[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-198":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","THE VILLAIN'S POV",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},336885,598,"Chapter 198 198: The Beginning of the Victoriad","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-198",198,"\u003Cp>– Frey Starlight's POV –\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first day of the tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huff... huff…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat streamed down my face as I continued doing push-ups without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"500... 501… 502…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I moved without stopping, determined to shake off the sluggishness clinging to my muscles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to be in peak condition if I wanted even a sliver of a chance to win—especially when my opponents were the best of the best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night, I returned to the Temple in secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stayed awake all night, working with Carmen to restore my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't need sleep anymore. I had already slept for nearly a week.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And today…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would face Seris Moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn't seen her in a long time—and ironically, the moment I did, I'd be forced to draw my sword against her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, that part of the Temple would finally be opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The World Arena—the place that would host the finals of the Victoriad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It resembled a colosseum, but on a much larger scale. A massive space that gave warriors full freedom to fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could hold over 300,000 spectators, and the upcoming matches would be broadcast to every corner of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn't used to these grand, performative battles—but that didn't change what I needed to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matches would begin soon—an hour from now, to be precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mine was the last, which only made the wait worse. So I drowned the tension in an endless stream of push-ups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hooof...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I exhaled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Calm down…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reviewed everything I had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All my techniques… every trump card I had left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know if they'd be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even my strongest weapon—Ignition—was now a last resort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using it with a weapon other than Balerion would significantly weaken it… and the weapon itself would shatter from the strain of channeling my body's aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, if my opponent somehow survived it… it would be over for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, I couldn't afford to use it until the final round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of Ignition… I remembered the overwhelming amount of aura Balerion absorbed last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I closed my eyes and focused—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, I found myself floating above the endless sea of aura inside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, I saw a massive crater in the middle of that violet ocean—slowly refilling over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after drawing out all that power… the overall aura pool inside me had barely changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, I still couldn't wield this power properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This body of mine was a mystery in itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Shadow Adaptation had refused to respond until the very end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of it… questions without answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the system's advice—words I'd repeated to myself over and over—meant almost nothing by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look into the mirror… and understand its reflection.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was that supposed to mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wished I knew before it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>6:00 PM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drums roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The earth trembled beneath the deafening noise of over 300,000 spectators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the heart of the World Arena, the colossal stadium stood ready for battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arena was surrounded by four towering stands that stretched into the sky, showcasing the peak of this generation's architecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above the colossal bleachers, four massive screens hovered mid-air, displaying a rotating stream of images and data. They'd broadcast every upcoming fight to make sure no moment was missed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two portraits appeared on those screens now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man with black hair and crimson eyes ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other, however, had become the talk of the hour — the center of all attention. His face had already turned into the unofficial symbol of the Empire itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow Lionheart vs Dawn Polaris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first quarterfinal match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere was electric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no ordinary event—it was monumental.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In every section of the arena, there were VIP boxes prepared for the most influential figures in the empire: the top-ranked powerhouses, the guild masters, and the heads of noble families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mages had worked around the clock to prepare everything. A top-tier protection barrier—classified S—was erected to prevent any attacks from leaking outside the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was arranged to give the spectators the most immersive experience possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most eyes, however, were fixed on one particular VIP section—one reserved for the titans of the empire , the leaders of the great houses… and the largest seat of them all:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The throne of the Emperor, who would personally attend this event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The family leaders had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frost Moonlight, representing the fractured Moonlight family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man who took the mantle simply because no one else was left. He had just broken through to S rank recently, and rumor had it he did nothing but train day and night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him stood his mother, Eleanor Moonlight, an SS- ranked powerhouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Moonlight family looked very different compared to the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side sat House Starlight, led by Ada Starlight, with Carmen Starlight at her side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That family had pulled itself from the ashes, now unified under the leadership of that sharp young woman. Thanks to her, they had already risen to the second-highest position among the noble houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the strongest house currently—it belonged to the old man with the blazing beard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iris Sunlight laughed heartily as he looked at the new faces filling the seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahh… I feel like a stranger in my own time. Has the age of old men like me finally ended?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last time he attended the Victoriad, he sat beside Baylor and Leonides Starlight. Now he found himself surrounded by youths who hadn't even reached thirty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe it's time I step down too. Don't you think so, Phoenix?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Iris stood Phoenix Sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood the layers behind Iris's words and replied with the same answer he always gave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As long as I can't beat you yet, you're still qualified to lead, old man. So enjoy it while you can.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk… Youngsters these days, no respect…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iris shook his head, gazing down at the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But really… who would've thought the Hero would actually appear? Those church bastards have a mighty weapon in their hands now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Hero emerging from within their ranks, it was safe to say the Church had tightened its grip on the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if that Hero were to rise to the level of the legendary Kazis Valerion, then who could possibly stand in their way?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if his concerns were only speculation, the Empire was clearly leaning further and further into the Church's influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you going to do, Maekar?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If things continued, the emperor might become little more than a puppet—one controlled by the cunning priests of the Church.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that the Church's seats were positioned separately, on the far side of the arena, was the clearest sign of the growing divide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stands were filled to the brim—300,000 people watching the grand spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And only minutes later, Emperor Maekar arrived, clad in his usual regal robes, with the masked Oliver Khan following behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they entered, the roar of the crowd exploded into madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, how often did people get the chance to see the Emperor this close?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maekar raised his hand to the masses, waving with a confident smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression looked noble and composed—but those close to him knew better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That look… was not one of joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could say what the strongest man in the Empire was thinking as he watched from above?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the first match was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Headmaster Ivar stepped forward to deliver the opening speech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the world waited to witness the debut of the Empire's second Hero...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for me—I walked through the inner corridors of the stadium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After presenting my identification to the guards, I was escorted to a private room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was equipped with a large screen and a spacious warm-up area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chose not to watch the first match from the audience seats—I wanted to avoid the chance of running into anyone I knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I preferred to remain in the shadows… until it was time for my match to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes passed slowly as the sound of pounding drums and the thunderous cheers of the crowd echoed in my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the wait came to an end when two young men entered the arena at the same time from opposite sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them wore specially crafted armor designed for this event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Snow Lionheart was clad in the Church's ceremonial white armor—ornately designed, surpassing even those of the noble houses in splendor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Dawn Polaris, he wore the armor prepared for him by the Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow still seemed a bit dazed, not fully grasping the weight of his current status, nor used to the overwhelming attention from the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Hero!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the name on every tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn Polaris chuckled awkwardly, watching how the crowd's focus was entirely on his opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You look like a completely different person now, Mr. Hero.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't bring it up… this whole thing is suffocating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They spoke casually—after all, they were friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Dawn, Snow was still the same student he'd known before the whole Hero title ever existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You do know losing would cause quite the uproar, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just imagining the Hero losing after all the hype surrounding him—what a scandal that would be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was enough to place immense pressure on Snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn't seem the slightest bit bothered… as if the possibility of defeat didn't exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry. I have no intention of losing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Ivar appeared between the two eager combatants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After inspecting them, he confirmed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your armor is equipped with the same system used during the Island trial, only much stronger. In case of a fatal injury, the armor will activate a protection mechanism capable of stopping attacks up to Rank S.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Upon receiving potentially lethal damage, the armor will emit a disabling wave that knocks you unconscious—resulting in your loss. The match also ends if either of you surrenders, or is unable to continue. Understood?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both nodded simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satisfied, Ivar disappeared once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seconds later, the signal was given.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let the first match begin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1697,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.346Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","a3bc984125fd1855fc435f0eb8d331a24478a6b00b4d7021f2847a82e97e8a58","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-199","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-197",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]