Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Class Assignment (2)

The classroom buzzed with nervous energy after Stella’s announcement, but Kael remained completely unbothered by the teacher’s words.

Death rates.

Dungeon casualties.

Students disappearing during missions.

None of it surprised him anymore.

Compared to the future waiting for this world, Astraea Academy was still the safest stage of the story.

Stella continued speaking calmly while academy assistants moved through the classroom distributing metallic armbands to every student.

Kael caught his own lazily before fastening it around his wrist.

The moment it locked into place, a holographic screen appeared above the band.

[Student Rank: 1000]

Kael stared at the number for a few seconds before sighing softly.

"Well... that’s expected."

Several nearby students glanced toward him after hearing the number. A few couldn’t hide their amusement.

Inside Astraea Academy, rankings determined almost everything.

Training privileges.

Resource allocation.

Specialized classes.

Dungeon priority.

Even the instructors treated higher-ranked students differently.

And Kael currently occupied the very bottom position in the entire first-year division.

Not because he lacked strength.

But because he had technically entered the academy through influence and wealth instead of proper recorded evaluations.

The academy judged visible performance.

Not hidden monsters pretending to be average.

Still, Kael thought dryly, seeing rank 1000 directly in front of me feels a little insulting.

Stella crossed her arms near the front desk.

"If any of you are dissatisfied with your current ranking, there will be opportunities to change it."

That immediately caught everyone’s attention.

"Before the Cross Academy Competition begins, Astraea Academy will host an internal rank-up tournament."

The room instantly became louder.

Excitement spread rapidly among the students.

Even Kael’s eyes sharpened slightly.

"After the tournament concludes," Stella continued, "official student duels will also become permitted under academy supervision."

Kael leaned slightly against his chair.

Finally.

In the original game, the internal tournament marked the true beginning of the academy power rankings. Hidden talents emerged there. Noble heirs revealed secret techniques. Future elites began climbing visibly.

And Kael intended to do the same.

Not too quickly.

Not enough to attract overwhelming suspicion.

But enough to stop being underestimated constantly.

Once the tournament begins, he thought calmly, I’ll start climbing properly.

The armband flickered again. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Assignment details appeared next.

Kael stood up slowly and walked toward the display board near the front of the room where group assignments were being projected.

The academy possessed countless low-level dungeons under government supervision, making practical assignments common for first-year students.

Most groups would receive E-rank dungeons.

Dangerous enough to pressure inexperienced students.

Weak enough to avoid complete disasters.

Usually.

Kael scanned the projected names calmly before locating his own team.

One member was ranked 995.

A skinny boy wearing glasses nervously adjusted his armband while staring at the board.

Not a noble.

Most likely a scholarship student.

Low confidence.

Minimal combat experience.

The second teammate—

Kael paused slightly.

Purple hair.

Red eyes.

A familiar face.

"... Charlotte," Kael muttered instinctively.

The girl stiffened slightly after hearing him.

Kael narrowed his eyes.

"Charlotte..."

Charlotte Vale.

One of the major Villians from the original game.

A future high-level mage with absurd mana control talent with a unique affinity for lightening.

Eventually, she became one of Leon’s greatest antagonist doing whatever it took to gain strength during the academy storylineamd Eve after that .

But right now—

She simply looked confused standing there holding her assignment sheet.

Charlotte frowned slightly.

"...Do I know you?"

Kael immediately looked away.

"Wrong person."

Charlotte continued staring suspiciously.

Kael mentally cursed himself.

Great. Fantastic first impression.

Thankfully, Stella interrupted before the situation became awkward.

"All teams are to report to the eastern transport gate within thirty minutes."

The class immediately exploded into movement.

Students gathered around teammates, discussing strategies anxiously while others complained about their assigned groups.

Kael simply turned toward the exit calmly.

Let’s clear the dungeon quietly, he thought. No hidden bosses. No demon attacks. No catastrophic story events.

For once, he genuinely wanted a normal mission.