The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

"Hah!"

Bryan let out a laugh as soon as Raye was declared the winner against Elias.

And with a smirk on his face—

’He went beyond my expectations. He’s really something else!’

He declared that in his head.

Then, immediately turning to the staff members from the other academies—

"Looks like your students weren’t quite up to the task, huh?"

Bryan said that.

His tone was light, almost casual—

But the mockery in his words was clear.

"Well, don’t feel too bad. Raye just announced that he’ll stop fighting now."

Bryan added, flashing them a knowing grin.

And hearing that—

"Tch..."

The staff members from the other academies groaned in irritation.

They couldn’t say anything back.

Because no matter how much they hated it—

Bryan was right.

Raye alone had taken down the [Elite Four].

And that was an undeniable fact.

Bryan leaned back in his seat, amused by their frustration.

But just then, as he was relaxing his body...

FWOOOOOSH—!

A wave of pressure suddenly crashed down on the entire arena.

"—?!"

Bryan’s smirk disappeared.

His body tensed.

And the other staff—

"Ugh…!"

They flinched, eyes widening as chills ran down their spines.

This feeling—

It wasn’t just strong.

It was overwhelming.

Fwish—

Their heads snapped toward the source of it.

And there—

In the middle of the arena—

They saw it.

A figure.

A noble-looking man with blood-red skin.

Large black horns protruding from his forehead.

Wings—massive and dark as the abyss—spreading from his back.

And lastly...

His right arm—

It was pierced straight through Raye’s stomach!

"—!!!"

Bryan’s eyes widened in shock when he saw that, a frown appeared on his face.

And before he could even say a word—

BAM!

FWIZZH—!

Ramiel dashed off toward tha arena!

(The head professor of [S Class].)

*****

Meanwhile, in the arena—

"!!!?"

The students were stunned.

Their minds couldn’t process what they were seeing.

A demon.

A High-Rank demon.

And Raye—

His body was limp. His blood dripped from the demon’s claws.

No one could breathe.

No one could move.

And then—

"RAYE!!!"

Jerusha’s scream ripped through the silence.

And after that—

"A DEMON!!!"

"AHHHHHH!!!"

Panic exploded.

Screams filled the air.

Students bolted from their seats, shoving past each other, their fear turning the entire stadium into utter chaos.

But—

BAM—!

Lycus and Devin shot forward, their instincts taking over.

"RAYE!!!"

They sprinted toward the arena, their eyes blazing.

Their bodies moved before their minds could think.

"...!"

Lena gritted her teeth, her hands flying up—

Crackle—!

A surge of mana flared around her.

She was already chanting a High-Rank spell!

"...!"

Sofia stood frozen, her hands trembling.

Her breath hitched.

Her mind screamed at her to move, to act.

But—

She was paralyzed.

Horror filled her face.

And not far from them—

BAM—!

Leon and Allen launched themselves out of their seats.

Their bodies blurred, their speed tearing through the ground.

SWOOSH—!

They were rushing toward the arena—

Their weapons are already drawn.

And Jerusha—

"Gugh...!"

FWOOSH—!

Winds surged around her as she flew toward the arena, her body moving on pure instinct.

Her heart pounded.

Her breath was ragged.

But none of that mattered.

She had to reach him.

She had to save Raye—!

*****

...

On the other hand—

"...?!"

Raye’s eyes widened in shock as he stared down at the crimson hand protruding from his stomach.

The warm, sticky sensation of blood spilling down his body sent a shiver through him.

And immediately—

’A demon...?!’

Raye concluded that in his head.

His mind raced.

’What the hell is happening?! This is way too early... They weren’t supposed to appear until the closing ceremony of the competition!’

Raye exclaimed in his head.

His heart pounded erratically.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

"Keuk...!"

He coughed up blood, his vision blurring as his strength drained from his body.

And then—

"You’re a strong one, kid. You would’ve been trouble in the future."

A cold, emotionless voice came from behind him.

It was the demon.

"Urgh...!"

Raye gritted his teeth.

His body was weak. His mind was hazy.

But hearing those words—

He felt anger flare in his chest.

And then—

FWOOSH—!

A fist, wreathed in raging red mana, shot past Raye’s face—aimed directly at the demon!

It was Charles!

And seeing that—

BAM!

The demon swiftly leaped back, dodging the incoming strike with ease.

Charles, his expression twisted in fury, landed in front of Raye. His fists were clenched so tightly they trembled.

But he didn’t waste time.

Fwip—

With one swift motion, he caught Raye’s collapsing body. Enjoy exclusive content from freewebnovel

And then—

BAM—!

He launched himself away from the demon, carrying Raye to safety.

The demon watched with mild amusement.

"Oh…"

A smirk tugged at his lips.

"How touching."

He mumbled.

Tap—

Charles landed softly on the ground, crouching as he carefully laid Raye down.

His gaze darkened as he looked at the wounded student before him.

Ans opening his mouth...

"I’m sorry…"

Charles muttered, frustration lacing his voice.

For not stopping it.

For not preventing this.

For not being fast enough.

But Raye—

"Heh… It’s no problem…"

Raye weakly chuckled, brushing it off with a smirk.

And at that moment—

SWISH—!

A sudden shift in the air.

A blur of red.

The demon appeared behind Charles—

His claws gleaming, ready to tear through him.

He was fast!

But—

Looking up at the demon—

"Too slow, motherfucker..."

Raye grinned.

And then—

BOOOM—!!!

A deafening explosion erupted!

A shockwave tore through the arena—

FWOOSH—!

The demon was sent flying back, crashing outside the platform in a burst of rubble and dust!

And where he once stood—

"I’ll handle this."

Ramiel appeared.

Expression cold. Gaze sharp.

Then—

Tap—

"Let me join in."

Sariel appeared too.

His usual calm demeanor was gone. His jaw clenched. His fury barely restrained.

After that...

Fwoosh—

Charles straightened, stepping beside them.

His eyes burned with resolve.

"I’ll pay them back for hurting one of my students."

He declared.

And seeing those three—

Their strong, unwavering figures standing before him—

"...Heh."

Raye smiled.

And then—

Fwish~

His body started disappearing.

’Burn to hell you fucking demon!’

Raye shouted in his head.