The Academy’s Time Stop Player - Chapter 28

Arthur, a young man in his twenties, suddenly finds himself inside the world of the novel “The Rise of the Sovereign Sword,” a famous story he had been reading in his previous life. He doesn’t understand how he ended up in this world, but he soon discovers that he has been installed as the ruler of a poor and small barony due to a serious misunderstanding—everyone believed he was the illegitimate son of the Duke, a man notorious for his terrible reputation and corrupt deeds.Afraid of having his true identity as an impostor exposed, Arthur finds himself in a difficult predicament.As he tries to find a solution to his dilemma, he faces daily problems stemming from this world’s extreme backwardness in terms of economy, technology, and governance. However, instead of surrendering, he decides to use the knowledge from the world he came from to change this regressive situation.Arthur attempts to spread civilization and progress in his society, fighting against outdated traditions and establishing new concepts that will improve and advance people’s lives.

Some say he is the bad apple in a basket, that he’s rotting everything around him with disgrace and corruption.

Some say he is the biggest scum of the South Zhanbu Continent, that he’s colluding with the dark sects to cheat, steal, and commit all manner of atrocities.

Some say he is the most wanted playboy. “Lock your daughters at home to keep Fang Xing away!”

To all of those people, “That’s right, I am that big rotten apple. Any problem with that?”

This brand of anti-hero is a young orphan with poor prospects and nothing more than the keepsakes of his uncles. He plots, schemes, and orchestrates all manner of villainy in his quest for power and revenge, unafraid to live precariously and make enemies out of those he really should not.

- Description from Novelupdates

In his previous world, X was a feared and brilliant criminal. He led a massive criminal organization, possessed sharp strategic intelligence, and had enough power to challenge entire nations. Though ruthless, he lived by his own principles and morals.One day, after completing a fantasy war game in his free time he transmigrates into that very world.But not as the hero.He awakens in the body of Kael Frost, the game's final villain.In the original game, Kael was a noble born into the Frost Dukedom, which was the strongest after the royal family. He had no interest in training or holding his families legacy despite being the heir to the House Frost. He was a prime example of a spoiled noble brat.Seeing his constant failures and pathetic state, his family especially his father Castor Frost started to neglect him entirely. Discussions were held to appoint Kael's younger brother Kevin as the heir to the Dukedom.Enraged by his family's actions Kael began to behave in more pathetic ways as some sort of revenge. His relations with everyone started to deteriorate further and a public conflict during a grand banquet marked his complete breakdown from his household. Soon after, Kael disappeared from the society.A year later, driven by hatred and despair, he performed a forbidden ritual that granted him immense power in exchange for his emotions and sanity. The ritual succeeded, but turned him into a psychopathic mass murderer. Though powerful enough to nearly defeat the protagonist in the final arc, he ultimately lost due to his madness and the hero's many allies.That was how the game ended.This time, the transmigration happens after the ritual is completed.X inherits Kael's fully awakened powers while retaining his sanity, intelligence, and fragments of emotion from his previous life. With strength untouched by madness, he becomes far more dangerous than Kael ever was.2 years later as admissions begin for the prestigious Namda Academy, the villain re-enters the world stage. Nobles are accepted automatically, while commoners must pass exams that test intellect, psychology, and potential.With knowledge of the game's future and the mind of a genius strategist, the final boss steps onto a new path.***Discord Name- TheDevil_SupremeDiscord Server Link-https://discord.gg/fcewVggrh4

“The masterminds are cooler than heroes,” I mutter as I stare at the chess pieces before me. It is easier to be the one who sits in the shadows and moves the pieces, likewise deciding the flow of the game.Heroes will foolishly sacrifice their lives for the good cause and villains will sacrifice the world for their own gain, but masterminds will use both the heroes and villains to their own benefit.Why, you ask? Well, that's because I've lost my life once while trying to be a hero so, I don't want that anymore. I'd rather be a mastermind who molds the world as per my convenience and live peacefully. Because, why not?***[Defender of Divine Glory says you are the hope of this world.]What?[Goddess of Wisdom believes that you will be the one to save the world.]Wait, what?![Propose the Grand Duke the idea of a fake marriage.]And, why would I do that?![Stop the assassination of Prince Eric.]Why would I save him?![The candidates for the throne are:... Who will you choose?]Ah! I give up...It seems like a curse that anyone who wishes for a slacker life in Isekai will have to go through the most troublesome things.In my past life, I died because of one rookie mistake but after being transmigrated in the world of fantasy I've gotten an opportunity to start afresh, but unlike the protagonists who look for their love and glory, I'd rather make money and live a life of a slacker.I have magic, I have power and I have money, what else do I need?Well, that was the plan but this damn system is getting on my nerves. I mean who in their sane mind would want to mess with the complicated royal family and political affairs? But that's not all though.I've also become the saviour of this world. Things just can't be anymore worse!Besides, the penalty of failing this quest is...[Failure: Destruction of the World.]It seems like if I screw up in selecting the right person then the destruction that is going to befall the world won't be stopped.If I speak of my reward then it's this vague thing.[Reward: Fulfillment of any wish.]“If that's the case then, I'd rather choose the person who would be the best fit for the throne.”And that's how I decided that I would become the Kingmaker.