[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-47":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","THE VILLAIN'S POV",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},336834,598,"Chapter 47 47: Against the Promised Hero","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-47",47,"\u003Cp>-Frey Starlight Pov-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A storm of emotions clashed within me as I prepared to face him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The protagonist of my own story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The perfect version of myself—the one who had everything I ever wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my sword, steadying my breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come, hero.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow Lionheart nodded, an overwhelming aura surging through him. Three colors intertwined within it—white, red, and green—proof of his tri-elemental affinity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was only half of what he was capable of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, a dense black aura of darkness enveloped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pushed my power to its peak, activating Hawk's Eye and Phantom Steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would give this fight everything I had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We moved in slow, deliberate circles, each gauging the other. From the sidelines, Dawn and Seris watched in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know, Frey… I've been waiting for this moment for a long time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow's golden eyes glowed as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood several meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in the next instant, his voice whispered right beside my ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ever since you defeated Feyrith...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One moment, he was in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next, a flickering image of him appeared at my side, his glowing blade slicing toward my neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His strike tore through the air itself, but at the last possible moment, I bent my body, narrowly avoiding the blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What I had seen before was merely an afterimage—a remnant of his overwhelming speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Hawk's Eye allowed me to follow his movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I launched a counterattack, slashing at his vital points with a blade wreathed in black aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Snow shifted from offense to defense, parrying my attack with effortless precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light and darkness clashed violently, each force trying to consume the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, we both had the same thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a flash, we exchanged dozens of strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black and white collided, locking us within a whirlwind of flashing swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar, all an observer would see was a storm of dark and light streaks crashing against each other at blinding speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow was relentless—sharp, unpredictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he deflected every strike with ease, his mastery of swift swordsmanship rendering my attacks ineffective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with perfect timing, Snow baited me into attacking, sidestepping with expert precision before slipping past my defenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's move on to the next phase.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword erupted in blinding radiance as he unleashed a devastating wave of aura at my side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall trembled as the force of his attack sent me hurtling backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One Sword: Mountain-Splitting Sword.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn and Seris flinched as the sheer brilliance of the strike filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, they may have thought the battle was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But within the overwhelming light—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single black speck expanded, growing at a menacing pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pitch-black slash tore through the brilliance, splitting Snow's attack in half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My sword burned with dark flames as I raised it toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't think for a second… that defeating me will be easy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a powerful swing, I unleashed my full strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow: The Black Cutter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive arc of darkness surged toward Snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply laughed, raising his sword into a defensive stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A radiant crescent of energy shot forth to meet my own, equal in size and power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two attacks clashed, annihilating each other—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, his eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because behind the first slash… came dozens more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—hundreds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In every way, he surpassed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every way—except for one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have an endless supply of aura.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike you… I can fight without ever running dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at last, Snow realized—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His opponent was the real deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by a storm of black crescents, he chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, suddenly, the light vanished from his blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll have to answer in kind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, flames erupted around his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spun rapidly, his movements generating a massive inferno.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blazing tornado surged outward, devouring my waves of darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I watched as the fiery vortex rose—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, suddenly, it tilted toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At its center, Snow's silhouette flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames around him shifted to an eerie blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, little by little, they evaporated…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And something else took their place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A colossal storm of crackling electricity surged toward me at terrifying speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my jaw, gathering every ounce of power I could muster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't an attack I could take lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was using higher-order abilities now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—he was finally taking me seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I inhaled deeply, muscles coiling like a tightened spring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the very last drop—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I unleashed my aura at a reckless rate, my pathways screaming in protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow: The Black Meteor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I launched myself skyward, shrouded in a pillar of darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From my perspective, time slowed to a crawl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in reality, it all happened within a single second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our blades clashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A storm of lightning and darkness erupted, each force struggling for dominance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might have been the strongest attack I had ever faced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, we both plummeted from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow landed in his original position, while I stumbled a few steps back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My entire body ached, electricity coursing through my limbs like molten fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I barely managed to steady myself—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Snow didn't give me the chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I watched in alarm as a misty aura spread over his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk's Eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thin trail of blood dripped from my eye as I pushed my vision to the limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow was preparing something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped the ground—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in an instant, the world around him shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black lightning coiled around his form like writhing serpents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Void Step.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow shot forward, a straight-line charge that obliterated everything in its path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This technique condensed all his power, combined it with the force of his momentum—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And channeled it into a single, devastating attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using Hawk's Eye, which barely tracked his movements,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Phantom Steps, which pushed my evasion to the absolute limit—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dodged by a hair's breadth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attack shattered the reinforced walls of the hall—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And still, it kept going, carving destruction into whatever lay beyond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow laughed, already lunging toward me again, lightning crackling around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You even dodged Void Step?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gritting my teeth, I parried his lightning-infused slashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I held my own—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his next move shifted the tide of battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's time to end this, Frey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My breath hitched as sound waves pulsed through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sound-based attack?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was using the higher-order ability of wind—Sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sonic waves disrupted my reactions, throwing off my timing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that instant, he gained the upper hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he was about to land the finishing blow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I forced my body to move, activating Mirage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I layered it multiple times, launching dozens of strikes in under a second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Snow matched my speed, the black lightning serpents dancing around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, at last, we both halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing mere meters apart, he remained completely unscathed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I panted heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hated to admit it…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this rate, I was going to lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A white, ethereal glow spread over Snow's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Frey… I'm going all out. Try to withstand this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recognized that power immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so did Dawn and Seris, gasping in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The higher-order ability of Light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strongest aura known to exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one power Frey Starlight had been denied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as I felt the sheer magnitude of the energy Snow had gathered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things were about to get serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" The Second Sword: Sky Cutter \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he was consumed by his ethereal power, I cast a glance at my own sword…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the serpent tattoo on my hand burned fiercely, demanding release.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm sorry, my friend… but not this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is something I have to do myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring Balerion's call, I closed my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness enveloped me, and a thick black mist coiled around my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What I was about to unleash was one of the strongest techniques of the Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my current level, using this technique was reckless—perhaps even suicidal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the sheer power my opponent had displayed, I had to push beyond my limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow was strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far too strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that left me uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't supposed to be this powerful at this point in the story…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant that something had already changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now wasn't the time to dwell on that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let myself sink into the abyss, my eyes burning with an intense violet glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow activated Void Step, launching an attack infused with the full force of Star Aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I charged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow: Infinite Darkness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only hoped my body would survive the backlash of this technique as I unleashed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness swallowed me whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite our insane speed, time seemed to slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I saw Snow approaching, wreathed in a terrifying storm of ethereal energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The look in his eyes mirrored my own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We both acknowledged each other's strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We both had chosen to unleash our ultimate techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was never just a duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A real one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the greatest obstacle in my path—the one I had to overcome if I wanted to return to my world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, without realizing it, I gave it everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This technique was deadly. Even Dawn and Seris knew that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris tried to intervene, summoning a massive wall of ice between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But our swords cleaved through it like a hot knife slicing through butter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the end—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our blades met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deafening explosion erupted, obliterating the entire training hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I watched as my sword shattered into dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness consumed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I lost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Snow Lionheart Pov-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a slow breath, exhaling the air trapped in my lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thin mist of condensation formed before me, vanishing into the cold morning air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scanned my surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood amidst the wreckage of the training hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather—what remained of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The destruction caused by our final clash was far greater than I had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn and Seris stood at a distance, having shielded themselves with their respective powers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satisfied that they were unharmed, I turned my focus back to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey lay motionless, buried within the shattered remains of the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced down at my broken sword… and the deep wound carved into my side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange feeling settled over me—something between awe and disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though I hadn't fought with my full elemental arsenal,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had still given this battle everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had kept up with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had pushed me this far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't a third or fourth-year student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was my age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad… Frey Starlight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Joining the temple wasn't a mistake after all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pressing a hand against my bleeding wound, I made my way toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I reached him, it was obvious—his condition was far worse than mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what surprised me most was that most of his injuries…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weren't even from my attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were self-inflicted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't help but laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn… that hurts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the searing pain in my side, I hoisted Frey onto my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on… this isn't where you fall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I intended to take us somewhere to treat our wounds—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it seemed our battle had drawn far too much attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crowd had gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, several powerful auras stood out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leading them was a short girl with a childlike appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ellen White—President of the Elite Student Council.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She clutched her head, yelling at the top of her lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell happened to the First-Year Duel Arena?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was barely past six in the morning, and she was still in her sleepwear—making her appearance almost comical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite my pain, I couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry, Frey, but it looks like we're going to be here a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aftermath\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dealing with Ellen White and explaining the situation took longer than I would have liked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn't hold me up for too long—especially after seeing Frey unconscious on my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, both of us received proper treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since my injuries weren't as severe, I was discharged first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Frey remained in one of the temple's medical wards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stepped out of the infirmary, a familiar presence sent a chill down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aegon Valerion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silver-haired noble smirked as he approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're looking well, Snow Lionheart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile was as insincere as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sighing, I tried to end this quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you want, Prince Aegon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed the distance between us effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How many times do I have to tell you… just call me Aegon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that, I forced a stiff smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could I ever be so disrespectful?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Such a gentleman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out and ran his hand along my side—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pressing directly against my wound in a bold, deliberate move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body tensed instinctively, reacting to the pain as his fingers tapped against my injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at you… Who would've thought you'd be pushed this far?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swatted his hand away and took a step back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't make me repeat myself. What do you want, Aegon Valerion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chuckled, brushing past me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look how rude you've become… I was just checking on my dear classmate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We wouldn't want you sustaining a permanent injury and disrupting the class, would we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon walked past me, heading toward the infirmary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A frown formed on my face as I watched him enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without thinking, I asked—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are you going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without even glancing back, he let out a soft laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Visiting a friend.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A friend?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he talking about Frey Starlight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed and turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would never understand that man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious—he had been trying to win me over for some time now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't want a powerful piece like me moving outside his control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"People like him… I hate them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, I made my way to class, hoping to catch up on the lessons I had missed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, inside the infirmary—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man with jet-black eyes slowly stirred awake, finding himself lying in a hospital bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled deeply, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling above him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't recognize this ceiling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time since returning from the Lands of Nightmare—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey Starlight had lost.\u003C\u002Fp>",2398,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.067Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","8ca68c2c7ef8b7f85a56416152cf77f374933150bc1199d07352ef211c97975b","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-48","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-46",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]