A week had already passed since my victory over the protagonist. The chaotic 'Rank Battle Encouragement Period' had finally come to an end, and as a sense of normalcy returned to Redrick Academy, I found myself in a personal version of Hell.
"Oh, Hollow-kun, morning! It's another beautiful day, isn't it?"
"Hey, Hollow-kun, our next elective was 'Magic History A' together, right? Let's walk to the classroom!"
"Hollow-kun, you're always eating alone, aren't you? If you'd like, you can have some of this. I actually made an extra lunch box today!"
(Why the hell am I locked into the 'Protagonist's Best Friend Route'!?)
Whether I turned right or left, Allen was there, practically glued to my side. (Where did I mess up the flags? How did it even come to this!?) I had certainly done nothing to earn the protagonist's favor. If anything, I thought I'd been giving him the cold shoulder. And yet, for some inexplicable reason, the protagonist had become incredibly attached to me.
(At this rate, maybe it's better to just lean into it and stay close to him...)
I considered it for a moment, then immediately killed the thought. Last week, when Allen and Nia¹ were forcibly brought together, I reached a terrifying conviction. (A mysterious power like a 'Correction Force'² exists in this world, and it's working to ensure the 'Main Course' stays on track.)
Allen might think fondly of me now, but in the original story, the protagonist and the villainous noble were always at each other's throats. If the 'World's Correction Force' intervened again and swapped Allen's affection for hatred while we were supposed to be friends, the resulting tragedy would be an unmitigated disaster.
(I'd like to think a flip that extreme isn't possible, but I can't take the risk.)
I still didn't know the full extent of this world's corrective power. I planned to use several upcoming events to conduct a thorough investigation, but for now, the unknown was terrifying. To be safe, I needed to keep my distance from Allen. (Should I scrap the plan and transfer to another royal academy? No, that's no good. That would leave the protagonist completely unchecked.)
Despite the world's interference, Allen's leveling was still lagging. His Innate Magic hadn't evolved yet, remaining stuck at <Zero Counter>. My 'Protagonist Mob-ification Plan'³ was actually yielding results; it was too soon to quit. (And above all, if I stray too far from the Main Course, my greatest weapon-my meta-knowledge-becomes useless.) Only a fool throws away his own sword.
(For now, I'll keep Allen at arm's length, continue the plan in secret, and start digging into the World's Correction Force.)
That was the best roadmap for the time being. Besides that, I heard a new factory opened in Void Town so I needed to inspect that, and Dia apparently found another Defiled Crest so I needed to go heal her. My next status report was scheduled for 1:00 AM tomorrow night. I also had to hunt criminals in the Capital to recruit useful magic factors for Void Town's growth, and I really needed to get back to my <Void> training to keep my own level up.
(Sigh... the to-do list is endless. There literally aren't enough hours in the day...)
Perhaps it was because I'd been so preoccupied, but I managed to leave the dagger for my next Enchantment class at home. (Should I use Void Crossing to go back? No, I don't want to use <Void> carelessly on campus.) I was supposed to be a villainous noble anyway; maybe I should just ditch.
As I was weighing my options, Allen smiled at me. "Hollow-kun, did you forget your dagger? I have a spare one, feel free to use it," Allen said.
(He really is a shockingly good guy, isn't he?)
If only he weren't the protagonist, I was sure we could have been great friends. I couldn't help but feel that way.
* * *
One day, amidst the usual chaos, I noticed a small envelope tucked into my desk. (What's this? It's definitely for me, but there's no sender's name.) I used a spark of magic to melt the wax seal. Inside was a single note.
Hollow,
I'll be waiting in the Chemistry Prep Room after school. I have something important to discuss. Come alone. No excuses.
Nia Le Ainsworth
(Now it's Nia? And right when I'm swamped... What does she want with me?) I considered ignoring her, but that would just lead to a bigger headache later. Putting off troublesome things never ends well. After school, I made my way to the Chemistry Prep Room.
"Nia, what's the meaning of this, calling me to a place like this? I believe our arrangement was that you wouldn't pry into my affairs," I said.
"It's fine. I'm not prying into you, Hollow. So, this falls outside the scope of our 'Contract'," Nia replied. She cut straight to the chase. "I have a favor to ask."
"I refuse," I said.
"Wait! I haven't even told you what it is yet!" Nia cried.
"Give it up. You can't win against the Great Elder as you are now," I said.
Nia fell silent, her breath hitching. "You... you don't know that until you try!" Nia said.
"Since ancient times, it's been said: 'Fools learn from experience, while the wise learn from history.' So, which one are you?" I asked.
In a battle between Mages, the hierarchy is rarely toppled. A gap in raw ability usually dictates the result. This was a historical fact in Ronzolkia, especially between two people like Nia and Zoeva who know each other's cards. (The gap between them is just too wide...)
Mana capacity, magic technique, physical combat-Zoeva had her beat in almost every category. The only thing Nia had over him was her youth. It wasn't that she was weak; it was that Zoeva Le Ainsworth was a monster. He used an Origin Class Innate Magic to halt his own aging, living through the eons like a ghost.
"I know. I know better than anyone that I can't beat Zoeva alone! But if I could borrow your strength, maybe there's a sliver of a chance!" Nia shouted.
"Sigh... I figured it was something like that," I said.
Nia straightened her posture and bowed deeply. "Please, Hollow. Train me in magic," Nia said.
"And why should I waste my precious time on something so tedious? What's in it for me?" I asked.
"I'll be inheriting the Ainsworth headship soon. If you train me now, you'll have the future head of one of the Four Great Noble Houses in your debt. Isn't that a bargain?" Nia asked.
"I see. That is a tempting offer," I said.
"Right!? So-"
"Assuming you actually can inherit the headship," I interrupted. "Ultimately, it all comes down to whether you can kill the Great Elder. And with your current skill, you can't. We're done here."
I turned to leave, but Nia's voice cut through the air. "Wait! If you train me, I'll give you any information you want! The Ainsworths have been researching magic factors for generations. There must be something useful that even you don't know!" Nia said.
"Your negotiation skills are sloppy. I told you during our mock battle-I know everything. I know your secrets, the darkness of your family, and even the 'Factor Fusion Research' Zoeva is conducting in the basement. You have no cards left to play," I said.
"I... I...!" Nia stammered. She was clearly scrambling for anything that could move me.
(Unfortunately for her, the original Hollow is a genius. It would be easy to trick the 'me' from the real world, but deceiving Hollow von Heisenberg? That's impossible.)
"If that's all, I'm leaving," I said.
I moved toward the door again when I felt a tug on my sleeve. "Please, Hollow... I have no one else to turn to!" Nia cried.
"Not my concern," I said.
"If I can just defeat the Great Elder, I'll be the head of the house! Then you'd have-"
"You're repeating yourself," I said.
"I'll do anything. I'll follow any order you give. Just... please, teach me magic!" Nia said, her voice trembling as she clung to me.
(She's too close. This body is terrifyingly weak to desire, so she needs to give me some space. Her skin is so soft... and she smells so sweet. I could just pin her down right here...)
As my intrusive thoughts screamed, a devilish inspiration struck me. (Wait a minute. Depending on how I play this, this could work.) Currently, the World's Correction Force had tied Allen and Nia together. (In the Main Course, they were supposed to sharpen each other like whetstones to awaken their powers.)
(But if I step in and spend all my time teaching Nia, Allen will lose his primary rival, and his growth will hit a wall.)
It was so simple. If they were tied together, I just had to cut the string. (But wait...) My Hollow-brain flagged an inconsistency. (If the Correction Force is absolute, a convenient event like this shouldn't even be happening.) Why would the world let me pull Nia away right after it worked so hard to pair them up? (Maybe the Correction Force is limited by some kind of constraint? The only thing Allen and Nia have in common is that they both lost to me...)
It was just a theory for now. Regardless, training Nia had all the pros and zero cons. (I can't be careless, but no matter how strong Nia gets, she'll never beat me. I'm on a completely different level.)
"Sigh. Fine," I said.
"Eh? What did you say...?" Nia asked.
"I'll give you a special training regimen," I said.
"Really? The 'Slothful Pride' himself, that heartless devil Hollow, is actually going to help me...?" Nia asked.
"Oh, so you don't want my help then?" I asked.
"No, no! It was just a joke! Don't take it personally!" Nia said.
"It sounded remarkably like your honest opinion... but whatever. For the next month, I'll train you after school. That should be enough, right?" I asked.
"Yes! That's perfect. Thank you... thank you so much!" Nia said. She gave me a smile as radiant as a flower in full bloom and squeezed my hands.
(As expected of the heroine, she really is cute.)
"I think I had you all wrong. You have a foul mouth, but underneath it all, you're actually kind," Nia said.
"Hmph. Naturally," I said.
I turned away so she wouldn't see my face. I was sure right now, I was wearing a look of pure, unadulterated evil. (This week has been a nightmare, but finally, the tide is turning in my favor.) I was technically using Nia, but it was a Win-Win for both of us.
Summary:
Following the Rank Battle, Hollow finds himself in the 'Hell' of the protagonist Allen's unwanted affection. Seeking to maintain the villainous distance required to avoid fate, he investigates the world's 'Correction Force.' This lead Nia Le Ainsworth to request Hollow's mentorship in her quest to overthrow her family's Great Elder, Zoeva. Hollow accepts, seeing a strategic 'Win-Win' opportunity to hinder Allen's growth by removing his rival while gaining leverage over a Great Noble house.
Trivia:
- The 'Correction Force' lag: Hollow notices the world was slow to pair Allen and Nia, suggesting the system is not omnipotent or is constrained by his own interventions.
- Factor Fusion Research: A callback to the power system's darker side, hinting at how Zoeva maintains his Origin Class power and longevity.
- The 'Protagonist Mob-ification Plan': Successfully keeping Allen's Innate Magic at <Zero Counter> shows Hollow's actions are actively suppressing the narrative hero.
- Body vs. Soul Conflict: Hollow's modern soul struggles with the high-noble body's physical 'desires' toward the heroine, Nia
Character Insight:
The dynamic between Hollow and Allen has inverted; Allen sees Hollow as a mentor/friend, while Hollow views him as a narrative landmine. Nia shifts from a defiant rival to a desperate petitioner, surrendering her pride ('I'll follow any order you give') to Hollow, who she now mistakenly perceives as having a 'kind side' despite his evil intentions.
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
Introduced the concept of 'Origin Class' magic being capable of stopping biological aging (Zoeva). Expanded on the 'Four Great Noble Houses' political weight and the existence of 'Defiled Crests' that Hollow must heal, suggesting a deeper corruption in the world's magic system.
TL Notes:
The title 'Win-Win' reflects the protagonist's modern business-logic background. The 'Correction Force' (修正力) is a common trope in villainess/reincarnation sub-genres representing narrative railroading.
TL Notes:
1 ↩ Nia Le Ainsworth: A heroine from the Ainsworth house, known for <Primordial Flame> magic.
2 ↩ Correction Force (Shuuseiryoku): A metaphysical phenomenon in this world that attempts to force events back to the original game's plot.
3 ↩ Mob-ification: The act of turning a primary character into an insignificant 'mob' or NPC character.
Notes:
• Hollow - A calculative and immensely powerful individual with a 'villainous' mana signature. He is currently training Nia. He views his own overwhelming power with a detached, analytical perspective and has a social disconnect regarding 'tact'. The protagonist, a reincarnated individual with original knowledge of Japan. Operates as 'Void', the leader of a secret organization. Focused on avoiding a 'Ruin End' by neutralizing the protagonist Allen. A vile aristocrat and universal genius. He has crimson eyes and a pointlessly perfect face. Known for his slothful pride and overwhelming magical power. A villainous noble and reincarnated individual with meta-knowledge of the world. He possesses the unique magic and is currently a student at Redrick Academy. He maintains a cold, haughty exterior to play his role while internally managing complex plans to avoid his 'ruin end'. The eldest son of Lord Heisenberg, part of the Four Great Noble Houses. A prodigy described as the incarnation of sloth and arrogance. He is highly skilled in 'breaking humans' and psychological torture. The protagonist who has reincarnated as a Vile Aristocrat. Currently Rank One at Redrick Academy. Possesses the Innate Magic Refraction and the unique skill Slothful Pride. He is working on a Protagonist Mob-ification Plan to avoid his ruinous end.
• Allen - The protagonist of the original story. A student at Redrick Academy who has unexpectedly become attached to Hollow. He possesses the Innate Magic and is noted for his innocent, friendly demeanor. The original story's protagonist. A descendant of the Six Legendary Heroes, specifically the 'Brave'. Possesses the Origin Class magic Zero Counter. Currently sorted as a White-Vest rank. A Preparatory student known as a White-Vest. He is diligent, kind-hearted, and possesses surprising physical strength. He is an outlier in the Special Advanced Class.
• Nia - A determined girl described as a 'heroine' with a strong inner core. She has a signature fire-based mana. She is training under Hollow to defeat Zoeva and save lives she feels responsible for. She has short-tempered and embarrassed reactions to Hollow's bluntness. A girl with the Primordial Flame magic factor. Described as having a sparkle in her eyes and being easily influenced. She is training to prepare for a fight against Zoeva. The heroine of the original story. She was seen sparring and shaking hands with Allen Fortis at the riverbank. Born into the Ainsworth house. Jewel-like baby girl. Five years old during the primary events. Possesses the Origin Class Innate Magic 'Primordial Flame'. Has blue/jewel-like eyes and a small frame. Later described as looking like a 'tattered doll' after being disciplined. A girl under ten years old belonging to the Four Great Noble Houses. She has spent years in rigorous training to atone for a sin and kill Zoeva. Possesses overwhelming physical and magical strength for her age. A heroine from one of the Four Great Noble Houses. She has long hair and is described as having soft skin and a sweet scent. She is desperate to defeat the Great Elder of her family to inherit the headship and seeks Hollow's training. The protagonist of this chapter. A noble girl with a high-minded spirit. She possesses the Primordial Flame. She has white hair and soft features, currently a student at Redrick Academy.
• Dia - Half‑elf descendant of the Hero who bore the Crest of Impurity, she sports ethereal silver hair, slender limbs and clear eyes. As First Seat of the Void and Hollow’s most loyal subordinate—No. 2 of the organization—she manages its practical affairs, speaking formally in public but casually with Hollow.
• Zoeva - A key figure in Nia's life, he oversees her training and took her to the tournament—though she intends to kill him eventually. Current head of the Ainsworth family, known as 'The Great Patriarch.' Over 300 years old, he stopped aging via Origin Class Innate Magic 'Original Ice.' Towering over 2 meters with lean, steel-like muscles, long white hair, a wrinkled face, and hawk-like sharp eyes. The Great Elder or Patriarch of the Ainsworth family—a legendary mage obsessed with fusing Primordial Flame and Primordial Ice.
• Heisenberg - Lord of the Heisenberg family. One of the Four Great Noble Houses. Noted for his immense wealth and territorial holdings.