How to be the Villain When Every Character Likes Me

1 - Mission 1 Failed

<The first male lead is 250 meters away...> The bright light blue screen impatiently counted down the time as it levitated in front of me. My eye twitched as I felt its silent pressure trying to badger me. <Mission 1—create an unhappy encounter with the first male lead.>

I know, alright! You've been on my back about this since day 1, you think I forgot? I felt a vein on my forehead twitch as I smiled darkly, attempting to cover my absolute frustration at this so-called system.

I died, three years ago, in an accident.

Then, what felt like just seconds later, I felt my eyes open and a surge of bright, penetrating light filled my sight, making it feel like I was stepping on a bed of vibrant wildflowers in warm rays of sunlight.

Unlike my original world, the air was enriched with mana. As if little spirits were dancing all around me, a surge of excitement instantly coursed through me. As I gathered mana in the palm of my hand, I felt it inching through my pulsing veins, docilely pouring into my mana heart and filling my body with a breathtaking energy.

It was then, I realized—this was not my original world.

Just like that, three years passed. I was now fifteen, and it was now time for the Test. It occurred on the last day of every year. All nobility who turned fifteen were required, by the kingdom, to take the Test. Commoners were not required; however, all that wished to try were welcome. The Test was administered by the Royal Mages and its purpose was to see whether one had a mana heart, and if they did, which element they had. All who passed the test were mandated to enter the Seçar Magic Academy. Many noble families made all who qualified attend, since it was an excellent way to build connections and royalty almost always entered.

"Ah, Rewan." A crystal clear voice echoed in the stone-lined space. Its monotone spirit was like a quiet night, making one feel at peace.

Yet, as soon as that voice entered my ears, the bubbly feeling in my heart ceased, my pupils shrinking.

I gulped, lifting my head. With my heart quiet like a prey waiting for its predator to attack near a quiet lake, I sprinted away without hesitation. Weaving my way through the crowd, I slowly lost my steady breath. Yet, the voice grew louder behind me and I could hear the steps draw closer.

Two arms encircled my waist just as the entrance neared my view, pulling my back and sweeping me off my feet. I fell, my head involuntarily falling into a hard chest. The warmth seeped through the stiff clothing, gradually surrounding my body.

"I caught you." The clear, resounding voice was pervading. I shivered involuntarily, my breathing shaky, and slowly turned back to face him.

The face of the gods. With shining golden locks, eyes as bright and deep as the sea, pristine and clear white skin. His expression was indifferent, casting an arcane air on his ethereal aura.

The first male lead.

"Let me go, dammit!" I screeched, pulling on the two strong arms engulfing my figure. But the hold only tightened, amused. I frowned and hastily surveyed my surroundings, making sure no one could see this blatant display of affection. In a moment of desperation, I bit the white hand, gnawing on its skin until red teeth marks appeared.

"Don't make a fuss," he said, the fawning words in contrast to his indifferent countenance. He stared down at the small head gently placed underneath his chin and a small smile slipped out of his indifferent expression.

"Fuck..." I murmured under my breath despondently, "this is ridiculous..."

<Warning—the first male lead is less than 1 meter away! Please complete the mission as soon as possible!> The blue screen was overwhelming, its numerous screens flashing red, flooding my vision. <Mission 1—create an unhappy encounter with the first male lead.>

That familiar screen was stifling. No, perhaps it was the two arms holding my waist that was stifling.

Mission 1—create an unhappy encounter with the first male lead. This was part of the system's will—for me to fill the role of the main villain in the novel, "Romance in the Time Passing".

What a load of bull. I felt the end of my strained smile twitch as I thought about all the stress I went through because of that damn system. Its blue screens conveyed the character of its owner—domineering, insistent, and uncompromising—but the system itself, despite its insistence on me "staying in character", never told me what the plotline was, how I was supposed to act, who the characters were, what they looked like, or my future.

So, when the first male lead, the crown prince of the kingdom, approached me two years ago, how was I supposed to know what to do?