I, The Villainess, Will Seduce All The Heroines Instead
Chapter 83: What Is Happening?!

Chapter 83: What Is Happening?!

Verena found herself once again face-to-face with the Prefect.

Honestly, the awkwardness was so heavy, she could slice it with a spoon.

After getting caught full sprint through the hallways, Celestine in tow like a particularly cheerful fugitive, they had been promptly hauled before the stern-faced authority figure.

And now here she was, standing like a scolded child with her hands behind her back, while the Prefect’s eyes practically shot lightning.

"When do you ever learn?" the Prefect snapped, slapping a folder onto the desk. "The election is right around the corner, and yet the number of infractions in your record is staggering. Do you even want to win?"

Verena opened her mouth to argue because technically this wasn’t her fault, but someone else beat her to it.

"I think you can forgive her," Celestine chimed in sweetly, stepping forward with a graceful tilt of her head. "I’m the one who asked her to step in for me."

Just like that, the room shifted.

The Prefect hesitated, visibly thrown off by the sudden presence of the school’s golden girl.

Celestine Marlow looked every bit the divine heroine she was written to be. Soft golden eyes, hair like molten copper, and a voice that made everything sound like a lullaby dipped in honey.

Verena side-eyed her, watching as the Prefect’s expression softened just a little.

Of course. Of course even her defense statements had magical plot armor woven into them.

And for a brief second, Verena understood it. The mystery unraveled. The veil lifted. This was why all the male leads fell for this girl.

It wasn’t the personality because there barely was one.

It was the aura. The divine golden glow. The "I’m-never-wrong-even-when-I-am" energy. The kind of presence that made people question if they were the villain for even thinking she could do wrong.

...Still boring, though.

"You better be thankful that Celestine was on your side," the Prefect said, voice dripping with exasperation.

Verena fought the urge to roll her eyes. Yeah, yeah. Celestine, the perfect heroine, always swooping in to save the day.

After a long, tense moment, they were finally let go.

The man who had been chasing them grabbed Celestine’s arm with a firm grip, shooting Verena a glare.

Celestine, on the other hand, winked and waved, her smile annoyingly serene.

"Bye-bye, troublemaker!" she called, like she hadn’t just dragged Verena into this mess.

"Seriously, is it just me, or does it feel like every time I see you, you’re tangled up with a different girl?" Beatrice scolded, trailing behind Verena with a mock glare.

Verena turned with a smirk, "Why? Jealous?"

"Ugh, whatever!" Beatrice pouted, lightly punching Verena’s stomach in frustration.

But before Verena could retort, she felt a strange sensation crawl up her body. A ticklish shiver ran through her, and she flinched, glancing down at her shoulder. There, coiled up in a casual, unbothered way, was Saphira, her snake familiar, happily perched like it owned the place.

"Beatrice is jealous, you know!!" Saphira chimed in, her voice full of mischief.

Beatrice’s face instantly turned crimson, and she sputtered, flustered. "I-I... D-Don’t say that!" She quickly looked away, a hint of insecurity creeping into her voice. "It’s not like I’m pretty enough for anyone to be jealous over..."

In her eyes, Verena was always surrounded by the most beautiful, powerful people. Beatrice couldn’t fathom anyone genuinely liking her for anything beyond her appearance or superficial traits.

"Huh?" Verena didn’t catch the last part.

"N-Nothing!" Beatrice gasped, her flustered panic evident. "Anyway, I was just messing around with Saphira, and I figured out how she works..."

Zodiacal Mimicry appeared to function primarily as a counter ability.

When it is struck or absorbs Zodiacal energy from an opponent’s ability, it takes in that energy and temporarily copies the ability.

However, the copied ability is then released back at a reduced level, striking the opponent with a less potent version of their own attack.

At lower levels, the ability was limited, but at higher levels, it became significantly more dangerous. The effectiveness of Zodiacal Mimicry increased as it absorbed more powerful forms of Zodiacal magic.

Its strength was directly influenced by the level and potency of the magic it consumed, allowing it to grow stronger over time as it adapted to different abilities.

"Wait..." Verena cupped her chin in thought, eyes narrowing in contemplation.

If she managed to earn full affection from each of the heroines, then, technically, they could become willing sources of Zodiacal energy for Saphira. Not stolen, but given. Freely. Consensually.

Which meant Saphira’s power wouldn’t just grow, it could evolve into something unstoppable.

Not just the heroines, even the villainesses could become sources of power.

But there was a reason Verena remained weak, despite being a Conduitor. A golden rule governed all who bore celestial power:

The mortal vessel must adapt before it can ascend.

Without that alignment, the power would not empower her. It would destroy her.

"Seriously, you’re just the best, Beatrice..." Verena smiled, her voice soft with sincerity.

Beatrice huffed, arms crossed proudly. "Well, I did befriend you for a very specific reason!"

"H-Hey! Am I just an experiment to you?!"

After some good-natured bickering, the two finally made their way to the grand courtroom of Irasios Academy. Today was orientation, hosted by the Student Council, outlining the structure of the upcoming event and the stakes.

Verena hadn’t seen Evelyn in a while.

What happened to her?

Did she hate her now for breaking up with her?

Was she plotting revenge in some overly dramatic, candle-lit room filled with red string and notes like a soap opera villain?

Breakups had a way of turning people... petty.

As she entered the courtroom, the size of it struck her again.

Even a school like Irasios, renowned for magic, had built a courtroom that mimicked the imperial halls of governance because here, many students were future rulers.

To the left sat the POLARIS party.

To the right, their rivals: the POLE party.

Celestine spotted her and waved enthusiastically. She was on the POLE party.

Verena awkwardly returned it before slipping into her seat.

"E-Excuse me?" A small voice echoed as the door creaked open behind them.

Verena glanced over her shoulder.

Evelyn?!

What was she doing here? Was she planning to cause a scene? Air their drama in public like a scandalous romance drama?

But no. Instead, Evelyn calmly walked to the right—

to the POLE party. The enemy.

"Welcome, Evelyn. How are you?" asked Fletcher, the second prince and POLE’s silver-tongued leader.

"I’m fine, Your Imperial Majesty!" she chirped, like a sweet, obedient little dove.

And just like that... Evelyn, the doormat, had joined the opposing political faction.

[System Notification: Affection Update!]

[Target: Evelyn Ashbourne]

[+16 Affection Points Earned!]

[Affection Points: 60]

How did that even happen?!

Verena gawked internally, still trying to wrap her head around Evelyn’s sudden political defection.

Was love actually stronger after a breakup?

Or had Evelyn finally realized the error of her clingy, self-erasing ways?

Either way, the girl had crossed over to the opposing team just like that.

At the the front stood Maisen, the son of Count Beron, and the current president of the Student Council.

A late-game supporting character in the original story, he was known for his sharp tongue, piercing logic, and refusal to play nice with empty flattery. Always dressed impeccably, always five steps ahead, Maisen had a reputation for sniffing out lies like a bloodhound.

In the novel, he eventually led a rebellion that overturned the political hierarchy, all while sipping tea like it was just another Tuesday.

He slammed a gavel onto the podium. "Alright, let’s begin."

The miting de avance, the grand debate and campaign preview, was underway.

Each party would present their platforms: magical research funding, curriculum reform, noble privilege restrictions, even dormitory curfews.

Students could pose questions. Arguments flew. Applause and groans echoed like a game show for aspiring world leaders.

Verena listened and watched, amused and slightly worried at how quickly this student body could possibly descend into political bloodsport.

Once the session finally ended, the students began filing out of the court.

But Verena paused.

Across the hall, Evelyn stood still. Watching her.

There was no mistaking it. Those wide, uncertain eyes were fixed on her like a ghost of feelings unresolved.

Verena’s fingers twitched, tempted to wave. To say something.

But no.

Not yet.

She knew better than to go in too soon.

"Something wrong?" Beatrice asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

"Nothing," Verena replied with a faint smile, though the weight in her chest said otherwise.

Once it was over, she turned on her heel and left, heading towards her room.

The late afternoon sun stretched shadows across the halls, and everything felt unusually quiet.

She reached the doorway of her dorm.

"Hey."

A voice beside her. Low. Familiar.

Verena turned and her eyes met a gaze she knew.

Steel slid through flesh.

A sword pierced her chest, right through her heart. The world tilted. The breath escaped her lips in a gasp that never quite reached sound.

Pain bloomed.

"No—!"

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