I Became A Third-Rate Villain In The Hero Academy [On Hold]

Chapter 46: Lonely

After leaving the dormitory of the Hero Department, I wandered aimlessly, my footsteps echoing with each thud.

I had vowed to make them pay for humiliating me, but instead of feeling refreshed, regret washed over me.

It was lonely.

"Phew..."

I had struggled to survive.

Graduating with excellent grades from the Hero Department was a matter of life and death for me.

Even now, the odds seemed slim. So, I deliberately kept my distance from others and didn't open my heart to anyone.

I thought that would make me just a little lonely, but no one would get hurt.

It didn't happen that way.

Neike, Piel, Aisha, Jang Woohee, Andrew, Eshild, and the others—we shared our daily routines and, almost unwittingly, I found myself growing fond of them.

It's sad. Yes, what I'm feeling right now is disappointment.

Then, I heard a distant voice calling my name. It was Neike.

He came running from afar, trying to console me.

I sent him away.

"What a spineless brat."

I felt anger welling up.

Neike, the protagonist of the original story 'Kyren Zena Chronicles,' was constantly manipulated by others due to his lack of backbone. This often caused new players to abandon the game, dubbing him a 'sweet potato.'

Undoubtedly, he was a good person, but he lacked a distinct philosophy of his own. Perhaps I should call him a blank canvas, easily influenced by his surroundings—people, nations, and occupations.

Until he undergoes a profound realization and awakens two years later, he remains as vulnerable as he is now, a chick that hasn't matured into a chicken.

"Having said that..."

I realized how immature I was.

Regardless of the false accusations thrown at me, I had behaved like an impulsive teenager. If only I had maintained my composure, I might have come up with better ways to prove my innocence.

[···It wasn't you, right?]

[...You can still turn back now.]

Piel's words came to mind.

She must have had some doubts.

But she still caught the wrong person.

"...Sigh."

I kept sighing.

A reflection of the loneliness and isolation I feel, as if I am alone in this world without a single ally.

I never realized I had such an emotional side.

Approximately three and a half years left until graduation.

Since I cannot turn back time, I have resolved to accept my circumstances quietly.

But something has shifted within me.

"It's too long."

Just a little over a month since I arrived in this world, and my mindset has already been shaken to this extent.

As I walk aimlessly, lost in my thoughts, I spot Siena sitting on a bench.

"Theo!"

She runs towards me, eager to engage in conversation.