1 Shouldn't the villain sabotage the test?

In the captivating world of "Regressor Survival," our hero's name is Pedro. A twist of fate granted Pedro the extraordinary ability to remember everything about the future. His first mission was to infiltrate the formidable Blood Moon sect.

With a mischievous grin, Pedro knew he had to outsmart Ryujin Wan, the son of Kenshin Wan, leader of the prestigious Blue Lotus sect. Pedro planned to tarnish Ryujin's reputation and seize his opportunities, all while winning the favor of Kenshin himself. His goal was to become Kenshin's protege, diverting his attention away from Ryujin.

At the entrance of the sect, Pedro was met by a stern-faced guard, who tried to maintain an air of superiority in front of him. "What do you want?" the guard inquired, his demeanor not the friendliest.

"I wish to speak with Suzune-sama," Pedro replied, determined but unfazed at the same time.

Suzune Michiro, Ryuji's fiancée, was no fan of Pedro, which made her a crucial target. Besides being Ryuji's fiancee, Suzune was also the daughter of the sect leader. To gain an alliance with her would undoubtedly help Pedro in his endeavor to outmaneuver Ryujin.

The guard questioned Pedro's qualifications to meet Suzune, for not just anyone had the privilege to do so. Fortunately, Pedro had a letter of recommendation from his highly respected grandfather, who may not have been widely known but had earned deep admiration, even from Kenshin Wan.

Presenting the letter, Pedro was granted an audience with Suzune in her lavishly adorned quarters. Her enchanting pink eyes and hair were definitely a sight to behold. "What do you want?" Suzune's voice carried both delicate grace and powerful authority.

"I have come to report Ryujin," Pedro declared, holding his ground.

Suzune quickly retorted, "I don't possess the authority to punish Ryujin Wan. Report him to Blue Lotus sect."

"I know you despise Ryujin and this is your chance to deal with him," Pedro began, trying to gauge Suzune's interest in his proposal.

From Pedro's recollections, it was clear why Suzune, despite being betrothed to Ryujin, harbored a deep-seated disdain for him. The explanation was simple: Ryujin, in Pedro's memory, was a man of unchecked desires and idleness. He was notorious for gazing upon Suzune with a lascivious leer, a habit that left her feeling constantly discomfited.

Suzune had attempted to break off their engagement on numerous occasions. However, her efforts were continually thwarted by the imbalance of power between their families. Ryujin's family, being far more influential and commanding than her own, easily maintained the betrothal, leaving Suzune feeling trapped in an unwelcome arrangement.

Suzune's eyes narrowed, intrigued by the idea. "Opportunity? How so?"

Pedro leaned in, a secretive glint in his eyes. "This is the perfect moment to sideline Ryujin temporarily. You've always wanted a chance to put him in his place, right?"

A faint smirk appeared on Suzune's face as she nodded her head, not bothering to hide her disdain for Ryujin. "Yes, he's been nothing but a nuisance. Always lazy and lecherous, trying to flirt with me at every opportunity."

"He might have gotten away with his antics in the past," Pedro explained, "but now, we have a chance to expose his recent misdeeds. Ryujin sabotaged the magic academy exam to prevent ordinary people from attending. He fled to another country, thinking he could escape the consequences. But we can prove it was him. If Kenshin finds out, he'll be furious and won't let this slide."

Suzune's eyes gleamed with excitement. "And you have evidence to back this up?"

"Absolutely," Pedro replied confidently. "I've gathered the necessary information during my journey here. Ryujin left behind quite a trail during his escape and we can use it against him."

Suzune's curiosity was piqued. "Tell me more. How can we expose him?"

With a sly grin on his face, Pedro explained the details of Ryujin's hasty escape and the clues he had uncovered. Together, they plotted a strategy to reveal the truth about the sabotage, ensuring Ryujin faced the consequences of his actions.

As they delved deeper into their plan, the camaraderie between Pedro and Suzune grew, their witty banter and playful jabs lightening the mood. They made an unlikely but potent team, united by their desire to teach Ryujin a valuable lesson.

***

As Pedro and Suzune arrived at the Blue Lotus sect, they were met by Amanda Freitas, a maid with striking black hair and blood-red eyes. She wore the standard maid's outfit, but her demeanor revealed her inner turmoil. Amanda had strong feelings for Ryujin, making her openly resentful of Suzune, who was engaged to him and the object of his obsession.

"What brings you to the sect?" Amanda asked, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and irritation.

Suzune remained composed and replied in a cold voice, "We have come to report about Ryujin."

Ignoring Amanda's visible anger, Suzune and Pedro proceeded, with Suzune warning him not to provoke her. Pedro knew better than to incite further hostility, remembering well the complexities of their relationships from his memories.

As they continued, a male voice cursed Pedro, possibly Ryujin, but Suzune dismissed it, urging him to behave himself. She was focused on the task at hand and determined to address the issue with Kenshin, the imposing figure with blond hair and deep blue eyes, who stood in the meeting room.

With a respectful curtsy, Suzune and Pedro approached Kenshin. Suzune narrated the events, explaining the sabotage orchestrated by Ryujin, which had occurred two months ago while he had been away from home for six months.

"It can't be, I know…" Pedro couldn't help but interject.

Kenshin's stern gaze fell upon him, causing a shiver to run up and down Pedro's spine. "Are you suggesting that I lied, little one?"

"No, sir," Pedro responded quickly, not wanting to offend the powerful leader.

"I ask only for a hint," Pedro added, seeking to gain some reassurance about his accusation.

Kenshin considered for a moment, then relented, "Very well, out of respect for you, I shall provide a hint. But be warned, if you have been mistaken and falsely accused my son, you will face the consequences."

"Amanda, fetch my son's travel diary," Kenshin commanded with authority.

Amanda returned with a piece of paper, confirming that Ryujin had indeed been traveling for the past few months. However, Pedro suspected that Ryujin might have left behind a henchman to carry out the sabotage.

"Bring the evidence, Amanda," Pedro requested, determined to prove his case.

Amanda returned with the corrected proofs, and with a stern warning from Kenshin, they proceeded to examine the evidence using the potent "Magic of Incontrovertible Truth." The mystical aura of the S-Class spell enveloped the documents, leaving no room for deception.

In the world of this narrative, magic serves as a vital and pervasive component of everyday life and society, providing solutions to various tasks and challenges. The spells in this world are classified into distinct categories, each serving different purposes and reflecting varying degrees of complexity and power.

The spell classification system is straightforward, ranging from F to SSS class spells. F-class spells are basic and largely utilitarian. They are employed for everyday chores and activities such as cleaning or cooking. These spells have been designed with the general populace in mind, requiring less magic power and technical skill, thus enabling virtually anyone to use them. They are simple, practical, and greatly contribute to easing day-to-day living.

As we ascend the classification scale, the spells become increasingly more sophisticated and potent. They are intended for more complex tasks such as combat or revealing concealed truths, requiring a higher level of magic power and skill to wield effectively. For instance, a truth-revealing spell that could ascertain whether Ryujin had tampered with evidence would likely fall into a higher category. These spells, often used for judicial or investigative purposes, involve manipulation of subtle energies and realities, requiring an advanced understanding of magic and a substantial amount of magic power.

Kenshin meticulously analyzed each piece of evidence, separating truth from falsehood. To everyone's surprise, the evidence remained untainted, and it turned out that the supposed sabotage had not occurred at all. The truth was that Pedro had failed a test due to his own shortcomings and there was no henchman involved.

"I... I'm sorry, Kenshin-sama," Pedro admitted, realizing his mistake.

Suzune also used the same magic to confirm the outcome, and they both realized that they had falsely accused Ryujin. Kenshin couldn't help but chuckle at the situation.

"Really... you concocted such a tale just to tarnish my son's reputation?" Kenshin said coldly, his laughter soon fading.

"I know there are rumors about my son, but it's a wonder you believed them without solid evidence," Kenshin added, his tone reproachful right then.

Amanda teased Pedro, and Suzune couldn't help but smirk at the turn of events. However, Kenshin decided to be lenient, considering that Ryujin had just won another medal in a recent magic competition.

"I'll let it slide today," Kenshin declared, "since my son has won another medal in a magic competition and that makes me happy. However, Pedro, remember that any future misjudgments will lead to your expulsion."

Pedro felt a mix of relief and gratitude for Kenshin's leniency. He realized that he had acted rashly and allowed his preconceptions to cloud his judgment. From now on, he would be more cautious and thorough in his investigations.

As the situation settled, Pedro noticed something peculiar. The medals on display were actually Ryujin's, not Amanda's. He couldn't help but wonder about Ryujin's whereabouts and why he had been absent.

"But wait... what about the seemingly 'useless' Ryuji? Where did he go?" Pedro pondered silently, his curiosity piqued.

"Suzune, write a formal apology," Kenshin instructed, his tone stern but fair. Suzune understood the gravity of her mistake and quickly obliged, penning a sincere letter expressing regret for their unfounded accusations.

"And as for you, Pedro," Kenshin continued, "Class F doesn't deserve my attention. Get out of my sight while I'm in a good mood."

With Pedro's grades, he would only go to grade F.

The first big event Pedro remembers was a rigorous examination for the prestigious Blue Lutos Sect. This annual ritual of talent assessment was a significant occasion where they would welcome and categorize new pupils.

Ranging from Class F to the highly esteemed Class SSS, these divisions represented varying levels of capability and potential among the students. Of these, the SSS Class was a distinguished category, reserved exclusively for those rare prodigies personally acknowledged by the sect's esteemed leader.

As Pedro left the Blue Lotus sect, he felt a sense of isolation and regret. Suzune's cold indifference bothered him, and he knew he had let her and Kenshin down with his unfounded accusations.

Feeling lost and disheartened, Pedro wandered aimlessly, pondering how he had misjudged Ryujin and allowed his assumptions to cloud his judgment. He had relied too heavily on his memories of Ryujin's past behavior, without considering the possibility of change or growth.

His original plan to focus on studying for the test had backfired as Ryujin had not sabotaged it as expected. Now, Pedro felt a great sense of embarrassment and regret for not preparing properly. The realization hit him hard – he had underestimated his peers and overestimated his own knowledge.

As Pedro tried to make sense of the situation, he couldn't shake the nagging question, "Where is Ryujin?" He couldn't understand why Ryujin had disappeared, leaving the sect and the test untouched. There was an air of mystery surrounding the supposedly "useless" young man and Pedro's curiosity only grew.