The Darkened Second Male Lead Seeks to Rewrite the Original Storyline

As soon as Ria arrived at school, she noticed something unusual. The atmosphere was oddly festive, almost as if the school were preparing for a celebration. Students gathered in groups, chattering excitedly about something.

What’s going on?

She racked her brain, but nothing in the original story matched this mood. Shrugging it off, she headed toward her classroom.

The Royal Academy consisted of ten grades, from the first to the tenth year. Most students enrolled at the age of ten and graduated at twenty.

Of course, there were exceptions. Some joined later due to their family’s rise in status, while others left when their family fell into decline.

Thus, the Academy wasn’t just a school—it was also a barometer of a family’s social standing.

Today marked Ria’s first day of learning basic magic as a ninth-year student.

Starting in the ninth year, students could choose their specialization. There were three main disciplines: magic, swordsmanship, and politics & economics.

Most nobles opted for politics and economics to prepare for managing their estates, while those unable to inherit titles often chose swordsmanship to become knights.

For Ria, there had been no hesitation—it had to be magic.

Magic! Real magic!

It was the quintessential fantasy experience. Anyone who enjoyed fantasy stories—or anyone, really—would dream of magic.

Over the past few days, she had crammed the basics of magical theory from the eighth-year curriculum. While the original Ria would have already known it, her own memories were blank, and she had no choice but to cram. Her heart raced with excitement.

At the same time, guilt crept in.

I should be withdrawing soon… I need to leave this story…

She couldn’t allow herself to become an obstacle to Siklaen’s happiness. She should have spoken to the Duke last night—explained that Zen had torn up her withdrawal certificate and asked him to speak to the headmaster again.

As negativity began to rise, Ria quickly shook her head.

I’ll tell him today. A day’s delay won’t change anything.

Refocusing on the magic class, she felt her heart pound with anticipation. Today, they were supposed to learn how to create fire. The thought alone brought a flush to her cheeks.

Maybe this festive atmosphere is because of magic, she thought, glancing around. The badges on their cloaks made it easy to identify each student’s year.

But even students from other years seem excited… Strange.

Losing interest in her surroundings, Ria hurried toward her classroom, eager to review the basics of today’s lesson.

Isabel had assured her that most students would struggle on the first day, but Ria’s inner overachiever—honed in the competitive academic culture of Korea—refused to let her relax.

Clenching her fists, Ria reminded herself of her confidence in studying. Scholarships had been her lifeline back in her world, the easiest way to get through school without spending too much money.

I don’t know if magic can be mastered through studying, but I’ll give it my all.

As she approached the corridor’s corner, she noticed a growing murmur of voices.

What’s going on now?

Frowning, Ria looked around.

She was walking along an outdoor corridor with arched ceilings, overlooking a spacious courtyard. From the courtyard, a man was walking toward her.

Ria’s gaze fixed on him.

Under the sunlight, his golden hair seemed to shimmer, and his sharp golden eyes gave the impression of piercing through anything. Despite wearing no jewelry, his face seemed to radiate an otherworldly light, as if reflecting something unseen. His tall, athletic frame filled out his crimson uniform perfectly.

It was only then that Ria noticed the students whispering and staring at him. His appearance was that striking.

Someone this dazzling must be a character from the story, she thought. But no matter how hard she searched her memories, she couldn’t recall a man like him.

Her frown deepened as the man’s gaze locked onto hers, as though she were his destination.

Does he know the original Ria?

Before she knew it, the man was standing right in front of her. His eyes curved into crescent moons as he smiled.

He’s smiling?

Unnerved, Ria instinctively took a step back. She had a bad feeling about this.

The man, still smiling warmly, spoke.

“I’ve heard about you from Lady Rosevel. She said you’re childhood friends…”

His smile was so bright and carefree that it took Ria a moment to realize “Lady Rosevel” referred to Siklaen.

“Who are you…?”

Ria asked the most pressing question on her mind. The man’s smile widened.

“I’m Byron of House Ebon, the eldest son. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Byron extended his hand for a handshake.

Ebon? He’s Ernie’s brother…!

Ria’s eyes widened in recognition. This was the war hero who had earned high praise for his achievements on the battlefield.

Now she understood why the students were whispering—it wasn’t just his striking appearance.

He’s a war hero.

Uneasy, Ria didn’t take his hand, simply staring at it. She couldn’t trust someone connected to Ernie, no matter how harmless he appeared.

Byron, however, didn’t seem bothered by her rudeness. His smile remained intact.

Ria frowned. There was something oddly familiar about that disarming smile.

Golden hair, dazzling looks, impeccable manners, and unshakable confidence. That carefree smile that seems untouched by worry… Where have I seen this before?

Although she couldn’t place him, the sense of déjà vu gnawed at her. She stared at Byron, but the answer remained elusive.

Ding.

Ria picked up a small bell in what looked like the lobby of a luxurious hotel. Almost immediately, a maid appeared and bowed.

“I’d like to use a room.”

“The lounge?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll prepare it immediately. Please wait a moment.”

The maid bowed deeply before hurrying away. Ria nodded and sank into a single-seat sofa. She had come to use one of the private library lounges Ernie had introduced her to.

Smiling with satisfaction, she glanced around. A library with every book imaginable, private lounges, and even refreshments delivered on request—it was a luxury she had never experienced while studying in Korea.

Refreshments? Back then, I had to skip meals to afford studying.

She tilted her head back, staring at the ceiling. For a moment, she entertained a silly thought: Maybe this place really is heaven.

Then, someone brushed past her.

“Huh?”

Ria jolted upright. A figure with curly hair cascading down to her waist and a height just a fist shorter than Ria stood before her.

Familiar…

It was Siklaen.

Ria tilted her head in confusion as Siklaen walked past her without so much as a glance and rang the bell with a light ding.

In the original story, no matter how cruelly Ria bullied and humiliated her, Siklaen never once ignored her. If anything, Ria had been the one to disregard Siklaen entirely.

She always greeted me, no matter how badly I treated her. So why now?

At that moment, a maid emerged from inside and bowed deeply to Ria.

“Lady Ria, the room is ready for you.”

“Ri-Ria?”

Siklaen whirled around, her eyes wide as though she had only just realized Ria was there. She stared at Ria with a mixture of surprise and confusion.

Ria forced a stiff smile.

Since her failed attempt to slap Siklaen, Ria had stopped harassing her. But that didn’t erase the history of her past actions.

Their relationship was still awkward, and Ria considered it only natural.

Maybe Siklaen just wanted to ignore me. I wouldn’t blame her.

After everything Ria had done, it was an entirely reasonable reaction.

Without responding, Ria turned and followed the maid leading the way.

“W-Wait!”

Siklaen grabbed the hem of Ria’s dress in a panic.

“…What?”

“Ria… It is you, right?”

Siklaen’s voice trembled, and her expression was tinged with fear.

“What kind of question is that?”

“I-I’m sorry. It’s just… for a moment, you looked strange. You’re definitely Ria, but…”

Her eyes welled up as if she were about to cry.

“It felt like you weren’t here… like you didn’t exist.”

“What?”

Ria’s sharp tone cut through the air, and a sense of déjà vu struck her.

No way…

She recalled Isabel’s words from a few days ago, words that had unsettled her deeply.

“For a moment, it felt like you weren’t there.”
“You were here, but it was as if you weren’t.”

“I’m sorry, Ria,” Siklaen mumbled, her voice filled with distress.

Ria stared at her, taking in her trembling figure.

Siklaen wasn’t exceptionally beautiful, nor was she particularly striking in appearance, but she commanded the space around her with an undeniable presence.

In contrast…

Ria turned abruptly to look at the maid who had been guiding her. The maid was so inconspicuous that it was easy to forget she was even there.

Presence.

A chill ran down Ria’s spine as a horrifying realization began to take shape.

Ernie Ebon. She appeared right after I started the withdrawal process.

There had been no mention of Ernie Ebon in the novel she read. Her name, her family, her very existence—none of it had appeared before.

What’s more, Ernie had stolen lines that Ria was supposed to say.

Ernie’s motivations seemed almost fabricated, her actions too calculated, like a poor imitation of Ria’s own role.

It dawned on her then—Ernie Ebon was a replacement.

From the moment Ria failed to slap Siklaen, or perhaps from the moment she decided not to reveal Siklaen’s secret, she had lost her role. The role of the villain.

Stories revolved around their characters. This world was no exception. And without the role of the villain, Ria had become redundant.

Ria bit her lip hard.

If I keep losing my presence like this…

“It was like your body was translucent…”

Isabel’s words echoed in her mind.

I’ll disappear.

A primal fear engulfed Ria.