The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

Bryan stood tall on the arena platform.

"Hmm..."

His sharp gaze swept over the gathered students from Zion Academy, Crimson Academy, Zephyros Institute, and Night Academy.

"..."

The excited crowd immediately went silent because of Bryan's overwhelming presence.

The tension in the air was thick, anticipation crackling like static before a storm.

Then—

Tap—

Bryan took a step forward.

"Hello, everyone."

His voice boomed across the silent training grounds.

"This tournament is not just a competition—it's a proving ground for the elite. Each academy has five members left from their elite class because of what happened in the monster hunt."

Bryan mumbled.

"Half of the S-Class from Zion was eliminated in Set B."

He said, shaking his head.

After that, with a subtle smirk on his face...

"Then, half of every elite class from the other academies was also eliminated in Set A."

He added!

"..."

His words annoyed the staff members from the other academies, that's for sure.

"We originally planned to continue the monster hunt until only five students from each academy remained... We didn't expect to reach that count after just one round."

But Bryan just continued, smiling as he said that. He was so smug about it.

'Haha, he's such a dickhead.'

Raye thought, looking at the Headmaster taunting the other academies with such backhanded words.

"Anyway..."

Bryan mumbled, moving on.

He looked at the competitors and, with a mana-enhanced voice—

"Today, the competitors will stand here in the arena not just as students but as representatives of their institutions. Whether you fight with a blade, magic, or both, you are the best of the best—and now, it's time to prove it!"

He declared that.

"Zion Academy, known for its discipline and rigorous training. Crimson Academy, where raw talent and relentless ambition thrive. Zephyros Institute, the home of innovators and strategists. And Night Academy, the embodiment of unpredictability and deadly precision."

Bryan stated.

He let his words sink in before continuing...

"Each of you has worked tirelessly to reach this moment. Today, you will clash against the best of the best. Some of you will rise. Some of you will fall. But every battle fought here will push you beyond your limits, forging you into something greater."

He crossed his arms, exuding authority.

"Victory will not be given. It must be earned. Show us your strength, your spirit, and your will to fight."

Then—

Raising a hand.

And with a smile—

"Let the tournament begin!"

Bryan announced that!

*****

After announcing the start of the tournament, Bryan started explaining the rules.

"As you guys must've guessed, there's a twist in this tournament."

He said with a sly smile.

"It's not just a plain old tournament like before."

He added.

"As you all know, there are twenty competitors."

Bryan muttered.

And then, with a clear voice—

"One of them will be called up here in the arena, and once they get up here... they'll be given the freedom to choose their opponent from any opposing academy!"

He followed that!

"And that's not all—"

"Also, if they win the fight, they'll be given the choice to continue fighting and pick their next opponent, or they could just pick someone else to fight after them. Anyone from any team!"

Bryan declared!

"The same choice will also be given in case the opponent they picked won instead."

He said.

And with excitement written all over his face—

"The winner will be decided based on whose team has the last standing participant!"

Bryan exclaimed.

"It doesn't matter how many times you win. It doesn't matter if you didn't fight, if you fought multiple times, or whatever. All you need to do is—"

Bryan's sharp gaze swept over the competitors.

"—make sure your academy has the last student standing!"

And then he finished with a triumphant grin, his voice booming across the arena!

And hearing Bryan say all that...

'This is it, my stage is ready.'

Raye declared that in his head!

...

After explaining the rules of the tournament, Bryan gave the participants time to prepare themselves and get ready.

And after that...

Tap- tap- tap—

He started climbing down the arena.

The moment Bryan stepped down from the platform...

A low murmur spread through the gathered competitors. Some discussed strategy, while others remained silent, lost in thought.

Raye, however, simply stretched his arms.

Rolling his shoulders as a smirk tugged at his lips.

"Half an hour, huh..."

He muttered to himself, glancing at Lena and Lycus.

The two of them are super relaxed too.

"Except those three, I'm confident I can win against anyone from the other academies."

Lycus whispered that, he was pertaining to Ace, Elias, and Christian.

"Mhm."

Lena nodded her head, agreeing to Lycus' words.

Then—

"You guys could do it, I just know it!"

Devin suddenly exclaimed that with a dumb smile on his face.

Hearing his words and seeing his face...

'Hah! He's really something else...'

Raye, Lycus, and Lena felt a lot more eased.

And just then—

Fwish-

Jerusha turned to Raye.

"...?"

Raye looked at her with questioning eyes.

Then, shyly...

"I wish you luck, I'll watch you up there later."

Jerusha muttered that!

"..."

Raye froze in his place, unmoving and speechless.

"Thanks."

That's all he could say after processing Jerusha's words.

And without saying, Jerusha was sad because of this!

But when she saw Raye's rosy cheeks from being embarrassed...

"..."

A small smile formed on her face.@@novelbin@@

(Raye is just an awkward person.)

On the other hand—

"Good luck out there, Lycus!"

"I will, Sofia... Watch me."

Sofia was also cheering for Lycus.

Of course Lycus was happy because of this!

If he was a dog, he would've wagged his tail for at least a hundred times now!

And seeing the two couples like that...

"..."

"..."

Lena and Devin went silent.

The two of them are sitting on opposite ends of the group.

They're looking at each other, slightly frowning because of what's happening around them.

...

*****

Some of the participants were meditating, sharpening their weapons, or gathering with their teammates.

Lycus, ever composed, adjusted the straps on his dual daggers.

Lena, being perfectionist, cleaned her wooden staff.

The tension in the air was thick—anticipation, excitement, and a hint of dread mixing together.

Up in the observation booth...

Bryan took his seat among the staff members.

His sharp eyes surveying the participants below.

A few instructors exchanged quiet words.

Some visibly displeased by the tournament's unpredictable format.

"Tch. This format favors endurance freaks."

One of the staff members grumbled.

"Or just those crazy enough to fight back-to-back."

Another added.

Bryan, overhearing them, simply smirked.

"So what?"

Then he asked that!

"..."

And the staff members fell silent at his words!

'These guys are such a boomer, this is definitely more fun.'

Bryan thought to himself.

*****

After a while...

"Fuuu..."

Raye let out a slow, steady breath.

His fingers brushed against the hilts of his swords, the cool metal grounding him.

His heart pounded—not with fear, but with something far more exhilarating.

Excitement.

His blood thrummed in his veins, his body itching for movement. For battle.

The weight of countless gazes pressed down on him, but he didn't falter.

Instead—

A smirk ghosted across his lips.

This was it.

The tournament was about to begin.

...

Half an hour passed...

Tap—

And this time, Charles stood firm on top of the arena platform!

His sharp gaze swept over the competitors, his presence weighing down on them.

"The preparation time is over."

He simply declared.

Swoosh—

And just like that, the entire training ground fell silent!

"...Mnm."

Charles nodded in satisfaction, scanning the students with an unreadable expression.

His presence wasn't as overwhelming as Bryan's, but the authority in his stance and voice left no room for doubt!

Then, without further ado—

"The first participant..."

Charles started calling for someone.

And after a slight pause—

"Ace Silvercrest from the [Night Academy]!"

He shouted that!

Then, without a fucking hesitation...

Swoosh—

Ace stood up in one fluid motion!

Tap- tap- tap—

And he started walking toward the arena, his every step was steady and deliberate!

Ace exuded confidence—an unshakable presence that turned heads.

And as he climbed onto the platform, his expression remained unreadable, his sharp eyes fixed ahead.

Charles turned to him.

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"As per the rules, you may now select your opponent from any opposing academy. Choose wisely."

He stated that.

But—

Before Charles could even finish explaining...

"I challenge you."

Ace declared that.

No hesitation. No buildup.

His voice cut through the air like a blade.

And then—

He raised his hand and pointed.

Every eye followed his motion.

And at the end of his finger—

They saw Raye!

"...!"

The crowd stirred, murmurs of excitement spreading like wildfire!

Jerusha, Lena, Lycus, and Devin immediately turned to Raye, their expressions shifting.

And Raye?

"...Haah."

He let out a small sigh, closing his eyes for a moment.

A small smile tugged at his lips.

"Just as I expected."

He quietly mumbled.

Then—

Tap—

He stood up.

"Good luck."

"Beat him to pulp, Raye!"

"Do your best."

"Go quick."

Lycus, Devin, Sofia, and Lena said to him.

Raye just smiled at them.

Then—

He slightly glanced to his right, and there—

"..."

He saw Jerusha. Just looking at him, not saying anything.

Raye smiled at her too.

And opening his mouth—

"Watch me."

He simply said that.

And without further ado—

Tap—

He started heading toward the arena!