Happy Evil Heartbreaker [Modern LitRPG]

Principal Herculano of Thessaloniki First High School was in exceptionally high spirits today. His mood was buoyant as he relished the impeccable feel of his game. It was not always so easy to handle Math teacher William with his usual “control flow” strategy.

William, in the prime of his life, played with fierce aggression, almost as if he intended to smash every ball to smithereens. When Herculano had previously faced off against William, he often found himself overwhelmed and outplayed by William’s powerful strokes.

But today, in peak form, Herculano found himself effortlessly returning shots with instinctive blocks, causing William to lose points unexpectedly.

A player with such a strong, aggressive style often becomes overly confident, believing that sheer power alone will do the trick. This overconfidence can lead to a lack of preparedness for the next shot, resulting in missed opportunities when the ball is returned.

After winning the final point decisively, Herculano saw William, wiping sweat from his brow, expressing genuine admiration. “Sir Principal, you are indeed as vigorous as ever. Your table tennis skills have become so comprehensive that I dare say there is no one in our school who can match you.”

Hearing William’s heartfelt praise after being bested, Herculano couldn’t help but smile broadly, adjusting his thinning, graying hair. “Ah, Mister William, your flattery is a bit too straightforward. Table tennis is a popular sport; even internet enthusiasts acknowledge it! And there are hidden talents everywhere. Perhaps there are undiscovered masters in our school. The future belongs to you young people!”

William, however, countered firmly, “Principal Herculano, you should not be so modest. With your current state, you are undoubtedly our ‘Thessaloniki Table Tennis Master.’ No one could challenge you today. As a meticulous maths teacher, I am confident in making such a judgment.”

Herculano continued to wave off the praise with a humble gesture, but the pride on his face was unmistakable. He knew William well—he was not the type to flatter without substance. William was respected for his solid teaching abilities and extensive experience in maths competition training at Thessaloniki First High School. Whenever he played, he gave his all.

Herculano enjoyed playing with him precisely because William went all out, unlike some other teachers who, when facing an “old principal” like him, would play timidly, which made the game less enjoyable.

Herculano prided himself on his table tennis skills, considering himself above average among amateurs. With a ranking score of around 1700, he didn’t need to be subjected to “leadership games.” Such dismissive attitudes towards his prowess were rather insulting.

The ranking system for table tennis is somewhat analogous to ranking points in games like chess through its Elo system or other games that specifically rank players, with clear distinctions:

1200: Beginner, able to play some rallies.

1400: Able to serve spin balls, push, and attack.

1600: Stable at loop drives.

1800: Excellent within amateur circles; top of the neighbourhood courts.

2000: Top amateur level, among the best in the city.

2100–2300: Former professional or elite level.

2400 and above: Professional player level.

Players from the Roman Empire's national team historically ranked over 3000 points, while the top players from East Asia, America, and Russia barely reached the 3000 threshold.

Xanthia had just levelled up her table tennis skill from Lv1 to Lv2 by practising with Morgianne, meaning she had instantly transformed into a top amateur with a rating of around 2000!

The system’s skill upgrade effect was blunt but effective, akin to a sudden enlightenment. Xanthia felt like a prodigy, having experienced similar rapid advancements with her singing and dancing skills. It was an exhilarating feeling!

With her new Lv2 table tennis skill, she promptly accepted the system’s task and, with her "social butterfly" trait activated, confidently approached Herculano and William at the table.

As expected of the principal’s favourite table, this one seemed more high-end compared to the ordinary portable DHS tables. Thessaloniki First High School’s facilities were well-maintained, reflecting the principal’s personal interests.

“If it were another principal with a different sport in mind, things would be quite different,” she mused.

“Principal Herculano, I also enjoy playing table tennis. Could you give me some pointers?” Xanthia boldly challenged Herculano, her "social butterfly" trait in full swing.

Herculano, upon seeing Xanthia, greeted her with a warm smile. “Aren’t you the 3000-metre girls’ champion from the recent sports meet? You gave a memorable speech at the closing ceremony... What’s your name again?”

Xanthia maintained a polite smile, though inwardly she rolled her eyes at his inability to remember her name. It was typical of the principal not to remember a student’s name unless they were as prominent as Dionysius, who often spoke on behalf of the student body.

Well, if that was the case, she was determined to make a lasting impression on the principal at the table!

“My name is Xanthia La Papadopoulos,” she replied, her expression demure.

Herculano nodded. “Ah, Xanthia. You should know that table tennis is not like long-distance running. It’s an easy sport to start but hard to master. My level might overwhelm you and cause some frustration.”

Feeling exceptionally confident after his victory over William, Herculano was almost treating himself as the “Table Tennis Master” of Thessaloniki. He saw Xanthia, a young girl, as unlikely to be a serious challenge.

He nearly wanted to tell Xanthia outright that her forehand was weak, her backhand lacking, her footwork sloppy, and her reactions sluggish. Just based on these, competing with him seemed like a pipe dream.

William chimed in, “Xanthia, I’ve observed your defensive style. Confidence is good, but with your current level, taking on Principal Herculano may be a stretch. The principal is in excellent form today, and if he gets into the zone, he might be quite aggressive.”

Xanthia was a bit anxious. She didn’t want to accept the system’s task only to miss the chance to challenge Herculano. For someone with a mild case of obsessive-compulsive disorder, such a situation was quite unsettling. She was very curious about the “left-handed” trait’s effects.

“Wait a moment, you play a defensive style?” Herculano’s interest was piqued upon hearing William’s description of Xanthia’s play.

Defensive players, in the eyes of some enthusiasts, are often seen as easy targets for aggressive players. Of course, this only applies if the defensive player’s skill level is low.

If the defensive player is highly skilled, they can wear out and frustrate even the most seasoned amateurs.

“Indeed, I play defensively and my defence is quite strong,” Xanthia admitted.

Herculano smiled. To him, a young defensive player like Xanthia was someone he could easily dominate. After all, he had just beaten William with his control strategy, feeling a bit unsatisfied. Playing against a defensive player to hone his offensive skills seemed like a pleasant diversion.

“Alright then, let’s keep it short. How about a best-of-three set, 11 points per set?” Herculano proposed. He was confident in his stamina despite his age and even after a rigorous match with William.

Xanthia nearly exclaimed “Yes!” but quickly checked her enthusiasm. Ah, Principal Herculano, don’t blame the young ones for deceiving and ambushing you—after all, it’s a bit of a trademark for her!

The upcoming match between the young and the old drew the attention of everyone present. Even Noemi and Oliver, who had been engrossed in their own squabbles over Xanthia, paused their conflict to watch the spectacle.

The spectators—teachers and students alike—gathered around with expressions of curiosity and varied thoughts:

“This girl is quite the social butterfly, daring to challenge the principal directly!”

“Principal Herculano seems a bit too merciless. With his high skill level, isn’t this just an easy win against a young girl?”

“William played fiercely and was controlled by the principal. This girl is truly overestimating her abilities!”

“Principal Herculano’s skill is unmatched in this school’s table tennis arena. I’ve yet to see a student who can beat him!”

“The urban legend of this school's table tennis history—Principal Herculano embodies that ‘park grandpa’ persona. This girl might be outmatched!”

 

"Noemi, you’ve played against Xanthia on numerous occasions, haven’t you? Between her and Principal Herculano, who would come out on top?” Oliver inquired casually.

“Xanthia’s fundamentals are actually quite solid. Her defensive skills are exceptional, and she possesses remarkable talent. Unfortunately, she’s a defensive player, which makes her play rather passive. Principal Herculano’s skill level is quite high among amateurs. Given Xanthia’s current level, she would definitely struggle against the Principal,” Noemi assessed with a touch of objectivity.

Little did Noemi anticipate that Xanthia, with her unconventional approach, was far from ordinary. She had just experienced a “breakthrough in the heat of the moment.” It was as if a fantastical plot twist had unfolded in the real world—an instance of truly “unorthodox play”!

As Xanthia and Principal Herculano began their match, the mathematics teacher, Mr. William, volunteered as a temporary referee. The venue was equipped with all the necessary facilities, including a scoreboard, so his role was merely to manage the scorecards.

Xanthia served first, utilising a backhand serve typical of defensive players. This type of serve was straightforward, leaving no room for disputes about “obstructions.”

Principal Herculano smiled slightly and effortlessly returned the serve with a long, precisely placed shot.

However, he remained vigilant during the reception, as Xanthia was not the “wild player” he had imagined. It appeared she had undergone professional training; her game demeanour was unmistakably refined.

This was the result of accelerated system training, designed to progress players with the utmost professionalism, making them appear as if they had been practising table tennis for a lifetime. The system was akin to the most formidable coach.

Xanthia responded with equal ease, returning the well-placed long shot with a defensive stroke. While the quality wasn’t particularly high, if Mr. William had played, he would have executed a powerful topspin shot -powerful and extraordinary!

Indeed, defensive players often find themselves at a disadvantage against such “powerful” opponents whose high-quality shots can be exceptionally challenging to counter, often leaving the defender in a precarious situation.

However, Principal Herculano employed a “control” style of play. He wouldn’t go all out for a kill unless it was the most opportune moment. Instead, he preferred a more stable approach, engaging in longer rallies. He also found that extended rallies made the match more intriguing.

Thus, under the watchful eyes of the spectators, the first rally between Xanthia and Principal Herculano developed into a protracted contest, with both players engaging in a fierce exchange!

This was precisely what Xanthia had hoped for. As a defensive player, her strategy was to frustrate and exhaust her opponents. Given Principal Herculano’s advancing years, he had anticipated that the “best of three” match would conclude swiftly, needing only 22 points to secure victory. He hadn’t imagined losing even a single set!

To his surprise, Xanthia, with her unconventional tactics, had already raised the stakes from the very first ball!

The expressions on the faces of the onlooking teachers and students were nothing short of dramatic, and their thoughts had shifted dramatically:

“Good gracious! This young lady must be a professional defender. She plays with such poise and confidence. Come on, Principal Herculano!”

“Her defence is truly exceptional! It seems Principal Herculano’s powerful shots can’t breach her defence…”

“Oh dear, Principal Herculano’s age is catching up with him. If the first rally is this prolonged, the longer it drags on, the lower his chances of winning.”

“This girl is truly impressive. Her game sense is so refined!”

…

As the first rally continued, Principal Herculano became increasingly agitated. He attempted a backhand with a sharp angle but ended up sending the ball out of bounds!

He pressed his lips together, wiped his forehead, and sighed heavily. “Huff… Huff.”

Xanthia, on the other hand, began to grin. She had noticed that female players on the national team often exhibited a serious, “devilish” demeanour.

Xanthia, being a fun-loving player, preferred not to adopt the “devilish” approach. After all, table tennis could be both enjoyable and strategically playful, making it more gratifying to frustrate her opponents and derive pleasure from their suffering. Why not play with a smile?

Principal Herculano, who had been confident, was now visibly disoriented by Xanthia’s unexpected intensity from the first ball. His psychological shock was evident, and his frustration level soared!

When Xanthia played against female teacher Morgianne, she managed to suppress her laughter out of respect. But facing the previously confident Principal Herculano, she couldn’t resist being playful and audacious.

Principal Herculano’s expression starkly contrasted with Xanthia’s. He was now drenched in sweat and panting heavily!

Nevertheless, the match had to continue. After all, “best of three” was his own suggestion, and he couldn’t back down in front of the students.

He set aside all disdain and began playing with the full strength of a top player, determined to give his all against Xanthia!

Despite having Lv2 table tennis skills and a rating of around 2000, Xanthia couldn’t win every point against an upper-intermediate player like Principal Herculano.

Principal Herculano was extremely crafty, with diverse serving techniques. A single misstep by Xanthia could lead to a high ball, which Herculano would smash with a decisive shot—one even the best defense couldn’t handle.

Despite the alternating scores, Xanthia still led 10-7 in the first set.

For the final point, Xanthia served a high toss with a very professional and graceful posture. Principal Herculano, caught off guard, also sent the ball high. Xanthia seized the opportunity with a powerful smash to win the set!

Panting and wiping sweat, Principal Herculano remarked, “Xanthia, your forehand is excellent. Why don’t you attack more? Why all this defensive play? There’s no future in it.”

Though he lost the first set, Principal Herculano, being an educator, recognised Xanthia’s attacking talent. He felt it was a waste for her to play defensively.

To be blunt, defensive players are often those who, despite having talent, can’t excel with conventional techniques and thus choose the “supporting role” path. Table tennis is about being proactive, and aggressive players with a strong will often reach the pinnacle!

“I enjoy it. Playing defensively means more rallies, and that’s more fun!” Xanthia responded cheerfully.

In reality, she didn’t reveal her true feelings. Playing defensively allowed her to extract her opponent's pain points and sometimes even give them false hope before shattering it. The satisfaction was truly exhilarating!

Sometimes, a swift and decisive loss isn’t as painful. But a loss that’s just a bit short, with the thought “if only I had played a little better,” often feels more crushing. The more one thinks about it after the match, the more it hurts, leading to tears.

Upon hearing Xanthia’s response, Principal Herculano had no counterargument. After all, “I enjoy it” was a reason difficult to refute. Besides, Xanthia didn’t seem inclined to pursue a professional career, so playing defensively was understandable.

The match continued, and the second set held little suspense. Principal Herculano had already exhausted all his strategies and efforts in the first set, becoming increasingly demoralised, with his frustration visibly escalating.

In the second set, he completely lost patience, making many unreasonable shots and desperately trying to overpower Xanthia. Realising the gap in skill, he resorted to a risky strategy, hoping to control his fate in the match.

The spectators were stunned, comparing Xanthia’s calm, energetic demeanour with Principal Herculano’s panting and drenched appearance. They were thoroughly astonished!

“I didn’t expect our school had such a hidden talent. She’s extraordinary. Her name seems to be Xanthia?”

“If we were to hold a school table tennis tournament now, this girl would surely be the champion. She’s dominating the school matches!”

“What’s this girl’s background? With her level at this age, she should easily make it to the provincial team, right?”

“She’s incredible! I’ve never seen Principal Herculano so outclassed before. The difference in their levels is glaring!”

“So this is how impressive defensive players can be. The long rallies were truly a delight to watch!”

…

The score in the second set quickly reached 10-4, with Xanthia serving.

Principal Herculano wore a “disillusioned” expression. He had been so thoroughly defeated that he was thinking, “To hell with table tennis.” He casually served the ball, eager to end the match.

Xanthia didn’t drag it out any further. She executed a serve that left Principal Herculano wide-eyed and utterly unprepared—a brilliant backhand flick!

It must be said that while some table tennis prodigies might be lacking in character, their talent is undeniable. The fastest grand slam winner in history, and the “flick” serves now prevalent in men’s table tennis are testament to their tremendous power.

Xanthia’s flick was reminiscent of a world-class elite table tennis player rather than any table tennis gambler. It was incredibly swift as she shifted to the forehand side and executed the flick!

The serve was so fast that Principal Herculano couldn’t even react!

The audience collectively gasped, making a small contribution to global warming…

A perfect final shot, and the match concluded!