Arriving at the cafeteria, I had to pay 15 Lumi credits in order to get myself a normal lunch. I was already running low on those credits and now I have to pay for such a meal?
And that's not even the worst part of it.
I again forgot about [Null Taste], meaning I can't freaking taste anything.
Then thinking back, what's the point of eating this when I could've just bought an endurance bar?
Not only would I save money, but I could also have spent the credits on something worthwhile.
"Haaa"
I plop down onto one of the few remaining tables that no one is at. It's better to stay as a loner as of right now. Guessing from everyone's reaction, I am pretty certain, that I don't have anyone to sit next to.
With my tray in my hands, I looked at the food.
While it wasn't anything grand, it's still a lot better than what I usually ate back on Earth. Back then, a simple instant noodle paired with eggs on some occasional days will usually do the trick for me.
Minutes passed, and I glanced around as I was munching on my bland meal.
I've noticed commoners mostly settle on one side of the room, while nobles are on the other.
Commoners were loud while the noble side was oddly quiet.
And of course, we have the usual combination of the top six sitting together.
'I guess they didn't have anything planned for today, hence why they probably settled down in the cafeteria.'
However, It seems they were having a heated conversation.
But did I care? No.
I rather stay away from those people than hang out with them. As for Ryder? He and I will just meet secretly most time.
Quickly finishing my meal, I stood up and glanced around once more.
But to my dismay, I didn't see that person.
Who am I looking for?
Enbo of course.
'Looks like he's again in his room, researching his poison or whatever.'
I walked over to one of the trash cans and settled down my finished plate.
Thankfully no one bothered me today.
That troublesome Ronan was just quietly eating his food with someone else. And that Roland? He is nowhere to be found.
That being said, the fact that everyone was still silently taking a peek at me still gives me worries.
Although I am quite strong, I rather not get expelled this quickly.
I still have a lot to learn here, and I concluded during my first class, that I am severely behind everyone else.
And I being a mage? It is quite one of the worst roles to play. In this world and in the game.
So there is no real class for mages in this school. Many choose some other roles and classes to work with.
It would be quite handy if they did, but on the battlefields, being a mage didn't provide any significant value.
They can't mass-produce spells, and leave destructions in their path without their depletion in mana.
They also were prone to assassinations more often than ever. Hence the rarity of mages.
As much as I hated to admit it, being a mage felt useless. Spells took too long to form, and the massive mana pool required made the path impractical. No one in their right mind would choose this route.
But simple spells can still be performed as long as one knows how to.
Most people would choose to focus on one role, and in some cases, like Alice, they would learn some mage spells alongside.
…but they aren't fully a mage.
While I am one.
Difference between being a true mage and a non-true one?
Well, the only difference is how well they can control their mana. And that's it.
While most living mages are commoners.
Odd, isn't it?
Well, nobles are more fixated on going to the knight route or somewhat similar instead of being a mage. Given how risky being one is, no one dared to be a mage. Especially heirs.
The game did mention something about it.
"The Era of Magicians,"
I mused, recalling the game's lore.
It was ancient history, over two hundred years ago, yet the details were frustratingly scarce. I clenched my fist, annoyed at how little information the game provided.
...which also perfectly matches up with the so-called Great Demon War.
'...'
…seems like I have to pay a visit to the library.
"Phew."
I began heading my way to my next class early. I honestly can not deal with students blocking my way anymore. So I now promised myself to head to class early, very.
…then again, why is everyone here so freaking tall?
Finishing my thoughts, I quickly found where my next class was.
[Demonology]
A class taught by Lucas Dorian. A class that most players will also choose. Not only will it make your life easier later in the game, but it also provides information on the demons on the spot.
...but if you're like me, then this class would've been useless.
Meaning, I can probably sleep in.
A smirk tugged at my lips as I strolled into what I thought would be an empty classroom. But, of course, nothing's ever that simple.
The professor himself was sitting at his desk.
Clasked in a black suit and an aged face with grey hair, he was looking down on a holographic window from his bracelet.
Trying to gather my marbles, I managed to greet him.
"Uh… Good morning Professor?"
His gaze snapped up, locking onto mine with a sharp glint that made my stomach flip. He waved a hand, the simple gesture loaded with authority, indicating I should take a seat.
…
I made my way to a random seat, a seat right at the farthest end of the room. Upon taking a seat, the professor finally spoke up.
"It's afternoon."
"..."
My heart skipped a beat as I realized that I had fumbled with my words while trying to muster a proper greeting.
How could I have messed that up? First impressions are crucial. Even if this body had met him before, this technically was still my first time.
I forced a casual tone.
"Ah, my mistake, Professor."
My fingers found the edge of my ear, scratching it nervously as I tried to hide my embarrassment by ducking my head.
Then from the corner of my eye, I spotted Professor looking back to his holographic window, reading something.
With both of my arms on the table, I let my head sink into them, turning sideways as I viewed outside the window.
'A beautiful view indeed.'
I stared out the window, letting the minutes slip by until the bell rang.
Ding—! Ding—! Ding—!
Once the final bell rang, there should be only five minutes left until class started. But as time ticked on, no one entered the classroom.
…Wait, please don't tell me…
The worst-case scenario I had just imagined suddenly happened.
Confirming my fear, I checked the time on my bracelet, five minutes exactly had passed, hitting [ 12:40 PM ].
With only two human beings breathing in the room, no one else was there.
…where was everyone?
…maybe late?
…or is no one else attending this class?
Then the professor scanned the empty seats before his gaze settled on me. With an unreal smile, he spoke.
"Come down."
I stood and followed his instructions, making my way down to the last row of desks. As I reached it, the professor spoke again.
"You can sit there."
He pointed at an empty seat. I quietly followed his request and sat down. Then, with an interesting look on his face, he continued.
"Rank 37, Alyssa Valenheart. Previously, rank 1."
He didn't give me a moment to respond.
"A perfect score on the writing exam, including the Demonology sections—questions that stump most students. Yet, you achieved it without attending my class?"
I blinked.
Wait… what?
Suddenly, it all clicked in my head. If no one else took this class, of course, a perfect score would be rare. That last question had stumped even me at first.
It was about a Named Demon and how to identify one. When I first saw that question, I couldn't believe the school administrators actually expected students to answer it.
Then a sudden realization hit me.
It wasn't supposed to be answered.
Unknowingly, trying to find a response that wouldn't make me suspicious, the Professor just shrugs it off.
"Yes yes. I know you have some grand secrets about how you knew that but why have you suddenly attended this class?"
…
"Um, I- I wanted to learn more about demons…"
The Professor looked at me with a slight curve on his lips.
"Great! The only requirement to pass my class exam was to score that last question correctly. And only you made it through. While all other students who picked this class were dropped off. And that's why even if you didn't even come here until now, you still have that class in your schedule."
His smile twisted in a way that sent a chill through me, turning the room's warmth into a distant memory.
…did I just dig myself into a rabbit hole?
"But students could've asked me to let them in the class, and of course I would've! But no one has tried!"
Of course, they wouldn't dare if a Professor suddenly dropped all of them.
"Demonology, a topic that studies demons isn't popular. The world is currently the most peaceful it has been and only some low-tier demons and monsters roam this land. So it isn't necessary to learn about the."
"Yet only you have the effort to learn. Very good!"
He smiled and began teaching me about all the different kinds of demons.
I couldn't succumb to my original plans of sleeping in. I just couldn't with how enthusiastic he is. He kept looking at me during each of his sentences as he showed all different kinds of demons being projected.
An hour and a half passed and finally, the class ended with the bell.
"I expect you to come tomorrow!"
He waved me goodbye as I left the room.
…
"...I should've skipped."
A quiet mutter escaped me.
Now I have to attend his class after he expects me to come tomorrow.
I guess it would be nice to have a review.
***
As Alyssa went out of the room. Lucas' smile faded and only an expressionless face remained.
"...so she's the girl who passed the question I set during the mid-terms? Hmm."
He muttered to himself as he grabbed a cup of coffee and drank it.
"To think a girl like her knows about the Named Demons more than I do…"
He took out a paper, with a name on top said: Alyssa Valenheart.
It was the midterm writing exam paper from Alyssa, that he personally graded himself.
When he heard someone had gotten a perfect score on the writing exam at the start of the school year, he didn't pay much attention to it.
While it was hard, it wouldn't be hard when there were three students from three other Dukedoms currently attending. There should be information on some demons in their household.
But he never expected her to know about Named Demons. A revelation that was only founded two weeks prior to the midterms. A piece of information that only the Headmaster and he had known of.
"Hmm. Did they say she came from a noble house called Valenheart?"
He muttered under his breath, his gaze fixed on the screen as he delved deeper into Alyssa's background. The more he uncovered, the more intrigued he became.
***
[Physical Conditioning], a class where it was held in the S-1 training room. It was to make sure students were training effectively, taught by Professor Leo.
While it wasn't mandatory to take, just like any other class, one could fail if they failed to show up for the majority.
…reason why the old Alyssa hasn't been expelled yet for skipping was probably her position as Rank 1.
The training room is equipped with all sorts of devices, areas, and anything you can name.
An archery set, a similar system to the room for [Strategic Combat Training], gravity rooms, illusionary rooms, an arena for duels to happen, and many others,
It just occurred to me how much money they spent on this school alone. Quite a lot indeed.
Finally reaching my way here, I was not late at all but instead was early this time.
Upon going in, only a few students were there. And of course, the trio of Aldric, Liora, and Ryder was practicing in one of the arenas.
'Mhm, good.'
I thought to myself and found Professor Leo standing next to Professor Verron. I hesitated mid-step when I spotted Professor Verron.
"Hmm."
'This changes things a bit.'
I tapped my bracelet and sent him a message requesting that he arrange a private training session for Ryder and me.