An Important Villain

The Protagonist

"The origin of Salvation", a famous novel ranked first in the wuxia world and him, a regular reader of that novel. 

That's how it was even hours ago. And now here he is. Possessing the body of Adrian Dicarious, a handsome scumbag who is even more well-known than the main character.

Don't get it wrong. He's not famous. He's infamous. 

'Well, if you ask me if I hate him, I don't. One of the reasons why this novel got so famous even with its similar storyline is because of its villains.' 

Unlike other novels, this one actually focused evenly on the heroes and the villains. 

The way the author depicted human nature through the heroes and villains is what made it so famous. 

He wasn't an exception either. He liked the MC. He also liked the villains. Although he didn't support their actions, it was interesting to see the world from their perspective.

And Adrian wasn't even the main villain. He was one of the many secondary villains of this novel.

 An important role that helped the MC grow. 

'Anyway, when is this? How old is he right now? 18? More importantly, how'd he get hurt so badly?'

He thought as he looked at his body. There were bandages everywhere and even though the major wounds were gone, his muscles were sore everywhere.

'........'

'Let's just sleep. I'm too tired to think right now and my body hurts like hell.'

.

.

.

Chirp. Chirp.

Yawn. 

'It's morning already? I slept pretty well.'

'Alright then. Since it's pretty clear I got transmigrated inside a novel, my favorite one at that, there's no way I'll give up this chance. That's right. I'm going to watch the drama from a VIP seat.'

Adrian was planning his future actions when suddenly...

Knock knock

"Come in."

"Y-young master, will you be having your b-breakfast in your bedroom?" Said the servant with a tense face.

"No, I'm coming down in a bit. Prepare it there."

"Yes sir."

The servant replied as other servants came in to prepare his clothes, water and other necessary things.

Step. Step.

"Hm? Ian? You're having breakfast with us today? " Miller asked with a slight surprise on his face.

"Yes father", He replied as he sat down on the opposite sit from him.

'Since I already told them my memory was hazy, it's no problem if I act a bit differently, right?'

He felt a bit weird since the last time he had breakfast with someone was ages ago. But his thoughts didn't last long as he saw the servants serve delicious looking dishes one after another, all of them looking like foods from a 5 star hotel, in front of him.

Since he hadn't had proper food for a while, he focused on his food halting his thoughts and failed to notice the strange gazes of the people around him.

Adrian, who was he? At this point he could be called nothing but a troublesome young master who had rich, doting parents. That Adrian was eating his food without making a commotion.

His parents were clearly worried about their son’s behavior but didn't voice their thoughts. Miller saw his son acting 'properly' and spoke.

"Are you feeling alright now? Is the food to your liking?"

Adrian was so focused on his food that he just replied absentmindedly , "Yes, I'm fine. The food is delicious."

"...!!!"

Everyone present had a shocked expression at his calm attitude and answer but couldn't say anything seeing him genuinely enjoy his breakfast.

Only his mother had a subtle smile of relief in her face.

"Father, can I go out today?"

"What?? How could you go out while you're still in recovery? If you need anything just ask the serva-"

" Father", Ian cut him off before he could finish.

"I'm fine now, all healed, see?" Ian said while smiling.

They fell in a daze seeing Ian's bright smile before they finally replied, but instead of Miller, the reply came from Olivia.

"Are you sure, honey? But if it makes you happy, then I guess we could do something about it." Said Olivia before looking towards Miller.

"Ahem, then after the healers and doctors take a look, I guess its fine." Miller agreed finally.

After the doctors examined his body and the healers casted healing spells on his healthy body again and again, they finally decided to let him go.

'What a bother.'

Step. Step.

He got dressed in some plain clothes and came down, finding Ian's mother and father standing near the door. They looked surprised with his normal getup since Adrian always dressed extravagantly, like a noble of high society, when he went out. 

'But I'm not him. I don't want to copy his lifestyle, at least not his extravagance. Or things will get tiresome for me in the future.'

Even after witnessing their son's weird behavior again and again, they didn't question or complain. The only emotion they showed were care and concern; which goes to show how much they care.

'Adrian, you bastard. You were such a loved child.'

"Dear, be careful out there. Return immediately if you feel unwell, okay?" 

" I prepared some guards for you, if you need anything, just let them know."

Olivia and Miller spoke after each other.

"Alright mother. Than-!" Ian flinched and stopped speaking after seeing one of the guards face.

But it was only for a moment before he turned his head and finished what he was saying "Thank you father, I'll be careful."

Ian said his goodbye and started walking out of the mansion.

Unlike his calm demeanor, Ian was feeling quite chaotic inside.

Just like any other novel, this novel also had a protagonist. Arthur, a very handsome, smart and strong MC. He had compassion and returned gratitude a thousand fold, but showed no mercy for his enemies.

And right now, that protagonist is walking behind him and working as his guard.

'This is crazy.

It's already progressed that much? Isn't that bad?

Hmmm... Anyway, he's pretty good-looking I must say. But I'm better. Heh.'

Ian recalled his reflection in the mirror from this morning when he was getting ready. He was definitely better looking at the moment and he felt great about that fact.

Unlike the main character, Arthur, who has black eyes and hair, Ian's hair was a darker shade of blue with blue eyes just like his father.

Ian had the face and body of a young master who never suffered in his whole life. A slim waist and light muscles. He was a total pretty boy.

But although our physical structure is similar on the outside, I'm pretty sure he is all muscles already, while I am... 

"Haah"

A sigh came out of Ian's mouth without him realizing.

Although he had a better appearance, it was going to be totally useless in the future that was approaching them.

Thinking about the future made him sigh again .

"Haaaah" 

Seeing Ian sign again, one of the guards came forward.

"Excuse my rudeness, young master. But are you feeling unwell?"

'Why'd it have to be him of all people?!'

Ian didn't know what to say to him since he was the reason behind his sighs and just stared at him.

"Sir?" Arthur asked seeing Ian just staring at him.

The other guards were all tensed up thinking that Ian would punish the newbie guard who didn't know the rules and spoke without permission.

However, contrary to their expectation, Ian just nonchalantly answered back.

"I'm fine. 

.

.

.

What's your name?"

" Oh, I was hired recently, young master. My name is Arthur but they call me Art for short. Today's actually my first day working as a guard." 

Arthur kept babbling on while smiling like an idiot while the other guards turned pale.

'Bothersome. I'm pretty sure he's pretending to be naïve right now.

Well, no need to make an enemy out of him.'

'Right now he's probably aiming to get close and gain my favor.'

"Alright, Art. Since you're the only one who can speak to me without stuttering, I'll allow you to speak freely. But don't speak so loudly. My ears hurt."

'There you go. You must be feeling happy huh? Managed to accomplish your goal so easily.'

But instead of happiness, Arthur's face had a look of suspicion at this sudden change. But it was only for a second.

The next moment, he started grinning like an idiot and thanked Adrian. Then started walking towards their destination while standing a few steps closer to Adrian compared to the rest.

Adrian started thinking about the novel. In the novel, this world's setting was pretty common. Humans were divided into two categories here. Those who had power and those who didn't. 

Those powers were called "Attributes". There are six primary attributes.  Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Light And Darkness. These six were divided into many sub categories. There were also Attributes that didn't fall to these categories but people with those powers showed up once in a few hundred years or so. In short, they were extremely rare.

People were restricted to having only one attribute per person. 

Of course, Arthur was different. He was the only exception to this rule. He had the ability to absorb others attributes and make them his own. 

But although he had the means to get stronger in a short time, he never harmed any innocent person, only absorbing the power of his enemies or villains like Ian.

'Such an unique individual.' 

Right now he was in the middle of collecting different attributes and strengthening them. And Ian was probably being kept as the desert.(?) 

"Pftt..haha" while thinking about his own position, Adrian couldn't help but laugh.

The captain of the knights, Corner, who was totally shadowed by Arthur's appearance, and the knights behind him all had weird expressions on their faces seeing their master's weird behavior.

Arthur was no different. The rumors he had heard about Adrian in the past didn't match with what he was witnessing.

"Did something amusing happen, young master?"

"Hmm? No, I was just thinking about deserts."

Everyone fell silent at Adrian's absurd answer. Except Arthur.

"I see, then are we going to some restaurant right now?"

"That's right. We're heading to 'Delish' right now. "

'Delish', hearing that name made many of the guards remember the delicious food that they only heard praises about but never got to enjoy themselves.

It was the most costly restaurant in town. And although they could afford it, the restaurant was only for nobles. 

Corner managed to muster some courage and asked a question he was curious about for a while.

"But young master, why aren't you taking the carriage? Wouldn't it be uncomfortable for you to walk in this heat?"

'Heat? Discomfort? Can't he feel the nice breeze and comforting sunshine? Is he sick?'

Ian looked around once more to make sure he wasn't imagining things. He was right. It was spring. The trees were full of flowers, the wind was blowing softly and there was a gentle sunlight hitting his face. He couldn't understand Corner's question.

"I'm not uncomfortable. Its rather refreshing to take a walk in such nice weather. But if the heat is too much for you, would you like to take a break?"

"N-no! I'm totally fine, young master. I was only concerned about your health."

Finally understanding Corner's intentions, Adrian couldn't help but smile. When he smiled, his eyes curved like a crescent moon and made him look really adorable which was a sharp contrast to his usual appearance or attitude.

"Thank you for worrying about me, Corner." 

"......."

" Corner?"

" Y-yes! "

'Huh? Did something happen? Why are they all looking at me like that?'

While Adrian was confused by everyone's weird behavior, Corner was shocked on the inside. He was surprised by the fact that not only did his young master thank him, he called him by his name. In the past, he would've used words like "You, Hey or Oi".