Marcus Vale, the eldest son of Count Vale and a professional waste of space. Auburn hair that was in curtains split at the middle, blue eyes and sharp almost fox-like features he was cunning as he could look. However as he looked in the mirror only one thing came to mind…

“Who the fuck is this?” Marcus or well… Michael was currently confused as he was now face to reflection with himself as being arguably one of the worst villains in his favourite game ‘Thorns of the Academy’.

 A weird mix of a dating simulator and an rpg focused around building up relationships with female characters and having them accompany you to fight in the dungeons and kill the demon king. Marcus belonged to the ‘mixed’ villain category meaning he was an antagonist within both the dungeons and in the Academy for seperate reasons. From blackmail or false rumours to active sabotage of needed supplies he was a petty and vindictive person who had no other reason to do so than the fact he despised the main character, Lux Solun. 

The fated hero of the generation and the one believed to one day kill the mighty demon king, to someone like Marcus who was fuelled by a sense of inferiority did anything he could to try and get in his way. However in the end it all meant nothing as he crossed the line and went after one of the main heroines in the story, Natalia Crow trying to blackmail her with the safety of Lux he learnt the hard way what kind of woman she was. ‘Yandere’ he supposed would be the right term for an obsessive lunatic and stalker, needless to say in the game you find Natalia laughing in the dungeons in one ending as she skins Marcus alive saying how she wanted to make sure anyone who thought to try to hurt Lux would learn that her ‘light’ belonged to her. Worst yet the other heroines were equally as psychotic and no matter what route you went Marcus could only lament the torture he was put through to be the show of loyalty each girl displayed. Shuddering he slapped his cheeks pulling himself out of his own thoughts and glared at the mirror. 

He had no idea why he was in this story, it could all be a dream but even if it was it would be best for him not to get in the way of the main story. Afterall he liked his skin on his body and his organs kept inside. Glancing around the opulent room adorned in ornaments and countless decorations he was reminded of his family’s biggest sources of income: the countless mines filled to the brim with rare metals and jewels. Everytime they thought a mine would run dry another would be found soon after in the territory. Sighing he realised he needed to figure out his talents.

Talents were a key point in the main game, lacking a conventional stat based system the talents acted as an accumulation of stats. Each talent had a corresponding focus whether it be socialiability, physical body, magic vessel or even the soul itself. Different talents meant the same physical total could represent countless different actual body and skill types. As he tried thinking or saying status nothing appeared meaning he most likely lacked a system or it was not online yet. He cursed the lies of countless webnovels that practically assured him he would have one.

“Damn it, how am I going to figure things out now? I don’t even know what skills I have.” He cursed as he paced around the room seeing the orange hue of light peek through the curtains. It seemed that it was the start of the morning. Almost as if to confirm it he heard the quick rapt of knuckles against the door to his room as he calmed himself down. Firstly he needed to get something to eat, feeling his stomach growl and get some background knowledge. “You can enter.” 

As he spoke, a young maid that looked to be around fifteen or so stepped in with a small bow. 

“I-I, greet the young master of the house.” Her nervous speech made it obvious she must have been a new apprentice. As she raised her head. “Do you need help getting changed?” 

Marcus shook his head not wanting to torment the maid with having to undress him. “You do not. If possible could you inform me of what my schedule for this morning is?” 

The maid nodded hastily and took from her dress a folded paper that was most likely an itinerary. “T-Today after getting dressed, breakfast with the rest of the household will be at half past six. Afterwards you will have an hour or so free before your tutors will begin lessons. They will be going over material regarding the entrance exam into the academy with you as it is coming up in the next three months. Afterwards at noon you will be having lunch with your siblings and mother, the head maid said Count Vale will be out surveying the mines till the evening. Afterwards you will continue classes for two hours and then you will have an hour break to rest before combat training will begin at three and ends at six.” She rambled the entire list and Marcus smiled amused.

“I only asked for this morning. But it does help to know what the rest of my day is.” He offered a small smile as the young girl nodded flustered. “I will be getting ready, just knock on my door about five minutes before I am expected to arrive for breakfast so I can walk there in time.” 

“U-Understood, Young Master.” She excused herself fumbling with the paper she tried to put in her little pocket as she stepped out shutting the door. 

Getting dressed he fitted on a pumpkin coloured shirt and black pants before putting on his boots that had buckles on the side. It was a simple outfit but it felt comfortable and the fabric was cool on his skin. After heading into the bathroom he washed his face and patted it dry before brushing his teeth. He was grateful that magic in this world led to a faster growth in some industries and conveniences, a large one being plumbing and clean water management. A few memories slipped into his mind, it was weird they felt a little hazy but certainly his. Recalling times he heard discussions of other more modern sounding inventions from treatment plants for sewage to autonomous carriages his father was looking into investing. There was another invention he recalled his father discussing with his mother being a tablet that could store documents onto itself and be read off the pane of glass, they called it a ‘Script Keep’. Honestly to him it sounded like a kindle and awfully convenient if he could store books onto it. Lost in thought, the familiar knock of the door and voice of the maid reminded him of breakfast.

Opening his door he stepped out as the shorter girl looked up to him. In truth if he was preparing for the entrance exams he was at least fifteen but most likely sixteen already. He could not recall his exact birthday at the moment but it did not seem all too important as he walked alongside the maid to the dining hall. Glancing he looked over at her from the long flowing outfit, designed to keep them from getting dust on themselves whilst staying presentable to the head piece that kept her black hair out her face and flowing behind her. He felt like she was smaller than average but frankly he could barely tell the memories and sensibilities were trickling into his head but they were slowly coming as he found himself at the door. Yet he froze as his hand wrapped around the handle, ‘I don’t actually know anyone in his family. No one else is mentioned in the story…’ He cursed internally but it was only for a brief chance as he opened the door. Sitting at the table was an older man at the head of the table with a full beard, an older woman by his side with her hair in a tidy ponytail and two small children at one side prodding the vegetables on their plates with scowls. In that moment a new influx of memories came rushing in. 

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The older man who looked to be in his forties was Roland Vale, the Count of Vale and Marcus’ father. A strict but fair man who was well liked by his people and despite the abundant wealth ensured he invested plenty into his people and diversifying the territory income. An eye for business only rivalled by his ability as a swordsman. Having gotten the Vale family promoted from Viscount to Count with military merits. Whilst the older woman was Marianne Vale, his mother and she was a cold calculative woman who was rather harsh to Marcus because of his lack of immediate talents.

While his father was often working she was the one who scolded him and berated him often for not being better than his cousin on his mother’s side. Blake Cain, a swordsman and Marcus’ cousin who was the son of the current head of the Cain family, the younger brother of his mother. She often compared the two and he recalled as a child his mother made tutors teach him whatever skills Blake learnt in some sad hope he would yield a greater talent. But constant variance and inability to compare to a genuine genius left her bitter. Brushing aside the scowl she was giving him he looked to his younger siblings. 

The apples of his mother’s eyes and a talented pair. Meredith clearly inherited father’s physical talents and was a nightmare to manage being a bundle of energy even the knights had a hard time handling. Whilst his younger brother Morden was already showing signs of mana activity. It left a sour mouth seeing his mother’s constant fawning over them as he quietly took his seat. His father greeted him with a smile and curt nod. Stoic but warm in his own way.

“Morning father, morning mother.” Marcus spoke, taking his seat at the opposite end of the table. Watching them both acknowledge his greeting he turned to his siblings with a softer smile. “Merry and Morden you both need to eat your vegetables even if you don’t like them. How else will you be big and strong?” 

With that came a huff from the two of them. Meredith’s pig tails bobbing on her head as she let out a grumpy noise. “But they taste bad. Why do we have to eat them?”

“Because they’re good for you. Besides, would you rather be short for the rest of your life? Unable to reach the top shelves the cookies are kept on?” As he teased her for her love of baked goods she clearly mulled over it before stuffing the vegetables in her mouth and swallowing them. “See it wasn’t that hard was it?” 

She continued pouting as she was quietly eating the rest. Morden being the ever quiet one followed what his sister was doing and ate his own vegetables before he heard a deep chuckle. 

“It’s good to see you have a good handle on your siblings Marcus. Isn’t that right Mary?” His father spoke amused at how easily he got the two to eat. 

His mother let out a noncommittal hum and rolled her eyes. “I suppose. Remember Marcus you only have three months till the Academy exams and I expect you to at least pass. You can do that, can’t you?” Her icy stare cut into him as he looked down.

“I understand, Mother.” As he replied he began to eat his meal aware of his father’s difficult expression. 

His father was often the one who when he came home would take Marcus to see things in the city and enjoy a break. It was often a point of tension between his parents and he hated the fact he was what caused those problems. He tried to be better but it was difficult… Marcus took a moment to blink as he realised he was getting more memories of his parents and their arguments to time he spent in his room crying after his mother hit him with a cane for failing to get a top grade in his examinations. At some point he stopped trying to study as hard because he always ended up hurt regardless. But his father was unable to really argue with mother mostly because she was a lot more intimidating and whilst father was a powerful swordsman, he would never use that strength against his mother, an equally talented mage. It was made worse by the fact the Cain family was a Marquiss family meaning they stood above his father’s rank and he held less power than her. 

At least he did his best to try and help when he could and over the years his mother was less strict. Not because she cared, it was more so she could focus on her prized and talented twins. The rest of breakfast was filled with brief chats and the younger siblings asking questions about topics they barely understood. Once it was concluded his father left to begin working in his office, whilst his mother held the hands of his younger siblings and led them to their classes. Whilst he was left on his own he wiped his lips and stood up. He loved his family but his mother made things difficult for him.

Beginning his studies with his tutors he figured it was best to focus and diligently take notes. An issue in his memory was just how apathetic Marcus had become to the idea of effort and although he knew some of the material he hardly knew enough. Looking over the material he began to ask questions and hoped having a refresher on the previous material could have him catching up a little. The tutor, a lean man with round glasses, looked pleased at his change of attitude and helped structure a revision plan for him. 

The Academy tested; mathematics, literature, history, sciences but to Marcus it was fine considering how underdeveloped the study of science seemed to be compared to his modern education, magical theory which he was going to need a desperate few months of catching up on considering Marcus never bothered with it. Finally there was also a series of extra credit examinations one could take that focused on the liberal arts from music to painting as well other popular choices such as submitting reports from the guild on their personally completed commissions. The last one aimed to help students attempting to enter from poorer backgrounds by letting them build up credits from proof of fighting monsters or helping others. It was often stressed that doing extracurriculars focused around humanitarian aid or positive impacts on the kingdom could even get you access to scholarships. Discussing his plans considering how mediocre it seemed he was academically he might as well attempt to do some charity work with local churches or possibly an orphanage. By the time they had finished going over what his next three months of study would look like it was nearing lunch time when a familiar knock came from the door.

Opening the door he saw the small maid present as she looked flustered as he had stepped forward whilst he opened the door. Meaning her face was rather close to his chest. Panicked, she stepped away with a bow.

“M-My apologies, it is currently time for you to have lunch with the Countess and the young master and lady.” She replied, still stammering her way through some words.

Nodding he smiled as he rested a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll be there now. No need to be so nervous around me…” Marcus frowned, realising he did not know her name.

Looking up at him she realised and replied quickly. “Julia, young master. My name is Julia.”

“Well Julia, there isn’t a reason to be afraid.” He began walking as he waved to the tutor who would be guided to another maid to a separate dining area appropriate for guests. Entering the dining hall he found his seat opposite his two younger siblings, with his mother at the head of the table as was customary in the family. The one leading a meal would always sit at its head. The dishes were brought out and everyone was quiet until his mother took her first bite. 

As she swallowed her gaze met his and he felt himself rooted unable to tell if the sensation was magical or mental. “Marcus, I do hope you remain aware of your studies. Afterall Blake had gotten in top of his class. I’m sure you could at least be able to pass.” The expectations stung, not even being expected to do well but rather just pass.

Nodding he met her gaze as he felt it leech the warmth from him. “I understand, Mother. Today I was discussing with my tutor about the entrance exams and it seems they have an option for extra credits.” 

Her brow raised amused. “Oh, you’re taking the initiative to get into the academy. And here I thought you would be content to coast by. So what is your plan for extra credentials?”

Marcus could feel her mocking glare as he looked back down, slowing his breathing as he felt the pressure constrict on him. “Possible charity or humanitarian aid work with the local church within the city?” 

The pressure that swept over him vanished as his mother’s tone softened. “You want to help people? Even if it’s a selfish reason I doubted you had the capacity to even try. Well if that’s what you would like to do I suppose I could organise time for you to help the church.”

He shook his head as he looked at her. “I would like to volunteer without any introductions from the family. Purely going to them to help out of my own volition. Is it permissible for me to help out on Saturdays and Sundays?” He suggested. If he had been introduced they most likely would not give him a proper position and if the academy investigated they would find his credits nullified or he would be outright disqualified. 

“Very well, as long as you inform the head butler of when you leave and intend on returning it keeps you from lounging around like a dog. Finish your meal and go back to your studies.” 

She returned to her meal as he saw his siblings murmuring together the two of them knew better than to talk to him. Their mother would scold them for trying to socialise with a bad influence unnecessarily. However the sensation of pressure still felt heavy on his shoulders as he got up midway having lost his appetite and returned to his tutor. Focused on his new studies for the rest of the day. He could only mentally prepare for what combat training could be if he found regular studies stifling.