After staring at the System for a while, Zeus came to a simple realization: the books were like the moon's reflection on water—beautiful, infinite, and utterly untouchable. No matter how he tried, he couldn't retrieve a single one. With a resigned shrug, he let his consciousness drift away, deciding to save that puzzle for later.
Lunch time first. After that… maybe I can coax a couple more students to join me.
He glanced out the window. Noon. Of the eighteen freshmen who had passed by that morning, only one had agreed to follow him. Not exactly a stellar recruitment rate.
If I can't even trick a few students from this era, how can I, a transcender from the age of information, stand proud?
Stretching his back, he left the lecture hall and made his way to the canteen.
Much like the high schools of his previous life, Starforge Academy's canteen was massive—big enough to seat over ten thousand students at a time. Riding the high of his first successful recruitment, Zeus ordered a few extra side dishes and chose a quiet corner to eat.
"Isn't that Teacher Zeus?"
A voice called out. Lifting his head, he saw a young man standing nearby, wearing a polite smile that looked anything but genuine. His warmth was fake, his expression carefully constructed.
"Teacher Ashveil?" Zeus muttered, recognizing him immediately.
Lycoris Ashveil, the man's full name, had arrived at the academy at the same time as Zeus Competitive by nature, Lycoris constantly measured his worth against others and inflated his ego through comparison.
The former owner of this body had been weak-minded, drowning in drink when faced with humiliation. Lycoris had been a constant source of pressure back then, and his presence had certainly contributed to that demise.
"Today the freshmen are choosing their teachers," Lycoris said, voice smug. "How's your recruitment going? Judging by the fact that you're sitting here eating leisurely, it must be going well! Look at mine—twelve students, all ready for lunch before I assign them to their dorms!"
He gestured proudly to the group of lively students behind him, each buzzing with curiosity and excitement about the academy. No question—he was showing off.
Zeus had no personal grudge against Lycoris , but their simultaneous arrival meant comparison was inevitable. Lycoris often used Zeus to elevate himself.
"Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you," Lycoris announced theatrically. "This is Teacher Zeus, a celebrity in our academy! The first instructor to score zero in the Teacher Bar Examination—he made history!"
"Zero marks?" murmured one student.
"I heard about him on my way here," another said. "One of his students went completely Mad… almost crippled!"
"I've been warned not to pick him," whispered a third. "Apparently studying under him is practically suicidal!"
The commotion drew more attention. The Teacher Bar Examination evaluated multiple aspects of an instructor, and the total score determined their standing. Achieving zero was practically unthinkable.
Zeus watched the crowd silently, unbothered. The zero had belonged to the previous Zeus —it had nothing to do with him.
Still, Lycoris' attempt to raise his own status at Zeus expense was irritating. Waving a hand lazily, Zeus said, "Finished with your introduction? Then scram. Don't interrupt my meal."
Lycoris froze. He hadn't expected such composure, let alone to be told off. His face darkened. "Zero points in the Teacher Bar Examination… surely you feel ashamed?"
"Shame? Why should I?" Zeus replied calmly, gesturing toward the students behind Lycoris. "I made history. Every freshman knows my name. And you? Before coming here, did anyone even know you existed? Without your insistence and bribing them with a meal, would they even acknowledge you? And yet here you are, boasting. What exactly are you proud of?"
Lycoris jaw tightened. The nerve… the audacity!
If others had scored zero, they would have hung their heads in shame whenever they appeared in public. Zeus, however, strutted with pride, turning the tables. He even despised Lycoris for not scoring zero himself.
The students behind Lycoris exchanged confused glances. What about his reputation? Isn't this teacher too shameless?
In Zeus former world, fame often required outrageous acts. Scoring zero on an exam was nothing compared to the scandals others endured. Shame was irrelevant.
Lycoris finally snapped. "Teaching is your primary duty! Today I won't argue, but when you recruit students, we'll see whose students are superior!" With that, he turned to leave.
From behind came the whispers of a girl and her attendant.
"That teacher… he isn't bad," said a hesitant voice. "He promised to guide me… if I train properly, I could be at the top of my cohort."
"You want to be first?" another voice said, tinged with concern. "Do you realize who he is? He's the academy's most infamous useless teacher—zero on the Teacher Bar Exam. If the young master finds out, he'll be furious."
"Big brother!" The girl stammered, frightened, trapped between respect and desire for advancement.
Lycoris' eyes flicked toward Achilles with a smirk. "Teacher Zeus could this be the student you just recruited? Haha, it seems she's planning to back out already."
In the academy, students could also reject teachers if they deemed them unsuitable.
The loud murmuring drew the attention of both girl and attendant.
"Second young mistress, is he the teacher you acknowledged?" the attendant asked.
"Yes," the girl whispered, nodding.
The attendant stepped forward. "Teacher Zeus, the young mistress of our family wishes to withdraw from your lessons!"
"Uncle Lyx!…" Luna Quinn flushed and embarrassed, hurried forward. "Teacher, I…"
"Luna Quinn" Zeus interrupted, adopting a stern, elderly tone, "I do not accept students lightly. I took you because our paths crossed. Why would you give up such an opportunity? Countless others would kill to be in your position—yet you were granted this chance, and you wish to abandon it?"
Hearing his words, the ones in the surroundings who are aware of his background feel their vision turning dark and they almost fainted.
He was indeed as they say, a shameless charlatan.