Jesse moved to the new dorm immediately, and just as he thought, it was one room for one person; hence, people could do anything in their private spaces.
For the first time, he sat at a separate table from his friends—sitting in the second fifty rank section, he tried his very best to converse with the others.
"Hey, new guy." The ninety-sixth ranker tapped on his shoulder. "You used that too, right? Maybe yours is more superior."
"Shush. Shut up!" The ninety-fifth ranker smacked him on his head.
"What? He fought Gary, a rank ninety-nine, and won. Isn't that suspicious?"
The people who sat close by glanced at Jesse and looked away; they probably thought he had used an illicit substance too.
Jesse kept his composure and leaned back slightly in his chair, offering a calm smile. Instead of immediately defending himself, he took a sip from his drink, making sure he had everyone's attention before speaking.
"You know," Jesse began, his tone measured and confident, "it's easy to jump to conclusions when you don't understand someone's hard work. But if you're so convinced I used something illegal, why don't you challenge me yourself?"
He let the challenge hang in the air for a moment, watching their reactions. "Or maybe the idea that someone could outwork and outthink Gary without shortcuts is just hard for you to accept."
The entire table went silent as everyone glared at Jesse.
"Sheesh! If I can find a substance that'll make me the number one ranker, then I'll be glad," Jesse joked, his serious expression turning into a delightful grin.
The other students burst into a fit of laughter as the ninety-sixth ranker patted his shoulder again, "I'm not gonna try my luck with the Lucky One."
The laughter soon died down after a while, and the comfortable silence returned.
"You know, Gary was actually a close friend of mine," the ninety-sixth ranker began. "We were together from the second hundred ranks. And seeing him gone like this is quite sad."
"Activate Pure Ceteorin Search," Jesse muttered internally.
[Pure Ceteorin Search activated.]
[...]
[Pure Ceteorin does not exist within your radius.]
Which means, nobody on the table took the liquid, but the ninety-sixth ranker acted somewhat suspiciously.
Jesse cleared his throat and replied, "He will be fine."
"You think so?"
"He didn't die, did he? People with abilities can still make a living... at least, in the seventh wall city." Jesse put on a reassuring smile as he patted the ninety-sixth ranker's shoulder.
"What?!" The ninety-sixth ranker jerked up. "What do you mean by people without abilities?!"
"Inspect," Jesse murmured.
[Name - Gilbert Brent]
[Race - Human]
[Status - Awakened]
[Ability - Earth]
[Tier - Intermediate]
[Level - 1]
His level was even lower than Gary's.
'How did a person this weak get to the second fifty ranking?' Jesse's eyebrows creased.
"You didn't know?" He asked Gilbert. "I thought everybody knew." Jesse added, glancing over at the ninety-fifth ranker, who turned away before their eyes could meet.
The awkwardness descended again as everybody looked away from Gilbert.
"Ha!" Gilbert scoffed, his wide eyes filled with disappointment as he left the table.
"Excuse me." Jesse picked up his tray and walked down to the last section where Maxwell and Aland sat.
"Here." He placed the food tray on the table before going after Gilbert.
"Woah." Maxwell exclaimed at the sight of the sumptuous meal, but before he could give his thanks, Jesse had already disappeared.
---
Jesse followed stealthily behind Gilbert. The ninety-sixth ranker's earlier reaction meant that he knew nothing about his friend's ability loss, and the reaction of the ninety-fifth ranker meant that they had intentionally hidden it from Gilbert.
After walking for a while, Gilbert finally stopped at the entrance of the forest. He glanced sideways before entering.
Jesse followed immediately after him. He had never been to this part of the forest, so he made sure not to lose sight of Gilbert amidst the trees.
Finally getting to a clearer part where trees were scanty, Gilbert stopped, and Jesse climbed up a tree.
Another student appeared from the opposite side—a huge student with chestnut brown hair. His walk and demeanor had an air of confidence as he carried himself arrogantly.
"You didn't tell me it had such an effect!" Gilbert yelled, even before the other student could get close to him.
"Don't yell. Didn't I tell you to be careful?" The student picked his ear in annoyance.
"Why shouldn't I yell?! You ruined his life!"
The student walked towards Gilbert and placed his hand on Gilbert's shoulder. "No. You ruined his life."
"Y-you! I'm going to report you to the school authorities!"
[Pure Ceteorin has been located within your radius.]
As soon as the tab came up, the student grabbed Gilbert by the neck and raised him up.
"I dare you," he growled, and flung Gilbert like a ragdoll.
"You think you can scare me with empty threats?" The student walked towards the half-conscious Gilbert and grabbed him by the hair. "Who do you think you are?"
"Inspect," Jesse murmured internally.
[Name - Billy O'Malley]
[Race - Infected]
[Status - Awakened]
[Ability - ??]
[Tier - ??]
[Level - ??]
Jesse's eyes widened in shock—A rational infected. Did it mean that he had a system too?
[I am the only one of my kind.]
The system replied to Jesse's thoughts.
"Then how is he still rational?" Jesse asked in his head.
[...]
[The rationality of an infected depends wholly on the kind of Ceteorin and the individual.]
"What does that mean? Would I have turned into an infected too if I didn't have a calm mind?"
[You never had a calm mind.]
[Steel Mentality has been implemented.]
[Fortunately, you have me.]
His racing heart calmed down.
The Steel Mentality attribute did a good job in keeping his mind calm and rational.
Jesse sighed at the thought that he would have turned into a zombie if the system didn't exist. After all, his mind was the least calm.
"How long do you wish to just watch me?" Holding up the bloodied Gilbert, Billy looked up at the tall tree where Jesse hid. Despite the distance, he stared directly at Jesse. "Enjoying the show, Jesse? Jesse Louis," Billy smirked.
Billy O'Malley—the familiar name finally rung a bell in Jesse's head.
-"He has Hero Lee's photo. What a dreamer."
As Billy stared directly at him with a smug smile on his face, Jesse's eyes darkened—he remembered this person a little too well.
"How did you get up there? You're going to hurt yourself." He tilted his head and let out a deranged chuckle. "Or no, how did you even get into the academy, Dreamer?"