cerim
patreon
Chapter 602 - Problem students
🕑 Added 2025-04-21 08:39:56 +0000 UTCAt the scheduled time I’m in the garden where we first appeared. Exactly a day has passed since we split, and I’ve already gathered a little bit of information. Well, most of it I’ve just heard or noticed. It’s not like I actually talked to anyone.
Tess appears first, holding Biscuit in her arms. He'd decided to stay with her for a while. The corgi is probably protecting her or just being an emotional support. Even though he's only awake for one or two hours a day because of the food coma he keeps falling into, she doesn’t seem to mind.
"I only have ten minutes before I have to go guard that girl again," she says right away.
“Someone interesting?” I ask.
“Human girl, a bit older than Izzy. Extremely bratty. Descendant of a powerful family that has ties to one of the Champions of this planet.”
“That’s all?”
“You think that is not enough? Nat, there are currently 9 Champions on this planet and an Absolute living somewhere in seclusion. Just having ties to one Champion means a lot.”
“Huh, I would expect more of a planet of this sort of development. Didn’t Eladore have more of them?”
“I think Eladore did have around 20, even though the Mind Mage Emperor called his Champions Paragons instead. But I wouldn’t consider Eladore standard. Plus, just around 50 years ago there were some wars where a few of them died, so that’s it.”
I nod, and noticing Maya coming closer we wait. She wears the same gray clothes as Tess and, when she reaches us, lets out a long sigh.
“Fuck, I hate that girl. Can I smack her?” She complains about her ward.
“Why not? Do it,” I say.
“Absolutely not, don’t do it,” Tess answers at the same time.
Maya sighs again. “But I want to. That little brat keeps talking shit just because she has some rare trait and will probably marry her fiancé, who’s the Champion’s disciple and supposedly next in line to become one himself.”
“What trait?” I ask.
Maya looks me up and down. “Damn, these clothes really suit you. Why the hell do you dress so lazily most of the time? Such a waste. And it’s some sort of powerful physique or something; that little shit keeps blabbering about it but never tells the details. Also, I spoke to Sophie and she won’t be able to join us. She said Izzy and Lily won’t either, as they are in class.”
“Heyoo,” Dennis calls as he and Aaron come out from behind the fruit trees to join us. Even after just a day, their uniforms look messy and lazily thrown on. They’re both grinning like they don’t have a care in the world. I think those of us with student roles might be enjoying this place the most.
“Kim won’t be coming, he’s got class,” Aaron adds before stopping.
Dennis shakes his head. “He seems way too into this place. He started studying right away. What a nerd.”
I interrupt before they can fully rant. “So, I guess no one was able to locate the Ruler Candidate.”
“No way,” Dennis says right away. “We asked sneakily, but people just laughed at us, saying how dumb we must be, thinking something like a Ruler Candidate exists.”
“Kim said he was going to check out the library. But he also asked some old professor about random stuff, then started theorizing and sneaking in questions about the candidate thing. He asked if there was any chance of something like a Ruler candidate. That old guy nearly choked on his tongue and said that in his 400 years or so, he’d never once heard of a Ruler Candidate.”
“Well, that makes for a more interesting setting, doesn’t it? We are possibly looking for one of the future Rulers that is currently alive in the system,” Tess wonders.
Maya crosses her arms over her chest. “So in the real version of this world, someone else was acting as protector of the Ruler candidate and now that person has been removed and we replaced that role?”
“Possibly.”
“It could at least tell us who the candidate is.”
“The system is an asshole.”
“I know it, Nat, damn it.”
“Don’t forget.”
“I won’t, and I never did,” Maya promises. “So the candidate could be one of the students. Some of them are ten, others are twenty, and no one even knows what the criteria are. Or damn it, it could be one of the professors, or even some random animal.”
“Probably someone weaker than us,” Tess theorizes. “Most of us are over level 250, and we seem to be above the average level of Hell difficulty attendees. So the average level of attendees coming to this floor could be level 230, meaning that the Ruler candidate is likely weaker than that. There’s also the possibility that it’s a “fake” Ruler Candidate, kind of like how Myrra was a “fake” Champion Candidate on the fourth floor.”
“A weak Ruler Candidate,” Dennis says with an amused tone. “Aren’t Absolutes often capable of destroying an entire planet, entirely destroying it instead of just life on the surface? Wouldn’t a Ruler be capable of more?”
“Not for sure,” Tess disagrees. “We know that the original Lissandra killed Rulers, so the difference between a weaker Ruler and a powerful Absolute cannot be that big.”
“So you become Ruler just for a fancy title?” he asks.
I answer this time, “You most likely get the 4th stage of your subclass as the only person within the system. With it comes some access and the ability to slightly interfere with the system, tutorial, Beyond, and stuff. Maybe you get some fancy unique passive tied to that 4th stage as the only person in the universe, or maybe an active skill.”
“Or maybe you get your own kingdom. It’s called Ruler, isn’t it? A Ruler needs something to rule over,” Aaron interrupts.
For a moment I want to disagree, but as I think about it, it makes sense somewhat. Maybe instead of a kingdom you would get some sort of extremely powerful domain?
“Whatever it is, search carefully. Don’t let your guard down. We know the start of the floors is usually the safest, but there is always the possibility of being unlucky and dying, so keep that in mind and don’t push too much. It’s okay even if you enjoy your school life a little,” Tess warns him.
“You bet I will! Aaron and I already found a bunch of cool guys. I mean, they are a bit snobbish, but otherwise fun guys.”
In deep thought, Aaron says, “It makes me wonder how it will look on Earth after some time. People here would proudly walk around, telling you that some Lord Champion passed a mile or two from them. So, how important will we be if Nat becomes Absolute? You think my kids will be even more snobby, talking all the time that their dad used to be in the same group as Mana Daddy Absolute?”
“First,” I say, and they turn to me, “possibly yes, give it a few decades. Second, say Mana Daddy one more time and I will make sure to mention all the details about Miss Tutorial magazine you guys have been working on with Brainiac and Lootenant.”
“Yo, yo, yo! Just calm down,” Dennis interrupts me as soon as he can. He stays close to me, with his hands on my suit, almost as if he is about to shake. “It was just a joke, hehe. No need to be petty.”
“He is the Ruler of Pettiness,” Aaron whispers. “You shouldn’t forget that.”
“Oh, come on,” Dennis smiles and looks up at me. “Me and Nat are buddies, right?”
I stay quiet, which seems to make him even more nervous.
Good.
Tess, from somewhere behind Dennis, says, “I’ve also heard rumors about this planet’s Absolute. Supposedly, before going into seclusion, he left behind a powerful weapon, and no one knows who has it now.”
“What weapon?” I ask, ignoring Dennis.
“I don’t know yet. But apparently, it’s strong enough to kill even the Champions.”
“Could the Ruler Candidate have it?” Maya joins the conversation.
I think for a moment. “Maybe? Maybe the Absolute knew about the candidate and left it for them. Or maybe it has nothing to do with that. I’ll try to ask about the weapon too, but I have to go now. I won’t be able to join you tomorrow, so the day after that.”
“Sure,” Tess agrees, and the others say their goodbyes.
Before leaving, I make sure to poke sleeping Biscuit’s belly.
***
Of course, Professor Elian’s office is much nicer than mine. It has more windows, letting in more natural light. The defenses here are also likely better than those of some fortresses. Part of me wonders if it is something he has made or if it was done by the Academy.
Even though he lets me in, he ignores me for a few minutes and keeps writing on blue paper with a pen that leaves white lines. Every so often, he adds symbols and inscriptions. In the quiet of the room, the scratch of the pen on the paper actually sounds kind of nice.
Someone else would likely be annoyed by being treated this way, but I use this as an opportunity to examine the room, the professor, and the fancy items lying all around the place.
Only after around five minutes longer does he stop, carefully puts down the paper, and leans back in his chair.
“May I ask something of you, Assistant Professor Gwyn?”
“Sure, please ask.” I decide to be polite until I learn more about this floor.
“There is a rumor about an Underground Duel Network, so please, if you notice anything about that, make sure to investigate further. Another problem might be classrooms taking ranking competitions too seriously. I have been notified that some of the students plan to blackmail or even wound competitors, and that is not something we want in the academy.”
“I will keep my eyes open.”
“Thank you. Do so, and I’ll forget your breaches of protocol from your first day. Now, I’ve been assigned two students, but I don’t have time for them at the moment, so I’m asking you to supervise them. There may be more coming as well. One of the servants will bring you the documents so you can look them over later. And finally, an administrative note: the head accountant asked me to check if you have an account you want your salary sent to, or if you’d prefer to receive it weekly and in person.”
“In person is okay.”
“Understood. You can go then.”
The sound of the pen scratching on the paper sounds again, and the door opens by itself and closes quietly as I leave.
An hour later, I get the documents and, while reading them, head to the classroom mentioned. I also finally find out that the main specialization of Professor Elian is his [Mana Manipulation] skill combined with his Mana Wavelength Iris. The man also seems to be a descendant of someone from the First Generation, so a lot of prestige comes with that.
I even sneakily ask one of the servants about any rumors involving Professor Elian. Whether it’s just the kind of thing people normally speculate about or because of the authority I’ve been given, the servant tells me it’s theorized that Professor Elian has [Mana Manipulation] at a really high level. Apparently, even a Champion was impressed, considering Professor Elian’s age.
From what I’ve heard, Champions usually have skills in the 80s and Absolutes in the 90s. So maybe somewhere around 70 or higher? That would be quite high, especially since his current level feels somewhat similar to mine, around 300.
He might look like he's under 30, which is young, but he could easily be 100 or something like that.
Thinking of these things, I open the door into the smaller classroom.
It’s a bit later in the day, and the weakening sunlight filters through the windows, casting a warm glow over a dozen tables and smaller blackboards. Even this room carries that same air of luxury.
Inside the classroom, two students I assume are problem cases wait: a thylarin girl with six arms and a human boy with his guard, a young man standing quietly behind him.
The thylarin girl has the usual pale blue skin, orange eyes, and brown hair. She looks at me with curiosity but sits slightly apart from the boy. The boy, legs crossed, looks clearly bored. He has curly brown hair and a noble-looking face.
His human guard stands behind him, dressed in the same gray uniform Tess wears. He’s unarmed, but one sleeve of his suit is completely missing, revealing a slim, muscular arm covered in tattooed inscriptions. His long red hair and blue eyes give him an odd presence.
Both the girl and the boy are around 15 years old.
“Huh, where is Professor Elian?” the boy asks.
I wonder what the protocol is for this. Am I supposed to greet him? Should I be the one to speak first after entering? Was what he did considered rude?
Not knowing, I just shrug it off and move to the table I sit on. “Professor Elian is busy and has asked me to take care of this.”
“You?” the boy asks with clear disdain, looking me up and down. “My parents didn’t pay a ridiculous amount of money for me to be taught by an assistant professor. Let’s go, Melo. We’re leaving,” he says to his bodyguard.
It is so cliché, I almost want to laugh. Almost.
I say nothing as he passes by me, and only when he is about to open the door do I use my secret weapon:
“I bet noble ladies’ pets have better [Mana Manipulation] than you.”
***
Comments
BJ
That insult keeps hitting doesn't it.
Youkai-sama
[Emotional Damage]
Lonnie
Mic drop. I love it
Ansordia
Fake means in this context that they haven't been OFFICIALLY regonised as a "ruler candidate" like if they themself were to so say "I'm a ruler .... " they couldn't finish it like how Nat was told on the 6th floor that he wouldn't be able to say "I'm a champion candidate" if he WASN'T one.
Johnny
What do they mean by fake ruler candidate? It’s the tutorial so aren’t they all fake?
SC1BUS
Should have asked last chapter but... "Stronger people often live hundreds of years, and Absolutes go into the thousands" Whats the cause of death? I would have thought people at even 'just' champion had surpassed the realm of flesh degredation unless you're Nat with low constitution. The evidence is the smith waking up after so long, or even how resistant high level bodies are to decay.
Nikolas Maniotis
In that case they would know that this is a tutorial(the natives) the system doesnt fuck with the mind of regular people
Maniac000
I’m still not convinced this world is a tutorial simulation. None of the people have their levels showing. Maybe this is a real academy with real students? The only other person I recall not having any level showing was old lady Liss on the 2nd floor. Maybe this ruler candidate is for the now open position of Ruler of Envy?
Zaim İpek
Probably better than everyone except Elian. But Biscuit is learning very fast, so he should surpass Elian soon. I still remember how Biscuit had roughly 10 levels better mana manipulation than on the second floor even without focusing on mana manipulation. After Biscuit's off screen training montage, I suspect he is in the mid-70s with mana manipulation. My guess is Elian is in the high 70s or low 80s and lacks power rather than skill to become a champion. He probably has poor combat instincts and focuses on more technical aspects of using mana.
jax rammus
Oh shit, there it is.
RJ
To be fair our future absolute Biscuit does have better mana manipulation than any of them!
Zaim İpek
At her age, I'm sure she saw all manner of animals and pets we haven't even imagined.
Asterrahl
Oh, snap!
GrimSeeker97
I'm probably reading into things way too much but this feels like a possible future for earth or something.
Andrew
Thank you!
RingoSeto
tbis is probably envys floor afterall
Funny guy
Danks fur da chappie! Holy shit, that might just be the worst cliff you've ever given us ಥ‿ಥ Man i really wanna see that jackass's reaction T_T
RingoSeto
inherited and fought over were two i remembered
RnR_ RnR
So I imagine the academy as old, and prestigious Harvard-esq. No electricity. So where did nat get a mic to drop like that?
3legia
The fun thing is, maybe Lissandra met some pet as powerful as Biscuit and that’s why she uses it as an offence
XPDev
tftc
Oaktree
Theory time Can’t remember which chapter but it was said that there was different ways to become rulers. Assuming more or less along the lines of being better or more of the subclass than the current ruler. Such as wrath most likely by killing the current wraith. And gluttony devouring the current gluttony or more than what they devoured. Or for the non combat ones like sloth being more lazy than the current one. Im curious what the possible ruler from the 8th floor is and the ruler candidate could be and if they are the same person or not. Cant be greed or pride cause we know for sure there not it. Gluttony only if there a gluttony for knowledge. Sloth, wraith, lust, chastity, humility, kindness, and charity, seem out of place for this floor, though arguments could be made for each, such as being lazy or procrastinating with schooling with sloth. Patience and temperance are a maybe but diligence, and envy seem to be the most likely to me. Patience because of the bullying that seems to take place. Temperance because of striving for a goal and using the knowledge and training have to get there. Envy because poor/unlucky person is pitted against rich/lucky classmates. Or just being envious of how fast someone learns or being not as good as them. Diligence because of A) the floor quest of finding and protecting the ruler candidate. Which you would have to be diligent about. And B) being diligent with your training and learning works well for this floor.
Sargon Yami
ah yes the Lissandra way of teaching. or at least a weaker version of it.
jj
Even the all powerful system is at the mercy of nepotism. What a farce!
mitchell kaiser
Cerim you dog, you can’t just end a chapter like that! 🤣 Great chapter!
Adrian Rake
Not really. There would be an instant question - who has declared him as a champion candidate? And that would be over for his investigation and reaching the goal of this tutorial floor 🤷🏼♂️
Zaim İpek
Lovely. The best part is that thanks to Liss, he can actually give top quality instruction on mana manipulation training because he received training from the best.
Adrian Rake
Secret weapon 🤣🙂👍😎
John Anastacio
No wonder Liss was always complaining about how weak Absolutes and Champions in later times were. The concept of someone being next in line to a Champion means subpar fighters are being named Champion candidate or Champion just to fill a position instead of being truly powerful on their own. There's so much nepotism and unearned authority.
Sondadir
I think that Nath should have is [ Champion candidate ] title in the open for this floor Status seems to be important for this society, so it would facilitate his acces to ressources or informations
ChildConsumer
I know it wouldn't make any sense but it'd be funny if the ruler candidate they had to guard was a young Lissandra
Daniel Francis
I use it all the time. My pet has better Mana Manipulation skills than thou.
Max
Tftc!! After the Ruler of envy died we could See him as the Ruler canidate/ or could See His Floor in the Future without him alive anymore..
Dictator911
Nat uses secret weapon it’s super effective
Andrew Miller
Oooh yeah if there's one thing we know academy nobles can't take it's losing face to Lady Snoot Snoots manicured toy pet.
Joe Woodhouse
Nat uses [Lissandra Smack Down]. It was super effective!
Nikolas Maniotis
As nat said the guy may be over 100. With dedicated theory and definitely years studying and help from others i dont think his level shows much at this point. Nat on the other hand reached this point in less than 3 years so its normal if he is worse
Augustus
Knew it!
Oren Presser
There should be like no chance that this sheltered professor has got a mana manipulation level higher than Nat’s right? I mean I guess if he’s much older or has spent many many more years on it and is a genius it should be possible.. idk what do you guys think?
zoarian
Nat really needs to learn restraint... some moves you just shouldn't use against weaker opponents.
Iron
The real question is whether this quote has become famous outside the tutorial lol
Dandaveeto
Passing down the Lissandra style of disrespect
James Skinner
Lol
Belmont Igneul
He truely learned from the best
Moonfrost
No, Nat, not the forbidden words of power! Stop!
ShyviaAngel
Poor guy that was overkill
ChildConsumer
4th!
Nerø
TFTC!!
Niclas Elmers
Tftc
vEnviouz
TFTC!!!
