The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

"..."

Everyone in the room was silent, they got serious when they heard Sariel's words.

Everyone immediately knew that what's about to be said next... is a serious matter.

"Mhm."

Sariel nodded in satisfaction seeing that.

Then opening his mouth—

"Anyway, I wouldn't be the one telling the news. It'll be handled by our special guest."

He calmly said that.

Tap—

Sariel stepped aside and went back to where Ramiel and the others were after that.

And then in that moment—

Tap-

The second prince stepped forward.

His expression was no longer calm and friendly like before. No longer smiling, no longer soft. His footsteps were slow but firm... and with every step, the room tensed up more.

"..."

He stopped and stood in front of the podium.

His golden eyes scanned the room.

Then a small, solemn smile appeared on his face.

"I hate to be the bringer of such news."

He started.

"But it is my responsibility as a prince... and as someone of this Empire."

Then he added, a resolute look on his face.

He took a moment to breathe in—

And then without beating around the bush, and with a serious, heavy tone...

He dropped the bomb.

"The demons are starting to move again."

He declared. And the whole room froze.

His next words were slow and firm.

"They've become more aggressive... their power is growing, and their numbers aren't what they used to be."

"And the reason for that—"

He paused.

His expression turned colder.

"—Is because the slumbering Demon King... is nearing his awakening."

Then the second prince, Aurelian Rakon, declared that with a firm voice!

GASP—

"Wha..."

"I-Is that true...?"

"No way..."

Murmurs erupted from the crowd, which was to be expected.

Shocked faces everywhere.

Every student in the hall froze for a second—then started whispering, talking, reacting all at once.

"...!"

Leon's eyes widened.

FWIP-

Allen clenched his fists.

"I... I didn't hear any of this..."

Lena leaned forward in her seat, stunned.

They are high status nobles, Lena is even a princess! But even her... She has no idea about all of this...

This was huge news.

Then moving on— the second prince, Aurelian Rakon, continued speaking.

His voice cut through the noise like a blade.

"The demons started attacking small villages from the borders a few months back. Remote places that didn't have much protection..."

The room went totally silent again after he said that

He looked down, and opened his mouth again.

"But now— they've started attacking cities as well."

Aurelian's face crumbled into a frown as he said that.

"Using demon contractors... and dark magic... they've spread their influence."

He raised his head again.

"And just last night…"

His tone dropped.

"A small city in the south was completely destroyed."

Then he declared that.

"No survivors."

His words echoed in the hall.

"Be it child... or adult..."

"Human... or animal..."

"Noble... or commoner..."

"Rich... or poor..."

"Man... or woman..."

"They were all annihilated."

He said solemnly.

"And by the time our knights arrived to aid them..."

Aurelian took a deep breath.

"...The city was already bathed in blood."

"And the demons— and their contractors— were long gone."

And he muttered that.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Silence dawned on the whole auditorium again.

But this time, it was darker.

Heavier.

Students stared at the floor, some had their mouths slightly open. Some covered their lips with trembling hands.

No one laughed.

No one smirked.

No one even breathed loud.

It was fear—

Raw, silent fear.

Aurelian stepped back slightly, letting those words sink in.

Then he continued speaking again.

"That's why to respond to this growing threat... the Royal Family, with the support of the four great Academies, has decided to act."

He looked at the crowd again. His voice getting louder and firm.

"All tertiary top-performing students— those with the highest results in exams, combat, and overall evaluation—will be granted permission..."

"To form their own party."

He paused for a bit—

"And go on expeditions outside the Academy."

Then Aurelian stated that with a clear voice.

"To slay demons and protect the Empire."

His tone was serious... but steady.

He wasn't trying to scare them. He was preparing them.

"From this day forward... those top students will be part of a new initiative."

"A new force."

He smiled faintly. Then with his lips parting—

"And they will be known as the [Hero Parties] of this generation."

Aurelian announced that.

"...?!"

"Huh?"

"What...?"

"...!"

The whole room froze. Again.

"Hero...?"

"Party...?"

Some students repeated the words, shocked.

Others were too stunned to speak at all.

A legendary name.

A thousand-year-old tale.

The Hero Party—

They were the ones who sealed the Demon King long ago, forcing it to a long slumber and greatly weakening the demons.

A group made of talented elites, chosen from all over the Empire.

And what's more surprising— was their leader was just a young beggar in the street before!

Their story was known by everyone.

But also...

So was their ending.

They all died while trying to defeat the Demon King. They couldn't kill it in the end, but they were able to buy a long time for the humans.

Anyway, now...

They were reviving that group?

Everyone was shocked.

Everyone was frozen.

Except of course, Raye.

"..."

He just stared ahead calmly.

His face was unreadable, but there was no surprise in his eyes. He already knew this was going to happen anyway.

He leaned back slightly on his seat, eyes relaxed.

Meanwhile...

Students around him kept talking in hushed voices.

"The Hero Party... really?"

"They're bringing it back?"

"No way... Will the new generation be as strong as the original just because they inherit the name of their groups?"

"What's more, it's not just the fourth year students anymore... They're gonna send top performing tertiary students out to fight demons?"

(Fourth year students are often sent outside the academy to help the knights and the royal family in demon matters, Jerusha do this too. But there are only few forth year students, as each academic year— the student counts drop drastically.)

"And did you hear what the second prince just said earlier? A whole city was wiped out..."

"Can students like us really do this...?"

Fear.

Anxiety.

Tension.

The entire room was drowning in it.

But the prince continued, clearing the fog with his voice.

"Of course, this isn't mandatory."

"Only those qualified will be selected... And even they can decline such thing, I know this is a huge responsibility and forcing it to those who don't want it is just not right."

"However..."

He narrowed his eyes.

"If you accept— we're aware that you're risking your life, that's why the royal family, and the four academies, will support you as much as we can."

Aurelian said.

"Because the moment you step out of the capital..."

He looked around.

"...You become a shield of the Empire."

His words struck deep.

Even the professors in the audience remained dead silent.

The prince then turned to the headmasters.

Each of them nodded in agreement.

Cassiel, eyes burning with quiet rage.

Ariel, expression firm behind his round glasses.

Micah, arms crossed, her sword glowing faintly by her side.

And Bryan Blackwood... Silent, but calm.

As always.

Then the prince looked back at the crowd.

"This is the beginning."

"The Demon King stirs... And we must prepare before it's too late."

He stated.

He stepped back slowly.

And then turned to Sariel.

Sariel nodded and walked up again to the center of the stage.

His usual teasing expression was gone.

He looked serious now. Grim.

But at the same time— proud.

"Everything His Highness said is true."

He said.

"And that's why... we will now begin announcing the selected students."

The students all sat straight in their seats.

Some swallowed nervously. Some clenched their fists.

Everyone was waiting.

Sariel smiled lightly seeing how tense they were.

"Remember, even if your name isn't called— this doesn't mean you're not worthy."

"This only means... your moment hasn't come yet."

He raised a finger.

"But for those who are called..."

"Your life is about to change forever."

Silence again.

Then, opening his mouth—

"Raye."

He called the first name on the list.

___________

[Drei05]: I apologize for two months of inconsistent updates, just became really busy in school because of a project. But it's a bit okay now, and I plan to get back on daily updates if I can :3

Thanks for all the support!