I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist

"Keep your boyfriend on a leash, Cattleya Starlight," James said casually as he strolled beside her.

"That's only because you keep provoking him!" Cattleya shot back.

James raised an eyebrow, glancing at her. "Did I?"

She hesitated. "I mean… talking to me like that is obviously provoking him," she mumbled.

James simply shrugged. "Whatever. Just keep him in check, or I might have to hang him naked over the academy gates—after removing his balls, of course."

"…!"

Cattleya paled.

The way he said it, so casually, sent a chill down her spine.

He wasn't joking.

"I—If you do that, his father will come after you!" She stuttered in panic.

James sighed, shaking his head as if she had just said the dumbest thing in the world. "Cattleya, how stupid can you be? Do you really think anyone can stop me? Anyone who tries will die. Simple as that."

She swallowed hard, unable to find a response.

"If you want to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, you'd better do something about it," James continued. "Or just kick him out of the academy."

Cattleya clenched her fists. "As if I have the power to do that!"

If this went on, she was going to have a heart attack.

James barely paid her distress any mind as he smoothly changed the topic. "More importantly, let's talk about the Relic of Seraphiel. You promised to bring it to me a year ago." His usual smile barely masked his contempt.

"It hasn't been that long!" She retorted. "I told you, I'm doing my best! But… it's complicated. My mother's lab is inside one of [Horizon]'s top research institutions. Security there is impossible to breach."

James gave her a pointed look. "I told you to use your mother to get inside."

Cattleya scowled. "EVEN if I manage that, how am I supposed to steal a Relic and get out without being caught?"

"Ask your mother to give it to you."

"And if she demands it back?"

James rolled his eyes. "Find an excuse. Do I have to come up with the entire plan for you?" He stopped, turning to face her fully.

Cattleya bit her lip, fists tightening. "I—I don't know what plan…"

Cattleya felt completely lost.

Torn.

She didn't want to betray her mother, but James was giving her no choice.

James sighed before turning to face her.
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He reached out, gently tilting her chin up so their eyes met.

"Figure it out, Cattleya Starlight."

Cattleya gritted her teeth and slapped his hand away.

"Do you understand?" James asked his red eyes almost glinting with amusement.

"Fine!" Cattleya snapped before storming off.

James simply smiled as he watched her leave, then turned around.

As he walked, Aaron—who had been silently waiting nearby—fell into step beside him. "Milord."

"How's Leon Cromwell doing?" James asked.

Aaron hesitated. "Good…" His tone, however, lacked confidence.

In truth, it had been exhausting. He had lost count of how many times he had stopped Gorn from lunging at James in some dramatic display—kneeling, rambling, or worse, randomly calling James Astaroth as if possessed.

James didn't seem particularly concerned. "I'll be away for the next few days. Don't act without my orders. Keep Gorn and Gin informed… and your father, of course."

Aaron nodded. "What about the body for Gin, Milord?"

James smirked slightly. "I'm working on it." Then, as if it were an afterthought, he added, "Don't touch him. I'll handle it myself."

Aaron bowed his head. "Yes, Your Excellency." But hesitation flickered in his eyes.

James noticed. "Speak your mind."

Aaron hesitated for only a moment before asking, "If I may… where exactly are you going, Your Excellency?" His curiosity was impossible to hide.

James grinned. "I have a wedding to attend."

…

…

After lunch, the afternoon classes resumed, but this time, it wasn't a dull lecture—it was a practical session. And James, naturally, was thrilled.

It was time for Hand-to-Hand Combat Mastery.

The last time this class had made waves was when Ivan fought Aaron, drawing quite a bit of attention. But that was months ago. Since then, the training had only gotten harsher and they were using weapons now.

"Today, you'll be fighting in groups of four against another group of four. As Exorcists, you might find yourselves alone on some occasions, but when facing stronger Demonic Entities, teamwork is often the key to a successful exorcism."

Overseeing the session was the same instructor as before—Erika Meyer. Mordred's adoptive sister. And, in many ways, his parent as well.

The first-year Elite Students gathered inside a small training stadium, which had been rearranged into multiple sparring fields.

Erika tapped on her tablet. "Your names will appear on the screen. If you see yours, step forward. We've prepared dulled weapons in the trays over there—you may choose any of them. And don't forget to wear your bracers. They're not for show; they'll protect you from serious injuries during sparring though I doubt you will get terribly injured."

After that, the massive screen flickered, scrolling through names until four appeared on each side.

"Finally, some action!"

James, grinning from ear to ear, spread his arms. His name was listed on the left, paired with three random students he didn't bother to acknowledge—same with his opponents.

Then, he raised his hand. "Erika Meyer, can I use my saber? I don't see any in the trays, and I'm far more comfortable with one in my hand."

Erika immediately felt a headache coming on. "No. You'll use the weapons provided." She sighed, rubbing her temple. "And I'm your professor. Address me formally."

Seriously, why would he even ask to use a real saber—one capable of cutting down enemies—in a sparring session?

"What a shame." James shook his head as he made his way toward the training field. He grabbed a random, dull practice sword—not that it really mattered—and stepped onto the grounds.

Finally, he took a good look at his teammates. They all had the unfortunate look of third-rate villains, and to make matters worse, he recognized one of them from Lucas Whiteford's gang. His opponents? Even worse. Two were from Lucas' crew, and one of them—Lucas' right-hand man—was already smirking at James, dragging a finger across his neck in a not-so-subtle threat.

James grimaced. He had thick skin, sure, but not as much as Adam or Ivan. That level of cringe was hard to ignore.

"Good luck, James!!"

He turned toward the crowd and spotted Aaron cheering him on enthusiastically.

Not far from him, Leon—clearly feeling a sudden sense of rivalry—stood up and called out, "Good luck, Lord Asta—agh!"

Before he could finish, Aaron thankfully shut him up with a well-placed punch.

Behind them, Ludivine was grimacing looking at Leon who was complaining to Aaron. He looked different than the one in the forest but she found him a bit cute right now though…

A short distance away, Cattleya was visibly cringing much like James.

'He was definitely about to say Lord Astaroth…'

If she had any doubts before, they were gone now. Leon Cromwell was clearly on James' side, just like Aaron.

'Wait! Isn't this bad?!'

The realization hit her like a truck. Potentially three Demons inside her class including Aaron. One of them a Devil for sure. Internally, Cattleya started panicking.

Meanwhile, James spread his arms toward the crowd. "Thank you, thank you! I'll make sure to put on a good show for you all!"

In reality, only two people were cheering for him.

One person among the crowd was even glaring at James and it was Travis unable to forget the humiliation in the forest.

Theresa glanced at Travis and sighed turning back toward James a bit interested in the man who beat up Travis enough to make him this angry.

As for the women in the audience, completely drawn in by his confident presence and natural charisma, found themselves clapping and shouting along anyway.

"Good luck, James!"

"Beat them up!"

"Please look at me, James!!"

James burst into laughter. This way of talking to the people without shame while putting on a grandiose act was something King would do. Normally, James wouldn't have even acknowledged the crowd, but then again, it was also very James-like to completely ignore his opponents just to piss them off—right before utterly humiliating them.

And it was working. All four opponents, including Lucas' right-hand man, were practically steaming with anger. James' indifference made it clear—he didn't even see them as threats.

"I think that's enough entertaining the crowd, Mr. Grayling," Erika finally cut in, sounding thoroughly exasperated.

James gave a small nod and turned to face his opponents.

Once everyone was in position, Erika raised her hand. A brief silence hung in the air before she swiftly brought it down.

"Start!"

The moment the word left her lips, all four opponents rushed forward—completely bypassing James. Instead, they went straight for his so-called teammates.

"Ugh!"

"Argh!"

"Kya!"

Within seconds, his entire team was sprawled on the ground, taken out too easily.

James barely spared them a glance, but he did catch sight of one of them groaning in exaggerated pain, a smug grin on his face.

'Ah. So that's how it is,'

James smiled.

It was a setup—a four-on-one from the start against him.

Erika seemed to notice too. She didn't bother forcing them to get up and fight; instead, she made a mental note to reflect their pitiful performance in their grades.

Letting out a sigh, she turned toward James. "This has become far too unbalanced. We'll have to adjust—"

"No," James cut her off.

Erika raised an eyebrow as he lifted his sword, taking an almost lazy stance. A small, cold smile appeared on his lips as he looked at the four opponents in front of him.

"I'll take on all four of them."