Struggling as a Villain

Early in the morning, Ethan could be seen running around the town, wearing the only pair of running tracks he brought along. And not only him, many others were doing the same; given they must have kept themselves disciplined to get selected here.

Naturally, Ethan was drawing attention from the others, because of his adorable face and peculiar hair. However, the boy had such low confidence that he thought he was looking weird in these clothes that's why they were laughing at him.

Ignoring them, he ran for around five kilometres without any buff and ten kilometres with ether supplying extra booster.

He was advised by Elizabeth to train with his ether since, in a battle, ether is his best companion, so it was best to get familiarised with it as much as he could.

Once he finished running, he checked the clock and found it was only six.

'I guess I should train for a few minutes...' Finding himself a vacant spot in the backyard of the dormitory, he sat down in a lotus position and rested his fingers over each other with his thumb tips pressed against each other.

His eyes were shut, and his mind concentrated at the back of his head—a spot he found optimal to concentrate.

Ether ran across his body and instantly coated him like a blanket. A very pleasant feeling, like a mother's embrace, surrounded him—providing him with a very addictive sensation which lures him to just remain submerged in this energy and never let go.

'Huuuuu....this is different...' Slowly Ethan opened his eyes and looked at his hand. The silver glow was now visible to him and it was thick enough to make his hand look blurry.

"That's some brilliant development you got there..." Ethan didn't have to turn to know who it was as he calmly responded,

"I have improved or am I sick?" Ethan asked; not showing shame at the lack of knowledge about ether and the very concept of magic.

Elizabeth sat down across from him before responding, "I think you have unlocked something like stage two?"

Ethan wasn't able to respond immediately since he was in a daze upon seeing the girl. With her hair tied in a high ponytail and wearing skin-tight workout clothes, she looked adorable and at the same time, hot.

"Ethan?" Elizabeth was genuinely confused as to why he didn't reply, urging her to call out to him.

"Ah, yeah....stage two, right? What is stage two? Do you know anything about it?" Ethan brought his eyes back to her face, feeling his face turning hot.

Not good...he shouldn't look at a maiden with such a lecherous gaze.

Elizabeth shrugged, "I am not completely knowledgeable about this strange energy you possess, but from my angle, it seems you can finally use your magic for more than enhancement."

Ethan raised his brows, not because she said that he had strange energy, but because of the later part.

He has realised the fact that his ether, or whatever it was, was slightly different from a normal ether user, considering he had a double awakening, which is a myth in this world. Not to talk about he can absorb magic from his surroundings.

Just like Ambrobates.

That's why Ethan was initially unsure if he should actually enrol here, considering every person who resides here, studies here or teaches here, has a common goal of exterminating all the Ambrobates from the face of Clion. And for Ethan to show similar attributes to those monsters...

However, his decision changed when the Headmaster sent him a letter clearly stating that he was aware of Ethan's powers.

Ethan got up and asked, "Do you think I can now blast energy beams?"

Hearing his voice, Elizabeth chuckled, "Do you find energy beams cool?"

Ethan felt embarrassed as he realised that he must have sounded childish.

However, before he could dwell on that feeling for long, Elizabeth got up and said, "I find it cool, though. Energy beams and bombs are really cool powers, like shooting people from a distance is actually very appealing."

Ethan couldn't tell if she was trying to comfort him or genuinely have those children's fantasies, but he couldn't stop himself from smiling.

Flicking her forehead he softly mumbled, "Idiot..."

Although she was rubbing her forehead like it hurt her, there was a smile on her face.

Yes, she loved this.

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Richard reached the academy with Amelia and went to his classroom.

Amelia was just one position down and had taken an oath she would reach the top ten during the next assessment.

Today, everyone was seated with the person they were assigned the seat with. The seating arrangement was done randomly.

For some reason, Richard was sitting beside the pink-haired girl named Rose, who was sitting at the far corner of the seat.

Richard glanced at her before suggesting, "I am not suffering from any illness, you know..."

Rose straightened her back before she nervously smiled and inched a little closer—but the movement was so minimal that it seemed, she barely moved.

Richard felt tired seeing her like this so he stopped looking and took out his book to read something.

Eleanor and a grey-haired guy named Collen, who was also the son of one of the instructors were sitting together. And Emily shared the seat with Duke Aeromore's son, who clearly didn't have a personality to sit with.

For some reason, Nora was sitting alone, which could be perceived as a sign of discrimination—however, Richard knew that it wasn't the case. She herself has requested to sit alone for the time being until she gets familiar with her classmates. And naturally, her request was heard.

The students were told not to bring the books today since there was a representative election; that's why Richard was currently reading the structure of Bates and where they mostly appear.

While he was reading he planned for the future as well. The ultimate goal of the antagonists of this world was to revive the God of Death who was sealed on the Dark Star.

Death God becomes stronger with each death of any living being. Stronger beings produce stronger souls to be absorbed by the Dark Star, and the revival process would sail smoother.

So, the main goal was to cause chaos and let the world burn. And Richard needs to ensure his safety and the ones he loves.

Stopping the Death God's revival was not possible. Death can never be stopped, and until people continue to die, that evil deity will continue to grow stronger. These antagonists were just accelerating the process.

*CLINK*

The door parted and the students quieted down instantly.

The violette was wearing a pencil skirt and a white shirt today. Their hair was tied in a bun, and a curly strand were allowed to flow down—giving her a very sensual look.

Resting the teaching material on the podium she turned to look at the students.

"Good morning, students. I hope you have finally gotten into a course of your liking, and now, from today on, your training will begin for real."

Standing in the middle of the aisle, she asked, "Now, let's get on with this yearly routine of Class representative election."

Many of the students took a deep breath and a rush of energy seemed to have filled them as they straightened their backs and heard her continuing,

"Naturally, there are many merits of a representative. Remaining in the first section for the whole year, for example. However, there are certain drawbacks as well, like getting your student's points deducted for some mistake you didn't commit."

With her arms crossed behind her back, she continued,

"So before the election begins, I would like you to know your duties as a representative and what gains and losses you might face."

Everyone was carefully listening, but Richard was not very interested, considering his movement might get hindered if he becomes the representative.

However, not like he just ignored the lady.

"First and foremost, the duty of the representative is to maintain silence and discipline in the classroom in the absence of a Professor. Second, during the cross-class duels, you have to show good leadership and choose the right fighter according to the opponent. Third, you would be the voice of the students, so be wise when making decisions.

Fourth, you have to actively participate in any event the academy organises. And fifth, stop collision between students and help set up duels between them if the both parties are in the agreement."

"Now the benefits: Every month you will get a hundred student points. A free access to the library after school, and free gravitational chamber access for two hours a day. One free extra meal every week."

"And the disadvantages: Your points would be deducted if your class loses in the cross-class competition. Any misdeed during events from the students of your class will be blamed on you as well. And failing to subdue collisions would cause the representative, student points."

Many students now...were rethinking about whether they would want to become the representative now or not since the reduction of points might not be in their hands at all.

Ignoring those complicated gazes, Lucy clasped her hands and said, "So, shall we begin?"

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A/N:- Kind of info dump, but it was necessary. Thanks for reading.