“T-that’s unbelievable…” Damien’s voice trailed the moment Klaus finished his report.
To think that a brat whom he had deemed worthless due to his Core would beat someone as talented as Ivan so easily. Klaus wouldn’t dare lie to him about something like that, so Damien knew it had to be accurate.
“I refuse to accept that!” Damien banged his hand on his desk.
The sudden sound of his clenched fist hitting the flat surface of the table startled Klaus, causing him to jump slightly.
Damien’s anger could be clearly seen, so the supervisor did nothing except swallow his saliva in discomfort. The reason for Damien’s annoyance was something anyone who knew him was well aware of.
Damien Lawcroft hated White Mana Core Grade, no, untalented Magic-Users. He despised them deeply. The reason for his deep-seated hatred was shrouded in mystery, though a few rumors were flying around concerning this.
‘Sigh, let’s just get this over with so I can leave already!’ Klaus screamed internally.
“I can’t accept this. Maybe Ivan was having a bad day. It happens to Magic-Users sometimes… besides, we still don’t know why his fire spell malfunctioned…” Damien muttered, trying to bring up all manner of excuses.
Klaus just sighed silently. His superior didn’t want to accept the fact that Ivan lost due to his inferiority in ability compared to Jared. Even if he managed to dismiss the results of the duel— if it could be called that, it didn’t change the fact that Jared’s perfect score in the first two parts of his exam was beyond amazing. If not for the newly adopted third part of the exam, he would have easily scored the top spot.
Still, Klaus knew better than to say this to Damien who was seething in annoyance, too drowned in his prejudice to think rationally.
“Well, it doesn’t matter in the end. Even if he managed to best Ivan, there’s no hope for him now… after all…”
Klaus knew quite well what his superior meant by the words he spoke in a low undertone. The Placements of everyone had already been decided, and Jared belonged to the Lower Class.
Not only would their education be of poorer quality compared to the rest, but they would also be shown the least preference when it came to issues of pertinence in the Academy. Even though the students there would be better than average by the time they graduated, they would be nothing compared to those in other classes.
The prejudice against lower placed students was also something that would terribly affect their mentality and perception in society. As a staff of the great Ainzlark Academy, Klaus felt a little upset by the current system.
The reason they had adopted this new method was because of the Supremest faction who valued talent and bloodline above all else. They were made up of nobles and high-ranking officials in the Kingdom and their goals were simply to shackle those who they considered ‘unworthy’ to rise to a position of prominence.
Of course, Damien Lawcroft was a member of this faction— and a high-ranking one at that. Exerting his influence, among others, they were finally able to make the educational reform and segregate the talented from the less adept.
It wasn’t like their idea didn’t have any advantages attached. If there were no merits, Ainzlark would never implement such a policy. However, the rationale behind such a plan was the discrimination against the less talented— that alone made the cause contaminated.
‘Whatever… I should just mind my business…’ Klaus heaved another heavy sigh.
He did have a fleeting thought as Damien began addressing him once more, making sure the preparations were made for the students who would be making it to the Upper-Class.
‘Jared Leonard seems like such a promising individual… if only things were different…’
******************************
As expected, we were all called out of the apartment after having breakfast. Since it was our last day in the place, everyone was already prepared for what came next.
“We’ll be moving you to the main auditorium now. The rest of the students would have gathered there already.” Klaus Tallman spoke to us.
As the supervisor in charge of our male group, he had personally come to gather us for the assembly.
‘I haven’t seen him since the first day…’ My thoughts trailed, recollecting that several other staff took charge on their respective days.
According to what Klaus was saying, the true academic session began today and we were all to gather at the central auditorium. Even though we had been given a tour of the school grounds and knew our way there, it only made sense that he would escort us personally.
‘I suppose this will be the last time I will be receiving such treatment.’
The Lower-Class awaited me, after all.
Flowing Klaus like obedient labs, our group of boys trailed behind. Before long, we met up with the female students. They were, of course, being led by their female supervisor. I wasn’t aware of her name, but it was only a matter of time.
Though most of the girls had eyes on a few boys— like Ivan Smith or Stefan Netherlore, I felt a particular gaze on me. My eyes rolled as I could already guess who it was.
‘I’m not going to look!’
No matter how hard Maria Helmsworth stared, I decided not to pay her any attention. Focusing on the path before us, my mind trailed to my session the previous night.
The food I received from Ivan and his group was barely enough to sustain me throughout the night. I was so hungry once breakfast arrived that I devoured my meal on the spot.
I saw the students look at me with curious glances as I ate, especially Ivan’s crew— who were surprised that I could eat with such gumption after having a feast to myself the previous night.
They weren’t aware of the pains I went through, though. And it was all worth it!
Even though I was merely a White Mana Core Grade, the amount of energy stored in my individual cores was equivalent, if not superior to any of the students around. Well, exceptions like Maria and Stefan, maybe Ivan existed. Still, to think I had three Mana Cores with equal proportion to a Yellow Core Grade… individually!
‘I’ve become quite strong…’
Still, it wasn’t enough. We were now heading into the lion’s den. The grand assembly where all Ainzlark students were gathered. I would be meeting my seniors there, plus we would all be divided into categories.
While my fate was drawing the short end of the stick, I had no intention of remaining at the bottom.
‘Bring it on! I’ll show you what happens when you underestimate me!’