Varian’s piercing gaze locked onto mine, studying me carefully.

  He expected resistance. A test of loyalty.

  Instead, I smirked.

  **"I'm listening."**

  The atmosphere in the abandoned clock tower grew heavier.

  For a moment, there was silence.

  Then—

  **"Hah. Interesting."**

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Varian chuckled, his voice a deep rumble.

  **"You’re smarter than I thought, Lucian. Most would have refused immediately, but you… you’re thinking. We need people like you."**

  I leaned against a broken pillar, arms crossed.

  **"If you’re trying to recruit me, get to the point."**

  Varian’s smirk widened.

  **"Very well. We’ll start with a simple task. Prove your worth to Eclipse."**

  [Ding!]

  **[Villain System Notice]**

  - **New Side Quest: Eclipse’s Trial**

  - **Objective: Assassinate a Target Within the Academy**

  - **Target: ???**

  - **Reward: ???**

  - **Failure: Death**

  …Seriously?

  They weren’t wasting any time.

  But I already knew what I had to do.

  I couldn’t outright refuse, or they’d become suspicious.

  So I played my role.

  I exhaled, pretending to think.

  **"Fine. Who’s the target?"**

  Varian’s smirk deepened.

  **"Oh, don’t worry. It’s no one important."**

  Then he handed me a **sealed letter.**

  **"Open it when you're alone. You have three days."**

  I took the letter and turned away, walking back toward the academy.

  As soon as I was out of sight, I opened my system log.

  ---

  **[Mission Objective: Ensure the Hero’s Victory]**

  - **Status: Progressing**

  - **Double Agent Role Activated**

  ---

  I clenched my fist.

  *This is getting dangerous… but also interesting.*

  Let the real game begin.

  ---