The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

After leaving the office—

Raye and Ramiel made their way to one of the academy's indoor training grounds.

The air inside was still and heavy, carrying the faint scent of sweat and scorched wood from past training sessions and duels.

And there—

"Get ready."

Ramiel said that, his tone sharp and direct.

And without wasting any time—

Fwip—

He began stretching his body, rolling his shoulders and loosening his joints.

He has a smile on his face, glad that he's not doing paperwork anymore.

"..."

Raye watched him in silence.

'So we're going to fight, huh...'

He thought.

"Ugh..."

Then a small frown appeared on his face.

He had expected some kind of test, but seeing Ramiel casually warming up like this meant he was taking it seriously.

But shrugging his shoulders—

"Whatever."

Fwish—

Raye just started preparing himself, rolling his wrists, shifting his stance.

Preparing himself for whatever was coming next.

*****

After a few minutes—

"Hmm, all done."

Raye was fully geared up.

Tap- tap- tap—

Walking away from the equipment rack—

Swish-

Two wooden swords were in his hands.

SWOOSH—

He was giving them a few test swings to get a feel for their weight.

Then—

Fwip—

He strapped a light leather vest onto himself, tightening the buckles. It wasn't much in terms of defense, especially against Ramiel, but it was better than nothing.

And after that—

Fwish—

He reached for a set of throwable wooden daggers, tucking them securely into the vest's small compartments.

Raye's movements were smooth, methodical.

And once he was fully equipped—

"Fuuuu..."

He exhaled slowly, gripping his swords tightly.

Meanwhile...

"..."

Ramiel simply put on a pair of leather gloves. A temporary replacement for his personal gauntlets.

Clench—

He tightened his fists.

Then—

BAM—!!

Fwoosh~!

He punched them together, sending a small shockwave rippling through the air. His energy surged—he was fired up!

"Hm?"

And after seeing that Raye was already good to go too—

'Heh.'

A sly smirk appeared on Ramiel's face.

Then opening his mouth—

"Climb up the arena and let's start."

He instructed that, his voice laced with anticipation.

"..."

Raye frowned slightly at Ramiel's words.

But with no choice in the matter—

'Well, here goes nothing.'

Tap- tap- tap—

He silently complied, making his way toward the arena, each step echoing against the walls of the training hall. He climbed up, his thoughts filled with mild grumbling.

And soon—

T A P—!

Both him and Ramiel stood atop the solid concrete floor of the arena.

"..."

Their gazes locked.

They stood on opposite sides, the tension settling in the space between them.

Crack-

Ramiel stretched his neck from side to side, loosening up as he spoke.

"We're going to fight, that's the test."

He said.

"..."

Raye remained silent, already expecting this.

Then—

"Since you can't defeat me…"

Ramiel said boastfully—

"...?"

Raye's brow twitched in annoyance.

But he didn't argue.

Because it was true, unfortunately.

There was no world where he could beat Ramiel right now.

Still—

'It was irritating hearing it so bluntly.'

Raye thought.

Anyway—

"And so..."

"You'll pass once you land a successful attack on me."

Ramiel continued and declared that with full confidence.

Like he had already decided his own victory.

A sly smirk rested on his face.

"...?"

Raye tilted his head, confused by what he had just heard.

But before he could even process it—

"We're immediately starting now!"

Ramiel suddenly exclaimed that!

*****

"..."

Raye just stood in place, silent.

Even though his test had already begun.

He looked at Ramiel—

"Taking your time, huh. Don't make me wait for long."

And Ramiel was looking back at him with a confident smile.

Seeing that—

'He's serious.'

Raye thought.

And shaking his head—

"Okay..."

He refocused himself.

Then without any more further ado—

F W O O S H—

He started circulating mana inside his body!

"..."

Raye never took his eyes off Ramiel as he did so.

S W O O O S H—!!

A powerful gust of wind surged around his body.

It was like he was standing in the eye of a tornado.

But then—

SWISH—

The winds started condensing.

F W I S H—!

They all gathered at his legs, swirling violently around them!

And seeing that—

"Still using the same technique, huh."

Ramiel mumbled that, a small smirk on his face.

He had seen Raye use this skill countless times before.

He couldn't help but admire how Raye had developed such a technique on his own.

But still—

'It's not fast enough to catch me.'

Ramiel thought, slightly disappointed.

'If this was my first time seeing this, it would've work on me.'

He added.

However, just then—

"I'm going to borrow some of your strength, Zephyrus."

Raye suddenly mumbled that.

"...?"

Ramiel frowned, confused.

He thought that Raye was now spewing random shits to confuse him and catch him off guard.

But then, at the next moment—

"[Summon]"

S W O O O O O S H—!!!

A powerful burst of wind suddenly exploded from Raye's body!

"Ugh...?!"

Ramiel groaned as a violent gust sent dust flying, shaking the entire area!

Fwip-

He quickly raised his left arm to shield his eyes from the pressure.

But as soon as he did that...

'Now.'

Raye saw that as an opportunity—

"[Flash]"

And then he muttered that!

"?!!"

Ramiel's eyes widened when he heard that.

He knew what was coming!

FWIP—

He immediately moved his left arm away from his face—

And then—

"...!"

He saw him.

Raye was already in front of him!

'Brat...!'

F W O O S H—!

The sudden burst of speed sent a violent gust spiraling behind Raye!

His wooden sword was raised—

And with no hesitation—

S W I S H—!

He swung it down toward Ramiel's shoulder!

But—

T A P—

Ramiel's foot shifted.

F W I S H—!

His body twisted slightly—

And in that instant—

S W O O S H—

Raye's attack struck nothing but air!

"..."

Though Raye had already predicted this!

'As expected of the fastest person in the empire.'

He stated in his head.

And then—

Without hesitation—

S W I S H—!

He swung his other wooden sword!

But this time, Ramiel was already prepared—

F W O O S H—!

He moved.

His right fist shot forward, it was a direct counter!

B A M—!

His fist collided with the wooden sword in Raye's left hand—

And just like that—

C R A C K—!

It shattered like it was nothing!

"Not fast enough, kid."

Ramiel said with an arrogant smile on his face, his eyes still locked onto Raye.

But Raye—

"..."

He just stared back straight into Ramiel's eyes.

He was still calm.

Still composed.

And then—

"[Flash]"

He muttered that again with a slight smile!

F W I S H—!

Then he suddenly disappeared!

And the next thing Ramiel knew—

F W I P—

Raye was behind him!

"?!"

His eyes widened in pure shock!

'What...?!!'

Raye was faster than before—far beyond what he remembered!

But even though Ramiel saw him—

Even though his instincts screamed at him to move—

He was too late.

"Thank you for being too complacent and underestimating my condition."

Raye's voice came from behind him, a quiet, mocking mumble.

And then—

T W H A C K—!!!

A sharp impact struck his right ribs!

"Urgh...?"

Ramiel's eyes widened slightly as he felt the impact from Raye's strike.

And before he could retaliate—

Tap— Tap—

Raye had already backed away, keeping his stance as he watched Ramiel carefully.

And then—

"..."

Silence.

Ramiel remained still, his expression blank.

He was now facing Raye.

A few seconds passed—

Then—

"...Hah."

He let out a small laugh.

'I can't believe I lost.'

Ramiel thought.

"Are you sure you just woke up from a coma?"

He asked, frowning at Raye.

"Haa... Haaa... Yeah..."

Raye responded, breathing slightly heavier but still composed.

And after everything had finally calmed down...

"Damn it, this isn't stress relieving at all."

Ramiel grumbled with a smirk, rolling his shoulder as he exhaled.

Then, with a nod—

"Fine, I'll teach you."

He announced that!

And hearing him say that—

"Sweet."

Raye smiled, wiping some sweat off his forehead.

He just used almost all of his mana in a duel that didn't even last for 10 seconds.

"You really got me there. I thought you were still recovering."

Ramiel mumbled, stretching his neck.

"Honestly, I thought the test was easy when you said what it was. "

Then Raye shrugged, his breathing steadying.

(He was expecting something harder, that's why he was confused earlier when Ramiel said what the test was.)

"Hah...! Only you would think something like against me."

Ramiel let out a snort.

"Cheeky bastard."

Then, rolling his shoulders once more—

"Alright, training starts tomorrow. I'll beat that crazy idea of yours into shape."

He stated that.

"I'm looking forward to it."

Raye grinned, already prepared for the hell that awaited him.

"I gotta admit, you've improved more than I expected."

Ramiel crossed his arms, looking Raye up and down with an amused glint in his eyes.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Raye smirked.

"You should. But don't get cocky—today was just a test. Tomorrow, I won't go easy on you."

"Good. I don't want you to."

Ramiel let out a low laugh before turning around.

"Get some rest, kid. You'll need it."

And with that—

Their training was set in stone.

Meanwhile...

-Huh? Where am I?

Zephyrus was confused.

He had just been flying with Pyro back at the cabin when, out of nowhere—

Raye summoned him to borrow his power.