The Novel's Professor

Silence descended in the observation room. Some of the teachers eyes that were previously uninterested and bored — suddenly glinted with surprise and fascination.

It didn't take long before the silence shattered as a small outburst of praise and admiration resounded from the teachers' mouths.

"I stand corrected," Brandon chuckle madly. "Arcuied is a real talent... techniques, experience and decision making. He even beats Rank D demon threats like cotton! It's hard to believe he isn't even the heir of a grand noble family to begin with... To add, his team isn't anything to scoff at either. They might as well take the first-rank in this test."

"It's too early to say, no?" an Arcane teacher commented. "There's still the heir of Pendragon — A Dragonslayer family in their own right. There's also the Murasaki Family's genius; if we're talking about killing demons, there's no greater candidate than an elite member of the Demon-slayers themselves."

"Speaking of Dragonslayer families..." A Combat Teacher said, deep in thought. "Isn't the Ember family a reclusive noble house? I wonder what possessed them to finally open their doors and come out."

"Oh my, haven't you heard?" an Arcane Teacher replied. "The battle for the Royal Throne is getting hectic each day. The princes and princesses are currently gathering support, and those who don't support...well, to say not the least, they would need to prepare themselves."

"Ah, politics... the old stinking rotten politics," The Combat Teacher chuckled in dismay. "Regardless, it seems the academy is blessed with talented students this year..."

From the corner of the room, Maria narrowed her eyes in interest. Her attention shifted to the expressionless brown haired man beside her. "Well, if you look at that... It seems you're a good guesser, Salem."

Rio didn't reply. His eyes staring at Arcuied's projection. The battle had finished much earlier than he thought it would. The original novel made it that the team would struggle a little.

What could have changed...? If there was anything different, Arcuied used the skill, «Fallen Winter», he gave yesterday. He didn't expect it would be that game-changing. He knew it was somewhat powerful, but not that strong.

Rio frowned. Was his decision to give the technique right or not...?

"Haa..." Rio suddenly sighed, shaking his head. Who cares if it was right or not? Certainly not him. He had long decided—the plot be damned. He had given up on his life, consequently the plot, everything from now was just him mindlessly living without direction... He felt tired.

"There you go again, with that sigh~" Maria smiled, her head shaking. "Cheer up a little, will you? It seems as if you're in constant dilemma and trouble."

"...If it was possible," Rio muttered, his attention shifting to another hologram, this time Amber's team. "If only it was. I certainly would want a life free of troubles as you say."

"Well, why not join our guild then?" Maria suggested. "While it's not the strongest nor the richest — it's enough to solve most of anyone's problems. Money. Protection. Maybe even a love life. Well... the last one depends on you though~"

"...A sound deal," Rio replied, his eyes losing focus. Internally, he cringed at the last part. Love was a distant concept to him — the hopes of him falling in love was close to nihility. "Perhaps one day I would, but for now... I don't think so."

In further reflection, he would never do so. If perhaps he wanted to escape this academy now—he would distance himself from the Miracle Invoker community. He would live in some rural city, completely submerge himself to the common folk. Nothing good comes out of interacting with superhumans.

"That's a pity. But it's alright," Maria nodded, her face blossomed with a soft smile. "You're welcome at any time, Salem."

"Besides that, what sparked the sudden interest in me?" Rio asked lightly. "I'm sure I haven't showed much strength and ability to entice your guild."

If he were to think about it, background was the most likely suspect. But then again, the Forgotten Winter Guild was part of the five best guilds in the whole world. In that sense, recruiting other people based on their background should be close to useless to them.

"...Well," Maria paused, her eyes staring at Rio for a while. "Theres really no reason, no? I just decided so because I was interested in you personally."

"...Forget I asked." Rio shook his head. Just what did he expect from this woman? To clarify, 'interested' from Maria's words — does not at all mean anything in a romantic sense. It was more of a childish and materialistic desire for a toy.

"Hahahaha~" Maria chuckled. "Don't sell yourself too short...Salem. You're one of the most talented people I've seen."

"Thank you for the praise," Rio replied. "However, I still wouldn't join your guild."

"Aww~ shucks..." Maria cooed cutely. "I could've sworn it would work just like last time..."

Rio decided he wouldn't think of the supposedly last victim of the woman. He stared at Amber's projection — catching her figure travel with three other students as they wander throughout the maze.

—

Inside the vast maze, four students wandered around a dark area. One of the students in particular had smooth, flowing black hair and soft emerald eyes that seemed to shine amidst the darkness.

Amber warily walked through the dark maze. She and her team had just arrived at the end of the entrance they took earlier. It led them to a unique dark area. The place was called "Dark Death" — just from the name, it already sounded ominous and full of danger.

But contrary, there was no danger to speak of.

Behind her, Shao Lu furrowed his brows as he concentrated intently. After a while, he opened his eyes, staring at the place strangely. He commented. "...There seems to be no danger at all. I sensed the entire area and there seemed to be nothing that could threaten us."

"Is that so...?" Eimi replied oddly. "That seems strange. Did we perhaps luck out and arrive at an area with no danger whatsoever?"

"Perhaps," Shao Lu answered. He shifted his stare to Amber. "However, I'll leave our leader to decide on this matter. What do you think, leader?"

Amber opened her mouth, suddenly closing it as she stopped her body. Behind, her teammates stopped along with her, they stared at her strangely — wondering what caused her to suddenly stop.

"The danger..." Amber's green eyes shone, staring at the darkness as if it was as clear as day. "You couldn't sense it because it hadn't activated yet. That's normal."

"Activated...?" Shao Lu frowned.

Amber didn't reply. She readied her bow as she took one arrow from her back. She raised the bow, pointing straight to a dark spot — pulling the bowstring, she shot.

The arrow flew, glowing as it shot towards the dark spot accurately.

Thud!

At that moment, the maze rumbled.

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