The Villainess Should NOT Outshine the Main Protagonist!

Chapter 2: Welcome to Mystic Academy

As the carriage wheels stuttered against the cobblestone, drawing me ever closer to Mystic Academy, a jumble of anticipation and resolve enveloped me. The early morning light bathed the countryside, marking the transition from the life I knew at the Vancourt estate to the mysteries that awaited at the academy.

"Miss Evelyn, do you understand the academy's importance?" the voice of my servant, broke the silence.

"A bit," I admitted, keeping my knowledge of the academy's lore, gleaned from countless hours in the game's world to myself.

"The academy was founded by the great hero, Alexander Mystic, as a beacon of academic and combat excellence. After defeating the demon king, he dedicated his life to training future heroes." She recounted, her pride in the tale adding a new dimension to the narrative I knew so well.

As we approached, the grand gates of Mystic Academy loomed ahead, their towering presence marked by runes that shimmered under the soft morning sun. The sight was more majestic than any game graphics could replicate, and as the gates parted, the scope of my new reality began to sink in.

This was undoubtedly the protagonist's academy. I already had no intention of looking or even interacting with most students... especially her.

"I hope you make a lot of friends!" My hopeful servant chirped from behind me, her words carrying a blend of encouragement and wistful longing, as if she wished for me to experience the friendships she might never have had herself.

"We'll see what happens," I murmured, giving nothing away. Inside, my plans to remain detached were firm, but acknowledging her good intentions felt like the right thing to do.

Stepping onto the academy grounds, I was immediately struck by the vibrancy of the place. The air buzzed with the energy of young mages and warriors, their excited chatter merging with the ambient sounds of magic and metal. The 'Mystic' part of the academy was definitely felt in the air, hinting at the deep reservoirs of magic that the academy held within its walls.

My first official stop was the Grand Hall for the entrance ceremony. As I made my way toward the Grand Hall, lost in my thoughts and the intricate details of the architecture around me, a sudden collision jolted me awake. A fellow student, moving with a haste that matched the pulsing energy of the academy, had bumped into me. Papers fluttered around us like a mini cyclone, briefly creating a chaotic barrier between us.

"Sorry! So sorry!" The voice was instantly recognizable, even before I looked up. It was her—the protagonist of my new world, the golden child of Mystic Academy. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of embarrassment and earnestness as she hurriedly gathered her scattered notes from the ground.

"It's okay, no harm done," I mumbled, trying to hide my face as I helped her collect the papers. Our hands brushed briefly, sending a jolt of magic through me—It was an odd sensation, almost like burning.

She looked up with a curious gaze before continuing. "Thanks! I was actually in a rush, and kind of lost," she confessed with a sheepish grin. Her demeanor was open and friendly, the kind of effortlessly charming personality that drew people to her. She was exactly as I remembered from the game—vibrant, destined for greatness, a natural leader.

"Actually could you point me to the Grand Hall? I'm supposed to be there for the entrance ceremony, and I don't want to be late."

Their plea for help, so earnest and frantic, reminded me of a small rabbit for whatever reason. A cute fluffy pink-haired one at that, echoing the protagonist's character arc I knew so well. Yet, standing here, in the flesh, they seemed more vulnerable, more real than any digital drawing could convey.