I asked a few more questions about the element’s power until I swiftly changed the subject, a little bothered by something that the eyeball had mentioned before. “What did you mean when you said that I had ‘status’ power?”

  “You are the son and heir of one of the most influential men in the kingdom, Marquess Julian Cicolleros,” Be responded dryly. “Did you not read your summary?”

  ‘Oh, that’s right.’ Flustered, I looked back at the screen. My attention turned to the summary section; as expected, even the narrator did not look at me favourably. However, I found myself growing worried at the last particular comment.

  *Please fix your relationships with others, as they might lead you to your downfall one day.*

  I had a feeling that the reason why Raphael was in the dungeons to begin with was because he had fucked up his relationship with someone. Or more than one.

  How did I even come to reincarnate a man like him? I certainly didn’t possess any of his disturbing qualities—in fact, I was the least confrontational person ever! To think I’d be in here for a felony that I didn’t commit…

  I shook my head in distaste and proceeded with the last point.

  Reputation was self-explanatory. “What’s the limit?” I pointed to the screen, where the ugly negative number was.

  Be followed my finger. “Ah, it’s -100. Don’t worry, there are people in this world that are much terrible than you, so you’re mediocre,” they said almost certainly.

  “Mediocre?” I laughed. “Of all people, I had to reincarnate as a mediocre prissy guy in a dungeon? Whatever crime I’m in for right now, I personally think it’s anything but mediocre,” the words flew out of mouth before I could even stop myself, too much in disbelief to care. Be looked at me for a second before closing their eye and slightly shaking.

  Were they… giggling? No way.

  ‘No one’s gonna believe me back home if I tell them I made a flying eyeball laugh.’ Amusement swept over me as I watched the creature laugh at my unfortunate circumstances. But that didn’t last long as the reality settled in once again. I was back to mentally balding.

  “You’re silly,” was all they commented before opening their eye again and clearing their throat. “Anyway, since you don’t have memories of the previous Raphael Cicolleros, I’ll tell you a few important things that the summary doesn’t mention.”

  “Great…” there was no excitement laced in my voice, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit curious. I did have to occupy this body in the meantime.

  “As you’re beginning to learn, you’re the eldest child of the Marquess in this kingdom, and the brother of a younger sister as well, although I wouldn’t say you were a good role model—you frequently ignored and yelled at her, and then you started to spend most of your days outside of the mansion. Many don’t like that trait about you,” they commented.

  ‘Ah Raphael, now why did you have to be such a prick?’ Just hearing about him made me exhausted. I wondered if he had any friends in the first place…

  I was soon given an answer. “You initially led a splendid life, and used your talents to your advantage. That is, until your hatred and jealousy consumed you and brought you to your inevitable downfall, bringing shame to your family honour and not only losing respect from all the nobles who previously followed you, but also destroying your most valuable friendships until you ended up all alone and—"

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Okay, okay! I get that part, what else? I need the actual important stuff.” I already knew the guy was an asshole and I sure didn’t want another description. The damn eyeball was enjoying this.

  They hummed. “Hmm those are the things people nowadays are talking about, let me remember any personal details.” I groaned at their response. Did I really not have any good traits? Or was I just so insignificant that they didn’t bother to mention the rest?”

  I was starting to think that I was just like any other pathetic side villain in those novels Jian used to read—

  ‘Huh. Wait.’

  “Hah, no way.” I snorted out loud in the silence, grabbing Be’s attention as they looked at me curiously.

  ‘No… No.’ “Hey, eyeball?” I paused. ‘Calm down, don’t assume grand things yet…’ “What kingdom am I in?”

  I could imagine the flying eyeball raise an eyebrow. “You are currently residing in the Kaelinix kingdom, governed by the Sambiesdattir King and Queen.”

  I pushed aside the hazel strands of hair out of my face as the puzzle pieces began to connect: Right, Raphael Cicolleros. Son of an important Marquess in Kaelinix. That same Marquess that is suspected to stage a rebellion after his son is sent for imprisonment.

  His son had an awful reputation; for being a hateful young man that rivalled a sinner’s greed, the villain of ‘The Ritual of the Sapphire Swordsmaster’.

  ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves now.’ I could sense the eyeball’s long stare that made it harder for me to focus. ‘Maybe this is a coincidence, or I’m probably getting things confused. I need more information.’

  My throat ran dry as I tried to form the right words in my mouth. “Do you guys know an Idris… uh, Idris Gal-dur? Idris Galdur?”

  I could never forget the full name of the protagonist of the novel Jian loved to read so much. She talked about him too much for me to easily forget such a guy from my short span memory. I even drew him a few times based off the vivid descriptions she told me.

  “Oh? I’m surprised you know him,” the eyeball replied, and a crestfallen expression landed on my face. “He’s been getting a lot of attention lately, especially after you tried to—“

  “—kill him. He tried to kill him.” I finished the sentence. Be froze, probably wondering how on earth I knew that information when I claimed to not be the real Raphael from the stupid book.

  After an uncomfortable silence, they spoke. “How do you know these things? Are you sure you’re not the real Raphael…?” their voice tailed suspicion, and I panicked for a second, eager to throw out whatever I had just to avoid being a target again.

  “No! You see, I read this—“ I abruptly stopped myself, clamping my mouth shut.

  Was it smart to reveal that?

  I didn’t exactly know why the eyeball disobeyed the orders to kill me, or how they were planning on handling it, but I knew that it wouldn’t be in my favour for them to know everything. It would be much better if they stayed curious about me rather than sharing information that could be seen as a threat.

  Not like anyone would believe that their world is a result of an author playing god.

  ‘This situation is getting bigger than I expected.’ Sweat beads rolled from my forehead as I carried a quick response. “I-I read a note from the original Raphael, he left it here, somewhere, and I don’t know if he just decided to die or what and—“

  “You don’t need to continue,” Be interrupted me without even listening to the rest. I bit my lip, realizing that I really didn’t know how to lie. I would have to work on that skill…

  As I stared back at the yellow-winged eyeball, I knew they didn’t believe me, but for whatever reason, they didn’t threaten me for more information. “It’s alright, we already knew you’re not actually Raphael,” they said, and I frowned. Had they not thought I was suspicious earlier? “We confirmed it before coming here, the globe never lies.”

  So it was an act after all.

  ‘That damn eyeball. It almost fooled me into telling them everything!’ I let out a shaky sigh. I couldn’t let my guard down here, no matter how friendly they made themselves to be.

  I couldn’t bear to continue this conversation any longer; the mental strain I was experiencing now that I confirmed with my own words that I was in a fictional novel had accelerated significantly. I was, indeed, the villain of the book—and a book that I haven’t even read.

  And now, I didn’t know what to do.

  “I want to be left alone.” That was the only thing I could muster out, hoping that the eyeball would get the hint and leave. I really didn’t want to resort to pleading.

  Be studied me with an unreadable expression for a bit before nodding. “Alright, I will be back the next day then. It seems you have a lot to process after our conversation.” I nodded back. “We can talk about your next steps tomorrow. Please rest up.”

  And before I knew it, the eyeball was gone like a cloud of mist, leaving behind golden residue from the star show earlier.

  I hugged my knees. I wish I could ‘rest up’.