Fiszure raised his hand, signaling for quiet, and the crowd instantly hushed, hanging on his next words.
"Listen up!"
Fiszure started, his eyes scanning the room.
"I've clawed my way up, just like you'll have to. When I talk about these trials, it's not theory, it's experience."
He shifted his weight, leaning forward.
"On Monday, the first round of selections kicks off," he began.
"For those not in the know, you need a Physical Rating—or PhysRat—of 200 to break through to Tier 1 Villain status. To even proceed to the next selection round, you'll need a minimum PhysRat of 150. So, think long and hard before you gamble with that pricey application fee!"
A wave of murmurs washed over the room. The tension palpable.
Daseos could hear snippets of anxious conversation.
"I'm at 145 PhysRat... should I even try?"
"My parents will kill me if I don't make it through the first round. $50k is nearly all of my family's savings!"
Daseos pondered Fiszure's words.
'A PhysRat of 150? Hmmm…'
He didn't even know his own score yet, mainly because it costs an arm and a leg to get tested…
Fiszure paused, scanning the faces before him.
"The second round is academic. You just have to pass; that's the easy part. Then, you're in for the final challenge." he said dismissively.
"The grand finale is the Monday after next,"
He declared, his eyes shining with a mix of sadistic delight and businesslike professionalism.
Fiszure's words seemed to sink into Daseos, like a stone falling into a dark, bottomless lake.
'Two Mondays,' he thought, 'that's all the time I've got.'
Fiszure's eyes narrowed, his gaze like a spotlight scanning the crowd.
"This royal rumble is more than just a brawl. It's a stage, and the audience? They're scouts from the top Villain Ascendancy Institutes, both local and major. You're not just fighting for survival; you're auditioning for your future. Score high, and you might just find yourself in the middle of a bidding war for your talents."
The room vibrated with a sudden surge of energy. Conversations erupted, each more animated than the last. Fiszure's words had turned smoldering embers of ambition into blazing infernos.
But what came next truly got everyone excited.
"And to spice things up," Fiszure grinned,
"Today I'm picking 10 students for a royal rumble right here, right now. I'll be giving you real-time pointers, and the Most Valuable Villain gets a front-row seat to watch [5] go toe-to-toe with a Tier 1 Villain with me this Saturday. Trust me, it's a match you don't want to miss!"
The gym exploded into a cacophony of cheers and hands shot up like fireworks. Students jostled and shouted, each desperate to be picked.
Among the sea of eager hands, Daseos and Lilith stood apart. Their arms were crossed, faces blank.
Devian, on the other hand, was a live wire. His arms were raised high, fingers stretched out like he was trying to touch the ceiling. He was practically jumping out of his skin, shouting, "Pick me! Pick me!"
Lilith leaned in close and asked, "Aren't you interested in getting some pointers?"
Daseos smirked, locking eyes with her. "Aren't you?"
A shared laugh, silent but full of meaning, passed between them.
No words needed to be spoken.
Both knew they had nothing to prove here.
Devian was now on stage, in the role of master of ceremonies.
He looked like a kid in a candy store as he began picking the participants.
When he got to the last three spots, his eyes found Daseos.
A moment of silence, then,
"The three of you, get into the arena now!"
Daseos's eyes widened.
He pointed to himself, eyebrows lifting as if asking, 'Me?' He turned left.
Devian was literally jumping with joy, whooping like he'd won a lottery.
He turned right.
Lilith was letting out a smile that screamed,
'Well, this should be interesting.'
When all ten 'volunteers' assembled within the arena, Principal Stillwater immediately said,
"The Ascendancy tests are around the corner, remember this is a learning opportunity! Don't kill or heavily injure anyone!"
Fizsure cast a side glance at Principal Stillwater, who was standing at a corner with an oddly satisfied smile.
He squinted his eyes, recognizing that this kind of 'play-fighting' was extremely rare in Antagonia.
It was almost unheard of for the higher-ups to allow this kind of chaotic setup. He internally scolded himself, a voice grumbling in his head,
'Dammit! The old man must truly be in deep shit this time. Should have asked for at least 20k.'
But there was no time to dwell on regret, as the arena below was abuzz with anticipation.
Students gathered around, forming a ring as the chosen ones took their positions.
"Listen up!" Fizsure barked, raising his hand for attention. "The royal rumble is not just about brute force. It's about strategy, awareness, and making the right moves at the right times. When faced with multiple enemies, keep your back safe and your eyes sharp. Utilize the surroundings to your advantage, and never—"
"START!" he suddenly shouted, cutting his advice short.
Almost instantly, the floor turned into a battlefield.
"RAAHHH! That ticket is mine!!"
Devian, fueled by adrenaline and a youthful spirit, dashed forward with unrestrained enthusiasm, throwing himself into the melee.
Lilith spun around, expecting to see Daseos by her side, ready to spring into action.
But he was... gone?
Her eyes scanned the chaos quickly, finally spotting Daseos a good distance away.
He was sprawled out on the floor, seemingly out of the fight already.
He lay there motionless, just a ragdoll amidst the turmoil.
As she met his gaze, a mischievous grin spread across Daseos's face.
His eyes peeked open, full of playfulness, mocking the chaos around him.
He stuck out his tongue and almost as if to declare,
'I'm dead, can't you see?'
Lilith chuckled, shaking her head at his theatrics.
His laid-back demeanor amidst the chaos was so like him; carefree yet calculated.
She knew he was far from out; this was just Daseos being Daseos, unpredictably shrewd and audaciously playful.