*cough cough
Michael choked on his food at Arthur's sudden remark. Much more when he glanced at Arthur who was brimming with confidence.
'Just how certain is he that Olivia will join her guild?!', Michael choked.
Olivia, with an unwavering demeanor, shifted her gaze at Arthur.
Her mother had warned her about guileful scouting by various guilds, tempted by her SS-grade awakening.
She had avoided countless scouting since last night with the aid of her butler.
However, she couldn't prepare enough for an abrupt offer by her fellow student.
In a cold voice, Olivia muttered.
"What makes you think that I will join your guild?", her gaze sent a shiver to one's spine.
With a few words, his response would be the deciding factor in his successful scouting. It would be a battle of offers amongst other guilds'.
Nonetheless, Arthur kept his confident nature.
In an optimistic tone, he muttered.
"I can give you any item you want. Or advice necessary for your improvement.", Arthur muttered.
It was less but vital.
Arthur couldn't compete in terms of monetary offers, after all, the amount he could ask for his father was limited.
He couldn't promise any guild-related benefits as he had yet to establish a guild. He didn't want to eat his words later on.
Thus, Arthur was left with two offers.
He could possess any item he wanted, be it of S-grade or SS-grade. His father could craft them.
And best yet, having observed Olivia closely before regression, he knew the method to efficiently utilize her power.
But
The problem lay in the Arthur of the present...
*cough
"Hhahaha"
The students, with ears poking their way, erupted with laughter.
Had Wyatt been inside the room, he would have thrown mockeries toward Arthur.
Students threw disdainful remarks one after another.
"Items? Haha, do you think no one here knows that you have disagreements with your father?! Heck, I doubt that he would even give you A-grade items!"
"Advice? What can a timid guy like you who is yet to awaken advice to an SS-grade?!"
"Wake up, Arthur!"
The students exploded with laughter.
"These idiots!---"
Before Michael could finish his words, Arthur sent a sliver of aura, slithering toward the students.
Everyone except Michael, Olivia, and the couple who were drowned in tears, felt nauseous, headache assaulting their heads momentarily.
With silence occupying the area, Arthur once again glanced at Olivia.
"I thought you didn't awaken last night?"
"I didn't"
At his remarks, Olivia felt puzzled. She could somehow discern what caused the students to grow silent abruptly.
Smiling wryly, Arthur added.
"It's an A-grade item.", Arthur threw the blame to a non-existential item.
"Woah, what item is it?! I want to have one!"
Michael bought his excuse.
Glancing outwards, the serene sky soothed Olivia, her thoughts tranquil as the white clouds.
"You may not want to join me now but after I become level 20 and unlock the guild function, I will come again and invite you...", Arthur paused as he similarly glanced at the sky, nostalgic as it had been ages since he appreciated its serenity.
In a determined voice, Arthur muttered.
"By all means, I will scout you.", Arthur resolved.
----
Before regression.
Under the 8th tribulation.
Arthur leaned on rubble, his breath was disoriented, and his face was pale.
A colossal monster lay before him, lifeless with its horn protruding out of Arthur's body.
Arthur killed the SSS-grade monster at the cost of his life.
Vitality incessantly seeped out of his body, his strength dwindled as death crept around him.
"Is this death? Is this where it all ends?"
Arthur lost hope.
His throat dried up. Blood gushed out of his body.
With sunken eyes, Arthur beholds the sky, ominous as storms brewed in.
It grew larger and wider until some time passed and eventually, just as Arthur was about to heave his last breath, a deafening rumble resounded, followed by thunder descending from the gloomy sky.
The thunder struck Arthur.
His blood grew wild, regenerating his punctured torso. His skin restored its vitality as energy overwhelmed his body.
Once again, Arthur was struck with luck and survived.
In the subsiding clouds, a cold yet serene voice of a woman whispered.
"Survive, Arthur.", the fleeting voice was vivid in Arthur's mind.
-----
Looking at the young woman before him, Arthur found a resemblance in her voice.
'That woman, was it you, Olivia?', a question wandered through his mind.
-----
The class proceeded with another ring of the bell.
Lunch was over and the students shook with excitement. The magic and practical lessons were just around the corner.
An awakened instructor then entered the room.
Putting the tablet on the table, the instructor skimmed through his lessons. Dissatisfied with its contents, he turned off the tablet and then walked toward the digital board ahead.
Every word he uttered was automatically organized and noted on the board. Figures and charts were illustrated with a simple command.
It was an innovation brought about by Lighting Development Company, utilizing the mana stone.
"As you may all know, the third tribulation is just a month away. Preparation is already underway and you, as freshly awakened, could play a vital role in this challenge.", the professor glanced toward the digital board.
With a command, the consensus about yesterday's awakening was flashed on the screen.
"Out of 5,078 fresh awakened in the Philippines alone, 1 is an SS-grade awakened with 3 individuals awakening S-grade."
On the screen, around 100 were A-grade, 500 were B-grade, while the majority were D and F-grade. Around 1,000 also decided to conceal their awakened grade.
"With this number, we can say that we are fortunate to have awakened an SS-grade potential at least. Last year, we also awakened a single SS grade and we are delighted that both talents originated in Academia.", the professor applauded.
After a few breaths, he continued.
"I don't believe that it's the time to be talking about magic history. For the remaining days of this week, we will be focusing on monster decoding and practical lessons. I will also be assisting you with how to utilize your skills.", the professor muttered.
"But before that, we will be discussing the underway preparation of the Philippine government."
With those words, several news headlines flashed on the screen.
The professor then began discussing each headline.
A year ago, right after rehabilitation from the 2nd tribulation, the government underwent preparation for the third challenge.
First was upgrading and increasing the number of bunkers, utilizing a higher-grade mana stone acquired from 2nd tribulation. Still, the number of individuals that bunkers could accommodate was limited.
"It is unfortunate but only government officials and prominent individuals could shelter in the bunkers.", the professor cast down.
'These officials would be operating and commanding the awakened fighting at the forefront. These cowards.', Arthur shook his head.
Nonetheless, he knew that these bunkers would be insignificant in the upcoming tribulations.
'They will be forced to crawl out and fight.'
"Next, the Association had already negotiated with the middle and even large guilds to dispatch their guild members to their respective assigned areas."
When guilds grew wild, the government established its private guild called the Association, securing stability within the country.
Each guild was also assigned areas of jurisdiction. They basically will be given the ownership and rights to the portal that would appear in that area. In return, they had to ensure security and prosperity in that area.
Basically, the system of local governments was ousted, bringing forth a new leadership under a certain guild.
For instance, Pasay City, as an enormous city, was under the jurisdiction of the large guild, Lathala.
With this setting, the forces were widely spread.
It would be difficult to resist a concentrated monster invasion.
Everyone apart from the 10 returnees, had no clue regarding the type of tribulation.
Had they been given even an ounce of hint, a few lives could have been saved.
However...
'I have no plan of revealing the future.'
Arthur didn't plan to reveal his cards. Besides, they were not the only anomaly in this world.
Along with them, another species lurked in each country, wandering and blending within human society.
'The overseers...', the angels, the overseer assigned to each country, were observant of each citizen's actions.