Villain's POV: The Heroines Want Me!

Chapter 130: Chapter 130- The Second Test

Chapter 130- The Second Test

The next two days passed quite peacefully in the city. Aside from the news of the invasion that shook the entire world and got everyone speaking and theorizing, things were calm for Venera and Rize. They tried to keep track of what was happening, but with the massive scale of this operation, it was naturally hard to differentiate between truths and lies.

What the two understood, however, was that Sagardia had found a potential solution to the biggest problem regarding this invasion... Logistics. Venera couldn’t get many details about that particular topic through her connections within the Royal Admirals and the Nobles. Not many knew the full details of the operation except for certain people whom Theodore fully trusted.

However, what she learned was that the operation wasn’t going to be one major hit. Instead, the plan was to slowly take over the mountain range through precise strikes and slow pushing. That would lower the risk of huge losses and give the soldiers time to get accustomed to the terrain, the weather, and the monsters lurking within these mountains.

That plan was smart, and perhaps even possible. However, Venera knew one crucial detail. If you don’t deliver a strong strike from the start, the Zatharis could easily deal with the small groups of soldiers they might encounter.

These weren’t the Royal Knights they were talking about. These were normal soldiers. The strongest of these men were barely Tier 7 Awakened who could use some abilities but didn’t have any real battle-altering capabilities.

They were as good as prey in the wrong place and moment. Venera was certain her father knew that, but when taking into account both options, that sounded like the more reasonable one. If, of course, she ignored the fact that this entire operation was a huge mistake in the first place and should’ve never even been done.

In any case, the situation was still not fully clear as the operation hadn’t fully started yet. They were bound to hear more news in the next few weeks, so Venera decided to keep tabs on it through her subordinates.

With that, she finally focused on the most important thing she had at the moment. The second test was about to start, and naturally, things had been moving since the day before as people got ready for the second part.

They bought everything they could possibly need, from supplies to healing potions to stamina potions and everything in between. They didn’t know what the second test was going to be exactly, but they figured that it would be something like the first test. A test of survival and strength.

However, for some reason, Rize suspected it was going to be a completely different kind of test. After all, Ereze had specified that the tests were going to challenge every single aspect of an awakened, and not just power.

It was all, in the end, just suspicions. The truth was going to be revealed soon.

With that, the sun of the third day rose in the sky, announcing the start of the third test. Venera and Rize woke up early and left their house to head to the location where the third test was supposed to happen.

”Mmm, it’s a really cold morning today,” Rize said as he exhaled a steamy breath.

”Yeah, it’s that time of the year. It’s bound to get colder and colder in the coming days.” Venera replied. ”Luckily, essence does warm you up naturally, and even more so when you channel it.”

Aside from its usage as a battle weapon, Essence is amazing at regulating body heat, curing sickness, and even increasing the healing speed of any injury. It was a very versatile energy that improved the body on every front.

”But it’s really odd that they sent us the location last night,” Rize said as he checked his watch. A holographic image of the map of the city appeared before him, and on that map was a small point where they were supposed to go.

However, what was very weird about that location was the fact that it wasn’t in an open field or even somewhere where many people could gather. Instead, it was a particular building in the heart of the city.

”Hm, I wonder what they’re planning...”

”Definitely something different,” Venera said. ”I don’t think it will be anything easier.”

As the two walked, they realized that there weren’t as many people heading in the same direction as they were. If anything, the number of people was so small that Rize didn’t even know if they were really going in the right direction or not. The others had the same confused looks as they stared at one another.

Eventually, they reached the location, which led them to a large building, at least several dozen floors high

”Hm, are we sure this is the place?” Rize asked. He could roughly count that there were a few hundred candidates there, or maybe a thousand at most. The rest were nowhere to be seen.

Venera looked at the building before she pursed her lips. An idea of what this test was going to be about formed slowly in her head. It was indeed different... Very different.

The group gathered there, confused and lost. Suddenly, a person appeared before them out of nowhere. It was none other than Ereze, in the same attire he had a few days ago and the same look.

”Welcome, everyone.” He said. ”To the second part of your test. I hope you all had a good rest yesterday.”

’He really likes appearing out of nowhere, doesn’t he?’ Rize thought to himself as he looked at the man with a wry smile.

”I am sure many of you have a lot of questions about the nature of this test, why there are only 1000 candidates here, and how things will go. However, everything will be explained shortly. Before we do that. There are a few things we must do.” He said calmly as he snapped his fingers.

Suddenly, a large group of men, all clad in the same academic attire that they had seen before, emerged from the building.

”Are those?”

”Guards...”

”What are they doing here?”

”Who knows...”

The guards stopped behind Ereze as they looked at the group coldly.

”Please hand over all your jewelry, phones, and everything else except for your clothes and weapons.”

”...”

The entire place fell into deep silence. That silence was only broken by a confused...

”What?”