The Villian Who Broke The Story

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: The Main Tournament Begins (Part 1)

Lyra stared at Kael with an amused grin plastered across her face.

"So you really want to become my student that badly?"

She floated closer to him, her silver hair swaying gently despite the lack of wind.

Kael merely glanced at her before continuing toward the competitors’ waiting area.

"Nope."

"It’s for a reason that definitely doesn’t involve you."

Lyra puffed her cheeks.

"What an ungrateful student."

"I’ve done nothing but encourage you."

Kael chuckled softly.

"You’ve also done nothing but sleep during lectures."

"I call that efficient teaching."

Lyra proudly placed both hands on her waist.

"Knowledge doesn’t become better just because I say it while standing."

Kael simply waved dismissively as he walked ahead.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night."

"I sleep during the day too."

"...That somehow makes it worse."

Watching Kael disappear toward the competitors’ section, Lyra’s playful smile slowly faded.

Her expression became thoughtful.

"So he’s really serious..."

She folded her arms while recalling the conversation they had moments ago.

Kael truly believed he could stand at the very top of this tournament.

Not merely finish within the Top Ten.

Not simply challenge Zion.

He genuinely intended to become Rank One.

Normally she would have laughed at such confidence.

Yet...

This was Kael Draven.

The same student who had transformed from an F-Rank nobody into one of the strongest first years within barely two months.

Even Stella, who almost never praised anyone, had repeatedly spoken highly of him.

Still...

Lyra couldn’t completely convince herself.

Her thoughts drifted toward another first-year monster.

Aurelia Voss.

The prodigy raised from birth to become a weapon.

Unlike Kael, Aurelia hadn’t become strong through sudden growth.

She had been molded by years of brutal discipline.

Every sword swing.

Every Technique.

Every movement.

Everything about her had been refined since childhood.

Lyra had once met Aurelia’s mother.

The woman was terrifying.

Calm.

Elegant.

And frighteningly strict.

Compared to Stella’s harsh training...

Aurelia’s upbringing almost seemed inhuman.

"No matter how talented Kael is..."

"I still wonder if it’s enough."

She quietly muttered before floating away.

Only time would answer that question.

Meanwhile...

Kael entered the waiting area reserved for competitors.

Unlike yesterday’s preliminary tournament, today’s atmosphere felt entirely different.

The waiting room was spacious, lined with comfortable seats and reinforced walls covered in countless protective magic formations.

Every competitor remaining in the tournament possessed enough strength to accidentally damage ordinary buildings.

The academy clearly wasn’t taking any chances.

Some students quietly meditated.

Others sharpened their weapons.

A few closed their eyes, conserving every bit of stamina before their battles.

No one was speaking loudly.

The playful atmosphere from yesterday had disappeared.

This was the main tournament.

Every person here belonged among the strongest first years in the academy.

Kael casually leaned against one of the walls.

His gaze wandered toward the massive stadium outside.

The audience had nearly filled every seat.

Thousands of students chatted excitedly while waiting for the opening ceremony.

Above them, several luxurious balconies overlooked the arena.

Those seats belonged exclusively to honored guests.

Even from this distance, Kael could sense powerful presences hidden behind the enchanted curtains.

"So they’ve all arrived already..."

He quietly observed them.

Although royalty rarely attended the first-year tournament, there were still plenty of influential figures present.

High-ranking human nobles.

Prominent elven families.

Guild Masters.

Military commanders.

Representatives from influential organizations.

Parents of exceptional students.

Kael could already make a few educated guesses.

"Zion’s father is definitely here."

"So is Aurelia’s mother."

"There should also be several high-ranking elven nobles."

"Guild Masters too."

"Probably a handful of influential human nobles."

He smiled slightly.

"They’re all here to scout future talent."

His gaze shifted toward the Student Council members moving throughout the stadium.

Compared to yesterday, they looked exhausted.

Many of them had visible dark circles beneath their eyes.

Some hurried between guest balconies while others checked seating arrangements.

The academy staff weren’t any better.

Magic instructors inspected every barrier surrounding the arena.

Healing teams prepared emergency treatment stations.

Referees carefully reviewed tournament rules one final time.

Everything had to be perfect.

The academy’s reputation depended on it.

Kael glanced down at the badge clipped to his uniform.

A faint magical light shimmered across its surface.

He activated it.

A transparent screen appeared before him.

Current Tournament Ranking

Rank 11 — Kael Draven

He smiled.

"So I climbed that much already."

Normally reaching Rank Eleven would have shocked any first-year.

Kael merely shrugged.

"I’ll be reaching rank 1 soon enough."

Just then...

A familiar presence approached.

Kael turned.

Standing near the entrance with his usual emotionless expression was Zion.

The boy stopped several meters away before silently observing Kael.

Neither of them spoke for several seconds.

Finally...

Zion broke the silence.

"You’ve grown stronger."

Kael smiled.

"You can’t exactly expect someone to remain weak forever."

His answer made Zion narrow his eyes.

Kael stepped forward slightly.

"I’m curious."

"How do you think it’ll feel..."

"...when we finally fight each other?"

Zion’s brows furrowed.

"You seem rather confident."

Kael chuckled.

"I’ll even give you a sneak peek before our actual match."

Zion folded his arms.

"You seem so sure we’ll fight."

"I wonder where that confidence comes from."

Kael’s grin widened.

"You really have no idea."

He pointed casually toward the arena.

"Aside from you..."

"...and Aurelia..."

"I don’t really have any competition in this tournament."

The waiting room instantly became quieter.

Several nearby competitors secretly glanced toward the two boys.

Even they found Kael’s confidence unbelievable.

Zion stared at him for several moments.

Then calmly replied,

"Confidence without strength is arrogance."

Kael simply shrugged.

"I suppose you’ll find out which one mine is soon enough."

Without waiting for another response, he walked past Zion toward one of the seats overlooking the arena.

Zion remained standing alone in the corridor.

His expression never changed.

Yet his thoughts were anything but calm.

He replayed Kael’s words repeatedly.

"Aside from you and Aurelia..."

"I don’t really have any competition."

A vein twitched on his forehead.

"...Fraud."

The single word escaped his lips.

Still...

For some reason...

He couldn’t completely dismiss Kael’s confidence as empty boasting anymore.

Not after everything Kael had already accomplished.

Zion slowly turned toward the arena.

"...We’ll see."

He quietly muttered before walking toward the viewing area to watch the opening exhibition match.

Behind him, Kael leaned back in his chair.

A relaxed smile remained on his face.

"The real tournament..."

"...finally begins today."