The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

=====

{Freshman Ranking}

1. [Raye Alvah - S Class]

Written Examination Rank: 2/1047

Physical Examination Rank: 1/1047

2. [Lena Dravenhart - S Class]

Written Examination Rank: 1/1047

Physical Examination Rank: 2/1047

3. [Leon Lightbringer - S Class]

4. [Allen Iverson - S Class]

5. [Lycus Fenrath - S Class]

=====

"..."

Lycus, Devin, and Sofia were silent, staring at Raye’s name at the very top of the ranking.

They had expected it, but it was still shocking nonetheless!

’He’s really awesome.’

They all thought in unison.

On the other hand...

"..."

Raye was silent as well.

Though...

’Haha, I made it.’

He had a huge grin on his face!

Of course, he already knew he’d be in [S Class]—he defeated someone from that class!

And he was one of the few who took academics seriously. Most freshmen focused on raising their fighting abilities, after all.

So as soon as he defeated Allen, Raye already knew what was coming!

He just wanted to see it himself...

"..."

The fruit of his hardships.

*****

Raye and the others immediately left the area after checking their class placements.

Lycus was in the same class as Raye, [S Class].

Devin got into [A Class], while Sofia remained in [B Class].

After that...

Devin headed to one of the outdoor training grounds.

"Wait for me in the [S Class]."

He said with a smirk before separating from the others.

Lycus and Sofia went off to eat somewhere together—they wanted to celebrate Lycus’s achievement of making it into [S Class].

"See you, Raye."

"Later."

Sofia and Lycus said before leaving.

Raye just waved them goodbye.

And now...

-Where are we headed?

-Meep?

Raye was left alone with Zephyrus and Pyro.

"Hmm..."

He thought to himself for a moment.

Then...

"I’ll go to the library. You two can head back to the cabin."

Raye said that.

-You sure?

-Meep?

Zephyrus and Pyro asked.

"Mhm."

Raye nodded his head.

"Take care of The Old Man for me."

He added.

-Hmm, okay.

-Meep!

Zephyrus and Pyro replied.

And after that...

FWOOSH—

SWISH—

They flew away, heading back to the cabin.

-You’re slow, Pyro!

-MEEEEEEP!

Raye just watched them.

And when they disappeared from his sight...

"..."

Tap- tap- tap—

Raye headed to the library.

’I need to get ready.’

He thought, his face was all serious.

*****

[Brave Hearts], the game where Raye was transmigrated into.

The fight between the protagonist and the original Raye at the beginning was merely considered a tutorial stage.

But that wasn’t all—the entire freshman year of the protagonist in the game...

It was the easiest part of the game!

The real challenges began when the protagonist became a sophomore!

It was pretty obvious, to be honest. There were only two Acts in the game so far, and everything took place entirely within the academy!

Also, why do you think everyone had an artifact that protected the wearer from life-threatening attacks by summoning a magic barrier and reducing damage by 50%?

The freshman year focused on completing side quests and strengthening the main characters.

No real villains had even appeared yet!

So far, the only enemies introduced for Leon were Raye, a perverted sophomore, and students from the lower classes!

Anyway...

’There are less than five months left in the second semester.’

Raye thought, reading a book about magic engineering.

’And after that, hell will open... literally.’

He added, frowning.

Raye now had enough money to live a leisurely and normal life for a few years.

He could leave the academy, start a small business, and be well off for the rest of his life!

The only reason he hadn’t left yet wasn’t because he wanted to finish his studies...

But because the academy was actually one of the safest places in the world for him!

’In the game, when the demons started their move, a lot of cities and places were destroyed in a matter of days.’

But the Zion Academy...

’It remained standing until the end of the game.’

In short, Raye concluded that staying here would be much safer than going out!

Though...

This was the place where the story would unfold.

And so...

’I need to get much stronger than I already am.’

Raye declared in his head.

*****

Raye read for hours until it started getting dark outside.

He headed back to the cabin around 7 PM.

he ate dinner with Old Man Rey and the others.

After that...

Raye began training his spells and swordsmanship.

And then, around 9 PM...

Jerusha arrived all excited.

"Congratulations on getting into [S Class]!"

She said with a bright smile.

"Thanks."

Raye replied.

And then they immediately started their private lessons on spirit magic!

...

...

’Ahhh, I’m tired.’

Raye thought, lying on his bed.

Zephyrus and Pyro were now sleeping—it was already 11 PM, after all.

Anyway...

Raye was still thinking about the scenarios that would unfold once he became a sophomore.

He felt worried and a bit nervous, to be honest.

"..."

But he just closed his eyes.

’All I need to do is survive. The main characters will handle the rest.’

Raye thought.

’Instead, I should focus on what’s coming tomorrow.’

And then added.

After all...

Tomorrow would be Raye’s first day as an [S Class]!

*****

The next day...

Raye woke up early and started chopping wood logs.

Old Man Rey came out of the cabin later and began preparing breakfast.

Zephyrus and Pyro got up not long after.

And with that, the three of them had breakfast.

Following that...

Old Man Rey and Raye hunted in the Northern Forest as usual!

They also checked the traps set up by the Old Man, returning to the cabin after a couple of hours with a wild boar and a deer!

They caught another deer but let it go as it was still a fawn.

Anyway...

Raye then took a bath after returning, donned his best uniform...

And around 9 AM...

"I’m off."

He left for the academy!

Zephyrus and Pyro stayed behind at the cabin.

...

...

And currently...

"..."

Raye was standing in front of a door.

It had a gold plate attached to it that read [S Class].

"Fuuuu..."

Raye took a deep breath.

And then, with a poker face...

’Here goes nothing.’

CREAK—

Tap—

Raye entered the room.