Chapter 70 - Academy Days

"Yo, are these psycho maniacs for real!? How are they even in our year!?"

"Bruh, they're both straight-up 🔥🔥!"

"I'd let her stomp on me any day."

"Bro, what the actual hell, that's nasty."

"Lmao, you're one to talk when you just said you wanna drink their sweat."

"Y'all are sick. Someone kick these clowns out already."

"Fr, these guys are starting to get on my nerves. They need to be banned ASAP."

Julianna put her phone down and she released a sigh, unable to shake the mix of emotions swirling in her chest.

It was now 23:00, and the livestream was still going on strong. Everyone's attention was on Noah, Aqua, and Alyssa as they watched them take on an endless wave of monsters. The comments section was exploding with chatter, but Julianna couldn't focus on it anymore.

Julianna finally understood why Noah was able to fool Oliver. It was because Noah was strong, stronger than she could have imagined but what amazed her was the fact that Oliver had said that Noah was only a G+ ranker.

Now she understood why Oliver was so shocked at that time.

It just didn't make sense for someone who is just a G+ ranker to be this strong.

He is stronger than a D-ranker.

Her mind flashed back to when she had gone to visit the training facility. 

It all began with Noah who was fighting against the horde of monsters without using any mana or skills, and then another boy started to do the same, it was someone she knew, someone she had met on the first day of the academy, Aqua.

Unlike Noah though, Aqua incurred injuries and he had to take breaks in between because he became exhausted. It was clear that Noah was stronger but she learned that Aqua was D-ranker.

And that shocked Julianna, not only her but everyone who was watching them.

For someone in their first year who had just joined the academy to be a D-ranker was almost unheard of, it was by no means common, and that made Aqua special.

But that was precisely why it made Noah even more special, because he was clearly stronger than Aqua and that led to people speculating his rank.

Unlike other people, Julianna knew that Noah was just a G+ ranker thanks to Oliver.

But Julianna didn't tell about it to anyone nor did she post it on the school forum, part of the reason was because she wanted to respect Noah's privacy, and the other was simply because of its absurdity.

Who would believe her if she said that Noah is just a G+ ranker? 

Of course, Julianna didn't know that Noah's actual rank was E+ but that was something no one except Lucy and Noah himself knew about.

But the unexpected events didn't stop there, soon after, another person appeared who entered the same combat simulation, fighting against a horde of monsters, it was a girl with jet-black hair that flowed down her waist and vibrant golden-colored eyes that seemed to draw one in.

She was incredibly beautiful, probably having a charm rank of C+ or B- at least, her name was Alyssa.

And she made even bigger ripples, why? 

Because she seemed to be even stronger than Noah.

Unlike Noah and Aqua who were fighting against the weakest army of monsters, slimes, she was fighting against a G+ranked horde of monsters without incurring any injuries, with just her sword and nothing else, although it did seem like she used her skills one or two times but that was it.

This led to everyone going crazy once more, they had thought that Noah was probably the strongest but now another person appeared who was crazy strong and high-ranked despite being just a first-year.

From then on, these 3 just kept fighting against the horde of monsters as their training practice and they had been at it for hours, Julianna had left the place after some time and trained a little herself but it seemed people were still there recording them since the stream on the school forums seemed to be going.

But Julianna's thoughts weren't focused on the stream like everyone else. She looked at the clock once more, feeling a twinge of disappointment.

No arcade...

She had been quietly looking forward to visiting the arcade again tonight, just as they had the day before. But knowing Noah had been training for hours, she couldn't bring herself to ask him to come along now. She could go by herself, of course, but it wouldn't be the same.

Yesterday had been more fun with Lucy and Noah by her side.

Julianna didn't have Lucy's number, and asking Noah to contact her felt too awkward. Plus, she didn't want to impose.

He even promised that he would come to the arcade...

She couldn't help feeling a little guilty for wanting to go, she closed her eyes, the sound of livestream from her phone still buzzing faintly as she fell into sleep.

ng!

ng!

ing!

Ding!

Julianna groggily opened her eyes at the sound of the doorbell ringing. She looked at the time—it was 2:00 AM

Who could it be...?

She wasn't expecting anyone, and considering she hadn't really gotten close to anyone at the academy, the idea of someone showing up at her door was odd. Slowly, she stood up, slipped on her mask and hoodie, pulled the hood low over her face, and went to open the door.

"Lucy...?"

She blinked in surprise. There stood Lucy, casually dressed in a black top with cut-out shoulders that paired well with her high-waisted pants.

"What happened?"Julianna asked, confused by the visit.

Lucy raised an eyebrow, then cautiously asked, "Were you sleeping?"

"Yeah, I was" Julianna replied yawning a little in the process.

"See? I told you she is sleeping! Why would you wake her up?" Lucy turned her head to the side, barking at someone out of view.

Is she with someone? 

Julianna wondered.

"I know, it's not like I doubted you, I mean it's precisely because I believed your words that she is sleeping that I decided to put you at the front gate in case she throws stuff at us for waking her up"

"You fucking son of a bitch..." Lucy's voice trailed off as she started kicking the person next to her.

From the voice, Julianna had a feeling who it was. Sure enough, Noah finally stepped into view, trying to dodge Lucy's kicks.

"Noah..." Julianna blurted out his name in confusion.

"Yup, it's me" Noah replied with his usual deadpan expression.

"Why are you here? What happened" Julianna had no idea why these two showed up.

"What do you mean? It's 2:00 already, aren't we going to the arcade? I did tell ya we can go tomorrow again if you want to." Noah spoke up jumping around to dodge more of Lucy's kicks.

"Huh..."

Julianna felt dumbfounded, having already given up on the idea of going to the arcade.

"What? Are you not coming?" Noah asked and Lucy looked at her with her slightly tilting her head.

"Huh.. uh, aren't you tired? You were training all day, right?" Julianna stammered, still reeling in quite a shock, she hadn't expected Noah to come.

"I am rich. I drank elixir once I was done with my training and well my stamina recovered itself"

"...You drank elixir just to recover from exhaustion?" Julianna found herself dumbfounded.

"Told ya, I am rich"

Julianna couldn't say anything to that.

Elixir is the highest-grade healing potion. They could heal almost any sort of injury without even leaving scars no matter how grave they are within a matter of seconds unless the person is too close to death, the elixir won't have any trouble healing the person.

The Elves produce only 2000 Elixirs every year and sell only 1000 Elixirs to other continents.

200 Elixirs to the beastfolks, 100 to the dwarves, and 500 to the humans.

These are the reserved numbers that the government of each continent takes as for the rest of the 200 Elixirs, 50 are kept reserved for only common people, while it is hard to believe that a common person would be able to pay that much money for the Elixir, they are still reserved by the stores just in case.

As for the rest of them, they are sold to anyone who pays the highest amounts.

Getting an Elixir is hard because of the low quantity and the high rates.

Even the highest-ranking people in the world have trouble getting Elixirs, the most they can get is around 5 or 6 Elixirs.

And it was absurd for someone to use an Elixir simply as an energy drink to recover their stamina...

"Are you sure you drank an Elixir or just some healing potion?" Julianna asked to be sure.

"He drank the Elixir to recover, Julianna, he really did" Lucy confirmed before Noah could say anything.

"Crazy bastard..."

Julianna couldn't help but mutter out loud.

"Don't think too much about it, Julianna. He just got rich recently—a newbie rich. So now he's trying to pull off that rich kid shtick," Lucy said, shaking her head.

"There's was no need to say that"

Lucy just rolled her eyes.

"Whatever. So, you gonna come and join us for the arcade?" Noah asked and Julianna who was doing god knows what sort of maths in her head trying to understand how could anyone drink Elixir just to recover their stamina, finally looked at him.

"Sure."

She wanted to go, obviously, she wanted to go and honestly, she was going a little crazy in her head because of how Lucy and Noah came to pick her up, by how Noah was trying to keep his promise to her.

Right now she was happy, still a bit overwhelmed knowing Noah just drank an Elixir just for stamina recovery but she was happy.

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"Why can't we win? Why! Just why!" Lucy who always seemed cool and composed type was not looking cool and composed at all and the reason for that was simple.

"10-0, this isn't even fun. Are you guys even trying or maybe you are just born losers" Noah mocked them, not like his voice changed, it was the same as always, dead, toneless but even so his words were definitely mocking them.

"Just wait, this time, this time for sure, I will win," Julianna said grinding her teeth, she was annoyed by Noah.

Incredibly so.

But

She was also happy, incredibly so.

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I am dumb.

Eating my cheese hamburger, I concluded.

What else could be the reason for me to not understand what the professor was teaching?

I have no fucking idea how the math is even working. Not even a little.

High school math in a world of fantasy doesn't seem to be my forte.

I will need to figure out a way to cheat during exams, for now, my mission is to not fall asleep or maybe I should just sleep during classes, it's the 2nd day of teaching and I already have no idea what these fuckers are teaching.

I should just train in the facility instead of coming to classes...

Maybe, just maybe. 

"Jeez, you really just eat a cheeseburger, don't you? How are you alive?" Julianna asked.

"Lucy there just eats instant cup noodles, you know?" 

At my words, Julianna looked at Lucy who was eating noodles right now.

It was lunch break and currently, we were sitting on the rooftop which we had just sneaked our way in because well, I can't cafeteria because of um... how famous I became yesterday.

Jeez makes me a bit embarrassed.

"I eat other frozen foods too, and when in the cafeteria I try out different stuff" Lucy grumbled

"Lucy, you do understand that it doesn't make you any better than me, right?"

"Shut it"

"You are both fucking out of your minds" Julianna commented as if weirded out by us.

"Well, not everyone has time to cook their meals" I replied as I looked at Julianna who had brought her own lunch box.

Her lunch box kind of looked appetizing, she sure has some skills 

"Wanna try?" Julianna asked offering me the bite of the piece of croquette she was holding with her chopsticks.

"Nah, I am good," I said as I took another bite of my burger and then she turned to Lucy, who didn't hesitate for a second. She leaned in and let Julianna feed her.

"This, this is good," Lucy said, seeing a little surprised.

"I know, cooking is one of the things I am good at" Julianna puffed up her chest in pride and I just looked at the sky still wondering if I should just start missing out on the classes or not.

"Maybe, I could cook for you?" Julianna suggested out of the blue and it took Lucy by surprise as she blinked several times and then with a contemplating look she finally spoke up

"Really? I don't want to cause any trouble?"

"Nah, don't mind, making extra portions wouldn't be a problem." Julianna waved her hand to dismiss Lucy's concern.

"Well, then. I will take you up on it. But I'd like to pay for the groceries" Lucy said with a stern voice as if she wouldn't hear a no and Julianna simply gave her a nod.

In the original novel, Lucy didn't really get close with anyone but here she is making friends, oh how the kids grow.

I am so proud of you Lucy.

"I don't know but I feel annoyed by you suddenly," Lucy said with a frown on her face as she turned to me and I just averted my eyes.

"Should I make your lunch too?"

"Nah, no need. I don't think I will come to classes anymore, no point in making the lunch when I won't be here."

"Huh?"

"What?"

Both of them let out a confused noise.

"I don't get what they are teaching at all, might as well just go and train myself" I replied shaking my head.

"Ah, I see" Lucy nodded in understanding, she knew I wasn't from this world so it was only natural for me to not understand shit.

I have studied at least the basics of middle school and elementary but I was still struggling with the high school shit and if I wanted to actually improve I will have no choice but to spend a considerable amount of time on my studies which once more was just a waste of time for me since I planned on going back home, to my world.

"I can help you with your studies!" Julianna said not knowing about my circumstances.

"Thanks for the offer but no" I replied.

"What will you do in exams then!? Missing the classes is where it all starts to fall apart"

"Don't freak out, besides, I will just cheat in exams" I replied.

"You can't just cheat in exams!"

And for the rest of the lunchtime and in class, she kept pestering me to come to classes and tried to explain stuff that was being taught in class.

It was annoying.

So, I ran away right after the last class ended and spent the rest of my time in the training facility, we didn't go to the arcade today.

Instead, we just decided to go arcade on weekends for long period of time instead of going there for just an hour or so.

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Ding! Ding!

I opened the gate of my door wondering who had shown up this early in the morning.

Opening it, I found Julianna dressed in the school uniform with a container in her hand.

"What?" I asked

Why had she shown up so early in the morning?

"Um... I made you breakfast so stop eating just a burger" She said pushing the box towards me and I like a dumbass felt so confused.

"Why did you...? Jeez, don't tell you are gonna start showing up every day with food now?" I said that as a joke but the reply I got was quite freaky.

"Don't mind me"

So she plans on bringing the food every day?

"Is there something wrong with you, why would you do it?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Well, I don't like it that someone I know is just eating unhealthy food, it's not good" Julianna curtly replied.

"Why do I feel like you won't accept my no?"

"I won't"

This is weird.

I have no idea what I am supposed to say to her.

"Just think of it as a fee for all the groceries you gave me!" Julianna replied with a cheery voice before leaving and going back to her room, leaving me with the container.

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"She is weird, right? Like what the actual fuck is wrong with her?" I complained.

"All I see is a girl worried about you, you should be happy and maybe she has fallen head over heels for you?"

"Aw, hell naw"

I shook my head hearing Emmie's words and she just laughed.

I was sharing what happened in the morning with Emmie, I found her delivering some equipment to the training facility, currently, no students were in the facility since the classes were going on.

Yes, I was skipping the classes.

"I mean, if we ignore that shitty mouth of yours, you'd be in pretty high demand"

"Screw off" I replied

What am I some sort of toy? I shook my head.

Hmm... She looks to be in her young twenties

Since she is the one who started this stupid topic first, it's only natural she gets the question as well, right?

"So, do you have someone you got a crush on, or maybe a boyfriend, big sis?" I asked.

"I had but now he is going out with someone else" There was bitterness in her voice.

"Ah, the losing heroine"

"Shut up, little shit!" She said hitting me on the head, not like it hurt since she was weaker than me but I still rubbed my head.

"Jokes aside, you have a good friend who cares about you and is concerned for you. Friends like that are hard to come by, make sure you don't hurt such a friend" Emmie said ruffling my hair before she stood "Well, I have got work to do so I will leave now"

Saying so, she left.

I started training once again until midnight and then called it a day.

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"I told you to come to class, didn't I?" Julianna said tilting her head a little in a cutesy voice, have I said before I don't like a cutesy voice?

"Did you?" I tried to feign ignorance.

When I was heading back to my room, I ran into her who also just returned from the convenience store.

And now we are both standing in the hallway.

Anyway, why does she care whether I come to class or not?

"You know, you should make some more frien... never mind" Her glare was so strong I changed what I wanted to say.

"You shouldn't miss classes. If you fail the exams you could get expelled, you know?"

"I know"

In this academy, there's a set standard for everyone failure to keep it will result in expulsion or suspension, depends really.

That's why, I had decided to cheat.

I mean, honestly, if it weren't for the threat of expulsion, why would I even bother showing up for exams? At worst, they'd hold me back a year or something. But when you know that in three years the world will be at war with the demons, failing an exam and getting held back doesn't really seem to matter, does it?

"Then you should study instead of acting like just some muscle maniac who does nothing but spend time-fighting monsters!"

Not my fault man, this world isn't simple enough that I could kill someone by just pulling a trigger, you know? The people in this world are fucking strong, so I need to train.

"Yeah, yeah, understood. Good night, then" I said trying to end the conversation and going to my room.

My 30-hour ban should have been lifted, so I was thinking of training a little more in the virtual world.

"You know what I think?"

"No, I don't"

"You aren't going to sleep, are you?" Julianna was right but I have no reason to confirm.

"I am going to sleep"

"You aren't"

"I am"

"..." Julianna simply glared at me.

"I am not. What the fuck do you want?" I give up, this extra is a pain.

"Then let's stud-"

Oh hell naw, I entered my room right away and shut the door.

Soon after, my doorbell started ringing and I ignored it until I couldn't.

"What is it?" Just like I thought it was Julianna who was ringing.

"Fine, don't study if you don't wanna bastard but at least fucking eat something before going to sleep," She said thrusting the container toward me.

....

Is this her trick to make me feel guilty? What kind of elaborate hoax is she trying to pull me in?

I didn't know.

"...Wanna study?" I asked.

And with a bit of a late response, she finally gave a cheerful nod, and then we studied.

That is what should have happened but she fell asleep within 30 minutes.

"Bitch..." I muttered as I pulled her up and threw in the bedroom and then came back to the living room and sat down on the couch.

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Days continued like that.

I sometimes went to the classes, and sometimes didn't.

On days when I didn't go to the classes, Julianna came to give me lessons at night only to end up falling asleep herself.

She also cooked me breakfast and dinner for who knows why, well she cooked Lucy her lunch.

On weekends, we went to the arcade and 

...I couldn't really keep my flawless victories.

The score now is 10-2.

And so the days kept passing by peacefully until they didn't.