The Survival of the Third-rate Villain
Chapter 227 - 227: 227 - Catching Up [2]

"..."

"..."

"..."

The whole group became silent upon hearing Raye's story. They opened their mouths a few times, but no words came out of them.

"..."

Jerusha, who already heard some of the story before, looked at Raye with complicated eyes.

She was feeling sad that happened to him, but at the same time—she's just glad that he's back now here with them.

"So, what you're saying is that almost a year had passed for you?"

Allen asked, disbelief could be heard in his voice.

"Yeah, ten months to be exact."

Raye just casually answered.

"And you just trained and fought monsters the whole time?"

Leon added.

"Yeps."

"How the hell are you still sane?"

Lena followed.

"Pyro and Zephyrus were with me."

"I know, but still..."

Raye just answered all the questions asked to him without care. It's not like he's keeping a secret about what happened anyway.

"What rank are you now?"

Then, Lycus asked. He had sensed that Raye had gotten much stronger, and after hearing the story of what happened to him—he just couldn't contain his curiosity anymore.

"..."

Everyone went quiet after hearing that, and their focus shifted to Raye fully—waiting for his answer.

"..."

Raye looked at each of them, a teasing smile on his face. And after that, he opened his mouth.

"It's a secret, you'll know next week after the assessment duel."

Everyone groaned after hearing his response.

"Ugh, just tell us!"

Devin exclaimed.

"Meh."

But Raye just ignored him.

By the way, his story was so long that they literally finished eating minutes ago, and now—they're just talking.

The group continued asking Raye things they were curious about.

Then in the middle of it—

"Also, I got this."

Fwish~

He suddenly took out [Imperial Edge]!

SWOOSH—

A golden aura surrounded him as soon as he held it firmly in his hands. And seeing that...

"Whoa!"

"...!"

The others were surprised, especially the boys.

"..."

Leon was silent, but he was really jealous at the moment. He already got a sword much better than what Raye was holding, but it was the cosmetic effect that he's envious of.

"What the hell... I want one too..."

Allen mumbled, but he knew that even if he spent a lot of money, he wouldn't be able to find something like that.

"C-Can I hold it?"

Devin asked in excitement, stuttering. Kyle was sitting beside him, looking at the sword too in awe.

"Kyle can, you can't."

Said Raye, then he handed the sword to Kyle.

"Wha...!"

Golden aura immediately surrounded him as soon as he took the sword from Raye. He felt cool.

"Can I too?"

Lycus asked.

"Sure, you next."

"Can we too?!"

"Y-Yeah?"

Allen and Leon followed.

"Okay, go for it after Lycus."

"Hey! What about me?!"

Devin exclaimed, feeling wronged. Raye laughed seeing his reaction, then opening his mouth—

"Fine, you can go last."

He said that.

Devin's face immediately lit up and his mood elevated real quick.

Meanwhile...

"..."

"..."

"..."

The three girls just stared at them without saying anything.

Jerusha was smiling after seeing Raye laugh.

Sofia was giggling too after seeing Lycus' childish side.

"..."

Lena, on the other hand, wanted to join in and hold the sword too for the cosmetic effect.

(She asked later after all the boys were done trying the sword and Raye let her. She was satisfied with it, even smiling as she held it.)

This peaceful atmosphere of them continued. The group laughed and started catching up with each other.

Actually, everyone was doing their own things when Raye was gone, so they're not sure how the others are doing as well.

It was like, Raye was the one gluing the group together.

Which is true, because if it wasn't for him—they wouldn't have bonds like this.

In the game, Leon would know all of them, except Devin who was an extra, but the others wouldn't really be close with each other... And something like this wouldn't happen.

Raye realized that too.

"..."

He smiled seeing everyone laughing comfortably.

Then after a while—

"Haaaaa..."

He let out a silent sigh that went unnoticed by everyone.

'I want this to go on forever.'

He thought to himself.

*****

After a few hours, it got dark...

Then Lycus and the others—they decided it was time to go.

"See you later."

Raye saw them off. Beside him was Jerusha saying goodbye too.

And with that, the others left.

Pyro and Zephyrus were still exhausted so they're inside the cabin, sleeping in Raye's room.

"..."

And with all things done now, Raye started cleaning up.

"..."

Jerusha just followed after him and started helping.

"I can do it on my own, don't worry."

He said, looking at her.

"I want to help."

But Jerusha just shut him up with that.

"..."

And so with that, the two cleaned up silently.

...

They finished not long after because the others cleaned all the utensils they used after eating.

"So, are you going back to your dorm?"

Raye asked.

"Yeah."

"Hmm, I'll escort you back."

"What about the two?"

He shrugged at Jerusha's question.

"They can handle themselves, trust me. Just let them rest."

Then he responded with that.

So in the end, Jerusha just nodded her head shyly—she wanted to be with Raye for as long as possible. After all, he just got back.

*****

The two talked on their way. They didn't use magic or anything to make the walk faster. They actually even walked slowly.

They were having the time of their life.

But eventually... They reached the dormitory where Jerusha was staying at.

"Good night."

Raye said, turning to her as they stood in front of the facility.

They smiled at each other... Staring into each other's eyes for a while.

"Erm..."

"Hm? What's wrong?"

Then Raye asked when Jerusha suddenly averted her gaze bashfully.

"Umm..."

She didn't answer and just kept on fidgeting. Raye just tilted his head, looking at her and waiting what she'll do next.

But then...

Swish~

She quickly turned her head back to him. And immediately, without hesitation—

Chu-

Jerusha kissed Raye on the cheek.

"Good night... See you tomorrow."

She said before running inside the dormitory.

Creak—

Thud!

"..."

And Raye was left outside, speechless.

Then after processing what just happened—

"Haha..."

He laughed a little. His face heated up and became red.

And silently to himself...

"I've been got, huh."

He whispered that.

"See you tomorrow."

Raye added before turning around and heading back to the cabin. A wide smile on his face.

And just like that, his first day back in the academy ended.