The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

[Act II : The Clash of Classes] was the last important scenario during the freshman year.

And so, for five months...

Leon and the other main characters just ran around completing subquests and raising their stats.

Meanwhile...

Raye stayed focused on his training and studies, steadily raising his stats in the background without involving himself with the main characters!

And now, at this very moment—

TINGG—!

Raye was locked in combat with Lycus and Devin in the Northern Forest!

*****

Every day around 7 PM...

Raye, Lycus, and Devin meet in the Northern Forest for a free-for-all brawl.

What for?

For training, of course!

"Hmm, your new gauntlets look sturdy."

Raye commented, eyeing Devin’s gear.

"Yeah, they suit you."

Lycus then followed.

They had paused their fighting for a break and were now sitting together on a fallen tree trunk, with Raye in the middle.

Anyway...

"Right? It’s made of condensed steel!"

Devin proudly responded.

"There are also crystals embedded in the knuckles that are excellent magic conductors, so I can still imbue my attacks with spells."

And then he added an explanation.

"It was expensive, but worth every coin!"

Devin looked extremely pleased with his gauntlets.

And seeing him like that...

"Hmm..."

Lycus became a bit jealous, glancing down at his battered daggers.

Lycus uses dual daggers to fight.

"Maybe I should get custom weapons too."

He mumbled.

"Oh, I know a great blacksmith! I’ll introduce you."

Devin offered enthusiastically, hearing his voice.

Then, out of nowhere—

"Should I get something too?"

Raye asked that.

Lycus and Devin turned to him, their expressions instantly souring.

"...?"

"What?"

Raye questioned, confused by their reactions.

And then, pissed...

"Look at your fucking weapons!"

Devin shouted, pointing at the two swords beside Raye!

On Raye’s left was the elegant and flashy white sword, a blade as sharp as it was ornate!

It was the [Celestria]!

Then on his right was the intimidating black sword, a sturdy, no-nonsense sword that radiated power!

It was Ivan’s sword—or, as Raye named it, the [Nyx]!

Lycus and Devin had spent the past five months clashing against these swords, and not once had they seen a dent on their blades!

That’s why they know that these swords are no ordinary weapons!

"Why would you even need a custom sword when you already have those?"

Lycus asked, gesturing toward Raye’s swords.

And then with a frown on his face...

"It doesn’t have to be a weapon, dumbasses!"

Raye retorted loudly, scowling at the two.

"I meant a custom light-armor!"

"Ohhhh..."

"Ahhhh..."

The two responded awkwardly, finally understanding.

"I’ll recommend you to a great armor smith then!"

Devin said with a big smile on his face.

And then looking at his grin...

’Devin’s stupidity is getting into Lycus. This is bad.’

Raye thought of that, kinda scared that Devin might infect him too.

But then, suddenly—

"Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask... But aren’t you in the magic course, why do you fight mostly in melee?"

Devin suddenly asked that, changing the topic.

"I fight in close quarters too, but that’s because of my situation. I can’t emit magic, after all."

"But you’re different—you straight-up rush at your opponent even though you’re supposed to be a mage."

Devin added.

"Right... I almost forgot that Raye is in the magic course."

Lycus then muttered, now looking at Raye curiously.

"..."

Raye paused for a moment.

And then, casually...

"Just because."

He answered that.

"Haah?!"

Devin looked at him, clearly unsatisfied with his vague response.

’I can’t really just say that I’m not the real Raye who enrolled in the magic course, but someone else who’s more confident in close combat.’

Raye thought, choosing to ignore Devin’s frustration.

*****

Anyway, after resting for a few minutes...

Lycus, Devin, and Raye decided to have a go again at the free for all brawl.

"..."

Raye took a stance a few tens of meters away from Devin and Lycus.

[Celestria] was on his left hand, and [Nyx] was on his right.

Raye looked at the two...

But they’re looking at each other.

And seeing this...

"Ugh..."

Raye frowned.

Because this means...

’They’re gonna team up against me!’

Raye exclaimed in his head.

This is how it usually happens when the three of them fight, because of their odd count...

One is forced to take on two people at once!

Earlier, Devin and Raye teamed up against Lycus.

’So now it’s my turn, huh.’

Raye thought.

And just as he expected, as soon as they started...

BAM-!

SWOOSH—

Lycus and Devin immediately rushed at him!

"..."

Raye remained calm, looking at them.

Tap-

Lycus reached him first!

Swish—

Lycus swiftly swung his dagger at Raye, aiming at his face!

"...!"

Fwish-

Raye turned his head to the side and avoided it.

SWOOSH—

And then he swung [Nyx] diagonally upward as a counterattack!

TING—

Lycus blocked his sword with the dagger in his left hand!

Fwish—

Then Devin suddenly appeared on his left side!

"Hup!"

FWOOSH—

Devin quickly threw a powerful right straight at Raye!

CLANK—

And Raye intercepted it with [Celestria]!

Though, as both his weapons were occupied—

Swoosh—

Lycus struck again with his right dagger!

FWISH—

While Devin aimed another punch with his left!

"Urgh...!"

Bam-

Raye groaned as he leapt back to create some distance from the two!

And as he was in midair—

Fwosh-

Raye let go of the [Celestria] for a split second... 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Fwip-

"[Bang]- [Bang]—"

And then he fired two quick shots at Devin and Lycus!

Fwip—

And immediately caught [Celestria] again!

"Huh?!"

Psh-

Devin crossed his arms and blocked the attack with his gauntlets.

"...?!"

Swish—

Lycus decided to avoid it.

But as that was happening—

Tap-

Raye landed softly on the ground...

BAM—!

And he immediately kicked off and launched himself toward Devin!

Then gripping both swords tightly—

SWOOOOSH—!

Raye slashed his blades horizontally from right to left!

CLANG—!

His blades collided with Devin’s gauntlet!

"URGH?!"

Devin groaned in surprise.

"GRAAAHHH!!!"

FWOOSH—

And then he was flung away!

"You stay there for a bit."

Raye smirked and said that!