Lewd System: Every Scream and Moan is EXP-Chapter 262 : Civil War To World War

Hearing Sylvie, Astrid’s father Claude Aleris turned to her.

Sylvie added with a knowing smile. "Isn’t your daughter a bit pumped up? I mean, looking at her a mere moment ago, I was guessing she would withdraw from the match."

Claude just closed his eyes in deep thought. But Sylvie wasn’t done.

"See? I told you, didn’t I? That boy would take care of her. So now, give my kingdom at least a ninety percent discount on our trades. Consider it payment for stopping you from messing things up when you saw those two having a bit of a... love squirrel, if I put it nicely."

Because before, when Astrid was angry and had punched Jax only to be locked in his grip, Claude couldn’t take it. He was in no mood to forgive that boy for whatever reason his daughter looked so broken.

He had only attended her matches because of his packed schedule. And all he had seen was his broken daughter from yesterday. Worse, she wasn’t opening up to him about any of it.

Wouldn’t talk. Wouldn’t explain.

Wouldn’t even look at him properly.

It was driving him insane. And watching that scene of some boy grabbing his daughter while she cried made him want to commit murder without needing a reason.

But Sylvie was there to stop him. She had convinced him to wait. To watch how the boy would handle things. And she promised him that he would see his daughter in a brighter light than ever before.

It turned out to be the case. But far greater than even Sylvie had anticipated. Astrid’s words had shocked even her.

Claude opened his eyes. Stared at Sylvie for a long moment. Before he could speak, she cut in.

"It’s okay if you can’t do that. I mean, business is always greater than a daughter."

He replied. "Stop with your playfulness."

"Playful? What do you mean playful?"

"Please." His voice carried an edge she rarely heard from him. "I am in no mood. Not right now."

She sighed dramatically. "Fine then. I won’t bring up how you chose business over—"

She swallowed the rest of her words when his gaze hit her. Serious.

But at that moment, another voice rang from the arena below. Transmitted through the runes so every spectator in the venue could hear it clearly.

"Hey senior, you were being kind to me earlier. So I think it would only be fair to show some gratitude in return by giving you an advise. So how about you withdraw from the fight? That way you’ll retain a fraction of the respect and status you currently own. Much better than getting destroyed by a first-year, right? It’ll greatly impact your career and the applaudable run you’ve been on."

A pause. Then the voice continued with an innocence so fake it could be spotted from the next continent.

"Also, I really don’t wanna be the reason you get trolled every single day at that mage tower."

Astrid was mocking her opponent. Not subtly. Not with clever wordplay that required decoding. She was standing in front of half the world’s audience and verbally dismantling a senior student who had done nothing but show her courtesy.

And it worked. The bored, calm girl who had entered the arena with zero interest in fighting broke.

She hissed through clenched teeth. "You... you have crossed your limits. And you will pay for it. I won’t be generous enough to go easy on you like your previous opponent. And I won’t think for a second about who you are."

Astrid’s voice came back through the runes. Definitely accompanied by a grin. "That sounds exactly like what I want. I mean, it’s my first tournament and my first final after all. I don’t want it to be a boring win."

The opponent smiled. But it wasn’t a kind smile anymore. "Win? Oh dear, looks like the beating you took earlier affected your head. You will regret every word once you get back to your senses. My parents are watching from their homes right now. My little brother contacted me yesterday and said he’ll be rooting for me."

Her voice hardened. "But you messed it all up. And I will make you pay."

Astrid’s reply came in the most innocent tone she could produce. "Aww, sorry uncle and aunt for making your girl look pathetic. But... it’s really all your fault. You should have reproduced one year earlier. That way your daughter would never have had to show her face in the era of mine."

The poor girl was leaking murderous aura. Her fist clenched so tight the knuckles went white. Every muscle in her body coiled and ready, waiting only for the starting bell.

Then she calmed herself. Not from inside though. Her composure was a lid on a boiling pot.

"Just wait. When I’m enjoying this, when you’re on your knees showing that pathetic little face to the world that was so boldly mocking me, you’ll understand what you’ve done."

Astrid laughed. Then spoke casually. "The only way I fall to my knees is if I don’t have a head left to lower."

In the VIP box, stunned silence.

Lysandra spoke first. "Every single word from her reminds me of Professor Jax." She shook her head with the weariness of someone watching their worst prediction come true. "It was my mistake to give the responsibility of your daughter to him. He has corrupted her as well. But I promise—"

Claude interrupted. "It’s fine. I noticed that change a long time ago. And those insulting words, that peasant language, it was trying my patience.. But now, looking at her like this, I don’t mind it."

His expression shifted to something more serious. "What I am concerned about is this match."

He started walking toward the exit.

"I know my stubborn daughter very well. She will go to any length to win this. Every word she just said confirmed it. But I also know very well that she cannot beat her opponent."

Zharina was present in the box as well. Her mood shifted after hearing the reality laid bare by the Merchant Tycoon himself. She spoke up. "Sir Aleris is right. No matter what strategy Student Astrid pulls, no matter how recklessly Karina plays, there is no way she would lose."

She added. "And Student Astrid has actually eliminated the slightest possibility of winning by triggering her opponent."

Claude continued toward the door. "And that’s why I can’t watch this anymore. I won’t be able to see my daughter bleeding for something I can’t explain to myself right now."

He stopped at the exit. His voice hardened as he turned to Lysandra.

"But know this. If anything happens to her, I will make sure her opponent pays for it. And if the Mage Tower intervenes on her behalf, I swear to god there will be a civil war next in this land."

Both Lysandra and Zharina understood the seriousness of that statement. This wasn’t political posturing. This was a father speaking.

Then Sylvie came in clutch. Her voice was easy as well as confident.

"You won’t have to go that far. Because the guy standing right behind her won’t let anything happen to her."

She leaned back.

"And even if something does happen, the Mage Tower would never dare to intervene. They’ll piss themselves rather than face the rage of a professor who has bullied even the likes of us."

She smiled at Claude.

"You weren’t there at that time. When he went against the entire world just for his student. So consider your girl lucky."

Then she glanced at Lysandra. "And you, Headmistress, you should ask for some discounts as well. For making all of this possible."

Claude stopped at the exit. Stood there for a moment. Then turned around. Walked back to the edge of the VIP box. But this time, his eyes weren’t on his daughter.

They were on Jax.

"I knew he was someone special." His voice was quiet. Measured. "The eyes of his scream ambition. Far surpassing mine. And that’s the reason he is still breathing after getting close to my daughter."

He watched Jax standing at the arena’s edge with folded arms.

"I have studied him well. Even the events you just mentioned. And each time, I find myself more drawn to him."

A pause.

"The only thing I don’t like is how many girls revolve around him. I am just waiting for Astrid to say the word. And I will clear the path for her."

Sylvie leaned in close to his ear. Her smile carrying the weight of information that was about to ruin his evening.

"Then dear, your wish for a civil war will surely turn into a world war once you find out who is already leading in that line."

For the first time since arriving at this academy, Claude looked genuinely stunned.

"What do you mean?"

-x-X-x-

[A/N: Thanks Lord_Draganta33 , nate_Vanlinder, Andy_North and F3AR_GINO for the golden tickets

(づ*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)づ♡]