The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

The Next Day…

Raye was called to the Headmaster's office.

"..."

He already knew what was coming.

Without a word, he silently made his way there.

Standing outside Bryan's office, he knocked lightly before speaking.

"It's Raye."

He made his presence known.

And in a menacing, low voice—

"Come in."

Bryan's tone alone carried a weight of impending doom.

"Ugh…"

Raye groaned.

He knew this was going to be a headache.

After mentally preparing himself—

Creak—

Thud.

He stepped inside.

"..."

The atmosphere was tense.

Bryan was sitting behind his desk, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

His sharp gaze locked onto Raye the second he entered.

Raye stood there in silence, meeting his stare without flinching.

"..."

Neither spoke for a moment.

Then—

"You know why I called you, right?"

Bryan finally broke the silence.

"..."

Raye remained quiet for a few seconds.

Then, with a small nod—

"Yeah."

As soon as he admitted it—

"You brat! What were you thinking?!"

Bryan exploded.

"Ugh…"

He groaned, massaging his temples as if dealing with a migraine.

Meanwhile, Raye just scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"I was just too focused on training and excited… I forgot."

He mumbled, avoiding Bryan's burning glare.

But that only made the Headmaster angrier.

"YOU BROKE ALMOST HALF OF THE INDOOR TRAINING GROUNDS LAST NIGHT!!!"

Bryan shouted, his voice booming through the room.

The veins on his forehead were bulging now.

"YOU SHOULD'VE STOPPED WHEN YOU BROKE THE WALL!!!"

His anger didn't stop there—

"IF YOU WANTED TO GO WILD, YOU SHOULD'VE USED THE OUTDOOR TRAINING GROUNDS!!!"

He practically roared in frustration.

That's right…

Raye almost made the entire indoor training facility collapse last night with all his reckless experiments using [Celestria].

"..."

Silence.

Raye stood still, his gaze slightly lowered, listening to Bryan's frustrated rant.

He didn't argue.

He didn't try to explain himself.

Because this time—

He deserved it.

Bryan let out an exhausted sigh, rubbing his temple.

Then, after a beat—

"…I'm sorry."

Raye said that, his voice was quiet but sincere.

Bryan blinked, caught off guard.

He expected excuses. Maybe even a cocky remark.

But not this.

Not actual guilt on Raye's face.

"…Hah?"

The Headmaster squinted at him.

"You mean that?"

Raye nodded without hesitation.

"Yeah."

His fist clenched slightly.

"I got carried away… I didn't mean to break anything, but it happened, and that's on me."

He said and paused.

Then—

"…How bad is it?"

Raye asked.

"Hah..."

Bryan let out a dry chuckle.

"Half the indoor training grounds need repairs. They have to rebuild part of the wall, reinforce the structure."

He mumbled.

"And don't even get me started on the floor."

Raye exhaled sharply after hearing that.

It was really worse than he thought.

So opening his mouth—

"I'll pay for it."

He declared that.

Bryan raised an eyebrow.

"…What?"

"The repairs. I'll cover them."

Raye repeated.

Bryan stared at him for a moment.

"Haaa..."

Then after letting out a sigh and slightly shaking his head —

"…Keep it."

He declined Raye's offer.

"..."

Raye frowned.

"I can afford it."

He said.

"I know."

Bryan smirked slightly, arms crossing over his chest.

"But that's not the point."

Raye narrowed his eyes.

"…Then what is?"

Bryan sighed again, leaning back in his chair.

"Money won't fix everything, kid. You can replace a wall, but you can't replace common sense."

He stated.

"Next time, just be more careful."

And then he followed.

His voice wasn't as harsh now.

It wasn't a punishment.

Just a warning.

"...?"

Raye stared at him.

Then, after a moment—

"…Alright."

He replied.

Bryan's smirk widened.

"Good. Now get outta here."

Raye nodded, turning toward the door—

But just before he stepped out—

"Oh, and Raye?"

Bryan called out to him.

"Hm?"

Rate stopped, glancing back.

Bryan's expression softened, just a little.

"Don't blow up any more buildings."

He muttered.

Raye blinked.

Then—

A small chuckle escaped him.

"…No promises."

And with that—

Tap—

He left the room.

Though, as soon as he stepped outside—

"Ah... I should've told him that I'm taking my one-month off soon."

Raye suddenly remembered that.

He paused for a moment, considering whether to turn back—

But after just a few seconds—

"Meh, that can wait."

With a shrug, he brushed it off and continued on his way.

After all, the vacation had just started.

Not even a week had passed yet.

The academy had given them a full one-month break, and Raye planned to leave next week.

But since his expedition would likely take longer than a month, he had already decided to use his extra one-month leave before departing.

That way—

By the time classes resumed, he would be excused, and his grades wouldn't suffer.

So as he made his way toward Ramiel's office—

'I should focus on packing and getting everything ready for the trip.'

He thought to himself, already making mental notes on what to bring.

Then, after a moment—

"Hmm… I should probably let the others know too."

He mumbled under his breath.

...

...

...

...

*****

A week had passed since the vacation began—

And now...

It was time for Raye to leave.

Standing in front of the cabin—

"..."

Raye gazed at it silently, his expression tinged with sadness.

Zephyrus and Pyro were coming with him, of course.

So no one would be left behind in the cabin.

'That's kinda sad when you think about it.'

He thought as he let out a quiet sigh.

Then, at that moment—

"I'll take care of it and clean it from time to time, don't worry!"

Jerusha suddenly declared that.

She was standing behind Raye.

Fwish—

"...?"

Raye turned to her.

And when he did—

He saw her standing there, smiling at him sweetly.

That warm, gentle smile of hers—

It made something stir inside his chest.

"Thanks."

He replied, smiling back at her.

And inwardly—

'I'll miss you.'

He declared that silently.

(BRUH, JUST SAY IT!!!)

Before he could dwell on it any longer—

"We'll also protect it."

Kyle spoke up.

"Yeah, that's right!"

"Yeah, of course."

"I'll help!"

Devin, Lycus, and Sofia quickly followed, their voices filled with determination.

"Erm… we'll help if ever."

"Err... yeah."

Leon and Allen awkwardly chimed in, scratching the back of their heads.

And finally—

"I recently learned a spell used for cleaning. I'll use it in the cabin."

Lena muttered.

Everyone was here.

The whole group had gathered to see Raye off.

Then a realization struck him—

'Haha… it's been a while since we've all been together like this.'

He thought, a warm smile forming on his face.

And with a slight bow of his head—

"Thanks, everyone."

Raye mumbled softly.

-Thanks.

-Meep!

Zephyrus and Pyro, who were resting on each of his shoulders, chimed in right after him.

"Hehe..."

"It's nothing big!"

"..."

The others responded with smiles, their expressions warm and genuine.

"..."

Raye straightened himself, letting his gaze linger on each of them for a moment—

Taking in their faces, their presence, their support.

Then, with a calm voice—

"I'll be leaving now."

He declared.

"..."

Everyone simply looked at him in silence.

No words, no immediate response.

Just a quiet moment where the weight of his departure sank in.

But after that brief pause—

"Take care."

"We'll be waiting for you!"

"Don't pass out on the road, Raye!"

One by one, they spoke up, their voices carrying warmth and concern.

"..."

Raye couldn't help but smile.

And with that—

Tap—

He took his first step forward, heading toward the Academy's main gate.

The others followed, walking alongside him.

Pyro and Zephyrus, still perched on his shoulders, stayed close.

Even now—

He wasn't leaving alone.

*****

At the academy's main gate—

Raye waved one last goodbye to everyone.

But before leaving—

"I'm heading out to get stronger... I hope you guys won't be left behind when I come back."

He said that with a sly smirk.

And without even giving anyone a chance to respond—

He turned and stepped into the carriage.

It was one prepared by Kyle, who was transporting his products to another city.

Raye would accompany it halfway—at least until he reached his first destination.

And just like that—

"..."

Raye left Zion Academy once again.

After bidding him farewell—

"..."

Everyone's expressions hardened, a serious determination filling their eyes.

"Hah... Let's surprise him when he comes back with our improvements."

Lycus suddenly mumbled.

Following him—

"You bet!"

Devin exclaimed excitedly.

The others felt the same.

Their desire to grow stronger—to surpass their current selves—burned even brighter because of Raye.

So, without wasting another second—

"Let's go."

T A P—

The eight of them turned and started heading back into the academy's vicinity.

Fueled by motivation.

Ready to push themselves further.

But Jerusha—

"..."

She just stood there, staring at the empty road where Raye had disappeared.

A hint of sadness lingered in her eyes.

And as she slightly lowered her head, gaze dropping to the ground—

"Please take care... and come back safe..."

She whispered softly.

'I miss you already.'

She declared in her mind.

(YOU SHOULD'VE TOLD HIM EARLIER!!!)

She wouldn't be able to see Raye for over a month.

And in a world without advanced technology—

There was no way for them to communicate.

No letters, no messages.

No news.

Nothing.

That thought weighed heavily on her chest.

"Ugh... I wish I could've come with him."

She grumbled under her breath.

Then, shaking off her thoughts—

Tap—

She turned and started following the others.