"How about we race to the finish line?" Zephyr asked Azrael with a smile.

Azrael looked at him.

"Do you expect me to race in these conditions?" Azrael asked, tilting his head toward Zephyr.

"Are you scared?" Zephyr asked with a smile.

"It might be because you did not lose any points, but I lost seven. I can’t risk it on a race," Azrael sighed.

Just then, something opened in his view.

[A new quest has been formed.]

[Race Zephyr to the end of the course.]

[Rewards: Tier 2 advancement potion, 5,000 SP.]

Azrael read the screen with surprise.

’The system gives quests too?’ He wondered, still caught off guard by the discovery.

’But my chances of winning are little to none,’ he mused.

[You can buy a racial trait to help you with the quest.]

The system said quietly in his mind.

Azrael furrowed his brows.

’Suggest one,’ he replied.

[Item: Percher Race Potion]

[Effect: Grants the host the special trait of the Percher race.]

[Cost: 10,000 SP.]

Azrael read through the information, then frowned.

As if reading his thoughts, the system spoke again.

[Remember, you can use this trait beyond the quest, and the quest comes with another reward.]

Azrael pondered the system’s words, then nodded.

’You are right. Purchase it.’

[Does the host want it applied automatically?]

"Azrael."

Azrael’s head snapped upward as Zephyr’s voice pulled him back.

Zephyr was already right in front of his face.

"Why did you space out for so long?" He asked with furrowed brows.

"I was thinking about whether to accept the race or not," Azrael replied.

"Thinking that long just to decide whether to race with me," Zephyr tapped his own forehead lightly. "No wonder the instructor told you to stop overthinking things."

Azrael smiled. "Fair enough. Give me a few more minutes."

Zephyr nodded and folded his arms, eyes still fixed on Azrael.

Azrael turned back to the system.

’How painful is the process?’ He asked.

[For someone who withstood the demon awakening and consumed skill fruits, this is nothing.]

’But it will still hurt regardless.’

The system gave an eye emoji.

[No pain, no gain.]

’Tell that to the angels,’ Azrael retorted.

The system did not reply.

Seeing this, Azrael reluctantly selected yes. ’How bad can it be?’

A warmth spread through his body as he made the choice.

It was calm and gentle.

Azrael closed his eyes for a moment from the pleasure of it.

As the feeling began to subside, he sighed.

’This system, always teasing me,’ he thought.

[Race: Percher]

[Trait: Perfect Equilibrium: Maintain flawless balance on any surface regardless of size, angle, or stability.]

Azrael nodded as he read the screen.

’This is basically a cheat,’ he thought.

[The races who possess it think otherwise. Unlike you, who has the demon power system and can even acquire the systems of other races, the Percher race can only rely on this single trait for survival.]

Azrael could only agree.

’You said something sensible for once,’ Azrael replied.

A sighing emoji appeared on the system’s screen.

"Okay, I will take you on," Azrael said.

Zephyr shook his hand firmly.

"Welcome to the game."

He glanced backward. "Let’s make it more interesting too."

As he said that, he walked toward the closest student.

Azrael watched his back, brows raised slightly.

’What does he plan to do?’

He had his suspicions, but he wanted Zephyr to confirm them himself.

He did not wait long.

Zephyr came back with Nyx and Malaric in tow.

"Both of them agreed to join. Now it will not be so boring with just the two of us."

Azrael’s jaw dropped slightly.

’Just as I thought.’

Nyx was the first to speak, her voice soft and gentle.

"Hi, nice to meet you."

Azrael waved. "Hello."

’This is really awkward,’ he thought.

She stood at 6’2, slightly shorter than Azrael. Signature crimson hair cascaded down her back to her waist, and her horns were short and curled.

Malaric stretched out his hand.

"Nice to meet you."

Azrael received it with a nod.

"Same."

Malaric was bulky, muscles well toned, his frame like that of a statue with every feature chiseled to perfection.

But unlike anyone else Azrael had met in this world, he was completely bald.

Azrael tried to avoid staring at his head, but he could not help it.

It reminded him of a certain anime character from his previous life. One capable of destroying entire planets with a single punch.

"Do you use your fists as a weapon?" Azrael did not realize the words had left his mouth until they were already in the air.

Malaric frowned.

"No."

"Actually, you are the only person I have seen use their fists as a main weapon," Zephyr cut in, glancing at Azrael.

Azrael blinked.

"Does that make me the Progenitor of fists?" He asked. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"People do use their fists occasionally, but not as a primary fighting style since it limits reach," Nyx said. "But in a way, yes."

"Nice," Azrael muttered.

Then he remembered he was standing among people he had only just met.

He looked away, suddenly self conscious.

That was when his eyes landed on Zuriel and the other two students.

"Why didn’t you invite them?" Azrael asked Zephyr.

"Zuriel is too proud to join anything with us. He sees himself as above everyone here. Those two follow his lead, so they would decline too."

Azrael looked at Zuriel’s group, then back at Zephyr.

"So we are split into two factions?"

"Not exactly. The four of us simply do not care enough to fear Zuriel. We are not a faction either."

It was Malaric who answered. Azrael could see the anger simmering behind his eyes as he spoke.

"Seems like you have history with him."

"You do not want to know," Nyx replied with a smile.

"Enough talking. Let’s go," Zephyr said.

"What is the prize again?" Azrael suddenly asked.

"A feast prepared by whoever finishes last," Nyx replied.

"You did not tell him?" Malaric asked Zephyr.

"Go."

That was his only response, and with that single word, they lunged forward.