The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

After taking the essence of one of the [Phoenix's Feathers]... Raye became a lot stronger, and just as he expected—it caused him to rank up twice!

And now, he's currently showing the remaining one to Zephyrus and Pyro.

-!!!

-meep...?

Zephyrus' eyes widened and a shocked expression appeared on his face. Pyro just tilted his head, unsure what he was looking at, but still...

-meep...

He's attracted to it.

-You said you already took one, so you originally had two? Where did you get them?

Zephyrus asked in disbelief, looking in front of him.

"I got it from my biological father before we left the Alvah Dukedom."

Raye replied. Then, he started explaining how he thinks the Alvah Family has some connection with one of the Phoenixes.

-I mean, it's not far-fetched, really... Somewhere in your family's territory, a phoenix is probably nesting in it.

Zephyrus mumbled.

-This must be from the youngest ... I don't recognize the mana coming from it.

Then he added, looking at the feather.

(The youngest phoenix is at least five hundred years old.)

"Huh? You know the other two?"

Raye asked. And Zephyrus nodded as a response.

-Even Phobos knows them.

(Phobos is a Great Wind Spirit that is guarding the Northern Forest, he's in contact with Jerusha.)

'Guess old creatures stick together more than I thought.'

Raye thought before opening his mouth again.

"Do you think Pyro can consume the essence of this?"

Zephyrus squinted his eyes a bit before immediately shaking his head as an answer.

-He can, but not now... Wait till his fire gets stronger, because if it's weak, he might get swallowed up by the phoenix's flames. You already took one of them, you know what I'm talking about.

He added.

Raye remembered the ordeal he went through last night and nodded his head before putting the feather back in his spatial storage.

He was able to absorb the feather's essence through sheer will and with a bit of help from the fire resistance skill he got from Pyro.

Pyro got that skill too, he's actually immune to all fire, basically.

Though right now, Raye and Zephyrus just don't think he has the mental strength to try and absorb an essence from a superior fire being yet.

So for the time being, they'll hold onto that idea.

-meep...

Pyro was a bit disappointed by this, but he trusted the two. He agreed with them without question.

...

...

...

Days passed.

Raye tried to hide his newfound strength as much as possible so that the others wouldn't notice. He wants to surprise them at the assessment duels.

He got away with it easily as he rarely sees the them anyway, he's just mostly with Jerusha.

Jerusha noticed this big change about him, but she kept quiet and just shrugged it off. She's happy for him though.

The two of them then went on a few more dates, sometimes Zephyrus and Pyro are even with them. They also visited Old Man Rey daily, without missing a day.

And just like that...

A week had passed since Raye came back to the academy—and now, it was time for the assessment duels.

*****

(Raye's POV)

It's finally the day. I'm currently in an outdoor training ground where the assessment would take place.

Lycus, Devin, Lena, Sofia, Leon, Allen, and of course—Jerusha... They were all with me. Kyle can't come as he has a meeting.

I'm glad he's doing well even after losing his left arm.

But as if exchanging him, Aria Themis, Leon's childhood friend and the main heroine—is also here with us.

"..."

We're not really close to each other so we just act like the other person doesn't exist.

'The original Raye doesn't have a good relationship with her too.'

But it seems like Leon told her that I changed, at least she's not glaring at me with strong hatred.

Zephyrus and Pyro are currently at the cabin, they've been focused on training these past days for some reason.

Anyway, our group is occupying one of the spectating booths. We're all seated.

Today's assessments are just for tertiaries so Jerusha wouldn't fight, she's just here to cheer me on.

But currently... The other students from the lower classes are going first. We're just watching for now.

"You guys will be surprised when you see how much I improved!"

Devin exclaimed, bragging proudly.

"Oh yeah? Just watch and see."

Allen replied to him, smiling slyly.

"Hmm..."

Lycus just looked at the two, but he's smug and all. You can see the confidence in his eyes.

"..."

Leon is the same, he's just staying silent.

"What are you guys smiling about?!"

Devin exclaimed, annoyed at their looks. But the two just shrugged.

Lena, Jerusha, and Sofia laughed watching them act like kids. Aria just smiled.

And me, hearing them—

"Heh..."

I accidentally let out a mocking laugh because of excitement!

"Huh?"

"...?"

"Hm?"

"Eh?"

Everyone heard that and they turned to me.

"What's so funny?"

Lycus asked, smiling and squinting his eyes a bit. The others waited for me to answer.

And at that point...

'Argh, fuck it!'

I gave up trying to act calm.

Then with a mischievous smirk on my face...

"Just hope you guys don't get matched against me, or you'll probably lose."

I declared that with a casual shrug of my shoulders.

"Wha?!"

"Ah..."

They were speechless. But soon—

"JUST YOU WATCH, YOU LOVER BOY!!!"

Devin suddenly shouted that.

'Lover boy...?'

What a weird nickname.

"Don't get too overconfident, Raye... We got stronger too, not just you."

"That's right."

Lycus stated and Allen backed his words up.

"I know... I didn't say that because I was too confident, I'm just telling the truth."

I shot back at the two of them without stuttering. They frowned at my words, but smiled afterward.

"I hope you're not just talking big."

Leon followed, looking at me.

"Talking big? I even humbled it down by saying 'probably'."

Then I responded to him.

A weird, competitive but friendly atmosphere surrounded us boys.

On the other hand, Lena, Sofia, and Jerusha are just looking at us silently. They're already used to us acting like this.

"...?"

Though, Aria is a bit confused—it's her first time seeing Allen and Leon act like this.

"Don't worry, they're always like that."

Lena said to her.

"Is that so..."

Then she replied back, mumbling.

...

...

And just like that... A few hours passed by.

All from the lower classes finished their duels.

Now... [S CLASS] is on the roster.