How the Villain Invests in the Female Lead

A faint smile spread across my face.

’’So, you feel lucky for marrying me instead of him?’’

My wife just stared at me for a moment before turning away, accidentally revealing her reddened ears.

’’Better, not lucky.’’

I nodded before turning my attention back to the center of the hall.

The professor glanced at his tablet before calling the next name.

’’Arthea Albert.’’

Almost no one showed any surprise or shock at that name. After all, my wife was no longer a Pendragon.

If the professor had called her ’’Arthea Pendragon,’’ I thought things would have gone very differently. The entire hall would have erupted into chatter and gossip.

However, there were still people who recognized my wife, especially candidates from higher noble families.

I pushed the wheelchair to the center of the hall. Finally, whispers began to spread through the crowd of candidates.

"Who is that? I feel like I’ve seen her before."

A few of the more observant ones widened their eyes in shock. They stammered,

"Arthea... She’s Arthea Pendragon."

...

My wife ignored the noise while talking with me.

"Help me, please."

I nodded and placed her hand on the Orb. A few seconds later, a virtual screen appeared in the hall.

[Rank: F]

[Potential: SSS+]

This time, the hall truly erupted into chatter and noise, even the professors joining in. The discussions grew so loud that I could clearly hear what they were saying.

’’Do you see it? SSS+? And Rank F? I thought her mana core was shattered. She shouldn’t have been able to cultivate at all.’’

...

’’Who cares? I just know that the strongest genius has returned. Hahaha. I hope I live long enough to see her reach the peak of mankind.’’

But some candidates only sighed.

’’But she’s still crippled. What can she even do with that useless body? She can’t use martial arts to fight enemies.’’

’’You’re right. What about her bloodline skill? I thought she could still use it.’’

Another candidate responded.

’’I’m not sure.’’

...

’’BE QUIET!’’ the professor yelled, warning everyone before calling the next name.

’’Henry Albert.’’

I simply placed my hand on the Orb.

[Rank: F]

[Potential: S]

The professor nodded before moving on to the next candidate. Meanwhile, I pushed the wheelchair away.

My wife stared at me with eyes full of confusion and doubt.

’’Your potential is S?’’

I shrugged.

’’Is there something wrong?’’

My wife frowned, thinking deeply before answering.

’’It must be true. You tricked everyone. I’m certain your potential isn’t just S rank.’’

I didn’t say anything because I had indeed done it. It was all thanks to a bracelet on my wrist that I had asked my father for.

It could hide my true potential from the Appraisal Orb. It was an artifact my father had obtained during the Holy War, so very few people could recognize it – only veterans, experienced individuals like my father could see through it. But here, I was certain the professors would not be able to do so.

[POV3]:

In a small group of candidates, Maggott groaned in anger.

’’Damn it! How could she take back her power? I hate that bitch.’’

Then she turned to the girl next to her and grumbled.

’’Why don’t you say anything, big sister?’’

The girl, called Scarlet, had a face and frame almost identical to Arthea’s, the only difference being her red hair. Aside from that, her expression was cold, and she seemed quiet and introverted.

She stared at Arthea for a moment before sighing. Then she looked away and said,

’’I don’t know.’’

In the meantime, a handsome wooden mannequin, called Tristan, sat there. He was the son of Grey de Lyonesse, the Second Knight of the Round Table.

The de Lyonesse Family was a mysterious bloodline. Their unique bloodline skill allowed them to control wooden mannequins as surrogate bodies.

However, the mannequins could only operate within a limited distance from the user. Therefore, Tristan’s true body was still hidden somewhere within the academy grounds, and no one knew where it was – not even the professors.

One of his underlings spoke in a respectful voice.

’’Sir, her power has returned. Should we give up?’’

Tristan smirked.

’’Why should I give up? She’s still crippled. A hunter never gives up on his prey.’’

Then, his eyes slowly shifted to the man standing beside Arthea.

’’So, that’s Henry... the trash son of the Albert family, the man who married my prey.’’

A flicker of murderous intent flashed through his eyes.

’’What a waste. He has probably already tasted her... but I don’t mind. Even second-hand treasures retain their value.’’

The underling hesitated for a moment before taking out his tablet and handing it to Tristan.

’’Sir, I think his ruined reputation was just a facade. He killed the son of the Captain of the Pendragon Family Knights during a banquet. The victim possessed [SS] rank potential.’’

Tristan casually glanced at the screen. After a few seconds, his eyes gradually narrowed.

’’I see. Then I’ll personally try to persuade him during the examination. The plan needs a slight change.’’

An hour later, after completing the assessment of the candidates’ ranks and potential, the professor began explaining the rules of the main examination.

In order to pass the entrance examination, candidates had to kill one another to earn points. The number of points awarded depended on the potential rank of the person they killed.

Point Rewards Based on Potential Rank:

[SSS+]: 100 Points (1 Candidate)

[SSS]: 50 Points (1 Candidate)

[SSS−]: 20 Points (5 Candidates)

[SS+]: 10 Points (50 Candidates)

[SS to A+]: 5 Points (2,320 Candidates)

[A to E+]: 3 Points (4,853 Candidates)

[E to F]: 1 Point (6,832 Candidates)

Total number of candidates: 14,062.

The examination would officially end once the number of remaining candidates was reduced to 1,000.

The first fifty candidates to accumulate 100 points would immediately pass the examination and be admitted directly into Class S.

Of course, they wouldn’t be killing each other in the real world, but in a virtual world created by the academy.

Each candidate would be assigned to a virtual reality pod before being transported into the examination area.