I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 342

Chapter 48: Jason’s Confidence

The crimson sky cast a mournful hue over the smoke-filled South Sea Mansion.

The design of the mansion was like a knight’s fortress, steeped in an atmosphere of iron and blood. Now, after a day of relentless battle, its outer walls were scarred with shocking burn marks, and half of the roof had collapsed.

Like the crumbling mansion, the Extraordinary Beings of the Lionheart faction huddled in corners, exhausted and anxious, glancing nervously into the distance, fearing another attack from the South Sea faction.

Even Charlotte, unable to hide her fatigue, was helped back to her chair by a maid.

Though they’d driven off the South Sea faction, everyone knew this was just the beginning.

The widespread conflict between factions was permitted by the Academy, with even the student council unable to intervene. While both sides had restrained themselves, mindful not to take lives, it was, after all, a battle between Extraordinary Beings, one so intense that even experienced Lionheart members were struggling to cope.

Moreover, facing an enemy outnumbered, they had reached their limit.

After a day of hard-fought battles, morale inevitably plummeted.

Just then, a worse message came through.

“Your Highness! The South Sea faction is attacking again! This time there are even more enemies than before!”

As panic began to spread, morale visibly slipped, but Charlotte stood up again, returning to their sight.

“Just right, I haven’t had my fill of this yet.”

She turned, proudly surveying her surroundings. As her crimson eyes swept across every member of the Lionheart faction, they involuntarily straightened their chests, reigniting their fighting spirit.

“A Lionheart knight will never give up until the last moment. Your forebears fought bloodily against the Dragon race; don’t tell me a mere group of South Sea barbarians has you trembling in your boots!”

Under her reprimand, the exhausted members bit their lips tight, gripping their weapons, rallying once more behind the crimson figure.

Charlotte stood at the front like a pillar of fire in the darkness, supporting the Lionheart faction’s stance.

When the Lionheart princess gazed toward the crimson horizon, a moment of softness flickered in her eyes as she unconsciously murmured, recalling the image of the Black-Haired Boy who sustained her.

She knew the knights were willing to follow her to the last moment and felt proud, indeed, she had thought about doing just that.

But Roy had given her a better choice.

“It’s up to you now, Roy.”

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“Your Highness, do we really have to reinforce our forces again?”

In response to a subordinate’s request, the prince of the South Seas merely shot a cold glance.

Realizing Jason had made his decision, the South Sea faction began to operate efficiently, mobilizing more Extraordinary Beings for support.

Initially sending out a fourth of their members, they now committed two-thirds to the cause.

If the previous strategy had been to swiftly crush a small faction, now they aimed to fully annihilate it.

Roy, standing nearby, casually spoke up, “Is it really necessary to make such a big fuss?”

Jason turned back, adjusting his glasses and smiling lightly, “Absolutely necessary.”

“Roy, you’re way too dangerous. If you continue to develop, who knows, you might become another witch. Unfortunately, I must ask you to withdraw!”

After a moment of silence, Roy said softly, “But isn’t that a bit reckless?”

Jason found it hard to suppress a chuckle.

“You don’t need to hint at me like that.”

“It’s true; committing too many forces to you risks being ambushed by the Dark Sorcery faction. But as long as we finish quickly and prepare in advance, it’ll be fine.” Jason drank a bit of fruit wine, cheerfully adding, “Let’s just say I’m ready to let that witch take a little territory.”

“But what of it? If they can deal with you, it’s all worth it!”

To Jason, the choice was clear—whether to spend some effort now to crush the Lionheart faction in its infancy or to deal with a stronger Lionheart faction later, there was no contest.

Jason had to admit he’d underestimated the young boy in front of him.

Roy was too tricky; it was better to clip his wings sooner rather than later. Otherwise, with his abilities, he would surely become a threat in Jason’s path to dominating the Academy.

The Black-Haired Boy’s lips tightened at those words, remaining silent.

This stiff demeanor only made Jason savor his drink even more, albeit with a twinge of pity.

What a shame, they couldn’t face each other in a fair match due to being in different grades—though that thought passed quickly, a competent leader wouldn’t let personal rivalries jeopardize a golden opportunity.

Jason surely wouldn’t suspect that the reason Roy tightened his lips wasn’t out of concern or anxiety, nor repentance for defeat; the boy was simply holding back laughter.

Meanwhile, the Extraordinary Beings of the South Sea faction swept out of the mansion in grand fashion, an exaggerated show that every servant witnessed.

For them, aside from marveling at the absurdity of faction disputes, there wasn’t much to feel thankful for.

Nobles or Extraordinary Beings, they felt too far removed from ordinary people like themselves.

However, from the shadow at one servant’s feet, a slender shadowy serpent crept out.

It was at this moment that the witch from the Dark Sorcery Mansion finally let a smile form.

“Very well, it’s time to give them a little surprise.”

The banquet hall, now clearer due to the extra forces invested, felt much more open.

The music and dance resumed.

Jason once again brought out the agreement he had prepared.

As the saying goes, leave a line when you do something; even when two countries are at war, rarely does it lead to total annihilation. There are bottom lines to faction disputes, and after all, winning without fighting is the best option.

“I’ll give you one last chance.”

Jason raised his wine glass and smiled, “Don’t hold on for the sake of false honor, and don’t pin your hopes on nonexistent reinforcements. Admitting defeat now would be better for both of us.”

Roy still didn’t glance at the agreement, merely looking at Jason with an odd expression, half-smiling, half-serious.

Being looked at like that made Jason feel suddenly uneasy.

“Senior, are you really that confident you can fend off the Dark Sorcery faction?”

“Still trying to trick me at this point?” Jason couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Indeed, I can hold them off. Even if the Dark Sorcery faction suddenly decides to ambush, they’ll at most take some territory. That level of loss isn’t…”

A deafening boom came from above, shaking the entire South Sea Mansion as if struck by a meteor.

The crystal chandelier swayed precariously as the mansion walls trembled, the dancers pale with fright, while Jason’s closest confidants looked out in confusion.

“Someone’s attacking!”

“What’s happening? Did the Lionheart faction strike?”

“What foolish talk; how could they possibly do that?!”

Amid their debates, a colorful stream of magic flashed outside the window.

Another tremor hit; even with protective barriers, the South Sea Mansion let out a mournful cry, and even stained glass shattered into pieces scattered all over the floor.

But all that noise paled compared to the sound of Jason’s wine glass crashing to the ground.

Looking at the calm demeanor of the Black-Haired Boy, Jason’s smile froze completely, and he finally guessed the terrible possibility.

Roy rested his chin on his hand, raising his wine glass to the astonished prince, and lightly laughed, “I’m quite interested in finding out which of the three original factions of the Academy is stronger.”