I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 362

Chapter 68: Utilization

In front of the head of Black Magic, Leanna humbly bowed and reported the latest progress.

“I’m ready; when the time comes, I’ll team up with the False King’s blood to take down Hydra’s venom sac.”

The old man lying in the healing pod slowly opened his eyes, casting a deeper shadow over the already dim space. Even Leanna, an Extraordinary Being of Sequence 7, couldn’t help but frown, shivering at that terrifying presence.

This aura was nothing like that of a decrepit old man.

No one questioned Eik, the head of Black Magic, and his extraordinary talent. In fact, some believed he could lead the long-fallen Black Magic faction back to reclaim the throne of the Seven-Colored School.

But eighteen years ago, Eik was severely injured during an adventure and faded from everyone’s sight.

Yet, Leanna was well aware that this great mage had merely stepped back, secretly accumulating power, plotting for a day of resurgence—

But that wasn’t her concern.

On the surface, they were master and apprentice, but in reality, they were just using each other.

Eik’s tone was as cold as Leanna had anticipated: “You mustn’t fail with the venom sac; you need to advance to Sequence 6 quickly if you want to be of use to me.”

“Your bloodline backlash is already severe; if you don’t improve soon, you’ll just die, and that would be a shame for all the effort I’ve invested in you.”

Leanna coldly replied, “I won’t die before I achieve my goals.”

She often amusingly thought, if she were to die right after accomplishing her goal, how would that usually unflappable great mage feel?

But now, thinking back on it, her mood wasn’t as pleasant as usual.

Because, no matter what happened with Eik, the only reaction she truly cared about was that of the Black-Haired Boy.

Would Roy truly be sad for her when that day came?

Just as her thoughts drifted away, the old man’s whisper pulled her back to reality.

“Leanna, do you know why I value you?”

Small talk wasn’t Eik’s style.

Leanna instantly became alert and cautiously replied, “Your wisdom is unmatched; your insight is not something a mere apprentice like me dares to speculate upon.”

Eik gazed at the brown-haired girl and murmured, “Your talent isn’t bad; you’re quite sharp, but talent isn’t irreplaceable—wisdom can be honed over time.”

“The road of Black Magic is akin to defying the will of the gods; it doesn’t rely on the so-called noble bloodline or talent, nor on the half-baked skills that worship wisdom and knowledge, but rather on determination.”

“A determination to do whatever it takes, by any means necessary.”

His tone suddenly became cheerful: “You think I’m not worth it? How did you manage to pass that selection trial?”

Those light words immediately caused Leanna to feel like she had fallen into an ice cellar, freezing in place.

The old man couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Don’t worry, I’m praising you.”

“I only need one apprentice. Even if some of you manage to survive, I’ll clean up the excess baggage.”

“That trial was never going to be resolved safely by a bunch of little brats, unless…”

Unless they could unite and throw themselves at the challenge, there might be a glimmer of hope.

The old man’s murmurs brought Leanna back to that night ten years ago.

Less than ten years old, the boy and girl were thrown into a pitch-black forest filled with man-eaters, without supplies.

Since it was a trial, there would undoubtedly be competition. But upon realizing their slim chances of survival, everyone voluntarily banded together.

However, Leanna, on the other hand, discerned Eik’s true intentions.

Perhaps other kids also realized what Eik intended, but only Leanna took action.

As monsters began to catch up, she suggested abandoning the injured. While crossing the swamp, she discarded those who were trapped. Under the guise of a noble cause, she ruthlessly let go of those who had outlived their usefulness one by one.

In the end, only Leanna and another girl remained, and as they climbed to the peak of the trial, just as the rope was about to snap, that girl held her hand with hope, but Leanna callously let go.

Astonishingly, she never felt fear; she made the most brutal yet logical choices.

To survive, one had to utilize everything that could be utilized.

“Unless someone betrays them.” Leanna closed her eyes heavily, gritting her teeth, feeling a bitter taste that almost made her sick.

“That’s right, that’s your true nature!” The old man laughed, his voice rising.

“That’s what I admire about you! For your goals, you can use everything around you and decisively discard it when necessary! That is an essential trait to become a Black Mage!”

“I remember, back then you were barely ten. While other kids united and helped each other, you coldly discarded them one by one; you were so beautiful back then!”

“But…”

The old man shifted gears, and when he turned to Leanna, there was a hint of disdain in his eyes.

“Now, you are so weak and ugly, like a useless waste!”

“You just said you want to ‘team up’ with the False King’s blood?!”

“I…” Stumbling over her words, Leanna suddenly didn’t know how to argue.

Or maybe she didn’t want to?

But whatever the case, it angered the Black Mage before her.

The old man snapped his fingers, and dark extraordinary waves coalesced into form, wrapping around Leanna’s neck like a tentacle, lifting her up.

The suffocating pain immediately turned the girl’s face pale.

“Remember, you are using him; once the False King’s blood has no more value, you toss him aside.”

As the words fell, the tentacle violently tossed Leanna, slamming her to the ground with a muffled grunt.

Leanna lifted her head, took a deep breath, and cast a cold glance at that eerie, elderly figure in the distance before exhaling deeply.

“Yes.”

Such an eyesore.

Once it loses its value, toss it away—one day, that will be your fate.

——————————

On the agreed day, Roy arrived in the southern district of the Academy City to meet Leanna.

The Academy City was divided into four districts: north, south, east, and west. The north district was the most prosperous commercial area, filled with adventurer taverns, embassies from various countries, and all sorts of food and fun, and it was the most frequented place by students from the academy.

However, the southern district was a place students avoided like the plague.

Because it was the red-light district.

This place was a blend of fish and dragons, teeming with thieves, assassins, wanted criminals, and various unsavory characters. But it was also the only area where they could evade the scrutiny of the Mage Association and engage in some illegal transactions.

In such a place, Roy naturally couldn’t show his face, so he donned the guise of the Sword Demon.

He quickly found Leanna’s subordinates and, under their guidance, entered a room above a small tavern.

As soon as he entered, the enchanting figure inside turned, giving a soft smile.