The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

It’s been a month since Zephyrus and Pyro started meditating. Being alone for a month is really more exhausting. I’m doing everything all by myself, and I don’t have anyone to talk to.

It’s physically and mentally tiring.

But still, this is the first time I had time for myself... Time to think about things. Time to think about myself.

And slowly, I got quite used to it. I fully accepted being Raye... I found peace with myself. It’s like meditating, but instead of not thinking about anything, I’m thinking of everything and sorting them in my head.

And honestly... It’s liberating. Now, I have everything I want and need to do sorted in my mind.

"I’m excited to get out of this place."

I mumbled as I was cooking three skewered monster meats for breakfast. Why three?

Well, looking at Zephyrus and Pyro, and sensing the mana coming from them, I can feel it—

"They’re almost done."

...

It took a few minutes to cook the meat. I even fastened the process by controlling the fire with spirit magic.

And as soon as I got the meat in my hand... the room shook violently.

GRRRRRRRRR—!!!

"..."

I remained calm as I knew where this was coming from. It was Zephyrus and Pyro.

"They’re finally done."

And just as I said that—

S W O O O O S H—!!!

A strong wave of mana burst out from them and exploded. I raised my hand in front of me and calmly opened my mouth—

"[Gust]"

I muttered that.

FWOOSH—

I cut the shockwave coming at me in half with a stronger gust of wind, so there... I just stood casually, holding the three skewered monster meats in my other hand.

-Ugh...

-Meep...

I heard Zephyrus and Pyro groan. So with a smile on my face—I started walking toward the tent.

-Huh?

-Meep?

They were surprised to see me standing in front of them as soon as they opened their eyes. Even I was surprised... Their appearance changed with the strong explosion of mana earlier.

Zephyrus—he looks like a majestic, elegant white bird now, with a highlight of green feathers for pattern. He still looks adorable to me though.

Pyro, well... He looks the same, the only difference is that he has cute tiny arms and legs now.

"I missed you guys."

I said, looking at them.

-...

-...

They became silent, looking at me with a smile too. I crouched down and handed them a skewered monster meat each.

"Here, I know you guys are hungry. I’ll make more a bit later."

I told them.

-Thanks.

Zephyrus simply replied, taking one.

-Meep...! Thankies!

Then Pyro followed, taking the other one.

Huh...?

"?!!"

-?!

My head violently turned to Pyro, the same for Zephyrus. The two of us looked at him.

-...!

He looked surprised too. And opening his small, cute mouth—

-I can talk! Meep!

-I can finally talk! Meep!

-I wanted to talk for so long, Meep!

Pyro spoke again, looking at me. He looked really happy.

"Haha..."

A small laugh escaped my mouth.

-...

Zephyrus was smiling too, happy for Pyro.

"Let’s talk and eat, guys. I’ll cook more monster meat for us."

I said, and the two quickly agreed with me.

-Good idea.

-I want to talk, Meep!

*****

The three of us had breakfast together. I cooked for all of us happily.

Zephyrus was showing off his new form. He looks really proud and elegant—like the great wind spirit he claimed he was when we first met.

On the other hand, Pyro was being super talkative. I just listened to him tell me how long he had waited to be able to talk with me properly and not just telepathically.

-When are we going to see Mama Jerusha, by the way? Meep?

Then he suddenly asked that.

"..."

-...

Zephyrus and I froze in place when we heard that. The two of us looked at each other.

-He knows... and he can talk properly now...

Zephyrus whispered.

"Bruh."

I didn’t know what to do... 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Erm... We’ll stay in this place for one more month. Then after that... we’ll leave and go back to the cabin where everyone is."

So I just told Pyro that.

"So while we’re here, let’s get stronger. Don’t get complacent, you two, just because you evolved."

-I wouldn’t. I’m still an evolution away from my strongest form.

-I wouldn’t! I want to help in the future! Meep!

I nodded my head in satisfaction seeing that they wouldn’t laze around just because they got stronger.

And so, just like that... we rested for the day.

The three of us talked and played. The two tested their skills, and I tested mine too.

My spirit magic output got stronger alongside them.

We rested for the day.

Because starting tomorrow, for a whole month straight...

We plan to work our asses off and train diligently.

...

...

...

*****

Before we even knew it, a month had already passed... and now, it’s time for us to go back to Zion Academy.

Zephyrus, Pyro, and I are currently standing in front of the gate that will bring us back to the forest that we were in before we got here. This gate appeared behind the temple after defeating [The Hollowed].

"Are you guys ready?"

-I can’t wait to leave this place.

-Meep! I want to go back where everyone is! Meep!

So after confirming that the two of them were okay now, and we already made sure we weren’t forgetting something or anything—

"Let’s go."

Tap—

We stepped in the gate.

...

...

And the next thing we knew...

We’re back in the forest in the Alvah Dukedom.

The trees were brown and black. Their leaves were green, yellow, and orange. The grass was yellow, the soil was poop-colored.

And the sky... it was a beautiful light-blue with white clouds.

"We’re back."

I mumbled.

-Finally.

Zephyrus followed in a whisper.

-Meep! I’m excited to go back home! Meep!

Pyro added.

The three of us admired the surroundings a bit more. But just as we were doing that—

"WHO ARE YOU GUYS?!!"

We suddenly heard a loud voice behind us. And when we turned to look at its source...

"TELL US YOUR NAME OR WE’LL ATTACK!!!"

We saw a soldier wearing the Alvah Dukedom’s crest. And behind him were even more soldiers with the same uniform.

About twenty of them...

"Ugh... Really? As soon as we got out?"

I grumbled while looking at them with a frown on my face.