The Survival of the Third-rate Villain - Chapter 268

Chapter 268: 268 – One Last Gathering
Raye and the others left the school hospital after visiting Old Man Rey.

Now, they’re currently walking toward the gate. It’s not that far away from where they are so they decided to take their time.

“…”

Tap- Tap- Tap-

Raye walked straight, not saying anything. His face was unreadable. His steps were calm, but there was a certain heaviness behind them.

‘It still feels strange… seeing him like that.’

He thought quietly to himself, his gaze locked forward. The sound of their footsteps filled the silence that none of them dared to break.

“…”

Jerusha looked at him, she couldn’t find the word to say to him. She wanted to comfort him, but every sentence that came to mind felt either too shallow or too forced.

Though, after a while—

“I’m sure he’ll wake up! Mister Rey is strong!”

She declared that, her eyes were confident as she looked at Raye.

“…?”

He turned to her, confused.

But after seeing her face, he realized that Jerusha was trying to comfort him. The seriousness on his face melted, replaced by something gentler.

A smile appeared on his face.

“Don’t worry, I’ll wake him up.”

Then he said that. His tone was quiet, but filled with resolve.

“Hmm?”

Jerusha tilted her head when she heard that, not fully understanding what he meant. But before she could even ask anything about it—

“The others are probably there, let’s go.”

Raye said that and started speeding up. He also grabbed her hand so they don’t get separated. His hand was warm, firm, and it surprised her a little.

“…!”

Jerusha was surprised. But seeing that Raye is smiling again.

“Hehe, let’s go.”

She just went with the flow. Her earlier worries disappeared as she followed him, her steps light again.

-Ugh, you’ll really think love can solve anything when you look at the two of them.

Zephyrus said, flying up in the air and watching the two.

-Meep! Mama and Papa can do anything together!

Then Pyro responded to him, he was flying just beside him.

Zephyrus looked at Pyro weirdly after hearing what he said, but remembering how old he was— he just decided to not say anything.

-‘Honestly… there’s no point arguing with him.’

He thought, letting out a tiny sigh.

*****

Raye, Jerusha, Zephyrus, and Pyro are headed to the academy’s gate.

And because of that, they went through the town. It’s at the entrance of the gate, after all.

And arriving at the town— the four of them noticed how well decorated the place was.

Students and townspeople are everywhere, booths and stalls are here and there.

Musicians are singing, dancers are dancing, and children are playing.

It was like a festival.

“I knew the academy was preparing something for our departing, but this is a bigger deal than I thought.”

Raye mumbled as he walked through the town, looking around. The cheerful noise contrasted with the quiet inside his chest.

“Well, you only went to the library, training ground, and the cabin for the past week. So you didn’t know, but this has been going on for a whole week now.”

Jerusha stated.

-Yeah, mama brought me and brother Zephyrus here! meep!

Then Pyro followed with that.

-…

Zephyrus didn’t say anything, but he feels happy being called brother by Pyro. He tried to look away so no one would notice the faint pride in his expression.

“It’s really lively here… Ugh, can’t I just leave in silence?”

Raye asked, grumbling.

“This was The Headmaster’s idea, so yeah… You can’t escape quietly.”

Jerusha told him.

And Raye frowned after hearing that.

‘Of course it was him… that old man never lets me have peace.’

[Bryan Blackwood], the headmaster of [Zion Academy].

Raye met him everyday for the past months. For what reason, you ask?

Well, for his teaching about [Telekinesis].

[Telekinesis] was Bryan’s personal, and signature magic.

Raye got a book from him before, and he also learned how to use it from then on.

Raye was probably the only one who can use this except for Bryan, so in short— it’s not a lie to call him The Headmaster’s disciple.

Anyway, because Raye wants to improve all of his skills instead as he has already reached his max rank; he had no choice but to ask The Headmaster to teach and help him.

Surprisingly though, Bryan agreed to do so easily, saying; “It’s the last thing I can give you to make sure you’re safe in your journey, why not?”

So with that— a training session between Raye and The Headmaster was established.

It was only for an hour, once a day.

But after their continued and consistent training for a few months…

Raye successfully reached a new mastery in [Telekinesis]!

Though of course, it wasn’t easy.

‘Ugh, he was such a strict, annoying old man.’

Raye thought as he remembered their training. He could still hear Bryan’s voice yelling corrections every time he lost focus.

Yes he was good at teaching, but Raye was still annoyed at him.

Anyway, just then—

“Oh, I see them.”

Jerusha said that, then she pointed somewhere.

Raye followed her finger with his eyes, and at the end of it…

He saw Leon, Aria, Allen, Lycus, Sofia, Devin, and Kyle.

The only missing person was Lena.

‘I guess she’s getting busy now with the succession race happening in the Dravenhart Kingdom.’

Raye mumbled inside his head. He wondered how she was holding up, considering the pressure waiting for her there.

He kinda feels bad for her.

Moving on…

The others noticed Raye and Jerusha as well. Devin was waving like an idiot at them.

Raye smiled and waved back, then without further ado, him and Jerusha joined the others.

…

…

*****

“Haha, it feels like we all haven’t seen each other for a long time.”

Devin said, looking at everyone. His laughter was easy, but there was a tinge of nostalgia behind it.

“Yeah, it felt short, yet long… Weird.”

Lycus mumbled, scratching the temple of his head.

“Hmm, it’s probably because we were all so focused on our own stuff. But now, we’re just here, doing nothing but talking.”

“So, it’s like this is the only time we caught up to each other properly. That’s why it feels like that.”

Raye said with a shrug of his shoulders. And hearing his reasoning, the others agreed as well.

“It’s so nice that we can all talk like this together.”

Jerusha stated, smiling sweetly.

But then—

“Too bad Lena isn’t here with us.”

She followed with that, her smile fading.

“…”

At her words, everyone went silent. They were all sad and disappointed that their group was missing one person.

After all, after this— it’ll probably be a while before they can all gather like this again… It might not even happen altogether again.

And just thinking about that…

“…”

The mood around the group became very gloomy, no one said anything for a long time.

“…”

“…”

“…”

It was getting awkward, and no one wants to say anything. Not like they have something good to say.

But just then—

“What are you guys doing? Someone might think I’m dead if you guys continue being like that.”

A familiar voice suddenly broke the silence!

“…!”

Everyone’s eyes widened, and they all immediately looked toward the direction where they heard it!

And there…

They saw a beautiful young woman with sky-blue hair and eyes. Intelligence and resolve could be seen and felt just in her appearance alone.

She was holding a book, with glasses on her eyes. And those just added to her charm.

Anyway, seeing that everyone is looking at her—

“Sorry I’m late, I was writing letters back to my retainers.”

Lena said that with a soft smile on her face.

She was embarrassed, her cheeks red.

But she was happy, knowing that the others were looking for her.