The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

With Raye defeating someone from the A-Class, and a noble jerk at that...

"He's changed for good."

"I'm seeing him in a new light now."

He gained some respect from the C-Class and D-Class students.

And his duel...

"I'm gonna show those A-Class scum nobles, too, that they're nothing without their family."

...sparked a movement among the lower classes. They started challenging nobles from the A-Class to duels.

And with that, it turned into a competition between the A-Class and the lower classes.

*****

(Raye's POV)

"Hmm, everything's unfolding like it did in the game."

I mumbled as I watched the duels happening.

Most of the nobles who got into the A-Class using their family connections lost to students from the lower classes.

Only the main characters from the A-Class won overwhelmingly against them.

This was a scenario in the game that revealed the unjust practices of the nobles.

Soon...

'This will lead to the revolt of the lower classes.'

And that'll be the start of Act II.

"Wow, you did all of this."

Devin said as he stood beside me, watching the ongoing matches.

"It's bound to happen anyway. I just started it early."

I replied with a shrug.

What I'm saying is true, I didn't do anything outside of the game story.

In the game, just an extra from the D-Class started this whole event by challenging an annoying noble from the A-Class to a duel—and won.

So I didn't really do anything significant this time.

Anyway...

"You're good at fighting too, huh?"

I said, referring to Devin.

I had just watched him obliterate the two lackeys of Erick in a duel earlier, fighting them in succession with no rest.

"I'm nothing compared to you."

Devin responded as he patted my back.

"If there's dirt on my uniform, I'll kill you."

I said.

"Oops!"

Then he quickly removed his hand from me.

Devin fights weirdly, he's a magician but fights at close range.

He can only use low-level spells, so instead of launching them at his opponent...

'He covers his fists and feet with them and fights hand-to-hand.'

That's interesting.

'I should try and learn that, too.'

I thought as I continued to watch the scenario in front of me unfold.

...

...

I didn't get into any more fights after my first one, which is good because I'm actually tired.

And after two whole hours...

"You are all dismissed. Except those who are still injured—stay and get treated."

The joint training session finished.

And because it's the first day, where we just decide the classes we want to take, there were no more classes.

And so, my first day at school came to an end.

*****

"See you tomorrow!"

Devin exclaimed as we parted ways at the entrance of Xapham Hall.

"..."

I just waved silently back at him.

And with that, I ran my way back to the cabin.

"I'm hungry."

...

...

...

Around 1 P.M.

"I'm back."

I arrived in front of the cabin. Old Man Rey was outside, waiting for me.

"Welcome back. How was your first day?"

He greeted me and asked.

"It was tiring."

I responded.

"And annoying."

And I added, looking at the dirt on my uniform.

"You must be hungry. I saved some roasted deer meat from earlier. Change your clothes while I heat it up."

The old man said.

"Thanks."

I thanked him and went inside to change clothes.

...

...

Burp—

"Haaaaa..."

After filling up my stomach, a satisfied smile appeared on my face.

"That was good, old man. Thanks!"

I exclaimed as I relaxed.

"Meh."

Old Man Rey responded as usual.

We talked back and forth, with him asking me about my day, and me asking about his.

It was relaxing and fun.

But after resting for a bit...

"Chores."

I started cutting logs outside so we could store more firewood.

Meanwhile, the old man started crafting more traps to lay in the forest tomorrow.

Anyway, after chopping woods for two hours...

"Repair."

I stopped and continued repairing the walls of the old man's room.

I say repair, but I'm replacing almost all of the parts because of how old they were.

And around 5 P.M.

...

"Hello!"

I heard a familiar voice behind me.

Looking back...

"Oh, it's you."

I saw Jerusha, smiling ear to ear.

"What's with that reaction?!"

"I'm here to teach you, don't you remember?!"

She exclaimed, offended.

"Ah, that's right."

I did forget at some point, but now that I remember...

"I'll just finish this part, then we'll start."

I'm excited to learn spirit magic.

"Okay, I'll just stay here and watch you."

Jerusha replied.

Tak- tak- tak—

And I continued my work...

...

After about half an hour, I finished the part that I was repairing.

"..."

Jerusha really just watched me the whole time, not saying anything.

'She's really weird.'

I thought as I turned to her.

"Didn't you get bored?"

I asked, frowning.

"Nope! Watching you work is somewhat intriguing!"

She exclaimed.

Hearing her answer, I shrugged my shoulders and opened my mouth...

"Anyway, shall we start?"

I said suggestively.

"Okay!"

And Jerusha excitedly replied.

*****

After finding a quiet spot in the northern forest not too far from the cabin...

"I'm starting the first lesson."

Jerusha began.

"We entered the forest because this is the natural habitat of the spirits. In fact, as I'm talking right now, there are a lot of them around us."

She stated.

I, sitting on top of a big rock, looked around at her words.

"I can't see them."

I mumbled.

"That's right!"

Jerusha exclaimed.

"Why do you think so?"

Then she asked.

"Because I have a low mana stat?"

I answered, questioning.

And hearing that...

"Buzz... wrong!"

Jerusha said.

"People often think that having a large mana pool is the key to seeing spirits, but that's wrong!"

She proudly declared.

"Spirits materialize themselves using the mana in their surroundings, not your mana. And their body is mostly made of mana."

"In other words, what's really important is having high mana sensitivity!"

Jerusha explained, acting like a real professor.

"Even when I was four years old and had the same mana stat as you, I could already see them, so don't worry!"

She even added.

'Okay, that was unnecessary. She indirectly told me my mana stat is equal to that of a child.'

I thought, a small frown appeared on my face. I know she's encouraging me by saying that, but it's still a low blow.

Anyway...

"How can I increase my mana sensitivity, then?"

I moved on and asked her.

Then with a smug smile on her face...

"Meditation."

Jerusha answered, pointing her fingers upward.

'She's really enjoying herself, huh.'

"You just need to meditate and feel the mana around you, focusing on it until you get used to it."

She added.

Then, pondering for a while...

"Isn't it better to meditate while my mana pool is empty?"

I asked.

"In that case, I'll be more sensitive to the surrounding mana because my body is absorbing more mana to refill my mana pool."

Then I followed with an explanation.

"Ah! You're right!"

Jerusha exclaimed excitedly.

Then with a bright smile on her face...

"You're smart!"

She added.

"..."

Her compliment made me feel good, to be honest.

"I didn't think of that because I have a big mana pool—I haven't experienced mana exhaustion in my lifetime!"

But her next words immediately erased the smile on my face.