Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son-Chapter 144 [Blood Of Fallen] [Prelude]

"...So, this is our team?"

As I gazed at the group standing at the academy gate, I mumbled to myself, observing them.

"Looks like it," Oliver, standing beside me, mumbled while munching on a chicken lollipop.

I shifted my gaze towards him and asked, "You sure about this?"

He shrugged. "I'm fine now. Don't treat me like a patient." freeweɓnovel.cøm

"Azariah!" I turned around, looking at the boy with light blonde hair who called out to me.

"What?" I asked, tilting my head.

Keegan walked closer, eyes glaring at me. "Do not try to mess up. It's an officia—"

"Shut up, you fucking simp," I spat, interjecting sharply. "Do you think I care about your official shit?"

His glare intensified as he walked closer. "Are you looking for a fight?"

"No." I scoffed, as if I'd heard the most absurd thing. "Not with someone like you."

"You—"

"Alright, enough." Oliver stepped between us, looking at both of us. "For once, behave."

"Tch."

Keegan clicked his tongue before walking towards Arianell, who was standing with Daphne.

"What's up with you?" I asked, glancing at Oliver. "You look serious."

"My father has a reputation," he replied, shrugging. "I don't want to fuck it up."

"Aimar is going to Ekari Kingdom, huh?" I mumbled, turning to look at the team beside us.

He was in a different group with Miley, Ethan, Lucas, and Ruby.

"Well, it's been a while since we've been separated," Oliver replied, gazing at his brother. "I hope he can take care of himself."

"He will," I mumbled, shaking my head. "You don't always have to protect him."

'I still don't understand why this happened,' I mused, rubbing my chin.

Because of my interference in saving Inês, things have changed a lot.

Instead of one team going to the Mizraim Empire, we're now divided into two.

And it's not the first thing that hasn't gone like in the game.

Even Ashlyn's awakening didn't happen as it was supposed to.

'I just hope things don't divert anymore from the game's plot.'

At least not the major events.

I also need to prepare myself for the mid-term exams.

'Things will be hectic during that event.'

I grimaced, letting out a tired sigh.

"Oye, sister-in-law is here." I glanced at Oliver, who gestured for me to look forward.

I followed his gaze and saw her, wearing a black skirt with stockings underneath that clung tightly to her hourglass figure, and a simple baggy white long-sleeve t-shirt on top.

'...Don't come here.'

I grimaced as she walked straight towards me. I turned around only to find myself standing alone now.

I looked to my sides and saw Oliver talking with Aaliyah.

And before I could find Chubby, who was in our team, she slid right beside me.

"I can't find matching clips," she grumbled softly, showing me a blue hairclip in her hand. "I had a white one, but I don't remember where I kept it."

"Just use this one," I replied, gesturing to her hands.

"Hold it for a second." She passed me the hairclip before starting to braid her side hair. "By the way, we have matching outfits."

"Don't act like it's a coincidence," I grumbled, looking down at my plain white shirt and black jeans. "You're the one who chose this outfit for me."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she replied, feigning ignorance.

"Are they thigh-high?" I asked curiously, looking at her stockings.

"No, up to my waist," she replied, glancing back with a soft smile. "Wanna see?"

"...No," I replied, dragging out the words unconsciously.

...Fuck, I almost said yes.

"It would have been better if Avril was with us," Christina mumbled while braiding her hair. "Too bad she had to stay back."

"...Yeah," I replied, not saying much.

From what I know, the first princess of the Mizraim Empire is visiting this empire.

And to accompany her, some of the high-ranking nobles are staying behind.

"Clip it, please." She requested, stepping closer, her head near my shoulder, her distinct cherry-like scent engulfing me.

'Have I grown taller?' I wondered as I carefully clipped her hair, making sure not to scratch her scalp. But I quickly noticed something odd.

"Tch, stop acting like a pervert," I complained, stepping back as she continued deeply inhaling my scent.

"Ahem."

She coughed, taking out her phone to check her face, acting as if she hadn't heard me.

'Hmm?'

I turned around, feeling someone staring daggers at me, only to find a boy with light green hair glaring at me with murderous intent.

'Ivan, huh?'

I mused, waving at him with a smile, his face morphing into anger, his glare intensifying.

"What happened?" Christina asked, making me turn back.

"It's Ivan," I replied, shrugging. "I was just greeting him."

"That bitch?" She grumbled, shaking her head. "If he ever tries to annoy you, just tell him we've already laid."

"Even though it's a lie?" I asked, shrugging.

"Your birthday is in two days, right?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.

"...Yeah," I replied, tilting my head.

She smiled brightly as she mumbled, "Sweet."

"..."

I quietly kept eye contact with her as she walked away towards Daphne.

'What is she planning?'

I grimaced, rubbing my temples in frustration. I seriously don't want anything awkward to happen between us.

"Az." My eyes drifted to my side as I heard my name. "How do I look?"

Ashlyn stood beside me, twirling around, showing off her long purple one-piece dress that had a ribbon tied around her waist.

"You look beautiful," I replied, patting her head, which made her frown.

"I just combed it," she replied, groaning softly.

"Do it again," I replied nonchalantly, making her pout.

"Alright, guys!!" Daphne shouted, grabbing everyone's attention. "The bus is here."

We all looked up as a flying bus arrived and parked right in front of us. It didn't have tires but four nozzles that burst mana to keep it afloat.

[It also has circles engraved on it.]

El commented, making me glance up where circles were engraved on its sides.

'Almost all things that use mana as the source of energy have them,' I replied as a stair unfolded at the bus gate, and the students began walking in one by one.

"How's your training with magic circles going?" I asked, looking at Ashlyn.

"I'm still learning," she replied humbly.

"Up to which tier have you learned?" I probed further.

"7th tier," she replied, not so humbly.

'Fucking monster.'

I grumbled, feeling a little bitter.

Depending on complexity and mana usage, circles are divided from 9th tier to 0th tier.

9th tier being the weakest and 0th the strongest, just before the named tier magic circle.

And she learned up to the 7th in just two months.

That's abnormal.

"Keep it up," I replied, smiling to hide my bitterness.

The stronger she is, the better.

With my help, she quickly entered the bus, and I followed her.

As soon as I entered, I immediately noticed Christina saving a seat beside her.

"I'll sit with Aaliyah." Ashlyn also noticed it as she said with a light smile.

I nodded, moving towards Christina while glaring at Oliver, who sat with Chubby, leaving Aaliyah alone.

"What's with you now?" I asked, noticing the conflicted look on Christina's face.

"A friend," she mumbled, tapping her phone on her hand. "Asking for help."

I nodded, not asking anything further. If it's important, she'll tell me herself.

"Everyone here?" Daphne asked, entering the bus.

She looked around, confirming the students before nodding.

The bus started, and we left for the teleportation portal.

***

"Wow."

A sigh of admiration escaped from Ashlyn's mouth as she looked at the thirty-meter-wide teleportation portal glowing in front of us.

"How much does one ticket cost?" she asked, glancing at me as I walked beside her.

"A quarter of a million," I replied, looking around the empty hall.

She gasped in surprise before counting the numbers on her fingers. "That much?"

"Yep."

I replied, looking ahead where Arianell led the group, with Christina and Ivan right behind her.

I should also be there as the representative of the empire's nobility, but I don't want to be.

Oliver and Aaliyah were in the middle with the rest of the students, and so was Chubby.

And at the back, I walked with Ashlyn, the only commoner here.

"I hope all of you remember the rules," Daphne said one last time, standing in front before looking at Arianell. "Please, princess."

Arianell nodded before entering the portal, and the rest followed her.

At last, I entered with Ashlyn, who grabbed the hem of my shirt as she entered with me.

I closed my eyes as I felt a little weird, but since portals have been refined, I didn't feel any nausea.

And only when I felt a little cold did I open my eyes to find myself in an entirely different place.

"What is happening?"

Ashlyn mumbled, sharing my confusion as we didn't find anyone to welcome us except a group of reporters.

"There he is!!"

One of them shouted, and all of them looked at me simultaneously.

They quickly flocked towards me, ignoring everyone else, even the princess Arianell.

I grabbed Ashlyn, hiding her behind me, my eyes squinting subconsciously as they kept using flash.

"Hier Azariah, what are your views on the news leaked from the church?" one of them asked expectantly.

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"What news?" I spat, glaring at them as they kept invading my personal space.

"About you being the [Exiled Prince]!!"