Struggling as a Villain

Chapter 90: Chapter 89- Academy(3)

The first test concluded with only forty students now remaining. Naturally, Amelia, Richard, and Ethan survived and gained points based on how quickly they returned. Ethan earned extra points for the magic stone of the wyrm he brought

They were given the time to change clothes after taking a bath before the next round since the oil of the wyrm is flammable and can get in the way of their next task.

After washing himself Richard wore the training gear which the school provided. It was a full-sleeve shirt made out of thin and stretchable fabric that allowed good mobility and possibly minor protection against cuts. On the lower half was a pair of knee-length pants of the same fabric that stuck to his skin quite firmly and a pair of high-ankle boots.

Inside the changing room, mostly everyone was stealing glances at Richard who looked charismatic and breathing in the attire. Even the way he tied his hair in a messy bun was quite enchanting to the eye, even though everyone around him was male.

Richard avoided those gazes and looked at Ethan, who was tying the shoelaces...but was failing miserably.

Richard knew that Ethan always had a problem with shoelaces, so he crouched to help him, startling Ethan.

"Ah-I.."

"Tell me, Ethan," Before Ethan could say anything, Richard asked, "...why did you choose to be a hunter?"

Richard was just curious about what changed in him, and Ethan chose to be a hunter instead of an adventurer. Originally even after his mother died, he chose the path where he could help as many people as he could. However, in this timeline, when he hasn't lost his master and just his mother, he chooses to be a hunter.

Richard had a hunch about this sudden change, and hearing Ethan's following words, his hunch was proven right,

"I have recently been fooled and trapped by someone, and after that, because of me, many people suffered," Ethan began, his voice containing both sorrow and anger, "That day...I lost my motivation to help humanity. That's why, being a hunter, I would be allowed to vent all my frustration on those beings who don't deserve to live."

Richard raised his brows before lifting his eyes and asking Ethan, "So are you going to hunt humans as well?"

That statement made Ethan flustered as he hurriedly shook his head, "No-no! Of course not. Although a few people have hurt me, there are those as well who have shown that kindness is something that still lives within humans. So no, I won't be turning my sword against humanity."

Richard inwardly heaved a sigh. Thankfully, the protagonist hasn't strayed from his path, or who knows what those heaven dwellers might have done.

Soon, all the students returned to the examination hall, where, this time, a different instructor was waiting.

He was a tall and thin man with curly black hair and a pair of green square glasses. He wore a friendly smile on his face as he greeted the students, "I hope you all had a pleasant bath and are ready to take the next examination."

Although many of the students wanted to ask for a break, they never got the chance to speak as the instructor waved his hand and a large umbrella without a handle flew in their direction.

It was about ten meters in radius and was made of shiny platinum plates that reflected the faces of the students as they looked up.

The instructor continued, "Your endurance will be tested in this. Under the umbrella, your resistance against different conditions would be tested. If you feel you cannot endure and want to forfeit just use this alarm to get out,"

As he said, he showed a small red button attached to a strap that remained tied around his hand.

"The test would continue for twenty minutes and fifteen minutes is the minimum requirement to get passing marks. Those extra five minutes would grant you extra points, so hang in there as long as you can."

Only that face remained in his mind and Ethan was no longer struggling. It was like everything he experienced until now was not real and he was now free from all the bounds.

Richard looked at Ethan and somehow discerned that the Protagonist used the power of love to endure this as well. On the other hand, Amelia didn't look good.

She has trained herself to be an adventurer and a spy for most of the time. Surely, she must have gone through this training, but considering the slowly increasing weight, there was no doubt that she must be nearing the limits of her tolerance.

Richard slowly removed his hand from his thigh and rested it on her hand, making Amelia instantly open her eyes and look at Richard.

The look in his eyes somehow whispered in her ear,

'I want to be with you in the same class...'And that gave the raven-haired enough strength to straighten her back and forget about the struggle.

Just like that, another three minutes passed, and many students fell on the ground lifelessly after having the pressure removed. But that freedom was soon snatched away when the panels of the umbrella turned white and the temperature dropped to zero in an instant.

"Shit! This is tooooo much!" One of the students cursed as he rolled in a ball to cover himself from the cold.

Not only that, even blizzards began to appear inside the dome as everyone shivered and balled up as well.

Richard rubbed his nose which slowly began to turn red as he was also not used to such extreme cold.

It seemed the temperature was dropping every second—Richard thought, but in reality, every ten seconds, a degree went down.

"Wait! We are forbidden from using ether, but we can surely help each other, right?" Someone from the group suddenly voiced.

"Yes! Teamwork is a very essential factor of hunters." Another one chimed, clearly in assent to the idea

Soon, various students began to gather up to hug each other and warm each other through their body heat.

Richard saw Ethan also getting himself gathered in a group of three girls who kept him in the middle and embraced him from all three directions.

'What would happen if Elizabeth sees this...' He inwardly chuckled, when suddenly he felt someone tapping on his shoulder.

Turning towards the person, Richard's eyes widened slightly.

Amelia sat there on her knees with a pitiful look as she weakly extended her arms and asked,

"Warm me up?"

*Gulp*

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A/N:- ahahaha...this girl is so wild.