The old man froze.
His eyes were locked onto the report.
Name: Kim.
Origin: Commoner.
Result: Special Evaluation by the High Council.
But what made him stand up in sheer terror...
Was not the evaluation.
Nor his status as a commoner.
It was the name.
That name alone.
Then, he whispered in a trembling voice:
> "No..."
>
> "It can't be..."
>
He opened an old drawer.
Then, he pulled out a worn, tattered leather book.
A book that hadn't been opened in decades.
And with trembling fingers...
He began turning the pages.
Until he stopped.
Right there.
An old picture.
A man.
His hair was black.
And his eyes carried a strange coldness.
And beneath the picture...
Only three words were written.
"Kim, the Black Outworlder."
But before he could finish reading...
One of the servants entered.
> "My lord?"
>
The man closed the book instantly.
Then, he said coldly:
> "Nothing."
>
But deep inside...
He was thinking of one thing.
If this was just a coincidence of names...
Then fine.
But if it wasn't...
Then history...
Had begun to move once again.
Meanwhile, back at the academy...
Kim's group arrived at the Grand Hall.
A vast, sprawling place.
And at the front, standing high...
Was one of the professors.
A tall man.
His hair was brown.
And his gaze was sharp.
He raised his hand.
And silence fell.
> "I am Professor Reinhardt."
>
> "And I will be your supervisor this year."
>
Then, he looked at the students.
> "You are the elite."
>
> "But do not misinterpret this."
>
> "There is a lot of trash among you."
>
The students' expressions changed.
As for the nobles...
They smiled.
But the professor continued:
> "And by trash, I mean..."
>
He looked toward the nobles' side.
> "Those who think their titles make them special."
>
Their smiles vanished.
As for the commoners...
They looked utterly shocked.
Then, the professor smiled.
> "And those who think being oppressed entitles them to pity..."
>
He looked toward the commoners' side.
> "Are trash as well."
>
Silence filled the room.
As for Kim...
He raised his head slightly.
Interesting.
This man...
Is not biased.
Rather, he hates everyone equally.
Then, the professor continued:
> "In this academy..."
>
> "Your family will not determine your worth."
>
> "Nor your money."
>
> "Nor your status."
>
He gave a mocking smile.
> "Only results will."
>
Then, he waved his hand.
And hundreds of numbers appeared above the students' heads.
Everyone was shocked.
Even Kim.
Because the number above his head was...
0
While above Leon...
100
And above Iris...
95
As for Ralph...
83
The hall exploded into a loud commotion.
One of the students shouted:
> "What is this?!"
>
Professor Reinhardt smiled.
> "Points."
>
> "Whoever owns the points..."
>
> "Owns everything."
>
> "The best housing."
>
> "Private libraries."
>
> "Resources."
>
> "Privileges."
>
Then, his smile widened.
> "As for whoever has a zero..."
>
He looked toward Kim.
> "Owns nothing."
>
Silence fell.
Among the students...
Mocking smiles began to appear.
Even Ralph burst out laughing.
> "Hahaha!"
>
> "The special evaluation gets zero points?!"
>
But...
Kim didn't get angry.
Instead, he looked at the number above his head.
Then, he smiled.
A smile that made Leon narrow his eyes.
Because he recognized that look.
It wasn't the look of someone who had been insulted.
It was the look of someone...
Who had found a new game.
And up in the academy tower...
Eldar was watching everything unfold.
Then, he smiled.
> "Let's see..."
>
> "How long it will take..."
>
> "Before the wolf begins to devour the sheep."
>