Matthew Atkinson & Natalie Russell
Fifth Layer of Supernatural Realms
Meanwhile, Matthew and the others were transported to a special space.
They were teleported here the moment the mission ended.
Then, a notification popped up in everyone's left eye, showing that their team had won the championship.
When they saw the notification, everyone became pleased.
Matthew and Natalie were alright.
They've always had SSS-grade mission ratings since their debut, so they're immune to achievements.
But the others were thrilled.
"Great. We're the champions."
"Matthew led us through so many bizarre challenges. It would be abnormal if we still couldn't win the championship."
"I never expected that we could win the championship. I was desperate when we were drawn into escape mode."
"Hehe, Sam, doesn't it feel good not to die?"
Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, a holographic screen suddenly appeared in the void before them.
Then a text appeared on the screen:
[As champions, you are qualified to continue challenging unknown levels.]
[The unknown level has three levels. Each successful completion of a level will reward all members with 50 attribute points.]
[Note: Once you start the challenge, you cannot quit midway. You must complete all three unknown levels.]
[Do you want to continue to challenge unknown levels?]
[Yes/No]
Upon seeing the options on the screen, everyone paused slightly, but wasn't too surprised.
Professor Grant had spoken to them about the unknown levels and advised them: if you win the championship, never try the unknown levels.
Thinking of this, everyone couldn't help but look at Matthew.
The decision now rested with their captain, Matthew.
"What do you guys say?" Matthew asked with a smile, "Does anyone want to continue challenging the unknown levels?"
These words made everyone think.
Lucian Richards spoke first. "50 attribute points for one level, and only 150 attribute points for three levels, that's a bit low."
"Yes, it is a bit low." Orion Duncan nodded in agreement. "I don't think it's worth taking the risk for 150 points."
Denis Read thought for a moment and said, "Although with Matthew around, our chances of passing the levels are relatively high, I personally still tend to give up the challenge. The professor also said that so far, no one has ever successfully challenged the unknown levels."
"Matthew, I'll listen to you." Filip Walker was the most eloquent. "We'll do as you say. If you want to continue the challenge, then continue the challenge."
With Filip Walker leading the way, the remaining people chimed in, "Yes, Matthew, we'll listen to you."
Matthew then looked at Natalie.
Before he could say anything, Natalie said, "I'm the same as them, I'll listen to you too."
Matthew then said, "Then let's give up. 150 attribute points are really not worth the risk."
After his words, he then selected "No" on the screen.
This was his actual thought.
If the reward for the unknown levels were generous, he might be interested in giving it a try.
But 150 attribute points?
It wasn't really a reward worth taking such an unknown risk.
In any case, Matthew didn't think much of it.
Seeing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed that, although they said they would listen to Matthew, they did not actually want to continue the challenge.
After Matthew made his choice.
The prompt appeared on the screen again.
[You have given up on challenging the unknown levels...]
[Please note: This layer of the Supernatural Realm has ended. You will be teleported out of the Supernatural Realm in 30 seconds...]
[29, 28, 27...]
The countdown to the return appeared in everyone's left eye.
When the countdown ended, everyone in the fifth layer of the supernatural realm vanished.
...
Blue Marble.
University of Oxford.
The three hundred people who had vanished earlier all appeared on the training grounds at the same time.
They were still holding hands. But when they realized they had returned, everyone was immediately let go.
Then, everyone's eyes turned to the members of the participating teams.
To be precise, they were looking at Matthew.
Matthew's performance this time was really remarkable and completely changed everyone's impression of him.
As for the other team members, no one looked in their direction except those who went to talk to Natalie.
Then, Matthew heard the kindest words he had ever heard from a lot of people...
But only some people's words left a deep impression on him...
Professor Isabel Grant: "Matthew, I had some prejudice against you before, and I want to apologize for it... I hope you can come to my Class A."
Professor Holland: "You little rascal, you're really hiding your true abilities. Did Professor Isabel Grant just invite you to Class A? If you want to go, I'll definitely cooperate."
Some students said: "Matthew, I'm sorry, I thought you were a freeloader before... Thank you for your efforts, which allowed us to win without lifting a finger and get 100 attribute points."
Cousin Maximus: "Matt, I heard from home before that grandpa planned to allocate more family resources to you. I was a little resentful at first, but after seeing your performance in the Supernatural Realm today, I realize that Grandpa Zack's choice was absolutely right. From now on, our Atkinson family will depend entirely on you. As your elder brother, I will follow your lead without question."
Grand Magister Russell: "Not bad, kid, keep up the good work..."
...
After each layer of the Supernatural Realm, the university must gather and record the students' results.
This time, however, there was no need to record each student's grade results individually.
Because everyone was fully aware of the rewards freshmen received.
Natalie, Filip Walker, and others were members of the champion team, and each of them would receive 275 attribute points.
Matthew was the team captain and would get an extra 80 attribute points, for a total of 355 attribute points.
All the other freshmen got 100 attribute points.
Most of the crowd quickly dispersed. But some of them immediately surrounded Matthew and started asking for his autograph.
At first, Matthew didn't understand what was happening, but he quickly realized that these people were asking for his autograph as the author of the Harry Potter book.
If it had been anyone else, Matthew might have turned them away, saying he was tired and needed to rest, but most of these people were important figures, and Matthew didn't want to offend any of them unnecessarily.
So, for the next half hour, he had to sign many autographs, mostly for the children and spouses of those who asked.
Sometime after the signing process was completed, Matthew appeared in the principal's office.
"Matthew, I never expected you to have such extraordinary talent. Your insight is truly genius-like."
The chubby principal looked at Matthew with a face full of emotion.
Matthew broke out in a cold sweat and immediately said, "Principal, you flatter me."
"This is not an exaggeration," the chubby principal said. "If you had a better ability, you would be a natural-born genius for the Supernatural Realm."
Seemingly realizing there was something wrong with what he said, the chubby principal quickly corrected him, "Your cooperation with Natalie now is also a very correct choice. The two of you, with your talents combined, are enough to make you invincible in the Supernatural Realm."
Matthew, being quite tactful, said, "I have to thank the principal for his guidance. If you hadn't given me Armament Haki, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today."
"Giving you Armament Haki back then was definitely the right choice."
The chubby principal chuckled and said something, then asked, "I heard you're still living off campus?"
Matthew nodded and replied. "Yes."
"Then you should move back to the campus dormitory as soon as possible," the principal said. "Many people saw your performance today, so it's impossible to keep it a secret. I'm afraid it won't be long before others know how important you are. If you continue to live off campus, it will probably be dangerous."
Matthew was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Principal, do you mean someone will target me?"
"Yes. You probably know about the bounties on Natalie's head. Those people didn't realize your importance before, but now that they do, they'll definitely take action. Natalie is well protected on campus, so they can't do anything about it. If you continue to live off campus, they'll target you in order to get back at Natalie."
After a pause, the principal continued, "The environment outside the campus is chaotic and full of all kinds of people, making it very inconvenient to protect you. So, you should move back to the campus. It's not too late to leave the campus when you and Natalie have enough strength to protect yourselves."
Upon hearing this, Matthew had a headache.
He didn't want to end up like Natalie, trapped on campus every day like he was in prison.
However, the principal's reasons also made sense.
---------------
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.139: Moving Back to Campus
Ch.140: Another Amnesiac Layer
Ch.141: Non-resettable Layer