The lesson from Professor Niel finally came to an end, leaving the students a mixture of relief and exhaustion.
"Okay, that's it for now. I expect everyone to have understood today's lesson. If so, then class dismissed," Professor Niel said as he headed toward the door.
As soon as he left, the classroom erupted into noise once more. Conversations sparked like wildfire across the room—groups laughing, debating, or sharing thoughts on the lesson. Phoebe and Lucas leaned back slightly in their chairs, joining in the informal chatter, though their attention remained partly on each other. Robrecka, of course, maintained her ever-present circle of admirers, her elegance untouched by the surrounding chaos.
"Ahh, finally it's done. My back hurts. I was bored listening to things I already know," Lucas groaned, stretching his arms overhead and rolling his shoulders.
"Really? I found it interesting. It confirmed that everything I've know so far is correct," Phoebe said, smiling softly as she adjusted her posture.
"How diligent of you," Lucas replied, resting his chin in his hand, a hint of admiration in his tone. "I doubt most of the others even remember half of it."
"Oh, but Lucas, I'm curious," Phoebe said, tilting her head slightly. "Your ability is a materialization type, right? How do you use it? And why are there so many of your kind?"
Lucas shrugged casually. "Hm? Oh, mine's called Alter Ego. I can create copies of myself, and they inherit what I'm holding or using. I control them through my thoughts, and I can switch places with any of them whenever I want."
Phoebe's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "Oh wow, your ability is so broken, Lucas!"
"You think so? I've seen plenty far stronger than mine. I'd call mine mediocre at best," Lucas said with a yawn, clearly unfazed by her reaction.
Phoebe smirked slightly. "Lucky for you, then."
Lucas tilted his head. "But yours is powerful too, right? As a material infuser, your flames seem unstoppable. How exactly does it work?"
Phoebe pondered for a moment. "You noticed? It just comes out when I want it. It feels cold and calming toward me but burns anything else. I'm still trying to understand it fully," she admitted.
"You don't quite understand it yet? When did you obtain your ability?" Lucas asked, leaning slightly forward.
"Let's see… about nineteen days ago," Phoebe replied casually.
Lucas's eyes widened in shock. "W-What? No way! Are you serious?"
"Yes. Why? Is that a problem?" Phoebe asked, puzzled.
Wait… really? But she performed exceptionally during the exam, and her growth was astonishingly fast. If she becomes a ranker one day… she could become a monster. Maybe even an S-ranker, Lucas thought silently.
"No, I was just surprised, that's all," Lucas said, quickly masking his thoughts with a casual smile.
"How about you, Lucas? When did you get yours?" Phoebe asked.
"Me? Oh, two or three years ago," Lucas said, shrugging nonchalantly.
"I see," Phoebe replied, intrigued but trying not to show it.
Lucas smirked. "Nineteen days ago, huh? So, you're quite the prodigy."
Phoebe's cheeks flushed lightly. "I… I don't know about that," she muttered, avoiding his gaze.
Lucas leaned closer, grinning. "Well, that makes it worth it to have you as my rival. Because in the end, I will defeat you."
Phoebe smirked in return. "I don't think I'm a prodigy. Also… I will be the one winning."
The two exchanged competitive glares, a silent pact forming between them. Meanwhile, Robrecka's eyes lingered on them for a moment, a faint smirk on her lips, before she turned back to her own circle of admirers.
The door opened once more, and the chatter died down as Professor Kate entered. Her presence carried a chilling authority that immediately commanded attention.
"How are you all? I am Professor Kate, and I will be teaching you about the World Threat Level System," she began, her voice steady and cold. "Across the Inner, Middle, and Outer Continents, multiple races exist. Each race was placed according to the order established by the three great gods, a system meant to maintain balance and peace. This order ensures that each race can coexist peacefully within its domain. But peace is fragile, and variables continually disrupt it."
Her eyes scanned the students, cold and sharp. "Some threats emerge from the Genesis Towers, which release ancient monsters. Others come from those who abuse their racial traits, wield abilities recklessly, or carry misfortune that spreads to others. The most severe are those who chase forbidden knowledge, seeking to challenge the three great gods and destroy our world."
As she spoke, Robrecka's eyes glinted faintly with a cold sharpness. Professor Kate's gaze lingered on her for a brief moment before returning to the class.
"To manage these threats, the three great gods introduced the Threat Level System, represented as a hierarchical tree. There are four main levels: you, human with lavender hair, state your name and origin, then answer my question," Professor Kate instructed.
"Glad to meet you. I am Robrecka Everblack, heir of the Everblack Duchy from the Archine Empire. As for the Threat Level System, there are four levels: Danger at the root, followed by Chaos, Disaster, and Calamity at the highest," Robrecka explained confidently, her smirk faint but present.
"Correct. Sit down. Real-time records from the Adventure Association's wanted lists provide examples:
Danger: natural monsters and the serial murderer 'Limbs Tearer' in the western Middle Continent.
Chaos: gangs such as the Midnight Gang, Blood Feast Gang, and Golden Throne Gang in the southern Middle Continent.
Disaster: the Eastern Demon King, Dark Dragon in the Outer Continent, and ancient monsters residing in the five Genesis Towers.
Calamity: the prophesied Three Calamities—the Dusk Lost Society (location unknown), the Dark Throne (suspected in the Middle Continent), and the Nest of Evil, roaming the Middle and Outer Continents.
Disasters and Calamities are considered severe, requiring raids, expeditions, or hunts," Professor Kate continued.
"Now, who strikes down these threats? You, dark blue-haired human, state your name and origin."
"I am Lucas Vaste, a fallen noble from the Vaste Marquisate in the Empire of the Deptide. Rankers from F to S take action whenever threats appear," Lucas said confidently.
"Well done. Sit down. Rankers confront threats according to their rank:
S, A, B rankers handle Calamity-level threats.
A, B, C, D rankers handle Disaster-level threats.
B, C, D, E rankers handle Chaos-level threats.
C, D, E-, F rankers handle Danger-level threats."
Kevin raised his hand, scratching his head. "Why does it take so many rankers to handle a single threat?"
"That's an excellent question. Any ideas why multiple rankers are assigned to each threat level?" Professor Kate asked, a faint smirk forming.
Phoebe raised her hand, and the professor nodded. "Phoebe, go ahead."
"Even though many rankers exist, there's always a shortage. Each rank has a limited number, scattered worldwide. When a high-level threat appears, the few nearby rankers aren't enough, and weaker monsters accompanying the threat still need to be handled. That's why multiple rankers are needed for a single threat," Phoebe explained calmly.
"Very good, Ms. Phoebe. Sit down. That clarifies your question, Mr. Kevin?" Professor Kate added.
"Y-Yes… thank you," Kevin said, awkwardly glancing at Phoebe.
"Even with rankers from S to F, shortages persist. Rankers are scattered across the world, and few can wield abilities. Only a small percentage possesses mana," Professor Kate explained.
"Does anyone have questions before class ends?" she asked.
"Yes, Ms. Phoebe? What is it?"
"Um, Professor, about the Threat Level System… specifically the tree," Phoebe began.
"The tree? What about it?" Professor Kate asked.
"The weakest threats are at the roots, and the stronger ones go up. But the top is almost empty. If Calamity is the highest threat, shouldn't it be at the top? Why is there an empty space?" Phoebe asked, puzzled.
"The empty space in the tree?" Professor Kate repeated, slightly confused.
"Yes. That empty space," Phoebe confirmed.
The entire class turned toward her, some frowning, others widening their eyes in curiosity.
"Perhaps it's meant to be that way. Ever since the three gods introduced the Threat Level System, it has always been like this. Maybe they designed it to show that nothing surpasses a Calamity," Professor Kate replied, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead.
A tense silence followed. Students whispered among themselves, some admiring Phoebe's reasoning, others questioning her logic.