NOVPUBWithin the corridor-like architecture of the assessment area, two figures were leisurely walking in the empty hallways.
The surroundings were eerily quiet, with only the echo of their footsteps on the cold, hard stone slabs.
Images and statues along both sides of the corridor watched every passing student like guards.
The road seemed unfamiliar, or rather, it wasn’t a path they had taken before.
On the carpet, there were occasional sinister, chilling bloodstains that had long since dried and blended with the fabric.
The shapes of the bloodstains varied; some were caused by sharp objects, while others looked like irregular splatters.
It was as if something horrifying had happened in this school, turning it into an inexpressible game of terror.
However, the two seemed indifferent.
There was an alien sense of coldness and tranquility, much like the Demon Race.
The time for the end of the first assessment period had not yet arrived.
Lanci and Zestira had temporarily left the Magical Beast Breeding Classroom, only taking the Black Fox with them.
Lanci’s steps were steady, with his head lifted slightly, the dim light illuminating his resolute face.
He had one clear destination, to accomplish one task.
Zestira was still following closely behind Lanci, as if being close to him gave her a sense of peace.
Only upon leaving the Magical Beast Breeding Classroom had she discovered that they were under various negative effects set by the barrier.
No matter where they were, their positions would be shown in real-time on the notice board.
She also felt that her steps had become much heavier.
Apart from slowing down, there were other conditions like vulnerability, healing reduction, among other debuffs.
They couldn’t even pass through many corridors’ ends, as there were transparent barriers requiring detours. If they were cornered, they would be trapped.
Who knew if actual fights broke out, whether those powerful seniors backstage could impose even stronger debuffs and buffs for their opponents.
These interferences all seemed like warnings.
Warnings advising her not to pursue a title she shouldn’t claim.
Yet, she could not influence any of it and could only put her trust in their teacher.
"Zestira, what do you think the students’ impression of me will be after class, upon seeing the changed bounty?"
It seemed Lanci had sensed Zestira’s worry, and asked with a smile.
"..."
Zestira was silent for a brief moment.
In fact, from the other students’ standpoint... regardless of how much they wanted to earn these thirty thousand or so credits, anyone who thought carefully about it would realize an issue.
A person who could be worth a reward of 130,000 at first and soon rise to over 300,000 after one class.
If he truly had a matching value to his bounty.
Then the first reaction upon seeing him should be to run, not to approach him!
Conversely, in the eyes of this Demon King, other students were all treasure troves of credits...
Despite everything, Zestira seemed to relax a bit at the sight of his comforting smile and calm gaze.
Zestira took a deep breath, trying to calm herself as much as possible.
She knew that this was just the start of their long journey to become a great Demon Clan, and she needed to learn to face it, at least to keep up with her teacher, even if he was human, he was also the ideal of the Demon Race.
Unintentionally, she had noticed the information about the bounty notice on the dilapidated billboard in the corridor.
[Bounty: Zestira Lilom (Servant: Rocky McCarthy)]
[Total: 309,820 Credit Points]
[Noble student Zestira is a preparatory student, current credit points: 182...]
[Servant Rocky McCarthy, danger level: unknown...]
This was her first time seeing an evaluation of an unknown danger level.
Zestira felt that even if things got tough, she might really stand a chance to earn a few tens of thousands of credits.
The Pink Holy would surely be chosen by her teacher. No matter how her teacher wanted to use her credits, she would agree.
She just needed to follow her teacher closely, be wise and decisive, and not drag him down.
After all, to ensure that they could win, the key was that she didn’t get hunted.
...
Few minutes later...
Following a staircase that continuously curved upwards, the two individuals arrived at the entrance of a room on the top floor of the building.
This was a classroom hidden deep within the structure, with complex patterns carved onto its heavy door that exuded an aura of ancient and profound magical energy.
The inscriptions on the wall next to the door had faded somewhat, but were still legible.
This was a functional classroom.
The examination area also housed a few similar classrooms that served like convenience stores, offering a meal replenishment option for students who chose to complete five exams without breaks in between.
However, these functional classrooms only opened in between classes, and students could use them by paying with school credit points.
Since the majority of the other students were still in their first exam session, they did not encounter anyone else on the way here.
Or rather, it’s unlikely that other students would come to this place.
This was a broadcasting room.
In this functional room, one could use the broadcasting feature during break times by paying one hundred school credit points.
The two individuals stood outside the door, waiting for a moment.
A deep and prolonged bell sound reverberated through the entire building of the academy.
This was the signal for the arrival of the first break period; it pierced through the entire building and stirred the previously quiet exam zone back into activity.
As the bell rang, Lanci pushed open the heavy door.
The door let out a low creaking sound, much like an entrance that hadn’t been used in a long time.
The two individuals walked into the broadcasting room.
The door slowly closed behind them, separating them from the corridor.
The whole room was filled with ancient spell patterns that subtly emitted a cyanish glow. Against the wall in the depth of the room, there was a series of interconnected standard magic devices, made of mithril and carved with heavy and stable patterns and characters. A microphone stood in the middle, surrounded by a coiled, antique copper-colored cord at its end.
Simply placing the student bracelet on the magic device would allow one to make a school credit payment through the bracelet and activate it.
Although in the past, asking Zestira to pay one hundred school credits in one go would have caused her immense pain, it wasn’t a big deal now.
In Protoss Royal Magic Academy, one could accomplish various things with school credits.
Not only could one visit the rest area to spend credits and enjoy the sanctuary’s protection without restraint.
Even if one wanted something on a regular day, it was nearly always purchasable.
School credits could even offset school punishments, and it’s possible to help others remove their penalties too.
This resulted in the school regulations being biased towards noble students with innate privileges and students with outstanding abilities, who could at times arrogantly disregard their teachers.
Gradually, the atmosphere shifted.
The students became more and more brutish and disrespectful.
They started lacking consideration and respect for people and objects, compassion, and reverence towards elders.
Although the living conditions in the empire have improved now, the only path left for the children seems to be decadence.
Naturally, his thoughts drifted to the past.
During the Purgatory Corridor Academy era, students studied diligently, followed rules, respected their teachers, and when faced with threats from other races, everyone united to overcome difficulties.
However, looking at the present school.
Many teachers, like Xido, endured their students’ disrespect time and again.
This was incorrect.
As a teacher with ideals and the responsibility of educating the populace, Lanci was determined to change all this.
He picked up the microphone, slightly tapping it on the side to ensure it was working.
Then, he started speaking:
"Hello students, I will be brief.
Lanci’s tone was calm yet firm, carrying an aura of unyielding authority that echoed throughout the entire building, and the examination area and said,
"I urge everyone to seriously complete this examination with a correct attitude."
"For those who disregard the rules and foster a poor learning atmosphere, we will not show leniency. I, Rocky McCarthy, here promise all the teachers —" 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝙢
"During this exam, feel free to be strict. Any penalties the teachers receive this semester will be removed by me using school credit points. For every undesirable student caught, a reward of a month’s paid leave will be given, with no upward limit."
Dedicated to creating a better campus environment, Principal Lanci is always on the move.
Zestira: "?!"
Cat boss: "??!"
Hyperion, come back quick!
This man has gone mad!!
