Chapter 4: Ivywood Girls’ Academy (4)

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Rowan wrote down a math problem in his notebook.

"1+1=?"

Leo's eyebrow twitched, and his expression darkened even further.

"You seriously don't know the answer to this question?"

Rowan nodded and blinked innocently. "Yeah, teacher. You wouldn't look down on me just because I'm not smart, would you?"

Leo gave him a dry smile. "Of course not. Here, let me teach you."

He took Rowan's notebook and wrote down the answer: 2.

But Rowan said, "Mr. Carter, I know the answer is 2, but I don't understand the reasoning behind it."

Leo: "…"

The whole class: "…"

Everyone knew that 1+1=2, but proving why… well, that was a bit philosophical.

Rowan furrowed his brows slightly, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm. "No way, Mr. Carter, don't tell me you don't even know how to prove this? Ahh—forget it, I'll just go back to my dorm and study it myself."

With that, he took back his notebook and turned to leave without looking back.

"Hmm?" Leo's fake smile grew even more obvious. "Specialized knowledge requires specialized teachers. Next time, I'll find someone more qualified to tutor you properly."

He deliberately dragged out the last sentence, making the atmosphere suddenly feel tense.

Rowan didn't care at all. He returned to his usual lazy demeanor and said,

"Mr. Carter, that'll have to wait until the test results are out first."

As soon as he said that, a flicker of emotion flashed through Leo's eyes.

But it disappeared in an instant, and he quickly reverted to his usual smiling-tiger NPC persona before walking out of the classroom.

The evening self-study dismissal bell rang, and students were already heading to the dorms.

The players, unsure of where their dorms were, could only follow the NPC students.

As they walked, they couldn't help but whisper about how crazy Rowan must be.

That smiling tiger NPC had killed people without hesitation, and yet Rowan still dared to provoke him? Did he have a death wish?

Yulia handed Rowan a student handbook. "We found this while you were sleeping earlier. I copied an extra one for you."

Rowan glanced at her and flashed a bright smile. "Thanks! You're really nice."

Yulia seemed surprised by his sunny smile. Her face turned a little red, and she scratched her head. "You're welcome."

The Ivywood Girls' Academy's dorm had four-person rooms with bunk beds and desks underneath.

After the Bald Man died, 33 players remained. Since 17 was a prime number, some players might end up sharing a room with NPCs.

Not knowing their assigned rooms, they went to the dorm supervisor's office on the first floor to ask.

The female NPC students walked upstairs silently and emotionlessly, their synchronized footsteps making the entire dormitory feel eerier.

The hallway lights flickered on and off, and from the supervisor's office came the static of an old television set.

Had none of them noticed the student who died during self-study? Or… were they just used to it?

"Don't push me! I don't wanna be the one to check!"

The players crowded together like a bunch of scared chickens, looking at each other, hoping someone else would step up.

They all turned pleading gazes toward Yulia, the only publicly known experienced player in this first-floor instance.

Yulia understood their silent request and stepped forward to knock on the office door.

"Teacher, we're transfer students from First High School. We'd like to check our room assignments."

As she knocked, the static from the TV grew louder.

She knocked again—no response.

Just as some players started wondering if there was no one inside, the door creaked open.

A large, obese woman stood before them.

The moment they saw her, almost everyone's pupils contracted.

A strong stench of blood filled the air. She held a transparent meal box filled with raw, unidentifiable meat, and traces of blood still stained her lips.

"You're the transfer students, huh? Come in, come in!"

She smiled kindly.

No one dared to step forward.

The room reeked of blood—who would dare enter?

Just as she was about to speak again, a male voice came from the crowd.

"Teacher, we haven't received the dormitory handbook yet."

Rowan's voice instantly became the center of attention.

Dormitory handbook?

Oh, right! Some of the older players had almost forgotten that staying in the dorm must have its own set of rules.

Just like how students had to wear uniforms to school, following dorm rules was just common sense—but in their nervousness, they had overlooked it.

The dorm supervisor grinned strangely and pulled out a stack of handbooks. "Ah, you're right! I almost forgot."

"Almost forgot," huh?

Last time Leo "almost forgot", a teammate died on the spot.

These NPCs were deliberately trying to keep players from learning the rules, weren't they?

Everyone quickly grabbed a copy of the dormitory handbook.

Then the woman pulled out the room assignment sheet and said, "It's getting late. Hurry up and check your rooms."

Just moments ago, she had insisted they come inside to check. Now, she was suddenly handing them the list directly.

Something was definitely off.

When no one dared to take the list from her, she narrowed her eyes and grinned unnervingly.

"It's almost 11 o'clock. I'll be doing a bed check soon, so everyone better be in their beds like good children~"

The dormitory handbook had only four rules:

1. During the 11 PM bed check, you must be lying in bed. Anyone found out of bed will face a Level 1 Punishment.

2. After 3 AM, getting out of bed is strictly forbidden. Anyone caught will face a Level 2 Punishment.

3. Do not participate in any form of hide-and-seek at night. Anyone caught will face a Level 3 Punishment.

4. The dorm supervisor is very kind. If she asks for help, you should assist her.

They looked up at the clock. It was already 10:50!

If they weren't in bed by 11, they'd face punishment.

No one wanted to test what "Level 1 Punishment" meant.

After memorizing their room numbers, they rushed upstairs.

Thankfully, there were enough rooms that players were only paired with other players—either three-person or two-person rooms, with some having four people.

Rowan was placed in a three-person dorm with an old acquaintance, Jack Steele, and a new player who was too scared to even lift his head.

"Hey, what's your name?" Jack impatiently kicked the newbie.

The guy trembled and stammered, "I… I'm Jose Lumin… I don't know anything… I-I'm completely clueless…!"

Jack clicked his tongue. "I just asked your name. Why are you talking like you're guilty of something? You sure you don't know anything?"

Before Jose could respond, Rowan suddenly chuckled and spoke.

"Maybe he really does know something—and just feels guilty about it."