The Survival of the Third-rate Villain - Chapter 262

Chapter 262: 262 – A Sudden Encounter [2]

“Who really are you?”

“…”

Raye’s eyes slightly widened at Elias’ sudden question, it definitely caught him off guard.

But even with that—

“…”

There’s barely any noticeable change in his face. After all…

‘I already expected to be asked this question way before.’

Ever since the first year Raye got into this world, he already knew someone the original Raye knew might ask him that one day.

He just didn’t expect it to come from Elias.

‘Even the patriarch of the Alvah Dukedom, Raye’s father, didn’t ask that.’

Raye thought to himself, thinking back when he met Lucian.

Anyway, Raye stopped thinking about useless thoughts. Already expecting such questions before, he already had an answer ready for it.

So calmly, he just opened his mouth, and looking straight into Elias’ eyes—

“I’m Raye. Nothing more, nothing less.”

He calmly said that.

“That’s bullshit, there’s no way you’re Raye, you’ve changed a lot. Like you’re a completely different person.”

Elias rebutted.

Raye just shrugged his shoulders.

“So what if I’ve changed? I’m not part of the Alvah Household anymore, what happened to me or what I did is none of your concern.”

Then he replied with that.

Elias frowned after hearing his answer, he wanted to say something else so he opened his mouth—

But Raye was faster.

“I met the Patriarch a few weeks back.”

He said, and hearing this, Elias froze and his eyes widened.

Not that Raye cares, and he just continued speaking.

“If you have questions about me, ask him. Because I’m sure as hell I wouldn’t tell you something.”

He declared. His voice contained no hostility nor anger.

Raye was… calm.

His eyes were steady and his face was straight the whole time.

“…”

Elias became speechless. He didn’t know what to say, he didn’t even know what to do now.

He was just here to read something about swordsmanship to pass time when Raye suddenly appeared.

He was bothered by his monstrous growth… ever since last year.

‘Not only he caught up to me, he even surpassed me.’

That was what’s in his mind when he fought and lost against Raven in an official duel last year. He was frustrated.

He trained hard.

So he can’t accept that a lazy dumbass could surpass him!

But last year, Raye fought and fended off a high and a noble demon. It was spread throughout the empire.

Elias was there during the invasion, he was fighting demonic beasts and mid demons with the students from the other academies.

He didn’t see Raye fight, that’s why he assumed that the news he heard was all lies.

Also, Raye was in a coma when he and the others returned to their academies. He never got a straight answer.

“…”

Not that he wanted one… He just decided to think that Raye did lie about his achievements during the invasion.

It became his coping mechanism to not feel inferior to his bastard little brother.

But yesterday—

He saw it himself, Raye’s prowess. He sliced off a Baron Demon with one clean slash.

Elias was speechless seeing that. And that scene was never removed in his head until now!

That’s why when he saw Raye entering the academy… his body just unconsciously moved. He got near him… and he questioned him.

“…”

Elias looked down on the ground.

‘God, what the hell am I doing…?’

He asked himself, regretting his impulsive actions.

.

“If you have nothing else to say, then I’ll be going.”

Then at that moment, Raye’s voice entered his ears again.

Raye grabbed Elias’ hand and removed it from his shoulder. Elias just let him be.

And without beating around the bush—

Tap- Tap- Tap-

Raye walked away. Ignoring anything.

…

…

…

*****

Just as Raye was walking away from Elias, a calm feeling washed all over his body.

“…”

The unease he was feeling earlier disappeared.

Yes, he was still scared that everything he built up here could just disappear in a flash.

But—

‘I can’t do anything about that right now. If I lose focus on my goal now because of that, everything I’ve built up can disappear much faster.’

Raye thought to himself, and without further ado—he went on his way.

Obviously, he was on his way to meet Lana.

‘She’s still always in this library, I wouldn’t be surprised if she told me and the others she already read all books here.’

Raye muttered inside his head.

“Whatever… time to ask her to join me…”

He said and just continued walking to where Lana was usually seated.

…

…

…

The rows of bookshelves were quiet as ever, filled with students browsing through stacks of texts. The faint sound of pages flipping echoed in the air.

Raye’s eyes scanned through the usual corner. And there she was— sitting as if she had never moved from her spot, deeply immersed in another book, her expression unwavering.

As expected.

Raye stopped in front of her desk.

“Lana.”

He called out her name.

“…?”

Lana lifted her gaze, her calm eyes meeting his. No change in her face, no surprise, no curiosity. She simply closed the book halfway, a finger marking her page, and waited.

“I have something to ask you.”

Raye didn’t bother beating around the bush. His tone was direct, straightforward, as always.

Lana kept staring at him. Her eyes reflected nothing, as if she was trying to gauge his intent.

Then, without a pause in her calm voice—

“If you’re here to invite me to join your [Hero Party]. I’ll have to decline, Raye.”

Lana declared that!

Flat, simple, final.

“…!”

Raye blinked once, but he didn’t show any other reaction.

“…”

He didn’t argue. He didn’t push. He simply stood there, watching Lana return her gaze back down to her book as though nothing had just happened.

Raye sighed lightly, more to himself than to her.

‘I knew she’d say that… but still…’

He clenched his fist slightly, then loosened it again.

‘Whatever, it was worth the try.’

He thought to himself.

Raye had already expected such an answer from Lana.

After all—

‘He also rejected Leon’s invitation in the game.’

That’s right, in the game, Lana didn’t join any [Hero Party]!

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