The Villian Who Broke The Story

Chapter 76: Chapter 76: The Calm Before the Storm

Dinner eventually came to an end.

The empty plates remained scattered across the dining table, a testament to just how hungry all three of them had been after spending an entire day battling inside the Principal’s Domain.

Kael leaned back in his chair, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"I’m glad you both enjoyed the meal."

"It was delicious," Charlotte admitted with an embarrassed smile.

Lilith nodded in agreement.

"As expected of Kael."

Charlotte glanced at him curiously.

"I still find it strange."

"What?"

"You’re strong enough to fight your way through the tournament and also the fact that you’re a noble..."

She looked around the room before continuing.

"...yet you’re also this good at cooking."

Kael shrugged.

"A person has to eat."

"So I learned."

Charlotte could only nod.

For some reason, hearing such a simple explanation somehow suited him perfectly.

Kael stood up and began gathering the dishes.

"I’ll clean these later."

Charlotte immediately stood.

"I’ll help."

"No."

Kael shook his head.

"You’re my guest."

"You’ve done enough."

Charlotte wanted to protest, but Kael had already begun carrying the plates toward the kitchen.

Lilith smiled knowingly.

"He gets stubborn about these things."

Charlotte sighed.

"I’ve noticed."

A few minutes later, Kael returned after washing everything.

The room had finally become quiet again.

He stretched his tired arms before looking at Charlotte.

"Maybe we could spar another day."

"I don’t really know who my first opponent will be tomorrow."

"It’s best to rest."

"You’ve already completed your first goal."

"Take a breather."

"And treat yourself if possible."

Charlotte nodded with a shy smile.

"I will."

"Thank you..."

"...Teacher."

Kael smiled.

"You’ve earned your place."

"Don’t doubt that."

Charlotte lowered her gaze.

Being acknowledged by Kael somehow meant more than receiving praise from anyone else.

Lilith slowly stood as well.

"I suppose I should leave too."

She walked toward the door together with Charlotte.

Just before stepping outside, Lilith suddenly stopped.

She turned around.

For a brief moment, the teasing smile disappeared from her face.

"I’m really going to miss your presence in class."

Kael smiled warmly.

"Even if we’re placed in different classes..."

"I trust you’ll still come looking for me."

Lilith smiled back.

"Of course."

"You couldn’t get rid of me even if you tried."

Charlotte rolled her eyes.

Lilith simply giggled.

The two girls finally walked away together, disappearing down the hallway.

Kael remained standing by the doorway for several seconds before quietly closing it.

The room instantly became silent.

"...Finally."

He let out a long breath before walking back inside.

The silence felt strangely comforting.

He collapsed onto his bed without even bothering to change clothes.

His body sank into the soft mattress.

Only now did he truly realize how exhausted he was.

The tournament inside the Principal’s Domain had looked simple from the outside.

In reality...

Every battle demanded absolute concentration.

One mistake could have ended everything.

Kael stared blankly at the ceiling.

The familiar wooden patterns above him slowly drifted in and out of focus.

"...Tomorrow."

He quietly muttered the word.

Tomorrow wasn’t another simulated battle.

Tomorrow wasn’t a test.

Tomorrow was the real tournament.

His thoughts slowly drifted toward the guests who would soon arrive at the academy.

Although true powerhouses like the King, the Pope, or the rulers of the different races rarely attended first-year tournaments...

Many influential figures certainly would.

High-ranking nobles.

Military commanders.

Guild representatives.

Heads of influential families.

Professors from other academies.

Even powerful adventurers occasionally came to scout promising students.

The Academy Tournament wasn’t merely entertainment.

It was an opportunity.

A chance for talented students to attract powerful sponsors.

A chance for noble families to discover future allies.

A chance for kingdoms to evaluate the next generation.

Kael knew all of that because he had experienced it countless times...

Inside the game.

Still...

Reality and the game weren’t exactly identical anymore.

’The plot hasn’t even begun yet.’ Kael thought.

His gaze slowly hardened.

"The future..."

"...is going to become very hard to predict."

He wasn’t sure whether that was a good thing or a bad thing.

Perhaps both.

Another thought entered his mind.

This academy itself represented something much greater than a school.

Humans.

Elves.

Dwarves.

Beastkin.

Even races that normally distrusted one another all studied under the same roof.

The academy existed as proof that cooperation between races was possible.

If even this place failed...

The consequences would spread far beyond the kingdom.

Kael slowly closed his eyes.

"There are still too many things I need to prepare for."

The Demon King Candidates.

The Velvet Gang.

And the disasters waiting several years into the future.

Compared to all of that...

Tomorrow’s tournament almost felt insignificant.

Almost.

Because strength solved nearly every problem.

And tomorrow was another step toward obtaining that strength.

"...Sleep."

"I need sleep."

He turned onto his side.

Within minutes...

Exhaustion completely overtook him.

Morning arrived quietly.

Golden rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains, illuminating the room with a warm glow.

Kael slowly opened his eyes.

"...Already?"

He yawned before sitting upright.

For a moment he simply stared out the window.

Today.

The real tournament had finally arrived.

A small smile appeared on his face.

"Time to get ready." Kael said stretching his arms before climbing out of bed.

The lingering fatigue from yesterday’s battles had mostly disappeared after a good night’s rest, leaving only a faint soreness in his muscles. It was a familiar feeling.

"Today’s the day..."

He walked toward the bathroom, splashing cool water onto his face before brushing his teeth. After rinsing his mouth, he filled the bathtub with warm water infused with fragrant lemon soap.

The soothing scent quickly filled the room.

Kael leaned back in the tub, allowing the warm water to ease the tension from his body.

For several quiet minutes, he simply relaxed.

His thoughts drifted back to yesterday’s tournament.

Charlotte’s rapid growth.

Lilith’s warning about the Velvet Gang.

Verdia.

His mother.

And the countless uncertainties surrounding the future.

No matter how much he prepared...

There were still variables beyond his control.

Eventually, he opened his eyes.

"Worrying won’t change anything."

"What matters is getting stronger."

Stepping out of the bath, Kael dried himself thoroughly before putting on his academy uniform.

He picked up his sword from beside the bed.

The familiar weight resting against his waist somehow calmed him.

Standing before the mirror, he adjusted his collar before giving a small nod.

"Looks good enough."

With that, he left his room.

The academy grounds were far livelier than usual.

Students hurried through the pathways, instructors gave last-minute instructions, and members of the Student Council could be seen directing guests toward the viewing platforms.

Unlike yesterday, no one looked relaxed.

Everyone understood the importance of today’s event.

The preliminary rounds had merely been a filter.

Today’s tournament would decide the true rankings of the academy’s first years.

As Kael walked through the campus, he noticed numerous carriages arriving outside the academy gates.

Most bore noble family crests.

Others belonged to merchant guilds or military organizations.

Every influential force wanted to witness the academy’s rising talents.

"It looks like they really invited half the kingdom..."

Kael muttered.

Eventually, the massive stadium came into view.

He paused for a moment.

"...Quite the upgrade."

Yesterday’s tournament had been held almost entirely within the Principal’s Domain.

Today’s venue was completely different.

At the center of the enormous stadium stood a raised battle platform constructed from brilliant white stone bordered by crimson lines.

The arena radiated powerful mana.

Several magic instructors surrounded it, continuously casting reinforcement spells into the structure.

Layers upon layers of glowing runes appeared across the platform before fading into its surface.

Barrier specialists strengthened the protective formations.

Earth mages reinforced the foundation.

Healing mages prepared emergency recovery arrays beneath the arena.

Nothing had been left to chance.

With attacks from talented first-year students capable of destroying ordinary buildings, such precautions were absolutely necessary.

The audience seats stretched high into the sky.

Thousands of students had already begun filling them.

Faculty members occupied reserved sections.

Nobles and honored guests sat within elevated balconies overlooking the arena.

Even from a distance, Kael could sense countless powerful auras hidden among them.

"So they’ve already arrived..."

He quietly observed the preparations before continuing toward the competitors’ section.

Just then—

"Hello, Kael."

A familiar lazy voice sounded behind him.

Kael turned around.

Floating several feet above the ground with her hands behind her back was Lyra.

"...Professor."

He raised an eyebrow.

"I’m honestly surprised."

Lyra blinked innocently.

"Surprised about what?"

"You actually came here by yourself."

"Have you ever walked before?"

For a brief moment...

Lyra simply stared at him.

Then she puffed out her cheeks.

"Of course I walk from time to time."

"But flying is so much more fun."

She spun around lazily in midair before floating circles around Kael.

He watched her for several seconds.

"I have a feeling your current walking experience is comparable to that of a toddler."

"You might genuinely need physical therapy."

Lyra burst into laughter.

"This silly student of mine."

"Maybe I really do need to teach you some manners."

She lightly flicked his forehead.

"Besides..."

"You still haven’t answered my question."

Her expression softened.

"Are you nervous?"

Kael looked toward the enormous arena once again.

The cheers from the audience echoed throughout the stadium.

Magic circles continued glowing beneath the platform.

Powerful guests slowly took their seats.

Countless eyes would soon be watching every battle.

He remained silent for a few moments before smiling.

"I’m worried..."

Lyra nodded.

"...But?"

Kael’s smile widened.

"I’m worried about everything..."

"...except the tournament."

For a brief second—

Lyra simply stared at him.

Then she smiled.

"...Good."

She floated slightly higher before looking toward the arena.

"That confidence will serve you well."

"But don’t underestimate your opponents."

Kael nodded.

"I never do."

A loud magical bell suddenly echoed throughout the entire stadium.

DONG!

The conversations around them immediately quieted.

Students began taking their designated positions.

The instructors stepped away from the arena.

The protective barriers shimmered to life.

The first day of the main tournament...

...was about to begin.

Kael rested one hand on the hilt of his sword.

A faint grin appeared on his face.

"Looks like..."

"The real competition finally starts now."