Stuck as a Villain!

Chapter 142: Why didn't you go against me?

[Seth's POV: ]

"You can't do this to me! This is unfair!"

It was the day after the competition when the meeting of all five participants including me and the Professor in charge of our group, Henry Silvester, was present inside the conference room.

The reason why Arata shouted his complaint stems from the fact that I and Professor decided to take Kevin as a participant who initially was taken as a substitute and replaced him with Arata.

There was more than one reason to put Arata away from the final round. He not only went against my plan but also engaged in a brawl with the defender even though it was not the main motive of the competition.

He's too impulsive and we cannot afford to have him in the third round.

Currently, Ranghaur was on top with 139 points but Elitwiq was also just behind with 110 points followed by Brisbain who was ten points short of the second-placed team.

The decision was not that complicated to take regarding Arata and the outburst was in expectation.

"It's your fault which causes this, Arata Hazodono. Don't shout now." Professor Henry bluntly warned Arata and I guess the other three also were in agreement with this.

Arata seemed entirely shaken up by the decision but I think he should've expected this the very moment he broke the plan and began acting on his own accord.

"But I want to participate in the third round

Please give me another chance. This time I would give my all and win over whatever opponent is proposed. "

There was a sense of genuine plead in his voice, uncharacteristic to Arata and I could already sense the reason behind such change.

'Thunder Emperor... ' I am guessing that Thunder Emperor has given him the First Fold of his Technique named, 'The Heaven Descendent'.

Arata needs to keep on improving his mental and physical capability to unlock all the folds Thunder Emperor has in store. There are a total of twelve and if mastered all of them, only God would be able to deal with Arata.

Since the situation is dire, I bet The Emperor must have reluctantly provided his technique to the stubborn fool even though from just outer performance I could tell that Arata was not entirely prepared for the powers of a Demi-God.

There was a brief silence that ensued in the conference room as Arata stared at the Professor with a look of entreaty but the latter remained frozen and indifferent.

Amidst the silence suddenly a heavy voice belonging to the tallest man in the room, reverberated, attracting every gaze toward him.

"I retire from my participation."

Kevin's sudden announcement threw Henry into shock as he hurriedly rebuked, "This is not something you can throw away to let your friend take part in, student Kevin. This is once in a lifetime chance so think before you speak."

True to his words, this tournament was something a student can experience only once. And considering the prominent figures attending the event it's understandable why Professor Henry reacted so strongly.

However, Kevin being Kevin, didn't bat an eye to Peofessor's unsaid appeal.

"I don't need mere competition to make my name in society since I never seek popularity. I would do things my own way so I want Arata to take my place in the competition."

I don't know what Kevin saw in Arata or if it was the butterfly effect working since originally Arata and Kevin were supposed to be buddies which brought Kevin's sudden change of mind.

Nothing is concrete here to believe but I have no problem accepting anyone as the fourth member of the team. Arata don't need to follow any plan in this one since this is a PvP fight where one's sole capabilities only matter.

Arata looked at Kevin in thankfulness but the latter just played ignorant and leaned back in his seat. Ciel and Anabelle remained passive like they didn't really care what has been happening.

"Seth, why don't you say something? This is utter foolishness!"

"What can I say? We cannot force anyone to participate and until we have enough participants there's nothing to stress about, right Professor? So calm down and let's strategize our course of action for the final round."

I have already thought of hundreds of routes Arata might take to go against me and how would I put him down. For now, he just wants to show off in front of Miyuki and that was childish enough to not pay much concern into.

Arata looked at me with a surprised look but I couldn't care less whatever he thinks of me. I just need to secure my match for the third round and have enough faith in Ciel and Anabelle that they wouldn't disappoint me.

Our team would gain enough points and at the end of the day, I would fulfill the promise I gave to mother.

****

[After three hours of discussion]

Everyone left the conference room to rest early since there were still days before the final round and no one wanted to stress over it just now. Regardless of what they said, I was aware that after leaving this place everyone would train separately for the finals.

Taking aside the bonafide battle junkies named Ciel and Kevin, even Anabelle was also all hyped up for the final round since she never got to perform until now and since this was her only chance, Anabelle seemed determined more than usual.

The only people left in the room were me and Arata who were in charge of cleanup so no one could get their hands on our plan. I was collecting all the data files related to other participants whom we would be facing in the Third round and Arata was cleaning the whiteboard when suddenly the sword wielder called out for me.

"Why didn't you go against my participation?"

I raised my brows but didn't halt my work. I knew he would ask this but I didn't need to put any extra word in my response.

I just answered truthfully, "I couldn't care less who is the fourth participant since by the third round, the match would be settled. "

There was a brief silence before Arata once again spoke up, his voice nearer than before, "Are you okay with this? I mean you know that I am trying to pursue Miyuki, right? And since she loves you, aren't you going to do anything to stop me?"

I did stop, but not the guy but my hands before I turned to face the Protagonist who was looking at me with an expression of perplexion blended with stress.

I took out my glasses and from my left pocket, a handkerchief arrived. While wiping my glasses I answered him, "Listen, Keita. Whatever Miyuki has for me and what you feel about her is for you both to think about. I have nothing to do with you two. And as we both know, there are far better things to get concerned about rather than romance and love, right? "

Hearing my words, Arata's face darkened with a knitted frown shadowing his eyes as he grimly spoke, "The rise of the Fall. "

"Yes. The arrival of Six, Seven, and Eight crown temples would be the beginning of this planet's end if a certain someone doesn't put his focus on it."

It was given whom I was referring to and Arata knew it as well, that how big of a responsibility he has if he doesn't want everyone to go extinct from existence.

I could try to become strong and get my hands on every necessary boost up, but I could not reach up to the heights where Arata could.

Despite it being frustrating, it's a fact that to remain alive I have to be dependent on Arata that was why I haven't done anything against him.

'Though isn't there any other route... ' I couldn't help but think the single question for the nth time.

****

A/N: - Drop a comment if you are liking the story.

Tell me, do you guys want the date of Anabelle and Seth, or should I just skip it entirely?

I am skeptical but since Anabelle is one of the main characters I am leaning to add a chapter for it.

Comment down your thoughts.