The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

"Devin wins!"

Charles announced as Devin climbed down the arena.

And hearing his words...

"WOOOAAHHHH!!!"

"I’M CHEERING FOR YOU, DEVIN! WIN THIS TOURNAMENT!!!"

The students of Zion Academy, especially from [A Class], started roaring in excitement!

"MAKE THOSE BASTARDS PAY!!!"

"ACK, MY EARS!!!"

They weren’t hiding the fact that they didn’t like the students from the other academies!

And this was actually the same case on the other side!

"Tsk, he just got lucky."

"Ugh, these idiots are so noisy. We already defeated them before. What idiots."

"They’re annoying."

The students from the other academies said, looking at the cheering crowds. They all had frowns on their faces.

Anyway, everyone from Zion just ignored them...

A lot of them didn’t hear what they said in the first place, their words were drowned out by the excited shouts of the crowd!

...

...

"Oh, Raye, you made it!"

Devin said with a smile as he arrived at the resting area where his friends were watching.

"Well, I didn’t forget your match. I really just lost track of time."

Raye replied to him.

"Anyway, congrats on your win."

Then he added.

"Haha, thanks. It’s just like you said, they’re nothing."

Devin mumbled.

And proudly...

"Of course I’m right. I’m always right."

Raye proclaimed that with a shrug!

"..."

Lena and Lycus just stared at him with a frown after hearing that.

But ignoring them...

’You’re someone who can go toe-to-toe against Lycus—a main character. It’s obvious that those side characters would lose to you.’

Raye said that in his head, looking at Devin with a smirk.

Just then...

"Congratulations, Devin!"

"Congrats."

"Congrats!"

Jerusha and the others greeted Devin too.

And while smiling ear to ear...

"Hehe, thanks."

Devin responded to them, all giggly.

And after that...

Pat—

He sat on Raye’s left side.

Then with that...

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"The next match is starting."

They all stayed there and continued watching the other matches of the tournament!

*****

As the matches of the tournament were happening...

"Hmm..."

Raye thought of something.

"..."

He remained silent about it for a while.

But then, later...

Swish—

He turned to his left.

And opening his mouth...

"I found a spell that fits you."

Raye declared that!

"Huh?"

Devin was surprised by his sudden words.

"..."

He looked back at Raye.

And with a confused expression on his face...

"What are you talking about?"

Devin asked that.

"I’m serious..."

Raye said.

"It’s like this spell was specifically made for you."

And then he followed without batting an eye!

Hearing that...

"..."

Devin became silent.

He also grew interested in the spell that Raye was talking about.

So, after not replying to him for a while...

"What is it?"

Devin asked that curiously!

And then and there...

"It’s called [Incarnate Inferno]—"

Raye started talking about Ignis’ spell!

The one that made his whole body literal fire!

’For someone that can’t emit magic and fights at close range... This is the spell for them—for Devin.’

Raye thought to himself.

...

...

After hearing Raye’s explanation and description of the spell, [Incarnate Inferno].

"Hmm..."

Devin pondered to himself for a while.

"You’re right. It’s perfect for me."

He mumbled.

"See? I’m always right."

And Raye responded with a shrug!

"..."

Devin just ignored him.

"I don’t know how I’ll do it, though."

He said.

"Well, I’m trying to figure out the logic behind it too. I’ll tell you once I do."

Raye muttered.

"Hmm? You’re trying to use that spell too?"

Devin asked Raye.

He was confused, to be honest. Yes, Raye might be a mage that fights at close range... but he mainly uses swords!

And he already has [Blaze], it was much more mana-efficient for him!

Anyway...

"Nah."

Raye quickly responded.

"Mhm."

And Devin immediately accepted his word!

"I’m just learning it, I’m planning to use it on something later."

Raye added.

"Can you tell me where?"

Devin whispered.

But with just a smirk on his face...

"No."

Raye simply replied!

"Well, at the very least... I’ll tell you that it’ll be a power-up for me."

Then he followed, looking back at the arenas to watch the matches.

"Come on, just tell me!"

Devin tried to pester Raye into revealing his plan.

But even after trying for a few minutes...

"Haha, no way."

Raye just laughed at him and didn’t tell a thing!

’Ugh, you shouldn’t have told me that if you were going to keep it a secret!’

Devin exclaimed in his head, frowning.

*****

After a couple of hours...

The round two of the tournament came to an end.

And including Devin...

Only ten participants were left!

In which, three are from the [Zion Academy].

Two each from the [Crimson Academy] and [Zephyros Institute]...

And also three from the [Night Academy]!

Then, moving on...

"Tomorrow is the finals and the last day of the tournament. Come and watch again if you’re free."

Charles announced that, ending today’s event.

"That’s all for today. Enjoy the rest of the day."

He followed.

And as soon as he said that...

Fwoop—

Tap- tap- tap—

Tap- tap- tap—

Tap- tap- tap—

Everyone stood up and started leaving the venue!

"Today’s matches were awesome too! I’m definitely going to watch the finals tomorrow."

"Me too."

"My ears still kinda hurt..."

"Ugh, shut up."

Some of the students mumbled on their way out.

Anyway...

"A lot really came, huh?"

Raye whispered that under his breath.

They were still in the resting area where they had watched the whole event.

They were waiting until the crowd dwindled in number.

And as they were doing that, maybe out of boredom or just sheer curiosity...

"Where are you guys headed after this?"

Sofia asked that question.

"I’m going back to the shop to help Kyle."

Devin responded.

"Back to my room. I’m still sleepy,"

Lena followed.

Then, uninterested...

"Library."

Raye simply muttered.

No one really minded him acting like that. They knew he was just in his energy-saving mode.

And so...

"How about you, Jerusha?"

Sofia just continued.

"..."

Jerusha became silent at her question. She was being unusually shy too.

And seeing her like that...

"...?"

A confused expression appeared on Lena’s, Devin’s, and Lycus’ faces!

"Hmm?"

Sofia waited for Jerusha’s answer.

Then, after a while...

And while slightly glancing at Raye...

"I kinda want to read... so I’ll probably go to the library too..."

Jerusha meekly mumbled that!

’Ahhhhhhh...’

Devin, Lycus, and Lena finally understood why Jerusha was acting weird.

"Hehe..."

Sofia smiled. She already knew it was something like that.

And just then...

"Oh, you’re going to the library too?"

Raye asked Jerusha.

And before she could even answer...

"Let’s go together. I have some questions to ask you too, so this is nice."

Raye followed, smiling slightly!

And with a big smile on her face and rosy cheeks...

"Okay!"

Jerusha excitedly responded!

’IEGRIEHEKEBEU...!’

Sofia became giddy watching the two of them.

"..."

The other three just remained silent.

Oh, and by the way...

Sofia and Lycus were going on a date after this.

{ Ehem... me too (— v —) }

*****

After leaving the tournament’s venue and going separate ways with the others...

Tap- tap- tap—

Raye and Jerusha walked side by side toward the library.

The sky was already turning orange, the warm glow of the sunset stretching over the academy grounds.

Neither of them said much on the way…

’it’s just us again...!’

But Jerusha was clearly thrilled!

Her steps were light, her eyes sparkling, and every now and then, she stole glances at Raye!

But as for Raye…

"..."

He just looked normal.

Anyway…

The two of them eventually arrived at the library.

Creak—

The door slowly opened, and the scent of old books and parchment filled the air.

Tap—

They stepped inside.

Then, walking past the shelves…

Rustle—

They reached the table where Raye was usually sitting, and there...

"Hup."

"..."

The two sat side by side!

’Hehe...’

The joy on Jerusha’s face was obvious!

And Raye…

"Hmm..." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

He seemed the same. Normal and unbothered.

At least, that’s how it looked on the surface!

Because actually...

Thump- thump- thump—

Raye’s heart had been beating faster than usual for quite a while now!

"..."

He’s just ignoring it!

Instead...

Fwip-

Raye casually opened a book about spirits, and he started flipping through the pages!

"So, spirits are naturally drawn to people with high mana sensitivity, right?"

He asked as if this was just a regular study session.

"Y-Yeah."

Jerusha nodded. She looked a little startled, as if she hadn’t expected him to talk so soon.

"But their affinity and compatibility also matters like I told you before."

She continued.

"Even if someone has high mana, a spirit won’t approach them unless there’s a matching resonance."

"I see."

Raye tapped his finger lightly on the table, deep in thought.

"Then, can spirits, like... Merge with things they have great compatibility with?"

He asked that, eyes still fixed on the book.

And hearing that…

Jerusha blinked, surprised.

"That can happen."

She mumbled.

"But it’s rare."

She paused for a second before tilting her head.

"Why do you ask?"

She questioned him curiously.

And at that…

Raye remained silent for a moment.

Then, calmly…

"No reason."

He answered.

"..."

Then he just continued reading!

Though, deep inside…

Thump- thump- thump—

His heart still hadn’t calmed down, not even for a bit!