Kael had learned three things during the five minutes it took him to reach the dining hall.
First, the Veyron household was enormous.
Second, every servant he passed looked terrified of him.
Third—
The original Kael had apparently been an absolute nightmare.
He hadn’t even said anything yet.
Yet every servant immediately lowered their head whenever he approached.
Some practically pressed themselves against the walls to make way for him.
One maid nearly dropped an entire tray after Kael casually said, “Good morning.”
Kael stared at her.
The maid stared at him.
Neither of them moved.
Finally, she bowed so quickly that Kael thought she might actually hit her forehead against the floor.
“G-Good morning, Young Master!”
She hurried away.
Kael watched her disappear around the corner.
“…What exactly did this guy do?”
[The System recommends checking the Host’s memories.]
Kael frowned.
“How?”
[Think about a specific memory.]
Kael closed his eyes.
The moment he focused, something strange happened.
Memories that didn’t belong to him flooded into his mind.
A younger Kael throwing a glass at a servant.
Kael publicly humiliating another noble’s son.
Kael insulting a knight because he had lost a sparring match.
Kael demanding expensive magical artifacts from his father.
Kael threatening servants.
Kael getting into fights.
Kael wasting enormous amounts of money.
Kael laughing while surrounded by people who clearly didn’t like him.
Then came one final memory.
A young servant girl had accidentally spilled tea on Kael’s clothes.
The original Kael had stared at the stain.
Then slapped the cup from her hands.
The memory ended.
Kael opened his eyes.
“…Wow.”
He felt genuine embarrassment.
“Even I don’t like me.”
[The System agrees.]
Kael’s eyebrow twitched.
“You don’t have to agree that quickly.”
[The System values honesty.]
“You’re enjoying this.”
[The System has no emotions.]
“Then why do you sound smug?”
[The System is incapable of smugness.]
Kael sighed.
Whatever.
He had more important things to worry about.
The dining hall doors appeared ahead.
Two enormous wooden doors decorated with the golden crest of House Veyron stood before him.
A silver wolf surrounded by seven stars.
Kael remembered the family.
The Veyrons were one of the most powerful noble houses in the kingdom.
Their influence extended through the military, politics, magical institutions, and commerce.
Their patriarch was Duke Alaric Veyron.
A man feared even by other nobles.
And currently—
Kael was supposed to meet him.
He placed his hand against the door.
Before opening it, the system appeared.
[Ding!]
[Main Mission Update.]
[Objective: Survive 47 days.]
[Current survival probability: 12.4%.]
Kael’s hand froze.
“Twelve percent?”
[Correct.]
“Why is it so low?”
[Because the Host is currently weak, hated by multiple factions, possesses no significant combat ability, and has already accumulated considerable negative Karma.]
Kael slowly lowered his hand.
“Can the system tell me how much negative Karma?”
[Negative Karma: 1,842.]
“…What?”
[The original Host accumulated 1,842 points of negative Karma.]
Kael stared at the screen.
“How much do I need to fix that?”
[Unknown.]
“You’re useless.”
[Thank you.]
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
[The System accepts it regardless.]
Kael exhaled.
Then he pushed open the door.
The dining hall was enormous.
A long black table stretched across the center of the room.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated the polished floor.
At the far end sat a man.
He looked to be in his late forties.
Silver-black hair.
Sharp blue eyes.
A neatly trimmed beard.
He wore a dark military-style coat decorated with gold embroidery.
He wasn’t eating.
He was simply staring at Kael.
Kael immediately understood something.
This man wasn’t angry.
That was worse.
Duke Alaric Veyron possessed the calm expression of someone who had already decided what he wanted to do.
Kael walked toward the table.
He pulled out a chair.
Then sat.
Silence.
Neither spoke.
Kael looked around.
There were no other family members.
Only the Duke.
Finally, Alaric spoke.
“You’re late.”
Kael glanced at the clock.
“I arrived on time.”
“You were supposed to arrive ten minutes ago.”
“Then I’m late.”
Alaric’s eyebrow moved slightly.
Kael immediately realized something.
The original Kael would have argued.
Probably insulted his father.
Maybe thrown something.
Instead, Kael simply picked up a glass of water.
The Duke studied him.
“You’re behaving strangely.”
Kael nearly choked.
“Is that so?”
“Normally you would have already complained.”
Kael placed the glass down.
“Maybe I’m tired.”
Alaric remained silent.
Kael began to sweat internally.
This man is terrifying.
He remembered Alaric from the novel.
The Duke wasn’t simply powerful.
He was intelligent.
He could recognize lies almost instantly.
And he was one of the few people who genuinely disliked his son.
Not because Kael was weak.
Because he considered him useless.
Alaric finally spoke.
“Tomorrow, you will attend the entrance examination for Aetheris Academy.”
Kael nodded.
“I know.”
“You will not embarrass this family.”
“I’ll try.”
The Duke’s eyes narrowed.
“Try?”
Kael paused.
“That sounded better in my head.”
A vein appeared on Alaric’s forehead.
[Ding!]
[Karma Event detected.]
[You have successfully irritated a powerful individual.]
[Karma +10.]
Kael nearly smiled.
This system really rewards everything.
Alaric continued.
“If you fail the examination, you will lose your position as heir.”
Kael’s expression became serious.
“I understand.”
“You will also be removed from the family estate.”
Kael blinked.
That wasn’t in his memories.
At least, not this early.
“Why?”
“Because I have tolerated your behavior for seventeen years.”
Alaric leaned back.
“I will tolerate it no longer.”
Kael stared at him.
Seventeen years?
So this body was seventeen.
That meant the academy entrance examination was basically the beginning of the original story.
And Kael’s death was only forty-seven days away.
Something was wrong.
The original story had said Kael was expelled from the family shortly after the academy’s first major event.
But now the Duke was threatening to do it immediately.
His presence had already changed the timeline.
Kael leaned forward.
“Father.”
Alaric looked at him.
“I want to ask you something.”
“Speak.”
“If I pass the examination, will you allow me to remain the heir?”
The Duke stared at him.
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll pass.”
Alaric’s eyes narrowed.
“You seem confident.”
“I am.”
It was a lie.
Kael had absolutely no idea what the examination involved.
He knew the academy existed.
He knew the protagonist would attend.
He knew several major events.
But he had never paid attention to the examination itself.
He had skipped all those chapters.
Why?
Because they were apparently “boring.”
Now he wanted to punch his past self again.
Alaric stood.
“One more thing.”
Kael looked up.
“The family has received a report.”
“What report?”
“You attacked the son of Count Armand yesterday.”
Kael froze.
Ah.
That memory.
The original Kael had challenged another noble’s son to a duel after being insulted.
Then he had lost.
Badly.
Kael quietly cursed.
Alaric continued.
“The Count is demanding compensation.”
“How much?”
“Three hundred thousand gold.”
Kael nearly fell out of his chair.
“Three hundred thousand?”
“Yes.”
“For one fight?”
“For destroying his son’s magical equipment, damaging his carriage, and breaking several windows.”
Kael covered his face.
“How was this guy not already disowned?”
[The System notes that the Host’s family possesses considerable wealth.]
“That’s not the point.”
Alaric placed a small black pouch on the table.
“Pay the compensation.”
Kael looked at the pouch.
“What’s inside?”
“Five hundred gold.”
Kael stared.
“That’s nowhere near enough.”
“I know.”
“…Then why give it to me?”
“Because the rest is your problem.”
Alaric turned toward the door.
Kael watched him leave.
Then—
[Ding!]
[Tutorial Mission Updated.]
[Mission: Ruin Someone’s Morning.]
[Target: Duke Alaric Veyron.]
[Progress: 70%.]
Kael blinked.
“Seventy percent?”
[The Host has successfully annoyed the target.]
“What happens if I finish it?”
[Reward: 50 Karma Points.]
Kael looked toward the door.
Then smiled.
“System.”
[Yes?]
“How much Karma would I get if I made him laugh?”
There was a pause.
[Potential reward: 100 Karma Points.]
Kael’s eyes lit up.
“Excellent.”
He stood.
Then shouted toward the hallway.
“Father!”
The Duke stopped.
He turned around.
Kael stepped toward him.
“Can I ask you one final question?”
“What?”
Kael looked completely serious.
“Do you know what they call a magical weapon that has lost its magic?”
Alaric’s expression didn’t change.
“No.”
Kael waited.
Then delivered the punchline.
“Useless.”
Silence.
Absolute silence.
A servant standing nearby slowly lowered his head.
Kael waited.
The Duke stared at him.
Kael smiled awkwardly.
“…That was funnier in my previous world.”
Alaric turned away.
“Get out.”
[Ding!]
[Mission Progress: 95%.]
Kael’s eyes widened.
“Wait!”
Alaric kept walking.
Kael followed.
“Father!”
“No.”
“You haven’t laughed yet.”
“I have no intention of laughing.”
“But you’re at ninety-five percent!”
The Duke stopped.
He slowly turned.
“What did you say?”
Kael froze.
“…Nothing.”
Alaric stared at him for several seconds.
Then, unexpectedly—
The corner of his mouth twitched.
It was barely noticeable.
But Kael saw it.
[Ding!]
[Tutorial Mission Complete.]
[Target’s morning has been successfully ruined.]
[Reward: 50 Karma Points.]
[Bonus Condition discovered.]
[Target experienced amusement.]
[Bonus Reward: 100 Karma Points.]
Kael grinned.
“Yes!”
Alaric stared at him as though questioning whether his son had suffered a head injury.
“You’re dismissed.”
Kael turned around.
“Thank you, Father.”
He walked away.
The moment he exited the dining hall, the system appeared.
[Current Karma: 151.]
Kael nodded.
“Not bad.”
Then another screen appeared.
[Shop unlocked.]
Kael stopped.
Finally.
Something useful.
A translucent blue interface expanded before him.
Karma Shop
Basic Strength Elixir — 100 Karma
Basic Agility Elixir — 100 Karma
Iron Body — 500 Karma
Beginner Swordsmanship — 750 Karma
Beginner Mana Manipulation — 1,000 Karma
Random Skill Chest — 300 Karma
Unknown Egg — 150 Karma
Kael’s eyes immediately focused on the last item.
“Unknown Egg?”
[The System recommends against purchasing unknown objects.]
“Then why are you selling it?”
[Because Hosts often make poor decisions.]
Kael stared.
“You’re insulting me.”
[Observation.]
Kael hesitated.
He had 151 Karma.
The egg cost 150.
He could buy it.
Or he could save his points.
The sensible decision was obvious.
Save them.
The intelligent decision was obvious.
Save them.
The decision a normal person would make was obvious.
Kael pressed the button.
[Purchase confirmed.]
[Karma -150.]
[Unknown Egg acquired.]
Kael looked at the small black egg that suddenly appeared in his hands.
It was about the size of an orange.
Its surface was covered with strange silver cracks.
Kael stared.
“Did I make a mistake?”
[Yes.]
“…Thanks.”
He held the egg closer.
Something moved inside.
Kael’s expression changed.
“Wait.”
The egg trembled.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
Crack.
A thin line appeared across its surface.
Kael’s eyes widened.
The system suddenly began flashing warning notifications.
[Ding!]
[Rare reaction detected.]
[The Unknown Egg has recognized the Host.]
[Hatching conditions have been altered.]
[Warning.]
[Warning.]
[The creature inside the egg possesses an extremely unusual Karma signature.]
Kael stared at the egg.
“What exactly did I buy?”
The shell cracked again.
Something small pressed against the inside.
Kael slowly backed away.
Then the system delivered its final message.
[Congratulations, Host.]
[You have acquired your first companion.]
[Companion classification: Unknown.]
Kael swallowed.
“…This is probably fine.”
The egg cracked.
A tiny golden eye appeared through the opening.
Kael stared at it.
The creature stared back.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then—
[Ding!]
[New Main Quest Activated.]
[The Academy Awaits.]
[Objective: Enter Aetheris Academy.]
[Secondary Objective: Change the fate of the original Kael Veyron.]
[Time Remaining: 46 days.]
Kael looked at the tiny creature.
Then at the system.
Then toward the distant academy visible beyond the mansion’s enormous windows.
His smile slowly returned.
“Fine.”
He clenched his fist.
“If I’m going to be the villain…”
His crimson eyes gleamed.
“…then I’ll become the kind of villain this world has never seen.”
And for the first time since his reincarnation—
The System remained completely silent.
As if even it wasn’t sure whether that was a good idea.