The air turned hostile.
Thousands of students glared at Neo.
Neo didn't shrink back.
He welcomed their ire.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?
"Is it because I called you losers?"
Neo swept his gaze around the hall.
He saw clenched fists, strained expressions, and the hundreds of auras waiting to explode.
"You called me a fraud, a weakling... What about you who are ranked below me?"
"Useless trash that can't be recycled. That's what you all are. Someone who lost to a weakling."
Their angry expression made Neo smile.
'That's right. Get angry.'
'You must be hoping for a chance to prove you aren't a trash.'
'You all know I won against Morrigan even if I used traps.'
'There is no way you can defeat who triumphed over her.'
'All of you need to train, to become stronger, if you want to defeat me and...'
'Survive the calamity that would soon arrive.'
Neo knew his actions would put him in danger.
However, he was ready to gamble his life if he could push the students to grow stronger.
They, after living a luxurious life, became conceited.
Only a defeat against a no-name demigod like him could take them down from their high horses.
Some of the students were about to shout when suddenly the doors opened.
A young man followed by Amelia walked in.
He clapped once to draw attention of everyone.
"Okay, that's enough for the Ruler's speech."
Percival, the Student Council president, smiled bitterly.
'Was he planning to start a fight?'
Thankfully, he was peeking into the entrance ceremony.
Although his actions were against the rule, he saved the dignity of the entrance ceremony with the interruption.
"Neo Hargraves, thank you for your kind words. I will take it from here," Percival said.
Neo nodded and sat beside Arthur and Felix.
After Percival took the stage, he spoke the actual entrance ceremony speech.
Most of the students ignored Percival.
Their attention and hatred were aimed at Neo.
"Their stares sting," Felix said.
Arthur smiled ruefully.
He couldn't agree more.
Suddenly, they heard Harrison's comment.
"Fucking frauds thinking they are hot shit."
"Don't be like that, Harrison.
"There are some people who don't know they were lucky to succeed and think it was their skill.
"Even if they are foolish, we shouldn't admonish them," Lucas replied.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"Ah, I can smell the jealousy in air," Felix spoke. "Must be some sore losers."
His attempts to suppress the laugh only served to irritate Harrison.
Percival's aura suddenly descended over the first row.
He stared at them with a side-eye while he continued his speech.
'Shut up,' his gaze said.
His masterful control made it so no one, except the students in the first row, would know he used his aura.
Felix and Harrison groaned.
The others were not much better.
After warning them against causing a commotion, Percival retracted his aura.
The entrance ceremony ended.
Neo and others were guided to their dormitories.
They arrived at a crossroad.
"Each road takes us to one of the five dormitories," the guide explained.
He had a lower-half body of a horse and the upper body of a human.
Neo recognized him as the one who saved him and Morrigan in the tournament.
"The dormitories will be divided according to your ranks," Damian said.
Seraphim Hall for Rank 1~10.
Cherubim Hall for Rank 11~100.
Archangel Hall for Rank 101~500.
Guardian Hall for Rank 501~1000.
Celestial Hall for Rank 1001~1876.
Neo, Arthur, and Felix were brought to the Seraphim Hall.
The building stretched as far as Neo could see.
It had an empty area in the middle, which was large enough to house a café, a pool, a common training area, and an entertainment zone.
Harrison questioned Damian.
"I thought the Top 10 would receive better facilities than this."
"Yes, after all, this isn't the Zeus Clan's villa, but the dormitory for students training in Demigod Academy."
Damian continued to smile without retorting.
After he explained the basic rules of the dormitory, he gave everyone a few palm-sized boxes.
"These are your rewards. You must use them on yourself. If it's found you shared or sold it, there would be heavy penalties."
He left after the explanation.
The students split up.
"What will you guys do?" Felix asked.
"I'm not sure." Arthur shook his head. "I'll decide after listening to you two."
"Then how about we go to the gaming zone!? It will be fun!"
Arthur nodded with a subdued expression.
"…Are you for real? You don't know what games are?"
"Hahaha, I'm sorry. My circumstances are complicated."
Listening to him, Felix decided they would go to the gaming zone.
"You are coming too, right?"
Neo showed his reward box.
"Starplum fruit needs to be consumed a week after it's plucked.
"I don't know how many days passed since the Academy got their hands on it, so I'll consume it now."
Felix's excitement reduced.
He made Neo promise he would come along with them next time.
"We'll come to your room before the dinner. Let's go together."
Neo went towards his room.
It was similar to the knock-off dorm he used before the tournament.
Only this one was bigger and had more facilities like a TV, a refrigerator, and king-sized beds.
Neo sat cross legged on the training room's ground.
He opened the reward box.
There was a golden pearl inside it.
It had a sweet intoxicating aroma.
Neo put it into his mouth.
The sweetness rolled over his tongue.
He let go of the hold over his core.
[Restarting upgrade…]
Neo bit down on the Starplum fruit.
Divine Energy rushed out of it endlessly.
His body devoured everything like a black hole.
His injuries healed rapidly.
He gained muscles and his complexion improved.
A sense of unforgettable comfort surged inside him.
His body evolved and his Divine Energy pool increased.
[Unique Skill 'Immortal' Grade 5 has been upgraded to 'Immortal' Grade 4.]
[Rank: Grade 5 Awakened → Grade 4 Awakened.]