Neo sighed, not from relief, but from the thought of gaining the system he had really wanted since he was young.
Choosing a game that would transform him into becoming the respectable [Magic Swordsman] he wished for.
But not anymore…
After his father, the most renowned blacksmith of the Aegis Guild, had told him about his story and regrets during his own tutorial.
Neo stared at the ceiling, breathing deeply as he thought of his deceased father.
'Don't worry Dad, I'll make sure to release you from your guilt. Please rest well... tomorrow I'll set you free from your regrets.'
The bald man tapped the table with his finger repeatedly, freeing Neo from his stupor.
"Not because you are the son of a legendary blacksmith of the Aegis Guild means you can do anything. Neo... your father is gone, no one will protect you from the wrath of a Level 19 Player."
Players around the world could only gain Experience Points by grinding inside the Ludoverse; even killing stray monsters that entered their world would not grant a single Experience Point.
And this was the reason that even if someone became a Player, if that player hadn't reached Level 3, they were still considered a civilian.
And Level 19 was already the highest level their world could offer, making Level 19 Players the forefront against the Bosses coming out of the Ludoverse.
A Calamity that all the Guilds prepared for almost every day, since every day... There was someone turning 18 and failing their Tutorial.
Though the chance of a boss appearing was almost one in a million people failing their tutorial.
All Alliances that existed in the world made sure that people turning eighteen were placed inside a controlled space, guarded by Players.
It is to ensure the safety of the world against the monsters, while also rotating their personnel, sending half of their Players inside the Ludoverse to grind, and half to maintain peace and order in the new world.
'I hope Stella's father is in the Ludoverse for a year!'
The bald man rested his back against the backrest, taking a deep sigh while scrutinizing Neo with a disgusted smile.
"Tsk, I really wanted to sell you to the Flame Guild myself for molesting their Princess, but the Alliance rules—forget it. Dismissed. Prepare for your departure at 2200H."
Neo rolled his eyes and saluted sarcastically before leaving the Dean's office.
'We'll see if you still act like that once I become someone like my father.'
The thought of his father sent another pang through him.
He walked the polished school hallways, his shoes echoing in the silence. He could feel the weight of invisible stares from behind closed classroom doors.
The news of touching Stella had clearly spread.
***
Neo finally stopped in front of a familiar door, looking up at the sign for Class 4-C—the class for those who excelled at almost... nothing.
He was one of them, at least for a few more hours.
Sighing, he held the doorknob and opened the door with a bang, silencing his classmates and teacher, who all turned to look at him with a mix of disdain and amusement.
"Oh, welcome back, Molester King!"
Neo's lip twitched. He wanted to argue, to explain it was a panicked accident in a fight.
But their smirking faces told him it was useless. No explanation would ever be enough.
'Whatever. It's not like I actually felt anything through the combat gear. This whole thing is a freaking joke,' he thought, sinking into his seat.
Neo stared out the window, trying to ignore the teacher blocking his view.
His gaze drifted across the classroom.
A girl he'd once told her new haircut made her look like a wet poodle sneered at him.
A guy he'd asked if he was bred for size over intellect cracked his knuckles.
It was the same everywhere. It sometimes felt like he had a hidden stat that made people hate him on sight.
His eyes finally landed on the guy sitting in the far corner, the designated loner seat.
'Does he think he's a protagonist or something?'
To Neo's surprise, the guy met his stare. And then he smiled. It wasn't a friendly smile, or a mocking one. It was something else entirely, and it sent a crawling sensation up Neo's spine.
'What's his problem?' Neo looked away, unnerved.
He wasn't used to that reaction. Disgust, yes. Hatred, absolutely.
But not... 'that'.
He knew the real reason, of course.
His mouth had a direct line to his brain, with no filter in between. 'Why are you ugly?' 'You smell like piss.' 'Did your parents pick another race in the tutorial?'
The words just came out. He was just being honest and curious. Was it his fault if people got hurt by the truth?
That unfiltered mouth was also the reason for his current predicament.
He remembered it clearly. The usually silent Stella, from the elite Class 4-S, had been so pissed with him.
Especially when he'd asked if her father's hair, the renowned 'Flame of Heavens', actually started burning if he got mad at her.
Stella's pride couldn't let him off scot-free. She immediately took off her gloves and threw them at him, requesting a duel and calling him 'Sparky'.
No one, other than her, called him 'that'.
Neo accepted her challenge with his chest out, and it was already too late when he regretted it.
He absentmindedly stared at the board, glancing at the time, waiting for the bell to ring.
'A few more hours, and I'll graduate from this school.'
Graduate… What a soft word for what was about to happen.
His school was built around a single event: the Tutorial.
Their graduation was to succeed in it and survive the fallout.
The Controlled Space was just a fancy arena where they'd either be hailed as new Players and forced to put down the monsters that spawned from their friends' failures.
'I don't even have a friend!'
The loud ringing sound of the bell activated for a few seconds, signifying the end of the class and his time in this place.
But before Neo could rush out of the room, he heard something that froze him in place.
"Neo Spark! Proceed to the waiting room. A guest has arrived."