(A/N: Their relationship dynamic progresses and doesn't stay exactly like it is at the start (The one-sided love doesn't last long). Pacing is also relatively fast at the start, but slows down in the future in romance arcs.)

In his old life, he was an assassin, invisible, efficient, and utterly alone.
His only escape came from the pages of a fantasy novel, Crown of Thorns, and the character no one else seemed to understand: Lady Evelina D’Arclight, the proud and brilliant villainess fated to lose everything.

After his death, he wakes up inside that very story, not as a hero, but as Cael Arden, a student at Eryndor Royal Academy. The world is just as he remembers it, right down to the woman destined to fall.

But this time, he’s not a bystander.
With a lifetime of deadly skills and the knowledge of what’s to come, Cael sets out to rewrite the story itself, to protect Evelina, rise through the academy’s ruthless hierarchy, and change a fate written in stone.

As alliances form and secrets surface, the line between fiction and reality starts to blur.
And in a world built on power and prophecy, he’ll prove that even a villainess deserves her happy ending.

That was the plan, but this time I added one more variable to make sure I knew what I was dealing with. If this amulet was helping me resist the memory erasure, then what happens to someone without it?


"I found something, but I need to confirm it first."


"I just need you to remember that I'm holding a squirrel, that's it."


[Okay... but how is this important, exactly?]


"Well... call it an experiment. I'll call you soon once I'm done."


[Well... I hope your experiment goes well, then.]


I could hear Evelina chuckle through the transceiver.


Perfect. Now that was done, this new experiment of mine could finally get underway. Then I'd be out of here in no time. The last thing I needed was to stay here longer than necessary. If something could survive the full force of my black flames, then it's definitely not something I want to deal with.


Chapter 202 - Threat Confirmed