The Villainess is the Villainess [LitRPG]

Having earned the highest marks on the entrance exam, a perfect score no less, Seraphina had been granted the honor of giving the welcome speech on behalf of the new first-year students.

The principal of this fine institution, a Cedric Hegandia, exemplified what happened when a great man went to seed. Rumor held that, in the distant days of his youth, he had been quite the adventurer. His once-muscular frame had gone to fat, his jowls swaying beneath his chin, and his stooped posture lent a droning tone to his closing remarks—remarks that all but lulled his captive audience to tears. His one saving grace, however, was that he at least retained a full head of salt-and-pepper hair.

He finished his speech and was given a small smattering of scattered applause. Principal Hegandia inclined his head to Seraphina, indicating that it was time for her to give her speech.

Elegantly rising with a grace that would have put most dancers to shame, she made her way to the podium. Clasping the sides of the wood, Seraphina looked around in front of her.

Although all students at the Academy were ostensibly considered equal, Seraphina needed only a single quick glance around the great hall to see the real truth. From her vantage point near the podium, the divide between the two sets of students who would share the Academy for the next three long years was obvious—and enormous.

Seraphina could see the group to her left—commoners, merchant-class youths, and those admitted on merit alone. To her right stood the scions of noble houses, the children of foreign dignitaries, and a few sons and daughters of current or former faculty. The teachers themselves were similarly split, with those from powerful backgrounds wearing their arrogance like an extra layer atop their formal academic gowns.

She spent a few further moments scanning the crowd, curiously trying to spot whoever had come closest to matching her own perfect score—the elusive second-place student. Instead, she found Desdemona looking at her with naked jealousy. Seraphina had sent her some expensive gifts with a handwritten note inviting her for tea at some time in the future. It seemed to Seraphina that the de Savant girl was a miser with her negativity, hoarding it as a miser did precious coins. Third was, at the end of the day, where she belonged, and third-rate was what all Desdemona would ever amount to be.

At the back of the hall sat the parents, colorful in the latest Meridian summer fashions. By contrast, her mother wore the hues of autumn—browns, reds, and golds. Anaselena kept herself apart, standing slightly aloof with an undeniable air of superiority granted by her status, reputation, and arcane powers. She was an island that clusters of other parents chattered and gossiped around, offering polite congratulations. An elegant wolf among colorful sheep.

Still, even from a distance, Seraphina could see unmistakable fierce pride shining in her mother's eyes. Anaselena gave her a small, approving smile and waved. Of course, she would be proud—her daughter had proved the superiority of a noble line by claiming the top spot on merit alone. No one could accuse Seraphina of relying on mere recommendations or foul play to gain her place at the Academy.

She exhaled slowly, steadying her nerves before beginning her speech. As if by divine cue, high above in the heavens, a cloud passed and let sunlight stream through the high, stained-glass windows behind her, illuminating her short blonde hair and catching in her vibrant green eyes.

A hush fell over the crowd, and she could sense curiosity mingled with skepticism on both sides of the room. Still, Seraphina felt the familiar fierce pride of her mother's approving gaze, and that gave her the final push.

"Honored guests, esteemed faculty, and most importantly, my fellow students," she began, voice carrying clear and bright across the hall. "My name is Seraphina de Sariens, daughter of Duke Anatoli and Duchess Anaselena de Sariens, and I stand before you both humbled and honored to have received the top score in this year's entrance exams." She smiled before giving the crowd a small wink. "A feat I am told that has not been achieved for nigh two hundred years."

There were a few half-hearted chuckles in the crowd.

She resumed the rest of her speech in a more serious tone. "When I look out across this gathering, I see the future of our kingdom—and, indeed, the future of lands far beyond our borders. I see not a monolith of just the highborn, but a spectrum of talent, ambition, and drive that transcends birthright or station. Each of you has made your way here—some with wealth, some with scholarship, others with grit and determination alone. And all of you, every single one of you, deserves your place under this roof."

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She paused, letting her gaze sweep across the hall. It was all lies, of course, as she believed not a word of her own prepared speech. Peasants thinking themselves the equal of higher classes? Heavens forfend! It went against the natural order of things.

Her words, however, did have a great impact on all who were listening as they were unexpected from a person of her high station. Just as intended.

A few whispers echoed among the student body, but Seraphina stood as still as a statue, her back straight, her chin proudly lifted. "We come from different walks of life. We have different heritages, family names, and levels of wealth. Some of us arrived in grand carriages, while others may have walked for days on foot." Inwardly, she shuddered at the very thought of walking to school, the horror!

"Yet here, in the Academy, we share a single purpose: to learn, to grow, and to become the best future versions of ourselves. For the next three years, we will study magic, history, mathematica, the arts, and truths that define our world. We will also learn things far beyond the confines of our curriculum—lessons in humility, compassion, teamwork, and empathy."

She allowed herself a small, earnest smile to really sell her performance. "In these halls, it will not matter whether you are a lord's son or a farmer's daughter. Indeed, we are all equals, or so the Academy's motto claims."

Preposterous, of course, but with these words she purposefully placed herself against the current status quo while at the same shining a light on the Academy's hypocrisy (and inadvertently mirroring it). Against all reason, the students before her, the majority of them, listened in to her every word as if drawn to her. The Academy's stodgy board would rue the day that they had resisted her.

"I know as well as anyone that old prejudices linger, whispers of who is or is not 'worthy.' But let us be the generation that rises above such trivialities. Let us forge friendships that defy birthright and break down the walls of social rank. I ask all of you to look around and introduce yourselves to someone you would never have approached otherwise. Dare to learn from those with different experiences, backgrounds, and dreams. For when we do, we become stronger together than we ever could be apart."

She would have been sickened by the cliches she was spouting were it not for the fact that she was a consummate actress and liar. Her emerald eyes sparkled with determination. "I will not pretend that this journey will be easy. We will face daunting tests of our intellect, our integrity, and our resolve. We will be challenged by teachers who expect excellence and by classmates who compete fiercely. But there is no shame in healthy rivalry. We can vie for the top spot while still extending a helping hand when someone stumbles. This Academy is not a battlefield—it is the soil in which our dreams will take root, if only we cultivate them with enough care to flourish the brave flower of a better future."

Easy words for one at the top to utter, of course, she thought with smug superiority.

A ripple of thoughtful silence passed through the gathered students and parents. Seraphina drew in another breath. "In the days and years to come, let us each remember why we are here. We have an extraordinary opportunity to shape our destinies, to create bonds that may last a lifetime, and to prove that greatness can bloom from cooperation as well as from ambition. Whether you wield a noble title, a merchant's ledger, or calloused hands from hard labor, your story begins anew here and now. And I, for one, cannot wait to see how each and every one of our stories unfolds."

She inclined her head respectfully toward the principal and the gathered faculty. Then, letting her voice grow softer but no less resolute, she concluded, "May our time here inspire us to learn, to teach one another, and to bring out the best in ourselves. This Academy is where our dreams take shape. So let us walk through these halls side by side, not as rivals born of status, but as fellow travelers on a wondrous journey. Thank you."

With that, she stepped back, heart pounding. A second of silence followed—then applause began to spread, resounding against the vaulted ceilings. Seraphina allowed herself a small, triumphant smile as she glanced once more at her mother who was clapping vigorously.

Her Charisma had been tested against a great number of checks against it. And so, she was rewarded for her success;

All these "sheep" needed was the right shepherd. She touched her necklace, giving her faithful servant the prearranged signal. A bolt flew fast and true, guided by Frest's skill and her own blessed Luck. Half a heartbeat later, it struck the podium—and she let out a powerful scream threaded with a little of her Mana before she was bundled to the floor by the Academy Guards. It would have to be enough to give the former bandit enough of a lead.

Truly, she could have won an award for her sterling performance.

The hall burst into a disoriented panic, all except for her mother who remained sitting, completely unperturbed with an annoyingly enigmatic smile on her face.