The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

Five days after the demon’s invasion...

Raye had still not woken up.

"The vacation will end in two weeks. He’ll be left behind if he doesn’t wake up by then."

Lycus mumbled, looking at Raye lying peacefully unconscious in a hospital gown.

He, Devin, Lena, and Kyle were currently in Raye’s hospital room.

"He’ll wake up before that... I just know it."

Kyle said confidently.

"Yeah, I don’t know why, but I feel the same."

Devin then added.

"Mhm."

And Lena simply nodded in agreement.

"..."

Lycus shared their sentiment deep down.

But he just couldn’t help thinking of the possibility that Raye might not recover in time!

When the four of them had learned of the incident and Raye’s condition from Jerusha that same day...

They followed her to the Academy’s hospital to check on him!

And since then, they visited daily, even taking turns staying with him in case he suddenly woke up!

It’s been days, that’s why they’re starting to worry!

But then...

"Even if the academy starts and he wakes up late, I’m sure he won’t be left behind."

Lena declared that!

The three boys looked at her.

And with a shrug...

"Well, yeah, this is Raye we’re talking about."

Devin muttered as if it were obvious!

"He started improving late, but now he’s on the top of the Freshman Ranking."

Lycus then added.

"Heck, Brother Raye survived a dungeon for a whole month! This is nothing to him."

And Kyle chimed in!

The group, along with Jerusha and Old Man Rey, had witnessed Raye’s incredible growth.

They knew this wouldn’t be the end for him!

The four of them slightly smiled, looking at Raye sleeping.

Though...

"..."

The smiles of Lycus, Devin, and Lena quickly vanished!

And as seriousness returned to their expressions...

’Raye is slowly getting ahead.’

They thought of that!

The three of them were really shocked to learn that Raye had defeated a demon worshipper and faced off against a demon.

In their group, Raye had faced the most life-threatening experiences.

And because of that, even if Lena had higher stats or Lycus was nearly his equal...

None of them felt confident that they could beat Raye in a serious fight!

"Kyle, you’re staying with Raye today, right?"

Lena then suddenly asked.

"Huh? Yeah."

Kyle answered, looking back at her.

Lena nodded her head, and after that...

"I’m going to leave now and train. See you guys later."

She announced! 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

And without delay...

Creak—

Thud-

She left the room!

Immediately after...

"Lycus, want to spar?"

Devin asked that!

And with a serious expression on his face...

"I was just about to ask you the same."

Lycus replied!

"..."

The two of them looked at each other.

And after nodding their heads...

"We’ll be going now too, Kyle. See you later."

"See you."

They said that.

Creak—

Thud-

And they left the room too!

Once again, Raye’s actions had reignited the determination of the main characters!

Everyone from the 1st Year [S Class] had heard of his feat, and now they found themselves eager to improve as well—especially Leon and Allen, who had been sparring against each other relentlessly for the past five days!

Anyway, being left alone...

Pat-

Kyle sat quietly on a wooden chair beside Raye’s bed.

"Everyone’s so busy, huh."

He muttered.

"Guess I’ll wait for Old Man Rey and Jerusha, then."

And then he added while monitoring Raye’s condition.

...

Jerusha and Old Man Rey joined him not long after along with Pyro and Zephyrus.

*****

A couple more days had passed...

It’s the seventh day after the demon’s invasion.

And the headmaster held another meeting with the professors in his office...

"How’s the progress in strengthening security?"

The headmaster, Bryan, asked.

And immediately...

"It’s done. I’m confident they won’t be able to enter the academy premises again without being detected. Even if they try to dismantle it, it’ll be harder than before and probably take months to do so."

Professor Justo confidently declared that!

"Mhm."

Bryan nodded, hearing that.

"Then, we just need to increase surveillance staff along the academy walls to stop their attempt to dismantle it, right?"

He then asked.

"Yes."

And Professor Justo quickly confirmed.

After that...

Bryan turned to Ramiel.

"Any news about the demon worshipper? Has he started talking?"

And at his question...

"Fuuu... Yeah, he began talking yesterday."

Ramiel casually replied.

Then without beating around the bush...

"The demon that attacked the orphanage was of the noblesse lineage. Though currently low rank, he has the potential to rise to a high rank."

"He was verging on mid-rank when I fought him, I’m sure of it."

He stated that!

"Oh, he’s that strong?"

Bryan muttered.

"Yeah, and their target was Jerusha."

And Ramiel added!

"What?!"

This information surprised the professors.

"Apparently, the demon wants to take Jerusha as his wife because of her spirit magic."

"?!"

But Ramiel’s next words just shocked them even more!

"So they’re trying to kidnap talented people, huh."

Professor Sariel mumbled, he looks really angry!

The meeting then shifted to finding ways on how to protect the students from being abducted by the demons...

...

At the very end of their session...

"Any other concerns we should discuss?"

Bryan asked that.

And then...

"Ah, we received a message from Duke Alvah."

Sariel spoke up!

"Huh? That bastard? What did he say?"

Bryan inquired.

"He’s asking why we haven’t kicked Raye out of the academy yet..."

And Sariel muttered that with a frown!

"What?"

Bryan scowled.

But then, with a twisted smile...

"Inform him that the son he abandoned has demonstrated remarkable improvement and rapid growth, earning a scholarship in the process."

"He’s now in the S-Class, one of the academy’s strongest students. Assure him there’s no need to worry—we have no intention of expelling him."

He announced that!

If you noticed, he holds a clear disdain for Duke Alvah.

"He’s being praised as a hero by the townspeople too. Add that."

"Got it."

Sariel responded, finding the situation amusing.

After that...

"Now, let’s discuss the upcoming event next week."

Bryan shifted the meeting’s topic once again.

"Let’s talk on how we’ll receive the professors and students from the other academies."

He said.

"And also, how we’ll dominate the upcoming competitions."

And then followed with a smirk!

That’s right!

Top students from the other academies were coming to Zion, and a friendly competition will be held!

Though, it’s only friendly in name!