Chapter 42: Drunken Stars (1/2)
The Academy of Rohan loomed over the city, only a short distance away from the House of Helnes. A wide canal separated the academy from the house, which had fields of poppies on each side. Nikolai walked beside the water stream from the city's center.
He enjoyed the cold breeze of the canal as he walked on top of the dyke. Admiring the scenery, he couldn't help but think how this place would turn into a bloodbath after the first worldwide dungeon break.
He saw someone sitting on the edge of the dyke in the distance. Valkyrie looked like a prince charming more than anything with her white shirt, red bowtie, and black silk trousers. With a sigh, Nikolai slowed down his steps.
”It's rude to sigh when you see someone.” Valkyrie turned to him with a smile. ”But I guess geniuses get away with anything.” She flashed her white teeth.
”Since when did I become one?”
”Let's see.” Valkyrie opened up her holographic watch. ”Nikolai Yaran. Excellent sharpshooting skills. Low-key personality. The first ranker in the latest midterm exams. Background: unknown.”
”What do you mean unknown? I'm from the Chaos Orphanage.” Nikolai frowned, but Valkyrie simply smiled. ”Do you know something?”
”Even if I did, I don't see why I would tell you.”
”That's not very like you, Righteous Knight.” Nikolai shook his head. ”Are you trying to coax me?”
”Do I need to?” Valkyrie threw a pin that Nikolai caught. On it was the heraldry of House Helnes. It consisted of a three-pairs-winged bird that raised its peak toward the sky. ”Next Friday, the Alm Forest.”
”Is this the official invitation to your party?” Nikolai looked at the pin, unimpressed. ”Holding this pin feels like a lot of trouble.”
”No one will dare cross you in the light, but the dark is always more dangerous.” Valkyrie smiled as she turned toward the running water, her blue eyes reflecting the shimmering light. ”This is another test for you.”
'Heavens give me strength. I thought her self-conceitedness came after she became god's champion.' Nikolai couldn't believe the amount of audacity someone would have to go around testing people.
However, he still remembers that the party Valkyrie created would obtain many treasures and earn the title of the Blessed Party of Rohan.
After the first year of the academy, the students can create parties and hunt together. They could report their achievements to the academy, and it would reward them accordingly.
However, there was no rule stating that first-year students couldn't join parties, only that they couldn't create them. That's why many first-year students tried to build connections to get into parties and learn from their seniors.
'Of course, no one would trust a weakling.' Nikolai turned toward Valkyrie. As much as their ideals differ, she was still someone with high potential. She also offered him an olive branch, even if the wolves would be after him if he took it.
”I'll see you there.” Nikolai nodded and left Valkyrie, who held a thin smile as she watched him go.
He arrived at the academy's training field, which connected to the canal, and showed the guard his ID before entering. As soon as a student saw him, Nikolai felt the difference.
”It's him!” The first student whispered to his friend, who looked confused. ”Stupid, the student who ranked first! Didn't you see the post on the community?”
Hearing his words, Nikolai opened his phone and checked the app Community. It was a social media network on the WMA, Wide Mana Array. A mechanic created this array to transfer information at high speed, allowing data to be shared instantly.
”The Cheater First Ranker, Nikolai Yaran.” Nikolai read the post with amusement. He didn't expect this method for the students to get back at him. The post was written professionally and listed all the inconsistencies in Nikolai's achievement and its illogic.
From there, theories emerged on how he managed to steal the first rank. Students from his year told of how Nikolai used outside help to snatch the victory in the Class Battles.
As he was heading toward the grand hall where the betting stand was, Nikolai kept reading the comments they made about him.
In his past life, the students ignored Nikolai more than hating him. It was one thing to get admitted because of a glitch, but another to snatch victory from the powerful.
'All of these students are just sour because they lost their money.' Nikolai shook his head. 'That's why you don't bet what you can't lose.'
He arrived at the betting stands where the casino's wealthy heir was sitting, taking the receipt and delivering the money. When Nikolai's turn came, the wealthy heir's face turned from a smile to disgust.