“That is why villains win. Not because they are smarter.Not because they are stronger. But because they refuse to be held back by the invisible chains you still cling to.”
He reaches the front of the classroom again.
“And that,” he says, lifting his chin slightly, “is why you are here.”
Silence follows as most of those in this room don’t know how to react.
“You will not become villains. That is not my aim.” He looks over at Aunty Maria, who doesn’t even give him a reaction. “Because most of you don’t have it in you.”
Some of the students seem to relax.
“But you will learn to think like one, because if you do not understand the mind of one, and continue believing that goodness alone will save you, then you will remain in that cage, without freedom. And freedom wins wars.”
Arden finishes his little villain monologue, leaving the majority unsettled and uneasy.
The room is silent, and I finally stop spinning my pen, scoffing as I place the pen down with a snap, making most of the class turn.
“Right… you done with your little villain cheer pep-talk? Cause I wanna say something,” I drawl.
A few of the class snicker, and I turn, winking at them.
“Ah, Theo Westwood… I’ve heard a lot about you. What do you want to say?”
“Everyone’s heard of me,” I answer cockily. “So, your big lesson is that villains win because they don’t care about consequences? No morals and that shit?”
Arden’s eyes flicker, his annoyance hidden well as he looks at me with some disdain, almost as if knowing I’m going to annoy the fuck out of him.
“Yes. Is there a point you’d like to make? Because I made mine very clearly.”
“Oh yeah, I do wanna make a point, init, or I wouldn’t have spoken. Actually, I probably would have spoken anyway.” Smirking, I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table. “I mean, I’ve met a lot of villains, and half of them didn’t win anything except an early grave. And I mean, if the villains won… then you wouldn’t be shackled by magic and made to teach like a dog on a leash.”
A couple of students choke on laughter, but Arden doesn’t, and I don’t even bother to look at Aunty Maria.
“I am talking about the current situation with the Indomitable,” he all but snarls.
“Sure, but your theory’s wrong.”
Arden tilts his head, raising an eyebrow. “Enlighten me.”
“You’re stating a lie,” I say calmly. “Most villains aren’t free. In fact, most of them are chained tighter than any hero ever will be.”
Whispers stir behind me, but I keep going.
“They follow a leader, a master, one they have to answer to no matter what, and often, if they fail, they pay a heavy price.When a hero fails, their comrades are always there to pick them up and protect them, whilst a villain will threaten their family and punish them. You talk about them like they’re some fucking amazing, untouchable creatures who are above all else. You’re glamorising villains, bro. It’s fucking bullshit.” I shake my head slowly.
I pause before continuing, “Most villains are soldiers obeying orders. They’re just on a different team. Some even blackmailed to do their bidding.”
Kenneth’s expression doesn’t change, but something in the room shifts. At least he’s listening, I can see it in his eyes.
Good.
“So, you’re saying we’re alike?” some girl asks.
“Kinda and kinda not. But the ones who win aren’t the ones who scream the loudest or break the most rules, like this shackled villain’s saying,” I continue. “Every army is like a deck of cards. We have our aces, our kings, our queens and all that shit, but my favourite card? The Joker – the wildcard that can be anything. The ones who never sit on a throne. The ones who don’t need armies or titles or applause.”
I rap my knuckles on the desk. “The ones who work in silence. The ones who don’t answer to anyone. A third army, so to speak, small, but the deadliest, consisting of solo players.”
A slow realisation ripples through the class. They look between us, some of them confused, some of them clicking on.
