Reincarnated as the Final Villain's Vessel

Chapter 240: Game of Kings

"Hmm..." I let out a low hum as I sipped from the cup, staring into the distance at the same time where Elliot was walking through the people.

For some reason everyone gave him looks of respect and admiration, like he was a hero back from the war or whatever.

What a touching scene... maybe this coffee needs some sugar.

He was walking through the students without noticing us, so he’d pass by us peacefully soon enough... I mean, supposedly.

"Hey Elliot!... over here." Ivan waved his hand and shouted loudly to get his attention... and of course it worked... even a deaf person would hear him.

Propping my cheek on my hand lazily, I sipped the coffee while the honorable hero came closer to us, smiling politely and apologizing to some innocent girls... what the hell is this!.

He closed the distance and got in front of us quickly, a bright smile forming on his face until I almost raised my hand to protect my eyes... okay, I’m exaggerating.

"Ivan, it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other... and you Caius, how are you guys doing."

The two of them held out their hands and shook with amazing timing, which made Ivan open his mouth right away. "Well I’m fine, as you can see all my limbs are where they should be and of course my head too... and we don’t see each other because you guys left the moment you came back, look, unlike you Caius and I have been building our friendship this whole month, we even went on a mission together..."

Elliot’s smile got tense under the flood of words as he glanced at me, I shrugged and tasted my coffee peacefully.

In the next few minutes Ivan kept the handshake going while he went on talking... what was he talking about?

Honestly I don’t know, I’d switched to outside-noise mode as I blinked heavily... why am I so lazy today.

The answer is simple, I haven’t slept in more than two days... I mean I wasn’t comfortable sleeping, I barely dozed off for an hour or two so I took all that time to raise my rank.

And here I am feeling completely sluggish now.

"Okay Ivan... yeah.... that’s great!" Elliot’s answers were short and awkward while his smile faded and turned forced.

Dodging him, he turned his head to me and asked, "So Caius... how are you?"

What a stupid question, just like him, I shrugged. "Still alive, thank god."

"Focus here Elliot, leave Caius alone, like I was saying my dad was really angry that day... I get it but it wasn’t right for him to take it out on me, you understand me!"

What the hell is he talking about... but honestly I was too lazy to get up and move somewhere else.

In the end the noise died down and the coffee cup in my hand was half empty too, unfortunately.

When Ivan finally caught his breath, I took the chance and asked Elliot, "So, why are you here?"

He let out a tired breath as he looked at me. "To pass the theory exams, obviously."

I yawned. "Hmm... we were exempted and we already passed the year."

Elliot blinked at me. "Yeah but we still need to pass the theory side... they told us that clearly."

I scratched my head... yeah I heard something like that but I thought they were joking or something... you know, when you’re thinking about something that changes the fate of humanity and then someone starts talking about paper exams.... obviously that would be a joke.

Well, turns out I was the only one who took that as a joke... what a stupid way of thinking.

"Good then, good luck." I muttered sluggishly, which made him turn his head.

"Why do you look like you haven’t slept."

I almost clicked my tongue. "Obviously because I haven’t."

Ivan clasped his hands together on the table. "Anyway forget the books... the date for the Game of Kings is going to be set soon guys... and obviously we’re going to be the ones taking part in it, aren’t you excited about that?"

I nodded. "Yeah, super excited..." Unfortunately my sleepy tone didn’t reflect how excited I was, but Elliot wasn’t like me.

"Oh... and that’s another reason I came now, the Axis is going to start organizing training for us to get us ready for the game."

It looked like they were talking about something important, so I took a sip of the dark liquid that had gone cold as I asked, "Can one of you tell me what this game is or whatever."

The two of them stared at my face like I was an alien who’d landed in this world.

But of course Ivan wasn’t going to miss this chance. "Who doesn’t know the Game of Kings, Caius... it’s the event the Empires host every four years and anyone who’s eighteen or under takes part in it... or students who’ve finished their first year... well that’s different with repeaters."

"Anyway, the Empire is going to organize the event this year and it just so happens that we’re eighteen and excellent candidates to take part."

Just so happens... well I don’t like that word, but I remember this now... though Ivan doesn’t look like he’s going to stop.

"There’ll be people from other academies with us too, and 100 people total from each Empire will take part... well the game changes from one time to the next so who knows what they’ll throw at us, I remember last season was a hunting game... oh and of course our Empire wasn’t the winner in the end unfortunately, even though we did well we lost in the individual matches at the end."

Ivan snapped his fingers excitedly, the words pouring out one after another. "And as you know, the prizes are always really tempting even for the richest nobles."

He looked like he was trying to get me interested... well, it would’ve worked on a normal day.

Of course I’m greedy about prizes and all that... but that meant winning this game, and to win I have to take part.

And honestly I wasn’t comfortable with that idea.

After the recent developments with the Pillar of Blood, taking one step outside this place was a death threat... or worse, meeting Medirin again.

Even with the backup plans I have for this, Rank 7 was unpredictable.

If Medirin hadn’t wanted to talk instead of killing me that day I wouldn’t have been able to break the crystal and bring Alicia.

"Hey... are you still here, aren’t you excited about that... I said the prize could literally drown you."

Ivan’s hand took over my view as he waved it to get my attention.

I sighed as I stood up from my spot, stretching myself a little, and at the same time I threw the empty cup and it landed in the nearest trash can.

"Yeah... yeah I’m excited... very excited... anyway I’m going." I turned and walked while waving goodbye to them, but Ivan’s voice kept following me.

"Wait Caius, where are you going?... maybe we could come with you."

Come with me?... how terrifying.

"Going to train... do you want to be my sweet punching bag." I looked at him over my shoulder as I saw his tense smile, so I set off on my way without looking again... even though Elliot’s looks were begging me not to leave him with Ivan, the thought of him getting some mental torture was wonderful.

While things were still quiet I wanted to break through to Rank 4 as fast as possible... not just because I want to.

But because I need to... I need every point of strength as fast as possible.

Maybe with those stones Alicia gave me, and a lot of work with little sleep I’ll be able to advance within two months... or that’s what I thought.

Because at that moment I didn’t know that the past would stay rooted in me to this day.