Accepting the Commission
A single line of holographic notification appeared. [Academy Points ‘200p’ have been added.] It was something I couldn’t normally see, though I had encountered similar messages in the past. I recalled my teenage years clearing dungeons. After grinding through countless gates, I would often receive similar alerts through the status window. They praised me for maintaining a high rank among my peers, called me an outstanding young hunter candidate, and urged me to keep striving forward. The Hunter Association used to send those congratulatory messages. Empty words, sure, but even fools dance when praised. Every time I received one, it lifted my mood. Childish as it was, I couldn’t help feeling excited—I wasn’t some ancient elf who had lived for centuries. That old feeling still lingered faintly even now.
“I assume everyone has already installed the module sent by the academy onto their Hunter Watches before the semester begins,” Supervisor Ishmael said, tapping his wrist. “That module contains not only basic status window data but also supplementary apps for academy activities.”
The status window’s appearance had changed slightly. Remembering the update, I checked the status window app and found a new patch waiting. “Starting today, a new update has been added to the status window. All students must continue their academy activities using the enhanced status window app after updating.”
“……What happens if we don’t?”
“It doesn’t really matter. However, since the status window reflects your own capabilities, your grades will simply be lower.”
Not updating would only hurt yourself. It could even change where your future self ended up. At the mere mention of “capabilities,” the students obediently proceeded with the update. Still, updating in a place with terrible Wi-Fi was practically criminal.
“I need to update for a second!”
“Shannon?!”
Some students had low-tier data plans, so the update didn’t go smoothly. Everyone had to wait for those who went searching for Wi-Fi to return. Though their faces were full of complaints, no one voiced them too loudly—after all, their futures were on the line. They simply told themselves they now had some free time and checked their status windows instead. I was no different. I stayed silent during the update and spoke the moment it finished.
“Status window.”
It was an exceptionally excellent status. So excellent, in fact, that my mana efficiency had increased by dozens since the last time I checked.
“Ah, damn it. Still only 3.”
It was good, but not that good. Mana efficiency kept climbing like the Nasdaq, while mana total stagnated like the KOSPI. How could a person’s mana be boxed in like that? My mana total was already far too low compared to my efficiency, forcing me to deliberately weaken my techniques just to conserve mana. At this rate, I might still be struggling with mana total right up until graduation. The more I thought about it, the deeper the problem seemed. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the important issue right now. It was merely a sad fact. What truly deserved attention was below.
The rank remained unchanged—apparently the ranking period was still far off. In contrast, the points display proudly showed 1200p. It was oddly ambiguous. I scratched my head at the unfamiliar number, then glanced at the scores of the people around me. Unlike mine, most hovered between 10p and 200p.
“Hey, Shannon. If you’ve finished updating, could you tell me your academy points?”
“Me? Exactly 1000p.”
“1000p…… Hey, Mari, how many points do you have?”
“Me? Also exactly 1000p. What about you?”
“1200p.”
1000p was the reward for being first at the time of assignment. The remaining 200p must have been additional points. “Hmm, that’s on the high side.” At this rate, I might be in the top tier. Once official rankings came out, cracking the top 10,000 seemed feasible. I was still staring happily at the number when Supervisor Ishmael spoke again.
“Dissatisfied with the points on your status window? There’s no need to worry too much. If you apply yourselves diligently in this class, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to raise them.”
The Wi-Fi expedition team had apparently all returned, as Supervisor Ishmael moved once more. He sent the students a website address. “There are many ways to earn academy points, but only one place to earn them: the ‘Academy Request Site’ that was created alongside the new points system.”
He then launched into a lengthy explanation.
- Once you access the site, you’ll see various requests. Pick one and complete it.
- There’s a time limit, so don’t miss it.
- Requests show their danger level, so choose carefully.
- Don’t leave request items behind or forget them.
- If you have friends or acquaintances, team up to take requests together.
- Fake sites might appear, so stay alert.
- Don’t get lost on the way to a request.
- Don’t skip meals while working on requests—make sure to eat properly.
- And equip yourselves properly. Do you think we’re dealing with children here?
Even if we didn’t carefully read the terms, we were old enough to know we’d get bombarded with ads via email. “No, but they’re still pushing us through gates while worrying this much.” “They’re more worried about their own belongings than the students, apparently.” It would’ve been more respectable if they’d just bet their own lives on this operation instead of treating us like chips. At least that would’ve been shameless rather than outright pathetic.
“But isn’t it strange? There’s been almost no talk of dropping out.”
“Dropping out?”
“Honestly, the academy’s been acting pretty…… authoritarian. You’d think at least one person would want to quit, but there’s no one.”
“Everyone’s already put in so much effort to get accepted here. They’re just enduring it.”
Honestly, the fact that there wasn’t really anywhere better also played a part. Even after being half-destroyed, Palaestra Academy was still ranked number one worldwide. It had grown by devouring the capabilities of existing academies, boasting a gap of twelve times the scale and level compared to the second-place academy. A diploma from here brought countless offers of handshakes. It was the only place capable of rivaling the Hero Academy. In university terms, it was like the school named after the capital—on par with the Ivy League. So even if they worked us like dogs, most people would probably just grit their teeth and endure. Of course, there were exceptions—those who suddenly caught the startup bug and tried to launch companies from their garages. Those types were natural phenomena; nothing could be done about them.
“But it’s not bad enough to make people drop out, right? I actually quite like it here.”
Of course, for some people, this terrible environment looked like paradise. After all, even hell was just another living room for demons. “Hmm……” But she wasn’t a demon—she was human. I shot a glare at the girl who was grinning like she was neutral, or even pleased. “What? Doesn’t the program the academy set up look super fun? Like there’ll be exciting urban adventures and stuff?” “I see.” “No, seriously, doesn’t it look that way? I never imagined there’d be this kind of hidden fun in an academy I thought would be total garbage.” “Well…… it’s a situation so harsh it’s practically ruined. Not exactly what I’d call entertaining, is it?” Shannon tilted her head, her tail forming a question mark as if she couldn’t understand Cheon Mari’s reaction. But how could anyone understand the thoughts of a regressor who had returned countless times and possessed an extraordinary personality that defied comprehension? The regressor continued speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Don’t look at it so simply. Try a little perspective shift.”
The academy got half blown up! [X] Half the academy is still left! [O]
The academy bastards have gone crazy? [X] The academy bastards went crazy before? [O]
The academy’s going to collapse at this rate! [X] The academy’s already collapsed, gg [O]
Isn’t academy life too hard? [X] Your life until now was too easy. [O]
Academy life is too miserable. [X] I’m happy. [O]
Is this an academy or some kind of dictatorship? [X] I’ve always wanted to try being a dictator. Honestly, I want to too. [O]
“?”
“Anyway, if you think like that, life becomes truly enjoyable—like a baseball player’s.”
This was…… true enjoyment……? I was amazed by the happiness circuit that seemed to revolutionarily destroy rational judgment. Then I recalled a past that felt like my frontal lobe was broken. “But if baseball is so fun, why did you…… when the Eagles had that 13-game losing streak last year……” “Hey, tsk, don’t say things like that. I was enjoying myself anyway.” Well, whatever. Argue and I’ll come find you at your house. Maybe baseball was more of a societal evil than hunters fighting or the academy’s arrogant business practices. Suddenly, that thought crossed my mind. As if sensing my gaze, an eagle-like glare shot my way. Cheon Mari’s belief in her own thoughts seemed unshakably firm. I sighed, grabbed her butt firmly, and pinched it hard. A pained yelp burst out from the pain in her rear. “Heeut? Gyaaak!” “Your butt’s turned into a steamed bun from sitting around all day. Stop staying home and get some exercise.” “Ah, no, you bastard— agh, ow ow ow—!” “Anyway, let’s drop the side talk and check out the requests.” Since the points awarded were low, I had no intention of taking solo requests. I was determined to find one for three or more people, and before long, I discovered one. It was a request near a gate—safe territory. The points were decently high and the difficulty was easy. I had to claim it before anyone else snatched it up. I quickly showed the request to everyone.
“Looks good.”
“Hmm, it’s not as great as I thought— ow ow ow! I’ll take it! I’ll take it!”
There was no opposition. We immediately accepted the request.