After the four-people squad's dinner, Russell Moon parted ways with them as he was the only one with a different dormitory building – Andromeda, unlike the other three; Freya, Amelie Rose, and Amery who were residing in the luxurious dormitory building – Rigel.
After quite some time, in a quiet dorm, sitting on the couch beside his study desk that's between the couch itself and his bed, he thought of the upcoming event 'Banquet of Obelisk' where the first-year students would be given a chance to form peers, especially with the one that would be beneficial for their futures.
'An event full of hypocrisy.'
Russell thought as he let out a sigh, somewhat feeling mentally tired due to what happened today.
As an author or at least an aspiring one before his reincarnation, Russell couldn't be certain whether he should blame himself or not for the existence of some bastards that were aligned with his novel in this world.
As far as he remembered, it would be managed by the Student Council, Disciplinary Committee, and the first-year professors of each section numbering at least 60 people excluding the assigned professors for Elective classes.
Alone in his room, Russell took a glance at the window placed on the wall just beside his bed, seeing the bluish moon which was emanating a bluish light, affected by the consolidation of Mana in the world.
There were other moons that could only be seen in other parts of the world; unchartered territory that's unknown to humanity until this day.
Lost in thought, while looking at the bluish moon that blanketed the sky, Russell suddenly thought of tomorrow's Elective class as he formed a self-deprecating laugh.
'General Overall System Theories'
As he knew full well the 'main character' he had written in his novel, he knew that Han Jiho would also take the Elective class he was taking.
'Or should I say, someone recommended it to him?'
The 'General Overall System Theories' discussed the basics of everything necessary since the Emergence, it was an Elective class that was full of what's, why's, and when's; thoroughly aiming in teaching the general knowledge since the change that happened in the world, but this was without the how's; since it's an unshakable truth that even though it's almost 40 years since the Emergence happened, there's still too many mysteries that were yet to be explored.
What is the 'System?
Who are the first-known Constellations?
When does a Tower open its doors to Players?
Why did the 'Emergence' happen?
Han Jiho barely knew such things especially basic human etiquette as he lived on a 'mountain' his whole life, in a village secluded in modern technology, but destroyed during an "Emergence", but "covered up" as an accident or terrorism.
'I guess I'll see him tomorrow in class.'
Russell thought to himself before he fell asleep on the couch.
...
The next day, 'Emergence History and Widely Known Constellation Class'.
"Even today, there is knowledge still unknown to us, especially the exact number of other races that scattered and living throughout the world since the Emergence, and we do not know the other races' intent nor know if we are ready for making a contact with them; so far, the races that us, humanity have in contact with are the 'Dwarves' and 'Elves'.
Russell – sitting on the far side of the classroom – listened to the professor in front of the class who was discussing the Emergence, and the races that so far made contact with the human race.
'Professor Rey Smith'
He didn't know someone like him in his novel, but as he checked his Status Window and Hidden Nature, Russell confirmed that he's like a man whose loyalty was to humanity.
'He's your typical super loyal soldier type of person; aligned with the bulky build of his body that didn't match the subject he's teaching the students.'
Russell thought as he listened to the interesting lesson being diligently taught by the man with conviction.
"The existence of 'Towers' are still a complete mystery to this day, and humanity just conformed to the System's functionality. The number of Towers known to us is not fixed because as we know, the world became bigger, and the satellites of the Old World were destroyed during the 'Emergence'.
There are classifications of Towers to this day, which are called:
– Dungeon Towers, which consist of 5 floors.
– High Dungeon Towers, which consist of 10 floors.
– Peak Dungeon Towers, which consist of 15 floors, and the so-called Close Mystery Towers that no one knows about until this day.
"Now then, what do you call the Dungeons that formed outside of a Tower?"
A girl whom Russell considered an 'Untouched Element' raised her hand as soon as the question was thrown.
"Yes, Mira."
Professor Rey called Mira, Leon von Obreyon's younger sister.
"Sir, they're called Strayed Dungeons!"
Mira answered delightedly.
"That's right, the Dungeons that were not formed as a Tower and have a maximum of two floors are called Strayed Dungeons, which can be accessed through the portals that were randomly formed."
Russell listened to their exchanges and found it interesting even though he knew what they were discussing as he felt like becoming a High School student again.
As he remembered, any kind of Dungeon Tower, from its lowest classification to highest or peak, had different challenges or themes and behavior manifested in them.
For example, a Dungeon Tower with 5 floors could have Goblin-type Monsters; on its first floor, it consists only of unintelligent goblins, then on its second floor, consists of both unintelligent goblins, and goblins with mild coordination; while from the third to fourth floors were goblins with different ranks like goblin warrior, goblin magician, goblin archer, and so on.
Floors three and four were the beginning of utilizing optimal strategies of the raid team leader as the monsters had a bit of intelligence, and good coordination while on the last floor of the Dungeon Tower, the Goblin Chief would appear, a completely intelligent one, with its aides such Goblin Knights and Goblin Reapers.
Russell was snapped out of his thoughts as he heard Professor Rey continue with his lesson, and this time it was about the average 'Clearing Duration' of raiding a tower based on the previous records set by the 'Players'.
"These were the average 'clearing duration' of Towers from Dungeon to Peak classification."
He flashed a holographic screen through the opaque board on the front using a tablet he was holding, and there... information regarding the average clearing duration was presented.
...
– Average 'Clearing Duration' of Towers
Dungeon Towers: 5 weeks
High Dungeon Towers: 16 weeks
Peak Dungeon Towers: 32 weeks
...
The students' different reactions were evident on their faces as they looked at the information laid out before them, except for Russell as he knew the difficulty of High and Peak Dungeon Towers; though the rewards were extravagant, one wrong decision was tantamount to death.
Professor Rey Smith spoke as chattering between some students continued.
"As you can see, the 'Clearing Duration' is a long time, but don't worry, the Players inside can teleport outside of the Tower to resupply, and rest within the given time every 4 weeks; considering that the Towers are classified as High and Peak because in the Dungeon Tower, with the average clearing time of 5 weeks, players wouldn't have the chance to teleport out as per the System's rules."
Russell smiled inside as he thought of one of the major characters he had written apart from Han Jiho.
'Screw the rules...'
He thought inwardly about the absurdity of such a person.
...
Freya — who had the same schedule as everyone else regardless of section — started to pack her things up for lunch break.
"Hey, you coming?"
Freya casually asked Amelie, who was also packing her things up.
"That…"
The hesitant Amelie couldn't instantly decide, and as if Freya knew what she was thinking about, she then added some words of encouragement.
"Don't worry about it! It's okay, Oppa wouldn't mind that."
Freya was referring to the last night's dinner; with Russell who took the Elective subject: General Overall System Theories, and Amelie who was about to say that it was for stupid people.
Apparently, Amelie felt guilty about the situation.
"Come on! Also, tell Amery to come with us."
"Alright, but… I don't think it's necessary, look behind you."
The confused Freya who was almost done tidying her belongings, while her back facing the front of the classroom, reflexively looked behind, and saw Amery standing near them with a still aloof expression, but with an approachable atmosphere.
"Ah...? Okay, let's go."
The momentarily dazed Freya urged both Amelie and Amery to go to the Obelisk Cafeteria One where they usually took their lunch and dinner with her older brother.
...
At Obelisk Cafeteria One
"Oppa, what do you think about the Close Mystery Towers?"
Out of nowhere, as they were eating their lunch, Freya asked Russell a question, though he knew what they were, it was not something he could just talk about casually.
"Well, I don't know. Maybe a blessing or a curse in disguise?"
He replied, causing the interest of Amelie and Amery to spike up, and looked at him with curious eyes.
'Hey don't look at me like that!'
Russell silently lampooned with the unusual curious eyes, especially of Amery.
"What do you mean a blessing or a curse?"
His younger sister asked, also emitting a 'curious' kind of aura in her tone.
"You know, Dungeon Towers are a blessing due to various rewards if successfully cleared, but at the same time curse if the raid failed, and failure inside the Tower means 'death', I think that would be the same with Close Mystery Towers."
Russell shared his idea that would be the half-truth for now… not in a few months to years to come... when Close Mystery Towers open one by one.
Though the 'Tower of Growth' that would open in a few months was also considered one, it's a stepping stone for humanity, at least for those who were initially hopeless as 'Players' due to various reasons such as lack of connections and resources.
He remembered the 'True Key of Chaos' he had acquired because one of its functions says that it's a key to opening a 'certain tower'. It's also one of the 'Untouched Elements' he encountered as he had no idea what tower the key was referring to.
"Sounds about right! Also, we wouldn't know unless one opens, right?"
Amelie said as she chew on her lunch, while Amery looked at Russell with wonder in her eyes.
'What are you looking at...?'
Russell frowned in his mind, getting embarrassed by her stare.
...
With a few minutes of rest, Russell separated from the trio and went back to his assigned classroom, passed the time, and waited for the Elective class: General Overall System Theories, and then a girl with friendly energy together with some of his classmates approached him.
"Hello, I'm Mira. Uhmm... You see, we noticed that you're mostly alone, so maybe you could use some company?"
'She's a friendly one, huh...'
Russell thought as he looked at his three classmates that were accompanying Mira; a boy with short brown hair, black eyes, and a normal build, and then two girls; one with mid-back length black hair, brown-yellowish eyes, and a fitted stature, while the other girl has mid-length blonde hair, blue eyes, and also a fitted body.
"Hey Mira, let him be! Maybe you're disturbing him, you know...'
Said the girl with mid-back length black hair, and brownish-yellowish eyes.
'You're right! Thank you!'
Russell lampooned in his mind; he didn't voice out his thoughts as he stared at Mira with a blank look as though he was a mannequin.
"Ah...? I-is that so...? Uhmm... Alright. Can I ask-"
Mira, as if wanting to ask something, paused for a moment — not having the courage to ask.
"Russell... I'm Russell Moon."
Understanding her intention, Russell replied out of courtesy.
"Ah... Okay! Okay! Russell... Russell Moon, join us if you need company, alright? Let's go, Lyn!"
With a tone of embarrassment, she quickly scurried away, while the others followed suit.
'That's weird...'
Russell thought before he stood up and went to the classroom where the General Overall System Theories would be taught.
...
'Han Jiho...'
He inwardly muttered as looked at the man that was sitting near the front of the classroom.