--Chapter 83--

Even as he went further into the academy, The whispers only grew louder as he walked down the stone pathway. Across the glass-way, towards where Thomas’s office was located.

Along the way, students stopped for a split second to look at him. Some looked impressed and blushing.

"..."

Others were more confused. As if they haven’t held the tale of the blue zone Houdini.

While a few met his expectations, hissing and glaring at him, with open jealousy.

Emerging from a sharp turn. He nearly collided with a blond second-year girl who stared at him like a hawk.

As if she was trying to figure out whether he was secretly dying on the inside.

It was either that or she had X-ray vision.

Either way, it was creepy...

Still feeling sore despite the long rest and recovery food Leona gave him.

Dean pushed himself, with the only reason he could even walk properly being the system and the absurd upgrades he received from it.

In the end, Leona was right, his body was still adjusting to the strain and he couldn’t wait for the next 24 hours to breeze past. So he could feel better.

As he moved past the central courtyard, he noticed a large crowd gathered near the first year’s ranking board.

The screen hung on the opening provided on the hall while names shifted constantly.

Students pushed around trying to see updates.

Dean almost ignored it before he noticed several people suddenly looking directly at him again.

Then back at the board.

"Jezz," he snorted. "...What now?"

Curious despite the glares. Dean wasn’t one to turn down a challenge. He walked closer and began his journey from the bottom.

Surprisingly he couldn’t find his name in the reverse top 100.

’Whats going on?’ Dean frowned. ’Did they expel me?’

He couldn’t predict this school and ever since yesterday, he didn’t get a chance to see Leona.

Still searching, Dean finally stopped the moment he found his name.

#147 — Dean Gray

Dean did his best to not look surprised. After all, eyes were watching..

’Damn...’ he thought.

Only a few days ago, he had been ranked five hundred and twelve out of five hundred and twenty three first-years.

Now he was sitting inside the top one hundred and fifty.

He wasn’t top tier yet. Still a while away from those monsters. But that jump was insane.

"No wonder everybody’s staring," Dean muttered to himself.

Two nearby students glanced at him immediately.

"That kind of jump shouldn’t even be possible," a boy not too far from his position said.

"The fool literally went into a blue zone," another student argued. "What did you expect?"

"Still feels ridiculous."

"You can enter a Blue zone too. You know!"

The other student shrugged. "I’m not that desperate."

Dean looked away from the board before his ego started acting stupid. Deep down he was loving this.h

Then his eyes caught another screen beside it.

An official academy notice.

The moment students saw him reading it, the whispering grew worse.

[ACADEMY NOTICE]

[Student: Dean Gray]

[Flux Zone Exploration Practical Examination: PASSED]

[Reason: Survived High-Ascended encounters within active Blue Gate environment.]

[Remaining Requirement: Theory Examination]

Dean stared at it for a second. Then exhaled. What was fate planning?

This was way too many good things in a single day. Was life finally smiling on him or was it just a free trial before all hell broke loss?

Anyways he didn’t even want to stress about it. As much as every thing was going his way.

He took it as it is... The good..The bad or just pure hell..! Dean has seen it all.

Above everything, Leona had came through for him. She had pushed her decision through already.

A student that just arrived snapped at the announcement.

"That’s fucking unfair."

A tall boy who looked like he repeated first year folded his arms tightly

"Almost everybody failed last time and now some punk is getting a free pass."

Another student quickly shook her head. Her wavy silver hair sliding off her shoulders.

"Are you stupid? Surviving a blue zone is harder than any practical exam."

The tall boy spat on the ground. "Still doesn’t mean he should skip everything."

"He probably almost died." She retorted with confidence.

"Also Lady Leona wouldn’t just pass anybody."

’That’s goddamn right.’ Dean thought and walked away before the argument dragged him into it.

People really loved complaining about things they would never personally attempt.

***

He had barely crossed the next hallway when someone grabbed his shoulder roughly.

"You crazy bastard."

Dean turned immediately and found Olsen staring at him with wide eyes.

The gentle giant looked both shocked and excited at the same time.

"You actually went into a blue zone? After your birthday."

Dean sighed. "it was all Leona."

Olsen barked out a laugh. "Staying humble..mate. I like it."

"It’s the truth."

Olsen shook his head while he walked beside him.

"Mate, everyone’s talking about you right now. You’re officially the most famous first year."

Dean looked horrified by the idea but he stayed quiet.

The two continued through the academy grounds while students quietly moved out of their path.

Dean didn’t mind. He was used to that.

Olsen lowered his voice slightly. "You missed a lot yesterday."

Dean raised a brow. "What happened?"

"The campus went insane after the news spread. Half the academy thought you would die in there."

"So I disappointed the masses?" Dean rolled his eyes.

"The rumors even got worse after Saint Leona carried you back unconscious."

Dean nearly choked on air. "She what?"

’Wait...That checks out!’

Olsen grinned shamelessly. "Ohhh yeah. People definitely saw that. I think even Ymir did too."

Dean rubbed his forehead slowly.

Fantastic...Just fantastic.

Some people probably thought he was secretly sleeping with a Herald. After all, what were they doing together so early in the morning?

Before they ran into a flux zone.

It was a dangerous rumor. But one Dean had no interest in correcting.

"What else?" Dean asked tiredly.

Olsen shrugged. "That’s about it?"

Dean nodded. "So I have a crazy week ahead?"

The gentle giant smiled from ear to ear. "You mean year ?"

Then Olsen’s expression shifted slightly.

"Oh, and Marcus has been asking about you."

Dean’s eyes narrowed faintly, his expression grew sterner. "What did wolf boy want?"

-End of Chapter-