The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

After their fight...

Devin's and Allen's stats were projected up in the air for everyone to see.

=====

Name: Devin Dustin

Age: 20

Year Level: 3

Race: Human

-----

Stamina: 115

Intellect: 72

Mana: 100

Strength: 137

Speed: 112

-----

Overall Grade: A+

Growth Rate: A+

=====

"His overall rank is higher than mine before... I was [A] rank originally when I came back here."

Raye whispered to himself after seeing Devin's status window.

'I trained for ten months... while them for only a month... I guess talent is really important, huh.'

He thought to himself, slightly feeling bitter.

Then, he turned to Allen's status window.

=====

Name: Allen Dustin

Age: 19

Year Level: 3

Race: Human

-----

Stamina: 109

Intellect: 99

Mana: 110

Strength: 120

Speed: 150

-----

Overall Grade: A+

Growth Rate: A+

=====

His stats are pretty similar to Devin's, just that his speed is ridiculously high.

Raye already expected it, but he was still surprised.

'These two are already this strong, huh... I'm curious about Lena's, Lycus', and Leon's status windows.'

And as he was thinking of that—

"Yo."

"We're back."

Devin and Allen got back.

*****

Raye, Jerusha, Lycus, Lena, Sofia, Leon, and Aria greeted the two and welcomed them back. They told them good job about their fight.

"That wasa good match."

Raye commented with a smile.

"I didn't expect you guys to go that hard."

He added.

"You both looked amazing out there!"

Jerusha followed, clapping softly.

"Seriously, that match was the best so far."

Lycus said with a smile.

"Congrats."

Lena simply greeted.

"Haha, thanks, guys! I really gave it my all out there!"

Devin happily replied, saying thanks with a bright smile on his face.

"You did great, Devin. That azure fist at the end was awesome."

Leon nodded with a smirk.

"And you were super fast, Allen. I could barely keep up with my eyes."

Then Sofia said that.

On the other hand, a frown rested on Allen's face.

"I can't believe I lost to that guy..."

He mumbled in disbelief.

Then, not long after the two came back—

"Let's start the next fight!"

Sariel exclaimed that. And before the group could even react—

"Lycus and Lena, please come back up to the arena."

Sariel continued and called for the two.

"…"

"…"

The group became silent.

No… The whole area did, as they looked toward Lycus and Lena.

They fell silent not just because of anticipation for the fight between those two—

But… It wasn't just that.

Because if the two of them are going to fight—

'Then that means I'll be fighting Leon at the end.'

Raye said in his head, glancing at Leon.

"…"

Leon was staring back at him too, not saying a single word.

Their silent exchange didn't go unnoticed.

Lycus' and Lena's eyes briefly turned to the two. And it wasn't just them—almost every student in the training ground did.

They were curious too… About that possible fight.

A rematch since the assessment duel during freshman year, second semester.

...

...

*****

Lycus and Lena stepped forward without saying a word.

Their expressions were calm—focused. No hesitation in their eyes.

As they made their way toward the arena, the atmosphere around the training ground gradually shifted.

And then—

"IT'S STARTING!!!"

"LYCUS VERSUS LENA!!!"

"I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!!"

"WHO DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO WIN?!"

"UGH! I NEED TO BUY NEW HEARING AIDS...!"

The cheers erupted, louder than ever. Deafening, even.

SWOOSH~

Their presence alone was enough to stir everyone up. The two of them were known as some of the strongest among the tertiary students.

And soon enough...

Tap-

Lycus stepped onto the arena platform first.

Shiik—

He unsheathed his personal weapons—a pair of sleek, deadly dual daggers. The blades were crimson red, gleaming faintly under the light, while the handles were deep black. Their design was simple yet menacing.

They're called the [Blood Daggers].

'Oh, looks like he got his best weapon in the game already... That's is kinda fast.'

Raye thought, seeing them.

In the game, Lycus would acquire these daggers after meeting with Sofia's father after a long time. An event then would be triggered where he would duel with the leader of the family's knight. And upon winning it—Sofia's father would grant him those weapons as a sign of recognition.

'Then if that's the case... Sofia and Lycus are dating now too.'

A mischievous smile appeared on Raye's face as he concluded that in his head.

That was the whole event is about, after all... Lycus met with Sofia's father to ask permission for his daughter's hand.

Anyway—

"..."

Lycus' aura was calm, but clearly sharp.

And just a few moments later—

Tap-

Lena got onto the arena too.

Then, out of thin air—

Fwoosh~

A wooden staff as big as her appeared in front of her!

There's a big blue orb at the top that matches her hair, and you could feel a lot of mana radiating from it.

The staff is called [Lightning Staff], straight and simple.

Fwip-

Lena grabbed it with her left hand, then stared back at Lycus.

"Her as well, huh..."

Raye mumbled.

Lena was already using her strongest weapon from the game... And how did she acquire it?

'Easy.'

Lena is a young princess of a small kingdom. It wasn't mentioned much, and she didn't say it openly to everyone because she's not really in a good relationship with her family.

She just doesn't really know how to connect with them.

But after trying to, they would become happy... Then their relationship would be fixed.

After some time, her parents would gift her anything she wanted from the castle's vault to help her in the academy.

And that's when she would come across her current weapon.

"Must be nice to be rich."

Raye grumbled to himself, remembering how he got all of his equipment.

Anyway—

"Are you both ready?"

Sariel asked that, seeing them fix their stances.

"I'm ready."

"Same here."

Lycus and Lena responded.

Sariel nodded his head, then opening his mouth—

"BEGIN!"

He announced the start of the match!

FWOOSH—!

As soon as it started, Lycus lunged toward Lena.

His advance was silent, you could only hear him rippling through the air!

On the other hand—Lena aimed her free right hand toward the closing Lycus.

"[Blast]"

Then she simply said that.

ZOOSH—!!

A single straight line of lightning came out of her palm and shot at Lycus!

But not fazed at all—

SLASH!

BZZT—

Lycus just swung his dagger and nullified it!

"..."

Lena frowned a bit, though she already expected this.

Lycus isn't someone who will go down just like that.

So with a slight swing of her staff—

ZAP—!

Another bolt came down, this time from above!

But—

Swoosh—

BAM!

Lycus vanished from his position just before the strike hit!

And the next second—

CLANG!

He reappeared right in front of Lena, both daggers clashing against the shaft of Lena's staff as she blocked just in time!

"That was fast."

She muttered.

"Not bad, right?"

Lycus replied with a smirk, then—

Swish—

He twisted his body and aimed a sweeping kick to her legs!

Bam-

Lena jumped back and pointed her staff forward again.

"[Chain Spark]"

She chanted.

ZIIISH— ZAAAP— ZOOSH—!

Then several thin whips of lightning shot out, weaving through the air!

FWOOSH~ SWOOSH—

BZZT!

Lycus ducked, dodged, spun, and parried the sparks one by one, his movements sleek and precise.

Then...

FWOOSH—

He dashed forward again, this time low to the ground, slicing upward with his left dagger—!

CLANG!

Lena blocked once more with her staff, the force sliding her slightly back. But she didn't falter.

And opening her mouth—

"[Thunderstorm]"

She calmly said that.