The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

The next day—

Raye woke up early.

As always, his instincts worked like an alarm clock. Before the sun had fully risen, his eyes were already open. No groggy movements. No long yawns.

"Hup."

He got up from his bed quietly and stretched his arms as he looked out the wooden window of his room.

The trees swayed softly outside, wind brushing gently, birds chirping here and there, the forest in peaceful harmony.

"Time to move."

He muttered under his breath, walking out of his room then toward the small cooking area they had just in front of the cabin.

Crack-

Then as he cracked a couple of eggs on the sizzling pan, he already had vegetables cut up to the side. Bread was toasting, deer meat was searing, and the aroma quickly spread through the cabin.

...

...

A few minutes passed—

"Oi, Pyro, Zephyrus. Wake up."

Raye called without shouting.

Pyro grumbled from Raye's room, still feeling sleepy.

-five more—

"Your portion will burn."

Raye cut in plainly.

-wha—I'm up! meep!

Then Pyro shot up, his eyes wide open.

-Ugh...

Zephyrus stirred awake more quietly, blinking as he sat up and rubbed his eyes with his wings. He always looked a bit dazed in the morning.

Anyway, not long after that... the three of them were sitting around the table. And they started eating.

It wasn't anything extravagant. Just a solid, delicious, balanced breakfast—made with Raye's skilled hands and (Cooking [I]: level 1) skill.

-nom... nom... nom...

Pyro devoured his meat like an animal. A cute one.

-Mnmmn...

Zephyrus nibbled quietly. And Raye just focused on finishing his food efficiently.

It was quiet… but comforting.

*****

After eating— Raye immediately stood up.

"I'm heading out. Get ready too."

He didn't even wait for their response. With a towel in hand and a change of clothes slung over his shoulder, he left the cabin—his pace calm.

FWOOSH—

-we're coming! meep!

-Hmm, need to clean my feathers.

…A few seconds later, Pyro and Zephyrus followed.

...

...

The three of them went straight to the nearby river.

As always, Raye took the far end where the water flowed a little stronger.

He stripped off his shirt, folded it, and placed it on a dry rock, along with his pants and towel. His body was already well-toned before—but now, after the recent breakthroughs and intense physical training… he was bulkier.

Still lean—but his physique looked more defined now.

Splash—

Raye stepped into the cold river, his expression calm.

"Fuuuuuuu..."

Then he submerged himself completely.

He stayed underwater for a few seconds before emerging and running a hand through his hair. He then began washing methodically.

Scrubbing his arms, chest, back, and face.

He didn't rush it—but it was precise. Making sure they were clean.

Meanwhile...

-Fuaaaaah~

Zephyrus was further downstream, dipping his whole body into the river with a peaceful face.

-Haaaah~ so cold... but comfy... meep...

Pyro, on the other hand, stood by the shallow area, just kicking and slapping the water like an excited little kid.

-HYAH! Eat water, nature!! meep!

He splashed around like a madman. A normal water wouldn't really hurt him now, he became already much stronger after all.

Raye glanced at him once, a bit worried.

"Be careful."

-okay! meep!

Raye ignored him after that to do his thing.

And so, they stayed there for about half an hour.

...

The sun had risen higher now. The sunlight broke through the canopy above, creating scattered golden reflections on the water.

It was refreshing.

After finishing up, Raye stood from the river, dried off, and changed into simple dry clothes before heading back.

Pyro and Zephyrus followed, walking barefoot along the forest path, dripping a little as they chatted.

When they got back to the cabin, Pyro slumped into the couch and yawned.

Zephyrus, as always, quietly sat down and started meditating by the window.

Meanwhile—

Raye walked straight into his room and closed the door.

He stood silently before his cabinet for a few seconds.

Then, he opened it and pulled out something new—

A folded, pristine white uniform.

His new Zion Academy uniform.

His old ones were already too tight, so he had to buy new ones. His shoulders had broadened. His chest had filled out. The sleeves didn't fit him anymore.

"..."

Raye looked at it silently.

Snow-white. Untouched. Never worn.

He unfolded the shirt first—a clean light tunic-style white long sleeve, with dark silver trimmings and a soft collar.

He wore it slowly.

Then the matching white trousers.

The fit was perfect now.

He glanced at himself in the small mirror by the side of the room.

"...I look like a handsome snowman again."

He muttered.

He didn't mind it now, though.

Fwip~

Raye tightened the cuffs, fixed the collar, adjusted the belt, and combed his hair a little with his fingers.

No need for excessive styling. He looked good enough. And just like that—

"...Alright."

He stepped out of the room.

Tap.

"Pyro, Zephyrus, let's go."

Both of them looked at him after they got called.

Pyro blinked.

-woooah... you look clean, papa! meep!

He said.

-I agree.

Zephyrus nodded with a slight smile on his face.

It's been a while since they saw Raye in academy's uniform.

Anyway, without another word—Raye just smiled at them and waved his hand before stepping outside the cabin.

-let's go! meep!

-Coming.

Pyro and Zephyrus quickly followed after him.

Then, when the three of them got outside—

They all took flight, not upward though.

S W O O O S H—!!!

But straight ahead.

The three figures soared through the air, wind swept across their faces.

Their destination was just close— [Xapham Hall].

...

...

*****

It only took the three a minute or so to reach their destination.

And once they reached the edge of the plaza—

Tap.

Raye's feet gently hit the ground.

Fwip~

-meep!

-...

Pyro and Zephyrus landed on his shoulders.

No flying inside the Xapham Hall, after all.

No magic either.

So Raye started walking.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Each step of his white boots echoed softly along the polished flooring of the entrance.

There were other students around, probably headed to where he was going too.

Everyone was wearing their best uniforms. Cleaned. Ironed. Some had badges and pins.

Well, it's obvious they would dress up.

Today was the day of the Inter-Academy Ceremony.

An event involving Zion and the three other top-tier academies across the continent.

[Crimson Academy], [Night Academy], and [Zephyros Institute].

All of the students are required to attend.

And Raye—

A special seat had been prepared for him in this.

So proudly and confidently—

"..."

-...

-...

Tap. Tap. Tap—

He started heading to the auditory room.