Why is Background Character the Strongest Now?-Chapter 26: Tragic Villian

Chapter 26

The room was quiet—too quiet.

Inside the dormitory of the Blue House, the pale light of a desk lamp cast strange shadows on the walls. Xavier Quinn sat hunched over his desk, a piece of paper pinned before him, hands moving in quick, precise motions.

He wasn’t writing.

He was drawing—a series of cryptic runes and circles that pulsed faintly in the lamplight. Some twisted like vines, others were rigid and jagged like claws. The ink he used was deep crimson, unnaturally thick.

It wasn’t ink.

It was blood.

Suddenly, the doorknob rattled. Xavier flinched.

He snatched the notebook shut and shoved it into the drawer. The blood vial followed with a soft clink as the door creaked open.

Standing there was Ezra Celestrian, dressed neatly as always, polite as ever.

"Hello, Xavier," he said with a gentle smile. "You didn’t attend class today. Is your health alright?"

Xavier blinked. His voice was slightly rushed, awkward. "I’m fine. Just... had a bit of a headache."

Ezra stepped in. His eyes wandered for a half-second—enough to take in the slightly metallic smell in the room, the sheen of sweat on Xavier’s forehead, and the subtle shakiness in his hand.

"You haven’t looked well lately," Ezra said, his voice calm. "Why don’t we take a walk outside? Fresh air might help. I was heading to the medical store anyway."

"I’m fine," Xavier repeated, firmer this time. "You can go on your own."

Ezra’s smile lingered, but inside, he was growing irritated.

Polite won’t work. I’ve tried for a week. I gave him space, offered help, gave him exits. But if he’s truly infected with miasma... I can’t let it fester any longer.

Let’s change the approach.

Ezra took a slow step forward.

Then another.

Xavier’s eyes darted nervously, instinctively pushing his chair back as he tried to rise.

"I... I need to use the bathroom," he muttered.

He took a step, but before he could move further, Ezra’s hand came down on his shoulder.

Firm.

Heavy.

Smiling, Ezra leaned in slightly. His voice remained calm, but there was steel beneath the silk.

"Xavier," he said. "I know what you’re trying to do. So either you come with me quietly... or I call the warden and expose everything."

Xavier froze.

His timid aura vanished.

In a flash, something dark surged within him. His posture straightened. His eyes narrowed into black slits. The soft, awkward boy was gone. What remained was something colder. Sharper.

His voice was low. Monotone. Icy.

"Try, if you can."

Ezra’s eyes narrowed, but his smirk didn’t fade. Instead, he stepped closer and let his aura rise—faint purple mana surrounding him like a curtain of moonlight.

"We can’t fight here," Ezra said softly. "Dorm’s reinforced. Wards everywhere."

"So," he continued, brushing Xavier’s shoulder like a gentleman leading a dance, "why don’t we talk outside?"

For a moment, neither moved.

Then Xavier slowly pushed Ezra’s hand away.

"Fine. Follow me."

Ezra nodded once, already pulling out his phone as Xavier turned toward the hallway. He typed quickly.

[To Marcus: He’s moving. I’ll confront him outside. Just watch. No matter what happens—do. not. interfere.]

He slid the phone away, eyes focused.

Tonight, I’ll confirm it. And if it’s true... I’ll break him before it spreads.

——————-

At the edge of the academy forest, hidden beneath the cover of tall whispering trees, Marcus Ardent crouched low, his expression tight with focus. Behind him, the rest of the group clustered uneasily.

Dravis shifted his weight and scowled.

"Why are we even hiding?" he muttered. "This is stupid."

Marcus didn’t turn.

"We’re not here to fight. Just observe."

Dalen scoffed. "Observe? If that Xavier guy is really infected with miasma like Ezra said... we should kill him before he spreads it."

Marcus glanced back briefly. "Ezra said he’ll handle it. And Professor Kael is nearby. Nothing’s going wrong tonight."

Lyria folded her arms. "That lazy professor? You think he’ll actually do something? I’ve seen him sleep through a thunderstorm."

Evelyne added hesitantly, "Maybe we should inform Professor Katrina. Just in case."

"No." Marcus’s voice was firm. "Ezra asked us not to interfere. And from what I’ve seen—he doesn’t lie."

Evelyne pouted. "Still, it’s dangerous..."

Dalen clenched his jaw.

Ezra this. Ezra that.

In the past week, Marcus had brought up Ezra’s name more than anyone else. Constant praise. Constant mention. It grated on Dalen’s nerves. And what stung more... was how Lyria acted whenever Ezra was around.

The way she smiled at him. The way she blushed when he called her ’Miss Aetherhart.’

Tch.

I should calm down. It’s not like Ezra’s doing anything wrong. And if he really can fix Xavier without a fight... I don’t have to lift a finger. I’ll get rewarded anyway.

His thoughts were interrupted.

[Incorrect.]

A voice—clear and feminine—cut through his thoughts.

"Excuse me?" Dalen blinked.

[You do not qualify for completion rewards under current behavioral pattern.]

"Wait, what?"

[You’re doing nothing. That doesn’t count as participation. In fact," the voice added with mild amusement, "continued inactivity will result in a minor penalty.]

"Oh, come on! I’m here, aren’t I?"

[Yes. Hiding behind a tree. Very heroic.]

"Tch. I was told to observe!"

[The quest didn’t say watch. It said engage. Minimal effort input detected. Danger of downgrade to Side Character status: 14%.]

"Are you threatening me?"

[No, Dalen. I’m reminding you. This world isn’t going to reward bystanders. And Ezra? He’s moving like a Main Character. You’re falling behind.]

"I hate you."

[Mutuality not required. Now either move... or enjoy your penalty.]

Dalen cursed under his breath.

Stupid system. Stupid Ezra. Stupid magical parasite boy ruining everyone’s life.

He clenched his fists, debating whether to act—when Kael Arkezen’s voice suddenly echoed through their minds:

"Quiet."

The voice wasn’t theirs.

It rang clearly in their minds, silencing all thoughts.

A wave of pressure washed over them as a new presence settled into their awareness.

"They’re here."

The lazy drawl belonged to none other than Professor Kael Arkezen—his voice delivered via telepathy.

The group instinctively crouched lower, eyes drawn toward the clearing ahead.

From between the trees, two figures emerged.

A tall black-haired boy, walking with calm precision. His silver-edged uniform flowed behind him like quiet thunderclouds.

Ezra Celestrian.

Beside him walked Xavier Quinn, his pale face unreadable, his dark slit-like eyes gleaming under the moonlight. The two weren’t speaking, but the tension between them was suffocating.

Marcus’s eyes narrowed. Even at this distance, he could feel the pressure coming off both of them.

It wasn’t going to be a conversation.

It was going to be a test of will.

Kael Arkezen, lounging invisibly atop a summoned tree branch somewhere above, smirked lazily to himself.

That Celestrian kid really meant it when he said he’d "purge the miasma." Guess I’ll finally get a show tonight...

—————————

The moonlight bathed the empty field in silver.

Ezra Celestrian stood with arms crossed, calm as still water.

In front of him, Xavier Quinn slowly unsheathed his blade. His expression was unreadable—somewhere between confusion and bloodlust.

"Listen, Xavier," Ezra said, voice steady. "You’re my roommate. So I’ll help you."

Xavier narrowed his eyes. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Ezra tilted his head, giving a small smile. "I’m saying I could kill you. Right here. Right now. But I didn’t come here to fight."

Xavier’s grip on his sword tightened. "If you keep blabbering... you’ll die."

Ezra chuckled—low and relaxed. "Did the miasma melt your brain or something? Think, idiot. Even if you kill me, you won’t escape."

"My student ID tracks life signatures. If I drop dead? The entire faculty’s on you in minutes."

Xavier flinched—just slightly.

He was strong now. Stronger than ever. His body thrummed with power. His instincts whispered he could even take on multiple Rank 4s and walk away. But Ezra...

Why is he so calm?

Why call me out alone?

Does he already know everything?

Why hasn’t the school moved yet if I’ve been exposed?

Ezra’s voice cut through the fog in his mind.

"Don’t worry. No one knows about you... yet."

"But depending on your answer, that could change."

Xavier’s eyes narrowed. Something dark flickered in his gaze.

Ezra took a slow step forward. "I’ve dealt with people like you before. Stubborn. Scared. Angry."

He stopped just a few feet away.

"So I’ll be direct."

Ezra’s aura shifted—sharp and focused.

"I can help your sister."

Xavier froze.

"...What?"

"And I can extract the miasma from you—permanently. Bring you back."

Xavier didn’t react to that. Not immediately.

But his voice cracked when he spoke.

"H-How... d-did you know about her?"

Ezra’s eyes softened, just slightly. "I know everything about you, Xavier."

The silence was thick. Xavier couldn’t breathe.

That’s impossible. No one knows. No one even remembers her name. They took her away. She was supposed to be treated...

He forced a shaky laugh.

"You’re bluffing. She’s safe. They promised she’ll be better soon."

Ezra didn’t smile this time.

He just looked at him.

And spoke like he was reading Xavier’s soul.

"Xavier, your sister isn’t getting treated."

"She’s being prepared. For sacrifice."

The air dropped ten degrees.

Something inside Xavier snapped.

Blood rushed to his ears. His heart pounded.

"No..."

"You’re lying."

Ezra didn’t flinch. "Look into your memories. You’ve felt it too, haven’t you? The changes. The way they talked around you. Like your sister wasn’t even a person anymore."

"They used your desperation. And now they’ve used your body."

Xavier’s sword shook.

His voice came out hoarse. "Shut up."

Ezra took one step closer.

"You know I’m right. You just didn’t want to admit it."

"But if you give in to the miasma now... you’ll never be able to save her."

"You’ll become the monster they hoped you would."

"You’ll play their part for them."

Xavier’s scream tore through the night.

"SHUT UP!"

Dark aura exploded from his body—twisting, choking, seething.

The trees trembled.

The wind howled.

Ezra’s sword was already in hand—glowing faintly with purple mana.

He didn’t take a step back.

Instead, he whispered:

"So this is your answer?"

Xavier raised his blade, voice cold and hollow.

"I don’t need your help."

"I’ll save her my way."

Their eyes locked.

Two forces. Two ideologies. One collision course.

From behind the trees, Marcus whispered, barely audible:

"He’s completely unhinged..."

Kael Arkezen leaned forward on his branch, grinning now.

"Now it gets fun."

As Xavier’s corrupted aura surged, black markings spreading across his arms—

Ezra narrowed his gaze and muttered:

"Then I’ll save you... by force."

The ground cracked beneath their feet.

And the sky darkened.

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