Zia Zaratul is a daughter of a prostitute. Her father is a duke with 12 more children like her. But compared to these other children, her life is so much worse.

At the tender age of 6, she was forced to train in martial arts, and consume drugs to awaken her mutation. Her siblings also received the same type of education. Then at the age of 8, she awoke her Special Ability. It's a telepathic variant that allows her to read negative thoughts of her target with incredible accuracy.

"Your bloodline powers are not suitable for fighting. But I just have the perfect use of you..." Her father, the duke thought of a rather disgusting way to utilize her daughter.

Zia was groomed, taught etiquette and ways to seduce men. She was taught by notable high ladies of the society how to blend with the aristocracy. Then the fateful day finally came.

She was only 15 years old at that time, but her beauty is becoming more evident by the day.

"I want you to lie in bed with this man, then extract his thoughts. He is a viscount of Duke Vitriol's side." The duke saw the hesitation in her daughter's eyes which caused him to flare.

"Do as you were told if you don't want to end like your mother, rotting in the brothel as you service strangers for a measly coin." Zia wanted to cry, but she refused. Her mother's words to her helped her to last this long in the duke's household, she won't waste all of her efforts and her mother's words.

Stick to the duke like glue to paper, her mother said. And she will do just like that.

When Zia entered the bed-chamber, she felt a stuffy sensation inside her. It was the smell of aphrodisiac making her uncomfortable.

An obese and shady man lays in the center of the bed. He is hairy and reeks of women's perfume. Zia felt the man's lecherous gaze. She slowly stripped her clothes reluctantly.

The viscount has a history of pedophilia and sickly sexual fetishes. The beast is impatient and already wants to get into action. He carried Zia to the bed, then started lasciviously smooching her. Zia can feel him breathing on her neck.

Like a buoy to a drowning person, inspiration woke a part of her. The part that wants to maintain her dignity. The duke wants information about his enemies, so she shall do what is expected of her.

She drew a dagger she always hid by her waist then stabbed the man in his stomach. He is fat, and the dagger is not that long, so it is not as fatal as it should be, but it still made the viscount cry painfully.

He retreated, then fell off the bed.

"HAAAHG! Fuck! Bitch, why? I will have the duke answer to this! Guards, help!"

"I am sorry, but did you forget? You made them go away. You don't want others to hear of your hobbies right?"

That's right. More than on one occasion, the viscount played with her maids like the lecherous beast he is... Every time he does, he scatters his subordinates, extending their patrols to another block.

The viscount is only a normal human, so even with Zia's low potential grade, she can still overpower the viscount. She sat on top of him. Too bad, the viscount's waist is too big for her to lock her legs.

"I guess, I have to reduce your size."

The dagger isn't a good cutting tool. It took her an hour to sever one leg from the ankle to the toe. It wasn't even a complete cut, she has to snap it a little bit to pull the entire thing from the viscount. Blood sprayed as the viscount squealed like a pig.

The aphrodisiac is in Zia's favor, that it stops the viscount from fainting. The aphrodisiac is made of Troll's essence and Goblin's grass and its effectiveness to increase vitality are immense.

Zia continued to torture the viscount without even asking a word. She simply speaks of words that might trigger the Viscount's memories, then voila— she has her information. She stopped grinding the other leg when the viscount ultimately fainted.

She fixed her partially undid lingerie drenched with blood. She was slightly naked, but cloth is cloth. It covers you. Offers you a sense of comfort. She exits the bed-chamber only to meet the duke's slap. It wasn't as painful as she thought.

She is afraid.

But she is ready.

"He is a discarded pawn of Duke Vitriol. But there is still noteworthy information on his head. The imperial princess, Lorie Lorena Arandragon will be attending the academy for the next two years. The current emperor is planning a purge. That's why he is sending his youngest daughter away. In the duration of the next two years, the emperor will prepare for the coming purge."

"I am not impressed."

"The viscount is still alive. His leg can't be reattached anymore. He won't speak about us, since his lecherous behavior is not something he can really share with his fellow nobles. It won't cause a scandal, since he's already a discarded pawn."

"What if he is not a pawn?"

"I would have killed him."

"Excellent."

In short two years, Zia grew more beautiful and stronger than she was, and even the duke now sees her as a warrior more than a doll.

She is ready. Zia plans to become a villain just to stay by the Duke's side. During the group assessment, she used human meat shields, baits, and schemes you won't see in a hero.

Heather, that poor peasant. She tormented her, collared her neck with a whip, then dragged her across the terrains like a dog as she uses her as bait to the filthy goblins. Of course, the goblins can't even touch the bait, given Heather's struggles and Zia's casual interference. The principal also didn't show any verbal dislike for her tyranny, so Zia became bolder.

It must be true the Principal is truly impartial when it comes to this kind of tactic. Zia with her mind-reading easily found weaknesses in her fellow applicants, then exploited them with that weakness. She raked points like how a gang leader coerces people for money, but she still can't compare to the truly stronger ones.

2nd- Lorie— 583 points

7th- Zia— 152 points

The bitter taste of defeat. And Lorie is only ranked second even with the kind of score. Zia became more determined to prove her worth.

So she became crueler, to the point of mistaking relief for inflicting pain on someone, she developed a volatile behavior of sadism.

It was after the group assessment, she was very irritated, and a blind girl just have to bump into her.

It took her less than 30 seconds to vent her stress. She tormented the blind sack of disgrace to a bloody pulp. Oh, the delight. She vented it all to the poor girl. She might as well cripple her for life to compliment her blindness, but gosh, she was tenacious.

Zia swore to become the villain incarnate.

Then she met him, a real bonafide villain.

He made her bleed, beg and bawl. She cried that day, then the following day, and the next day. She cried under the sheets of her bed as she woke up from the same nightmare again and again. It has been a month since then but the nightmares keep on haunting her.

Zia's only consolation is she's not showing this crying side of her to others.

*Knock *knock!

Who is it? Perhaps it's Rodney and his gang. The bastard is forcing himself into Zia in the past few days. The nobility is like this, they are either forceful or scheming.

But to her surprise, it wasn't as she expected. It's worse. Fear clouded her mind. Her first instinct is to be quiet.

"Let's have a date. Tomorrow, 7:00 am. Wear your Sunday's best. Academy Plaza." He said, the villain Alfir said, giving Zia not a chance to say no.

Can she even answer back?

Zia's face contorted bitterly.

***

Sunday is the day when the students are the freest. But not Zia. She has been waiting here since 6:00 in the morning. She came so much earlier than the scheduled time, but what can her panicked mind do. She wore a smooth short purple gown with frills paired with stylish black leggings that have been the rage recently.

A food stand selling meat buns is set up just beside her. Its owner, a middle-aged lady, hummed an interesting tune.

"Young lady, it's still too early. What are you doing here?"

"I... I. am waiting for someone."

"It's still too early! What kind of guy makes a young lady wait like this!?"

"Ah. I am too early anyway, we agreed to be here at 7..."

"Oh. Is that so? You must be excited, huh? How about a meat bun, it's on the house. It's still hot and freshly steamed."

"Th-thank you."

Zia ate it gingerly. The taste of the bun is soft and bouncy to the mouth. It blends just right with the saucy minced meat inside.

"Um... Excuse me, what was that song you were singing?"

"That? It's twinkle-twinkle-little-star, one of the originals of the Solemn Saint."

It's familiar to Zia since her mother used to sing it to her.

"Never heard of it." A young dark-haired man intruded in the conversation. He appeared as rude as he was annoying, but Zia only felt fear. She instinctively shut her mouth.

The shop owner sternly eyed Alfir.

"Just kidding, I have heard it, I just didn't expect to hear it here. Let's go, Zia." He held Zia's hand then they walked away.

The owner can feel the sudden change in the air, then she realized "So it was that kind of relationship, subservient female and dominant male? Though, the guy doesn't look special in any way?"

***

[Zia's POV]

We walked. Strolled the park.

We held hands. Ate some food.

Alfir wore a stylish long sleeve polo shirt with light cerulean color. He wore a necktie, a snakeskin leather belt, and dark pants. His shoes have a luster sheen of black, must be a new shine.

"Do you not wear coats?" I bet he would look better with a coat on top of this, like a full suit.

"They are stuffy and feel hot."

"Oh."

I don't feel scared of him anymore. Did he cast a spell on me?

We rode a Ferris wheel as we lick our ice creams this early in the morning. The sky is bright but the sun has not fully risen yet.

"I love ice creams." He suddenly said.

"Me too." I curtly replied.

Then we went for more sightseeing as we hold our hands. He took the initiative to hold mine, so I guess it's fine?

"Achooo-oooo!" I sneezed with unladylike behavior.

"I knew it. I guess the ice cream is too early for the morning." He dragged me by a fruit stall, then bought some oranges. He fed it to me like I am a baby.

"S-stop. I can eat for myself." He smiled wryly then gave me the paper bag of oranges. There's like a dozen of it. So I handed him some oranges to eat.

"Thanks... But why the oranges?"

"Because they fight colds? That's what I heard anyway."

"Hmm-hmm..."

"You aren't like what I imagined you to be. You are meeker than I thought."

"Excuse me? Meek?" It should be me who is saying that. And meek? Isn't it obvious why?

He ignored me, then we moved on.

We had lunch at a famous restaurant here in downtown, G&G— Good food and Grease. They specialize in oily foods rich in protein and oily delicacies. Even with my pocket allowance, I won't be able to eat here. They are only second to R&R in terms of luxury. What the hell? Is he actually rich? My pocket money from the duke is also aplenty, but this guy only orders the best stuff. As in exclusive SSS type food.

"Ca-n. Can we afford this?"

"It's fine, I can afford this."

I gulped my forming saliva, so I didn't hold back. I ordered the same dishes he ordered. He ate like how a peasant would contrary to the refined gentlemanly display he showed me a while ago. Though it looks unrefined, he can still maintain a certain class with eating.

They were Telemy Turkey chopped into pieces soaked with mayo, chili, and unique spices. There is also the golden rice, the purest of rice. These dishes looked novel to my eyes. Not to mention the carbonated drinks and the desserts like this chocolate cupcake with an ice cream dip.

I am struggling to keep my graceful form of eating. This food is just too good! We finished our food without any commotion, as he pays the bill in full with his own money. Damn, he is rich.

It is peaceful. He looked so human. He held my hands firmly, not so hard but firm enough not to let me go. We played some games in the entertainment facilities of the academy then downtown.

*Pop.

A balloon popped and then there is the reward of a bear. It's a stuffed toy that every little girl would love to have.

"For you," he said as he unceremoniously give me the teddy bear. I can win one easily with my bloodline if I wanted to. Why bother? At first, it was eerie but the way he acts is too normal. As if he's treating this date seriously, but that can't be. People are always driven by self-interest, Alfir is not an exception.

"You looked experienced in this kind of stuff, did you have a girlfriend?"

"Once, in my past life. She's my 2d waifu..." 2d waifu? The introduction of the unfamiliar term confounds me. But past life? The longing in his voice cannot escape my hearing, perhaps this 2d waifu doesn't like him anymore. I can feel it, this person is also leading a double life like me. Now, I may be a student, but behind, I am the duke's agent.

"Do you want my body?" I asked nonchalantly hiding my worries deep inside me.

"Something like that."

I felt chills in my spine. So it's like that. I am not fooled by his display of weakness in class. Honestly, his acting felt too deliberate. I am wondering why the others haven't noticed it. No, professor Marius noticed it, but he left it be. Just like how the professor is ignoring me and that shady student named Samael.

We finally arrived at a hotel downtown, this is where our stroll led us. It's already 8:00 of the evening and returning to the dorms before curfew will be difficult. The hotel is quite luxurious with gold inlays on the furniture. The downtown is a small part of the Academy proper. It has a less population and more security features because the principal's radar-like ability doesn't reach here. We call it downtown, but it's actually a circular blockade of towns surrounding the academy.

A hotel is a place where sexual illicit activities usually occur. I am not that naive to think that the academy is free from this kind of dirt considering that the downtown is outside the principal's range.

Is this it? Do I have a choice?

"How many rooms?" The receptionist asked, which Alfir answered briefly.

"One." He says.

I forced myself not to yelp and show disgust.

We finally reached the hotel. It's luxurious given that it's a town near the academy. In fact, the towns here are more like a semi-city.

I steadily walked to his side. My breathing is a little harsh since it's my first time. According to the teachings I have received in my youth, it is the most effective when it's the woman that takes the initiative. Getting on the offensive allows a woman to control the tempo, thus bewitching the target even more.

It was as sudden as it's effective. My lips met his as our skin to skin make contact. Then he invaded with his tongue penetrating my lips. Our tongues intertwined as our saliva mixed with the other. I am out of breath, I felt the tempo I built up is vanishing.

My eyes met his in this intimate distance. His eyes are as solemn as it is dark. It felt as profound as it is crestfallen.

Then there is a sadness so immense I instinctively cried. It is not mine. It is his. A world beyond mine. Skyscrapers and towers that reach the clouds, megacities filled with activity, and a young man so similar to the person that accompanied me on this surprisingly peaceful date. The scenery, family of four— a mother, father, brother, then him...

What is this? I am caught in this chaotic cycle of emotions. My ability to read thoughts depends on the amount of negativity a person is exhibiting, and Alfir's? This is too much, even for me who watched sadness play like the ripples in the lake.

Then there's a story akin to this world. There was me in it, and several other notable characters of this world. What is this?! A prophecy?! But that's impossible!

Then he pushed me, separated by an arm's length. He held my shoulders firmly.

"I don't know where the kiss came from, but if you want to level up after the kiss... I am reluctant to say we are still minors."

Huh?

"Wh-what was that? The memories, yes... Those are memories right?"

"Hmmm... I increased the level of my secretion of Seratonin, they are the hormones responsible for amplifying sadness. That allowed you to read my thoughts so much more fluidly. The things that you saw are certainly my memories."

"I don't understand."

"Then let me remind you."

*Tlicked!

Ouch! He flicked my forehead with a snapping sound. It hurts, but not so much. This flicking looked rather petty compared to Alfir's original brutality. A flush of information went into my head, it's a set of imageries compiled in the in-betweens of the memories I read.

Why? What was that? I wanted to ask him, enlighten me, and beg for the answers to the meaning of those images.

"You shall never speak about this to anyone. What you saw was the end of the world."

It certainly was...

"Is it not an illusion?"

"It's up to you to believe. My memories are certainly not fake to me."

"What do you want from me?"

"I told you, I want you."

His eyes felt imploring, seeking aid. It is wanting and entreating.

So, that is what he meant. He wanted me for my strength, and not for my flesh. Somehow, I felt disappointed, my excitement vanishing in the wind. Was I looking forward to it?

"Zia."

He called to me softly, stepped forwards as he gaze into my eyes. I can see my reflection in his dark pupils.

"Become the Synopsis, my Synopsis. I am just a lowly author of a story I never knew existed on another plane. You, as another, who knows this story through mine— I beseech you, become my Synopsis~"

His words felt alluring. I have the choice of rejecting him which will definitely escalate into a fight. I am confident that I can escape, but... the curiosity is killing me.

"Yes."

It came out involuntarily from my mouth, but I didn't reject it. In fact, I felt happy about it. He smiled, it made my heart flutter. What is this dangerous charm? He is far from handsome, he looked average. No, if you look at him twice, you can kind of feel that he is charming, right?

"Sleep." He said in an imperative tone.

"Where are you going?"

"Someplace... Good night."

From the window, I watched his receding figure fade in the darkness of the night.

I fell into a trap called curiosity and sympathy. This person called Alfir is not a villain. He is a hero. But what's up with all of his facades? He is an enigma of his own curiosity. Is what I am seeing is even his true self?

For the first time, Zia harbored the feelings of becoming a hero. From a duke's tool, she has become something more. This event changed the trajectory of her life.

Alfir knows Zia, not to the point of allowing him perfect manipulation, but Alfir knows where to poke. You don't have to offer something to entice someone, you can simply motivate them with your words alone— this is not a con— this is an ideal, propaganda, and Zia is where all of this started.

From curiosity, it will grow into something big enough that even a cat with nine lives won't be able to escape from it.

Zia is that cat.

***

TRIVIA!

Zia Zaratul— She is a bitch. Ooops. She was a bitch. At least in the original story, but through Alfir's existence, her story changed quite a lot. She is one of the initial members of Alfir's organization representing the name 'Synopsis'.

"Sheesh... He is a devil, alright?"

She can read negative thoughts and can see 2 seconds in the future.