Claire’s voice echoed across the square, yet the expected applause and cheers did not occur. Instead, an oppressive clamor broke out, replaced by countless gazes interweaving confusion, scrutiny, and even blatant doubt, all focused entirely on Ize.
“Principal Claire’s fourth disciple? How come I’ve never heard of him?”
“Yeah, aren’t there only Senior Sarah, Senior Dio, Senior Emma, and that newcomer Swan under the Principal’s tutelage? When did another one join?”
Among the crowd, whispers spread like a rising tide.
To the vast majority of students, the name Ize was as foreign as a pebble on the side of the road.
A few well-informed or senior students whispered explanations to those around them: “He was enrolled six years ago. Supposedly… his elemental affinity is only five percent. Even now, he seems to be only at the level of a Tier 2 Mage.”
Five percent elemental affinity? Tier 2?
When these terms were combined, they were practically synonymous with “trash.”
Although no one dared to voice these thoughts in front of Claire, the eyes looking at Ize were filled with nothing but skepticism.
Ize felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. With Claire’s boastful personality putting him on such a high pedestal, the pressure was truly immense.
Just as he was lamenting inwardly, the cold notification of his system rang out:
[The God-Level Choice System is at your service. Host, please make a choice as soon as possible.]
[Option 1: Show off your strength and loudly promise everyone that you will be a qualified leader. Difficulty: A. Reward: Protagonist Value +10]
[Option 2: Look down on the crowd with extreme disdain: “You failures, I hope you’re sensible. Obey me and don’t hold me back, or I’ll slaughter you.” Difficulty: A. Reward: Villain Value +10]
[Option 3: Make a simple statement, telling everyone you will do your best. Difficulty: E. Reward: NPC Value +10]
Without any hesitation, Ize took a small step forward, bowed his head slightly, and spoke in a humble, even somewhat awkward tone, “Thank you for your trust, Teacher Claire. I… I will do my best.”
This plain and unremarkable statement, which lacked any sense of confidence, failed to quell the doubts. Instead, it made everyone feel that he was even more unreliable.
Immediately after, Claire announced the choice for vice-captain—Luke.
This name clearly carried much more weight than Ize’s.
A small commotion broke out in the crowd, and many students visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Luke Wilson was renowned among his peers. He took first place in his tier in every academy competition and had even solo-killed an elite-level monster during a joint training exercise.
His strength had been tested in actual combat.
Luke himself was full of anticipation for this trip. He walked quickly to Ize’s side, a warm smile radiating from his face, and said in a booming voice, “Senior Ize! With you leading the team, this trip to the Realm of Laws will surely be incredibly smooth!”
His undisguised attitude of respect caused many of the students who doubted Ize to freeze, and murmurs began to rise in their hearts:
Could this seemingly ordinary Senior Ize actually possess some unknown, extraordinary quality? d1792251997502
Ize merely waved his hand weakly and said in a low voice, “If you think so, then fine.”
Taking advantage of the moment when everyone’s attention was slightly diverted, he quickly shoved a hard object into Luke’s hand.
Luke looked down and saw a strangely shaped metal object that felt heavy in his hand. He looked at Ize in confusion. “Senior, what is this?”
“What I promised you before. A magic tool that can rapidly fire stored magic.” Ize lowered his voice even further.
Luke’s eyes widened instantly. His hands trembled slightly with excitement as he gripped the magic tool named [Desert Eagle]. He was almost moved to tears, choking out in a whisper:
“Ugh! Senior Ize! Being able to follow you in this life, Luke… it’s truly worth it. I’m willing to be your dog for the rest of my life.”
Ize gave him an annoyed glare and warned, “Keep your voice down! My only requirement for you is to watch your mouth. Don’t cause trouble for me, and I’ll be grateful.”
On the high platform, Claire narrowed her eyes slightly. Her sharp gaze caught the small interaction between the two.
What did Ize give Luke?
She silently made a note of the [Desert Eagle] that Luke had received.
As noon arrived, Claire delayed no further.
She walked to the center of the square and formed hand seals. A vast surge of magic power erupted, slowly tearing open a teleportation portal in the void that shimmered with unstable light.
She turned to Ize, showing a rare look of encouragement as she winked. “Go on, my beloved disciple. Your teacher looks forward to your performance.”
Claire was truly looking forward to it, hoping Ize could find a good opportunity within the Realm of Laws.
Ideally, he would master a powerful and rare magic.
After all, Ize’s weakness was his low elemental affinity.
If he could obtain a rare magic unrelated to elements or a powerful talent…
With Ize’s capabilities, perhaps… she could really consider grooming him as the future successor of the academy.
***
Looking at the teleportation portal in front of him, Ize sighed heavily in his heart.
He couldn’t avoid it after all.
Bracing himself, he exchanged a look with Luke and took the first step, leading the team of students—all with different expressions—into the portal.
The moment he entered the portal, a powerful sensation of spatial tearing hit him. Ize felt the world spinning as everything around him turned into a chaotic blur of colors.
Once the nauseating dizziness subsided slightly, he was shocked to find himself standing alone in a void. Neither Luke nor any other student was beside him.
“Where is this? Did the teleportation malfunction?” Ize’s heart tightened as he looked around warily.
Just then, several voices echoed directly in the depths of his mind:
“Oh? A little fellow actually managed to reach this place?”
“It seems a new ‘pawn’ has entered the game. According to tradition, who is prepared to provide ‘Empowerment’? A Divine Artifact? A God-tier Technique? Or Rule Magic?”
Ize’s heart pounded wildly. Great surprise washed away his anxiety. Although he didn’t understand the situation, this conversation made it sound like he had stumbled upon an incredible, heaven-defying opportunity!
If he could obtain a Divine Artifact or powerful Rule Magic here, combined with his ridiculous defense, why would he ever need to live so cautiously again?
However, things did not go as he hoped.
“Wait… this boy already has a ‘Mark’ on him.”
“Hmm? A human body refined to such an extent? Unbelievable. Whose handiwork is this among you?”
A silence fell over the void, as if those consciousnesses were searching one another.
“…Never mind. Since he has already been ‘chosen’ and given ‘Empowerment’ in advance, there is no need for us to ‘Empower’ him again.”
“Send him back.”
Ize: “???”
When had he ever been chosen?
That defensive power clearly came from the system’s random stat points!
Seeing the opportunity about to slip away, he screamed inwardly: Don’t! At least give me something before making me leave!
Before he could react, another violent wave of dizziness hit him. His vision was once again swallowed by chaos.
When he stabilized his footing and looked closely, he saw the familiar Starshine Academy square. Principal Claire’s face, filled with shock, was inches away from his own.
“Ize?!” Claire’s voice was sharp with disbelief. “How did you come out so fast?!”
Ize was also in a state of confusion. He instinctively asked, “Teacher Claire, how long was I in there?”
Claire held up one finger.
“An… hour?” Ize guessed.
“It was one minute!” Claire’s tone was urgent and bewildered. “I told you to lead the team. Where are the others?”
“I don’t know,” Ize answered honestly. “I was separated from them as soon as I entered. I was the only one there.”
Claire’s brow furrowed. She had never heard of such a situation.
Teams could be randomly scattered after entering the Realm of Laws, but being “spat out” after only one minute and returning alone defied all logic.
She took a deep breath and asked the most critical question: “Then… what opportunity did you obtain in the Realm of Laws?”
It was an ironclad rule that no one who entered the Realm of Laws could return empty-handed.
Ize’s mind raced.
He felt it was better not to mention what had just happened.
As for what he obtained… he really hadn’t gotten anything.
“I… I don’t think I obtained anything…”
“Bullshit!” Claire countered flatly. “I’ve never heard of anyone entering the Realm of Laws and coming back empty-handed! Even the worst opportunity would grant at least one thing.”
Ize thought about it and realized he shouldn’t make himself too unique.
Otherwise, he would easily attract too much attention.
Though he didn’t know why he hadn’t obtained magic…
He was certain it had something to do with those voices in his head.
He just didn’t know the source of those voices…
But they were likely existences he couldn’t currently comprehend.
“Wait!” he immediately changed his tune, his face putting on a “sudden realization” expression at the right time. “I think I obtained a talent.”
Claire’s spirits lifted as she quickly pressed, “What talent? Tell me in detail!”
“Rapid Casting.”
“Rapid Casting?” Claire repeated, her eyes filled with inquiry.
“As the name implies, it allows me to release magic faster, especially consecutive releases.” Ize explained while demonstrating on the spot.
Using the Tier 2 [Fire Wall] as an example, he willed it—
One, two, three, four!
Four consecutive fire walls rose from the ground almost simultaneously!
The original height of the fire walls increased from half a meter to one meter, and the width increased from 0.1 meters to 0.2 meters.
Claire’s pupils shrank, her face entirely written with shock.
“This talent… seems a bit powerful!” she murmured, the way she looked at Ize changing completely.
…
Ize: “The talent’s name is—”
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