Struggling as a Villain

There was something certain, this brat wasn't sheltered and weak like those whom Dino used to face when he served as a knight.

This person was good. With his blood lust, ether control and body movement it was evident that he has fought and killed people before.

Earlier when Dino was attacked, he believed that his opponent was a bonafide Mage, but now, his opinion took a one-eighty.

'He has shaped himself through pure combat...' That stance which the bald-head adapted was different from before. It showed that his opponent was no longer in the 'observation' phase.

He wants a fight. And Dino was well set on giving one.

Planting his hands on the ground, Dino summoned a network of mud walls that shot up between him and Richard, each one forming at unpredictable angles and random intervals. The walls created a jagged maze, twisting and turning with no discernible pattern.

Richard's brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing as the unnatural layout blocked his view of the battlefield—and, more importantly, his opponent.

The booming voice came from his left. "Dodge!" It commanded, urging Richard to shift his focus. Instinctively, he took a defensive stance, turning towards the sound. But before he could react further

"Khak!" A heavy mud ball smashed into his back, knocking him forward and sending pain shooting through his spine. Richard clenched his teeth, frustration growing as he realized how expertly Dino manipulated the element. The mud wasn't just a barrier; it was a weapon in Dino's hands, striking from the shadows of the maze he had created.

Dino moved like a phantom within his own creation, his figure nothing more than a blur darting from one corner to the next. He knew every inch of this chaotic battlefield, using the walls to his advantage, launching attacks from Richard's blind spots without ever slowing down.

Richard gritted his teeth and stomped his feet on the ground. The flames roared to life, creating a temporary barrier against the relentless mud attacks. The heat intensified, scorching the ground around him and providing a brief moment of respite.

Dino stopped in his tracks, eyeing the flames with a gleam in his eyes. A slow, predatory grin spread across his face. Without hesitation, he coated his arms in thick layers of hardened mud, the earth wrapping around his limbs like armour. The mud hardened and cracked with an audible snap, forming gauntlets of stone.

His feet dug into the ground, and with a burst of speed, he charged directly towards the firewall.

The audience roared in thrill as they saw Dino charging from the front. His aim was precise, aiming for Richard's head which was currently within the bounds of the flames.

"Ahhhhh!" With a twirl, he entered the flame ring and smashed his fist with utmost ferocity, enough force to take down an ice pillar.

....however, he severely missed his target as Richard, with his eyes closed, ducked under the fist.

"Ah!" Dino only glanced at the boy for a single moment, and in the next, he found something hitting his exposed side with enough force to knock out his breath.

"Fuck!" Dino spat through clenched teeth; his body flung backwards. He crashed into the ground, rolling uncontrollably until his back slammed against one of the mud walls he had erected. Pain radiated through his side, and for the first time in the fight, panic flickered in his eyes.

Richard slowly rose back to his feet, his senses flaring higher than before.

With his 'Perception Burst' he could make out the fine details around him. Every movement in the arena, from the faintest gust of wind to the smallest tremor in the ground, became part of Richard's awareness. He didn't need his eyes anymore—he could feel the battlefield.

Dino raised his hands, summoning over a hundred mud darts that hovered ominously in the air, glistening like darkened arrows. With a fierce grin, he locked his eyes on Richard, ready to unleash his barrage. "Feel the weight of my power!" he shouted, launching all the darts at once.

But Richard remained calm, eyes still closed, listening intently. He could hear the whistling of each dart slicing through the air, approaching him from every direction like a swarm of angry hornets.

He kept his head low, allowing the air around him to guide his movements as he materialized his staff in his hold. With a surge of energy, Richard slammed the Ruyi Bang into the ground, the impact sending a shockwave rippling outward.

The air crackled with a violent current, and as he swung the staff upward, all the mud darts shattered into fragments, exploding in a shower of dirt and debris. The sound echoed like thunder, and the arena fell momentarily silent, the audience watching in awe as the shards scattered harmlessly around him.

Dino's eyes focused on that staff as he realised that this might turn messy if he didn't pay attention.

Richard lunged into the air, using his staff as a propel, and twirled thrice while being airborne.

"Hupp!" Increasing his weight near the end, he struck the staff on the ground, sending a massive surge of gale across the battlefield, and severing all the mud walls which were blocking his vision.

Dino barely had the time to erect several walls in front of him to protect him from the shockwaves, however, he committed a grave mistake by blocking his own vision.

"Huh?" His instincts flared, ringing loudly as Dino felt something above him.

This sensation was new to him...yet he fairly understood what this feeling was

The dread of death.

"Hell Blaze!" Richard launched his deadliest attack from a few inches above, releasing a torrent of violent flames which engulfed Dino from head to toe.

"Ahhhhhhhh!!" The cries of the prisoner echoed through the silent arena as Dino tried fighting away this excruciating sensation.

Richard landed on the ground, smoke erupting from his body; however, since the body count increased by one, he didn't remain standing to check if Dino had died and made his way out of the arena.

Returning to his cell, Richard finally released the Perceptive Burst...and found his vision turning blurry. His body was spasming because of those many combination of attacks, and also, the utilisation of Ruyi Bang at its five percent took a heavy toll on him.

Falling on the bed, Richard closed his eyes and fell asleep.

-----------**----------

Lilia couldn't believe her eyes. Outside the mansion, hundreds upon hundreds of church workers were dropping dead and resurrecting in the next instance.

It didn't help that new batches joined them out of nowhere and the ferocity of their attacks was elevating.

The crimson-eyed man was still dominating the field; however, considering the undying forces and the increasing numbers, Lilia didn't believe that he would be able to keep them away for the rest of the days until her master returned.

"Take this!" A priest raised his left hand, the symbol of light releasing a bright radiance, and making the raven-haired clench his teeth.

In front of the essence of Light, the being who derives their essence from Darkness always feels weak and annoyed.

Extending his hand, the seven feet tall man released a reddish dark matter from the tip of his finger, that pierced the Priest's head and drained the life from his eyes.

However, only a moment later, the priest returned to life and continued to channel the energy toward the man.

Gritting his teeth, the raven-haired curled his body, and in the next moment, several large blood-red spikes erupted from his body, slaughtering numerous church members in an instant.

However, more than anyone else, the man knew that this wouldn't be enough to kill them.

'Exactly what is causing those shitty Goddesses to interfere with the mortal world so much?'

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Marcus returned to the academy nearly at the same time when Scarlette's mansion was attacked.

After leaving Richard at the doors of the Endless Hold, he went to meet the Prince, but unfortunately, the boy was currently too terrified to meet anyone, so he made his way back to the Academy.

"Haah...long day..." Although he wasn't injured, at this age, it becomes weary for him to battle for that long. The clones were inhumane beings with no fear of death nor any remorse for their action.

'But still...it's quite unsettling that the parent one still is alive...' Marcus heaved a sigh and sat down on his office chair.

He had a lot of work pending and naturally, he wasn't going to sleep tonight as well.

*Tick*

Just as he picked up the fountain pen, he felt a presence in the academy which wasn't here until a moment ago

The old one's eyes sharpened as his figure dissolved in an instant.

"The dormitory..." To be specific he received that presence from the girl's dormitory.

Marcus' pace was unreadable under the dark sky as he appeared before the warden; startling the woman.

"H-H-Headmaster?!" The bespectacled woman instantly sprang to her feet, witnessing Marcus here at this time.

"Come with me, "He commanded before climbing the stairs. Since it was already past midnight there was no one roaming around.

Marcus hurriedly walked through the corridor and only stopped before the only door which was parted.

Marcus went inside without another thought to check whether the student was safe...however, despite how much he searched—phyiscally or through his skill—he couldn't find anyone at all.

Walking out of the room, he asked the warden, "Whose room is this?"

The warden didn't think twice before responding, "It was allotted to student Hawkbridge. Amelia Hawkbridge."

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A/N:- Don't worry, he won't take long to return. Just a few chapters. Thanks for reading.