I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 727: [Final Event] [Blood Moon Festival] [9] The Last Trip of The Year

”Wow... everyone’s already here,” Amelia said, her eyes widening as she took in the sight before her. The sheer number of students packed into the enormous hall left her genuinely impressed.

The Teleportation Circle of the Academy had brought them directly to the capital of the Kingdom of Ravenia in the north. Their arrival point was a heavily fortified building under the kingdom’s jurisdiction, designed specifically to receive students from the Academy. Mana barriers shimmered faintly along the walls for all kinds of protection.

After materializing safely from the teleportation spell, they were escorted through a wide corridor that opened into a vast assembly hall. The space was already alive with energy, the overlapping buzz of conversation, laughter, and footsteps echoed off the high stone walls. Every student from the Academy was here—first years nervously chatting in small groups, second years exchanging gossip, and third years as well.

The Kingdom of Ravenia, situated in the far north of Sancta Vedelia, shared borders with the Tepes Kingdom and Moonfang. Because of its location, not many people—especially High Humans had ever visited. Their kingdoms were clustered mostly in the southern regions of Sancta Vedelia after all. For most of the students, this trip was their very first glimpse of the north.

But what made the timing even more special was the Celebration Week. Though the festival mainly honored the Vampires, Ravenia’s dominant race, it was an event that all races looked forward to. When Vampires celebrated, the entire continent tended to join in and nobody ever complained about a week of feasting, dancing, and fireworks.

”Oh, Cylien!” Amelia called out the moment she spotted a familiar face among the crowd.

Cylien turned and smiled. ”You’re late, all of you.”

”Blame Victor,” Amelia said with a playful sigh. ”He absolutely had to see Alicia before we left.”

”Oh, right! I heard Alicia’s back,” Cylien said, eyes brightening. ”And Amael too, right? Is he here somewhere, or still resting?” She scanned the hall hopefully.

”Alicia said he’ll be at the festival later,” Victor answered with a grin.

”I see...” Cylien’s smile softened, a hint of relief showing in her expression. ”I’m glad he’s back.”

Before they could continue, a sharp voice cut through the noise behind them.

”I see you’ve been busy, Senior Victor.”

Roda approached with her arms crossed, her brow furrowed in clear irritation.

Victor chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. ”Yeah, kind of. I had to see my mother... and then Alicia,” he said cheerfully, clearly oblivious to why Roda looked so annoyed.

”I’m not talking about that!” Roda huffed, her tone sharp enough to draw a few glances from nearby students. ”You didn’t even wait for me after class yesterday. And you didn’t bother to invite me either!”

”Why should he invite you in the first place?” Selene retorted dryly.

Roda turned on her, visibly frustrated. ”Oh, right, I’m just no one to you, huh, Victor?”

”Come on, Roda, don’t say that,” Victor replied with an awkward laugh. ”I would’ve invited you, honestly. But we finished class earlier than usual, so we left right after. If you wanted me to wait, you could’ve just sent me a message.” He held up his phone as proof, his expression disarmingly innocent.

Roda looked away, puffing out her cheeks in silent protest.

”Come on, let me make it up to you somehow,” Victor said with an apologetic grin, stepping closer. His hands rested gently on Roda’s shoulders, his touch both playful and sincere.

Roda looked up at him for a moment, her irritation faltering when their eyes met. Her gaze softened, but she quickly looked away, crossing her arms to hide her embarrassment. ”Fine,” she muttered. ”Just... take me somewhere later, alright?”

Victor’s lips curved into a small smile. ”Deal.”

”Looks like you two are enjoying yourselves,” came a calm but stern voice from behind.

”Ah—Jennyfer!” Victor turned around instantly, smiling widely.

But Jennyfer didn’t return his enthusiasm. Her arms were crossed, her expression cool.

”This might not be an exam but you’re still representing the Academy. Try to learn something from this educational trip instead of treating it like a vacation.”

Selene’s expression darkened slightly upon seeing her. She knew very well who Jennyfer was—Victor’s first love.

Victor chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his head. ”We know, Jennyfer, we know. But we can relax a little, can’t we? After everything that’s happened this year? It’s our last stretch of the second year, after all.”

”That’s right, Senior,” Amelia chimed in. ”You already graduated last year, but we’re still stuck here. You can at least let us breathe a little!”

Jennyfer exhaled softly through her nose, her stern demeanor softening just a bit. ”You’ll have all the time in the world to relax after this,” she replied. ”Especially those of you who will be attending the Academy at Edenis Raphiel. Classes there won’t start until next year, so you’ll have a long break.”

The group exchanged looks of surprise. It wasn’t common for Edenis Raphiel to delay its academic calendar. Usually, the transition between academies was immediate. But this year was different.

Because the administration had decided to align the start of the new academic year with the Festival of Eden, an event celebrated across the floating archipelago of Edenis Raphiel, everything had been postponed. The festival would coincide with the public unveiling of the new Saintess of the Holy Garden, an event so significant that even the Academy adjusted its schedule around it.

The delay also gave the staff time to prepare for the unusually large number of new students being admitted that year—both from Trinity Eden Academy and other affiliated academies from all over the world.

For students like Victor, it meant an easier schedule for their final year at Trinity. Their coursework had been lightened to give them time to prepare for their transition to Edenis Raphiel.

”Are you going too, Jennyfer?” Victor asked with a hopeful look.

Jennyfer hesitated only a moment before nodding. ”Yes... I’m planning to.”

Her voice carried a quiet excitement beneath its calm surface. In truth, her heart was racing not because of the academy, but because of what Zeus had told her. She would finally see her younger brother there... the brother she thought she had lost forever.

”Edenis Raphiel! I’m so excited!” Amelia practically bounced in place, her eyes sparkling like a child’s.

For her, and for most students, the thought of stepping foot in Edenis Raphiel—the legendary floating archipelago was like a dream come true. Even high-ranking nobles considered it a privilege to visit.

Because of the political tension between Sancta Vedelia and Edenis Raphiel, Amelia hadn’t had many chances to go there, but she still remembered the few times she did as a little girl.

She remembered the skies endless and blue, with islands suspended in sunlight and waterfalls that vanished into clouds. It had felt like stepping into a fairy tale, a world where everything was brighter, grander, and impossibly beautiful.

Just thinking about returning made her heart flutter.

”It really is a place of dreams,” she said softly, smiling to herself. ”Aren’t you excited as well, John?!” She asked John then.

”Yeah,” John replied shortly. His tone was as dry and curt as ever, giving away absolutely no enthusiasm.

Amelia blinked at him, half-expecting at least a little excitement, but no—this was typical John.

He wasn’t thrilled about heading to Edenis Raphiel, not in the slightest. Deep down, he already knew what awaited them there—or at least, fragments of it.

He hadn’t played the third game much back on Earth, and the details had grown blurry over time, yet the bits he still remembered were enough to make his stomach twist. He knew that whatever happened in Edenis Raphiel could have terrible consequences on the whole world.

If it were up to him, he would’ve avoided it altogether. But knowing what kind of disasters were bound to unfold, he didn’t have the luxury of staying out of it.

He could afford to be lazy back at Celesta, letting the events of the first game play out naturally. But this time, doing the same could be reckless—maybe even suicidal.

”What’s with that boring response!” Amelia huffed, puffing out her cheeks. ”It’s going to be exciting, John! Right, Celeste? You’re coming too, aren’t you?”

Celeste nodded gently. ”Um, yes,” she said softly. ”Grandmother said I’ll be attending Edenis Raphiel as the Prophetess... since both the Saintess and the High Priestess will also be there.”

Her words sent a ripple of awe through the group.

That year was already being called historic as for the first time ever, the three chosen women of Eden would be gathered in one place.

”Wow! That’s incredible!” Amelia said, glowing with excitement. ”I wonder who the Saintess and Priestess will be and the two other Apostles, too!” Her eyes sparkled. ”Just imagine it! The next generation of Apostles all in one academy!”

She had always been a romantic when it came to stories like this—myths, prophecies, legendary figures. She’d devoured entire shelves of books on the topic, so her excitement wasn’t surprising.

”It’s in two years, calm down already,” John said, cutting through her enthusiasm like a splash of cold water.

Amelia smirked, refusing to be discouraged. ”Why so grumpy?” She teased, looping her arm through his.

John shrugged, keeping his gaze ahead. It wasn’t worth explaining. How could he tell her that he knew more than he should—that he already dreaded what that year would bring?

The only person who understood was Eric, the one who also knew about the Third Game. Sooner or later he and Amael had planned to meet him to review the Third Game anyway.

”Enough about Edenis Raphiel,” Jennyfer interrupted, bringing the conversation back to the present. ”You’re in Ravenia right now—focus on this trip first.”

Despite her tone, there was a flicker of distraction in her eyes. She was excited too, though her thoughts drifted elsewhere. Zeus had refused to tell her where exactly her brother was, which frustrated her to no end. Still, he had promised she would see him sooner than expected. She clung to that hope like a spark in the dark.

”Oh, he’s here!” Someone suddenly shouted.

The air shifted immediately. Excited chatter erupted, especially from the girls. Heads turned toward the entrance as the heavy doors opened and several distinguished figures stepped inside.

At the front stood the teachers—Brian Moonfang, Harvey Indi Zestella, and Priscilla Tepes. But the one who drew the loudest reaction was the young man walking beside them.

”Is that... Cyril Raven?”

”It’s Senior Cyril!”

”Kyaa! He’s so handsome!”

The hall practically vibrated with excitement as the girls squealed. The Prince and heir of the Raven House, Cyril was not only a third-year student but also the one personally welcoming them to the capital.

Tall, composed, and royal, he carried himself with the confidence of someone born to rule. His crimson hair shimmered and was tied nearly and crimson eyes glowed as he spoke to the teachers.

While most of the students whispered or giggled at his appearance, Celeste froze. Her body stiffened the moment she saw him, her expression unreadable but the faint tension in her shoulders didn’t go unnoticed.

A few minutes later, when everyone had finally gathered and the chatter had settled, Priscilla Tepes stepped forward.

”The next few days will be filled with a series of activities across the Capital of Ravenia. Since there are many of you, the students will be divided into smaller groups. Each group will be supervised by different instructors or staff members from the Academy.”

”Oh, are you going to be one of the overseers, Jennyfer?” Victor asked suddenly, turning toward her with a hopeful grin.

”You’re not listening, are you?” Selene muttered, grabbing Victor’s arm and turning him back toward the front.

”Right and you’re definitely not, Senior,” Roda added sharply, seizing his other arm for good measure.

Amelia laughed, shaking her head. ”Wow, Victor, you really are popular these days.” Her eyes glimmered with amusement. ”Ever since you became the Apostle of Nihil, every girl in the Academy’s been swooning over you.” She gestured subtly around the hall and indeed, several girls were stealing glances at him with shy, admiring smiles, as if he were some prized treasure.

”Well as an Apostle, you’re allowed to have as many wives as you want. Nobody would blame you.”

The speaker was Earth, Selene’s stepbrother, his tone dripping with teasing arrogance as he approached.

The moment John saw him, his expression hardened. His entire body stiffened with quiet rage, and without a word, he turned and walked away teeth clenched, fists tight. If looks could kill, Earth would’ve been a corpse on the floor.

”J–John?” Amelia blinked, startled, and hurried after him.

Selene, however, didn’t move. Her eyes narrowed sharply on her stepbrother. She didn’t find his words funny in the slightest.

”I was joking, Selene,” Earth chuckled, lifting his hands as if in surrender. ”Relax. It all depends on Victor anyway. As the Apostle of Sancta Vedelia, he has responsibilities and duties.”

No one could argue with that. His words might’ve been laced with mockery, but they were true. Just like Celeste, who as the Prophetess carried her own burden.

Speaking of her...

”How are you, Celes?”

The voice made Celeste’s body go rigid.

Cyril Raven walked toward her with that familiar smirk playing at his lips.

Celeste instinctively stepped back, her entire posture shifting away from him. Cyril chuckled softly, clearly amused by her discomfort.

”I told you before,” he said, lowering his voice just enough for those nearby to hear, ”you can’t escape me. Eventually, you’ll belong to me.”

”Cyril, that’s enough,” Victor intervened immediately, stepping between them.

Cyril’s smirk faded. His gaze turned cold. ”Victor,” he said slowly, ”just because you found out you’re the son of my grandfather, you think you’ve gained status?” He took a step forward, towering over Victor, the faintest smile twisting into cruelty. ”Actually, you’ve only become more pathetic. The filthy son of a rape.”

Victor’s hands balled into fists, his mana flaring in anger but before he could react, Selene was already moving.

Her hand shot forward, but Cyril was faster. He caught her wrist easily, his movements almost lazy.

”Selene...” His tone stayed amused. ”Since Elizabeth’s death, you’ve become... rather useless, haven’t you?”

Selene froze, trembling.

Cyril leaned closer, his lips brushing dangerously near her ear. ”But if you want,” he whispered, ”I can help you see your sister again.”

”...!”

Victor instantly stepped forward.

”Leave her alone, Cyril!” He snapped, shoving him back.

Cyril merely stepped aside, smirking, unaffected.

”Cyril, aren’t you ashamed of yourself?” Jennyfer finally spoke up, unable to hold back any longer.

Cyril turned toward her and laughed under his breath. ”Oh, if it isn’t Aerinwyn’s pet. What do you want?”

Jennyfer didn’t flinch. ”How about you behave like a prince for once?” She shot back, her blue eyes narrowing dangerously. ”Or will you follow the same path as your grandfather— down the road of arrogance and ruin?”

Cyril’s chuckle returned, low and dark. He brushed off her words with a flick of his wrist before turning back to Celeste.

”In three days,” he said, ”you’ll officially belong to me.”

Celeste met his gaze, anger blazing in her normally serene eyes. ”I don’t belong to you,” she said, her voice however, trembling only slightly.

Cyril’s smirk deepened, delighted by her gaze. He leaned in closer. ”What’s wrong? Still waiting for him?”

Her breath caught.

”The traitor who ran away with my sister. Do you think he’ll come back for you? Save you like a hero? He is probably busy screwing my sister. Elizabeth’s dead so he must have found Alicia quite fitting yet he didn’t even touch you, aren’t you disappointed?”

”...” Celeste stayed silent but she could barely restrain her anger.

”Hahaha!” Cyril laughed cruelly, stepping back with amusement. ”Then tell him to come.”