The clamor filled the hall.
Laughter.
Mockery.
Whispers.
Yet, the number above Kim's head remained unchanged.
0
Ralph smiled sneeringly.
> "A commoner with zero points."
>
> "This suits you perfectly."
>
The nobles around him laughed.
As for the commoners...
Some of them began looking at Kim with pity.
But Kim detested those looks even more.
Scorn.
And pity.
In the end...
Both look down on you from above.
> "Disgusting."
>
He whispered to himself.
At the front, Professor Reinhardt was watching everyone.
But he focused on one single person.
Kim.
Then, he smiled.
> "Just as I expected."
>
He didn't get angry.
He didn't protest.
And he didn't try to prove himself.
As if he didn't care.
But Reinhardt knew.
People who don't care about insults...
Are the most dangerous.
Then, he raised his hand.
And the numbers vanished.
> "Alright."
>
> "Let us begin the first lesson."
>
He waved his hand.
A massive map of the academy appeared.
Then, he pointed to a distant spot.
> "There."
>
> "The Tower of Knowledge."
>
> "The largest library in the Empire."
>
The students' eyes widened.
But the professor smiled mockingly.
> "However, entering the second floor requires one thousand points."
>
> "The third, ten thousand."
>
> "As for the fourth..."
>
Even Leon raised an eyebrow.
> "One million points."
>
Silence fell.
Meanwhile, the professor...
Laughed.
> "Do not worry."
>
> "Since the academy's founding..."
>
> "Only three people have ever entered the fourth floor."
>
Then, he looked at everyone.
> "And now."
>
> "You have your first mission."
>
A giant screen manifested.
[First Mission: Survival for a Month]
Everyone froze.
> "Survival?"
>
The professor smiled.
> "Yes."
>
> "From today onward..."
>
> "You can steal each other's points."
>
*BOOM!!*
The hall exploded into a loud uproar.
Even Iris was shocked.
As for Leon...
He smiled.
While Ralph's grin widened.
> "Interesting."
>
But the professor wasn't finished.
> "You can form alliances."
>
> "Betrayal is permitted."
>
> "Lying is permitted."
>
> "Stealing is permitted."
>
> "Anything is permitted..."
>
Then, a terrifying smile appeared on his face.
> "As long as no one gets killed."
>
Silence fell.
As for Kim...
He smiled.
A small smile.
Then, he recalled something his old shadow had said one day.
> "When the rules are filthy..."
>
> "Don't try to be a hero."
>
> "Instead, be the person who wrote the rules."
>
At that exact moment...
A small window appeared above Kim's head alone.
A window no one else could see.
Not even the professor.
[Void Devourer]
[Hidden Quest: "The Player"]
[Objective: Possess one million points.]
[Time Limit: One year.]
[Reward: Unlocking the second seal.]
Kim's eyes widened slightly.
Then...
He smiled.
A smile that sent a shiver down Leon's spine.
As for Ralph...
He suddenly felt a strange chill.
Without understanding why.
Meanwhile, in a far-off place...
Inside the Tower of Knowledge.
On the fourth floor.
The one that had been sealed for centuries.
A sleeping woman slowly opened her eyes.
Silver eyes.
Calm.
Beautiful.
Yet...
Sad.
Then, she whispered.
> "Finally..."
>
> "The sword has awakened."
>