Ascension Of The Villain

Chapter 210 - 210: A Partnership...?

Vyan stood in the ballroom, a glass of wine in his hand, listening to Ronan's complaints about their grandfather's increasing pressure as his sixteenth birthday loomed closer. Meanwhile, Ronan sipped on a vibrant, fruity drink, his expression reflecting his recent worries.

"Some people never change—" Vyan started muttering, rolling his eyes. But before he could finish, a sudden tightness gripped his chest. It wasn't just any discomfort—it was the familiar, unwelcome pang he felt when dark magic was nearby.

His gaze darted across the grand room, scanning the finely dressed guests and the twinkling chandeliers,

Slowly, the effect of dark magic ebbed away, retreating into the background. He exhaled in relief, leaning against the window frame, the tension easing from his body. Finally.

Just as he was about to turn back to the guest room, the sound of doors creaking open below caught his attention. Arching a brow, Vyan glanced down and saw Iyana and Leila stepping onto the balcony beneath him.

What are they up to? Curiosity tugged at him, but he turned around regardless, ready to leave them to their privacy.

That was, until he heard Leila's teasing voice.

"So, I saw you talking to Easton."

And that's how it started.

After this, he couldn't turn away anymore as their conversation got messier and less sensible.

Novels… Fate. Breaking pattern. Protecting Vyan. Modern world. Villain. Main girl.

Real world. Scripted plots.

What in the world… He was freaking out from what he heard. He knew that something was bothering Iyana, but something like this?

Oh, Goddess…

However, once he was done freaking out, he started piecing the clues together. It sounded like Leila thought that this world was a novel-world and it followed a certain plot until it didn't…

Until Iyana changed it by winning today's duel. And there was something about a villain and a main girl, which sounded suspiciously like Vyan and Iyana respectively.

Vyan's mind raced to a book he had read once about theories related to parallel universes. The book was called bogus by the majority of the people for two reasons: first, the writer claimed they were actually from another universe from the year 2010, and second, it was a science non-fiction book and people here simply aren't fond of science knowledge. They believed everything was magic.

However, Vyan still found the book interesting and thought that the concept could actually be true—a world where magic didn't exist, nor did monsters, demons, fairies, and divine powers, and most importantly, science ruled everything.

But he never had too much time to ponder on such things. He was a busy man. He could hardly handle his own life, let alone think about parallel or alternate ones.

Coming to the matter at hand, if the thing about parallel worlds were to be true, could that mean Leila was from another world—a parallel world where apparently she thought Vyan and Iyana's lives were part of a fictional novel? But if she read their lives as a novel, did that also mean she knew their future? How far did the novel cover?

At least he knew it was covered until the result of today's duel. Then again, how would that work? How could somebody know that hasn't happened yet? Maybe alternate timelines?

Vyan's mouth went dry as the implications settled in. If Leila knew the future, this could change everything. He could use that knowledge—hell, the possibilities were endless.

"Damn, I need a drink," he muttered, grabbing his wine and taking a long sip.

There was no way to know anything for sure unless he confronted her—Leila, the supposed dimension-traveler. If she really did know the future, the excitement of it all sent a rush through him.

Vyan smirked to himself. There were a lot of ways this could play out, and he was ready to find out just how far this strange, twisted rabbit hole went.

So, without further ado, he took on his sinister expression and leaned over the windowsill, appearing confident, because, well, that was the key.

With his wine glass still in hand and his tone amusing, he began, "What's this I am hearing about our world being a novel?"

Leila turned around and looked at him in shock. "Vyan…"

He smiled in that innocent yet intimidating way he often did. "Hello, Lady Leila. Long time no see."

Leila's scared expression soon turned strong and polite, and Vyan could see she was applying the same tactic as him—appear confident even if you don't actually feel it. "Yes, indeed. How can I help you, Your Grace?"

"Oh, helping me is a piece of cake. I mean, I practically had a front-row seat to the delightful little chat you and Iyana just had. So, do enlighten me—I am absolutely dying to hear more."

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Leila said nonchalantly. "Iya and I were only gushing over a recent novel we both read."

"Oh, I wasn't aware you two had bonded so well once again. Congratulations."

"Yes, we did." Leila nodded her head. "It's truly unfortunate that Iya can't remember anyt—"

"Keep playing games with me, and you might be tossed off that balcony faster than you can scream for help," Vyan cut her off with his smile still intact. "I heard everything clearly, Lady Leila, and I don't have to be a genius to figure out that you are from another world. So, do us both a favor and don't waste any precious time."

Leila dropped her formal act and chuckled. "Wow, I have no idea how you managed to figure that out from just our convo right now, but I gotta give you some credit for it. Damn, bro. Hats off."

Vyan chuckled in amusement. "What an interesting way of speaking."

"Obviously. It's tiring to talk formal all the time. I gotta let out my inner Gen-Z once in a while."

"I absolutely have no idea what you meant by that."

"You won't get it. It's a thing from my world," she shrugged. "Anyway, man, too bad, I can't tell you anything more."

"Well, you told Iyana. Why not me?"

"To start with, you threatened to unalive me just a minute ago. And secondly, I don't trust a man who doesn't freak out after hearing about the existence of another world."

Vyan laughed lightly and said, "If it makes you feel better, I did freak out all by myself before calling out to you."

"Okay, good. That makes you more humane."

"Thank you, Lady Leila, for re-identifying my existence," Vyan smiled tightly. "Now, how about you open your mouth or do you want me to actually, what was it, unalive you?"

"Good try." Leila rolled her eyes. "But just know this: you will be answering to your girlfriend if you put a scratch on me."

"You guys are that close, eh?" he smirked.

"Nope. But I have some important information that she needs. So, think again before wanting to hurt me. Because what I know, nobody in this world knows those things."

Vyan tilted his head to the side, still smirking. "A smart woman."

"I have read way too many novels to not know how to deal with situations like that, so spare me the threats. I ain't talkin'."

She was about to leave when he called out again, "Okay, then. How about this, Lady Leila? Be my partner."