Struggling as a Villain

Chapter 89: Chapter 88- Academy(2)

Remember, child, during the assessment, you won't be just tested as you are told. You would get evaluated the moment you step inside the examination hall, so there is a chance that the instructor in charge would try to rile you up or make some expected decisions for you to see the extent of your tolerance.

However, you have to remember that unless you are breaking some rules, you won't get punished, so even if you reject someone's request or order, your points won't be deducted.

These were the last few words Bellarine told him before Richard left for the Academy.

He knew that his status would no longer hold any meaning within the boundaries of the academy, but still, it was a little odd to be treated like a commoner once again after two months.

The way the instructors, administrators and even the academy staff treated him showed that they didn't even care what his rank was or what family he belonged to.

In a way, it was a refreshing feeling.

And considering his mother's advice, Richard deemed that the green-haired instructor was just assessing how he reacted to her scolding. Well, he hoped that such was the case.

Glancing at the girl beside him, Richard asked, "Nervous?"

Amelia, with a soft smile, responded, "Not until you arrive."

Richard chuckled at that, however, before he could reply to her the instructor began,

"My name is Olivia and I will be conducting your first test to see if you all are really fit to take this course as your primary subject or not."

She continued, "In the first test, we'll weed out those who are naturally unfit to become true hunters. Anyone accustomed to a sheltered life will be dismissed, as a hunter cannot stay indoors, enjoying comfort. A real hunter is always on the move, out in the wild, searching for their next prey. That's the true nature of a hunter."

While she uttered those words, her eyes travelled across the students and paused on several of them for more than a second. Including Richard.

No one raised any queries as they were not allowed to speak before Olivia gestured towards the entrance of the building.

"Agh..." Someone from the students who have a highly sensitive nose cringed and instantly covered his nose upon smelling the weirdest and nastiest scent of his life.

Pushed by four tall men was a huge cart on which rested a dead beast.

Many other students started to block their noses, and some of them even gagged at the odour of the dead beast.

Even Ethan had to cover his mouth before he could have puked all his breakfast.

However, when he glanced towards his left, he was surprised to see Amelia and Richard discussing, without being bothered even a little.

"Tidal Wyrm, is it?"

"Hmm. One from the salt water." Amelia affirmed.

Amelia has been through enough adventures in the past seven years that the stench of dead beasts has long stopped bothering her.

And about Richard...well, he has lived for two whole days, trapped under several dead zombies until he was reduced. That day he probably lost the ability to react to scents.

The Tidal Wyrm lay on the cold stone slab, its once-mighty form reduced to a grotesque, decaying carcass. Its massive body, now bloated and sagging, reeked of salt and death, filling the examination chamber with a putrid stench that made even the most seasoned students gag.

Richard had dug into the flesh and bones of several living beings before, so he didn't hesitate to pry his hand inside the small gap between the liver and stomach wall and penetrate it as deep as he could.

He wasn't using Detection but just moving on his whim.

Sadly, he found nothing and his hand was completely coated in the slimy fluid.

Richard swatted away the mucus as much as he could before continuing his hunt.

He moved around the place and inserted his hand wherever he felt he could find a stone.

After three minutes of searching, he finally came across an octopus' arm-like vein hanging down, which he squeezed from the other end and found a red ruby-like stone dropping from the inside.

With a smirk, Richard caught it and safely stored it in his pouch.

'Hmm...' Just as he turned to move out, he suddenly had a thought.

The wyrm of salt water generally has their magic stone in their crown, and Richard was quite near to the head of the beast. So taking the chance, he headed towards the possible location where he could find himself the extra points.

After coming across several students and passing by several narrow spaces, he finally felt a bigger source of energy coming from a distant corner.

The space to reach there was quite narrow as it seemed the part of the whale was punched from either side to make it difficult for the students to reach there.

However, Richard has no problem passing through the four-inch wide path with his body turned and hands raised above his head.

He used the lubrication of the mucus to his advantage.

"Hmm?" Richard sensed that someone else was approaching this way, so he fastened up his pace, and within seconds, he reached the spot from where the energy was radiating.

The big diamond-shaped stone remained levitating as Richard finally touched it—and turned to look at whoever arrived late.

However, Richard was thoroughly surprised to see Ethan standing there, with his lips parted and a regretful look on his face.

But the kid didn't let that expression linger for long and with a nod, he said, "Congratulations."

Richard looked at Ethan and then at the stone before he suddenly threw the four-foot-tall stone in Ethan's direction, which the latter barely caught with his slippery hands.

"Eh? Why are you giving me this?" Ethan was baffled and thought that Richard was showing pity to him.

However, Richard's following words cleared his doubts, "Extra points allow the students to buy premium meals in the cafeteria. I don't need that since I have brought my cook along. So...there you go?"

Richard shrugged and looked completely uninterested in the points and the fame he could have gained on the first day.

Once again, Richard proved to him that there aren't only bad and selfish people in this world.

Ethan helplessly smiled at the redhead, before uttering, "I will definitely repay you one day for everything you have done for me."

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A/N:- Damn, this was an unexpected development.