Struggling as a Villain

The Obsidian Citadel is situated on an island, separated from the mainland and has a rigid security system that does not allow a single intruder to enter the piece of land without alerting the authorities.

Not only was the academy situated on the island, but every other necessity of a student was made available for them, leaving no requirement to leave the island unless any dire situation arose.

Ethan has only heard about this place in the past, but not even once he thought he would get the opportunity to enrol here—on a fully-funded scholarship, no less.

It was something related to that awakening he went through in Awsperg that made the administration of the Academy interested in him—Ethen thought.

He has been living passively for the last few days, in the capital. Elizabeth has become a good friend, but not someone he still could trust. There have been various incidents...that made him slightly wary of her. Her natural personality and the personality she adopts in front of him, are quite different. But she wasn't that bad of a person at heart. Well, for him at least.

Wearing his usual clothes, which consisted of high-waist pants and a white shirt, Ethan slowly made his way towards the wide buildings situated at the far end of the island.

He was brought here last night and was made to stay in outdoor dormitories like the others. And early in the morning all of them were asked to report to the school by eight o'clock.

Ethan slowly reached the main gate where the students were lined up and getting scanned.

Ethan also lined up and got his stuff checked once before he was told to go in.

The first word that left his lips after witnessing the academy was, "Peaceful."

A castle-like building across the main gate, after crossing a flower garden with a fountain situated in the middle of the adjoining four paths. On the left, there was a corridor that led to the school buildings from a different entrance. On the right, there was a tall building with an emblem of a book situated at its crown.

The colour theme of the school was dark blue and black, which gave it a very elegant vibe and made Ethan feel that he was in a dream.

Seeing those people who mostly came from noble families, he felt overwhelmed and was forced to wonder whether he belonged to the place.

'Haah...I have already crossed that point...' Deciding that it was futile to mull over it anymore, Ethan followed the signboard that the school staff was holding.

His enrollment number was three hundred twenty-eight, which means he has to go to examination hall five.

He followed the arrow which was marked on the signboard and went towards the left side of the building.

After following the others for a bit, and walking for like three hundred meters, he reached behind the main building where a vast field awaited, and several buildings stood tall.

"That doesn't look like an examination hall....?" One of the students near Ethan voiced his opinion while looking at the dome-like facility across them.

Since the other students were going there as well, Ethan chose not to ponder over it for long and check whether he had reached the right place.

Every year, the Academy only allows five hundred students to enrol, and given the popularity of Hunters all over the world, it was no surprise that Ethan could see over a hundred students here in the same examination hall.

A part of him wanted to take the 'Survival' group to become someone like his teacher, however, the aim of his life requires him to become a ferocious beast who knows nothing but to slaughter. And for that, Ethan needs to be in the most dangerous and difficult course of the academy.

Entering the place, he saw various groups had already formed among the students. Ethan has always been awkward with his words so he walked past those groups to stand alone somewhere.

It was then that he found a girl standing all alone while staring at the arena. Her black hair seemed to be darker than the night and her warm yellow eyes made Ethan dazed for a moment. She was extruding a very elegant charm and gave the impression of being a noble lady.

Ethan was baffled by the fact that a girl with such beauty was left alone, which urged him to approach her....but then he hesitated. What if the girl wanted some peace just like him and his approach might disturb her?

He just decided to stand a few meters beside her.

Naturally, he couldn't shut off his ears and slowly the conversation of the people nearby reached him,

"Hey, isn't she the daughter of Duke Hawkbridge? She looks more beautiful than the rumours offered."

Ethan raised his brows. Just as he thought, such aura cannot be possessed by a commoner.

"But what's the point of such beauty when she speaks so bitterly to others?" Another one from the group, this time a girl, disdainfully spat.

"Yes, yes! I saw one guy approaching her just now, and after sharing a few words, he awkwardly walked away." Another one added, making Ethan frown.

They really are quite sassy for making such comments for the person who surely could hear them.

Ethan glared at them in annoyance but they simply ignored him and continued their conversation.

Ethan sighed and looked towards his left. Although the girl seemed completely unbothered, Ethan knew she must have been hurt hearing those harsh comments on the very first day.

Gathering his courage, he shifted towards her a little before saying, "I apologize in their stead. They just can't control their mouths it seems."

He was standing at such a distance that he didn't need to speak aloud to talk.

Amelia retained her gaze to the front as she responded, "I don't mind, and they are mostly true about my personality. I indeed have a sharp tongue."

Ethan chuckled, "But why can't I hear you talking to me abrasively?"

"Because you haven't tried to flirt with me until now."

....oh.

Ethan now realized why she shooed away the previous one who approached her. It seems she was averse to flirtatious guys.

Ethan asked casually, "So...I assume you are wary of men?"

Amelia, for the first time, looked at Ethan with her eyebrows elevated before asking, "I never said that. I am wary of every man who isn't 'him'."

Ethan tilted his head, "Him? Is he-" Ethan halted his words as he was surprised to see that slight smile on her face and the warm look spreading in her eyes.

Not only he but everyone who was glancing at Amelia was struck with awe upon witnessing that look on the ever-stoic girl.

"Yes...him. The only one who can flirt with me all he wants." Amelia slowly muttered; her face turning a little hot at the thought of meeting him today.

Ethan didn't say anything after that as the instructors began to march inside. It was a lady with long olive-green hair and an admirable physique.

She held a clipboard in her hand and commanded, "Line up, side by side and stop chatting if you don't want to get your points deducted."

The students moved instantly to do as she said. Ethan was pushed to stand beside Amelia while maintaining his eyes on the instructor.

She was extruding a very powerful and fiery aura like a tigress. Sharp emerald eyes looked at the students with an evaluating look.

Ethan remained standing with complete attention as she finally began,

"Okay now-"

Suddenly she halted and turned her eyes toward the entrance of the hall from where a certain redhead entered.

Everyone turned to glance at the person and so did Ethan.

A handsome young man with lava-like long hair and piercing golden eyes entered the examination hall, making several girls gasp in astonishment because of how charming he looked.

The person was not like the other noble children who gave a very immature aura, rather, he possessed a very refined air around him. The way he walked and carried himself was just breathtaking.

Every eye was glued to Richard as he made his way towards the instructor before apologizing,

"I apologize for being late, ma'am."

The instructor looked irritated as she spat, "Just on your first day, you are showing such an irresponsible tendency? Why are you late?"

Ethan's brows rose hearing such an irritated tone from the woman. Was she generally so strict, or was Richard an exception?

'Why do I feel the latter is the case?' Ethan inwardly mumbled and completely missed the threatening look Amelia adopted.

Richard retained his calm, which very few of the students expected, as he responded, "I was called by the administrator to submit the list of caretakers I have brought along. And since the administrator seemed to have an upset stomach, it took longer than it should have to finish the formalities." He calmly stated.

The green-haired narrowed her eyes before telling him, "Stand with the others."

Richard nodded before he stepped back and looked at the students, only to find two familiar faces standing on the extreme left.

Without another thought, Richard joined them.

—To be continued.

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A/N:- Thank you for reading.