Chapter 9

Early morning. As Kirio barely managed to return from his early morning run, he saw Ryouna stretching in front of the dormitory. Kirio, with unsteady steps, approached her and placed his hands on his knees.

"Ryuu, cough... cough. Pant, pant... Ryouna, pant... huff... good, morning!"

Breathless and wheezing, Kirio greeted Ryouna.

"...That's not from your morning run, is it? How much did you run to end up like that?"

Ryouna pointed out, looking utterly unimpressed. Sweat poured down Kirio's hair and cheeks, dripping onto the ground one after another.

Kirio held up two fingers and pointed them at Ryouna.

"20 km? You must be kidding."

"No... two hundred..."

"You're crazy."

Ryouna said this without a hint of doubt.

"Classes start today, and you're going to use up all your energy like this?"

Ryouna shrugged her shoulders.

In the early morning mist of Adamas Imperial Academy, many students could be seen running.

It was rare to find an excellent martial artist or magician with an unhealthy physique. To control the flow of magic and qi more efficiently, a healthy and robust body was essential. Therefore, such basic training was something that any ambitious skill user would undertake.

Kirio, who was supposed to engage in light exercise as part of his daily routine, ended up in a "contest with himself" during his run. As a result, he pushed himself to his limits, unable to stop running until he reached his breaking point.

However, even if he exhausted himself, it wouldn't be a problem for Kirio. After reviewing the lecture materials in his room, he found that with his G-rank, the lowest suitability rating, he could only attend a handful of lectures, and there might even be days with no lectures at all.

On the other hand, Ryouna, with her S-rank, could choose from a wide variety of lectures. Her casual concern for Kirio was evidence that she had meticulously planned her lecture schedule.

Kirio, who should have been grateful for his circumstances, now felt a surge of dissatisfaction.

It was understandable. The only lecture he could attend today was "Basics of Resistance," which started in the afternoon. For Kirio, who sought "arenas" where contests were likely to occur, this was an unsatisfying situation.

However, he had no desire to challenge random students for quick victories driven by his urges. "Contests" required a story.

What Kirio sought was a gourmet meal, not fast food. Although, sometimes fast food was fine too.

"Ha... ha..."

"Then, I'll go for a run too."

With Kirio still exhausted and unable to get up, Ryouna, her hair tied back, ran off, her ponytail swaying.

Is there any way to increase the number of lectures I can attend?

Some lectures require the completion of certain prerequisites.

This system would only widen the gap between low-rank and high-rank students.

While catching his breath, Kirio had a thought.

(If I can't attend lectures, I can at least observe them.)

---

After returning to his room, taking a shower, and having breakfast, it was already eight o'clock.

(I'm sure there's a lecture on "Ritual Studies III" at nine.)

The "Ritual Studies III" lecture required the completion of "Ritual Studies I" and "Ritual Studies II." Kirio had decided to observe it.

Kirio put on black slacks, a belt, a new, creased dress shirt, and a navy robe, then stood in front of the mirror.

"Not bad."

The uniform provided yesterday fit him perfectly, neither too tight nor too loose, designed to allow for intense movements.

He tied a wine-red tie and left the room.

The lecture on "Ritual Studies III" was held in one of the lecture buildings in the central district, where modern buildings lined the streets, creating a scene not unlike a city in Japan.

Kirio confirmed the location of the lecture room.

Using the student terminal provided, he could check lecture information. The schedule on the screen clearly showed which lectures were being held where.

Unfortunately, most of the lecture titles on Kirio's terminal were dimmed, and tapping them displayed a cruel popup: "You are not eligible for this lecture based on your suitability."

Seeing this, Kirio felt a bit disheartened.

(But observing should be fine.)

Recovering his spirits, Kirio entered the lecture building and headed to the designated lecture room for "Ritual Studies III."

When he arrived, it was 30 minutes before the lecture started, yet a considerable number of students were already seated.

Naturally, there were no freshmen among them. Students eligible for "Ritual Studies III" were generally upperclassmen.

After standing in the room for a while, Kirio began to receive sharp glances. Those who observed carefully noticed the new uniform and recognized him as a freshman.

Looking around the spacious room, Kirio noticed an empty seat in the back row.

While the front rows were sparsely occupied by upperclassmen, the back row seemed to be avoided, forming a semicircle of empty seats. A new female student who entered the lecture room also bypassed the empty seats and chose a seat further forward.

(Well, it's hard to see the whiteboard from the back. Since I'm just observing, I'll sit there.)

Despite the increasing number of gazes, Kirio sat down in the middle of the back row with a "heave." A murmur and a moment of tension rippled through the lecture room.

Kirio realized the reaction. No, he had already guessed.

This seat was likely reserved for students of high social standing.

"Hey, is that okay?" "That's Elnas' seat, right?" "Is he a freshman? Did he enter the wrong lecture room?"

Whispers could be heard. Many students found Kirio's presence amusing.

Should he leave? Kirio rested his chin in his hand, thinking. However, the fatigue from his early morning run made him reluctant to stand. Besides, staying put might lead to something interesting.

As he pondered, the lecture room door opened again. Looking over, he saw a large, bald man, who didn't look like a teenager.

He slowly walked over and stood close to Kirio, looking down at him.

"Move."

The room fell silent with those short words.

Kirio glanced at a young man with ash-gray hair standing behind the bald man.

(This bald guy is his dog.)

After confirming this, Kirio nodded slightly, got up with a heavy sigh, and moved to the seat next to him. At that moment.

--Smack!

The large man's massive fist caught Kirio's cheek.

A blow so fast and powerful that even "Resistance" couldn't cushion it.

As the large man pulled back his fist, Kirio was thrown from his seat and slammed into the lecture room wall, then crumpled to the floor, leaning against the wall.

"Too much..." "Is he okay?" "That was a bad sound."

The lecture room buzzed with whispers.

Kirio's brain rattled, and the damage penetrated his "Resistance." The corners of his mouth curled up naturally.

Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth with the hem of his new robe, Kirio said,

"Good one."