Classroom Game Lobby

Nolan shook his head slowly, his expression twisting into something between disappointment and disdain.

"How dare you bastards talk about real battle—what more of life and death—when you haven't even tasted a single drop of real combat?"

His voice, low and sharp, cracked across the silent room like a whip.

The students flinched. Heads dropped.

The arrogant pride they'd worn earlier, the smug confidence they displayed when they tried to flaunt their childish formation, all of it shattered.

They shuffled on their feet awkwardly, unable to meet his gaze.

It seems that although they are troublemakers, they still have some shame inside their tiny bodies.

Nolan didn't let up. His stare swept across every face. His lips curled upward, but the smile was anything but warm.

"It doesn't matter. My teaching is fun." His voice lowered ominously. "Since you all want to experience life and death so badly, I'll give you exactly that. But you better be prepared."

The students stiffened, some straightening instinctively, others exchanging cautious glances.

Their doubt had not completely vanished, and one of them finally gathered the courage to voice it.

"Sir…" The boy cleared his throat awkwardly.

"A lot of Mana Specialists who focus on Knight Combat, like you, sir, they… they said the same thing before. They all said it'd be different—that we'd get real training, that it wouldn't be like all those other instructors.

"But in the end, it's always the same. Sparring with knights who hold back, useless drills, and being told over and over that real battle is 'too dangerous.' It's always the same crap."

Nolan's eyelid twitched at the way the kid spoke—equal parts defiant and weary.

He took a step forward.

The wooden floor creaked ominously under his boot. "Alright," Nolan said lazily, cracking his neck.

"Then how about this? If my training satisfies you, if it turns out different from what you've had before… You'll all take an oath to attend tomorrow's Knight Assessment."

The proposal made them pause.

A Knight Assessment wasn't something they took lightly.

It wasn't an academic test—they'd have to demonstrate actual combat ability before the city's Knight Hall.

Failing meant public humiliation, damage to their families' reputations, and being barred from formal knight progression for the season.

Still, their pride wouldn't let them refuse outright.

After a few exchanged glances, the group slowly nodded.

"Sure," one muttered.

"Alright," another added, although his tone still carried uncertainty.

Nolan exhaled softly through his nose.

Good. At least now they're not barking as loudly as before.

A slow, wide grin stretched across his face. "That's a promise, alright?" For his system, he must make them go there, but if they don't, he will drag them there forcefully.

The students would look at each other.

Teacher Nolan seemed to be looking forward to this. However, they were hungry for new things, so they nodded their heads.

Nolan, who saw their expectant faces, felt a little camaraderie towards them; he recognized that kind of expression.

The desire to experience new things.

Due to this, his eyes glinted sharply, and his presence thickened.

"Now…" His voice deepened with sudden weight. "Pay."

The word echoed unnaturally in the room.

He stretched out his hand, palm open, fingers curling expectantly. His grin widened—too wide, too sharp. His brows arched high, and his eyes narrowed dangerously.

Though he didn't move an inch closer, the students all felt as though the room itself had shrunk, walls pressing in under the force of his demand.

"Now pay me." His teeth gleamed with the smile of a man who clearly enjoyed the tension twisting into their guts.

The students stiffened like startled deer.

There was no mistaking it—he really looks like a scammer.

Their mouths grew dry as they hurriedly reached into their robes and satchels, pulling out shimmering Mana Crystals.

Their hands shook slightly as they dropped crystal after crystal into Nolan's outstretched palm.

No one dared question how much was enough—they simply gave as much as they could.

One boy even muttered under his breath, lips moving in a silent prayer.

'Please let this be worth it… please let this be worth it…'

Nolan sneered as the last crystal landed in his hand.

You bastards… you're lucky the system wants you all. His eyes darkened slightly, his mind flashing to the invisible interface no one else could see. Once it doesn't? I'll make sure you're all eating shit before I let you touch my internet crap again.

He mumbled under his breath, just quiet enough they couldn't hear him clearly.

With a flick of his wrist, the crystals vanished into thin air, consumed by his system.

The air immediately shifted.

A soft hum filled the room as motes of light, pale blue and white, rose around them like fireflies.

The classroom around them twisted, bent, and dissolved.

In the blink of an eye, they were standing in a vast expanse of shimmering gray platforms, suspended in endless dark-blue mist.

Hexagonal panels floated lazily in the air, pulsing with faint light.

Towering monoliths of polished black crystal rose from invisible depths, and strange, glowing lines of code zipped across their surfaces like lightning bolts.

The students gasped audibly.

"S-Sir… is this your Special Arcane Realm?" one of them asked in awe.

Nolan stuffed his hands into his pockets and shrugged lazily. "You could say that."

A Special Arcane Realm.

Every Mana Specialist capable of conjuring one possessed a private realm forged from their accumulated experience and knowledge.

They were designed to help students focus and cultivate, simulating various environments ideal for training. Most instructors had bland arenas, endless plains, lush paradises, or bare-bones combat rings.

But this?

The students stared, slack-jawed, at the alien beauty before them.

"I've never seen one like this before," one muttered.

"Our old instructor only had that stupid grassland arena…" another whispered.

"This looks… unique? Or maybe just weird… I can't even tell if it's old or futuristic."

Nolan smirked proudly.

"Of course it's your first time seeing something like this. I'm unique."

The students exchanged looks.

His tone was still shameless as ever, but a few of them found themselves hoping—maybe this time it really is different.

Meanwhile, Nolan's thoughts were racing.

Alright, let's see… What series of infected games should I drop on these little idiots?

He tapped open a translucent system menu only visible to him, flipping through options.

Definitely not '27 Days Later'—that one only accepts Fifth Stage Mana Knights and higher. He scoffed. These brats would get chewed up instantly.

His eyes settled on a title that made his grin widen.

'27 Seconds Later'

A simpler, beginner-friendly scenario.

Perfect for Novice-tier Knights.

He tapped to purchase it, the screen blinking briefly.

Ding!

–20 Mana Crystals deducted!

Remaining balance: 520 Mana Crystals

A soft Ding! echoed as a new system window materialized before him.

Assessing players…

How many players?

Nolan turned towards the group, his eyes narrowing slyly.

"So? You all ready to start?"

The students hesitated. Finally, one of them raised a hand cautiously.

"Sir… is it alright if only one of us goes first?"

Nolan shrugged nonchalantly. "Fine by me. Who's going first?"

One boy reluctantly stepped forward. Nolan's eyes flicked over him, and system data immediately floated into his view.

Player: Calien

Plant Conjurer – Seventh Stage

Mana Knight – Third Stage

Nolan arched an eyebrow.

"Alright," he muttered, lips curling into an amused smirk.