I Became the Academy's Worst Villain

When the room cleared, leaving just the two of us, his demeanor changed. Less formal to a more... calculating.

"I don't know what game you're playing, Ravana," he said quietly. "But that was well done."

"I don't....understand."

"Yes, you do. You're many things, but stupid isn't one of them." He poured himself a drink from a crystal decanter. "Someone very powerful tried to kill two students at my academy. That reflects badly on me. On us."

"Happy to help," I said dryly.

"Don't be glib. This is serious." He took a sip. "Whoever orchestrated last night are playing games with my students." His jaw tightened. "I don't appreciate that."

I studied him carefully. The Headmaster of Astral Haven Academy, one of the most powerful positions in the kingdom. But even he had limits. Even he was constrained by powers above him.

Interesting.

"If you discover who was behind it," he said, "I want to know. I also have my investigations. But I want to know."

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, trying to keep the suspicious from my voice.

"Because you're the type who finds things out. Who schemes and plans and manipulates." He smiled without humor. "Takes one to know one, Ravana. Whatever you're planning, just remember that I'm not your enemy. Not unless you make me one."

A potential ally. Or at least a neutral party who could be useful. Or a powerful foe. I should choose.

"I'll keep that in mind, Headmaster."

"See that you do."

☆☆▪︎▪︎☆☆

After the meeting with the board, I had another place to go. Things were only going to get harder from here on and there's no time to sit around waiting.

The reserved section of the library was quiet, musty, and exactly where someone would go if they wanted to research things the academy would rather students not know.

I'd come looking for information on the Council of Fates, any historical records or references to previous cycles. Anything that might give me an edge. Because even in the book, the Council was so mysterious.

But as I was searching, I found another person. Actually, it wasn't totally a coincidence. I was trying to kill more bird with a single stone.

She sat at a corner table, surrounded by books that even I knew were dangerous. Forbidden magic texts, dark sorcery theory. Void manipulation studies and such.

Her long black hair had purple highlights that caught the light like oil on water. And an aura of barely-contained power that made my skin prickle.

Ravenna Blackthorn.

In the original novel, she was a minor villain. Falsely accused of forbidden magic. Executed in Chapter 89 as a tale about dabbling in dark arts. A tragic waste of talent used to show Adrian's justice in action.

But that was the original timeline.

She looked up as I approached, purple eyes narrowing. "This section is restricted. You need special permission."

"So do you, technically."

"I have special permission." She turned back to her book. "You don't. Leave."

I pulled out the permission slip Professor Iris had given me weeks ago. "Actually, I do."

She closed her book. "What does the academy's newest celebrity want here? A shame you don't get to use my spell.....that's why you came for it right?"

I ignored her last question. "I'm researching, same as you, I'd imagine."

"I doubt we're researching the same things."

"Are you sure? Because from where I'm standing, we might have more in common than you think." I pulled out a chair across from her. "Mind if I sit?"

"I mind. Do it anyway, apparently."

I sat and got straight to the point. "Ravenna Blackthorn. The falsely accused sorceress. Currently facing charges of forbidden magic. Family destroyed and assets seized. Mother dead under suspicious circumstances. Father in prison. And you're running out of time to prove your innocence."

She went very still. "How do you know all that?"

"Because I make it my business to know things. Especially when those things involve innocent people being railroaded for political convenience."

"Innocent." She laughed bitterly. "That's not what the evidence says."

"The evidence is fabricated. We both know it. The question is whether you're going to do anything about it or just wait for the execution."

Her hand moved slightly in a defensive posture, preparing to cast if needed. "Careful, Ravana. Accusing prominent people of fabricating evidence is dangerous."

"So is sitting here reading forbidden texts while your execution warrant is being prepared." I leaned forward. "I know it was Adrian. Or more accurately, Adrian's backers. They wanted your family's security contract. When you outbid them, they eliminated the competition."

"You can't prove that."

"Actually, I can. My investigation shows that the evidence against you appeared exactly one week after your father won the contract. Witnesses are all connected to the Mercantile Coalition, that's Adrian's primary financial backers. The missing persons you supposedly sacrificed? Are alive and well in other cities. One is in prison for theft. The last one never existed as its completely fabricated identity."

Ravenna stared at me. "You... investigated?"

"I investigate everything. It's kind of my thing."

"Why?"

Good question.

Because she was talented and would be useful. But of course I can't say something like that. She had been one of the people I already planned to recruit since the time I opened my eyes here.

"Because I hate watching innocent people die for someone else's convenience, " I said simply.

```

[ANALYTICAL EYE: RAVENNA BLACKTHORN]

[EMOTIONAL STATE: Desperate, Angry, Scared, Hopeful]

[MOTIVATION: Survival (primary), Revenge (secondary), Justice (tertiary)]

[TRUST IN ADRIAN: 0% (knows he's enemy)]

[TRUST IN YOU: 15% (suspicious but desperate)]

[RECRUITMENT POTENTIAL: 60%]

[DEATH FLAG: Chapter 89]

[NOTE: She knows she's running out of time]

[RECOMMENDATION: Offer concrete help, not just sympathy]

```

"I don't understand," Ravenna said quietly. "We've only spoke when you need my help with the spell. Why would you help me?"