"You think you're clever because you mock others from the sidelines. Let's see how clever you are when you become the villain you hate."
Those were the last words Riven Kael heard before the darkness took him.
And then… he woke up in a world he had only ever read about.
Riven's eyes shot open. His head throbbed like he'd been hit with a brick. The sunlight streaming through the enormous window nearly blinded him. Where was he? This wasn't his room. There was no cracked ceiling, no laptop glowing in the corner, and definitely no microwave buzzing with late-night ramen.
Instead, he was lying on a large velvet bed in a luxurious chamber. Gold patterns traced the walls. A grand chandelier hung overhead, swaying gently as if disturbed by some unseen wind.
He sat up slowly.
Why does everything feel so real?
Then he saw it—a mirror.
And in that mirror, he wasn't himself.
Gone was his scrawny, average gamer body. Instead, staring back at him was a tall, broad-shouldered young man with sharp silver hair, a chiseled jaw, and eyes that looked like they belonged to a wolf. His skin was faintly tanned, his abs cut like a marble sculpture, and his body radiated strength and confidence.
"What the hell…"
A soft chime rang in his ears.
[System Initialization Complete]
Welcome, Riven Kael. You have taken the role of Tyrant Prince Riven in the world of Valkyrion Academy: The Virtue War.
Your survival depends on your ability to dominate, adapt, and reshape the narrative.
Main Quest 1: Leave a lasting first impression at Valkyrion Academy.
Reward: Skill: Charm Veil (C)
Penalty for Failure: Death.
Riven blinked.
"No… no way."
This was the exact novel he had flamed on a fan forum just two nights ago. A sappy, slow-burn fantasy romance where the main character blushed over hand-holding for ten chapters straight.
He had written a brutally honest review: "This story is written by a 12-year-old who's never kissed anyone. Drop it before you die of boredom."
He'd even mocked the villain—Prince Riven, a misunderstood tyrant who was supposed to be a major antagonist but was never fully explored because the author didn't know how to write "evil with depth."
Now, here he was… in his skin.
"What kind of messed-up karma is this?"
A knock at the door.
"Prince Riven, you're late for orientation. The academy assembly begins in fifteen minutes."
Riven panicked. He glanced around the room. His new body was still shirtless, pants barely hanging on his waist.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll be there in five," he called out, trying to sound natural.
He scrambled to the wardrobe and pulled out the academy uniform—black blazer, deep blue shirt, and dark slacks. The fabric was high-end, fitting his new frame perfectly.
He caught another glimpse of himself in the mirror and hesitated.
This is insane. I'm seriously him.
He remembered the early chapters of the novel. Valkyrion Academy wasn't just a school—it was a fortress that trained elite warriors to fight off creatures that slipped through dimensional gates.
But it was also a place where everything—power, rank, and relationships—was built on reputation and dominance.
And Prince Riven?
He was the academy's most feared student—known for his arrogance, ruthlessness, and rumored ability to control the emotions of others.
As he tightened his tie, a new screen popped up.
Skill Unlocked: Commanding Presence (D)
Your gaze causes low-tier characters to hesitate.
Activated in public gatherings.
Riven grinned slightly. This world might be dangerous, but he had something the original Riven never did: knowledge of the story… and a system to tilt the odds.
The hallway outside his chamber was pristine, guarded by two armored knights who immediately stepped aside when he passed.
He kept his head high and his expression cold. Confidence was the key. Any hesitation and the people of this world would eat him alive.
As he entered the Academy's main hall, hundreds of eyes turned toward him.
He heard whispers.
"That's the Tyrant Prince…"
"He really came back after suspension?"
"Look at his eyes—he's even scarier than before."
Riven didn't flinch. Instead, he walked straight to the front row, where the top-ranking students sat, and casually took the center seat as if it belonged to him.
Because now… it did.
The academy headmistress, a tall woman with white hair and icy eyes, stepped onto the stage.
"Welcome to Valkyrion Academy. Today, we begin a new cycle. You are here to rise. To dominate. To become legends."
She paused, then glanced toward Riven.
"We also welcome back a special student. One whose presence reminds us that strength… must come with restraint."
So this is how they see me? Riven thought.
He smiled politely but said nothing.
Then he noticed someone—a girl staring directly at him.
She sat three rows behind, glasses slipping slightly down her nose. Her dark hair was tied in a braid, and she wore the same uniform—but her aura was different. Calm. Controlled. Dangerous.
The system buzzed again.
New Target Identified: Seria Vale
Discipline Prefect. Rank A. Known for arresting delinquent males and humiliating them in front of the class.
Optional Side Quest: Dominate Seria Vale before the end of the week.
Reward: Mental Binding (B)
Failure: Relationship Lockout.
Riven raised an eyebrow.
"Well," he muttered to himself, "this just got interesting."
As the opening ceremony continued, Riven felt a strange sense of peace.
No bills. No stress. No late-night shifts.
Just danger, magic, battles… and women who were stronger than most men.
It wasn't the life he wanted. But maybe, just maybe…
It was the life he was meant to rule.
That was the first thing Seria Vale said to Riven Kael.
And she didn't say it kindly.
Valkyrion Academy wasn't the type of school where students were guided gently into routines. It was a place built for monsters—some with horns, some with halos, and some who wore polite smiles while planning how to crush you.
The moment orientation ended, students were sent straight to dorm assignments and given the rest of the day to "acclimate." That was code for: figure out where you stand on the food chain.
Riven already knew where he stood—dead center of every rumor, every stare, every muttered word of caution.
He strolled toward the dorm towers, his footsteps echoing against polished stone.
The academy was split by power tiers. A-tower for the top 1%, B-tower for the rest of the elites, and C-tower for cannon fodder who were lucky to even be here. Of course, Prince Riven was assigned to A-tower, room 07—right across from the disciplinary ward.
That's where he met her again.
Seria Vale.
She stood with her arms crossed, blocking the hallway like a checkpoint guard. Her uniform was immaculate. Her posture—perfect. And her eyes?
Cold. Sharp. Unforgiving.
"You walked past three dress code violations, ignored the line in the main hall, and sat in the wrong seat during orientation," she said without a hint of hesitation.
Riven raised an eyebrow. "And you counted all of that?"
"I did." She pointed a slim finger at him. "You're not above the rules, Prince or not."
Riven grinned. "That's funny, because you're the only one here brave enough to say that out loud."
"I don't need to be brave. I have authority."
Oh, she's one of those, Riven thought.
In the novel, Seria Vale was a recurring support character. Known for her obsession with rules, she made it her mission to bring justice to anyone who stepped out of line—even the main characters. Many saw her as a buzzkill. The author tried to make her likable, but she came off cold.
But now, looking at her—tightly pulled braid, stern gaze, and barely hidden curves—Riven saw potential.
And his system agreed.
Side Quest Progression: Triggered Seria's Disciplinary Flag
Favorability: -2
Potential for Influence: High
Suggested Action: Engage.
Riven stepped forward, closing the space between them.
Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't back away.
"I assume you're going to give me some kind of punishment now?" he asked.
"I'm taking you to the Guidance Office. There, you'll receive your formal warning."
"That sounds so boring," he replied, flashing a smirk. "Why not punish me here?"
Seria's eyes twitched. "Excuse me?"
"You seem strict. Thorough. Hands-on. I like that in a woman."
There was a pause.
Then, without hesitation, she pulled a pair of glowing silver cuffs from her pocket. With a flick of her fingers, she slapped them onto his wrists. He barely flinched.
"You'll like this even more, then," she said, turning on her heel. "Let's go."
The Guidance Room was a cold, empty chamber lined with mana-sealing tiles. No windows. Just a table, two chairs, and a single red crystal orb on the wall that monitored behavior.
Seria pushed him into the chair, then sat across from him, expression unreadable.
"I'm going to record this," she said, pressing the orb. It glowed red.
"Name?"
"Riven Kael. Tyrant Prince. Ladykiller. Future top of the academy."
She didn't smile. Not even a twitch.
"Offenses?"
"I wear my tie like a normal person. I sit where I want. I don't kiss up to rules made by people who think fear equals respect."
Silence.
Seria stared at him.
Then, slowly, she leaned forward, eyes fixed on his.
"You think being charming will save you here?"
He leaned forward too, just a little.
"I don't think it'll save me," he said. "But I think it'll make you remember me."
[Passive Skill Activated: Commanding Presence]
Minor mental disruption in target. Emotional response detected.
Seria stood up suddenly, walking to the wall. Her steps were sharp, controlled—but her fingers trembled slightly as she touched the orb again to turn it off.
She stayed facing the wall. "You're not taking this seriously."
"I am," he said. "I'm taking you seriously."
She turned around. Her face was still unreadable, but her voice had changed. A little lower. More measured.
"You'll learn soon enough, Riven. There are people in this academy who will crush you if you act like this again."
"And you'll be one of them?"
"If I have to be."
He stood too. Not to intimidate, just to match her level.
"Then I'll be waiting."
Side Quest Updated: Psychological Tension Achieved
Favorability: +1
Bond: Unstable, Intrigued
Quest Path Unlocked: Test of Control – Part 1
Back in his room, Riven sat on the edge of his bed, shirt unbuttoned, eyes scanning the faint blue interface floating in front of him.
This world was real. The rules were cruel. And survival wasn't just about strength—it was about influence.
And right now, Seria Vale was the first piece on the board.
He didn't need her to love him.
Not yet.
He just needed her to remember the way he looked at her—and the way it made her hesitate.