Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son C.168 Change [2]

"I am sorry."

"....???"

I looked at him strangely as he bowed his head slightly.

But my expression hardened as his words sank in.

"What did you do?" I snarled, my voice coming out harsh.

If this idiot did something stupid, I don't know what I might do.

"I am sorry for trying to get close to Senior Christina," he replied, standing up and looking into my eyes.

"...The fuck did you do?" I asked again, stepping closer, glaring at him.

He met my gaze firmly, replying softly, "I didn't do anything, and I am truly sorry for what I tried to do."

"You don't look like someone asking for an apology," I snarled, observing his face.

Like I said, he doesn't look even a little bit guilty for what he did.

I see no remorse or guilt in his eyes...they only held hatred.

The same hatred that I have been seeing since the start.

"You are right," he admitted, his brown eyes staring at me coldly.

"I wanted to save her from a toxic relationship with you, and I truly believe I was doing the right thing."

"Then why this fake apology, retard?" I scoffed, my lips trembling in disgust.

Fucking two-faced bastard.

I'm sure he has different motives for doing this.

"Don't accept my apology, I don't care," he snarled, his eyes turning cold. "But listen to what I'm about to say very clearly." freёnovelkiss.com

My lips parted to rebuke, but a voice stopped me, "Just listen to him, Az."

I sighed, glancing at Oliver, and let him say whatever he wanted.

Ethan drew in another deep breath to calm his anger as he said, "From now on, I don't want you anywhere near Ruby. Try touching even a strand of her hair, and you will regret it for the rest of your life."

"..."

I looked at him calmly.

Turning my head, I looked at Oliver and asked, "Did he just threaten me?"

"Apparently, he did," Oliver replied, nodding his head.

I turned and looked at Ethan again. "Did something happen between you two?"

"That's none of your business," he snarled, glaring at me. "I want an answer—did you understand?"

"Hey, you talk like I even care about that girl," I replied, shrugging. "Do whatever you want."

He nodded, still glaring at me. "You better remember my words."

Turning around, he walked toward the class before halting again and glancing back at me. "And just so you know, I haven't given up on Senior Christina."

"....."

I silently watched him as he walked away towards Miley, who was standing at the class door.

Her eyes met mine, and for a brief moment, I could see her hatred matching that of Ethan's.

'El.'

[...You were right, he is an Avatar now.]

"Tch." I clicked my tongue, running my fingers through my hair.

Things just keep getting more annoying.

Him accepting being the Avatar is problematic.

Not only will he grow faster than me, but he will also have more influence within the empire and the church.

In short, he just became a bigger pain in the ass.

'...He'll also have a better chance of surviving the mid-term now.'

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Well, unlike in the game, he has more time to learn and control the Avatar's abilities.

'...Should I tell my mother about this?'

...No.

She should already know about this.

Knowing her, she would have already changed her plans accordingly.

"What are you looking at?" I asked, glancing at Oliver, whose gaze was on the class door.

"He has changed," he commented, looking back at me. "Or should I say he gained more confidence."

"He's a pain either way," I grumbled, walking towards the main door.

"Did you see how he tried to act like Christina is a victim?"

"Is she not?" he rebuked, shrugging. "Honestly, I will never understand how she tolerates a toxic bastard like you for so long."

"Neither will I," I replied, agreeing with his words.

She is an oddball.

No matter how annoying she is, I will always be grateful to her for not giving up on me.

'...Back then, she was one of the reasons I wanted to live,' I thought, walking out.

The glaring afternoon sunlight pricked at my skin as I moved faster.

"Damn this heat," Oliver grumbled, looking up.

"Summer is always the worst time," I grimaced, hiding within a building's shade.

'...It's been quite a while since I joined the academy,' I thought, looking up at the sun.

Almost five months have passed since I arrived here.

"Here." Oliver passed a cigarette to me.

"No, thanks," I replied, shrugging. "I don't want to."

"Then why did you even come out?" he asked, frowning.

"To meet with Nathan."

"The principal?" he asked, tilting his head. "What do you want from him?"

"Just some talking," I replied, turning around to move towards the main building. "I will see you in a while."

"Sure," he replied, waving at me.

Moving through the main garden, I quickly arrived at his office.

I visited him a few times after returning from the trip.

And from what he told me, the Mizraim Empire is in a mess right now.

Knocking on the door, I twisted the knob as I walked in.

Still seated on his office chair, Nathan glanced at me. "What do you want, Student Azariah?"

I walked towards the chair opposite him and sat down. "...How have you been?"

"Fine," he replied, keeping his eyes on his work. "And I assume you are not here to ask that, right?"

"Yeah," I nodded before asking, "Can you tell me what happened to Ashlyn?"

"No, revealing another student's situation is against school policy," he replied, shaking his head.

"Give me at least a clue."

"No."

"Come on, old man."

"Like I said, no."

"Old man."

"I am not old, and go away."

"I am not moving then."

"Azari—"

"Not happening."

"Okay, fine," he finally gave in with a tired sigh. "It's related to her sister."

"I see," I whispered softly, squinting my eyes.

'Did something happen to Tiffany?' I wondered, rubbing my chin.

She should have been fine by now.

Or is she sick?

But why was Ashlyn so tense when I last saw her?

"Can you go away now?" Nathan sighed again. "I have work to do."

"What happened to the Mizraim Empire?" I asked, leaning forward. "Anything new?"

He glanced up at me, replying, "It's getting worse."

"What happened?" I asked again, my interest increasing.

"Their economic condition is deteriorating," he replied, returning to his work.

"More and more nobles are dying for different reasons."

"...And?"

"And they are pinning the blame on the [Exiled Prince]," he replied, his finger pointing towards me. "They are blaming you for all this."

"How idiotic can they be," I scoffed, leaning back.

Nathan didn't reply; he just looked at me, observing my face.

"How strong are you right now?" he finally asked.

"5th Primeval," I replied nonchalantly.

"What!?" he exclimed, his expression morphing into one of surprise. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah," I shrugged. "I broke through a few days ago. Lauryn also confirmed it."

"...You are growing faster than I thought," he commented, his eyes narrowing. "A lot faster."

"I guess so," I whispered.

His eyes moved towards the ceiling as he mumbled, "You really do remind me of Ragnar."

"...Stop saying that," I grumbled, feeling genuinely irked by his words. "He was better than me."

Nathan didn't reply as he silently looked at the ceiling.

I, too, remained silent as I looked at the old man.

'...I pity him.'

I truly do.

Not only did he lose his wife, but also his daughter.

He is only living because he wants to take revenge on his daughter's killer.

....Revenge that he will never get.

....I could give him a little bit of happiness.

But his happiness will likely result in my death.

So, even though I pity him, I can't help him.

My train of thought stopped as Nathan sighed, whispering softly, "Remember you once asked if I had a granddaughter or not?"

"....Yeah."

"Guess what, I used to have one," he replied, a sad smile lingering on his tired face.

"...Used to?" I calmly asked.

"...Yeah," he replied, nodding his head. "She died alongside my daughter....Eaten by some street animal."

"....."

I just looked at him without replying.

He leaned back, a pained expression on his face. "You know, I failed miserably in everything...all this strength, and I couldn't protect anyone."

"...You were not at fault," I replied, looking down at my hand. "You couldn't have done anything."

"That's what I always say to myself," he let out a dry chuckle, "just to not drown in guilt."

"You should return to work," I replied, standing up from my seat. "Hope you have a good day."

Turning around, I walked towards the door, opening it.

"Azariah," I glanced back at him as he called me, his expression serious. "Don't be like me."

"Don't worry, old man," I replied, shrugging. "I am better than you."