The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

Immediately after the physical examination began...

Two of the four combat professors stood in the arena.

One specialized in close combat, while the other one excelled in fighting with magic.

They were the head professors of D Class and C Class, respectively.

But to Raye, they were unremarkable.

In fact...

’Umm, who?’

Raye didn’t even know their names!

In the game, they were just called Combat Professor C and Combat Professor D!

Anyway...

’Hmm, how about the order of fighting them?’

Raye asked himself, already wondering how this would play out.

Then...

The answer for his question came from Sariel.

"The order is from the D Class up to the S Class. It doesn’t matter if students don’t go alphabetically, as long as it’s your class’s turn, you’re free to volunteer."

Sariel announced, noticing the confused expressions on the students’ faces.

They had been wondering the same thing as Raye.

"Oh, so it’ll be a while before our turn, huh."

Devin commented, glancing at Raye and Lena.

"Yeah, it’s going to be a long day."

Lena replied.

"Hmm, let’s just rest and wait for our turn."

Then Raye said casually.

And with that, the first part of the physical examination officially began.

...

*****

"Ugh..."

Raye groaned in boredom.

It had been over an hour since the sparring with the combat professors began, and so far...

The D Class had just finished, and the C Class was only now starting!

’The professors take about six minutes of break after fighting five students. There’s no time limit or anything... That’s why it’s dragging on so long.’

Raye grumbled internally, frustration clear on his face.

’In the game, there would be a cutscene so you wouldn’t have to wait, why can’t that just be the case here too?’

He asked in his head with a frown.

So far though, Raye had seen some notable characters from the D Class perform well, showcasing their skills.

But that was all...

For him, it was still boring as fuck!

-Ugh, when will this end?

Zephyrus complained, flying lazily above Raye.

"Ughhhhhhh..."

Devin was equally frustrated, sitting beside Raye with a bored expression.

On the other hand...

"The fighting is too loud."

Lena muttered, cradling the sleeping Pyro in her hands.

She didn’t seem that bored, taking care of Pyro.

’He’s been sleeping a lot lately.’

Raye thought, observing Pyro’s peaceful state.

’Hmm, probably because he didn’t get to rest properly for a month.’

Then concluding that, Raye decided to let it go. After all, it was good to see Pyro finally getting the rest he deserved.

And so with that...

Raye, Devin, and Lena continued waiting for their class to be called by Sariel.

*****

Another hour crawled by...

"B Class, it’s your turn now."

And Professor Sariel finally announced that!

As soon as the words left Sariel’s mouth...

"I’ll leave Pyro to you."

Raye said that to Lena and immediately stood up!

"Sure, good luck."

Lena replied with a small smile.

"Thanks."

Then Raye nodded before turning away.

-I’m gonna stay here. You don’t need me up there.

Zephyrus chimed in, fluttering lazily above Raye.

Raye merely nodded in acknowledgment and began walking toward the arena.

Tap- tap- tap—

"Yes, at last!"

Devin exclaimed, following closely behind Raye, practically bouncing with excitement.

Then as they walked together, Raye’s mind wandered...

’Should I choose close combat or magic combat?’

He asked himself.

Being a mage who excelled in close-range combat, it wasn’t an easy decision.

But as he was wondering about that...

"..."

Raye noticed the close combat professor staring at him.

The man’s expression was a mix of disdain and barely concealed hostility.

And seeing that...

’Hmm, close combat it is.’

Raye decided!

A smirk tugged at his lips...

’I’m much more confident in my close combat skills, anyway.’

And then he thought of that!

*****

The rest of B Class hesitated, still too nervous to step forward and challenge the professors.

Taking advantage of the moment, Raye decided to go first.

So after reaching the arena...

Tap—

He immediately climbed the stairs without hesitation.

"I’m next after you!"

Devin called out from behind him.

Raye simply nodded in response.

Then stepping onto the platform, he was greeted by Sariel.

"You’re the first one, huh."

Sariel said, looking at him.

And with a slight frown on his face...

"Honestly, I just want to finish this and leave."

Raye replied.

"Haha, I get you."

Sariel chuckled.

"So, what type of combat sparring will you choose?"

Then he asked Raye.

And without hesitation...

"Close combat."

Raye responded!

"Hmm, an unusual choice, but I kind of expected it, for some reason."

Sariel mused.

"Well then, get ready and good luck."

"Thanks."

Raye replied, flashing a confident smile.

And with that, he started preparing for the match...

*****

Standing at the far end of the platform, Raye faced his opponent.

"My name is Charles Abalos, Close Combat Professor for C and D Classes."

The man introduced himself, his voice sharp and authoritative.

"My name is Raye, first-year, Magic Course."

Raye responded, keeping his tone even.

The room buzzed with quiet murmurs as students and even the main characters watched intently.

Among them was Leon Lightbringer, the protagonist.

"Hmm, I haven’t seen him in a while."

Leon commented, narrowing his eyes at Raye.

Beside him, Allen Iverson grimaced.

"Ugh, and I thought he was gone."

Allen muttered.

"Did he do something to you too?"

Leon asked, his curiosity piqued.

Startled, Allen stammered...

"Ah! Yeah! I’m sure he did..."

He awkwardly said.

Leon raised an eyebrow, staring at Allen’s awkward reaction.

But after a brief pause...

"Meh."

He just shrugged it off.

Then he turned his attention back to the arena.

’This is Raye we’re talking about. I’m sure he did something to Allen.’

Leon thought.

Meanwhile, Raye examined the wooden sword in his hand.

"Do I need this?"

He asked, his tone indifferent.

"You’ll need it if you want to get out of here quickly."

Charles replied confidently.

"Though, I won’t make it easy for you."

He added, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Haaa..."

Raye sighed.

’Great, another one with a grudge.’

He thought.

"...What’s your problem?"

Raye asked Charles directly, frowning at the hostility radiating from the professor.

Charles didn’t reply immediately.

Instead, with an angry expression etched across his face...

"I’m going to make sure you’re expelled from this school. For the sake of the students."

He declared that!

’Ugh, seriously?’

Raye thought, exasperated.

But before he could respond...

"Raye?"

Sariel walked up, interrupting the tension.

"Yeah?"

Raye answered to his call.

"See that circle marking under Professor Charles’ feet?"

Sariel asked, pointing at the arena floor.

Looking down, Raye noticed a one-meter-wide circle under Charles’ position.

"Yeah, I see it."

He said.

"Your only goal is to make him step out of that circle as fast as you can."

Sariel explained.

Raye blinked, processing the instructions.

Then nonchalantly...

"Oh, okay."

He said that and nodded his head.

"Good. Now, get into position."

Sariel instructed, stepping back to give them space.

"Fuuu..."

Raye sighed again, casting a glance at the clearly furious Charles.

And after that...

"I don’t need this."

Fwip-

He threw away the wooden sword in his right hand!

"?!"

This made Charles frown, and even the others who were watching!

"..."

Raye just ignored them.

Fwish-

Then he crouched slightly, readying himself to take off!

"..."

"..."

"..."

The room fell silent, anticipation thick in the air.

After all, Raye had a reputation—now students knew he was capable of pulling off incredible, unthinkable moves in combat!

Anyway, as the tension was rising...

Swoosh—

Gusts of wind covered Raye’s legs!

And with a serious expression on his face...

’Let’s go finish this quickly.’

Raye thought of that!

Sariel raised his hand and called out...

"Ready!"

The tension climbed higher.

Everyone leaned forward, eyes fixed on the arena.

"Start!"

Then Sariel’s voice echoed throughout the room, announcing the start of the match!

Raye’s gaze sharpened as he locked onto Charles, who was standing defenseless in the circle about eight meters away from him.

And with a quiet mutter...

"[Flash]" Explore hidden tales at empire

Raye activated his ability!

BAM—!

And then he kicked on the ground and launched himself forward with explosive speed!

Fwish—

His figure disappeared from where he stood!

Swish-

And then the wind howled in his wake as he reappeared right in front of Charles!

"?!"

Charles barely had time to register what was happening!

TAP—

Raye planted his left foot firmly on the ground!

Then twisting his body to the left...

SWOOSH—

Raye threw out his right hand that was clenched into a fist!

And using the force of his speed and rotation...

BAM!!!

Raye punched Charles straight into the stomach!

"Urgh?!"

Charles’ eyes bulged in shock, veins popping along his temples!

His face turned beet red as the force of the blow lifted him off his feet!

SWOOSH—

The professor was sent flying out of the circle and off the arena entirely!

And following that...

BOOM—!

He was slammed onto the wall!

Fwooosh—

The sound of his impact echoed throughout the room!

The wall cracked from the force and a dust cloud was created!

And looking at that dust cloud...

"Hmm, still not fast enough."

Raye mumbled that!

He just finished his match with a professor in under a second!

And watching him do that...

"..."

The whole room was silenced!