[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-28":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},336815,598,"Chapter 28 28: The Temple Exam","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-28",28,"\u003Cp>\"Where to, my lady?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at the coachman, only to be surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strongest servant of the Starlight Family was the one driving the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, the old butler refused to look at me. He simply drove in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to my sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since when did an S-rank servant become a mere driver?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I burst into laughter at the absurdity of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, Vulcan! What's the matter? Did life finally decide to mess with you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old butler remained expressionless as he answered with practiced politeness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am bound to serve and protect Lady Ada. Her will is my life, and I take great pride in the role she has given me. Welcome back, young master Frey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? Is that so? Well, thanks, I guess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned my attention back to Ada.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aren't you being a little too harsh on the old butler?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She responded indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He got what he deserved after what he did before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she talking about the incident from a year ago?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she's doing this… for me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hesitated for a moment before asking,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me, Ada… do you hate me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed unprepared for the question, fidgeting slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sigh, she finally answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, I hate you… Or rather, I used to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Used to?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. But those feelings faded the moment I heard of your death… No, I had already been conflicted long before that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hesitated before adding,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides… you've changed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled as I looked at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was acting all shy, even though she was supposed to be the older sibling here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who said I've changed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada flinched at my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe I'm still planning even worse things in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stretched out on the luxurious seat, pressing her further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me, Ada… what if I continue doing what I've always done? What if the whole world turns against me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would you still support me, knowing full well that I'm just a piece of scum?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I saw the sorrow in her eyes as she lowered her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the front, Vulcan listened in silence, but he didn't intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, after a moment of hesitation, Ada lifted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I would.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, I was the one left speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn't expected that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had only tried to provoke her so she wouldn't get too attached to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, a pragmatic relationship based on mutual benefits had always been enough for me before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How the hell was I supposed to deal with the girl in front of me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I held her gaze for a few moments before letting out a defeated chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was joking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't plan on doing anything bad, so don't worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do you do this to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't be so mad… For now, all I need to do is enter the temple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my words, she suddenly remembered something important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About that… Frey, you're a little late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? Late?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. The entrance exams ended a while ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My expression must have been ridiculous because, for the first time, Ada laughed when she saw me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, don't make that face… I'll use my position to arrange a private exam for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My face instantly lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, relief washed over me. After all, if I didn't enter the temple, I wouldn't be able to participate in the Victoriad, and everything I had done so far would be for nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure you can do this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. I am the head of the family, after all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, right… She was the Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lady Ada, is it really appropriate to use your authority like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada's expression turned cold at the old servant's remark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Silence, Volcan… My decisions are none of your concern.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forgive my impertinence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>May the gods be with you, Volcan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The following days passed in relative peace. Thanks to Carmen, Leonidas was temporarily restrained, and Ada had ensured that no one could meet me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, I spent my days with her in our secluded manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had grown much closer—so much so that the coldness from before had completely disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, I kept my distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I did my best to push her away, reminding myself that I would be living in the temple once I was accepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was for the best. I couldn't afford to get attached to anyone in this damned world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days later, I was finally summoned to take the temple's entrance exam—thanks to Ada's influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exam was held in a separate section of the massive temple. Now, I stood before an enormous facility that resembled a fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a mere examination center, it was as large as the academies from my previous world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, I recalled that the temple itself was a small city in its own right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I designed it that way—to provide the perfect environment for the main characters to develop relationships.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did I start realizing how cliché I had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two individuals emerged from the facility's gates to greet me. Both wore formal black attire—one was a woman, the other a man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind me, Ada wore a sorrowful expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You just got back, and now you're leaving again…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sorry, but I have to do this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She forced a smile as she bid me farewell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make sure to visit from time to time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my hand in acknowledgment, leaving her behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I approached the two figures waiting for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In unison, they nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Frey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This way, please.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I followed them inside without protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The facility's interior was built like an enormous prison. The technology used was highly advanced and seamlessly blended with aura magic, making it impossible for me to fully comprehend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking for some time, the woman in the lead finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Frey, the special exam you're about to take is quite simple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man continued where she left off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You will enter a simulation program developed within the temple to assess young talents.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged a brief glance before the woman resumed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We will evaluate your strength, speed, intelligence, adaptability, and ability to think under pressure. That is the purpose of this exam.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already knew all of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, I was the one who wrote this nonsense in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I played along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you achieve satisfactory results and are accepted, the temple will provide for all your living arrangements, including accommodation and other necessities.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If your results are hight and outstanding, you will be placed in a class superior to the ordinary ones—the Abyss Class.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, that caught my interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Abyss students have access to exclusive, high-end accommodations and superior facilities. You'll receive a summary of the privileges later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They paused momentarily before delivering the part I had been waiting for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Lord Frey achieves a top 20 ranking and demonstrates exceptional potential, he will enter the most prestigious class—the Elite Class.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smirk formed on my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was my goal all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The class where the main characters resided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We arrived at a gate leading to a massive combat arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That will be all for now, Lord Frey. Face the exam in your own way. Best of luck.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped forward. The arena was empty, but I already knew what would happen next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surroundings shifted, transforming into a vast, fertile field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simulated sky appeared above me, and I found myself standing on a lush green meadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knelt, touching the grass with curiosity, enjoying its realistic texture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is incredibly lifelike.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a voice echoed from the void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Candidate No. 5780, Frey Starlight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You will soon face creatures from the Nightmare Lands, along with various obstacles designed to target you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have one hour to either survive or eliminate all threats in the area.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you die before the time is up, you will be disqualified immediately. That is all. Good luck.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did they really think I'd be afraid of their test?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I, who had survived an entire year in the Nightmare Lands?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already knew who was speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Elena Shamra—a A-rank Awakened and the mastermind behind this entire simulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive timer appeared in the sky, counting down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, figures began materializing around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golem-like creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enormous lizards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the giant crabs I had once fought in the past… though these ones looked smaller and weaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stretched before drawing one of my prepared swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burning sensation flared in my left hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry, Balerion. I know you love to show off, but this stage isn't for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a smirk, I advanced toward the approaching creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we begin?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the observation room overlooking the testing grounds, a striking woman with brown hair and a lab coat sat, her glasses resting on intelligent eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Elena Shamra watched the young man preparing for battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So this is Frey Starlight, the one they claim survived in the Nightmare Lands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite her interest, she found the rumors laughable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mere F-rank boy surviving a whole year in the Nightmare Lands? Ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was here to see him fail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, there had been plenty of talk about him, but she had yet to witness any proof of his abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the door behind her opened, and a girl with white hair entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room's temperature dropped immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A breathtakingly beautiful girl with crystal-blue eyes and pale skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome back, Seris. Good work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl gave a respectful nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey wasn't the only one who had taken a special exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris Moonlight had just finished hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena glanced at her tablet, where the results were displayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the screen, the time was recorded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remaining time: 00:41:45\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impressive. You finished in just 18 minutes and 15 seconds. That's enough to place you in the top three.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena couldn't hide her admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris, however, remained expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it really appropriate to share my results so openly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, don't be like that. You're special, after all. Besides, we're not strangers. It hurts when you act so distant, you know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not being distant. This is how I speak to everyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is being distant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris was a D-rank Awakened with an advanced trait—Ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone was remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it seemed her emotions were frozen as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to leave, but Elena stopped her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait! Where are you going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris tilted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I got my results, so I'm leaving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This girl…'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why not stay? A good show is about to begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris looked at the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, she saw a young man with black hair tied in a ponytail, dressed in combat gear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She recognized him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Frey Starlight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a trace of annoyance in her voice, she spoke his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had heard countless rumors about him—some claimed he was dead, others swore he had survived the Nightmare Lands. But none of that mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What mattered was that he was standing right before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You two are acquainted, aren't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that she chose to stay and watch was enough to show her interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me… is he strong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to Elena's question, she shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quite the opposite… He was weak. Very weak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke as her eyes remained fixed on Frey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the next instant—he vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither Elena nor Seris could comprehend what had just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, they assumed it was a glitch in the display. But what unfolded before their eyes shattered that assumption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey flickered into view for a brief moment—just long enough to appear before a monster—then disappeared again, leaving behind only a mutilated corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tore through the horde with ghostly speed, a trail of black afterimages lingering in his wake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What… is happening?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena leaned in closer, her eyes wide with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword strikes were unlike anything she had seen. His movements—unnatural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of technique is that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her astonishment grew as she watched him cleave through a stone golem as if it were made of paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From start to finish, he hadn't taken a single hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, as if bored, he came to a halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing amidst a sea of broken corpses, Frey stretched his arms, his expression indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above, the timer stopped, displaying the final result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time Remaining: 00:49:30\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He finished the exam… in ten minutes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena slowly turned to Seris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me… is this monster… weak?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Seris wasn't any better off. Her usually emotionless eyes were now wide, locked onto the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that… really Frey?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2125,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.067Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","888fc5377cae3c8261ae5db3417084a54323186c9d31d566ababf00912b7b410","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-29","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-27",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]