Chapter 48


    As soon as she arrived, Sharon Pierce, who picked a quarrel right away, quickly found her seat after diverting her gaze.


    Before anyone could respond to the argument, the awaited figure that everyone here had been waiting for arrived.


    Danya, with sensitive senses, shuddered, and then Ian also detected the approaching magic.


    A presence felt instantly from afar.


    Oh, hes here.


    Turn on the recording device. Its not often we get someone hard to capture like this.


    Jan Bommel, Dean of the Knight Department.


    After exchanging greetings with some key figures, he confidently walked up to the tform.


    A long scar crossing his face diagonally, and an imposing ashy mane like the mane of a wolf. Even though he tied his rough long hair together fitting for a Knight Commander, his presence exuded wildness.


    Hmm


    His eyes, surveying the surroundings, seemed endlessly indifferent, but whenever they met someones gaze, a gleam shed. Then, he muttered quietly.


    Why is that damn woman, the president, bothering me with this?


    He sighed lightly.


    Even that simple gesture had a majestic air, as if a wild beast was calming its breath.


    And then, he turned towards them.


    The sharp yellow eyes, crossing diagonally, stopped at the person sitting in the center.


    Sharon Pierce, long time no see.


    Dean.


    Your achievements dont seem to differ much from your past transgressions. Even if your talents are high, its meaningless if you stop. Thats something you have to figure out. By the way, is your father doing well?


    Yes.


    Well, he should be. If that damn b*stard didnt sell me to Lichten, I wouldnt have had to endure this suffering.


    Following the criticism of Sharon Pierce, the insults flowed to her father.


    Indeed, a fiery character as per the setting.


    Ian inwardly bit his tongue.


    Honor is everything for prestigious knight families like the Pierces.


    However, Sharons sharp eyes briefly intensified but soon returned to normal.


    Jan Bommel, Dean of the Knight Department.


    He gained great fame across the continent without a prestigious family name, solely with his own name. A top-tier knight and arade of Sharons father. Raw, untamed, that was his trademark. Even in front of the Emperor, he could be insolent (though hed face significant consequences). He was one of the few individuals who could do that.


    Sharon must have been well aware of that fact.


    Jan Bommels gaze was stern.


    Hes still an uninteresting fellow.


    Muttering so, he turned his gaze this time.


    The dazzling yellow eyes were now fixed on Danya.


    Her ears and tail stood upright.


    What kind of cat are you?


    I-Im Danya Catsnesia, a member of the Magic Department


    Hmm? Your manner of speaking doesnt match your appearance as a cat. Whats your rank now?


    Rank, representing the hierarchy of ones talents. In game terms, it meant how many stars.


    3, 3 stars


    Worthless trash.


    Flinch.


    Her shoulders shook, and at the same time, her ears and tail drooped.


    She was easy to read emotionally.


    Certainly, a dangerous type more beastly than a beastman; this males gaze was now focused on them.


    Again, those yellow eyes were ominously intense.


    How many demons and monsters had he defeated, and how many humans as well?


    The peculiar lust he exuded undoubtedly indicated weariness from a peaceful daily life devoid of the pleasure of killing.


    That was the origin of his presence.


    Ian involuntarily swallowed dry saliva.


    Yet, he didnt avoid eye contact.


    Because he would inevitably encounter such individuals countless times in the future.


    It was a good practice opportunity, so to speak.


    What about you?


    2.5 stars.


    The official rating for Pongpong, the being Ian possessed, was 2.5 stars.


    Literally, a low rank among low ranks.


    However, Jan Bommel undoubtedly meant to inquire about the name and affiliation.


    Ian chose to answer with his own rank.


    It was a bit sarcastic and a way to tease.


    For some reason, the tone of rating and ssification didnt sit well with him.


    But at the same time, he wanted to see how someone with such a presence would react when provoked.


    The subtle twitching of Jan Bommels eyes.


    His mouth curled up slightly, then returned fiercely to its original position.


    Lichten seems to have deteriorated. Admitting someone with a rank of 2.5 stars.


    The rank is just past information.


    Are you mocking my question now?


    If thats how you interpret it, then yes.


    Arent you afraid of me?


    Arent journalists watching this ce anyway?


    Eh-hahaha!


    Jan Bommel smiled with satisfaction.


    Youre an interesting one. Most magic department students are mediocre. But youre different. Interesting.


    Yes?


    Without giving Ian a chance to retort, Jan Bommel turned away.


    No, whats so interesting about it?


    Suddenly, there was a tingling sensation behind him.


    He tried to scratch it, but it seemed he earned points instead.


    Why?


    Of course, whether Ian was perplexed or not, the ceremony proceeded without dy.


    With a concise and clear opening speech, the award ceremony began immediately.


    In recognition of Sharon Pierces courage to rescue her colleagues and confront unavoidable danger, despite the recent unfortunate incident at the academy, she is awarded amendation.


    He handed out a stiff piece of paper like a certificate with an extremely annoyed expression.


    Simrly, the ceremony was swiftlypleted for Danya and Ian as well.


    That concludes it.


    Walking away with an endlessly annoyed expression, he blinked as if he forgot something.


    Oh, right. I forgot something important. Sharon Pierce is awarded a schrship for tuition until graduation. Danya Catsnesia and Ian ckangers, as freshmen, will receive a stipend from the Lichten Schrship Foundation for their dignity. Thats all.


    The most crucial part.


    Ian firmly stamped the words from the Knight Deans mouth into his mind.


    A monthly stipend. Nothing would be more pleasing than that.


    Just when Knight Dean Jan Bommel, who was expected to leave immediately, turned back.


    And then, looking at Danya and Ian, he spoke.


    You two are lucky. Getting a schrship for a rank like 3 stars.


    And you, with ck hair.


    Ian looked up at him in response to Jan Bommelsment.


    You said the rank is just past information, right? About this recent rank measurement. Look forward to it.


    Hmm.


    It seems he caught the attention of the Knight Dean as well.


    How unlucky! Just a few more stars higher in rank!


    After the ceremony.


    Unlike Sharon Pierce, who was surrounded by many people, Ian and Danya descended straight to the hall under the stage.


    Danya, who had been squinting at the tform with an axe eye, turned her head sharply and looked at Ian.


    There were only fundamental words she could say.


    If your rank is a few higher, its a big deal. Why are you so upset?


    Its unfair, nyah! Arent you upset too?


    As long as I get paid, Im fine.


    Wow you have no pride.


    Does pride put food on the table? Money puts food on the table.


    Humph! Humph! Youre just a fool who only knows money!


    Of course, Jan Bommel also came out aggressively, and the situation afterward was also a situation, so it was clear why Danya was upset.


    However, at the same time, Ian understood the reality of this world well.


    In reality, its not much different from a world where a persons value is judged by their rank.


    There was no need to go far.


    Fantasy X Academy was essentially as a game like that.


    The value of all characters is determined by their n-star, or grade.


    And unless the character was usually around 4 or 5 stars, it was natural to receive harsh criticism.


    Its about this level of inequality.


    Ian had already prepared for this situation when he possessed a 2-star character.


    Well, Danya would also know well about this ecology.


    However, since beastmen generally value honor, the damage might be a bit more significant.


    As she grumbled with her fists clenched, she nced over here.


    Why was she doing that?


    Well, maybe its not so bad if you make good money?


    Why are you suddenly saying that?


    Its nothing!


    Why suddenly embarrassed again?


    Its difficult. A womans heart.


    Danya might have realized what her appearance was like. Rolling her eyes, she asked.


    Ian, how did you manage to confront him like that despite facing the Knight Dean?


    I just said what I had to say.


    Hmm? Surprisingly, you do when you need to.


    What do you really think of me?


    A neer-do-well?


    Ian remained silent.


    He couldnte up with words to refute.


    At that moment, Sharon descended from the stage.


    As if she were about to leave, she looked at this side like she was ncing at bugs, but suddenly stopped in her tracks. Then, she turned to face their way.


    Ian ckangers.


    What.


    She, who had closed her mouth, scanned up and down for a moment.


    Her cold lips parted.


    Expectations from Knight Dean Jan Bommel would not be about expectations for you.


    ?


    It would likely mean hes watching to see how much you can amuse him.


    Ah, so that was bothering her.


    A dry chuckle escaped.


    Sharon Pierce, alwaysposed.


    But for now, it seemed like he glimpsed a piece of unease in her psyche.


    It was also her weakness.


    Ian had no intention of backing down.


    Why? Scared? Worried I might win the favor of the Knight Dean?


    Sharons sharp eyebrows twitched, and she trembled momentarily.


    Traces of tension appeared and disappeared.


    But it wasnt that intimidating.


    Ian had already grown to some extent.


    Of course, facing her one-on-one might be challenging, but it wasnt as if he would suddenly be struck and killed by a sword.


    Disying confidence might prevent her unpredictable actions, he calcted.


    Sensing that change, Sharons eyes slightly tightened.


    You gained confidence. I dont know how much youve achieved, but it seems you wont exceed rank 3. Even if you use ck magic, youre still at that level.


    ck magic?


    Yeah. Pretending not to know?


    What nonsense is this


    Fine. I didnt expect much. If you apologize now, I might have considered it.


    She sighed and continued.


    You are only that much of a human being after all. I look forward to the disciplinarymittee.


    With that deration, she turned away.


    In any case, earth magic doesnt have a suitable movement-type spell. I dont think you can solve that problem until our rank is measured.


    Frost formed around her briefly and then disappeared.


    Your rank will never exceed 3 stars.


    With that assurance, she distanced herself.


    Meanwhile, in an undergroundboratory in one of Lichten Academys research buildings, a shabbyb reserved for students.


    Bang!


    Shattered ss fragments scattered.


    Through the emerging smoke, a whimpering girl appeared.


    Hiing.


    She scratched her head, full of gray dust, and approached the broken shards.


    It had exploded again, but these were remnants created through experiments.


    cing them on a ma, she observed.


    Is this the limit?


    Her goal was to perfectly levitate this metalpound above the ma.


    However, in front of her now was only a rock leaning against the ma, as if half-hearted.


    No matter how well-crafted the specimens were, she couldnt surpass this point.


    Haahh


    The research that seemed almost tangible but elusive made her endlessly frustrated.


    If she could just make it levitate, its potential uses would be boundless.


    Creating an object that could float over the ground like moving earth,pletely changing the paradigm of mobility.


    It might be possible with high-purity copper and lead.


    With a sigh, she put her safety sses back on.


    She had confidence in the theory.


    If it doesnt work, shell keep trying until it does.


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