“Aha…”

A soft sigh slipped from my lips as I settled down among the lifeless bodies of the demon beasts.

The sight was both gruesome and oddly satisfying.

“Gosh… there were hundreds of them. This should make some money.”

I smiled to myself as I imagined the amount of money I’d get for these corpses and cores.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have any spatial ring to store their corpses, and my system was quite useless—except for the part that could foresee a potential ‘outcome’.

〖Oh, really…?〗

Suddenly, a panel popped up in front of my eyes, interrupting my thoughts.

“Ah… you can also appear when you’re not needed,” I muttered, not even bothering to take a second glance at the panel.

〖…〗

“Come on… I don’t even know your functions, besides, even though you helped me, I don’t really trust you.”

I had read enough novels to know how these systems usually worked.

They often turned out to be some kind of power-granting machine for the main character, and I wasn’t about to fall into that cliché.

If anything, I shouldn’t rely too much on it.

But I shrugged it off.

It shouldn’t be a big deal. I could handle things on my own, and besides, this system was practically useless anyway.

〖Aestrea.〗

“Mhm?”

〖Why do you think you’ve transmigrated into this world?〗

I froze at the question.

It was something I hadn’t really thought about until now.

I mean, I had been so caught up in living Aestrea’s life that the idea of why I was here hadn’t crossed my mind.

After all, with Aestrea’s memories flooding my mind, it felt like I belonged here, like this was my new world, my home.

But honestly…

“I don’t see the need to know the reason. I’m having fun in this world.” I replied, trying to brush off the question.

〖I see…〗

In my past life, I was an award-winning actor, one of the most famous faces in the world.

I had experienced the glitz and glamour, but I also had a front-row seat to the darker aspects of human nature.

People can be incredibly selfish, driven by their desires and ambitions. I had seen friends turn into rivals and vice versa, hiding their gaze of envy and betrayal.

The industry was filled with backstabbing and manipulation, where loyalty was often just a word thrown around to gain favor.

It was a world where people would do anything for fame, even if it meant stepping on others to get there.

Of course, this also applies in this world.

But unlike my past world, this one is actually fun.

I’m not a particularly important person, and I can live my life freely. Never had I imagined that I would be able to frequent school again, it’s more than refreshing.

〖Then, I hope that you can have fun here.〗

Another panel appeared in front of me as if trying to express empathy towards me.

“Well, anyways… I have things to do.”

『Judgement Eye (✦ S-Level Skill ✦)』

I jumped out of the pile of corpses as a faint symbol of a balance scale appeared in my now returned-to-normal pupils.

This pile of wolves wasn’t nothing compared to that vision I had.

Not to mention, that named demon beast that I saw.

From its ominous eyes and the most prominent feature that I saw… its horns that curled back.

After that day, I spent quite a few hours in the library, trying to find a named demon beast that could fit that description.

And the only one I found was the…

Bloodclaw Spirit Wolf.

A demon beast that was on the lower stages of the S Rank, but it was more than enough to destroy an entire country alone.

If they didn’t have S-rank awakeners of course.

Normally, someone like me, who wasn’t even an A-Rank awakened, wouldn’t stand a chance against such a beast.

I had needed Lucas’s help just to take down the Bulking Demon.

So why would I even think about challenging a Bloodclaw Spirit Wolf on my own?

It was simple.

Bloodclaw Spirit Wolfs, are a very, but very rare species. The kind that even in a hundred years, wouldn’t have a chance to appear.

Because of that, their bodies are naturally resistant to any kind of danger, not to mention their bloodline ability.

If I had to give a reason as to why I wanted to kill this demon beast so madly other than protecting my classmates…

It was because of their bloodline ability, their blood claws could inflict damage, and open wounds with just the slightest touch.

I wanted that ability, really badly.

“Even you, Lumi… you’re excited to get stronger, right?” I said, glancing at the sword in my hand.

To my surprise, it quivered slightly, as if nodding in agreement. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought.

Even if I couldn’t kill it…

No.

I was going to kill it.

I had to.

And soon, I found myself in a strangely familiar place.

The trees were tall, which didn’t allow sunlight to pass through.

Their twisted roots sprawled across the ground, making it hard to move without falling.

A faint mist hung in the air, growing thicker the farther it stretched, and in the distance, the sound of a running current of water could be heard.

The ground was a mess, with broken branches and scorched patches of earth.

The smell of burned wood was strong, mixed with the metallic smell of blood.

“Ah…”

I looked forward, and there, a group of red eyes emerged from the ominous mist as they came from the shadows of the trees.

Growwll…

Their low growls rumbled through the air as they formed a wide circle around me, leaving a massive space in the center.

Then, from the mist, a creature stepped forward—more than five times the size of the other wolves.

It had a blood-colored horn that curled back and diamond-shaped red pupils that seemed to pierce right through me.

“Ahah… I found you…”

I muttered coldly to myself, feeling my pupils shift into vertical slits. I tightened my grip on the sword’s handle as I noticed the weaker wolves surrounding me.

The named demon beast was clever; it didn’t approach directly and instead sent its underlings to wear me down.

But I wasn’t here to deal with those weaklings. I was going straight for the boss.

Mana surged through my legs as I pulled my sword back, shifting into a stance that would allow me to slice through anything in my path.

Then…

Rumble!

Like a bolt of lightning, I dashed toward the named demon beast.

Clang!

My sword met its blood-colored horn with a resounding clash, the impact sending vibrations up my arm.

ROAARRRR!

…..

“Ladies, and gentlemen!”

The announcer’s voice boomed across the entire arena, cutting through the chatter and excitement of the crowd.

“Welcome to the final phase of our annual academy competition! This last phase will be quite simple, so listen closely.”

As everyone turned their attention to him, the announcer gestured toward a small portal that shimmered in the center of the arena.

“Both academies will be entering an artificial dungeon, and the elimination process will work like a team battle royale.”

He paused for dramatic effect, letting the anticipation build.

“Each student will wear a special bracelet that acts like a second life. If a student is killed, they will be teleported out of the dungeon, confirming their elimination.”

The crowd murmured in excitement, and the announcer continued, his voice rising with enthusiasm.

“Finally, the last student or students standing will declare the winner for their academy!”

Then, with enough built up energy, he continued:

“From our left! We have the prestigious Eternum Royal Academy!”

The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable.

On the left side, Ella led her classmates in her Leader’s Suit, confidently striding toward the arena.

The students behind her waved their flag high, their spirits clearly lifted.

“And on our right, we have the dark horse of the competition, the Silverleaf Academy!”

The cheers grew louder, but then they began to fade as the crowd noticed something unsettling.

Aestrea, the leader of Silverleaf Academy, was missing.

The students from the Silverleaf Academy walked slowly to the arena, their heads down, and they didn’t even bother to wave their flag.

One would think that the way they were acting was pretty exaggerated, but no.

For them, Aestrea was like their shining light, the one who took them out of a world full of darkness.

Like a parental figure.

Without him here…

Would it really matter if they won the competition or not?

Seeing the lack of enthusiasm, the announcer tried to rally their spirits.

“Remember, any late student can still enter the competition as long as they step into the portal before all their classmates are eliminated!”

But his words didn’t seem to have the desired effect, and he let out a resigned sigh.

“Alright, everyone, please enter the portal. The crowd will be watching on the gigantic screens that will appear once each student steps inside.”

As the students began to enter the portal, multiple screens flickered to life, showcasing their faces.

However, two much larger screens stood out from the rest.

One displayed Ella, while the other… was completely blank.

It was supposed to show Aestrea’s figure, but instead, it was just an empty space.

“Without further ado, let’s begin the final battle to determine who is the strongest!”

The crowd cheered, though the energy wasn’t quite as electric as before.

It was astonishing to think that the absence of a single person could have such a profound impact on the atmosphere.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep