The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

The next day...

Raye woke up early and began doing all his morning chores.

"You’re always early..."

Old Man Rey came out of the cabin about an hour later, still yawning.

"What do you want for breakfast?"

Old Man Rey asked.

And then, with a shrug...

"Don’t know. Anything’s fine."

Raye answered.

THUCK—!

He continued chopping logs after that.

"Hmm, okay."

The Old Man sleepily nodded at Raye’s words.

Then he started preparing breakfast.

"Light a fire for me."

"[Ignite]"

Swaaaa—

*****

After breakfast...

Raye started heading to the library.

He left Zephyrus and Pyro at the cabin to accompany Old Man Rey to the Northern Forest later.

Raye had been leaving the two of them with the Old Man more often, only bringing them along if they wanted to come.

And that’s because...

’I can just summon them if I need them.’

Raye could now use spirit summoning!

He could call them whenever and wherever, and they’d appear!

It had taken him a month of training to learn this skill though...

’Jerusha said she learned it after only a few days of practicing.’

And with no mentor or anything!

She just read it in a book!

’I know I did well, but she’s making it look like I didn’t.’

Raye thought, shaking his head.

And just then...

"Ah, Raye!"

"Hmm?"

He bumped into Jerusha.

"Where are you going?"

Raye asked, noticing the many paper bags Jerusha was carrying.

"I’m headed to the orphanage. I bought some food for them on the way!"

Jerusha answered.

She looked like she was struggling to hold all the bags.

"Here, let me help."

So Raye helped him, taking most of the bags.

"Oh, no, I’m fine!"

Jerusha protested.

"..."

But Raye just ignored her and continued.

And then, after that...

"I’ll accompany you to the orphanage. Let’s go."

Raye offered!

"Aren’t you headed somewhere?"

Jerusha asked.

"That can wait. Don’t worry."

Then Raye just casually responded.

"..."

Jerusha fell silent for a moment.

But then...

"Thanks."

She smiled and replied shyly.

"It’s nothing big."

Raye nonchalantly said.

And If he could shrug, he would.

"Hmm..."

But his hands were occupied at the moment.

...

*****

Raye and Jerusha started heading to the orphanage...

"Really, thank you for helping me."

Jerusha said as they walked.

"You’ve helped me before too, so don’t worry about it."

Raye quickly replied.

And with that, they continued on their way.

Anyway...

You might think the orphanage was located in the town.

But it wasn’t!

Contrary to that...

Raye and Jerusha were now walking along the entrance to the Western Forest!

’No wonder Jerusha easily made a connection with the spirits at an early age.’

Raye thought, looking at the dense forest beside him.

Then, glancing at Jerusha...

’Hmm.’

Raye fell silent as he remembered her backstory in the game.

’We’re pretty similar, huh.’

Raye reflected, because just like him...

Jerusha also grew up in an orphanage.

She was abandoned by her parents just a few days after birth.

Nobody adopted her.

She grew up isolated, barely interacting with the other kids by her own choice.

Jerusha mostly only spoke with the nuns who took care of her as a child.

She wasn’t a happy-go-lucky back then.

And then, when Jerusha reached the age of four...

That’s when she started seeing spirits!

She immediately befriended a mid-rank spirit from the Western Forest just a few days later and made a contract with it!

’Ugh, talk about monstrous talent.’

Raye frowned, slightly eyeing at Jerusha.

Anyway, moving on...

Jerusha told the nuns about her first spirit contract.

The nuns reported it to the Zion Academy.

And upon hearing the story...

The academy became interested in Jerusha’s talent!

They invested in her, providing everything she needed to get stronger!

Food, herbal elixirs, expensive equipment!

And when Jerusha turned eighteen...

They gave her a first-tier scholarship!

(First-tier scholarship = everything free!)

’Wait... We’re only similar in being orphans. I’m not as talented or lucky as her.’

Raye thought after recalling Jerusha’s backstory.

"You okay?"

Jerusha suddenly asked, noticing Raye’s slight frown.

"Oh."

Raye snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her.

Then, with a smile...

"I’m fine, just thought of something."

Raye simply replied.

"Hmm..."

Jerusha was curious.

"Okay!"

But she decided not to pry about it.

*****

After a few more minutes of walking...

"We’re here."

Jerusha said that as they reached their destination.

"Whoa..."

Raye was surprised.

After all, the orphanage...

"..."

It was a two-story mansion!

’The academy really wants Jerusha’s talent that much, huh.’

Raye thought.

Anyway, just then...

"Oh, Jerusha!"

A nun noticed them.

"Ah, Sister is here!"

"Sister Jerusha!"

"Big sister!"

And then three children ran out of the orphanage, two boys and a girl!

They headed straight for Jerusha!

Though, upon getting near her...

"Huh?"

They stopped in their tracks, noticing Raye.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The three kids stared at Raye.

"..."

And Raye just stared back at them.

’What are these weirdos looking at?’

He asked in his head.

"Oh, who’s that with you?"

Then the nun asked, approaching Jerusha.

"He’s my junior, a friend of mine."

Jerusha quickly responded.

"Ah, hello... My name is Raye."

Raye introduced himself.

"Hello, Raye. I’m Sister Irish."

And the nun introduced herself in return.

"I would shake your hand, Sister, if I could, but my hands are occupied at the moment."

Raye said with a smile, carrying four full paper bags.

"Ah, my apologies, where are my manners. Come on in."

Sister Irish said, noticing Raye’s burden.

"It’s okay... Sorry for the intrusion."

Raye replied casually.

Then, he followed Sister Irish inside the orphanage.

"Let’s go, Jerusha."

Raye said, looking back.

"I’ll be right behind you."

Jerusha replied, smiling at him.

"Okay."

Then Raye nodded and continued walking.

Tap- tap- tap—

And when he was gone...

"Hmm..."

The three kids approached Jerusha while still eyeing at Raye.

"Sister Jerusha."

The girl called.

"Yes?"

Jerusha responded.

"He’s handsome. Is he your boyfriend?"

And then the girl suddenly asked that!

"Wha?!"

Jerusha was taken aback.

And immediately...

"No!"

She exclaimed that!

"..."

"..."

"..."

The three kids stared at her.

And then, seeing her reaction...

"Heh."

They smiled mischievously and looked at each other!