Reborn as the Extra: The Villainess Won’t Leave Me Alone!

As the class ended, Riley and Rhea found themselves walking out together, their steps naturally falling into sync. The air between them was lighter now, the earlier tension dissipating.

"So, the annual school tournament is coming up," Rhea began, her tone smooth and composed, her noble demeanor shining through. "How are you planning to prepare for it?"

Riley scratched the back of his neck. "To be honest, I'm still figuring that out. I mean, I've got some skills, but compared to everyone else... there's a lot of ground to cover."

Rhea raised a perfectly arched eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint smile. "How utterly unprepared. I would have thought someone who boldly intervened in Nigel's antics would have a clearer plan."

Riley laughed nervously. "Yeah, well, that was more instinct than anything else. But I'll get there. What about you? How are you preparing?"

Rhea's expression remained calm, her voice carrying an air of authority. "My preparation is always meticulous. Strengthening my magic, refining my swordsmanship, ensuring every move I make is calculated to perfection. Unlike some, I prefer to be fully prepared before stepping onto the battlefield."

Riley grinned sheepishly. "Right, I'll keep that in mind. So, any advice for someone like me?"

Rhea's gaze flickered toward him, her tone light but laced with her signature sharpness. "Advice? Focus on your weaknesses. Build your strengths. And, above all, don't embarrass yourself out there."

"Noted," Riley said with a grin. "Thanks for the advice."

They continued walking, their conversation shifting between light banter and tournament strategies. As they stepped out of the school building into the fading sunlight, they were met with an unexpected sight. Kenny Blaine and Trista Quinn stood just ahead, their conversation halting as they noticed Riley and Rhea.

All four stopped, an air of tension forming instantly. Kenny's sharp gaze moved between Riley and Rhea before he broke the silence.

"So, I heard about what happened in your last class," Kenny said, his tone both curious and skeptical. "Nigel losing his temper isn't surprising, but you standing up to him? That's something new."

Riley shrugged, trying to downplay the situation. "It wasn't a big deal. He just needed to be put in his place."

Kenny raised an eyebrow, a small smirk forming on his lips. "Not a big deal? From what I heard, you deflected his attacks and held your ground. That doesn't sound like nothing to me."

"You're forgetting something," Riley said with a grin. "This morning, I stopped you and Nigel from tearing into each other. Pretty sure I also kept Trista and Rhea from getting caught up in it."

Kenny's smirk faltered slightly, but he recovered quickly. "Fair point. I'll admit, you stepping in was unexpected. But don't think I needed saving."

"Sure you didn't," Riley replied with a playful tone. "But maybe next time, try not to escalate things?"

Kenny laughed lightly, shaking his head. "I'll consider it. Still, good job standing up to Nigel. Someone needed to do it."

"Well, someone had to," Riley said, crossing his arms. "It's not like you were going to back down."

"Back down?" Kenny said, his grin growing. "Not my style, Zain. You'll figure that out soon enough."

As the boys talked, Rhea and Trista's eyes locked, and the atmosphere between them grew heavier.

"Rhea Void," Trista said, her tone sharp and cutting. "Still parading around with that superior attitude of yours, I see."

Rhea's lips curled into a faint, elegant smile. "And you, Trista Quinn, still clinging to your self-righteousness. How utterly predictable."

Trista's eyes narrowed. "At least I'm not feared for all the wrong reasons. People actually respect me."

"Respect?" Rhea said smoothly, her voice dripping with mockery. "It's not respect if they're simply indulging your naive optimism. True respect comes from recognizing power, something you clearly lack."

Trista stepped closer, her voice rising. "Power isn't everything, Rhea. Kindness, integrity—those are what truly matter."

"How quaint," Rhea replied, her tone icy. "And yet, in the real world, your kindness will get you nowhere. You'll be trampled by those who understand how to wield real strength."

The air between the two crackled, and a faint aura began emanating from them both. Trista's light, golden glow clashed against the dark, violet hue surrounding Rhea. Their powers surged as their argument grew more heated.

"Maybe you'd understand if you weren't so obsessed with being above everyone else," Trista snapped.

"And maybe you'd stop pretending to be perfect if you admitted you have flaws like everyone else," Rhea countered, her voice sharp and cold.

The auras around them flared, drawing gasps from nearby students. Riley and Kenny exchanged a quick glance before stepping forward to intervene.

"Okay, that's enough," Riley said, placing himself between the two. "Let's not turn this into something bigger than it needs to be."

Kenny grabbed Trista's arm, gently pulling her back. "Trista, calm down. This isn't the time or place."

Riley lightly touched Rhea's shoulder, meeting her gaze. "Rhea, come on. Let's not do this here."

Both girls hesitated, their auras slowly fading as they allowed the boys to guide them away from each other. The tension lingered, but the immediate threat of escalation passed.

Kenny sighed, shaking his head. "Sorry about that," he said, addressing both Riley and Rhea. "She can be... passionate."

Riley nodded. "Same here. Rhea's not exactly one to back down either."

Rhea and Trista exchanged one last glare before turning away, their rivalry far from resolved. As the four walked off, the weight of the encounter hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the challenges still ahead.

As they walked away from the encounter, Rhea was visibly irritated, her arms crossed as she muttered under her breath. "That insufferable girl... always pretending to be better than everyone else. I can't stand her," she said, her voice laced with frustration.

Riley walked beside her, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. Why do they hate each other so much? he thought to himself. In the light novel, it was obvious that Rhea and Trista were natural enemies, but seeing it play out in real life is something else entirely.

His curiosity got the better of him. "Hey, I've got a question for you," he said, breaking the silence.

Rhea stopped muttering and looked at him, her elegant expression still tinged with irritation. "What is it?" she asked, her tone sharp but controlled.

Riley hesitated for a moment before asking, "Why don't you like Trista? What happened between you two? And... why do people call you the villainess?"

Rhea raised an eyebrow, her composed demeanor returning. For a moment, she was silent, as if carefully considering her response. Finally, she spoke, her voice carrying her trademark pride and elegance. "It's not a matter of simply disliking her," she began. "Trista Quinn represents everything I despise. She's a symbol of false virtue, someone who thrives on the adoration of others while pretending to be humble. She projects this image of perfection, but it's shallow and insincere."

Riley listened intently, nodding as she continued.

"As for me being called the villainess?" Rhea's tone grew colder. "It's because I refuse to conform to their expectations. I won't bow down to others simply to be liked. My family's name carries weight and power, and I've learned to embrace it. But people don't understand that. They see confidence as arrogance, strength as intimidation, and ambition as cruelty."

She paused, her gaze softening slightly. "I've been painted as the villainess because it's easier for them to make me the antagonist in their little stories than to face the truth that I won't play by their rules. Trista and I... we're opposites in every way, and that's why they pit us against each other."

Riley nodded thoughtfully, processing her words. She's not wrong, he thought. In the light novel, she was misunderstood, but hearing her side of things makes it even clearer.

"Thanks for telling me," he said, his tone genuine. "I guess it's not easy being in your position."

Rhea glanced at him, her expression softening for just a moment before she straightened her posture and gave a small, proud smile. "Of course not. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. Let them call me the villainess. It's better than being a shallow imitation of perfection."

Riley smiled lightly. "Fair enough. I guess that's why you're... well, you."

Rhea gave a small chuckle, her mood seemingly lifted as they continued walking. Though the tension from earlier lingered, Riley couldn't help but feel like he understood her a little better.

As they walked, the weight of Rhea's words hung heavily in Riley's mind. He fell into his thoughts, the sound of their steps blending into the background. She's so different from how the novel made her seem, he mused. They painted her as cold and calculating, but... she's more than that. She's proud, sure, but it's not arrogance. She's just someone who refuses to let others dictate her life.

He glanced at her, her elegant posture and composed expression unshaken. Without thinking, he muttered aloud, "She's... beautiful."

Rhea stopped abruptly, causing Riley to nearly bump into her. "What?" she asked, her face quickly turning bright red.

Riley froze, realizing what he had just said. "Uh... what? Did I say something?" he stammered, his mind racing to remember his words.

Rhea turned to face him, her expression flustered yet defiant. "You said... you said I'm beautiful." Her voice, though retaining its usual proud tone, wavered slightly as she spoke.

Riley's own face turned crimson as he stuttered, "I—I didn't mean—I mean, I wasn't trying to—" He groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Okay, maybe I did. But it just slipped out! I mean, you are, but—"

"Stop talking," Rhea interrupted, her face still flushed. She looked away, trying to regain her composure, but her usual elegant demeanor was cracked by the blush spreading across her cheeks. "I'm not used to... hearing that. At least, not like that."

Riley blinked, surprised. "Not like that? What do you mean?"

Rhea glanced at him briefly before looking forward, her voice quieter but still tinged with her proud personality. "People usually compliment me because they feel obligated. Or they think it'll gain them favor. But you... you just said it without thinking. It was... genuine."

Riley's heart skipped a beat at her words. "Well, yeah. I wasn't trying to flatter you or anything. I just... said what I thought."

Rhea's blush deepened, and she gave a small, nervous laugh. "You're insufferable," she said, though her tone lacked its usual bite. "But... thank you."

They continued walking, an unusual silence falling between them. For once, it wasn't tense, but rather filled with an unspoken understanding that neither of them was ready to address.

The sun hung low in the sky as Riley and Rhea walked side by side, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet evening. They exchanged occasional glances, but every time their eyes met, they both quickly looked away, a faint awkwardness hanging between them.

As they neared the fork in the path leading to the separate dorms, Rhea slowed her pace. Riley matched her, sensing the unspoken cue that she had something to say.

"So, the tournament," Rhea began, her tone maintaining its usual elegance. "I expect you'll put in the necessary effort to at least avoid embarrassing yourself."

Riley grinned, scratching the back of his neck. "You really have a way with words, don't you? But yeah, I'll be ready. I've got some ideas on how to improve."

"Ideas?" Rhea raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "I hope for your sake they're more substantial than your usual reliance on luck."

"Hey, luck is a skill too," Riley joked, earning a small, reluctant smile from Rhea.

"If you say so," she replied, her voice laced with mock disbelief. "But remember, the tournament isn't about luck. It's about preparation, precision, and power. Only the strongest—and the smartest—will prevail."

Riley nodded, his tone softening. "I know. I'll take it seriously, Rhea. Thanks for the advice."

Her expression softened for a moment, and she glanced away briefly before meeting his eyes again. "Just don't prove me wrong. You've set a bar now, Riley—make sure you reach it.""

They reached the fork in the path, and both stopped. Riley gestured toward the dorms. "So, I guess this is where we part ways."

Rhea inclined her head slightly, her voice calm but carrying an air of finality. "Indeed. Good night, Riley. Don't waste the evening—use it to prepare."

Riley chuckled lightly. "Good night, Rhea. And... thanks."

With a small nod, Rhea turned and began walking toward her dorm. Riley watched her for a moment before turning in the opposite direction.

As Rhea walked down the path to her dorm, her mind whirled with thoughts she couldn't quite suppress. Why am I even concerned about him? she wondered, her elegant composure cracking slightly as her thoughts grew louder. He's just another competitor... isn't he? Then why does it feel like I want him to succeed?

She sighed softly, her steps slowing as she considered the events of the day. He's infuriating, but... he's different. Genuine. And he doesn't treat me like a villain. Her cheeks flushed lightly at the memory of his earlier compliment. Beautiful, she repeated to herself, shaking her head quickly as if to clear it. "Ridiculous," she muttered under her breath, quickening her pace.

Meanwhile, Riley walked toward his dorm, his thoughts equally jumbled. What a day, he mused. First, I get caught up in all this drama, and now I'm walking home with the so-called villainess who... really isn't much of a villain at all.

He exhaled sharply, his hands in his pockets. Rhea Void... she's something else. Elegant, strong, and intimidating as hell. But beneath all that... she's human. Vulnerable, even. I didn't expect to see that side of her.

His thoughts drifted to her words about the tournament. She's right, though. If I don't take this seriously, I'll regret it. And for some reason, I don't want to disappoint her. He frowned slightly, the realization catching him off guard. Why do I care what she thinks?

Shaking his head, Riley laughed softly to himself. "Man, this place really messes with your head."

As he reached his dorm, he glanced back toward the path he'd come from, a small smile playing on his lips. Guess I'll just have to figure it out as I go.