The next day.
The freshmen's combat training was consistent with the sophomores': forming four-person teams.
However, unlike the sophomores' random assignment, freshmen were more oriented towards familiarizing with battles.
Freshmen were equipped with gear.
They were allowed to use extraordinary items.
Two members of the team were assisted by senior students.
One could say the battles were much more relaxed than the sophomores', and mentors weren't worried about accidents happening to their students.
At that moment, outside the training grounds, Chloe was organizing his space backpack.
This one-cubic meter space backpack was Chloe's most valuable possession.
Seventy thousand gold pounds was not a small sum.
A common family might not save that much money in a lifetime, yet he exchanged it for a 1×1×1 space backpack.
He had just earned a large sum of money and bought it on a whim, only to regret it afterward.
Now, with memories of his past life returning, he regretted it even more.
Fortunately, the item was quite stable in value.
He was organizing his luggage while humming a tune and squatting on the ground.
"I'll bring the best sword♬~"
"Climb the highest mountain♬~"
"Venture into the deepest forest to bring the princess back♬~"
Seeing Teresa walk past him, he reached into his bag.
"Teresa."
The girl turned her head, and a pouch with a cork-sealed flask fell into her palm.
She raised an eyebrow.
"Provocation?"
"No, it's a gift." He took out a small flask, unscrewed the cork, and drank it all, saying, "Ceylon Milk Tea from the magic energy drink shop at the academy gate; it's good stuff for recovery."
"Because we're teaming up this semester?"
"Not just."
"I'll pass, you keep it for yourself. Besides…"
She turned the flask back towards Chloe and said:
"Here's a piece of advice for you, don't casually get close to the Voodoo Sequence, not every voodoo is as clean-handed as I am."
Voodoo Sequence was full of trap girls, and it didn't matter to him if he got poisoned, as long as it didn't affect her combat assessment.
She turned and entered the arena.
As she walked, she felt something was off and reached into her backpack, only to find an extra small flask inside at some point.
There was a note on it:
"If you don't take it, it'll be hard to give it to the freshmen later."
"Tsk, when did this guy make his move?"
Teresa originally wanted to throw the flask into the trash can, but when she picked it up, she put it back in her bag.
Forget it, Ceylon Milk Tea was innocent.
At the entrance to the inner arena.
Chloe looked at Teresa's actions with a slight smile.
It seemed that some character backgrounds from the original work hadn't changed much.
Teresa liked Ceylon Milk Tea, but due to the rules of the Cavendish Family and Night Thorn, she liked it but never bought it herself.
Later, after Rephya discovered this accidentally, she would always take the initiative to order the drink when they went out together.
This was the start of their great progress in chemistry.
He was thoughtful.
Since even these useless details were almost the same, the preparations he made today wouldn't go to waste.
The glow of recovery spiraled around his hands, and moments later, he tossed an abnormally swollen beetle into the trash can.
"Then, next, Miss Brave should experience the demonic attack event."
The Crimson Church, one of the Demon Worshipers.
Their inheritance, the Abyssal Sequence, guided extraordinaries into the abyss, from Sequence 9's villain to Sequence 8's Demon Worshiper, and then to Sequence 7's destructor…
Every step enticed extraordinaries into the abyss.
The destructor's body and soul were already in the form of a demon.
During the freshmen's practical combat, Rephya got separated from her team and accidentally discovered a fugitive from the Crimson Church.
After being attacked, she, relying on her simulated acquired [tenacity] trait, fought the destructor fearlessly until her team arrived.
This event sparked the interest of several main protagonists in her.
Now he had replaced Teresa's roommate, Fu·Icarus, to prevent accidents from happening.
After all, who knew what new trait that silly girl had acquired.
He would not allow his human-shaped accelerator to get into trouble!
...
Location: Duel Plaza, Teleportation Gate Entrance
What presented itself before the students was a mechanical circular ring resembling a gigantic city gate.
A mysterious and magnificent energy channel blossomed in the center of the ring, like ionic sparks.
This was equipment using Ethereal Emblems to teleport people to the Maze.
The Maze, also known as the Secret Realm or Underground City.
The freshmen's test was to pass through the teleportation gate to a D-level Maze governed by the academy to undertake a practical combat test.
At this moment, professors and mentors from various academies had gathered together.
Even a few seniors with nothing better to do assembled nearby.
Chloe knew their entire performance in the Maze would be under real-time broadcast by the mentors… oh no, he'd better hold off on that.
But just as he arrived at the Duel Plaza, he saw a petite young girl squatting there pitifully.
It was his mentor, Nini.
Once she saw Chloe, a hint of grievance and coquetry appeared on her face, as she lowered her head and said:
"Chloe, you're not going to change mentors, are you? Otherwise, I'll be upset."
The teary look in her eyes made it hard to refuse.
Suddenly, Chloe remembered a comment someone made after he had selected Heisha as his mentor.
"Master Nini is going to shed little pearls again; she really likes Chloe."
This was not good.
Chloe felt a bit guilty as he looked at the petite Master Nini.
Nini was a good mentor, but unfortunately, Chloe was a scoundrel.
The morning sunlight casting on his face lent his expression a hazy glow.
Then, a slight blush seemed to crawl up from Master Nini's collarbone.
What was initially soft sobbing turned into pitiful glances and she said:
"Chloe, did you really choose Heisha just to learn something new?"
"Of course, once I've learned, I'll be able to protect you, Master Nini."
Master Nini's pale face gradually lit up, and pulling Chloe, she said:
"Promise me you won't deceive a fairy. Let's make a promise!"
"Of course, Master Nini is the best."
He extended his finger to hook onto hers.
Master Nini, being from the Treasure Elf Race, never quite grew up.
Despite being over 100 years old, she still behaved like a child.
She'd occasionally swipe the principal's odd-tasting cookies or burn the vice-principal's picture magazines.
But the staff at school adored her.
Because everyone knew that the Treasure Elves naturally possessed the [Strong Fortune] talent.
Who wouldn't love a mascot?
Master Nini, smiling broadly, pulled Chloe and said:
"So you must do your best this time!"
Having gotten a satisfactory answer, she bounced away merrily.
Behind him, Rephya, who had just arrived, was slightly agape.
Was that truly the Filthy Moon Demon King she knew?
That smile was too gentle.
Even if she wasn't facing him directly, Rephya could see that simply meeting his gaze would make anyone fall for his eyes, his lips, and his smile.
No wonder some girls in the Ethereal Emblem High School were fighting over him.
But why did he have to be the Demon King?
If he was pretending, he was doing an excellent job.
If he wasn't pretending, such a person becoming a Demon King was too unsettling.
Chloe perhaps didn't even need that manipulative talent to make many people submit.
—At least she believed her roommate Aisha couldn't manage it.
"Never mind, let's see who my teammates are."
Rephya looked around to see who the "lucky ones" were to be paired up with her.
She decided that if her team was indeed average, she wouldn't cause any trouble for them.
She'd swallow her pride and swap teams, hoping the Demon King would take her along, since that wouldn't lead to any complications.
She patted her chest, easing her trepidation.
Luckily, the Demon King wasn't interested in her.
But as she arrived at the team waiting area, a sudden twitch hit her brow.
Teresa, second year, first in the Voodoo Class, Sequence 8, designated heir of a mysterious association.
Fratiss, first year, first in the Iron Guard Class, Sequence 9, a Gemini of this year's Warrior Series.
It was said she came from a knight family at the border and was exceptionally gifted, recommended beyond rank to Ethereal Emblem.
In just under a year, she had advanced through Sequence 9, and was now ready to move up to Sequence 8.
She had once been a member of Gemini as well.
Though a bit disappointed, Rephya still smiled.
As long as the last person was somewhat competent, she wouldn't be holding them back too much this time.
Only when the last person came around did her smile gradually freeze.
"De-de…"