"What's the story behind that SS Level student you mentioned?" Lucas leaned forward with interest, intrigued by what Zach had just said.
He hadn't expected it—an SS Level Talent entering the university this year? That was huge.
After all, while S Level Talents were rare, they still appeared every year in small numbers. But SS Level Talents? Those were almost mythical. Some years passed without a single one appearing.
Zach nodded eagerly. "Boss Lucas, I've heard the same thing, but I don't know the full details. Just rumors, really. What I did hear is that he's a Shield Knight from the Defense Department, and Kyoto University went all out to recruit him—crazy perks, special conditions, the works!"
"A defense type, huh…" Lucas rubbed his chin thoughtfully. The idea intrigued him even more.
Shield Knights were often seen as tanks, the solid wall that protected others. But if an SS Level Talent had taken that path, it meant this guy wasn't just durable—he was dangerous.
Lucas made a mental note. I should ask around later. I want to see what kind of beast this guy is.
As they chatted, their phones suddenly buzzed in unison. A notification had just come in.
It was from a group chat they had joined during registration, for their class in the Damage Department. The message was from a user with the nickname "Teacher Cao."
> "Class 1 of the Damage Department, please report to Classroom 204 in Building C by 4:00 p.m. sharp for your first class meeting. Attendance is mandatory. No exceptions."
"A class meeting on the first day?" Lucas raised an eyebrow. "That's kind of sudden. Guess everyone must've finished reporting already."
He checked the time—1:20 p.m. Plenty of time before the meeting.
So instead of rushing, he pulled out his phone again and began reviewing information he'd downloaded earlier.
Maps of the Kyoto main city, nearby terrain, monster level zones in the wild, and even the dungeon location coordinates—Lucas had it all saved, neatly categorized and bookmarked.
He had planned to go out and complete another Level 20 dungeon today. His experience bar was still sitting at 88%, and he wanted to get closer to leveling up. But with the class meeting scheduled, it seemed like there wouldn't be enough time.
Guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow.
At 3:40 p.m., Lucas, Zach, Leon, and Noah left the dorm. Since they were new on campus and didn't want to be late, they gave themselves a twenty-minute buffer to find Classroom 204 in Building C.
Thankfully, with a little effort and some helpful signs, they found it in just ten minutes.
But to their surprise, when they entered, the classroom was already filled with people. The place buzzed with conversation as students took their seats and introduced themselves to one another.
They looked around for empty chairs and found a cluster of four in the back. Lucas and his roommates sat down, then started surveying their classmates.
Let's be honest—the first thing the boys did was check out the girls.
"Hey, look at that one over there, third row, center. Fair skin, cute face—definitely a catch!" Leon whispered.
"Yeah, she's alright," Zach replied, eyes shifting. "But look two seats to her left—that's a knockout."
Noah nodded silently. "I agree."
Lucas joined in, chuckling, "Sure, but you're all missing the real winner. Look at the one in the second row. Beautiful and... well, generously built."
Leon nearly choked. "That's what you're focusing on? Really?"
Lucas shrugged. "Hey, it's a valid category."
Zach laughed and patted Leon's shoulder. "He's got a point. That girl you picked is definitely wearing makeup. You gotta learn to see through the glitter, man. The one next to her? That's the real deal."
"True wisdom, brother Zach," Lucas added, giving him a thumbs-up.
Zach bowed dramatically. "Thank you, Boss Lucas. Always a pleasure."
Leon still seemed unconvinced but before he could argue more, the room suddenly fell silent.
The door had opened—and someone breathtaking had entered.
A girl walked in with two others, but all eyes were instantly on her. It was like the world around her dimmed and she alone was in focus.
Some boys couldn't help but whisper or even mutter aloud.
"Whoa… what the hell…"
"She's not from our class, right?"
"She must've gone to the wrong room…"
That was everyone's initial thought. No way someone that gorgeous is in our class. It's a mistake... right?
But then she walked confidently to the front of the room, took a seat in the first row, and chatted casually with her companions.
It wasn't a mistake.
She was part of their class.
Every guy in the room sat up straighter. Some even puffed out their chests. A few tried to subtly adjust their hair.
The girls in the room didn't share the same enthusiasm. Many shifted uncomfortably in their seats, especially those who prided themselves on being attractive. Suddenly, they all felt like side characters.
"Alright, class beauty confirmed," Zach sighed, tapping Leon on the shoulder. "No more debates. She wins. Everyone else is in second place now."
Leon nodded solemnly, fully accepting defeat. "She walked in and every other girl just faded out of existence."
"Boss Lucas, you've disappointed us!" Zach suddenly turned toward Lucas, faking a tearful expression.
Lucas blinked. "Huh? What did I do now?"
"You didn't tell us Alexis Lane was in our class!" Leon added. "Weren't you two classmates in high school?"
Lucas rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, again with this?"
Before the others could press him more, the classroom door opened again.
A man in his early thirties walked in, wearing a clean, neatly pressed uniform. He looked calm, but confident.
"Ahem. Everyone, quiet down please."
The room silenced almost instantly.
The man stood behind the lectern and gave a friendly nod. "My name is Mr. Cao Dehua, and I'll be your counselor for the year. You can just call me Teacher Cao. If you have any problems—academic, personal, or otherwise—you're welcome to come to me."
He scribbled his name and contact number on the board.
"Alright, let's start by taking attendance."
He opened a roster and began calling names. Student by student, the room responded.
To his surprise, everyone was present. No one was missing. A good sign.
"Excellent," he said, smiling. "Let's move on. Now, let's get to know each other better. We'll start with self-introductions. Come up front, tell the class your name, where you're from, and maybe share something interesting about yourself."
---
And with that, the introductions began—the start of friendships, rivalries, and unknown destinies. But for Lucas, the one question still lingered in the back of his mind:
Who is the SS Level student? And when will they meet?
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