Path of the Demonic Villain

After popping the eighth piece in her mouth, Annabella’s fingers subconsciously reached for the box of candied chestnuts, only to frown when she felt that there was nothing in it.

’Huh? Is it already finished? How many did I even...’

While she was still thinking that, she suddenly realized something. A box of this candied chestnuts had only eight inside, which meant she had eaten all and Dante had eaten none.

’Oh shit.’ She cursed in her mind, and her face suddenly looked apologetic.

Upon seeing her expression, Dante couldn’t help but chuckle lightly, then he dropped his empty cup and muttered. "Don’t look so guilty. I’m glad you loved them."

’I do not even like candied chestnuts. I bought them for you,’ he added inwardly.

***

After their tea and a little more chatter, Dante excused himself and began making his way to the Registrar’s office. In his hand, he held a document that he had earlier filled out.

Once he got there and showed his student emblem, the clerk by the reception desk led him to the inner office where he could see a woman in her thirties with ashen blonde hair and gray eyes.

"Madame Belrose," he greeted with a slight, refined bow.

The woman smiled and straightened. "Dante Fioravanti. You are finally came back."

"Yes, I felt it was time to put my affairs in order," Dante replied smoothly.

"Sit," she murmured, indicating the velvet-upholstered armchair across from her desk.

Of course, Dante had not just up and left, then waltzed back in as if he owned the academy. This was a prestigious and strictly regulated institution, so he had taken a formal leave of absence under the clause that his family’s duties required his personal attention. As a high noble, that was one of the privileges he enjoyed.

Madame Belrose’s gaze dropped to the paper in his hand. When she extended her hand to take it, he reached over and handed it to her.

"Have you finished deciding on what courses you are settling in for the year?" she asked as she began going through the application forms.

"Yes, Madame."

While Dante had chosen only theoretical courses initially, he had left a few open slots for other subjects. For the first two months of the academic year, students could apply for standard courses while leaving flexible vacancies in case they wanted to add specialized courses and electives later.

Dante had previously decided that if he ultimately couldn’t become an Apostle, he would remain in his theoretical courses and skip anything requiring practicals and entering the labyrinth before this midterm exams, since doing so without power meant certain death.

Now that he was an Apostle, however, he needed to align his progression with how events unfolded in the game. There were simply too many unanswered questions he needed to uncover.

"I see." Madame Belrose nodded a few times to herself. As she raised her gaze from the paper, she offered him a sympathetic look. "Your course load looks balanced now, which means you’ll be joining the power rankings of the academy. Though I have to say, there might not be a chance of you getting in the elite rankings due to your Job Class."

Dante didn’t say anything, but he understood what she meant.

Unlike people who were just sticking to standard tracks, those who enrolled in balanced tracks that encompassed all joined the formal power rankings for students in the academy.

Among the rankings, the elite ranking was reserved for students who excelled in both theoretical mastery and practical tracks including Labyrinth clearing.

High Priests were mostly support classes and could never hope to match the strength, speed, and magical power of warriors, rogues, and mages. Their power relied on preparation and staying within their safe zones. Thus, it was difficult for them to make it to the elite ranks.

Now that Dante was adding practical courses to his schedule, his Job Class would become fully known by all even outside the academy as his ranking would be publicly posted on the academy standings.

"As a noble of your standing, though, try and make sure you get close enough to the elite ranks, if only to save face for the Fioravanti name," Madame Belrose said, steepling her fingers on the desk with a quiet sigh.

Dante offered a faint smile. "I’ll keep that in mind, Madame."

***

’Where are we going now, Master?’ Edward’s curious voice sounded in Dante’s head as he walked down a long, busy hallway.

Dante didn’t reply immediately, and his expression seemed like that of a person lost in deep thought. In his right hand, he held a cigarette and a flip-top lighter in his left, which he kept spinning idly.

Smoking was not only allowed in the academy, but it was a deeply ingrained social habit and a status symbol, especially among gentlemen and high society.

So, after a few seconds, he subconsciously flicked the lighter open, lit the cigarette, and took a deep drag.

When he exhaled a trail of pale gray smoke, he finally replied, ’I’m really curious, little one.’

He kept flipping the lighter’s casing back and forth between his fingers, then he tilted his head in thought. ’After speaking to Annabella, I suddenly had a suspicion, or... revelation of sorts, and I want to verify that. You see, so many things about her situation do not make sense. Her reasons for doing some of the things she does leave me with so many questions, but today, I suddenly had a thought.’

Dante suddenly came to a stop in front of two large, brown doors. Then, he asked, ’Tell me, Edward. Why do you think I do the things I do? Why do you think I’m ready to take certain risks even though they might kill me?’

Upon hearing that, Edward was quiet for a few seconds as if in thought. Then, in an uncertain voice, he replied, ’Family?’

Dante smiled as he pocketed the lighter.

He reached up and unhooked his monocle, before slipping it into his vest pocket. Then he reached into his inner coat pocket, took out the Spectacles of Truth, and slid them onto the bridge of his nose.

’You are right. Family,’ he said, looking up at the brass sign engraved above the doors.

[Department of Transmutation & Transcendent Matter]

This was a specialized research wing in the lecture building for those in the second year.

Earlier, Dante had done his research and discovered that a certain someone loved to come to this lab during his free time to experiment with his magic.

So Dante came here to see if he would run into Julian Bellini.

He stepped forward to push the door open, but just then, the double doors swung outward on their own as if they had been pushed by a gust of air.

That draft caused Dante’s hair to rustle messy over his brow and made him take a few steps back.

Then, a young man with vivid blue hair and cold blue eyes stepped out, looking exhausted from hours of research. He was dressed in a dark double-breasted coat with a short shoulder cape, fitted trousers, brown leather gloves, and a black top hat perched low over his brow. He held a brown wooden-box in one hand, and his expression was distant and aloof.

He arched a brow when he saw Dante standing right outside, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke. "You. You are... Dante Fioravanti?"

His voice was calm and deep, and he spoke slowly as if counting his words.

’My, my, what luck.’ Dante smiled and gave a polite bow. "Yes. But I don’t think we have met, have we?"

The man shook his head, his expression remaining cold and unchanged. "No. But I’ve heard a bit about you."

Dante frowned. ’Heard what?’

Seeing his expression, the man smiled for the first time and said, "Caterina is quite fond of you, you know. She describes you as clever, surprisingly reckless, and terribly arrogant, and says you have an ugly smile."

’What?’ Dante’s brow twitched and he hid his smile. ’That witch!’

The man chuckled softly. "We used to be close, so I’ve seen a photograph of you both in her pendant." He paused for a moment. "Oh, I’m Julian Bellini, by the way."

He extended his hand toward Dante.

"Ah. I see," Dante said, reaching out to shake his hand while taking a closer look at the young man’s features.

When they separated their grip, the man offered a brief nod. "It’s nice to finally meet you in person. But I have to go as I am in a hurry. So if you’ll excuse me."

He tipped his hat politely and stepped past Dante into the busy hallway.

For a few moments after that brief exchange, Dante just stared at his back. Eventually, he looked and began walking towards the exit of the building.

After a few steps, though, he suddenly smiled and his blank expression finally cracked to reveal a smile as he muttered under his breath.

"I see."

Just then, Edward’s voice echoed in his head.

’What? What?’

Dante took a drag from the cigarette in his hand. After exhaling, he replied. ’Julian Bellini is gone. That thing we just met is a puppet.’

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!