Chapter 1: Wake up

Agh... My head hurts... How long was I asleep? What time is it today? Did I overslept? God I hope not. I still need to turn in my assignment... Assignment? Assignment!

I forced my eyes open after remembering the assignment that needs to be submitted by today. My head aches along with every inch of my body as if it was being cracked open. I hung my head long due to the difficulty from the pain I am feeling right now. I was so tired last night that I forgot to go to bed and now I have to suffer the consequence of body pain, especially my back that seems to hurt longer than other relationships could.

Jokes aside, I stretched my back as far as I could then my arms as well. I looked at my table to see my progress on my assignment but I was shock to see it is not there. I panicked as I stood up way too quickly from the chair that gave my body a shock and as for the result, I got dizziness. Being anemic has always been a pain. I tried to look for my assignment that should be lying down on the same desk I slept on however, I see no trace of any of my things. Did someone moved it?

"Mom!? Did you go into my room!?" I yelled. "Did you touch my--...." I soon fell silent when I turned around and saw my room different. My room that was painted with grey walls now painted with a beige painting with intricate designs along the walls with renaissance-ish touch. My ceilings that was too painted with grey with a small single light bulb now appeared with the painting of clouds and angels, depicting almost heaven like appearance and a chandelier for the light. My furniture has now been replaced with antique designs with white and plated golds. Everything that resembles my old room has been changed into a whole new aesthetic of room. I was both horrified and enchanted at the same time seeing my supposed room differently.

Is this really my room? I dont know...

I may be in shock but I am also curious. What had happened? Why am I here? I fell asleep in my room so where am I? is this a dream? Lots of questions pops in my head enough to lose my own self because of it. With no answers, I wandered around "my" room. I walked around the room, taking in all the details and I was amazed how every corner of the room is design with elegance and carefully designed. Kudos to those who built this place. Everything is beautiful and the room is well lit. The curtains with floral designs heavily draped on the side of the big windows from where all the morning light comes in. It touches my face so warm and soft.

As I take it all in, I stopped and looked at myself. I am no longer wearing my uniform but instead I am now wearing a white nightgown that reaches just below my knee. It is airy and soft on top of my skin. Very light to move in. Due to being curious of how my clothing look right now, I curiously walked up to the big mirror just nearby the room. I started from the very bottom of my feet then made my way up to my chest and I must admit, I should have taken it slow when I wanted to see how I look like cause now it shocks me even more. My face at the mirror that I am now staring at is not me... WHO IS IT!?

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!" startled, I screamed from surprised but quickly covered my mouth after realizing it my reflection still despite the face I see in the mirror is not mine but someone else's.

The face I see staring back at me is well shaped round face that seems to flatter the soft edges in every angles. His eyes are too well rounded shape with an unusual color for the set of his eyes, teal. His hair is at medium length with the color of grayish blue. Overall, he looks very attractive despite the unusual set of colors for his hair and eyes. I touched my face while looking at the mirror and the figure in the mirror too did as what I did. This is impossible. Very surreal and yet it is presented right in front of me.

No no no. This cant be it! This is not me! So how--!?

I felt a lump in throat as more confusions filled my mind. I felt very uncomfortable and cannot comprehend what has happened altogether. My knees fell on the ground and my whole body felt weak. It might be due to the fatigue but it seems like it is also caused with whatever this is. What is happening?

An hour passed by ever since I woke up into this place. Unknown to everything. Everything appeared old but at the same time beautiful and newly made. Did time turned back? What really happened? Why is no one coming in and telling me anything? On the second thought, I dont want anyone coming...

I stayed on one spot at the corner right next to the gigantic wardrobe hiding my whole figure. Hoping this is all just a dream that I need to wait just to wake up.

"Master Carlos?" I heard a voice outside. I took a peek from where I am hiding, feeling reluctant if I should answer or not. The voice called again using the same name "Carlos" to address someone in this room and clearly I am not Carlos.

"Master Carlos, youre gonna be late for school. It is time. Please wake up from your slumber now." The man behind the door speaks in such dignified manner that it sounds almost funny but I can also tell that the man behind the door is also a respectable man. With the name he called to this room make sense that this is not my room but someone else's and apparently, it belongs to this person Carlos.

At the very corner of my eye, I saw a handkerchief on the floor, conveniently lying down at the foot of the table from where I woke up. I crawled over it and picked up the handkerchief, spread it open and saw a name. "C. Advincula" is elegantly embroided onto the handkerchief. I connected the dots and the possibility that the C may stand for Carlos.

"Carlos Advincula..." I murmured the name when I read it, ignoring the calls of the man behind the door. "Carlos Advincula..." I repeated but with more resonance to the name. That name, have I seen it somewhere? I swear that I have encountered that name before. Was it someone from my school? Name listed on the counts of patients for vaccine shots? Just where could it be...? I recall but not entirely...

"You dare look at me, filthy worm?"

Carlos Advincula! Now I remember! A character from my game! How could I forget!? Carlos Advicula is well known side villain in the game of Talent Thrones where the protagonist, climbs his way up to to the ranks in the school in hopes of recognition for his talent and along the way, a revelation was made when the protagonist turned out to be the first born son of the king who was taken away and was never found again till the day the protagonist rose up from the commoners' crowd.

As for Carlos Advincula, he is a side villain to help build character development for the protagonist. Carlos Advincula is known for his arrogant, narsicist, self-important person due him being the son of one of the big family who are close with the royal family. Carlos is a huge brat. He targets those who are weaker than him and use dirty tricks to those who are stronger than him in order to overtake them. When Carlos bumped to the protagonist, because of the protagonist's unrelenting courage and sense of justice, he was the very first to ever put Carlos down to his place. Ever since that encounter, Carlos swore he would make it a living hell to the protagonist.

As for why he is well known in the game, it is because of what he did to the heroine and the protagonist had to save her. The seen was one of the cliche "I'm need to save her" but what divides that scene from the cliche tropes is when a twist happened in the story, making it so memorable to the players. Carlos also well known due to his appearance that can look innocent and malicious at the same time that lots of players did adore him, however, all of the players can not excuse his actions so they love and hate him at the same time.

"Master Carlos!" I was snapped back into reality when the same voice behind the door now yelled and closer now. A shadow loomed over me and when I raised my head, there he is, standing right in front me, Julien Sierra. An old butler in this family. He looks at me with his sharp eyes. His appearance from the game is very identical to what his appearance is presented to me with a huge touch of realism. His face wrinkled, his hair is fully white, his eyes are sagged with eye bags and his long mustache almost covers his whole mouth and his beard covers the whole jawline underneath. Overall of his aged features, his clothings are well groomed. His black suit is very smooth and not a wrinkle or fold is visible. His shoes are shiny and makes a satisfying clank sound every steps. His color is perfectly symmetrical and so are the other details of his suit. Nothing goes amiss.

"So you are already awake Master Carlos. How long are you gonna hide there?" He manner of speaking is very polite however his tone very demanding. I couldn't look directly into his eyes because I was scared and guilty because I am not Carlos but unfortunate for me because I am now Carlos even if I were to deny that fact.

"Uh-- yeah... I know that..." I reluctantly said. I slowly stood from the corner where I was hiding. Dusted my behind then turned my head to Julien with a frowned look. "And I was not hiding. How dare you assumed that I was hiding. Only weaklings would do that."

GAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME!!!??? WHY DID I SPEAK TO HIM THAT WAY!!?? THAT IS SO DISRESPECTFUL!!

But I am Carlos now, I should at least stay in the act.

ACT OF WHAT!? I AM NOT CARLOS!

Clearly, I am now. I have his face and now in his world. There's no denying it so I must do what the character do in order to--

IN ORDER TO WHAT??

In order to... Huh.. you're right... In order to what?

"You're right Master Carlos. Apologies." Julien lowered his head to me with his hand placed on his chest. His tone was rather calm and unprovoked. I do not know if he means it or only did that so Carlos wouldn't make a fuss any further. When he lowered his head to me, I felt a bit of guilt inside me for making him apologize for something that clearly doesn't depict him in any wrong and it isn't in my character to act in such way however, I felt forced to do what I did earlier. I am not Carlos and yet I acted the way how he would. At that moment, I was a little bit scared of Julien finding out I am not Carlos and what good would it do if I were to tell Julien I am not Carlos while having Carlo's face or rather, I am not in Carlo's body. It would be too impossible for him to believe me.

"Is something the matter, Master Carlos?" Julien asked to me. At first I did not get what he meant till I realized I immediately broke from the character. I quickly changed my expression into an anger one and yelled at him to leave at once in the same disrespectful manner I used to Julien just now.

"Of course Master Carlos but please I must remind you something." While walking towards the door, he turned to me to say his last sentence. " You must go to school today. You have missed school for one whole week and today you need to make up the days you have missed in order to catch up. I would also remind you to please take your study seriously while waiting to awaken your hidden talent." After telling me all what he needs to tell me, he left the room, closed the door from behind.

This world, Talent Throne is driven by the system of "having talents". Each one of the people holds different types of talents bestowed to them by the goddess of fate in order to make every person even more unique and gives them resonance to things they would find and soon love what it is and will eventually manifest into a talent thar awakens inside them. As for those who doesn't have a talent, some of them are like late bloomers while those who never manifested their own talent would never make it far and is considered as useless in the society because they have nothing unique that they could offer to the society. They are treated as nothing.

Carlos Advincula is someone who's talent considered as someone whose talent never manifested in this world. He died without awakening his talent in people's wake. Despite being considered as useless, no one could get rid of him because of his blood relation and his family being close to he royals once again. And as for his death, he died from being burned alive because of his previous act of cruelty towards everyone and his correlation with the main villain of the story. The main villain, had to use Carlos as a cover to get away which resulted Carlos depicted as the sole perpetrator of the whole event of the massacre and further more crimes which he clearly did not do.

It doesn't sound so bad actually but being reminded that I am now Carlos makes me fear for my future because of the possibility of dying in one of the most cruel way as possible and that's being burned alive. If only I am not Carlos I would wholely embrace it and why do I have to be the one whose death hurts the most? The main villain got a gentle death so how could Carlos must have such death? Should have at least given me the whole main villainy role instead... But that is all there is...

"Once you're done preparing, please do come down to the dining room for breakfast, Master Carlos. Skipping breakfast for another day might take a toll on your health." I heard Julien's voice again but only behind the door once more then disappeared altogether.

I could only sigh my frustration out then moved to the wardrobe to change to my uniform. It didn't take me too long so I head out quickly and made my way downstairs. I already know the place since I remember the map when I played the game. Phew, good thing I know the place or else I would have look like an idiot, a guy who's lost in his own house. Though it seems a little weird considering the fact that I accepted the role way too quickly... Ugh... Okay, let's just treat this like the game as it is that I play from my computer, although,. The only difference is that I gotta have to act... Pssshhhh it will be fine! I'm a theater kid! Haha! Ha ha... Sigh...

I reached the dining room with no trouble then stepped inside. I am quickly greeted with disdain and resentment from the people inside. Their eyes look like it is trying to stab like and throwing daggers at me. The pressure is intense standing right at the entrance with lots of people who hates Carlos look at him in such way, even though these people are Carlos' family.

I didn't speak though I kept my demeanor as what Carlos would have and walked to the unoccupied chair of the table. I specifically sat at one chair apart from them to have them not only side and have no one sitting on the opposite side of me. Id want to isolate myself from but unfortunately I am gonna need to be with them until I find a way to change this life style. With their eyes still on me, I wonder how could Carlos eat with them?

Ever since I entered, the dining room has been ushered into a total silence and they had not spoken a word since, even now that I finally sat on a chair they continue to stare at me.

"You all waiting for something from me?" I tried to break the silence by speaking first. I filled my voice with the same tone I used Carlos would then looked at the people on the table with the same dirty look they gave me when I entered. When I spoke, they returned to their usual self but still silent. They acted as if I did not say a thing so why stare at me in such pressure in the first place anyway? Maybe I should have paid more attention to Carlos while playing the game.

With them staying silent and returned to eating, I did try to get food into my system as well but I lacked the appetite to do so. Being transmigrated into a world unknowingly that you could not even get to say a thing do troubles me. What am I supposed to do now? How am I supposed to do things that needs to be done? Is this a lucid dream, too lucid that this world is almost too real, and if so, is there a chance I may wake up? Maybe not so soon but perchance? My head once again filled with questions that the food I am eating barely tastes anything.

"Something the matter brother?" A young girl spoke. It is the first word I heard from them today so I turned my head to the woman who spoke then look for the person she talking to. All of them appeared not well to be honest. They all look pale.

"I'm speaking to you brother Carlos. Are you alright?" She now turned her head towards me and her eyes are cold like winter. She dare asks if I am well but I know to her that she does not truly care.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be, dear sister?" I tried to jest by smiling a bit but it appeared as a rude smile and I have no problem with that, all bad things could fit for Carlos so coming off in a bad way wouldn't be much of a big problem. When she saw me smile in such way, she turned away with disgust on her face as if she regretted speaking me.

"You have absent worth a week, Carlos. I hope you have a good reason for doing so." A man spoke who sits in at the very end of the table surrounded by everyone. His voice is very low and when he spoke all of us had us our head turned to him. I see, this must be the head of the family, Marius Advincula, the head of fourth generation of the family.

"Nothing in particular. I only felt like giving myself a break." I said. I need to stay in character even to him but he sure do scares me. I felt like I stepped on a huge a needle when I spoke in such way to him and he looked at me with intense look on his face. The pressure is even more than what I felt earlier. It made me shrink in my sit.

" A break from what? I tell you Carlos, you either awaken your hidden talent or you will be removed from his family once and for all. I cannot allow a useless untalented brat taon this family's image. You have long disgraced us. The only reason why you're still here and attending that school is to save you from yourself becoming nothing of a man." Marius said all that to me with full of resentment, as if he does not consider Carlos as his own son. He looks at me as Carlo and I see not recognition of a father in his eyes. He looks at me like a total outsider in this house and the only thing that is keeping me here is a thin thread we call "part of the family" which is laughable considering they do not treat me as one for not having a talent.

Carlos does not have a talent. Truth is, Carlos is not talentless. His talent is manipulation. He awoken it and used it for his own good. Manipulating people around him for his own benefits and what good could he gain from it, truthfully speaking, it is more than he deserves. Though it has limitations, he cannot manipulate those who have higher mental capacity than him and that is why he agreed to help with the main villain is because he failed to manipulate the main villain and found out what he is trying to do so as a punishment, Carlos is to work for him. When Carlos realized his talent is being used by the main villain, he did not tell anyone about his talent and kept it a secret. A sense came to him as well that if everyone knew his talent for manipulation, it would be hard to be trusted so he kept quiet about it and continue on tricking everyone around him, trying to ignore the fact that his pride was damaged by the fact that the main villain had him wrapped under a single finger.

The protagonist found out about Carlos' talent when he saw Carlos perform his talent and made sure he would not fall under his manipulation which resulted the protagonist being immune to his trickery which made Carlos even madder due to unable of controlling the protagonist.

"Why not just throw him out now? I mean, he isn't even trying to do anything to awaken his talent so what's the use of someone who doesn't even try?" A smug comment was made just right at my side. The man who spoke is someone five years younger than Marius, Michael, Marius' younger brother which gives him more authority to speak as much as he wants. He looks at Carlos or rather me, with a smirk on his face with disgust as well. They all look at me with disgust as if I am a dirty one because I am different. Not that I mind though since all of their comments have no affect on me. I am just another player who will progress to the story and is listening to one of the dialogues in the game.

I left my seat after finishing my second cup of tea then head outside to get to my carriage. The carriage has one horse only which is understandable for having one passenger only. I stepped inside and found a bag there. Knowingly it could be for me since I am the only one who's gonna occupy this carriage and this bag appears expensive than the maids could have own in their entire life. I looked at the bag expectedly it is filled with school supplies. Papers, pencils, a ruler and a blade for pencil sharpener. I looked further and finally found a pen. A fountain pen to be precise. It is so pretty and fits in my hand perfectly. After my inspection of the bag, I closed it back and wait till I get to the school. Thinking about going there now makes me shiver. It's as if first day of school again, being unfamiliar to the place and with everyone. I hate this feeling. Though unfamiliar it may be, it would still be familiar to me since I played the game. It is just hard not to get butterflies in my stomach.

The school is very far from the manor of Advincula, far enough to be called a journey to another country but that was just an exaggeration to express how far the school truly is. Ignore my rambling. As on my way there, with the morning light still at present, the air is cool and fogs up the carriage window a little, having me wipe up the moist just to see the surroundings multiple times but I did not mind it. I have always been a morning person and its ashame that I could not enjoy it as much as I do because I need to get to school early in my world. Seeing the morning light again makes soul calms down better than being cooped inside the room despite staying there for an hour in hopes to find comfort. As I stare outside, the places had gone from houses to fields to a short trip in the forest then back again in the fields. The green scenery of this place is a lot better than in the game, might be because I am experiencing it myself in person. I see birds in the fields flying high and low and the cows are on their morning grass munching or so what we call breakfast, haha! Its so peaceful at this moment. Maybe it isnt so bad after all. If only I had my phone and earphones so I could listen to some soft music for ambiance. Too bad.

My enjoyment for the scenery soon ended as I gotten closer to my destination. The school gate is so big that also a giant can use it as their own gate. Lots of carriages too started appearing, carrying the students inside. We entered passed the gate and then another long ride to reach the actual school entrance. We passed around trees that are perfectly planted with the same height, length and even the trims of its leaves along with the bushes and flowers so it would overlap the road. Everything looks very elegant and more did it appear when we finally reached the entrance. Another giant gate welcomes me in and there I see it now, the  school. Its build is very much like a palace with the flag of the school is waving high above on the very peak of the place. Red roof, gray as a smooth stone for walls and the vegetations of flowers, ferns, bushes and other ornament plants and other stuff to make everything look perfect. The structure of the school is French gothic style and stands high and proud. Seeing it in person gives an expression of enchanted but also nervousness. Yes, this definitely nervousness. Like I have switched schools and what more is that I am surrounded with nobles, rich kids, future generation of the successful ambitions. As for me, I have always lived my life humbly with nothing to brag but fully content with what I have. Socially awkward yes but I do try to interact with people in hopes of creating a great acquaintance with everyone. Thinking about whose body I am in now might make matters worse since Carlos is hated by most of the people here, including the teachers and those who works here. I am only the side villain, why must I suffer more than the main villain here?

The carriage stopped at the front stairs of the school and I stepped out with full of hesitation and the bag in my hand. If I dont wake up from this dream sooner or later, I may have to start my new life here and live as a different person.

I walked up the stairs all the way to the very top platform in front of the school then looked back at the carriage that have brought me here. I wish to go back in and tell the coach to bring me somewhere no one would look for me but since I am Carlos now, I know for sure no one would look for me so I am free to do whatever I want however, as for now, I must do what needs to be done but there is nothing needs to be done. I have no objective showed up somewhere. Do I need to figure it out myself?

I entered the inside the school and was amazed even more with how the details are more refined, showed, and expressed than in my game. Maybe I didnt get to see this in my game back then while playing even though Ive been here multiple times is because my settings are on low and medium only. With everything presented in front me, I dont need higher settings to see the beautiful details of the interior design of the school because I am now seeing it in person and my jaw would have dropped by now if I didnt force it shut. What a great reason to stay so I can see how this place is well made.

As for my class, I straightly went ahead to make my way up to the 3 floor where my classroom is. I went passed the  the spiral stairs that has a magnificent chandelier and straightly walked ahead to where my classroom is, still couldnt get enough of how big and beautiful the school is. When I entered inside, just like other classrooms, filled with tables and chairs carefully arranged with respectful distance between the students individually. As for my seat, well, I dont remember where Carlos' seat in the game so I looked a little lost but I had to hide it so the students here wont look at me weirdly. I chose the seat at the very back near the window. I propped my bag on the side and sat down.

"That isnt his seat."

"I know"

"I thought he's gone for good after not showing up for one week."

"Absent for the whole week? Why didnt he just drop out already  if he's not gonna show up most of the time."

"Looks like my day is gonna be ruin again with him here."

I can hear all of you! They are not even trying to hide it or lower their voices when it comes to Carlos huh. Now I feel so embarrassed.

I felt my figure slowly shrinking in the chair I chose and silently succumb to my own existence because why does it have to be Carlos? There are so many characters to choose and fate decided to choose this role for me. What crime did I do for fate to do this to me?

"That seat belongs to  Eugene right?"

"Yeah. We know who Eugene is, he is not gonna let this pass."

"Let Carlos meet his demise."

Did I hear that correctly? Eugene? Eugene Salazar?

Eugene Salazar is the hot tempered noble in the game. He is also on short when it comes to temperance due to his anger issues bestowed by his own father's personality. Though he is short tempered, he is very good with physical prowess. His talent is sports. He can do any sports and treat it as his hobby while every team from every sports wishes him to join them and lead them to victory. So much that they all annoyed Eugene that he almost drop sports despite it is his talent. A great thanks from his mother when she managed to persuade Eugene to pick one sport that he truly enjoys more than every sports in the school. He chose the hunting sport and is now on the leading figures in that sport. Currently, he is the second highest rank because the first one belongs to the former hunter in the sport and now currently teaching the school about history. Eugene strives to be better than him and his motivation to continue on.

When I heard its Eugene, I didnt fear much, not because of my arrogance but because... no... Im Carlos, dammit! I forgot that this isnt the same as the game anymore and I am not controlling the protagonist so at this moment I might get murdered!(An exaggeration) I need to quickly change seat! Quickly!

"The hell are you doing in my seat?" Uuhhh.....

"Hey, dont ignore me you imbecile!" A rough hand grabbed me by my collar then forced to stand up from where I am sitting. I felt the air in my lungs was forced out of my system and I choked as he held tightly on my collar, grabbing my tie making it worse.  Out of reflex, I tried to push only to not get me very far but to his temper instead.

"You got guts to push me!" he said then shoved me  close to the window. I saw his other hand reach for the window then pushed it open and placed me by the edge. I could feel the cold air touching my head, swaying my hair in one direction.

"Let go of me, you brute!" I demanded and held on his arm tightly to support myself and prevent from falling but he shoved me even further at the edge. All the students around us gasped from what is happening. They dared not to intervene. Even if I were to be someone innocent, no one would dare to stand up against Eugene.

"Shut the fuck up! You missed the whole week of school then come back and steal my seat? Then have the fucking guts to push me!? You are so mad!" he said with such anger in his voice.

"Heh, someone's not a morning person." I mocked with a smirk on my face. After hearing my useless mockery, he could not hold back his angry furthermore and slapped me on the face and forced my whole body off the ground and my lower back laying on the edge of the window, threatening me to push me off from 3rd floor.

Shit...

"Got more other shit to say? Huh!?" He said, trying to form a smile but could only retain the angry expression on his face. "I am already in the bad mood leaving my manor only for you to fucking add more goddamn fire to it! I hate seeing your fucking face." At the last words, he crept his face closer to mine then quickly pushed my body away from him. I am so close of falling off right at this moment. "How would you like yourself falling from this high?" He threatens me. I gripped onto his arm even tighter and I know he feels that and smiles from the thought of having my life is depending on him right now. He's a damn sadist! I could not even fathom what more could he do to me if I werent an Advincula.

"Go on! Push me off then, Eugene! This could be just a cherry on top for your disciplinary action and get you off of this school, ONCE AND FOR ALL!" I yelled on top of my lungs at the end of my sentence to let my fear out by disguising it with madness. I trembled as I slowly loosened my grip from his arm and let my arms spread around and invites him to push me off while also threatening him with the fact of having the school expelling him in action. I soon saw the reluctance of his desired action then pulled me back inside to the classroom. I can see another anger flowing inside him as he looks at me eye to eye then let go of my collar and walked outside the classroom. Maybe he is gonna cool himself off.

I sat back on the chair that I took from Eugene and laid my back in a comfortable position. When I got to get back at myself, I realized how loud my heartbeat is right now. I feel like it is about to burst out of my chest and my whole body felt weak and tired all of the sudden. I felt lightheaded so I had hung my head low, chin touching my chest. I raised my hand to feel my heart and I realized my hands are trembling. It is so bad at the point I dont think I can grab anything at this state. I rested there for a bit till the teacher have arrived and let her ignore my existence inside the classroom and Eugene wouldnt be returning for any long now. Maybe it is for better. For the better of my sake.