I'm a hidden boss

The morning sun, pale and diffused through the Gothic-style stained glass windows, illuminates dusty rays of light on the mahogany desk. Bishop Chess, or rather, the second daughter of Count Chess, stretches with a slowness that contrasts with the golden shine of her eyes, unusually intense for a sixteen-year-old girl. Her long black hair, usually tied in a neat braid, is slightly disheveled, an indication of a restless night, or perhaps, a temporary disconnection between her mind and her body. The bedroom, although spacious and decorated with the opulence typical of nobility, fails to hide an aura of restlessness. On a small side table rests a strange artifact: a holographic screen, almost invisible unless looked at directly, flickering with a dim, blue light.

Alfil finds himself in the Imperial Academy, an institution of great prestige, but also a hotbed of intrigue and rivalries. This is her second year, the “Year of the Villains,” as it was nicknamed by those who had played “Roar of the Hero,” the game that brought her into this world. In the game, Bishop was an almost invisible character, a piece on the board, an unimportant pawn in the hero's great story. Now, however, she is the centerpiece of her own narrative. His knowledge of the game, his 122 completed games, offer him an advantage… or perhaps a curse. The holographic screen, a vestige of his former existence, has whispered to him an enigmatic task: create villains. Become the hidden mastermind that pulls the strings of destiny in this reality.

The academy bustles with activity around him. You can hear the murmur of students in the hallways, the jingling of swords in the practice yard, the echo of master classes taught by professors with names as imposing as their titles. Bishop feels an unsettling familiarity with all of this; Every corner, every face, every whisper is vaguely familiar to him. Today, he has military strategy classes with Professor Blackwood, a man with a penetrating gaze and immaculate reputation, and later, a private fencing lesson with Master Isolde, an elegant and lethal woman, known for her unconventional methods. This is all par for the course, but a weight, a shadow of something greater hangs over her. A weight that only she knows, a shadow cast by the holographic screen that refuses to disappear, offering only a whisper of promise and a latent threat: the promise of returning to her world, and the threat of staying here forever, a piece trapped on an infinite board. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the rustle of books mix with the feeling of an imperceptible threat. She must prepare.

Bishop looks in the mirror, observing his reflection with an impassive expression. The beauty that the holographic screen had given her is… disconcerting. For a secondary character, almost invisible in the game, she has striking beauty: delicate features, porcelain skin and those penetrating golden eyes that seem to shine with a light of their own. Ironies of fate, or perhaps, a failure in the game's programming. Despite her beauty, Alfil insists on hiding her face behind thin-rimmed glasses and a braid that falls over one shoulder, hiding most of her face. With an almost imperceptible sigh, he summons the holographic screen.

The familiar interface appears: [Chess Bishop] [Title: Hidden Boss] Below, the statistics: [Strength: F-] [Agility: F] [Intelligence: F+] [Mana: F--]. And finally, the skills: [Concealment Lv 3]: Hides your presence and makes you easily ignored. [Fencing Lv 1]: You have a basic knowledge of swordsmanship. Bishop closes the status window, the image fades away leaving only a subtle bluish flash in the air. He adjusts his glasses and heads to the first class of the day. The hallway is busy.@@novelbin@@

Students of all years, some impeccably uniformed, others with their clothes slightly disheveled. In the heat of the hubbub, he collides with a freshman. "Sorry!" exclaims the young man, with a slightly trembling voice. Bishop notices the boy's blonde hair and golden eyes. It's him, the protagonist, Evan. The memory of the game's splash screen, with Evan as the central hero, flashes through her.

The Concealment skill reaches its maximum level. The boy doesn't seem to notice her. It's like it doesn't exist. Bishop slips away into the crowd, fading like a shadow, leaving Evan confused and unsure of who he stumbled upon. The feeling of invisibility is…liberating.

Bishop walks with a firm step toward the Military Strategy classroom, his mind still absorbed in the sensation of invisibility. Suddenly, a new holographic screen materializes in front of her: [Hidden Boss Help Activated]. Bishop frowns, wondering what that means, but before he can ask the question, the screen changes, showing a new interface with the protagonist's information: [Evan – Ruta de la Rosa]. Below are their stats: [Strength: F-] [Agility: E-] [Intelligence: E-] [Mana: E] [Magic Lv 2]: You have trained magic to an above average level.

[Genius Lv 1]: You learn things faster. [Hero Lv MAX]: You are destined to save the world. Bishop nods slowly, pondering the information. The game, remember, has 18 main routes.

The accessible areas and available missions vary greatly depending on the route chosen. The screen changes again, showing one last message: [Choose a protagonist skill to clone]. The ability to copy a skill from the main hero surprises her. Without hesitation, Bishop chooses [Genius].

This ability is particularly useful, and is also extremely rare, exclusive to the most talented characters, with great potential in the future. A slight smile appears on his lips. With a new sense of confidence, Alfil enters the classroom of second year, 2-C. The classroom waits.

Bishop slips silently to the back row of classroom 2-C. No one notices his arrival; the concealment skill works perfectly. From his vantage point, he observes his companions. Four potential villains, future subordinates, are in this same class.

The first chapter of the game, the second year presentation, marks the first meeting between the protagonist, Evan, and the main villain, Prince Arnold. Bishop decides that Arnold will be his first target. He wonders how to subdue him. A victory at the weekend exhibition could ensure his loyalty, but showing strength would go against his role as "Hidden Boss."

His gaze falls on Arnold: a man with white hair and red eyes, of almost disturbing beauty. The prince seems to feel a strange presence, a weight in the environment, but he cannot identify its origin. He can't sense Bishop. She, with an impassive expression, ignores him.

His eyes shift to Professor Blackwood, who enters the classroom, marking the start of class. The strategy unfolds in his mind, silent and lethal, like a shadow hanging over the game board.