The Villian Who Broke The Story

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: The Main Tournament Begins (Part 2)

A loud chime echoed throughout the academy.

The conversations filling the stadium gradually died down as every student’s attention shifted toward the enormous battle platform at the center of the arena.

Unlike yesterday’s tournament, which had been held entirely inside the Principal’s Domain, today’s competition would take place in a specially prepared arena built within the academy stadium itself.

The circular platform was enormous, elevated several meters above the ground and surrounded by countless layers of magical formations.

Even now, several magic instructors stood around its edges, continuously reinforcing the barriers.

Brilliant runes glowed beneath their feet as streams of mana flowed into the formation.

The barriers shimmered faintly before disappearing from sight.

It was obvious the academy had spared no expense.

Not with so many influential guests in attendance.

Kael quietly observed the preparations from the waiting area.

"The barriers are at least three times stronger than yesterday’s..."

"They’re preparing for students capable of destroying sections of the arena."

Just then, a graceful figure stepped onto the platform.

The entire stadium immediately grew silent.

The Student Council President.

Dressed in the academy’s Student Council’s formal white-and-gold uniform, she carried herself with effortless elegance.

Her presence alone commanded respect.

She slowly scanned the audience before speaking through a voice amplification spell.

"Welcome, everyone."

"To the main stage of the First-Year Tournament."

"Congratulations to every participant who successfully advanced through yesterday’s preliminary rounds."

"Only thirty-two students remain."

"You represent the finest talents among this year’s first years."

She paused, allowing applause to spread across the stadium.

"Today’s battles will determine who truly deserves to stand at the top."

"I hope each of you gives your all."

"Fight with honor."

"Fight with pride."

"And above all..."

"Show everyone the results of your hard work."

The applause became even louder.

After offering a respectful bow toward the honored guests, she stepped away from the platform.

A few moments later, another announcement echoed through the stadium.

"The opening exhibition match... shall now begin."

Two figures stepped onto the arena.

One was an elf carrying a beautifully carved staff.

The other was a beastkin swordsman whose wolf ears twitched as he stared confidently at his opponent.

Kael folded his arms.

"So the tournament is finally beginning but they’re not starting with the top ranks right off the bat." Kael muttered.

"It makes sense." He continued.

"They want to raise the excitement before the first-years begin."

The referee raised a hand.

"Begin!"

The wolf beastkin exploded forward first.

His movements were sharp and direct, closing the distance almost instantly.

The elf calmly stepped sideways, chanting a short incantation.

Several wind blades shot toward the beastkin.

He crossed his sword, cutting through the first spell before continuing his advance.

The spectators erupted into cheers.

Neither combatant possessed overwhelming power.

There were no mountain-shattering attacks.

No legendary techniques.

No one-sided domination.

Instead...

It was a battle of refined fundamentals.

Every strike had purpose.

Every spell forced movement.

Every dodge created another opportunity.

The beastkin repeatedly pressured the elf into close combat, refusing to allow him enough time to cast larger spells.

Meanwhile, the elf remained composed, using precise footwork and smaller spells to maintain just enough distance.

For several minutes neither side gained a decisive advantage.

Then...

The elf smiled.

A magic circle silently appeared beneath the beastkin’s feet.

The wolf’s expression changed.

Too late.

A pillar of compressed wind erupted upward.

The sudden blast destroyed his balance.

The elf didn’t hesitate.

Another spell activated instantly.

A concentrated wind bullet slammed into the beastkin’s chest, throwing him across the arena.

He crashed heavily before sliding several meters.

The referee immediately raised his hand.

"Winner..."

"The Elf."

The audience applauded respectfully.

As the two competitors left the arena, murmurs spread throughout the audience.

Then—

A voice cut through the noise.

"What a disgrace."

The words were spoken quietly.

Yet they carried clearly enough for nearby spectators to hear.

A beastkin sitting among the audience clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"What a disgrace..."

"...being defeated by an Elf."

Several nearby students awkwardly glanced toward him.

Another elf sitting several rows away slowly turned his head.

His expression immediately became cold.

"You speak as though brutes like you could actually defeat the noble elves."

The beastkin’s ears immediately stood upright.

His eyes narrowed.

"What did you just say?"

The elf stood up calmly.

"I said..."

"Barbarians like you should learn your place in the ecosystem."

Mana slowly leaked from his body.

The beastkin’s claws extended with a metallic sound.

"Oh?"

"You want to settle this here?"

"I’ll gladly give you the beating you’re asking for."

Students nearby hurriedly moved away.

No one wanted to be caught between two angry second-years.

The atmosphere became increasingly tense.

Several academy staff members noticed the commotion and started making their way toward them.

Before either student could attack—

A figure dressed entirely in black silently appeared between them.

No one noticed where he came from.

One moment...

The space between them was empty.

The next...

Someone was already standing there.

The mysterious student looked at both of them without the slightest change in expression.

"For mid-ranked second-years..."

"...you certainly make an awful lot of noise."

Neither the elf nor the beastkin moved.

The newcomer continued speaking.

"Trying to start a fight inside the stadium..."

"...while the academy is hosting one of its most important events..."

"...with distinguished guests watching..."

He slowly looked at each of them.

"You two seem to have a screw loose somewhere."

The pressure surrounding him wasn’t overwhelming.

Yet...

It carried a strange feeling.

Cold.

Silent.

Dangerous.

Only then did both students notice the black emblem stitched onto his uniform.

Their faces immediately lost all color.

"A... member of the Disciplinary Committee?"

Both of them thought simultaneously.

"S-Sorry..."

"My mistake."

"We were only having a civil debate."

The elf immediately said with a wry smile.

"Y-Yes."

"Nothing more."

The beastkin quickly added.

The student in black stared at them for another moment.

Without another word...

He vanished.

Just like that.

Several students gasped.

The elf and beastkin remained frozen for several seconds.

Only after confirming the mysterious student had truly disappeared did they finally release the breaths they had been holding.

Nearby students looked completely confused.

One first-year quietly asked,

"Why were they so scared?"

An older student answered almost immediately.

"The Student Council handles problems publicly."

"The Disciplinary Committee..."

"They work in the shadows."

"They investigate crimes inside the academy."

"They eliminate students suspected of having demonic origins."

"They respond to spontaneous dungeon outbreaks."

"And if one of them personally appears before you..."

The senior student smiled nervously.

"...you’re already in trouble."

The surrounding students instinctively swallowed.

Even Kael found himself paying closer attention.

"So they’re active already..."

"Interesting."

Just then, a staff member entered the waiting area.

His eyes quickly landed on Kael.

"Kael Draven."

Kael stood up.

"The tournament staff requests your presence."

"You may continue observing the matches if you wish."

"But once your name is announced..."

"Proceed immediately to the central platform."

Kael nodded.

"Understood."

The staff member walked away.

Kael adjusted the sword hanging from his waist before taking a slow breath.

"So..."

"My turn is getting closer."

A faint grin spread across his face as he looked toward the arena where the next competitors were already preparing to fight.

"The real tournament..."

"...starts now."