The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

-Do you think using the [Phoenix Feather] on him can wake him up?

Zephyrus suggested that.

"...!"

Raye's eyes widened when he heard that from Zephyrus.

-meep?!

Pyro too was surprised, turning his head toward Zephyrus as if trying to confirm if he heard it right.

"..."

-...

They both looked at the old man sleeping peacefully in the bed, his face was calm, but his body still weak and unmoving.

"..."

Raye silently considered the possibility.

If they used the remaining [Phoenix Feather]— and if Old Man Rey ranked up twice... it might actually work.

It might actually wake him up.

But...

Raye already told Pyro that he would give the [Phoenix Feather] to him.

He clenched his fist, a tinge of hesitation flickering in his chest.

But at that moment—

-Papa...

Pyro turned to him.

-Let's just use it for Grandpa Rey instead!

Then he said that, without even a shred of hesitation in his voice! He even sounded excited.

(Ohh Pyro, you're such an angel...)

"...!"

Raye blinked.

He stared at Pyro. That sweet, bright-eyed spirit who always gave his all for others.

"...Are you sure?"

He asked.

And with a small, cute smile on his face—

-I'll still become strong even without it! meep! I'll train really really hard, you'll see!

Pyro exclaimed that to reassure him.

"..."

Raye smiled.

A soft, genuine one.

He reached out his hand and gently patted Pyro's head.

"Thank you, Pyro... Really."

He softly mumbled.

-meep... hehe...

Pyro giggled at the pat.

But then—

-Sorry to ruin the moment...

Zephyrus suddenly spoke again, looking toward the two of them.

-But it's not going to be that easy.

"...?"

Raye looked at him, blinking.

"What do you mean?"

He asked, sensing the sudden change in Zephyrus' tone.

The wind spirit frowned slightly before opening his beak again—

-The [Phoenix Feather] is a high-grade, extremely powerful spirit artifact. I know I suggested it, and it could actually work... But it'll be hard.

He started explaining.

-You already know what happens when it's used, Raye...

"It forcefully increases one's mana vessel and unlocks latent powers..."

Raye answered.

Zephyrus nodded.

-That's right. But it does that by infusing the user with Phoenix's residue mana. It's not ordinary fire. It's not just hot—it's a divine fire meant to purify and reshape from the inside.

"..."

Raye and Pyro became silent.

-Even you, Pyro, a fire elemental spirit, can get devoured by it if you're not strong enough.

-...

Pyro's small body tensed up.

-Then what more for Old Man Rey... who's just a frail human?

Zephyrus asked.

"..."

That hit harder than Raye expected.

He looked at the bed again.

He gritted his teeth.

"But there has to be a way to make it work..."

He said.

"...Right?"

Zephyrus didn't answer immediately. He glanced down for a few seconds.

Then slowly... He opened his beak again.

-There is.

"...!"

-...!

Raye and Pyro immediately turned to him.

"What is it?"

Raye asked.

And with a slight frown, Zephyrus answered quickly—

-We need the help of the Great Ice Spirit.

"..."

"..."

Both Raye and Pyro didn't say anything.

"The... Great Ice Spirit?"

Raye repeated after a short pause.

Zephyrus nodded.

-Yes. The Great Ice Spirit of the North. She's the only one who can suppress the Phoenix Flame enough to prevent it from completely destroying Old Man Rey's body.

"Wait, you know her?"

Raye asked.

Zephyrus snorted.

-Of course I do. She's an ancient spirit like me. She's a bit older though.

Raye tilted his head.

"So where is she then?"

And opening his beak again—

-She lives in the Demon Territory.

Zephyrus flatly declared that.

"..."

"..."

Silence.

The room suddenly felt cold.

Raye just blinked at him.

"...Demon Territory?"

Zephyrus nodded with a serious expression.

-And I don't mean just near the borders. Her last known resting place was deep within one of the oldest dungeons in their lands.

"..."

"Of course it is."

Raye sighed, scratching the back of his head.

"But if that's what we need to save Old Man Rey... then we'll go."

-meep...

Pyro softly called out to him, a worried look in his eyes.

Raye turned to him and smiled.

"Don't worry, Pyro. I won't drag you into anything reckless. We'll prepare first... gather everything we need... get stronger."

He reassured him.

Zephyrus nodded.

-We'll need a lot of preparations. That place isn't somewhere we can just waltz in to.

He warned.

Raye just crossed his arms, his expression firm.

"Then it's settled."

"We'll find her."

"And we'll bring back what we need to save him."

The three of them stood there quietly for a moment—looking at Old Man Rey.

Then—

-should we tell mama and the others?

Pyro asked.

Raye shook his head.

"Not yet."

He answered.

"Let's make sure this will work first. Then we'll decide."

"Until then... not a word."

Pyro and Zephyrus nodded.

-Got it.

-meep.

They understood.

Raye took one last look at the sleeping old man and softly mumbled—

"Just wait a little longer, Old Man..."

"...We'll bring you back."

Raye softly muttered as he stared at Old Man Rey's peaceful face.

Even though the old man looked calm—too calm—it made Raye uneasy. As if at any moment... he might slip away forever.

"..."

Raye clenched his fists.

He won't let that happen.

Zephyrus and Pyro stood silently beside him, both of them understanding the weight of Raye's thoughts. Despite their small forms, the air around them was heavy with resolve.

After that—

"Let's go for now."

Raye finally said.

They had made a decision. The path forward was clear. There's no turning back.

Tap—

He turned away from the bed.

Pyro followed behind him without saying anything, while Zephyrus hovered beside him, his wings fluttering quietly.

They slowly walked out of the hospital room, the door softly closing behind them.

Click—

The hallway outside was quiet, with only a few staffs moving about.

"...We'll train much harder starting tomorrow."

Raye suddenly said as they exited the building.

"I need to get stronger."

Zephyrus and Pyro thought the same as him, serious expressions on their faces.

To reach the Demon Territory...

They'll need everything they've got.

*****

Tap- tap- tap—

As the three of them walked under the warm morning sun, a gentle breeze brushed past them.

Swoosh~

"..."

The peaceful scenery of the academy grounds didn't match the weight in their hearts.

But none of them complained.

They had a goal now—clearer than ever.

Raye glanced at the sky.

"...Demon Territory, huh."

He mumbled.

That place was far. Dangerous. Unknown.

But it didn't matter.

'I will have to go there anyway after I became the representative of the academy.'

He shrugged.

Also, if the answer to saving Old Man Rey was there—then that's where they'll go.

No matter how long it takes.

No matter who stands in their way.

They'll make it.