"Sigh"
James felt immense anger when he heard the sigh of the student in front of him, as if the boy didn't even understand what he had done wrong. He really wanted to punch him... yes, punch him! It wasn't enough that this student had skipped his class for an entire week, and now he stood there shamelessly after arriving late on his first day!
'Calm down, James. He's just a kid! Yes, just another damn kid you have to teach!'
In truth, James felt more disappointment than anger. But why?
Good question!
The administration had specifically requested him to monitor this kid, especially after he passed all the entrance exams with exactly half the required score. If the passing mark was 100, this boy had scored exactly 50 in every test!
Naturally, everyone assumed he was hiding his true strength. But after what James had seen today, he could only conclude it was pure luck that the boy managed to scrape by. He wasn't hiding his strength—he was just weak and had barely passed!
Deciding to ignore the situation, James thought to himself that this boy would be expelled soon anyway. Why waste energy on someone like that?
"Alright, go join the other students," James said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
Raelin complied immediately.
---
"So he wasn't actually mad after all," Raelin muttered internally as he walked towards the other students.
It turned out that the man with the sunglasses, who appeared to be his instructor, wasn't angry at him after all. Raelin had simply misinterpreted his stern expressions and loud tone. Contrary to his expectations, the instructor didn't punish or scold him for his tardiness. The ordeal had ended with just a brief introduction.
Sigh~ Human emotions are truly hard to understand.
Clap clap
The instructor clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention and then raised his voice.
"Alright, everyone~! It seems I'll have to explain the rules again, and we'll also need to reorganize the teams because of someone."
Of course, he didn't forget to glance pointedly at Raelin when he said "someone," prompting all the students' angry glares to converge on him.
Everyone had already finished forming their teams and planning their strategies for the dungeon. And now, they were being told they'd have to rearrange everything because of someone?
"Tsk."
"Who's the idiot that dared to show up late?!"
"Ugh... we already finished planning everything!"
"Man, just kick him out. This isn't fair!"
"Silence!"
The instructor's sharp voice cut through the rising complaints, silencing the crowd immediately.
"You think you can tell me what to do now?!"
He was clearly furious at Raelin, but now, with the students also grumbling, his anger erupted further. He began yelling at everyone, endlessly scolding them until the noise of his rage filled the training grounds.
Finally, after what felt like ages of ear-piercing shouting, the instructor calmed down. However, the students' glares at Raelin intensified, their frustration directed solely at him.
Ignoring the angry stares that seemed to pierce through him, Raelin started massaging his aching ears.
"And to think I believed he wasn't mad," he muttered bitterly.
It wasn't enough that he had angered his instructor—he had also managed to provoke the wrath of his classmates!
Man, this life is going to be hell.
He sighed deeply, his heart heavy with regret.
---
"I believe most of you already know the rules and objectives of this test," the instructor began again, his voice regaining its authoritative edge. "But for those who don't, I'll explain them once more."
Raelin listened attentively as the instructor continued.
"First: you've all been awarded academy points based on your rank in the academy, correct? Now, some of you might wonder why I'm bringing this up now. Well, it's simple: these points determine whether you deserve to remain here. Anyone without academy points will be expelled permanently. However, they will be given a one-week grace period to earn some points to avoid expulsion."
The instructor paused briefly before continuing.
"Now, how can you earn these points? It's simple. Enter the virtual dungeon test and kill monsters. That's how you earn points and avoid expulsion. Also, note that this test is mandatory, not optional—you cannot skip it. Points will be awarded based on the number of monsters you kill and your teamwork. On the other hand, points will be deducted if you leave the dungeon without killing any monsters, or based on my evaluation of your performance."
Oh, so that's what those points are for. But what does he mean by 'killing monsters'? I don't get that part, Raelin thought, his mind racing.
Before Raelin could fully process his thoughts, the instructor resumed speaking.
"Open your watches. You'll find the coordinates of your new team members there. Once you've assembled your teams, I'll finish explaining the rules."
Ding, ding, ding!
As soon as the instructor finished speaking, everyone's watches began to buzz and ring.
Ding!
Raelin glanced at his watch, which was vibrating to indicate he'd received a message. Like everyone else, he began searching for his team members.
Finding them wasn't too difficult. The watch displayed 3D images of his teammates, along with their names and ranks. While Raelin still didn't understand the significance of ranks, he continued his search anyway.
Suddenly, his finger froze on one particular image.
It was a young man with pointed ears, pale white skin, shining silver hair, and blood-red eyes.
Beneath the image, the name Harold Wellington was written.
"Harold... no—*the man who almost led humanity to its doom... the villain of [ Swordsman Deconel]!"
Raelin's voice trembled with disbelief as his face turned pale.
Now that he thought about it, everything made sense. The Elias Academy, the dungeons, the monster battles... and now, Harold.
A sudden headache struck him as the realization began to unfold.
"Damn it... what's going on?" he muttered under his breath.
What was happening?! Was he really inside the world of Blade of Deconel? Or was this just a figment of his imagination? And if he was inside the novel, did that mean he was going to die soon? This world was no safe place for someone like him to live!
"Hey, kid! Wake up!"
"Ah- Um, yes, sir!"
Raelin snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of a man shouting his name. When he looked closely, he realized who the man was.
James Grant—the former hero and current instructor at Elias Academy!
Not much was mentioned about him in the novel, except that he was an S-ranked hero. He didn't enjoy fighting and had retired after the peace treaty with the Flinns to work at the academy. Now, however, it seemed he regretted that decision deeply.
He was also known for being quick-tempered and holding grudges.
Swallowing nervously, Raelin tried not to make any more mistakes.
"Kid, I've been calling you multiple times. Where were you?" James asked, irritation evident in his tone.
"Sorry, sir. I wasn't paying attention," Raelin replied quickly.
Sigh~ "Never mind. Just go get your weapon. We're starting soon."
A weapon... a weapon?! What does he mean by a weapon?! No, wait—I'm not going to fight monsters or anything! I'm staying right here!
"Yes, sir," Raelin said instead, swallowing down the words he truly wanted to say.
As soon as he walked away from James, Raelin felt like collapsing onto the ground to cry for days.
"Hello, death! Here I come!" he muttered in despair.