The arena was massive.
Circular, carved into the side of a floating mountain, and large enough to fit a mid-sized dragon taking a nap. Rows of ascending stone seats wrapped around it, filled with students, instructors, and nobles wearing smug expressions like fashion accessories.
Magical screens hovered in the air, showing close-ups of each trial.
And on one of them?
Was me.
Theo Duskblood.
Villain. Disgrace. Walking slap-machine.
System Notification: "Trial of Entry – Group E" Now Beginning
Objective: Survive for 5 minutes OR impress the instructors. Optional: Show off. Bonus: Humiliate a protagonist.
Warning: Failure will result in public shame, possible expulsion, and a permanent record titled "This Guy Sucks."
I cracked my neck and looked around the waiting zone.
Sixteen students stood with me—most of them buzzing with raw elemental aura. Flames danced in palms. Pebbles floated around one guy's head. Someone else was breathing little snowflakes.
And then there was Ares Flameheart.
Our righteous protagonist.
He stood ten feet away in a dramatic crimson coat, sword gleaming across his back, golden eyes fixed on me like I'd murdered his favorite kitten.
"You shouldn't be here," he muttered under his breath.
I smirked.
"And yet here I am. Same trial group. Same stage. Fate really wants you to lose to me again."
Villainy +2
Ares Flameheart's ego: cracking slightly.
"Begin!" the instructor barked.
Combat Trial: Start
Immediately, three students launched spells.
A wave of dirt surged forward from a smug earth user. Air blades sliced across the field from someone who actually trained. Fire arced across the sky from Ares, because of course it did.
I did what any intelligent, underpowered villain would do.
I ran.
"System," I hissed. "Any tips?"
[Tip: You're weak. Don't fight head-on. Survive. Scheme. Be annoying. Win dirty.]
I ducked under an ice spike and dove behind a stone pillar.
My heart pounded. My coat flapped. The breeze tickled my face dramatically.
I peeked out and spotted a girl with a water whip battling a twin-bladed freak spinning like a blender.
"Time to improvise," I muttered.
Air Affinity – Rank: Unawakened
I focused.
My mana stirred. Thin tendrils of wind tickled my fingers. I waved my hand dramatically—
And nudged a cloud of arena dust straight into the eyes of the earth user.
"GAH! MY EYES!"
He tripped over his own summoned rock.
[Cheap Shot Success! +10 System Points]
["Creative Cowardice" Passive Progress +1]
Next target: the water girl.
She was dancing beautifully—too beautifully. I subtly angled my hand, channeling just enough air to lift her skirt mid-spin.
She shrieked, slipped on her own water trail, and faceplanted.
Crowd Reaction: Mixed laughter, 3 nobles fainted, someone clapped ironically.
[Villainy +5. Air Affinity Proficiency +1.]
I turned to see Ares charging straight at me.
Great. Time to die.
Ares Flameheart: Activated
"Your games end now, Duskblood!"
Flames roared around him, his blade erupting into a flaming crescent as he lunged.
I dodged, barely. My coat sleeve caught fire.
"SYSTEM! HELP!"
[Emergency Defense Unlocked – Crimson Resonance: BLOOD TETHER]
Cost: Free (Newbie Benefit)Effect: Latch your blood to target's skin on contact. Lasts 3 seconds. Range: 1 meter.]
As his blade slashed downward, I let him nick my arm.
The blood sprayed.
And I snapped my fingers.
[CRIMSON TETHER – ACTIVATED]
A thin red thread of my blood shot from my hand to his wrist—latching on like a cursed leech.
"What—?!" Ares barked.
His flame surged uncontrollably. His sword recoiled.
Effect: Disruption. Opponent's aura destabilized. Minor confusion. Bonus: Very gross.
I kicked him in the knee while he flailed and rolled away dramatically.
The crowd gasped.
[Quest Progress: Humiliate a Protagonist – 60% Complete]
Instructor's Podium
Headmaster Serion raised a brow. "...Creative."
One instructor chuckled. "He's ridiculous. But effective."
Another nodded. "Fights like a rat. I like it."
Time Remaining: 0:31
I sprinted across the arena, using my newfound slightly better than breeze control to lift debris, redirect attacks, and look flashier than I actually was. A wave of earth shattered behind me. Fireballs missed by inches. I backflipped over a fallen log (completely unnecessary).
"THEO DUSKBLOOD!" Ares shouted. "FACE ME PROPERLY!"
I turned around mid-sprint.
"Face this!"
I flung a handful of arena sand in his eyes.
Direct Hit. Ares Flameheart: Blinded. Protagonist Rage Level: MAX.
[Quest Complete: Humiliate a Protagonist]
+150 System Points. Title Unlocked: "Combat Menace" – You now receive 10% more crowd attention during fights.
Ares tripped, collided with the water girl, and they both tumbled into the dirt.
Beautiful.
Trial Ends
"Time!"
A crystal bell rang.
Everyone froze.
A screen displayed the results:
Top Damage: Ares Flameheart
Top Technical Score: Earth guy
Top Survival: Me
"Theo Duskblood – Trial Passed"
The crowd murmured.
Some booed. Others laughed. A few cheered—ironically, but I'd take it.
I stood in the center of the field, coat torn, blood dried on my hand, smirking.
"I'm not strong."
"I'm not talented."
"But I am the villain."