The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

The next day.

At around 10 AM...

The second part of the physical examination for the freshmen began.

It was held in one of the outdoor training grounds.

"Everyone, listen,"

Sariel announced with a mana-enhanced voice. He was calm, but his presence was authoritative.

’Hmm, I wonder who my opponent is.’

Raye thought, looking over at the platform where Sariel was speaking.

-I’m excited to watch the kids fight.

And then Zephyrus said that, sitting on top of his head.

Raye was alone with Zephyrus.

Pyro was left behind in the cabin today as well so he could sleep in peace. Old Man Rey was taking care of him.

Moving on...

"Me and the other professors analyzed your performance from the first part of the physical examination."

Sariel continued talking after confirming that everyone was paying attention.

"And based on that, we matched you with other freshmen students who have similar strength to you."

He declared.

And after that...

"Step onto the arena when your name is called."

Sariel followed with a serious expression on his face.

’He looks pretty intense today.’

Raye thought.

Then, Sariel started calling names...

And the matches began.

*****

The second part of the physical examination was just as it was described.

Students with similar performances in the first part were paired to duel each other.

It didn’t matter which section they fought in before, as long as they were deemed similar in strength.

Anyway, Sariel started calling the names of the students who performed worse in the first part, going upward.

So, in short...

It would take a long time again before Raye’s turn!

And knowing that...

"What the actual fuck?"

Raye couldn’t help but curse with a frown on his face.

-So, we’ll be here until the end?

Zephyrus asked.

And annoyed...

"Unfortunately, yes,"

Raye responded. He was already getting bored.

On the other hand...

-Hmm, okay.

Zephyrus didn’t seem to mind at all!

"Ugh."

Raye sat on a bench.

And then...

"I hate this."

He muttered that, waiting for his turn.

...

Later on, the others joined Raye.

Devin, Lena, Lycus, Sofia... and even Jerusha!

She came to cheer them all on.

And so, together...

"..."

They waited for their turns, talking to each other to pass by time.

...

Sofia was called after an hour, and she won the fight fairly easily.

Everyone congratulated her, and she thanked them all with a sweet smile on her face.

Though, they started waiting again after that...

*****

There were roughly 130 freshmen students, from [D Class] to [S Class].

So, there would be about 65 matches.

Considering the five-minute time limit per match and the fact that there were only two arena platforms available for combat...

"Devin Dustin."

It took roughly three hours of waiting before someone from Raye’s group was finally called!

"Ugh..."

Devin groaned as he immediately stood up.

And looking at him...

"Good luck."

Raye and the others wished him luck. They were really bored by now.

"Do your best!"

Jerusha was the only one with energy left at this point.

"Thanks, guys."

Devin said.

Tap- tap- tap—

And then he started heading to the arena, his steps were confident, but there’s a hint of impatience in them.

Anyway, his opponent was called...

"Aria Themis."

And it was one of the main characters!

It was Leon’s childhood friend and the main heroine!

Seeing that...

’Oof, this isn’t in the game,’

Raye thought and frowned.

Though...

"Meh, Devin can hold his own against her."

He still rooted for Devin.

And also...

"Lycus Fenrath"

Lycus was called now too.

"I’ll be right back."

Lycus confidently said, standing up.

And without waiting for the others’ response...

Bam-

He dashed forward toward the arena!

’Guess he’s really bored, huh.’

Raye thought.

Then, looking at Lycus’ opponent...

"Bruh."

Raye unconsciously mumbled that.

His opponent was just a male extra from the game.

’Devin and Lycus should really change opponents.’

Raye thought to himself.

*****

Raye focused on Devin’s match. After all, he already knew the outcome of Lycus’.

"..."

Devin was crouching at the end of the arena, ready to dash off.

And on the opposite side of him...

"Fuuu..."

Aria was concentrating, holding a big wooden staff.

And after a few moments...

"Start."

Sariel announced, beginning their match!

Bam-

Devin immediately rushed toward Aria!

"[Flame On!]"

He exclaimed.

SWAAAA—

And then his fists and arms were engulfed with raging fire!

SWOOSH—

Even his feet and legs!

And upon getting near Aria...

"Hup!"

Swish—

Devin threw a right straight without hesitation, aiming for his opponent’s nose!

Though...

"..."

Calmly looking at Devin.

"[Barrier]"

Aria muttered that.

Fwip-

BAM!

Then a mana shield appeared in front of her face, blocking Devin’s attack!

And following that...

"[Water Ball]"

Aria cast a water element spell!

It was just a basic spell, a concentrated water in size of a baseball...

But Raye frowned when he saw that from where he was!

After all, in the game...

Aria was known as a character with out-of-this-world mana control and mana output!

Swiish—

Three small, but fast water balls flew out from Aria’s staff!

"Hm?"

Devin saw them coming.

Fwish— Enjoy more content from freewebnovel

And so, he swiftly avoided them! It wasn’t that fast for him, after all.

Though, when Devin thought he had completely dodged them...

"Heh."

Aria let out a smile!

SWISH—

And then, the water balls changed trajectories, aiming for him again!

It was faster this time, and because Devin couldn’t see it coming...

BAM!

"Urgh?!"

He was hit in the back!

PSSSH—

And then the other two water balls hit each of his arms, extinguishing the fire engulfing them!

"?!"

Devin’s arms tingled in pain. He was shocked and confused.

And as he stood like that...

"[Water Cannon!]"

Aria cast another spell!

In shock, and at point-blank range...

BAAM!!!

Devin was hit right in the chest before he even knew it!

"ARGH...?!"

He didn’t know what hit him, but he felt like a small boulder had been dropped on his chest!

"Ugh..."

Devin was blown backward, struggling to stand straight or even breathe.

Then looking up at Aria...

"[Water Blast!]"

Devin saw her cast another water-based spell!

SWOOSH—

A pillar of water was launched at him!

And to dodge it...

"Graaa!"

Devin forced his body to move, jumping to the side!

Boom!

A small explosion occurred as Aria’s spell collided with the ground.

And seeing that...

’I would’ve been done for if that hit me!’

Devin thought of that!

So, with new vigilance...

"Fuuu..."

Devin let out a heavy breath, looking at Aria.

"I guess I was naive, thinking I could take her on by rushing ahead and pulling her into close combat."

He mumbled.

Then, with a serious expression on his face...

Fwip-

Devin took a defensive stance.

And opening his mouth...

"[Rock Gauntlet]"

He muttered that!

And immediately after doing so...

Tssh- tssh- tssh—

Small, solid rocks started appearing around his arms!

And soon, they covered his arms and fists, forming gauntlets!

And with that done...

"I’m ready again."

Devin whispered that under his breath!

*****

"[Water Ball!]"

Aria cast that spell again, launching four water balls!

Swiish—

They all flew toward Devin.

And looking at them...

’They’ll just come back and target me again if I avoid them.’

Devin thought!

So instead...

Psh-

Fsh-

Ssh-

Pash—!

He punched them with his rock-coated fists, making them explode!

"..."

Aria saw that and frowned.

Devin had adapted faster than she’d expected.

And so, to respond...

"[Water Ball]"

She cast the same spell?!

Though, this time...

SWOOOOSH—

More than thirty water balls appeared!

They all floated around Aria.

And seeing that...

"Wha..."

Devin was speechless!

"..."

Raye, who was just watching, frowned at the sight of it as well.

Fwoosh—

A water ball flew toward Devin.

Psh—

Devin just punched it.

Fwoosh—

But then, two more flew toward him!

Pash—

Swish—

Devin blocked one with his left arm, then avoided the other.

Though...

Fwish—

The one he dodged changed its trajectory, flying at him again faster!

"Shit."

Devin cursed in frustration.

Fsh—

And then he punched it with his right fist, making it explode!

Devin immediately looked back at Aria.

But as soon as he did...

Swish—

Swoosh—

Tens of water balls flew toward him!

’You’ve gotta be kidding me!’

Devin exclaimed internally!

Psh-

Pash—

Psh-

And then he punched and blocked most of the water balls!

Though...

"Ugh...!"

Swish—

He had no choice but to avoid the others!

This forced him to watch out for those coming back while dealing with the incoming water balls!

Psh—

Devin glanced at Aria, far away.

She was looking at him calmly.

"Ugh."

Devin bit his lips in annoyance.

He knows that he’ll lose if this goes on.

And so...

Tap-

He planted his feet onto the ground!

BAM—

And then he rushed at Aria again!

"HAAAH!!!"

Devin just crossed his arms and hoped for the best!

Bam!

"Urgh...!"

Water balls hit him all over his body...

"GRAAAAAHHH!!!"

But Devin just focused on protecting his face and front!

And seeing him getting close to her...

’Is he a bull?!’

Aria exclaimed that in her head!

"Finally!"

Devin got close to Aria!

And with just a few inches between him and her...

"HAAAA!!!"

SWOOSH—

He threw a heavy, right uppercut!

"Shit...!"

Bam-

Aria jumped backwards to avoid it...

Fwish—

"Ugh?!"

But she was cut by the stone of Devin’s gauntlet on her right cheek!

"..."

Aria then focused her attention on Devin...

"[Water Ball!]"

And she started launching more and more water balls at him!

Though...

"HAAAAA!!!"

Devin just continued rushing at her like a wild animal!

And seeing that...

’You’ve gotta be kidding me!’

Aria shouted internally!

*****

After five minutes...

"Time’s up!"

Sariel stopped Devin and Aria’s match.

And because the time ran out, it was a draw!

"That’s enough."

Sariel said.

And hearing his words...

"Tsk."

Aria clicked her tongue, she was covered with small cuts.

Then silently...

Tap- tap- tap—

She started climbing down the arena.

Sariel then looked at Devin.

He saw him smiling.

"Good job."

Sariel complimented him.

And with a smile...

"Thanks."

Devin responded.

Thud—

And then he fell on the ground, unconscious!

Devin was covered with bruises, small and big!

Every part of his body!

He continued fighting recklessly for five whole minutes, after all!

Rushing while just protecting his vital spots!

’He really didn’t give up, huh. What an idiot.’

Raye thought, seeing Devin passed out on the arena.

And although he’s thinking of that...

"..."

There’s a smile on his face.

He was happy for Devin.