The SSS Ranked Villain's Return-Chapter 102: An Axe?

"Neraxis?" Aella’s worried voice rang out.

Upon turning toward her, he noticed that both Celina and Aurelia were staring at him with the same expression as Aella. Stay updated with novelbuddy

"Did something happen?" Celina asked, and he responded with a shake of his head.

"No, I just didn’t get to train as much as I’d like," Neraxis replied with a hollow smile which no one seemed to believe.

"Really, dude? You can’t even fake a smile?" Kael said with amusement as he elbowed him in the side.

But Neraxis was definitely not going to share what he had seen. "It’s nothing serious. I’ll tell you some other time."

"But—" Aella was interrupted by the door slamming open as Magnus walked inside.

The same went for the remainder of the students who were chatting.

For some reason, Magnus felt a little cranky today, and yet, he hadn’t even said a single word.

But soon, he spoke.

"The headmaster and I have decided to bump up our plans. Therefore, those who reach E- rank will immediately attempt the Dreamspire’s first floor. Now, we’ve also made it so that if you are already F+ ranked, you have the opportunity to attempt it as well by receiving permission from me personally," Magnus explained.

"Oh?" An arrogant voice came from the side. It was some black-haired girl. "Can I try it now then, Instructor?"

"Yes, you are allowed to do so at any given moment. Step up to the podium," Magnus instructed, and she did as she was told.

"Veronica Lemont, are you positive you want to try to survive the first floor?" he asked, unsheathing his sword.

That seemed to make Veronica flinch for a moment, but nonetheless, she complied. "Of course, Instructor. I am as ready as I can be."

"Good," Magnus said with a smile, and before she could even react, he appeared behind her.

"Then survive against me for one whole minute," he added, slashing the sword down at her.

Surprisingly, she evaded it before pulling out some weird long polearm from her dimensional ring and swinging it right at Magnus.

Yet he merely waited for the swing to finish and quickly reacted in kind.

He’s holding back a lot, but still, it’s surprising that that girl can even dodge him in the first place with that frail-looking body of hers, Neraxis remarked, watching the fight continue.

The way she used the polearm was pretty impressive, as now, instead of attacking head-on, she opted to keep Magnus at a safe range while also dodging all of his attacks.

However, Neraxis saw something amusing happen right at the 30-second mark.

Magnus circled her constantly and, while doing so, also threw down miniature pebbles on the ground, which, if stepped on, would make one slightly lose their balance.

And if an inexperienced opponent who fought with perfect balance up until that moment did step on them, then...

"Ah!" Veronica’s yelp rang out as she suddenly tripped to the ground, and before she could even recover, Magnus aimed his sword right at her throat.

Th𝓮 most uptodate nov𝑒ls are publish𝒆d on ƒreewebηoveℓ.com.

"Fail," he announced, her cheeks reddening as she picked herself back up and ran to her seat.

"Now then." Magnus cleared his throat. "Who’s next?"

***

Safe to say, out of all the F+ ranks, only two managed to earn his recognition, with one of them being Soren, Neraxis thought as he leaned back in his chair.

The events from just a few hours prior were still replaying vividly in his mind, and he just wished there was something that could make him forget something like that ever happened.

But he couldn’t, since if he did, who else would kill those Sovereigns if not him?

Anyway, now that Magnus’s tests had concluded, it was about time he started the actual lesson.

"Today, we’ll be learning to wield a second weapon," he announced as gasps resounded throughout the classroom.

"Now, I know what you all may be thinking, but imagine yourself in a situation where, let’s say, your sword breaks, and beside you lies a bow. What if by using the bow, your chances of winning increase to 100%, but if you choose not to, then they are merely 50%? Do any of you like these odds?"

Silence once again returned, with him continuing his explanation.

"I have assigned each of you a weapon, so head to the training room," he said, walking to the door. "I will be sparring with each one of you. Prepare yourselves."

At his words, a smile tugged on Neraxis’s lips. What better way was there to get stronger than fighting opponents who were much stronger than he was?

He did not waste any time or even chat with Kael, as Neraxis headed straight to the training room, being the first one there.

Quickly changing into the black bodysuit, he walked over to the very middle, where the amused Magnus stood.

All of a sudden, an axe materialized out of thin air, landing right in Neraxis’s hands.

"You get an axe, Neraxis," Magnus stated with a pause before continuing, "I believe what you might lack is a bit of savagery in your technique."

Neraxis raised his brow in confusion, but soon, Magnus explained.

"An axe is known by many as a weapon of barbarians and such, but most of us merely take inspiration from their techniques. After all, it doesn’t matter how you fight as long as you manage to kill your opponent in the end."

"I see." Neraxis raised the axe in his hand high up in the air, looking for a comfortable grip.

But alas, there was nothing. He felt like he was holding an unbalanced stick with a lump of metal attached at the very top.

"Who made this?" he asked, earning a chuckle from Magnus in response.

"I don’t know. I picked it up from one of the monster zones. I didn’t have the chance to ask for the maker of such an axe, as the wielder was already dead."

"Oh... my condolences then," Neraxis remarked, ending the topic as soon as he could before asking, "Are we going to have some time to train before we fight you?"

He was met with a shake of the head from Magnus. "No, Neraxis. People will fight me in the order they arrive at the training room. That means, once everyone gathers, you are first."

Of course... he sighed inwardly and sent out a nod before walking to the side where a couple of wooden dummies stood.

Any tips? he questioned.

[I only wielded a sword back in the past. I didn’t have a use for anything more. I don’t have the ability to morph into anything either, but it’s not like it matters—your proficiency with the sword is nearly equal to what you had with the scythe.] Evangeline replied in a soft voice.

Hmm... he hummed. It’s weird how I don’t miss the scythe at all. It was my main weapon, but right after I died... I just kind of forgot about it? I guess?

[A sword is better either way. Now go practice with this shabby axe already,] she urged with a giggle.

And soon, he put his attention onto the target dummy in front of him before swinging the axe down.

It felt off—way more than he would like.

But the power was indeed great, as even with such a shabby attack, he was able to put a scratch on this high-grade dummy.

Still... Neraxis glanced toward the slightly smiling Magnus.

I’m a bit screwed, aren’t I?