The Return Of The Exiled Villain

Meanwhile, in another part of the floating island, the Clementine’s Sword & Magic Academy students were moving quickly through the wilderness.

Seraph was leading one of the main groups, her eyes sharp as she scanned the area.

Suddenly, one of the girls pointed toward the distance.

”Look! The 4th years from Gloria and Dragon Slaying are moving out! They’re heading toward the main stronghold!”

Seraph stopped and narrowed her eyes as she watched the groups of stronger students rushing in the direction of the main stronghold.

She quickly understood what was happening.

”They’re calling for reinforcements,” she mumbled, looking over at the other girls.

”The announcement about Gray conquering the main stronghold must have reached them. They’re probably trying to take it back from him.”

The girls nodded, their expressions serious but determined.

One of the 3rd year girls spoke up.

”Gray is acting as bait to buy us time. He’s holding the main stronghold alone so we can conquer as many other strongholds as possible.”

Another girl from the Phoenix Class clenched her fists excitedly.

”This is a perfect opportunity for us since Gray is acting as the bait,” Seraph said, her voice firm but calm. ”We need to move fast. The more strongholds we take, the stronger the buffs Gray will get. With enough buffs, even if his power is sealed, he’ll be able to handle everyone on the island.”

The girls looked at each other, their eyes shining with determination.

”So... our best plan is conquering as many strongholds as we can so Gray can get enough power to defeat them all!” Seraph announced, her voice rising with confidence.

The girls cheered excitedly in response.

”Let’s go, girls! We can’t let Gray down!”

”Yeah! For Gray and for the academy!”

”We’ll take every stronghold we can find!”

One of the girls pumped her fist in the air.

”Gray is counting on us! Let’s show everyone what our academy can do!”

Without any ounce of hesitation, the Clementine’s Sword & Magic Academy girls moved quickly through the outer layer, as fast as they could.

Seraph led the main group, her [Spirit Eyes] scanning the area for the nearest stronghold.

They encountered almost no resistance as most of the other academies’ students were either fighting elsewhere or heading toward the main stronghold after the announcement.

The first stronghold they reached was a medium-sized stone fortress guarded by only a few weak beasts.

The girls didn’t even need to use their full power.

They coordinated perfectly, with some using magic to distract the beasts while others captured the stronghold’s core.

In just a few minutes, the stronghold was theirs.

A new glowing announcement appeared in the sky above the entire island.

CLEMENTINE’S SWORD & MAGIC ACADEMY HAS CONQUERED ANOTHER STRONGHOLD!

ADDITIONAL BUFFS GRANTED TO ALL CLEMENTINE STUDENTS!

The girls cheered as they felt the new buffs take effect, buffs like increased mana recovery, faster movement speed, and enhanced senses.

But that wasn’t enough... Gray needed more buffs to defeat everyone, so they didn’t stop there and immediately moved to the next closest stronghold, determined to conquer as many as possible while Gray held the main one.

Back at the main stronghold, Gray stood calmly at the top of the stairs, his black eyes watching the two academies in front of him.

The Gloria and Dragon Slaying students had been preparing to attack, but the new announcement made them freeze.

Their faces turned wary as they realized what was happening.

Adrian’s expression darkened as he looked at the glowing message in the sky.

”Another stronghold... they’re conquering them while we’re stuck here trying to fight Gray,” he muttered, his voice filled with frustration.

”Calling for reinforcements might have been a bad idea. We’re giving them time to take everything else.”

Maelis bit her lower lip, her gravity magic flickering weakly as she looked at Gray.

”He’s using himself as bait... and we fell for it. If we keep focusing on him, his team will take all the other strongholds.”

Mariinne pouted as she looked at Gray, her eyes conflicted.

”My prince is really smart... but this makes it even harder to fight him.”

The Dragon Slaying students exchanged worried glances. The tall black-haired boy gripped his sword tighter.

”If they keep conquering strongholds, the buffs Gray gets will make him even stronger. We might not be able to take the main one even with reinforcements.”

Just as they were starting to regret their decision, another glowing announcement appeared in the sky.

CLEMENTINE’S SWORD & MAGIC ACADEMY HAS CONQUERED A THIRD STRONGHOLD!

MAJOR BUFFS GRANTED TO ALL CLEMENTINE STUDENTS!

The Gloria and Dragon Slaying students’ faces turned even paler.

The realization that calling for reinforcements had given Gray’s team the perfect opportunity to expand their control was hitting them hard.

Adrian clenched his fists tightly, his multi-element aura flickering with frustration.

”Damn it... We played right into his hands.”

Just then, the reinforcements finally arrived. A large group of 4th year students from both

Gloria and Dragon Slaying Academies rushed toward the main stronghold, their auras flaring as they prepared for battle.

Leading the Gloria group was none other than Vaelor Drakthar, the MVP of the second challenge.

His greatsword rested on his shoulder as he walked with a confident stride, his presence radiating a huge amount of power.

’...That bitch...’ Gray’s eyebrows twitched.

Vaelor’s realm wasn’t being suppressed at all!

He was clearly at the Late King Realm!

Vaelor’s eyes immediately locked onto Gray standing at the top of the stairs. He smirked as he stopped in front of the gathered students.

”So this is the guy causing all the trouble,” Vaelor said, his voice deep and arrogant.

”I heard you conquered the main stronghold alone. Impressive. But now that we’re here, that ends.”

Adrian looked at Vaelor with clear relief.

”Vaelor, you’re finally here. We need your strength to take him down.”

The Dragon Slaying 4th years also arrived, their strongest fighters standing beside Mariinne as they assessed the situation.

One of the Dragon Slaying 4th year leaders, a tall girl with short silver hair, spoke up.

”We brought everyone we could. With this many 4th years, even Gray can’t hold the stronghold.”

Vaelor laughed as he raised his greatsword.

”Let’s end this quickly. I want to see what the so-called genius can do against real power.”

The 4th-year students from both academies spread out, their auras flaring as they prepared to attack the main stronghold.

The sight of so many powerful students gathering at one location made the crowd in the viewing hall go wild.

”Look at that! Both academies sent their best 4th years just to fight one person!”

”Vaelor Drakthar is here too! This is going to be insane!”

Vaelor was the first to shoot toward Gray.

Swoop!

He charged with incredible speed, his greatsword glowing with draconic energy as he swung it downward with full force.

”Dragon’s Descent Slash!”

The attack was powerful enough to split the stone stairs in half, the air itself trembling as the blade descended.

Gray instantly unsheathed his rapier in one smooth motion. The blade met Vaelor’s greatsword with a deafening impact.

CLAAAAAAAAAAAANG!

The collision sent a massive shockwave outward, cracking the ground around them.

Vaelor’s greatsword was almost thrown back from the force, the impact vibrating through his arms as he stumbled a step.

”W-what?!” Vaelor’s eyes widened in complete shock.

”Your strength... how is it higher than mine?!” he exclaimed in total confusion.

At this, Gray tilted his head slightly, maintaining the same expression.

”Talent issue.”

BAAANG!

”KURGGHHHKKK!”

Gray kicked Vaelor directly in the stomach, sending the large 4th year flying backward like a cannonball.

Vaelor crashed into several of his own teammates, knocking them down as he tumbled across the ground.

At the same time, a black crown appeared on top of Gray’s head, materializing out of dark, swirling energy.

He had for the first time activated his blessing...

[♛ — ✧Crown of the Abyss✧ — ♛]

When activated, this blessing will grant the user the following perks:

✧ Magic Attack Power will increase tenfold.

✧ Magic Resistance will increase fivefold.

✧ Immunity to all kinds of dark magic (this includes poison, witchcraft, curses...)

✧ The user’s affinity with otherworldly beings, animals, etc... will increase over one hundred times.

✧ The user will be allowed to speak with Abyss.

The black crown floated above Gray’s head, radiating a dark, oppressive aura that made the air around him feel heavier.

Even with most of his power sealed by the tournament’s barriers, the Crown of the Abyss boosted him to a level where he could still deal with them.

The Gloria and Dragon Slaying students stared at the crown in shock.

”What is that...?” Adrian muttered, his eyes widening in surprise.

Vaelor pushed himself up from the ground, coughing as he looked at Gray with disbelief.

”That power... It’s not fucking normal. What the hell are you?”

”This power... huh?” Gray scratched his chin in thought.

Then, his lips suddenly curled up.

”You could call it... an anti-cheat.”

He raised his face to look at one of the magical cameras that was filming this scene for the projection; his eyes were narrowed coldly as he looked at them.

That gaze was clearly meant for Gloria.

”Hiss...”

Gloria sucked a cold breath upon looking at those black, dull eyes.

’He knows... he definitely knows!’ she gritted her teeth.