I Became the Villain's Trainer-Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Jeremiah’s already fragile heart sank like a stone. It felt as though he had been hurled into the far reaches of space.

The Emperor?

The Emperor?!

The Emperor??!!!

It was as if the echo of those words buzzed in his ears. With a dazed expression, Jeremiah stared at Ysildus. He had never imagined the throne could be his. The throne and Jeremiah were as distant as the heavens and the earth – or more like a star hanging high in the sky, impossibly far. With trembling lips, Jeremiah barely let out a breath.

Oh, crap. I thought my heart was going to drop. Jeremiah thought, almost pitying Ysildus. He must have gone mad.

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“Do you even know what you’re saying? Have you lost your mind?”

“Pfft!”

The heavy hand resting on his shoulder belonged to Terrun, who suddenly burst into laughter.

“Did you just laugh?”

Ysildus asked, turning to Terrun, sensing a possible strain in their alliance. Terrun tightened his grip on Jeremiah’s shoulder.

“No. I didn’t laugh at all.”

“You laughed.”

“…”

Jeremiah, who had been half-listening to their exchange, felt his strength drain away. He wanted to brush Terrun’s hand off, but it felt as heavy as a mountain. Of course, Ysildus found Jeremiah’s feeble effort amusing. Smiling slightly, Ysildus tilted his head, his lips curved but his eyes cold as ice. Jeremiah flinched.

“I’m perfectly sane, Jeremiah. I know exactly what I’m saying. I asked you if you want to become Emperor.”

Ysildus let out a deep sigh, as if to express frustration at having to explain something so simple.

‘Simple? This isn’t simple at all!’

Jeremiah stared at Ysildus in shock, as if he had been hit by a bomb. Ysildus leaned in toward him, his presence as dark and ominous as the night that settles over the sky. Jeremiah, sensing the danger, tried to play ignorant. Ysildus, with a deceptively sweet tone, spoke again.

“So, do you want it?”

It was clear he wouldn’t repeat himself again. Jeremiah blinked. Becoming Emperor. It was something he had never dreamed of, though he had dreamed countless times of overthrowing the Emperor.

Hadn’t the Emperor pressured Jeremiah by using his mother and forced him into countless unwanted tasks? The first time Jeremiah killed someone, it was because of the Emperor. Even if the man had been a condemned criminal, the sensation of blood on his hands would never leave him.

And as Ysildus had said, the Emperor would use Jeremiah as a pawn and dispose of him once he had outlived his usefulness. Ysildus’ words ignited a dormant flame of hatred within Jeremiah.

‘If I could become Emperor...!’

A fierce desire blazed within Jeremiah.

“Do I have what it takes?” Jeremiah asked, summoning his courage.

“More than you realize.”

In truth, Carlisle seemed to be planning to raise Thersion’s name within the imperial lineage. But the throne? No position could be more tiresome, with so many responsibilities. Ysildus had no desire for it. What mattered most to him was Alexa.

Ysildus wanted a simple, happy life with Alexa – no throne dragging him away, wasting time he could spend with her. Far better to pass the throne to someone easy to control, like Jeremiah, and live a peaceful life.

Convincing Carlisle wouldn’t be hard. After all, wolves were not power-hungry by nature. As long as they weren’t provoked, they had no reason to turn their swords against the royal family.

In fact, it was the arrogant royals, not Thersion, who needed to be restrained. If Jeremiah became Emperor, Ysildus had plenty of magical and permanent methods to keep them in check.

“If you want it, I can make you Emperor. Just imagine it, Jeremiah. All those people who ignored you, kneeling at your feet. You’ll have anything you desire.”

The temptation was undeniable, and even though Jeremiah knew it was laced with poison, he couldn’t resist.

Still, Jeremiah’s royal blood stirred, making Ysildus’ offer feel somehow distasteful. And at that moment, Alexa crossed his mind. He remembered her curly red hair falling over her face, blushing shyly. Alexa, a delicate yet fierce summer rose blooming among wolves. Soft and beautiful, but with thorns hidden for her protection.

‘If Alexa became Empress...’

Jeremiah would fully control Thersion. Humans belonged with humans, after all. He condensed his complex thoughts into one bold question.

“Does that mean I can have Alexa Eneroff too?”

The grip on his shoulder tightened, and Ysildus’ smile deepened, a murderous glint flickering in his eyes. Jeremiah swallowed hard.

“As long as you don’t entertain such disrespectful and foolish ideas again, you can become Emperor safely, Jeremiah.”

Ysildus’ hand brushed Jeremiah’s chin, a gesture that felt like he was seconds away from crushing his throat.

“Don’t ever act out like that again.”

And so, Jeremiah couldn’t bring himself to admit that his words had been sincere.

* * *

After class, Alexa and Karrolf were walking down the hallway together, on their way to find Ysildus and Terrun. Apparently, they were chatting with Jeremiah, though Alexa pretended not to be close to Jeremiah. She felt a small surge of affection as she headed toward them.

“Well done today, Alexa. I truly find joy in teaching you. Every conversation we have broadens my understanding,” Karrolf praised her, as usual.

Though hearing the same thing over and over should have made her used to it, Karrolf’s compliments seemed to evolve daily, making it hard for Alexa to grow accustomed to them. Blushing, she asked, “Where do you even learn to give such compliments?”

“Learn? They come from the heart, Alexa,” Karrolf replied firmly, though he had indeed been reading <How to Befriend Little Ladies: A Guide for Fathers> lately.

That book had become a bestseller and was widespread throughout Thersion Castle. Karrolf had even seen Visten and Carlisle reading it. They were clearly eager to win Alexa’s favor and attach titles like ‘the best, kindest wolf’ to their names.

But the truth was, Karrolf’s compliments did come from the heart. When Alexa blushed and said, “Thank you, Teacher. You make studying so fun,” it filled him with emotion.

There was no greater praise than that. Karrolf felt tears well up in his eyes and quickly covered his face, though at nearly two meters tall, it was hard for Alexa to look up at him anyway.

“Oh! I have to leave you here, Teacher,” Alexa said.

“Alright. See you next time, Alexa, and as always....”

“When there’s too much homework or when it’s too hard, I’ll tell you. And I’ll take it easy,” Alexa finished with a smile.

Karrolf nodded as if to say ‘exactly’ and waved her off. After saying goodbye, Alexa took a deep breath and placed her hand on the doorknob. She was planning to surprise them.

‘One, two, three!’

She swung the door open and poked her head in.

“Boo! Huh...? What are you doing?”

But what she saw was not what she had imagined. She was greeted by the sight of Ysildus touching Jeremiah’s neck, with Terrun holding Jeremiah’s shoulders. It almost looked like they were intimidating him – though, in a more generous light, it could be seen as Ysildus showing affection.

Alexa’s lashes fluttered in confusion. Ysildus, noticing her, casually brushed his knuckles against Jeremiah’s neck before getting up from the table. He even shook off Terrun’s hand, which was still gripping Jeremiah’s shoulder, as though it were nothing.

“There was a bug on Jeremiah’s neck. I was just getting it off.”

“A bug?”

“Yeah, a wiggly one. Want to see?”

Ysildus’ nonchalant response erased all suspicion from Alexa’s mind.

“Ugh, I hate wiggly bugs!”

“Jeremiah doesn’t like them either,” Ysildus chuckled, giving her a playful smile.

As the situation settled, Jeremiah and Terrun exchanged glances.

‘That despicable fox.’

‘You think so too?’

‘Yeah, I do.’

A new sense of camaraderie bloomed between them.