I Am The Game's Villain

"Isn't that a bit exaggerated...?" Victor muttered, voicing the collective incredulity.

A hushed tension settled over the group as all eyes fixed on the stadium, now a surreal spectacle of water. It wasn't just a mere pool; it was an expanse of liquid, glimmering ominously in dark hues of green.

"This is utterly absurd," Adrian Dolphis remarked sardonically, striding effortlessly atop the water he had summoned. "Just allow me to bypass this final round or better yet, declare me qualified without subjecting me to this farce of an exam."

Adrian had waged his battle solo, much like Rodolf and Alvara, and predictably emerged victorious within moments. His comrades stood outside the watery cube, occupied with subduing the opposing group, who were now being overwhelmed by waves of pressurized water, rendered unconscious by the relentless assault.

"That's enough, Mr. Dolphis!" James Raven interjected firmly, his gaze sternly fixed on Adrian, betraying his evident displeasure.

It was a familiar expression, one he had directed at Alvara and Rodolf previously. What was meant to be a mere examination underscored the glaring chasm in strength between individuals like them and the 'ordinary' candidates, who, despite being the top elites of Sancta Vedelia, paled in comparison. And as for those in Edenis Raphiel from the Third Game, well, they were from another dimension of power as well. Myrcella and Emilia, both the youngest Monarchs, were educated there after all…

"Boring, yeah," Adrian groaned in response to James Raven's stern gaze, dispelling all the water with a flick of his hand. "Retrieve those bracelets," he commanded his comrades before striding away, though not without stealing a glance at his sister, Amelia, on the distant stadium.

Amelia was engaged in her own battle, having just emerged victorious with her team in the first round. "Glad you managed not to make a spectacle of us, sister!" Adrian called out with a smirk, waving in her direction.

Amelia, unfazed by her brother's teasing, simply scoffed in response and simply nodded at her parents who were by the way truly proud of their two children who had both passed the first round easily. Amelia was evidently in no mood for jests, and who could blame her?

Certainly not Johnny.

I glanced over at John, noticing his furrowed brow as he observed Amelia. It seemed the words I had shared with him earlier hadn't been in vain after all.

[<Seems like you can't help yourself but act like a wingman, Amael.>]

'Shaddap. I just wanna him to stop creeping around Layla.'

The next games, well, they weren't exactly my cup of tea, except for those involving the significant groups.

By that, I mean, of course, the likes of Cylien and Sephira's group, Elizabeth's group, Victor and Roda's duo, and Celeste's effortlessly successful team, who breezed through the first round.

"Looks like we're in, Celes," Victor remarked with a grin, extending his hand towards Celeste, who had just concluded her bout.

"Yeah, thanks!" Celeste's bright grin, which suited her far better, had returned. She exchanged a high-five with Victor while engaging in conversation with Roda. It seemed Victor and Roda had grown closer.

I couldn't help but notice Victor finally tapping into his Vampire Blood, his strength escalating at a frightening pace.

I was beginning to recognize that cheat protagonist from the Second Game, the one who 'killed' me in the Second Game. And there he was now, flashing a grin and playfully goading me.

"Junior, your beloved brother is calling you."

Alicia, her gaze fixed on her rapier, furrowed her delicate brows, tilting her head towards Victor, whose grin faltered as his half-sister's gaze met his.

Hold that Victor.

"...he was addressing you, Senior," Alicia remarked with a neutral tone, redirecting her attention ahead—toward Elizabeth, to be precise, who had also concluded her match.

"I'm well aware of that, Junior."

A strange silence ensued before Alicia turned slowly, her expression unreadable, towards me. "Then why did you—" She halted abruptly, noticing my feigned innocence. Her gaze darkened as she chose to disregard me, shifting her focus back to nothing in particular.

A true weirdo.

[<You are teasing this poor girl.>]

"She kinda exudes that vibe, you know, where you just want to get a reaction from her, no matter what it is."

My bad.

I crossed my arms, stifling a yawn as I leaned against a pillar. It was a struggle to stay mentally engaged when the matches were this dull.

The bouts involving the main cast of the Second Game facing off against mobs were particularly tedious, often ending in mere seconds. It was a sobering realization. Surprisingly, the fights between groups of mobs seemed more captivating, despite their lower level of skill.

As I scowled at the sorry state of affairs for the mobs, I noticed Elizabeth gracefully ascending the stairs, her serene and regal countenance unchanged, followed by her companions. Even though it wasn't her intention, she had an air of royalty, with her comrades trailing behind like attendants.

Our gazes briefly locked, and in that fleeting moment, she offered a genuine smile and waved at me. It was neither forced nor awkward, but simply sincere.

Unconsciously, I returned the smile and waved back, a gesture that didn't escape the notice of those around us. Leire and Martin regarded me as if I had ascended to an even higher status than before.

Ah, what can I say?

I shook off the thought as James Raven announced the end of another game.

"Group N emerges victorious!"

The Group N, comprising Sirius Raven and Cain Redgrave...

Cain's gaze towards me grew increasingly hostile. It puzzled me. He didn't strike me as the type, even when Victor took Elizabeth from him in the Game. So why the sudden animosity?

My amber eyes lingered on him as he conversed with Sirius, who appeared visibly perturbed by something.

"We will now proceed to the last fights of the first round! Group C will face off against Group M!"

As my group, Group C, was called to the forefront, I couldn't help but release a weary sigh. "Finally..."

Having watched all the preceding matches, courtesy of our unfortunate position as the last to compete, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me.

The bored expressions of the second and first-year students suddenly sparked with interest, for the obvious reason that I, alongside Alicia, was among the competitors.

I leaped over the seat, landing gracefully on the descending stairs. "Let's just get this over with," I muttered, stifling a yawn. "And maybe catch a little sleep," I added, casting a glance behind me.

Alicia rose to her feet, her grip on her rapier tightening as she followed in my wake.

Leire and Martin, visibly nervous, trailed behind Alicia.

"Try not to lose, Falkrona," a loud, snarky comment reached my ears, accompanied by Adrian's smirk. "It wouldn't be any fun otherwise. I want the pleasure of handing your ass to you personally."

"I'll have to decline your offer, Dolphin," I retorted with a smile as I descended.

"You're getting cocky, but mark my words, you'll be left with nothing but tears in your eyes when I marry Alicia," he replied with a cold smile. Novel Fire - novelfire.net

Why was he already discussing marriage with Alicia?

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," I waved my hand, uninterested.

As everyone assembled on the field, James Raven glanced at both groups. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah," I affirmed for my group.

The Group M we were set to face consisted of two werewolves and two elves. The elves, much like their counterparts in Sancta Vedelia, cast me a cold glare. It was clear they didn't care for me, yet when our eyes met, their knees seemed to tremble unnaturally, and they quickly averted their gazes, much like the werewolves.

Alicia was more than capable of handling them alone, and adding me to the mix would be overkill, I mused calmly as I glanced toward the spectators' stands.

Everyone, including the main cast of the Second Game, seemed to be fixated on me. Rodolf and Alvara, who had shown little interest until now, now watched me intently, likely assessing my strength.

"Start!"