Professor Elena's voice cut through Daemon's thoughts as she began the lesson.
"Then, let's start with our lesson," she said, her tone commanding attention.
She went on to explain the different types of weapons used by hunters—swords, bows, staffs, daggers, and many more. Her lecture was detailed and informative, but Daemon didn't seem to be paying full attention.
On the surface, it looked as though he was listening carefully, his face serious and focused. But in reality, his mind was elsewhere. He was thinking about the upcoming event that would take place next week. From what he remembered, it was an important part of the story—one of the game's most famous hidden pieces. This piece was said to grant an extremely powerful skill.
In the game, the hidden piece was nearly impossible to obtain. The conditions to get it were so specific that only a handful of players had ever managed to acquire it. But now, in this world, it was a different story. Daemon was no longer confined by the rules of a game, and that opened up possibilities he hadn't been able to explore before.
He was already planning his next moves, figuring out how he could get his hands on that powerful skill. His thoughts were consumed with this goal when suddenly, a voice brought him back to reality.
"Are you listening, student Gracefall?" Professor Elena asked, her sharp gaze fixed on him.
Daemon blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. His eyes met her gaze for a moment before he quickly responded.
Yes, Professor," Daemon responded, raising his head to meet her gaze. Despite his calm reply, Professor Elena didn't look convinced. Her sharp, squinting eyes remained locked on him, studying him closely, as if trying to see beneath his composed exterior.
Daemon was well aware of her opinion of him. He was the lowest-ranked student in the first year, a rank that carried no prestige. He didn't come from a powerful family, nor did he possess any remarkable talent that could earn him favor.
In this academy, strength and status determined worth. Without either of those, Daemon knew he was seen as little more than prey in a world where only the strong survived.
Professor Elena's gaze didn't waver, her expression difficult to read. After a brief moment of silence, she spoke again, this time with a faint, almost challenging smile.
"Student Gracefall," she said, her tone deceptively light, "since you seem so attentive, let's see how much you've learned. Can you explain mana agglomeration and its advantages?"
Daemon's eyes twitched slightly at the question.
She was explaining about weapons in the class, but now she was asking a question about mana agglomeration. It was clear that she was making sure I can't answer the question even mistakely.
"I don't know." Daemon said bluntly, that was the truth. How was he supposed to know about the mana agglomeration.
"You don't know?" She squinted her gaze, growing pressure on him. 'She is applying pressure, a technique used to intimidate opponents using mana.'
"Yes," Daemon replied, his voice steady despite the rising pressure in the room. "Because you hadn't covered that topic yet."
The air grew tense for a moment as the class waited for Professor Elena's response. She raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly, a smug expression settling on her face. "Ah… but you're still expected to study beforehand," she said, her tone dripping with condescension. Without giving him another glance, she turned her attention back to the lecture.
"Pfffttt…"
Daemon heard quiet chuckles from around the room. He didn't need to look to know that some students were grinning smugly, enjoying his discomfort. He clenched his fist under the desk but kept his expression calm. Getting into an argument now would only make things worse.
'Stay quiet,' he reminded himself, forcing down the frustration. "Understood," he said softly.
"Good," Professor Elena replied, as if she had won some small victory. "Now, where were we?" She resumed the lecture, her tone returning to its usual authoritative cadence, though Daemon noticed her gaze flick toward him now and then, sharp and watchful.
'Looks like I was already on her blacklist before today,' Daemon thought, leaning back slightly in his seat.
***************
As the first lesson of the day drew to a close, Professor Elena wrapped up her lecture on weapons. For most students, it was an ordinary class, but for Daemon, it had been anything but pleasant. Throughout the session, Elena had frequently singled him out, asking questions. While Daemon managed to answer some of them—those directly related to the lecture—she often threw in unrelated questions, clearly meant to put him on the spot.
Finally, the lesson ended, and several students began to gather their belongings, ready to leave. However, before anyone could step out, Elena's voice rang through the room. "Please don't leave the class."
She tapped her desk lightly, drawing everyone's attention back to her.
"As you all know, we've completed our first month of the curriculum," she began, her gaze sweeping over the room. "Starting this week, you'll be required to apply for club memberships."
Daemon sat quietly, his mind racing. 'Here it comes, the start of the first event,' he thought to himself, his focus sharpening.
Students had the chance to join two clubs, and it was no surprise that the main characters would all choose the Arts and History club as their first pick. It was the central hub, where many important events took place—outings, competitions, and numerous opportunities for growth. With so many key moments tied to this club, Daemon knew it was the perfect choice for him as well. By joining, he would have access to hidden pieces and he is not going to waste that opportunity.
'The other club... I'll figure it out later,' Daemon thought, pushing the thought to the back of his mind. His goal was clear: he would collect as many hidden pieces as possible. Helping the protagonist grow stronger was all well and good, but his own strength was what mattered most.
But even as he thought about the future, there was something else on his mind. 'Before I make any moves, I need to deal with Amy,' Daemon decided. He wasn't the type to leave things unfinished. If he chose to destroy something, he would make sure it was utterly destroyed, no traces left behind.
Daemon quickly submitted his request to join the Arts and History club and stood from his seat. Without wasting any time, he made his way out of the classroom. He had plans for the evening and needed to check a few things before then. His mind was preoccupied, leaving him unaware of the curious glance cast in his direction by Arthur.
"Who are you looking at, Arthur?" Lucas asked in a deep voice. Despite his large and intimidating build, those who truly knew him understood that Lucas was far from being rough or harsh.
Arthur kept his gaze on Daemon for a moment longer before answering, "That guy… He seems different somehow."
"Different?" Lucas repeated, his tone laced with curiosity. "Different how?"
Before Arthur could respond, a teasing voice joined in. "Oh, I see. Arthur's got his eyes on someone. How cute." It was Amelia, smirking as she leaned in slightly, clearly enjoying the chance to tease him.
Arthur sighed. "Very funny, Amelia."
Unexpectedly, Julia chimed in with her usual calm, refined tone. "Actually, for once, I agree with Amelia. You do sound like someone who's suddenly interested after noticing something unusual."
Amelia shot Julia an annoyed look. "Hey! What do you mean by 'for once,' huh?"
Their playful banter continued as they walked out of the classroom together, their conversation soon shifting to other topics. Within moments, Daemon was completely forgotten, his brief presence only a passing thought in their minds.
***************
Daemon couldn't ignore the fact that his funds were running dangerously low. If he wanted to survive and grow stronger in this world, he had to solve this problem first. Fortunately, he had something others didn't—knowledge of future products and inventions that hadn't yet appeared here. With that in mind, he started forming a bold plan: to create a company using that knowledge.
However, there was a catch. Back in his previous life, Daemon had no experience with running a business. He had barely started college before being thrown into this world. So, he knew he couldn't do it alone—he needed someone who understood how to manage a company, someone skilled in turning ideas into reality.
That's why he now found himself in Neopolis, a city three hours away by train from the capital. The bustling streets were alive with all sorts of people—street performers trying to earn a living, office workers glued to their smartwatches, and vendors calling out to passersby.
Daemon ignored the noise and crowd, his focus unwavering. After weaving through the busy streets, he slipped into a narrow, dimly lit alleyway. The air grew colder, and the cheerful sounds of the main street faded behind him.
He stopped in front of an old, worn-out door of a small building tucked away in the shadows. Without hesitation, he reached for the door and knocked it three times.
Moments later, two bulky men in sharp suits stepped out from behind the door, their expressions cold and unreadable. They sized Daemon up as he stood calmly in front of them.
"I heard from the son of an old friend that you're looking for an employee," Daemon said, his voice steady.
The two men exchanged brief glances before one of them asked, "Oh? And what are your specialties?"
Daemon smiled faintly. "Well, I'm quite good at serving black tea."
There was a short pause before one of them nodded. "Is that so... very well. You may enter."
Without further question, they stepped aside, allowing Daemon to walk through the door. Inside, the building resembled a bar, though it was dimly lit and quiet, with only a few scattered patrons. The faint scent of old wood and alcohol lingered in the air.
The men led Daemon to a table in the far corner. "Wait here. We'll call the manager," one of them said before they turned and left.
Daemon watched them disappear down a hallway. Once they were out of sight, he turned his attention to a wooden panel near the corner. Moving quietly, he approached it and tapped three times on its surface. As soon as he did, the air around him shimmered, distorting for a brief moment before stabilizing again.
In the blink of an eye, Daemon found himself standing before a solid metallic door. This was the true entrance to where he needed to be—the hidden door of the Black Market.