Villain Extra: Rogue Reader

As time continued to pass by, another 12 students were eliminated in the trial by another person.

They were all transported back to the auditorium.

Needless to say, half of them burst into tears once they saw how empty the seats were.

It goes without saying that being eliminated this early on meant that their chance of entering a higher class was over.

However, the most surprising part was that the majority of the eliminated students happened to be commoners.

And no, there was no rigging.

It was just the standard concept in which the noble students received better education prior to entering the academy.

Therefore, the noble students were largely superior to the commoners who didn’t receive much education in terms of combat or mana utilization.

Margaret had long anticipated this, and wasn’t inherently disappointed or surprised.

This entry trial was mainly a way for the students to see their current standing.

What was important was not what they had learned prior to joining the academy, but what they had learned after joining.

The midterm would have a similar design, and by then, the results might no longer be the same.

’But still, the commoner students’ mindset needs to be better.’ She shook her head at their weak mentality.

Was there really a need to burst into tears?

The class distinction was no longer the same under her adamant insistence and sponsorship.

From now on, all classes would receive the same resources, albeit the requirement to pass was more difficult the higher they were.

After all, the expectations held for Class S could not be held to the same standard as Class F.

While they were depressed, some still kept their eyes on the screen that continuously shifted to entertaining moments.

...

”Why are you chasing me?” William was confused when students began to pursue him over the completion of missions.

”You have a lot of points that we can use!” The students snickered and launched another offense.

”I don’t have any points.” He argued and quickly sidestepped to the left. He narrowly avoided the attack, but his position was slowly being cornered.

”What a liar.” Another student sneered.

”If you’re going to lie, do better, William!”

”What? Every student’s face is blurred and shouldn’t be recognized!”

William was startled that his identity had been exposed.

Could there be something rigged in the trial?

But that wouldn’t make any sense.

”At least go into incognito mode and not have your ranking exposed literally.” The student blabbered it aloud, and reminded William why he was getting chased down.

His face was indeed blurred, but because he didn’t opt to hide his ranking or name in the leaderboard, everyone could see him being fifth-place William.

”Hah, but this doesn’t make any sense.” William still couldn’t quite understand how his position was constantly exposed. He had been avoiding a direct confrontation with other students to conserve his energy.

”You should ask yourself why you made an enemy of that villain. He kept clamoring that your points are worth way more than his.” One of the students snickered.

”Hmm, that’s not quite correct. They said it’s better to chase after those in the points ranking, and he would surrender himself to the highest.” Another student remarked.

”Ah, it’s whatever. He did point us in this direction anyway.”

By now, William started to understand the gist.

’That Raymond pointed these people my way...’ William didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. They seemed to be constantly crossing paths.

Although he did express some intent to spar with Raymond, it was just a fleeting thought.

Since there were missions available to earn points, he had been focusing on that solely.

Yet who could have imagined his intense focus caused him to expose his ranking?

How was he supposed to know he could conceal his name in the rank?

The professor didn’t even mention anything. Moreover, wasn’t the hunt supposed to only be on Raymond?

Why was everyone else doing their best to eliminate the other students?

”Thanks for the information, but I cannot falter here.” William exhaled deeply and unsheathed his sword.

Soon, his movement hastened on the spot.

He blinked away, and the pursuing students instantly realized William’s intention.

”Spread out and avoid being too close!” One of them warned, but failed to realize William had already closed the distance between them.

”Damn, the loudmouth bites the bullet as usual, eh.” Despite saying so, they tried to conjure a barrier.

Unfortunately, the barrier was like fragile glass.

As soon as William’s sword made contact, it shattered easily, alongside his body.

The token within him immediately illuminated, and they were transported away.

”What the hell was that slash?”

”One move is all it takes?”

The nearby students watched in shock at William’s strike. That person who got eliminated wasn’t weak by any means.

Yet they were still eliminated.

”Can’t run away! We have to fight together!” One of them gathered courage and shouted loudly.

If they continued to flee individually, they would be eliminated one by one.

”You’re right!”

”I’ll cover your back with a water element!”

”I got your flank!”

The others quickly nodded and agreed. Soon, the student who shouted that charged ahead.

”Let’s see how you can win with all of us combined!” They shouted.

But they soon found something was amiss when William tilted his head in confusion.

”Who are all of us?” William suddenly asked.

”Huh?”

Startled and dumbfounded, the student paused midair and turned around.

Sure enough, those who clamored about covering his side and flank earlier had already begun to flee alone.

”You bunch of garbage!” It was at this moment that the student realized they had been played and used as a scapegoat.

”Maybe you should learn their character well first before siding with them next time.” William kindly advised and launched an aerial slash cut. He was also a bit naive in trusting others too easily.

But the Fourth Prince made him realize that trust and an alliance only worked if both sides were near equal. Of course, there were exceptions to this rule, but the chances were abysmal.