CHAPTER 31: OFF LIMITS

I made it halfway across the library before I felt eyes on me and not the normal awareness of being watched. Something more pointed, and intense like a laser beam.

I turned and found Adrian Celestius leaning against a bookshelf, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

How long had he been there? This bastard! Even the system did not alert me. How much had he heard?

"Adrian," I said neutrally. "Enjoying the library?"

"Following you, actually." He pushed off the shelf, moving closer. "You’ve been busy this morning. Board commendation and some private meeting with the Headmaster. And now..." His eyes flicked toward where Ravenna had been sitting. "Recruiting?"

"Making friends. It’s a novel concept for you, I know."

"Friends." He stopped a few feet away. Close enough to be confrontational, far enough to be civil. "Is that what you call it? After last night, I’m having trouble reading you, Ravana."

"That’s the idea."

"You saved my life."

"We’ve established that, yes."

"Why?"

Interesting question.

Villains didn’t save heroes and enemies didn’t act altruistically. I’d broken his understanding of how things worked.

Good.

"Would you have preferred I let you die?" I asked.

"That’s not an answer."

"Sure it is. You’re alive. That’s the answer that matters."

"Hadeon....."

"Look, Adrian. I know this doesn’t fit your worldview. The villain is supposed to be evil. The hero is supposed to be good. Nice, simple categories. But reality is messier than that." I met his eyes. "I saved you because letting you die would have been stupid to my plans. And since they want both of us dead... no"

"Someone wants us both dead," he repeated and clenched his teeth. "You really believe that?"

"You heard the assassin’s confession. Both of us were targets. Primary and secondary, but both targets nonetheless."

Adrian’s jaw tightened. "Do you know who?"

"I have theories but no proof yet."

"Share them."

"Why? So you can run off half-cocked and get yourself killed? Again?"

His eyes flashed. "I can take care of myself."

"Clearly. That’s why I saved your life twelve hours ago."

We glared at each other. The tension crackled like static electricity, making the air between is heavy.

Then Adrian did something I didn’t expect.

He laughed. "You’re insufferable."

"So I’ve been told."

"But you’re not wrong." He ran a hand through his golden hair. "Someone tried to kill me."

"Welcome to the bigger game."

"And you’ve been playing it longer than me?"

"I’ve been aware of it longer, yes."

"How?"

Now we were getting into dangerous territory. How did I know? Because I’d transmigrated. Because I had a system. Because I’d read the novel where he was the protagonist and I was supposed to be a footnote.

"Call it paranoia," I said instead. "My family has a history of making powerful enemies. I learned to watch for patterns. And the patterns say that what happened last night was just the opening move."

Adrian considered this. "So what do we do?"

"We?" I raised an eyebrow. "There’s no we’ You’re still the golden hero. I’m still the worst villain. Last night doesn’t change that."

"It changes enough. If someone wants us both dead, maybe we should figure out why. And who."

"Are you suggesting cooperation?"

"I’m suggesting information sharing, at least temporarily. Until we understand the threat."

Part of me wanted to refuse on principle. But thinking about it, there was no reason to refuse. I want to break free of the narration of the book I’ve found myself and stop the world bending backwards to kill me, and maybe know the reason I’m here.

Everything to do that doesn’t really matter, what matters is that I do the things I want.

Adrian with his resources and connections. Me with my knowledge and preparation. Together, we could find answers faster.

And then we’ll see who kills who first after that...

"Fine," I said. "Information sharing. Nothing more. You find something, you tell me. I find something, I tell you. But we’re not allies."

"Agreed."

"And one more thing. Ravenna Blackthorn? She’s off-limits."

His expression shuttered. "The.....dark sorceress? Why?"

"Because she’s under my protection now."

"You can’t just...."

"I can. I did. Deal with it." I turned to leave. "Oh, and Adrian? Next time you try to poison me, I will feed you your own gut. You were lucky you were still the golden boy."

I walked away before he could respond, feeling his eyes boring into my back.

```

[RELATIONSHIP UPDATE: ADRIAN CELESTIUS]

[STATUS: Enemy →→ Complicated Enemy]

[TEMPORARY COOPERATION: Established]

[TRUST: 20% (up from 5%)]

[FATE POINTS: 6,000 (continuing to decline)]

[NOTE: He’s questioning himself]

[This is progress]

[RAVENNA BLACKTHORN: RECRUITMENT PROGRESS]

[CURRENT: 20% → 40%]

[NEXT MILESTONE: She accepts your offer]

[RECOMMENDATION: Give her space to decide]

[WARNING: Adrian now aware of your interest]

[COMPLICATION: Likely]

[NEW QUEST: PROTECT RAVENNA]

[OBJECTIVE: Keep her alive until full recruitment]

[REWARD: Powerful ally + advanced dark magic knowledge]

```

☆☆▪︎▪︎☆☆

That evening, I sat in my headquarters reviewing everything that had happened. Two days ago, I was planning my fake death. Now I’d saved my enemy, gained a commendation, started recruiting a dark sorceress, and established tentative information-sharing with the protagonist.

Things were moving fast, and that worries me a little because it seems as if things were moving a little too fast.

A knock suddenly came from the door and Damian answered, then stepped aside.

Ravenna Blackthorn stood in the doorway, a small bag over her shoulder and determination in her eyes.

"I’ve made my decision," she said.

I gestured to a chair. "And?"

She sat with her back straight, meeting my gaze. "I’ll accept your offer. The evidence you gave me is good, my family’s lawyers confirmed it can delay the execution. But delay isn’t freedom. I need real help to clear my name completely."

"Which I’m offering."

"In exchange for my knowledge and eventual loyalty."

"Exactly."

"I want two additions to the terms."

Interesting. She was negotiating. Good. People who negotiated believed they had value. People who had value didn’t fold under pressure.

Just what I need around me.

"Go ahead."

"First, I want direct access to your research materials. Whatever you’re investigating, if it relates to dark magic, void theory, or forbidden techniques, I want to see it."

"Done. You’ll have access to everything we have."

"Second, I want protection for my father. He’s in prison. If I work with you, if they realizes I’m opposing him, they’ll kill my father to hurt me."

That was trickier. Breaking someone out of prison took resources and time. But it was also the smart play. Ravenna wouldn’t be fully loyal while her father was a hostage.

"I can’t break him out immediately," I said honestly. "But I can make sure he’s protected. My family has influence with the prison system. We’ll make sure no accidents happen. And when we’re strong enough, we’ll get him free legally."

"How long?"

"Honestly? I don’t know. Months at minimum. But I promise you...your father will be safe. And he will be freed. You have my word."

She studied my face, looking for lies. "Your word. What’s that worth?"

"Everything. I don’t give it lightly. And I never break it." Yes... I never did.

More silence. Then, finally, she nodded. "Alright. I’m in. Provisionally. But if you betray me...."

"You’ll kill me. I know. I’d expect nothing less."

She almost smiled. "Good. Then we understand each other."

"Welcome to the Obsidian Council, Ravenna Blackthorn."

"The what now?"

"My faction’s official name. Marcus came up with it."

"It’s a terrible name."

"I know. But it’s growing on me."

This time she did smile. Small, but genuine. "So what happens now?"

"Now? Marcus sets you up with a secure workshop, yes I planned that ahead. Lucille’s people make sure no one tries to kill you. And you start researching anti-holy techniques. We might have a tournament coming up, and I’d very much like to not lose to Adrian again."

"Tournament?"

"Long story. I’ll fill you in later." I stood, offering my hand. "Welcome?"

She took it. Her grip was firm, her hands marked with ink stains and small scars from magical experimentation. The hands of someone who worked for everything she had.

"Thank you," she agreed. "For now."

```

[RECRUITMENT SUCCESSFUL]

[RAVENNA BLACKTHORN: 40% → 60% LOYALTY]

[STATUS: Provisional Ally]

[ABILITIES UNLOCKED: Advanced Dark Magic Consultation]

[RESEARCH COOPERATION: Available]

[NEXT MILESTONE: Build trust to 80% for full commitment]

[REWARD: +1,000 Villain Score]

[CURRENT TOTAL: 22,000]

[ACHIEVEMENT: "The Collector"]

[You’ve recruited major allies]

[Each one was supposed to die or be defeated or act as trophy]

[Each one now fights beside you]

[The Council is taking notice]

```

I watched Ravenna leave with Damian to get settled in her new workspace. Another piece on the board. Another person who’d been marked for death, now given a second chance. Another death flag moved, and another ally gained.

The narrative was breaking. Piece by piece. Person by person.

And I was just getting started.