Even Lucian Crowe usually calm and composed had a complicated expression on his face.
"Would you like to recruit him then?" Julie Wartin teased, resting her cheek against her palm.
"It’s nonsense that makes no sense. Why would you even think of doing that?" Lucian Crowe replied, his tone dry.
"Hehe, just a joke." Julie Wartin shrugged. "Still, it’s too early for the top 500. He’s not even a Magician in the first place."
It sounded like something she said without thinking... but maybe it was a prediction, spoken without realizing its weight.
If it’s that group, I would reject it instantly without even considering.
[Crimson Thorn] a gathering of elite, genius-level hero candidates was led by none other than Lucian Crowe himself. The name was childish, sure, but they were only seventeen. The pressure of expectations still wrapped around them like tight coils. Kael Vi-rel shook off the uneasy feeling and refocused on his current task: training.
> Strength has increased by 1.
> Strength has increased by 1.
’Certainly fast...’ Kael Vi-rel thought.
Of course, the stat increased quickly it was originally pathetically low. Combined with the [Level Growth Acceleration Mana potion] he bought using the system’s currency, the results showed immediately.
> I had to resort to doping, huh.
Still, physical training couldn’t be ignored. His body was the vessel for survival, and unlike the others, he didn’t have a magic stat to fall back on.
> Main quest will proceed inside the academy.
Sub-quests will start overlapping soon.
With stats in the 10s... surviving this hellish game is close to impossible.
Also i think the written exam would commence soon.
’But I’ll do it anyway.’
Kael Vi-rel trained until sweat drenched his shirt, his breaths sharp and shallow. He glanced forward at Lucian Crowe and Julie Wartin again both Magicians, both respected, and both far ahead of him. A sword felt like the wrong weapon choice now.
> Too late to change that now.
After the workout, he headed straight for the dining hall, scarfed down a hot meal, and changed into casual wear.
His next stop: the Fade casino.
> It’s time to begin the "Babban’s Heirloom" sub-quest.
The casino was lit with magical chandeliers and humming with the soft clatter of chips and cards. Kael wandered inside, scanning tables.
"Hey, System. Where is he?"
Brown shirt. Poker table. Left side of the room.
Kael Vi-rel slid into an empty seat across the table, keeping his expression calm. With his 99 LUCK stat and surveillance tools, this game was already over.
> My drone’s already flying above.
I also have these new glasses...
A few hours earlier, a message from the System had appeared.
> The Creator offers you a special reward.
1. A downgraded version of items you had used in the game.
2. A downgraded version of your former skills used in the game.
"It looks like the system have at least some commercial enthics let see what should I pick I already have a drone.
NOTE: Any item with higher grades wouldn’t be given to you.
He’d thought for a moment before asking:
> "What about Vismora Glasses?"
> Approved. Item granted.
Description – All-Seeing Memory Lens
Once equipped, Vismora stores a perfect record of everything you witness. Speak "Recall" to project any past scene into the air before you, or "Veil" to hide your own eyes behind shimmering aether-glass. Rumor says Vismora’s lens never forgets... even the moments you wish it would.
Worry no more because Vismora remember every piece of information you have seen.
You can connect it to the filming drone
Consume Mind Power to activate.
> "Hehe... With this, I am invincible."
Kael Vi-rel watched the poker chips shuffle and stack. His fingers tapped casually against the table.
I should act naturally I honestly feel bad about this but my luck is off the chart, Well who cares
A soft but firm voice sliced into his thoughts. He turned his head.
A girl sat nearby no, a woman. Even seated, her presence outshone the dazzling lights of the casino. Long black hair fell around her face like silk, framing sharp eyes that gleamed with curiosity and danger. A visible scar marked her clavicle, shaped like a curved fang.
Kael Vi-rel blinked. All the confidence drained out of him for a split second.
I know her. I remember now.
"Bar?" he coughed, caught off guard. "Nice to meet you?"
She chuckled, tilting her head.
"It’s interesting to see a freshman who caused such a storm during the admission test hanging around a place . Wanna play a game?"
> I don’t dare object. That woman is...
I don’t dare to object at all. Selene Whitmore. In specialized school, 9th rank among national students. Thanks to the measurement test, it climbed to 8th place. But that is not the point. She is the second daughter of a family whose main jobs is assassination. Since she was very young, she has been trained in life and death brutality, and she killed her first target at the at a young age That is not what’s important. Her family is one of the world’s leading family.
And the most terrifying part?
> The Whitmores treat human lives like snacks.
If you get involved with this woman, you’ll be hooked at once.’
Kael Vi-rel’s instincts screamed at him to walk away. But instead, he let out a long breath and clenched his fists under the table.
> This woman is the most dangerous person at the academy.
"Are you here to talk," she said, smiling thinly, "or to play games?"
His body felt numb. Fingers trembled slightly. A bead of sweat traced his spine.
"Ha ha ha ha ha! Yes, if you’ve come to play, then let’s play!"
Don’t act like a fool.
Don’t panic, cheat, or act clever.
Deal with her directly.
He gulped. The dice were already rolling.
> What should I do now?
I know how strong she is...