The SSS Ranked Villain's Return

[Soren's POV]

Ahh... I don't want to be here. Soren groaned inwardly.

The sight of the annoying girl beside him, along with the approaching students, made him want to run away.

Can't I just give up...? The edge of the arena is right there. Soren pondered.

Yet, as he was about to take a step out, Veronica grabbed his hand, pulling him back.

"Idiot, what do you think you're doing?" she asked, baffled. "Are you trying to make us look bad?"

"You're clingy and annoying. Let go." Soren slapped her hand away. "What good do you think this tournament is for us? The only people who will get some sort of reward are Kael and Neraxis. As for us? We're only going to get a pat on our backs."

It was the reality of the situation. No matter how much he tried or how much he stood out, the more popular bunch would always get the most attention.

...That's why I hate them. Soren thought, being reminded of his fight with Neraxis and Kael.

They weren't using any skills at first, yet they easily countered his supposedly perfect copying.

It just didn't make sense.

"So what?" Veronica tilted her head, her brows furrowed. "It's better to sit on the sidelines as winners than to walk out of the arena and be called losers for the rest of our lives."

Hearing her words, Soren froze.

"But I won't stop you. Honestly, for all I care, you wouldn't even be able to help me win anyway," Veronica added with a scoff before turning toward the incoming students and pulling out the long polearm.

She dashed forward, leaving him standing right by the very edge.

But for some reason, he didn't feel like crossing it anymore.

This dumb chihuahua has a point. He sighed. It would hurt my chances of joining Eternal Night if I lose like an idiot here...

After all, his plan ever since joining the academy was to get strong enough to join that organization.

Valthor was his idol—an invincible being who was like a living legend and one of the Eternal Night leaders.

He could be anyone. For all Soren knew, Valthor could even be one of his classmates.

Therefore, he wanted to be exactly like him—a mythical calamity that could come and go as they pleased.

I'll use this tournament to prove myself to them. I'll join and become one of the leaders. Soren thought with determination before readying himself.

[Main Skill: Dodge {E} - Activated!]

[Skill Description: Passively dodge all and every attack.]

[Main Skill: Copy {E} - Activated!]

[Skill Description: Passively copy the moves of your opponent and comprehend them in an instant.]

[Two main Skills! Duration fixed!]

[Duration: 5 Minutes]

[Cooldown: 5 Minutes]

5 minutes... A whole rank only managed to increase my time limit by a single minute.

He was disappointed. However, if he only used a single main skill, then he would have infinite duration.

It was one of the benefits of his three main skills.

Soren also had a suppression skill that turned off all skills and mana for a short duration, but he would use that later.

The only downside of his three main skills? He couldn't acquire any skills from skill books. It was almost as though they were rejecting him.

But it was fine—they were enough for what he was about to do.

Soren dashed toward the side, hiding from where the students would come from.

In the process, he noticed Veronica's expression, and it was one of unease.

She wasn't confident, but she ran forward with her polearm anyway.

A good decoy. Soren remarked inwardly, and finally, he saw the students of Chronus Academy.

Surprisingly, they wore blue bodysuits, while he and Veronica were still in their academy uniforms.

Instructor... Soren grumbled, and soon, he was able to see a glimpse of what the power of time could do.

One of the Chronus Academy students—a girl—suddenly doubled her speed.

While it wasn't anything too unnatural, as she could have been holding back, in reality, Soren could hear her breaths as well as her heartbeat.

They increased by nearly twice their regular amount.

So they accelerated their own time? Soren tilted his head. In exchange for dying quicker, they get a speed boost in a worthless academy tournament. What a bunch of geniuses.

But still, they managed to catch Veronica off guard as she swung her polearm around, attempting to hit the students.

However, the girl dodged, while the second student—a man—suddenly tapped the air.

Stay tuned to My Virtual Library Empire

And as he did, the speed at which Veronica's attack was moving significantly slowed down.

In the very next moment, a trace of panic appeared on Veronica's face, but it was soon replaced by determination as her polearm glowed golden.

Immediately, a fiery bird shot out of her back and spewed fire directly at the surprised Chronus Academy girl.

She attempted to slow down the attack, similar to how the male student did it. However, the fire still managed to graze her.

Veronica took advantage of that and performed a side kick straight at the girl's abdomen, sending her flying into a slightly elevated grass area.

"Soren!" Veronica suddenly yelled, the veins on her forehead clearly visible. "If you don't get your ass over here and help me, I'm going to fucking kill you!"

That sounded... cringe. A shiver went down his spine.

But nonetheless, he decided it was time to come out.

After all, he had analyzed his opponents and copied the way they fought.

Obviously, they were weak—likely only E ranked, just like him.

However, he would not lose, since if he did, it would bring shame upon the leaders of Eternal Night.

I'm going to make this flashy. Soren thought and stepped out.

Extending his hands, he took in a deep breath, looking like an absolute idiot.

But that was the point—Valthor supposedly liked unique individuals.

Therefore, Soren kicked off the ground and shoved Veronica to the side.

"What are you doing!" she exclaimed.

He ignored her, focusing on the male student in front of him, who had a surprised look on his face.

"Today will be your end," Soren said with a straight face.

Inwardly, Shit... Mother, please tell me you didn't figure out how to use the remote control.

The crowd grew louder, whether it be cheers or laughter at his comment.

Nonetheless, he was the star of the show.

It was his chance, and he took it.

Dashing into the student's attack range, he readied himself.

Heartbeat increased... by four times. He noted inside his mind, and the moment he saw the student move a muscle, Soren evaded before delivering a fierce uppercut.

But of course, he held back, as after all, there was still one skill he wanted to show off.

His blue eyes lit up, and following that, the system interface appeared.

[Main Skill: Suppression {E} - Activated!]

[Skill Description: Temporarily turn off the skills and mana of your opponents]

[Duration: 1 Minutes]

[Cooldown: 10 Minutes]

[Note: Only works on those equal in strength or weaker than the user.]

[Three main Skills! Duration fixed!]

[Duration: 10 Seconds]

10 seconds? That's enough. Soren grinned, watching as the student looked around, confused about why his skill wasn't working.

He flailed his arms, trying everything, but it was no use.

"You're done, just as I predicted," Soren said—another cringe remark—then approached the student before delivering a kick straight to his head, as though to an ant.

With that, the male student was out cold. Soren then turned to the girl, who flinched upon meeting his glowing blue eyes.

"I-I forfeit!" she yelled, waving her hands around.

Soren clicked his tongue, and in the very next instant, a protective barrier appeared around them, healing their injuries in an instant.

"You prick, don't you do that again!" Veronica shouted, annoyed.

Nonetheless, she walked over to a raised patch of grass and sat down.

As for him? He looked up at the blue cube, flashing a victorious grin.

—Winner, Havenspire Academy! The second match will begin shortly!

He ignored that for the most part. Instead, Soren stared at the rotating screen displaying his face, with a golden crown on top of his head.

<MVP: Soren Blake>

—Soren! Soren!

—Yeaaaah!!!

"Hahaha..." Soren covered his mouth, trying to stifle his laughter.

The people were cheering for him, and it felt exhilarating.

He really was the star of the show now.

"Pfft... Hahahah..." the laugh escaped as Soren raised his fist into the sky.

Eternal Night, there's no way you don't notice me after this performance...