Eren knew that Stan would likely come after him following the recent incident.
The arrogant brute wouldn't care that he was the one who started the whole mess. Stan would only remember it as a humiliating experience, being swindled by a non-ranker.
"First things first, gotta earn some money," Eren thought, starting his task of serving drinks to official rankers. Engaging in conversations with them, he discussed their progress in their ranking journeys and inside Gilaahan, highlighting their developing muscles and praising their appearance.
Though he didn't have to lie much anymore, as breaking into an official rank provided a physical transformation for rankers, making them look more appealing, especially the women.
Due to his smooth talking, Eren received better tips than usual, except from a few jealous individuals who offered nothing in return for his services. The Vik part of him was tempted to mix laxatives into their drinks, but he resisted the urge. He had enough on his plate dealing with Stan; there was no need to cause further trouble.
Eren acknowledged that he couldn't stop society or the world from being unjust towards him. He recognized his weakness and understood that he needed to change it himself. If he couldn't alter the established rules of the game, he would use them to his advantage and rise above them.
After finishing his drink-serving duties, Eren checked the gear of the rankers preparing to enter Gilaahan. He examined a flimsy array inscribed on a metal sheet spread on a raised platform. This array, synced with a spectral display showing various information, was similar to the one Eren had under his bed, which allowed him to log into Borguy's Oasis during Vik's transmigration.
The Vik side within Eren was surprised to encounter such a mana-based item in Elysian cities, different from what he was familiar with. However, as Eren continued his work and encountered familiar objects, original Eren's memories started resurfacing, and he began to recall everything about them.
After several hours of work, Eren found a moment of free time. Instead of heading to the guild's workout facility, he went to a small study room designated for quiet reading. It resembled a library, with bookshelves containing few physical books. Most of the books could be accessed through spectral screens placed in front of each seat.
***
In his childhood, Vik enjoyed reading books and comics, finding solace in knowledge. He had a thirst for learning and spent countless hours studying various subjects. Fantasy books, with tales of Metas accomplishing incredible feats, captivated his imagination, fueling his dream of becoming a Meta.
However, the harsh reality of life hit him when his parents disappeared, and he had to focus on survival. Now, after enduring near-death experiences and starting anew in a different game, he found himself back in the world of Metas, not just the fictional stories he once read but the real deal.
Vik placed a mana-infused energy drink, specifically designed for non-rankers of lightning element affinity, on the study table and tapped his fingers on the surface. A spectral screen appeared, projecting the logo of the Stardust guild—a circular array depicting a pentagon. Eren operated the display, navigating through the available books and selecting the Basic section.
He wanted a better understanding of ranker-related terms and items, starting from the basics. Amused, Eren chuckled when he saw the first chapter of the book titled "Ranker 101." He chose the chapter and began reading.
"Chapter 1: Introduction to Mana and Rankers."