SSS Talent: The Cursed Path of the Chosen Hero was a story built on a classic medieval foundation, yet filled with frequent fantastical elements. This world was home to many powerful noble families and the factions they formed.
These nobles often sponsored promising young talents to amass influence. Such sponsorships were usually given to children from poor families who were in desperate need of financial support. And I, Aurelius Emberforge, a promising child from an impoverished household, had caught the eye of a baroness known for her noble heritage and influence in the region.
Though the story never truly focused on this part, the baroness took me under her wing and had me trained by the instructors she kept in her own castle.Over the years, she gathered many other gifted children, but I remained her clear favorite simply because I was the most talented.
I commanded the system window to close and turned toward the door. When I opened it, a woman in her early thirties stood before me. She had blonde hair, blue eyes, large breasts, a sharp jawline, and a small nose. Her expression softened slightly the moment she saw me.
This woman was Baroness Catherinne Ravencrest, renowned for sponsoring promising young childs. She looked exactly as she had been described in the novel, except for one thing: She was far more beautiful. I mean the kind of beauty that surpassed even the idols from my previous life, the ones sculpted through countless cosmetic surgeries.
"Aurelius, the servants told me you weren't leaving your room and weren't responding. What's going on?" she asked, her eyes studying me closely.
I froze for a moment, unsure what to say. This was the first time I had spoken to someone since arriving in this world, and to be honest, I was a bit nervous.
"Uh… well… I feel a little sick… I guess," I muttered, giving the most cliché answer imaginable.
Baroness Catherinne's eyebrows first lifted in surprise, then drew together in concern. Her sharp, commanding gaze softened with something almost maternal, though she still carried herself with the unwavering confidence of a seasoned commander.
Her footsteps echoed softly across the stone floor as she entered. She closed the door behind her, not bothering to hide the worry on her face. She looked at me as if I were a treasured blade she'd noticed a scratch on; both irritated and distressed by the thought.
"You feel sick?" she repeated, but her tone carried more of a "why didn't you tell me?" than genuine inquiry.
She placed her fingers under my chin, gently lifting my head. Her touch was soft, yet carried unmistakable authority. She stared into my eyes for a long moment. In her gaze, I saw the precision of a master swordsmith examining a new blade, mixed with the warmth of a mother assessing her child's wellbeing.
"You don't have a fever. Your breathing is normal. Your skin is pale, but this… looks more like stress than illness," she murmured.
"Of course you're overwhelmed," she continued. "New friends, new responsibilities, realizing your own potential… these are heavy burdens. But Aurelius…"
She brushed her hand through my hair. "You don't have to carry them alone. If you need anything, you can find me in my quarters."
Before leaving, she paused at the doorway. It felt as if two different versions of Catherinne were battling inside her: One was a strict, authoritative noblewoman. The other was a fierce yet tender maternal figure who protected what was hers.
The maternal side won.
She turned back to me. Her eyes, now softer, held a quiet claim.
"Aurelius…" she said in a lower voice. "You're under my protection. That doesn't mean you're alone. Your wellbeing is my responsibility."
As she said this, her shoulders relaxed, and the worry on her face melted slightly into relief.
"Rest today," she repeated. "And don't you dare hide it from me if you truly feel unwell. Do we understand each other?"
For a moment, she studied me again. In her gaze, there was something… a kind of affection. A warmth hidden beneath the cold exterior of a strong woman who cared only for a chosen few. I suppose that was the unfair advantage of being the MC.
"I… okay… Baroness," I managed to reply, my voice trembling slightly.
A faint hint of satisfaction flickered across her face before she finally left the room, closing the door behind her.
The moment I was alone, a heavy emptiness settled in my chest. My mind flooded with questions, and I had no idea how to respond to any of them.
What was I going to do in this world?
What was my purpose?
How was I supposed to act toward people like the Baroness?
I had declared from the very beginning that I wanted to become a villain but how?
Did I even have a goal or a reason to walk down a dark path?
I didn't know how I had ended up here, but one thing was certain: I needed answers before morning.
I stared at the ceiling, trying to silence my thoughts, but my mind was like a cage full of starving beasts clawing at the bars.
I want to become a villain… but how?
Choosing a dark path without answering that question would be stupidity. Besides, even the novel's world punished villains simply for being villainous. The original Aurelius Emberforge had been forced into heroism by the system's "destiny" path. In the end, destiny had stripped away all his choices.
I wouldn't repeat that mistake.
Evil without purpose was just a tantrum.
But evil with purpose… could bend fate itself.
Lying back on the firm mattress, I whispered to myself:
"I should write down everything I remember about the novel as soon as possible. First… I need to recall how this world works. Who holds power? What festers in the shadows?"
I didn't need a tragic past or devastating loss to justify my descent into villainy. My motivation could be far more deliberate. I took a deep breath. Even the Baroness had already sensed it: my quickened heartbeat and pale face. I was alone in this world.
But one truth stood out:
Baroness Catherinne Ravencrest was dangerously invested in me.
Her protectiveness, authority, and maternal instincts… all of them formed the perfect shield. Being her favorite was the first step onto this world's stage of power. But it also meant she would try to control me.
If I were to become a villain, I first needed powerful people who loved me. Their affection, trust, and authority would become my greatest weapons.
Catherinne was perfect for that.
I sat up slowly. The wind rustled the thin curtains by the window as my thoughts crystallized.
My first priorities:
1. **Earn more of the Baroness's trust.**
Become indispensable in her eyes. That meant political and social protection.
2. **Learn everything about the System.**
If this world wanted to force me into heroism… I would remove the nail that held that destiny in place.
3. **Study the unnoticed power structures.**
Noble families, factions, mage guilds… a true villain laid foundations among them.
4. **Give meaning to my desire for villainy.**
My "evil" needed intention. My ultimate goal might be to sever destiny's strings.
5. **Strengthen myself using every detail I remember from the novel.**
Items with special powers, swords, potions, parchments or crystals. I must obtain these quickly but carefully.
As the night deepened, the room was illuminated only by the pale glow of the moon. A spark flickered in my thoughts.
What I called "villainy" was actually the act of stealing my own fate.
If I chose the path of a hero, the system would chain me. The story would confine me. The script had already been written.
But evil…
Evil had no rules.
Evil had no limits.
Evil was freedom.
And most importantly, it was what I wanted.
I wanted to be a villain.
I know it might sound childish, but children are often the ones who know exactly what they want.