames further. Better, perhaps, to let them clash silently, for their competition brought him no harm.

Yet in the midst of this amusing scene, something stirred within Leo. A sudden sensation prickled at the edge of his perception, sharp and undeniable. His sharp senses, honed by instinct and vigilance, detected a wave of hostility — strong, concentrated malice that radiated from somewhere within the classroom.

His expression shifted slightly. Though subtle, his eyes narrowed, and his lips curved faintly into a knowing smile. Slowly, he turned his gaze toward the source, following the trail of animosity until his eyes locked onto its owner.

There, sitting a short distance away, was an ordinary-looking boy. His appearance was plain, so unremarkable that one might overlook him entirely if not paying attention. His posture was neither proud nor slouched, his features neither handsome nor ugly. To most, he was the picture of normalcy, blending seamlessly into the background.

But Leo saw deeper.

The boy's eyes betrayed what his face tried to hide. From them radiated unmistakable malice, directed squarely at Leo. The boy glared with suppressed intensity, his gaze burning with emotions that could not be concealed. To others, it might appear as nothing more than a fleeting glance, but to Leo, the message was clear — this was no ordinary student.

And Leo, perceptive as ever, understood immediately.

The hostility was not from Alex, his known eternal enemy, but from this seemingly normal boy. This alone was enough to spark Leo's interest. His mind raced as he considered the possibilities, and soon a realization struck him with quiet certainty.

So… another protagnist appears…

The thought carried both amusement and intrigue. For Leo, recognizing a protagnist was like uncovering a hidden gem, a sign that the story was twisting once again. It did not matter whether this boy would prove to be a minor or major protagnist in the future — what mattered was that fate had revealed him here and now.

Rather than anger, Leo's reaction was one of delight. He smiled, not because he enjoyed teasing the boy by sitting between Selena and Roxanne, but because of the information he had just uncovered.

Without hesitation, Leo retrieved his phone. With casual precision, he lifted it slightly, capturing a photo of the boy in question. The image was crisp, capturing every detail of the ordinary-looking face. With that done, he typed a swift message and sent the photo to Butler Wang, his loyal aide.

The message was simple yet decisive: Enquire about this boy. Gather all information on him. Deliver it to me.

Once the message was sent, Leo placed the phone back into his pocket and leaned back slightly, his smirk deepening. To him, this was fate weaving its threads in his favor. Another protagnist had appeared within his sphere, and Leo intended to make full use of this revelation.

His eyes lingered briefly on the boy, whose name, he had already discovered, was Lu Xio. A foreigner, a recent transfer student — the description fit perfectly with the archetype of a protagnist. Someone who arrived suddenly, carrying the hidden weight of destiny.

To others, Lu Xio was just another face in the academy, shy and reserved, occasionally glancing at Selena with nervous admiration. But to Leo, his glare spoke volumes. He was no ordinary boy — he was a protagnist, shaped by fate's hand.

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End of Chapter

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