I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist

The Exam had officially begun. As Ivan stepped into the circle, a wave of energy enveloped him, and in the blink of an eye, he found himself standing within the depths of a dense forest. The abrupt teleportation caught his interest immediately.

This method of instantaneous travel was unlike anything he had encountered before. The potential applications swirled in his mind.

If he could learn this technique perhaps I could create a faster way to reach Camelot—something more efficient than relying on artifacts.*

However, Ivan was no fool. He understood the immense resources and unparalleled knowledge likely required to achieve such a feat. The precision and power behind this teleportation likely relied on a vast array of precious materials and techniques. The idea of creating a functional portal between Ocryphia and Camelot—a distance almost unimaginable—bordered on the impossible. And yet, the thought lingered.

'Even if I can't achieve that, learning this method might allow me to create something more practical. A portal system, perhaps. One that could reduce travel to mere moments.'

Having seen a lot of movies on Earth obviously such concepts entered Ivan's mind.

The importance of such an achievement wasn't lost on him. Camelot had been entrusted to his care. To fulfill his duties, he needed a way to reach Camelot in under an hour, no matter the circumstances. While the present situation didn't demand immediate action, Ivan couldn't shake his concern for the future.

He glanced down at his arm, where the tracking device for the Exam displayed his current status. With a touch, Ivan's eyes—honed by Adam's insight—analyzed the mechanism. It bore similarities to an E-Watch, albeit with more sophisticated functions. A tool meant to monitor his performance and progress.

Shrugging off the distraction, Ivan raised his gaze and scanned his surroundings. His sharp senses immediately picked out movement—humanoid figures, their forms dark and unnatural, their skin an inky black that absorbed the dim light filtering through the forest canopy.

Artificial Demons.

They were… weak.

No, 'weak' wasn't sufficient to describe them. They were utterly insignificant.

Ivan narrowed his eyes in disbelief.

'Is this truly the standard for an Exam meant to forge the future Elite Exorcists of Ocryphia?'

He couldn't understand it. The idea that Mordred and others like him had trained in this same environment, emerging from these laughable trials to eventually face him and his allies, felt almost offensive.

It was like a bad joke.

Of course, Ivan acknowledged that mere training in Ocryphia alone couldn't explain Mordred's strength. No one could reach his level by staying confined to such mediocrity. In truth, Ivan doubted Mordred—or anyone—could ever truly surpass him. To even stand a chance, Mordred would need a convergence of miracles, unshakable plot armor, the blessings of a Holy Sword, and the whims of Fate itself. And even then, success would require a loyal cadre of allies and perhaps a harem of their own.

The thought made Ivan scoff.

Still, he couldn't ignore the nagging sensation of disdain in his gut. The idea that such a simplistic, almost childish Exam could serve as the foundation for Mordred's eventual strength made Ivan's stomach churn.

'This is what's supposed to prepare them to face me?' Ivan thought, his expression darkening.

It was really pathetic.

Drawing the bow he had acquired during the Exhibition from Daphne's stand, Ivan examined it with mild curiosity. Though he had never used a bow before, he saw this Exam as the perfect opportunity to familiarize himself with the weapon.

With measured movements, he nocked an arrow onto the string and pulled it back. His aim was steady, though untrained, as he focused on his target—a Demon lurking ahead. With a firm tug, he released the arrow.

The projectile sliced through the air. It struck the Demon square in the chest, knocking it back a few paces. However, the impact was underwhelming. The creature staggered but remained on its feet, and glared at Ivan.

"As expected," Ivan murmured, lowering the bow. The arrows he had were mundane, ordinary tools incapable of delivering lethal damage to Demons in a single blow. He hadn't infused them with his mana either, which would explain the lackluster result.

This time, he reached for another arrow and allowed a sliver of his mana to flow into it. A faint whirlwind began to swirl around the arrowhead, growing more intense with each passing second. The air seemed to vibrate as he took aim once more, his eyes narrowing with focus.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

With a sharp exhale, Ivan released the string.

-BOOM!

The arrow tore through the air, a roaring gust of wind following in its wake. The ground exploded beneath its path, sending dirt and debris flying as the arrow ripped through the group of Demons, obliterating them in an instant. The shockwave continued, toppling trees and leaving a jagged trail of destruction.

Ivan stared at the aftermath. "I held back," he muttered to himself, though even he was slightly taken aback by the sheer devastation even though he held back as much as he could.

Glancing toward the sky, he frowned. 'I hope the cameras didn't catch that.'

Still, the demonstration had been informative. At least now, he understood just how much force was required to eliminate Demons efficiently.

Ivan lowered the bow, and glanced at the score.

[77 Points]

Rank 1.

"..."

It seems that among the others who had been blown away, there were some stronger Demons but Ivan didn't notice it. For them they were all at the same level.

Rank 2: Erion Mistral: [33 Points]

"This is…problematic."

He appeared just two minutes ago and he was already ranked first without using even 0,001% of his mana.

***

Deep within the forest, a lone student staggered through the dense grass, his breaths ragged, sweat pouring from his brow. His movements were erratic, his steps heavy and uneven. Something was clearly wrong.

The Artificial Demons lurking nearby, programmed to engage with Exam participants, didn't so much as glance in his direction. They ignored him entirely, not considering him as a Student.

"I have to do it… I have to do it… I have to do it…" The student kept repeating. Yet these words were not a reflection of his true thoughts. Deep within, he was screaming, struggling against a force he couldn't name. He knew something was wrong. He could feel the alien presence clawing at his mind, twisting his will. He suspected possession, but every time he tried to voice his fears, his thoughts would halt, his lips sealing shut as though commanded by an unseen force. Silence consumed him.

The internal struggle was futile. The possession was complete. The Demon within him was cruel, allowing him the illusion of consciousness while pulling the strings from the shadows, reveling in his despair.

Clutching a spherical object in his trembling hand, the student stumbled onward until his legs gave out, collapsing before a gnarled tree. His pale, sweat-drenched face betrayed the terror within as he fought against his own body. But the Demon's control was absolute.

Mana surged into the sphere.

A burst of light erupted from the object, consuming the surrounding forest in a dazzling, unnatural glow. When the light dissipated, five figures stood thrtr. Read latest chapters at empire

Each wore black cloaks, their hoods drawn low, masking their faces in shadow. At their forefront stood a man exuding more malevolence than the others, Algol.

The student, still kneeling, felt his stomach drop as realization dawned on him. His face drained of what little color it had left. He had summoned them—had betrayed everyone and the safety of the other participants. Yet, it hadn't been his choice. His trembling lips parted as if to plead, but no words came out.

Algol's gaze fell upon him, brimming with amusement and disdain.

"This is indeed the artificial forest where Ocryphia's First Years are taking their little Exam, isn't it?" He mused. He cast a glance around, taking in the surroundings with casual disinterest.

Turning back to his companions, his smirk widened. "Don't forget the targets: Lucas Whiteford, Cattleya Starlight, and Ludivine Richmont. Capture them all."