The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

Devin and the remaining participants of the tournament climbed to where Charles stood.

And after that...

"So, this is what’s going to happen—"

Charles started explaining.

"There are ten of you left, and we’ll be splitting you into two groups."

He said, his voice carrying across the platform.

Everyone in the audience could hear him too—he was enhancing his voice with mana, after all.

Then, after pausing for a moment...

"Each group will fight in a free-for-all."

Charles suddenly declared that!

"...?!"

"Huh??"

"What?!"

"..."

His words shocked everyone except Raye!

But ignoring their reactions...

"Two arenas, two battles happening at the same time. The last person standing in each group will move on to the final match."

"Which will happen today as well."

Charles just casually continued!

The participants listened intently, their eyes sharp as they processed the rules.

Then, with a small smirk...

"And for the record, you don’t have to just knock out your opponents—you can also win by forcing them to surrender or getting them out of bounds."

Charles added.

Then, without further delay...

"Here are the groups."

Charles raised his hand.

Swoosh—

Summoning a system window-like screen that displayed the names of the participants and their group!

=====

[Group A]:

Devin Dustin (Zion Academy)

Rael San (Zephyros Institute)

Sylva Blackwood (Crimson Academy)

Orpheus Nacht (Night Academy)

Gideon Kade (Night Academy)

---

[Group B]:

Terri Valentine (Zion Academy)

Cedric Rufio (Zion Academy)

Vale Stormbreaker (Zephyros Institute)

Nero D’Angelo (Crimson Academy)

Rickrey Marcos (Crimson Academy)

=====

Seeing the placements...

"..."

Devin remained silent, his eyes scanning the names.

He was separated from Terri and Cedric, his classmates!

And knowing that...

"Sweet..."

Devin whispered that with a smile on his face!

He was glad that he didn’t need to fight his classmates!

And then, suddenly...

"You have five minutes to prepare. Get ready fast, and we’ll start."

Charles announced that.

"The monster hunt competition is done—now, this tournament is the one being broadcast throughout the empire, so if you want to make a name for yourself... This is the perfect opportunity to do that!"

He shouted as encouragement to the participants.

And hearing him...

"..."

A determined look appeared on Devin’s face!

And it’s not just him, everyone in the tournament was hyped up!

And seeing the combatants like that...

"I’m excited for the match."

"I don’t know what group to watch!"

The audience started to get a lot more excited!

Tap- tap- tap—

Tap- tap- tap—

The participants then dispersed, mentally preparing themselves for what was about to come.

They started strategizing too.

...

*****

After a few minutes...

Everyone in the tournament was done preparing.

"Hup!"

Tap—

Devin stepped onto the arena, already wearing leather gloves on his hands.

And then, looking around...

"Hmm..."

He saw his opponents.

Orpheus and Gideon, the two students from the [Night Academy], were both holding wooden swords—nothing unusual.

Rael from the [Zephyros Institute] was wielding dual wooden daggers.

And lastly, Sylva from the [Crimson Academy] was holding a wooden staff.

"Hmm, this is going to be bothersome."

Devin mumbled.

After all...

"..."

His four opponents were looking at him. It was clear that he was being targeted!

’I really hate these guys from the other academies.’

He thought with a frown.

Anyway, not long after that...

"Everyone, get ready!"

Charles exclaimed.

Fwish—

Devin immediately took a fighting stance.

Fwip—

And the others followed suit!

"..."

The whole area went totally silent.

Anticipation was rising among the audience, and the tense atmosphere thickened around the participants!

Then, after a moment of silence...

"START!!!"

Charles suddenly started the match!

BAM—

Orpheus and Gideon immediately ran toward Devin!

And it wasn’t just them...

BAM!

Rael followed too!

"Ugh, fuck you guys."

Devin grumbled as he saw the three approaching him.

Then, opening his mouth...

"[Fire Fist]"

He muttered.

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SWAAAAAA—

And his hands were swallowed by violent flames!

But just as he prepared to strike...

Whoosh—

A sudden burst of mana surged from Sylva’s staff!

"Not so fast!"

FWOOOSH—!

Sylva shouted as several fireballs shot toward Devin!

"..."

Devin’s eyes sharpened.

Swish—

He quickly ducked under the first fireball!

Then, twisting his body...

BAM!

He slapped the second one aside with his flaming fist!

Whoosh—

Another fireball came!

Clang—!

Devin clenched his fist and punched through it!

The flames dispersed as if they were nothing!

"...!"

Sylva’s eyes widened in shock!

But before she could even react—

BAM!

Devin kicked onto the ground and dashed toward her!

"No, you don’t!"

"Hup!"

SWOOSH—

Orpheus and Gideon tried to intercept him!

But—

BANG—!

Devin parried Orpheus’ wooden sword with the back of his right hand!

THWACK—!

Then, using his other hand, he deflected Gideon’s attack as well!

"Tsk!"

Orpheus clicked his tongue.

But before he could step back—

BAM—!

Devin swung his left arm and struck Orpheus in the stomach with a clean counter!

"Ugh!"

Orpheus staggered backward!

Then, before Gideon could react...

BAM!

Devin spun and slammed his left elbow into his jaw!

"Kh—!"

Gideon gasped as he was sent flying!

Then—

Whoosh—!

A wooden dagger came flying at Devin!

Clang—!

Devin tilted his head and deflected it with his right fust!

Fwoosh—

Rael then lunged at him!

But Devin was already moving!

Fwish-

With a quick sidestep to his left, he avoided Rael’s thrust attack!

BAM—!

And then Devin struck his wrist with his left fist—making Rael drop his dagger!

"Urgh...!"

Rael groaned.

Fwip-

Devin grabbed Rael’s shoulder.

And then...

FWOOSH—

BAM!

He threw him over his back!

CRACK—!

"GAAARGH...?!"

Rael hit the ground hard!

So hard that he broke his spine and lost consciousness!

And without wasting a second...

FWOOSH—

Devin dashed toward Sylva!

"...!"

Sylva clenched her teeth seeing him approach!

But before she could cast another spell...

Whoosh—

Devin was already in front of her!

And with a swift motion...

BAM—!

He knocked her staff away!

Then, with piercing sharp eyes...

"Surrender."

Devin commanded, looking straight into Sylva’s eyes!

He was ready to punch her in the face if she showed any resistance!

Sylva gulped, realizing that.

And so...

"I-I surrender."

She declared that!

"Good girl."

Devin said.

Fwip—

"Huh?"

Then he grabbed Sylva by the collar of her uniform!

And without hesitation...

"Hup!"

FWOOOSH—

"KYAAAAAA—!"

He fucking threw her out of the arena!

Thud-

"..."

Charles caught her.

And then, after that...

"Two down. Only you two left..."

Devin said that with a smirk!

Looking at the frowning Orpheus and Gideon!

They had just recovered from being countered by Devin earlier!

And seeing them holding their swords...

"Still think you guys can defeat me? Without drugging me? "

"Dream on."

Devin started provoking them!