The rules app had a boxy interface, each box a rule, and there were twenty-one boxes in total.
Everlearn skimmed through them, but some were so ridiculous he could barely believe it.
One of them was Rule 1, and it went like this:
[{Rule 1: Points Are Life!}]
Points determine privilege. Meals, modules, and medical pods are purchased with points.
Run out, and you lose access to meals, Mecha Modules, and even the ability to heal from training injuries.
Note:Every newcomer receives 100 free points.
Even More Important Note:They can be taken from you by others.
"This is ridiculous," Everlearn muttered in disbelief.
Even if he agreed that meals and Mecha Modules ought to be a student's responsibility, that was fine.
But lacking access to medical pods for healing training injuries, injuries caused by the school's own training?
That was outrageous.
To make matters worse, it was stated that others could take away points.
That was an outright declaration of the existence of thieving, and even mild support of it.
A school like this, and such a thing existed?
What was this, the 2000s!?
And that was just the tip of the iceberg.
The rule number was even more ridiculous.
[{Rule 3: Forbidden Grounds: Upper Divisions}]
The X-Guard Academy has three sectors.
The first sector is designated for newcomers, the second for second-years, and the third for third-years.
The second and third sectors are strictly forbidden to lower ranks.
Unauthorized entry will result in a point deduction, and the deeper one ventures into the territory, the more points will be lost.
If a second or third-year student catches an offending student, they may face disciplinary action for the infiltration.
Note:Having your points reduced is automatic from the Academy.
Getting your ass whooped badly doesn't mean you won't get deducted points; it means you just got taught an extra lesson.
Imagine losing your way and being not only deducted points, which are clearly essential for a student, but also getting beaten up by senior students.
What happened to the common sense of having someone simply direct you to the right area?
Now it made sense why the woman had told him to read and familiarize himself well with the map.
If he lost his way and mistakenly wandered off into forbidden territory, he might lose everything.
Another absurd rule was Rule 5.
[{Rule 5 — The Challenge System}]
Students may issue ranked duels. Victory awards 30% of the loser's total points; defeat costs half of your own.
However, duels require instructor approval, and the challenger must possess at least 200 points to offer a challenge.
Note:Newcomers are under a No-Challenge protection for two weeks.
Important Note: While you can refuse a duel from someone who has challenged you more than twice before, you cannot refuse duels three times from three different people.
Your fourth challenge must be accepted!
Very Important Note: Duels must be approved by an instructor, who also determines the winner or loser. Hiring an instructor requires a payment of 50 points.
Caution Note:The points possessed by every student are listed on the Points Ranking and can be seen by the entire student body.
While Everlearn understood this was a way for students to earn points, it was still ridiculous.
Want to duel someone?
Well, you must have 200 points with you, then go rent an instructor for 50 points.
If you lose, you lose half your entire point networth.
Imagine renting an instructor for 50 points just for him to watch your ass get whooped badly.
How ridiculous was that!?
And besides, there was a 'Points Ranking,' making it hard to gather points in peace.
The amount of points he had would always be displayed, meaning the challenges would be endless once he became a big fish.
Where was the peace that was supposed to come from having enough points? If, once you had had had enough, greedy eyes immediately locked onto you, waiting to challenge you?
How was this supposed to be a fair system of earning points?
This was plain robbery in a fucking suit and tie.
The last ridiculous rule was the final one on the list.
[{Rule 21 — Zero Point Protocol}]
Students with 0 points for a week will be relocated to the 'Reclaim Wing.'
Important Note: The details of the Reclaim Wing program are confidential.
Advisory Note: Try to avoid letting your points drop to a complete zero...please.
They were supposed to go through a Reclaim Wing program, yet the information about the program wasn't even revealed.
When he finished scrolling through the laws, his eyes darkened.
"This is ridiculous."
║Kinda looks alright to me║, the system panel flashed as Everlearn's eyebrow twitched.
"What part of that even seems alright?"
║The school system is pretty understandable.║
║Although it may seem harsh, it also generates pressure..║
║No student can sit calmly or get lazy.║
║If they don't look for trouble, it's only a matter of time before trouble finds them.║
║And if they ain't got points, then they're more or less screwed.║
"And how is that a good thing?"
║Pressure creates diamonds, Everlearn.║
║Only in such a competitive zone can even the average be made into something exceptional.║
║As for those who crumble under it, they're just trash, undeserving.║
║The rules are perfect!║
He didn't agree with the system's reasoning, but one realization still dawned on him:
The rules were the rules.
If they had not changed before he came here, then there was nothing he could do.
So instead of sulking about it, he might as well just keep it in mind and plan his move accordingly.
"That aside, how about the quest I completed?" He asked, and the panel blinked:
║Congratulations on Completing The Epic Quest: Join the X Guard Academy║
║Rewards:
+3 Bone Injuries Healing Card!
+5 Flesh Injuries Healing Card!
+1 Full Body Rejuvenation Card.║
"That's all?"
║That's All.║
"Huh?"
║What? ║
"What!? What is this supposed to be!?"
[What does it look like!?]
"Some fucking bad omen premonition!? Why else would you be given bone healing cards!?"
║The system's rewards are autogenerated by complex modules. It has nothing to do with me.║
The panel blinked, and Evelarn's lips opened and closed before the realization dawned on him.
"Nah, I know it now. There's someone in the shadow fucking with me!"
║You don't say.║