That's right, this was Lathel's true way of thinking.
He knew perfectly well that at this very moment, Lucien was certainly working hard in training or seeking some miraculous opportunity to defeat him.
But as for Lathel? He didn't need to do anything special—just enjoy the life of a prince and claim as many women as possible.
He glanced at the two maids and asked in a gentle voice, "What is Lucien doing right now?"
One of the maids immediately approached, took out a small scroll, and respectfully presented it to him with both hands.
Lathel picked up the scroll, read its contents, and couldn't help but smile with disdain.
According to the information sent by Catherine's spies at Carol Academy, Lucien, devastated by the news of Selvia's marriage to Lathel, had decided to enter Blackskull Forest.
"Blackskull Forest, huh?" Lathel murmured. "There's a legend there about the Awakening Stone, isn't there?"
The maid quickly answered, "Yes, Your Highness. There are many rumors that in Blackskull Forest there is a stone known as the Awakening Stone, which can grant the possessor a special ability."
Lathel nodded lightly, handing the scroll back to her. "Keep watching him."
"Yes, Your Highness." The maid took the scroll and hurried out.
While enjoying his light breakfast, Lathel gave a command to the System: "Show me my current status."
Immediately, an information panel appeared before his eyes.
…
Name: Lathel Solvain
Role: 🎭 Villain
Rank: Initiate (Level 1) – Mid Stage
Talents: 🌀 Space (Rank S) | Level 01; 🧬 Perfect Human (Rank B) | Level 01
Harem: Selvia Aquelis | Loyalty: Loyal 💗 – 90% | 🔹 Exp/s: 45/s
…
Lathel glanced over his status panel, feeling even more delighted.
See that?
While the protagonist was desperately searching for fate and opportunity in a forest full of danger, Lathel could simply sit back and possess two powerful talents.
He didn't even need to train much; just by enjoying himself with Selvia, his experience would keep increasing every second.
Lucien searching for opportunity?
Lathel didn't care—he knew… Lucien wasn't that unbeatable protagonist type.
"Judging by his background and the way he entered the story, he's probably the kind of protagonist whose power comes from suffering."
That's right—in his past life, Lathel had read enough web novels to know all about this type of protagonist.
The "suffering protagonist" usually starts from the bottom, carrying a deep grudge, perhaps abandoned by a fiancée or losing the woman he loves to another.
Through hatred, he slowly grows stronger, step by step, relying on the fortunes he encounters.
Lucien was undoubtedly this kind of main character.
Why wasn't Lathel worried about Lucien entering Blackskull Forest?
Because authors who write this kind of protagonist never let them become strong immediately—they always make them struggle and grow slowly.
The first opportunity is never too significant—just enough for Lucien to stand out and become an official student of Carol Magic Academy.
After that, Lucien would draw attention by challenging higher-ranked students.
Step by step, the academy's leadership would notice him, and he'd gradually become a core student, enjoying many privileges.
"A classic trope." Lathel smirked, spearing a piece of premium meat with his fork, savoring its flavor as a slightly wicked smile spread across his lips.
"Looks like… I should also join the 'academy event.' Maybe there's a Main Heroine waiting for me there."
Lathel glanced at the remaining maid standing beside him.
He flashed her a gentle, warm smile, making her blush even deeper—her heartbeat thundering like a battle drum.
"Please tell my mother that I wish to enroll at the Magic Academy, to prepare for the duel with Lucien in two weeks."
"Ah! Yes, Your Highness. Please don't say that." The maid quickly replied, "Serving you is my duty."
She bowed and immediately left the room.
Lathel watched her back, licking his lips before commanding, "Open Selvia's status panel."
A character info panel appeared before him, with suitable icons as noted for the project:
…..
Name: Selvia Aquelis
Age: 24
Beauty Score: 84
Loyalty: Loyal 💗 – 90%
Exp/s: 45/s
Talent: Tear of the Tide 🌊 (Sealed) | Rank S
…..
Lathel's eyes focused on Selvia's Talent.
"A Rank S talent, but sealed?" Lathel frowned. "System, is there a way to unseal Selvia's talent?"
He truly wanted to break her seal. Without Lucien's help, Selvia would remain ordinary for life.
A girl who loved him so much… he didn't want to lose her.
If he could remove Selvia's seal, her lifespan would surely increase greatly.
Besides, she'd be a huge help to him.
Just imagining Selvia wielding an S-rank talent against Lucien filled Lathel with excitement.
🔔 [Ding! To unseal Selvia's talent, you can purchase the 'Unsealing Card' from the System Shop.]
Lathel opened the shop menu. Inside, there weren't many items—just some common things he could easily take from the Royal Treasury.
But when he found the item the system had suggested, his expression darkened.
[🗝️ Unsealing Card (Rank S) – Price: 10,000,000,000 EXP]
"Ten billion experience points." Lathel frowned, then asked the system, "How much experience do I currently have?"
🔔 [Ding! Every second, Selvia provides you with 45 EXP. Currently, Selvia has provided you with: 1,685,565 EXP (10 hours, 24 minutes, and 17 seconds).]
Lathel saw the amount of experience he'd gained and let out a sigh. "That means, to reach 10 billion, it would take me over 7 years. Far too long…"
He decided to put off buying that card for now.
Lathel stroked his chin, looked at his current EXP, then ordered, "System, level up the talent Perfect Human."
🔔 [Ding! Beginning to upgrade the talent 'Perfect Human'.]
🔔 [Ding! Upgrade successful.
Name: 🧬 Perfect Human
Rank: B
Level: 02 (0/3,000,000)
Description: Possess double the strength of a level 1 perfect human. You can now resist certain low-level poisons and diseases.
You also have better adaptation to harsh environments and high regenerative abilities.]
Immediately, Lathel felt his strength double compared to before.
All his senses—instinct, speed, reflexes—everything was twice as sharp.
He picked up a silver fork, and with just three fingers, easily bent it, even crushing it into a small ball.
Lathel smirked. Now, whether eating, sleeping, or doing anything at all, he could still level up.
As for Lucien? All he could do was keep searching for an opportunity in that dangerous forest.
Lathel chuckled, "System, do you have any other functions?"
🔔 [Ding! The following functions are now unlocked: Shop, Radar, Harem List.
To unlock more features, please increase the number of women in your harem and your own level.]
Lathel nodded, then checked the 'Radar' function, discovering it could identify the main protagonist, main heroine, supporting female, villainess, and female NPCs within a 100-meter radius.
The greater the number of women in his harem and the higher his level, the wider the Radar's range would become.
However, when Lathel noticed the term "Female NPC," he frowned and asked, "System, what is a Female NPC?"
🔔 [Ding! Besides main heroines, villainesses, and supporting females, female NPCs can also be included in your harem.
They don't need to play any important role—as long as they have a beauty score of at least 80 (as rated by the System), you can add them to your harem.
Of course, you don't need to marry them—if they're willing to become your lover, you can include them in your harem list.
However, the experience points they provide will be very low—not as much as women with important roles.]
Lathel nodded at the explanation, remembering the two maids by his side, and felt his greed flare up again.
Still, he wasn't in a rush. After all, he'd just married Selvia, and the experience she provided was already enough for now.
Lathel continued checking his other items. Besides the Talent Card, he still had things like the Random Harem Gift Card, the Comet Card, and the Foresight Card.
"System, show me the Comet Card info."
…
Name: Comet Card
Type: Single-use
Description: After use, the designated target will experience bad luck for 24 hours. The lower the target's level, the greater the effect.
…
"Hahahaha… hahahaha…" Lathel burst out laughing after reading the description.
"Lucien, searching for an opportunity, are you? Let me lend you a hand." Lathel smiled wickedly, then ordered, "Use the Comet Card."
🔔 [Ding! Please select the target for this card.]
"Lucien!"
🔔 [Ding! Successfully used the Comet Card on Lucien. The effect will last for 24 hours.]
"Let's hope you won't die too soon." Lathel grinned, his eyes as cold and demonic as if he truly were a devil from the depths of hell.