Well, Alaric's plan was quite simple as he continuously sent his underlings to fight Hector in the competition. But unfortunately, his plan didn't seem to be effective at all.
"Hector is the… W-Winner!" The referee gritted his teeth in anger and forced himself to declare the winner.
And not just him—both Zoe and Alaric felt it too. They played dirty against Hector and still lost.
That was the worst feeling they had ever experienced.
"Aaaahhhhhhhh!" Alaric yelled in rage and slammed the wall of his office, sending cracks spreading across the nearby surface.
Meanwhile, Zoe stayed silent, but she felt the same fury as Alaric.
A moment later, Zoe spoke. Her voice was filled with malice.
"Should we kill him secretly?"
The instant the words left her mouth, Zoe felt a chill run down her spine, as if saying anything more would cost her head.
Silence. Then Alaric finally spoke, having regained his composure.
"Do you really think I'd feel satisfied after everything he's done to me… if I did that?"
Zoe hesitated for a moment before asking,
"So… what do we do now?"
…
Alaric took a deep breath and glanced out the window. He clenched his fist with certainty and killing intent.
"I'll handle him in the final exam and humiliate him in front of everyone. I'll prove he's nothing but inferior trash and repay every bit of disdain I've suffered because of him."
***
"Hahaha, just a little trash. Let me prove my power for you!"
Bang!
"Tch. It's really irritating to deal with this cliché crap over and over." Hector frowned and clicked his tongue. He glanced at his opponent, who was lying motionless on the ground, then turned toward the referee.
But when he saw the referee's stiff, stupid expression, Hector only scowled and walked away.
"No way!"
"This is insane. How could he get that strong in such a short time?" a student grumbled.
Another nearby student spoke up.
"Maybe he hid his real power all this time, waiting for the right moment to reveal it."
"Damn it! He's just the scum of the world. There's no way he could reach that level."
…
"Obviously, he's using a demon's power! That's the only way he could become this strong so fast."
"That's right!"
"He's a demon worshipper!"
…
"BOO!"
"Asshole! You should feel ashamed for using such dirty tricks!"
Countless curses and insults echoed across the arena stands. Meanwhile, Hector simply clicked his tongue. Honestly, he didn't care what they said. Either way, they were just brain-dead.
"Or maybe the curse of the Nameless God affected them."
Ting!
[A curse has appeared. Do you want to receive it?]
[Name]: Fate of the Lazy One
[Rank]: ★★
[Description]: You constantly feel sleepy and develop lust whenever you see girls.
"Damn my luck." Hector sighed and quickly dismissed the system screen. There was no way he'd ever choose that curse.
Indeed, ever since he defeated Todd, he had not received any valuable curses or blessings from his opponents anymore.
However, he had finally put an end to the boredom after passing the academy exam. He no longer worried about being expelled.
Moreover, through fighting them, he had significantly improved his combat techniques.
He smiled as he summoned his status.
[Title]: The blasphemer of the god
[Name]: Hector Jenkins
[Age]: 17
[Mana Core Color]: Green
[Count mana cores]:2–[0/500]
[Innate Stats]
Mana core potential: Green
Strength: F+ →E
Agility:E→E+
Vitality: E
Charm: F-
Luck: G-
[Blessing]:[Divine Mimicry][Divine Transmutation][Swordcraft of Infinite Evolution][Shadow Stepwork][Brutal Martial Art]
[Curse]: [Blasphemer's Burden][ Blood of predator]
[Color Slot]:
"Not bad~~" He licked his lips in satisfaction, then nodded and dismissed the system screen.
The first move in this world had succeeded perfectly. He would not be expelled anymore, nor killed by the MC.
The academy's rules would protect him—for now.
But there was still one problem. From now on, everything became hard to predict.
And when he looked back at everything so far, beyond what he had handled in the exam, he frowned.
Surely, there were many enemies within the academy.
"First, I must get stronger… that's the only way I can handle them."
As for his next move, maybe he would continue clearing dungeons, increasing the number of his mana cores to boost his strength for the final exam of a first-year student.
The winners of the first-year final exam would receive a ticket to represent the academy in a competition held at the capital of the Hayden Kingdom, where the top ten geniuses would be chosen.
An event that only appeared once every hundred years—and only this time.
There was something he had to obtain at any cost: an artifact that could boost his mana core potential.
If he failed, his fate would be death, without question. No matter what, he had to steal it from the MC.
"It's good that I already have a plan in mind."
He stood up from the chair and glanced at the arena's resting room for a moment before leaving. He headed back to his rented room.
Soon, he arrived at the academy's back park, lined with rows of rental rooms. But he quickly frowned when he spotted a familiar face waiting by a nearby tree.
"It's been a long time since you were expelled from the clan."
A middle-aged man with burn scars across his face spoke. Hatred and anger flashed in his eyes as he looked at Hector, though he barely let it show.
"Who are you?" Hector asked coldly. He could already sense the hostility coming from the man.
Brad spat in disgust and said,
"Now you've forgotten me? Of course. You never kept anyone in your heart… not even your own mother."
Hector's frown deepened at those words, and a wave of sadness swept through his chest. Still, he remained silent—those feelings belonged to a child longing for his mother.
They were not his feelings, but his body's.
"Go home. Meet your mother… one last time."
Then Brad added in a cold voice,
"I'll make sure no one harms you—at least until your mother's wish is fulfilled."