The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

After the match...

"Quick, follow me."

"Yes, sir!"

The healers rushed to Leon, immediately beginning their work on him right there in the arena.

Out of everyone, Leon had suffered the gravest injuries.

If the fight had taken place outside the academy, he wouldn’t have survived.

’As expected of the protagonist, always pulling off something cool at the end.’

Raye thought, recalling the last moments of Leon and Lena’s match.

Meanwhile...

Tap- tap- tap—

Lena quietly returned to the resting area where Raye and the others were waiting.

"Good work out there."

Raye greeted her casually.

"I didn’t even win."

Lena replied, her tone sharp.

But just shrugging his shoulders...

"He got lucky, manifesting his aura at the last second. Everyone knows you had that match won."

Raye said that.

"That’s right."

Devin followed, looking at Lena with a serious expression.

"Mhm."

The others murmured, nodding in agreement.

"..."

Lena’s lips curled into a small smile as she glanced at her friends.

And then, slightly embarrassed...

"Thank you."

She replied to them.

*****

After a while...

Once Leon was healed and both he and Allen regained consciousness...

Tap- tap- tap—

The headmaster, Bryan Blackwood, walked toward the arena where Raye had fought earlier.

"..."

All eyes turned to him, the students falling silent as they watched his measured steps.

Finally...

Tap—

Bryan stopped in the center of the arena.

"First of all, I would like to congratulate you all."

He declared, his voice enhanced with mana so everyone could hear clearly.

"You performed admirably in the physical examination. Witnessing your growth in such a short period has been inspiring."

Bryan added, a proud smile on his face.

"..."

Raye frowned slightly. He noticed that Bryan glanced at him when he said that.

Anyway...

"Blah blah blah blah—"

The headmaster continued talking.

But Raye didn’t listen to him.

After all, Bryan was just saying pleasantries, praising the students for completing the Class Re-evaluation.

Then, after a few minutes...

"I will ensure that this time, class placements are fair."

Bryan stated that firmly.

’Finally, it’s over.’

Raye thought, he was about to stand up.

But then...

"Before I dismiss you all, I have one more thing to add."

Bryan suddenly announced that, halting Raye in his tracks.

"Huh?"

Raye was confused.

And what followed that left him even more surprised!

"One student’s performance during the physical exam caught my attention."

Bryan began, a smile playing on his lips.

"They’ve shown remarkable growth—literally from zero to a hundred."

He continued.

"He was once a troublemaker, but he’s clearly turned things around."

Bryan then paused, letting the weight of his words settle...

"And so, I would like to take this opportunity to commend his hard work with a scholarship."

And then he declared that!

"?!"

The announcement sent shockwaves through the crowd!

After all, at Zion Academy...

A scholarship is a mark of excellence!

Awarded only to the most talented students like Jerusha, Lena, and Leon!

And the students, without even hearing the name, already knew who Bryan was referring to!

Fwish—

"..."

All their heads turned to one person.

And at the end of their collective gaze...

"..."

Raye stood confidently, his calm demeanor unwavering.

And as they had expected...

"Raye Alvah, please join me here in the arena."

Bryan called out to him!

*****

(Raye’s POV)

Tap- tap- tap—

I walked toward the headmaster, my steps steady despite the weight of everyone’s stares.

Their were looking at mr with envy, awe, anger, and more.

Whispers buzzed around me, but I ignored them, maintaining a composed expression.

"..."

Zephyrus wasn’t with me. He was back with Jerusha and the others.

Anyway, not long...

Tap—

I reached the headmaster.

I’m standing beside him now.

"Nice to meet you again."

He greeted with a warm tone in his voice.

"It’s nice to see you well, Headmaster."

I replied politely, giving him a slight bow.

"..."

The headmaster just nodded his head in acknowledgment.

Then, without further delay...

"To honor your dedication and remarkable progress, I, Bryan Blackwood hereby award you a third-tier scholarship."

He declared that, handing me a rolled-up certificate!

"..."

I quickly accepted it, a small grin forming on my lips.

"Thank you."

I said, my voice steady.

And then...

Clap- clap- clap—

Applause erupted from the crowd!

"Congratulations!"

"You deserve it!"

I heard some of them cheering for me.

Then, I saw Professor Sariel at the corners of my eyes...

"..."

He was clapping and smiling while looking at me.

Professor Jacqueline too, and the other professors that I’m under in are doing the same.

"..."

It made me smile.

And when I turned to Jerusha and the others...

"CONGRATS!!!"

"GOOD JOB!!!"

They were cheering wildly, jumping in excitement.

And seeing them like that...

"Haha."

A soft chuckle escaped my lips.

*****

Moments later...

As the applause faded, silence settled over the arena once more.

I thought it was over—that the headmaster would finally dismiss us all and I could leave.

But then...

"Raye."

He called, drawing my attention again.

"What is it?"

I asked, slightly nervous.

"I have a small favor to ask."

The headmaster replied.

Thump- thump- thump—

My heart slightly raced.

’Is this the catch? The price for the scholarship?’

I wondered.

But before my thoughts could spiral further...

"Can you show us your current stats?"

The headmaster requested that.

"Huh?"

His request caught me off guard.

"Is that all?"

I asked.

"Yes, that’s all."

The headmaster confirmed.

And then, feeling relived...

"Okay."

I replied with a smile on my face.

’I thought it was something serious.’

This is no problem for me.

After all, it’s not like I’m trying to hide my stats.

...

...

A few minutes later...

The academy staff brought out the artifact used to measure stats and set it up in the arena.

The headmaster informed the students they could leave if they wished.

But strangely...

"..."

No one moved. They all stayed, eyes fixed on me.

Anyway, now...

Tap—

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I’m standing on the platform.

It was the same artifact used to measure my stats before.

"Ready whenever you are."

The headmaster said, watching me intently.

"..."

I gave a brief nod.

Then, without beating around the house...

"Status."

I muttered that.