I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist

Chapter 140 James Being James

"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.

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."