As Soren killed the Eldritch souls, he easily noticed that these were not like the Eldritch soul that attacked his town.

Their auras flickered unnaturally—stitched together and unstable, like poorly copied memories of real monsters.

In a way… they felt wrong.

Artificial.

But in no time, he and Cynthia were done.

They left the forest, passing through a kind of shimmering force barrier that separated the forest from the main school campus.

As they passed through it, the mechanical voice was heard.

"CADET SOREN: PASS."

"CADET CYNTHIA: PASS."

Coming out the other side of the force field, Soren turned to Cynthia, chatting with her.

"So how many did you kill?"

She raised her fingers.

His eyes widened. "What, that many?"

"That means I owe you dinner." He sighed.

Cynthia clapped her hands lightly in excitement.

Both of them did not notice the crowd of people staring at them in shock.

Some whispered. "That's a new record, right?"

"Yes. Even King Hermes did not make it in such a short time. Also, his kill count was not so high."

Soren and Cynthia had come out to the central spot of the school.

And then a voice was heard. "That's... that's impossible."

Only now did Soren turn, wondering why so many people were gathered.

And then the source of the shouting came out from within the crowd.

It was Goldsworth—he wore a black tunic with the rims having a purple color, as was the rank of his Shade.

On his shoulder was his little bird. He marched up towards Soren, fuming.

And then he stopped just a few meters away, saying. "You liar... you cheated. How can mere F-rank trash go through the orientation garden in a mere 30 minutes?"

"30 minutes?" Soren was shocked. "We wasted so much time?" He massaged his head, thinking whether stopping to observe the forest had been a bad idea. However, he had only been curious; after all, this place was not the glass but gave a similar feeling.

The reason Soren was worried was because he assumed that his friends might have been waiting too long for him. And he too had been eager to see them again.

Goldsworth continued. "You cheated. Both of you. That score is just impossible." He pointed to the huge projected screen.

The score was clear.

Soren: 701 Eldritch souls killed

Cynthia: 1202 Eldritch souls killed.

At such a time, Soren heard his name again.

"Soren!"

"Husband!"

He turned. To his surprise, it was Pencil and Bloodshine.

They ran up to him.

Soren embraced Pencil fondly. While he simply waved awkwardly at Bloodshine.

To think she actually called me husband.

Soren said in his head.

The first they met and she proposed marriage to him suddenly hit Soren in the head.

He abd Bloodshine were definitely not that close.

Still, Bloodshine smiled back, avoiding eye contact as she blushed.

Soren noticed this.

Quickly, he changed the topic.

"Pencil, Bloodshine, this is my friend. Her name is Cynthia." Soren introduced.

"Her!?" They were both surprised, eyes tracing Cynthia's mountainous form.

But they still waved at her.

Cynthia also waved, obviously shy.

Soren thought this much was good. Cynthia did not always relate with other people.

Her current reaction was understandable.

"Oh, that reminds me." Pencil said, presenting Soren with the cake. "I made this for..."

Boof...

A wave of soul energy blasted through the cake, instantly destroying it.

Everyone turned to the source of it.

Goldsworth.

His fist was tight, chest heaving, veins popping on his forehead, and purple soul energy flaring from his person.

All of the unnecessary dramatic flair he was known for had disappeared.

"You insignificant F–rank commoner trash. I am a noble. When I speak to you, you better listen."

Soren turned.

–finally giving Goldsworth the attention he was asking for.

Soren took a sharp step forward, eyes locking on Goldsworth like a wildcat focusing on a mouse.

"You had better know how to bake a cake." Soren said, stepping forward again.

However, at such a time, a figure stepped in between them.

"Back off, Clown." Aura mounting.

This was a student. He similarly had blonde hair, but his was shorter, and he had on earrings. His dressing was a black tunic with red rim edges to show his shade rank.

His hands were casually pocketed, and his posture looked like he was curving forward.

He was short, but he looked at Soren in a condescending manner. That subconsciously gave the onlookers the impression that he was looking down on Soren.

"Just because the frog managed to finish the dumb orientation early, it thinks it can fly with eagles."

Soren's jaw tightened.

So that's what this was. A reminder of his place.

And then other cadets, no doubt on command, landed beside Goldsworth. Some were in lazing-around positions.

All of them had very peculiar auras. If Soren were to put a finger on it, then he would describe it as raw and brutal.

The moment the others appeared, Cynthia similarly took a few steps forward.

Foot breaking the concrete underneath. As if anticipating turning the first person to strike into mush.

However, Pencil saw the confrontation.

Like a bubble, it was on the verge of bursting.

He immediately hurried forward, giving a respectful bow to the person opposite Soren.

"I am so sorry, Senior Li," Pencil gave a fake smile. "Please forgive my fellow clown. As he just came to the academy, he does not understand how things operate here."

Soren turned to Pencil. He could see that his friend still had not shed his sheepish attitude.

Before, it might have disgusted Soren—now, he only felt pity for him.

Pencil leaned in and whispered. "Please let it go, Soren; he is a noble with significant influence in the academy. Also, he is a second year. And Goldsworth is a member of his party."

"Oh." Soren suddenly ceased the pressure he gave out.

"I am so sorry. Please show this commoner kindness, and forgive my manners, Senior Li." Soren bowed politely.

The atmosphere was still tense for a while, but then Li snorted.

While Soren challenging him like this should have earned him a profound beating, there were too many eyes watching.

Not just students and instructors. But since Soren and Cynthia just finished from the Orientation garden, sponsors were also looking their way.

Li slowly and casually turned to leave. "Clown F–rank trash." He muttered.

However, those words seemed to have triggered something within Soren.

"Senior Li," he called again, causing Li to pause.

Soren's gaze became sharp. "I suppose as a senior and a noble, you are one to always keep your word."

Li paused.

Soren continued. "Would ensure other nobles under you also keep their words."

Soren let those words settle well in the air.

Li gave a side glance, eyes spitting his annoyance.

Seeing this, Soren let the hammer land. "In that case, a respectable senior and noble like yourself won't allow someone under you to refuse to pay their dues."

"Dues!?" Many amongst the audience whispered to themselves.

Soren did not rush. He allowed the thought to settle well. And for people to be confused about what he was saying.

And then he let it drop. "You won't mind Goldsworth paying his debt to me by giving me three public kowtows."

The atmosphere broke...

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