Chapter 22: unfortunate incident
---
By the time class ended, the sun had already begun its slow descent beyond the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the academy grounds.
I checked the time. 4 PM.
Despite the city being filled with advanced technology, towering skyscrapers, and an elite education system, I still somehow felt... bored.
Was this all there was to big city life?
Wasn't it supposed to be more exciting?
I sighed, stretching my arms above my head.
Today had been packed with information, and honestly, I could barely process half of it.
One major takeaway?
I wasn't locked into the military route.
If I could somehow get into a good cultural university, I wouldn't have to force myself into a military-oriented career.
That was a relief.
But…
Being a cultural researcher wasn't exactly an easy path either.
Just remembering that intern who fell from the sky yesterday sent a chill down my spine.
Those guys were from cultural schools, where literature, history, and magic applications were taught, but not with a focus on combat.
Their magic was mostly passive or non-offensive.
Because of that, they worked behind the borders, handling logistics, data, and analysis.
It was a safer job… but the horror stories I heard today made me question if it was really that safe.
At least in the military, you knew you were going into danger.
In cultural research, you thought you were safe… but what might happen was a mystery.
I shuddered.
Nope. Still traumatic.
I'll rather get conscripted.
---
I gazed outside at the academy grounds.
The sky was already darkening, despite it being only 4 PM.
I had learned something interesting today.
Because the Luminous Empire was so massive but there was only one official time zone for the entire empire.
That meant some regions had early sunsets, while others had late ones.
In the countryside, the sun usually set around 7 PM.
But here?
4 PM.
I stared at the horizon, watching the light dim.
"I really traveled far, didn't I?"
It was a strange thought.
Even if I wanted to go back, it would be nearly impossible.
But…
Did I even want to go back?
I stayed silent.
Then shook my head.
Who cares?
Maybe it was better this way.
I pulled out my student merit card and checked my balance.
42merit points.
I sighed.
My bank account had been cut in half thanks to that fight earlier.
And I had just found out how important merit points actually were in the class the most efficient way was to eavesdrop or swindle it out of there mouth
Merits weren't just academic points—they were currency.
You needed them for food, supplies, and privileges.
You could earn them by completing tasks at the Task Hall.
If you had enough, you could even post tasks for other students to complete.
The system had been put in place to prepare students for real military life, where promotions and benefits were based on merits earned.
In other words—
This was a military academy disguised as a school.
And I was broke.
I let out a deep sigh, resting my head against my desk.
"Maybe I should slack off for a few days," I muttered.
I had way too much knowledge crammed into my brain today.
As I was lost in thought, the classroom door swung open.
A familiar voice called out.
"BRO, WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?!"
I glanced up.
It was Quinn.
I blinked at him lazily.
"...Should I not be?"
Quinn huffed, walking toward me with a dramatic wave of his arms.
"I was waiting for you at the faculty gate! You didn't come, so I checked your timetable and realized you had class here!"
I frowned.
"How do you even have my timetable?"
Quinn grinned. "I have my ways."
Suspicious.
I didn't question it.
Instead, I just stretched and shrugged.
"I was just… lost in thought," I replied.
Quinn plopped down into the seat beside me, exhaling like a tired old man.
"I feel you, man. Life's been so boring lately."
I quirked an eyebrow.
"...You live in the capital.** How is it boring?**"
Quinn groaned. "I don't know, man. It's like… everything feels scripted."
I tilted my head.
"Scripted?"
"Like my thoughts aren't even mine. Like someone else is writing them. But that writer has no talent it's soo boring"
I blinked.
For a second, the air went completely silent.
Then—
"Who knows?" I said with a shrug.
Quinn sighed dramatically, flopping backward on the desk.
"Man, I need some excitement in my life."
--
As we sat in silence, Quinn suddenly leaned down, reaching for something under my desk.
"Huh? What are you—"
THUNK!
Quinn's forehead smacked against the table.
I winced.
"Oof. That sounded painful."
"AGHH," Quinn groaned, holding his head.
Unfortunately for me—
As he stumbled, his knee landed on my foot.
I hissed in pain.
"Dude, MOVE!" I grumbled, pushing him off.
But at that exact moment—
The classroom door slammed open.
A long-haired girl had just walked in.
And the only thing she saw?
Quinn's face between my legs.
Her eyes widened.
Then—
"PERVERTS!!!"
A scream echoed through the hallways.
The next second, she was gone, running down the hall like she had witnessed a murder.
Quinn and I?
We sat there, frozen.
Slowly, we turned to look at each other.
Then—
We looked at our current position.
…
Oh.
Yeah.
This looked REALLY bad.
I cleared my throat.
"Quinn," I said slowly, "can you… move?"
Quinn, still dazed from hitting his head, nodded weakly.
He dragged himself back into his chair, his face pale.
Then, out of nowhere, he grabbed his hair dramatically and looked up at the ceiling.
"I HAVE SINNED!"
I sighed.
My face has really became thick....but it might damage the reputation I build.
Meanwhile, my system notification popped up.
🔹 [System Notification]
🔹 [What kind of reputation? Is there still a reputation to ruin?]
I twitched.
"...Shut up," I whispered under my breath.
If the system had a physical form, I would have punched it.
This systen had no worth. Some times it only feel as if it was there for mocking him.
For now, though—
I had more important things to worry about.
Like the rumor that was probably spreading at the speed of light....I know from experience how the fast gossip spread especially in girls...
Great. Just great...
Should I take a leave tomorrow?