Ryoma Kanzaki glanced at the admission form before him.
There were two choices:
1. The Ghoul Countermeasures Training Institute—a one-year program designed for standard CCG investigators. Students were trained primarily in firearms, such as pistols and rifles. Upon graduation, they would be assigned to a branch between Districts 2 to 23 as Third-Class Investigators.
2. The Ghoul Investigator Academy—a two-year program designed to train elite investigators. Unlike the standard institute, students here were trained in both Quinque and firearms. Those who graduated were immediately assigned to the CCG Headquarters in District 1 as Second-Class Investigators.
The first was shorter but less intensive. The second was longer but led to a better starting position.
For an average person, it would be a difficult choice.
But for Ryoma?
Neither mattered.
He had no intention of waiting for one or two years before stepping onto the battlefield.
Instead, he randomly selected the Academy—not because he cared about the training, but because the Academy provided trainees with a Quinque for practice.
And having a Quinque would make it easier to earn a reputation as a Ghoul Slayer.
With that decided, he submitted his application and waited for a response.
---
The next morning, Ryoma received an official reply from the CCG via paper mail.
Opening the envelope, he skimmed through the contents.
His application had been approved.
Truthfully, admission wasn't difficult—anyone could enroll as long as they paid the tuition fee. The true challenge wasn't getting in—it was graduating.
The CCG needed a steady influx of new investigators every year. But given the extreme mortality rate, most recruits wouldn't survive long enough to advance.
Fortunately, the government didn't charge much for the program—more of a symbolic fee than an actual financial burden.
That same day, Ryoma wired the payment to the Academy's bank account.
Then, with his enrollment documents in hand, he filed for a leave of absence from Kamii University.
Everything was now in place.
It was time to head to District 1.
---
Though District 20 and District 1 seemed far apart, Tokyo wasn't that large.
A subway ride under thirty minutes was all it took to reach his destination.
Soon, the Academy's towering walls came into view.
On the surface, it looked like an ordinary university.
The difference?
Reinforced steel gates
Electric security fences
Armed guards patrolling the perimeter
This wasn't just a training institution—it was a government facility.
Stepping up to the entrance, Ryoma approached the gate.
"Excuse me, I'm a new student reporting in."
The guard examined his documents before nodding toward the facility.
"Go in. That woman over there will guide you."
Following the guard's indication, Ryoma spotted a young woman wearing glasses, dressed in professional attire, holding a stack of documents.
Her cold, yet polite expression suggested she was accustomed to handling newcomers.
"You must be Kanzaki Ryoma," she said. "I am Iori Suzuki, secretary to the Academy's director. Welcome."
She offered a brief, formal bow.
Ryoma nodded. "Yes, that's me. Pleased to meet you."
"Follow me," Iori said, turning on her heel.
As they walked through the facility, Iori efficiently briefed him on the Academy's curriculum.
"Since you're joining mid-year, you'll have to work twice as hard to catch up. The Academy doesn't offer special treatment—you either keep up, or you fall behind. I trust you understand this?"
Ryoma smirked. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't confident."
Iori didn't react to his arrogance.
Instead, she continued explaining the Academy's dual system.
The Ghoul Countermeasures Training Institute and the Ghoul Investigator Academy shared the same campus, though their training regimens differed.
Institute trainees focused primarily on firearm combat and were groomed for standard investigative roles.
Academy students trained extensively in Quinque combat and were groomed for leadership roles at CCG Headquarters.
"That concludes your briefing," Iori finished. "If you have questions, ask me later. For now, report to your assigned class."
With that, she handed Ryoma a schedule and left.
---
Ryoma checked his schedule.
His first class?
"Theoretical Ghoul Biology and Combat Tactics."
Heading to the designated classroom, he entered just as the lecturer was preparing to begin.
The instructor paused, then addressed the class.
"We have a new student joining us today. I expect everyone to work together and support one another."
Gesturing for Ryoma to come forward, the instructor added, "Introduce yourself."
Without hesitation, Ryoma stepped up to the blackboard.
With clean, confident strokes, he wrote:
Kanzaki Ryoma
Then, turning to the class, he gave a simple introduction.
"My name is Kanzaki Ryoma, from District 20. My hobby is reading, and I'm here to become a Ghoul Investigator. Looking forward to working with you all."
"Very well," the instructor said. "You may take your seat."
Scanning the room, Ryoma noticed an empty desk by the window—the ideal seat.
But more importantly…
Some of the students here were familiar faces.
Among them:
Kurona Yasuhisa
Nashiro Yasuhisa
Juuzou Suzuya
Tōru Mutsuki
The next generation of elite investigators.
Coincidentally, his assigned seat placed him directly behind Kurona, while Nashiro sat to his right.
Ryoma smirked as he sat down.
"This is going to be interesting."
---
As Ryoma settled in, a new system notification appeared in his mind.
[Ding! The host has activated a new mission: The Path of the Investigator!]
Three options appeared before him:
[Option 1: Complete One Year at the Institute]
Graduate from the standard training program.
Reward: 10 Fusion Points.
[Option 2: Complete Two Years at the Academy]
Graduate from the elite training program.
Reward: 20 Fusion Points.
[Option 3: Skip Training, Join the CCG Directly]
Bypass formal training by demonstrating outstanding combat ability.
Reward: 40 Fusion Points.
Ryoma tapped his fingers against the desk, considering.
He could waste one or two years in training—or he could fast-track himself into the field.
Given his power, there was no need to follow the normal path.
"40 Fusion Points…"
That was a reward worth taking.
Decision made, Ryoma smirked.
"I'll show them why I don't need training."
====
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GOD, PLEASE! PLEASE STOP THIS POWER STONE SHOWER AT ONCE!!! 16 is too much!! This is becoming less and less professional of you all! 😭 Because of this much bonus chap needed to be uploaded tomorrow evening, me and my whole team has started going all out in translating this!! So please stop this at once! Save it for next week bonus chaps...