The Novel’s Antagonist: I walk the path of a Villain

"Hm," I hummed with a slight frown, my gaze fixed on the worn brick wall before me. It looked exactly as the novel had described, yet something about it felt... off. A little too generic, perhaps.

"Let's go," a soft voice murmured beside me.

I turned my head slightly and found Ariana clinging to my arm, her grip firm yet oddly reassuring. Her sharp, watchful eyes darted around the dimly lit alleyway, scanning our surroundings with practiced caution.

"Yeah," I replied, though my focus remained on the wall.

Ariana took a step forward, her fingers trailing along the uneven surface with deliberate precision. She moved with an ease that suggested familiarity, pressing certain bricks in a specific order. Then—

GRRRRRRRRRRRR!

A harsh, grating noise scraped against my ears, and before I could fully process what was happening—

The wall vanished.

Literally disappeared into thin air.

"What?" I muttered in disbelief, my brows furrowing.

Ariana didn't offer an explanation. She simply grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward, stepping into the void that had replaced the brick wall. My hesitation lasted only a moment before I followed, my mind racing.

I had read about the Black Market before. I knew how to locate the entrance, but I had never known the exact method of getting inside. It had always been one of the novel's many mysteries.

But Ariana…

She knew.

How?

"Ariana," I said, my voice low yet firm.

She glanced at me, her face mostly obscured by the dark scarf wrapped around her. Only her piercing blue eyes were visible, shimmering faintly in the dim light.

We were moving deeper now, stepping into a tunnel-like space that seemed to stretch endlessly. The air was thick, almost suffocating, and an unnatural silence blanketed the surroundings. I couldn't even see the entrance behind us anymore—it was just darkness in every direction.

"Shh," Ariana whispered suddenly.

Before I could react, she leaned in close, so close that I could feel the warmth of her breath against my ear.

"This is the realm between the Black Market and Sector 31," she murmured, her voice barely above a breath. "We are being watched from every angle. It would be wise to remain silent until we pass through this intermediary realm."

Her words sent a chill down my spine.

She pulled back slightly, then took my hand and continued leading the way.

I swallowed hard.

How?

How the hell did she know all of this?

Had she been here before?

That shouldn't be possible… right?

But then again…

…could it?

Before I could dwell on it further, Ariana suddenly spoke.

"Finally," she breathed.

Then—

Whoosh!

A strange sensation washed over me, like stepping through an invisible barrier. It was disorienting, as though the air itself had shifted around me. And in an instant—

Noise.

Loud, bustling, chaotic.

I blinked rapidly, adjusting to the sudden change in atmosphere.

"How much for it?"

"Ten thousand points... but you can pay in imperial currency."

I stood in the middle of a crowded, bustling market, completely different from the one outside the academy. The difference here?

Everyone was hiding their identity.

Figures in hooded cloaks moved through the space, their faces obscured by masks, scarves, or enchanted veils. The stalls were lined with goods that would never be found in legal markets—rare potions, illegal weapons, blacklisted spellbooks. The air buzzed with hushed conversations, bartering, and the occasional clink of coins exchanging hands.

"Let's go," Ariana said, her voice steady.

I turned my head toward her, meeting her gaze. Even through the dim lighting, her deep blue eyes stood out, locked onto mine with an unreadable expression.

"What do you want to do?" I asked, keeping my voice casual.

I couldn't exactly tell her what I was really looking for—a slave bind. If she even suspected that, she'd immediately grow suspicious of me. And if she ever found out about Rizel…

…Well.

That wouldn't end well.

"M-Me?" she stammered, looking caught off guard.

"Yeah," I said, taking both her hands in mine.

"But it's you who wanted to buy something," she pointed out, tilting her head.

"It's not that important," I said with a shrug.

She narrowed her eyes at me.

"Really? You dragged me all the way to the Black Market for something not important?" she deadpanned.

"Come on, just indulge me," I said, playfully swaying her hands.

She sighed. "Fine."

"So?" I raised an eyebrow, waiting for her answer.

She thought for a moment, then finally said—

"Let's get me a wand."

I blinked.

"A wand?"

"Well, I am not a fan of those decaying tree branches. I prefer something simple and portable," she said.

"I understand that. What I don't understand is why you even need it," I shook my head.

"Well, the knight path wasn't the only thing made compulsory, dumbass." She struck that weird pose she always did, even back on Earth—one hand on her waist as she leaned forward.

"What?" I blurted.

"Well, it was announced in class today. Guess you didn't hear it since your classes ended prematurely," she said.

"Skip the dramatics and just say it," I said with an exasperated look.

"Fine," she sighed. "All students from this moment forward will be taking both the knight and mage paths. That, and also the spirit resonance path."

My eyes widened in shock.

Just how much of the fucking plot has changed? Wait, why is it even changing so much in the first place?!

WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?!

"Come on," she said with a grin. "Don't worry, I'll buy you one. Wait—we could get a couple's version of it." She giggled, pulling me forward, but my thoughts were elsewhere entirely.

WHAT THE FUCK DID I DO?!

I didn't know why, but I had the feeling that this deviation resulted from something I did—but I couldn't remember what.

Was it during my three years searching for Renay, or way before that?

Or was it recent?

I couldn't even tell.

Damn it, what if the rate of corruption spread has also increased? What if the corruption starts spreading faster—before the end of this semester?

"I want this one."

My mind was yanked back to reality as I heard Ariana's enthusiastic voice. She had picked out a wand.

Wait—when did we even get here?

"This one?" The shopkeeper, who looked straight up like a robber, asked.

She nodded. He picked it up from the arranged display and handed it to her.

"Five hundred points."

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I almost collapsed. But Ariana didn't look surprised.

"What do you think?" she asked.

"That you should not buy it," I replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Why? You don't like it?" she asked, frowning.

"Why? Really?" I asked.

500 for just a fancy piece of stick?

Am I the only one seeing this?!