I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist

Chapter 128 James' Confession

"Follow me," Eline said.

"Why?" James asked, raising a brow.

"Because I'm asking you to," Eline replied, narrowing her eyes.

James stared at her for a beat, before a smile creeped onto his face. With a shrug, he uncrossed his legs and hopped down from the nook bench.

"See ya, Angie," he called out, waving casually at Angel as he trailed after Eline.

"..." Angel's gaze lingered for a moment on the bracelet dangling from James's wrist. Then, without a word, she returned to her lunch.

"You're dead," one of Lucas's followers muttered under his breath as James passed by.

James glanced back with a carefree smirk that only fanned the flames of the man's anger.

"You should learn to conduct yourself properly in Ocryphia. This isn't kindergarten. You're here to study Exorcism at the most prestigious academy in Aurion," Eline said as they walked.

"Is there any way to earn money here?" James asked abruptly, completely ignoring her scolding.

Eline's brows furrowed. "What?"

"I mean, are there competitions where you can win money, gold, or artifacts?" James clarified, blinking innocently.

Eline sighed, clearly unamused by his priorities. "Within certain clubs, there are opportunities for remuneration, but it depends. There are also competitions with rewards, especially during the second semester," she said.

"Nice," James said with a nod, clearly pleased. If he was going to waste time at Ocryphia, he might as well turn it into a profitable adventure. That would certainly make things more interesting.

"Where are we going, anyway?" James asked, glancing at her. He had expected her to pull him aside for some scolding, but it seemed like they were heading somewhere specific.

Eline didn't reply, keeping her focus forward. They exited the building and walked briskly toward the academy's main building.

Finally, they stopped in front of a grand office door. Eline knocked crisply. "Lady Asterion," she called.

"Enter," a voice replied from within.

Eline pushed open the door and stepped inside, James following close behind.

Seated behind a grand desk was Isabel Asterion, the acting Headmistress of Ocryphia.

The last time James had seen Isabel was during the events involving Azrael's persona—when Queen had slapped her away like a mosquito. Isabel, by Ocryphia's standards, had been an immensely powerful figure, but against Queen, she hadn't stood a chance. She seemed to have recovered since then, though her gaze was colder and harder now. The incidents following Cattleya's kidnapping and the so-called 'Goddess and Angel' affair had clearly left their mark.

"Director. Is there a problem?" James asked casually, stepping forward.

Isabel's eyes locked onto him before she snapped her fingers. Instantly, a shimmering barrier encased the office—a clear precaution against eavesdropping, or perhaps to stop James from escaping. If it was the latter, it was almost laughable. Breaking through Isabel's barrier wouldn't be much of a challenge for James.

He swept his ruby red eyes nonchalantly around the room, noting the shimmering edges of the barrier, then turned his attention back to Isabel.

"How did you enter the forest where the exam was being held?" Isabel asked, cutting straight to the point.

It was a question he'd expected. Travis had already spilled his name and description, making it obvious they'd connect the dots.

"I followed the demons and ended up in the forest," James replied with a shrug.

"Don't play games with me, boy," Isabel snapped, narrowing her eyes dangerously. "I'm not in the mood."

James tilted his head slightly, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "I'm pretty sure your granddaughter already told you everything that happened. So, what exactly are you hoping to get by questioning me again?" He sauntered over to a chair, slumped into it lazily, and draped his arm over the backrest. Not a shred of fear or unease showed in his expression.

"She must have also mentioned that I saved her life. Twice. And now you're treating your granddaughter's savior like a criminal?" His eyes narrowed in return.

"Mr. Grayling," Eline intervened coldly. "Mind your words when addressing the Director."

James gave her a nonchalant shrug. He was already holding back a lot.

Isabel let out a soft sigh. "Yes, Cattleya told me everything. My daughter and I are indeed grateful for what you've done for her. That's why I didn't hesitate to reward you with a seat in the Elite Class. My granddaughter vouched for your abilities, and from what I've seen…"

She reached into her desk and retrieved a tablet, tapping the screen. A video clip began to play, showing James punching down a fifty-meter Ferris wheel in a single blow. The sheer force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the area.

Eline's mouth fell open slightly in shock as she stared at the screen.

"...you seem strong enough to deserve your place at Ocryphia," Isabel finished, setting the tablet down.

"I hope I do. Honestly, I could probably take on your entire academy solo," James said with a smile.

Eline's brows twitched at his cocky remark, but oddly enough, it didn't feel like he was bragging. It was more like he was stating a simple fact.

Isabel, however, seemed to take it as mere showboating. "Cattleya trusts you, which is the only reason I agreed to let you into the academy," she said. "Because my granddaughter says you can be trusted, I'll extend that trust as well—but first, I need to know who you really are."

"Who am I?" James repeated, leaning back casually. "The name's James Arnold Grayling. I'm a pirate. A captain pirate, to be exact. That's all there is to it. No family ties or noble lineage to brag about. People like you—nobility, right?—you'd probably call someone like me a peasant or something."

"A pirate, you say..." Isabel's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you from New Earth?"

"Does it matter? Are you fishing for something specific?" James asked raising a brow.

"You have to understand, Mr. Grayling," Isabel said cautiously, "we can't help but be suspicious. Why would someone like you want to join Ocryphia Academy? You don't exactly seem... interested in exorcism."

James smirked faintly, leaning back in his chair as his gaze flicked around the room. "Why did I join Ocryphia, huh?"

The office was grand but not where he needed to be. His eyes drifted to the heavily secured door behind Isabel's desk—her real office. That's where he'd find the information he was after. The affair from 50 years ago, the clues to the Vault, everything he needed was behind that door.

He didn't come to the academy for the exorcism training or to mingle with nobility. He was here for the Relic of Seraphiel hidden in the Vault. Ivan needed it, and James was here to get it. But brute force wasn't an option. Who knew what kind of defensive spells the Vault had? Seraphiel's relics were famously indestructible... most of the time. If this one wasn't as durable, one wrong move could ruin everything. Ivan wanted it secured, not shattered.

Shifting his gaze back to Isabel, who clearly wasn't going to let him off the hook without a solid answer, James sighed dramatically. "Fine. I'll be honest with you."

"That's all we're asking," Isabel replied, nodding in appreciation.

James took a deep breath, then said, "I'm in love with Cattleya Starlight."

"..."

"..."

Both Isabel and Eline froze, blinking at him in stunned silence as they tried to process what he'd just said.

Isabel recovered first, her gaze narrowing. "Lies won't—"

"I'm not lying," James interrupted. He leaned forward, slapping a hand on her desk as he locked eyes with her. His red gaze glinted with quite intensity. "I'm completely serious."

Isabel visibly bristled, but James continued on. "I've had my eyes on her for a while. That's how I noticed the demons targeting her in the first place. I've saved her life twice already because I love her. As a woman. That's the truth. I joined Ocryphia to be closer to her. Everything I told her parents? Fake. I made it all up because let's be real—they'd never hand their daughter over to someone like me. A pirate, no less. But I'm confident I can win her heart now that I'm here."

"..." Isabel stared at him, completely speechless.

James looked as serious as he could possibly manage. Of course, he wasn't serious at all. He was expertly relying on the weight of his 'Kingly' influence to sell the act.

"Otherwise," he said with a casual laugh, "why do you think I'd join the academy?"

He had a point. Neither Isabel nor Eline could come up with any plausible reason for his presence, no matter how hard they tried. As ridiculous and cliché as his love-struck excuse sounded, it somehow fit the situation. Isabel had even seen that clip of him with Cattleya—his bold, almost forceful approach. Maybe...

James stood up then. "If you want to kick me out of the academy, go ahead," he said, turning toward the door. Then he glanced back at them one last time. "But believe me when I say I'm the best ally she's got."

'Because if I'm not, your granddaughter's going to end up trapped by far worse demons,' he thought but kept to himself, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips.

James pushed open the door, stepping out. However, from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of someone leaning against the wall just outside. It was a young woman, her cheeks flushed and her eyes wide in shock.

Ah. It seemed his little performance had one unexpected witness.

And it had to be Cattleya Starlight.

She had arrived at her grandmother's office, summoned by a call, only to find another visitor already inside. Standing outside the door, she couldn't help but overhear a conversation she never expected.

"Oh, Cattleya Starlight," James muttered, his gaze sweeping over her.

"..." Cattleya recoiled, feeling his stare.

She quickly averted her eyes as well.

"Well, tell your grandmother not to kick me out, or I'll have to resort to more… persuasive methods with your parents," James threatened with a gentle smile before walking away.

"..."