As Lucas stood on stage, speaking confidently into the microphone, he felt his heart suddenly skip a beat.
Something was wrong.
Amelia Su, standing beside him, was visibly shaking. Her legs trembled, her posture stiffened, and sweat gleamed on her pale forehead under the harsh stage lights.
Lucas's speech faltered for a moment as he realized what was happening: She was seconds away from collapsing.
The auditorium lights. The crowd of nearly a thousand eyes. The pressure of being called an SS-Level Talent. It was all too much for someone like Amelia—introverted, anxious, barely able to speak above a whisper.
The whispers from the audience were growing louder. People were starting to notice.
No, Lucas thought, I have to do something—fast.
His mind raced.
Then, without warning, Lucas grabbed his speech manuscript, lifted it from the podium… and ripped it clean in half.
"Rrrrippp—!"
Papers fluttered into the air like snowflakes.
"???"
The entire auditorium went silent.
Every head turned toward him, stunned. Whispers turned into gasps.
Even Amelia, in the midst of her spiraling panic, blinked in surprise and turned to stare at him, eyes wide and confused.
The audience no longer looked at her.
They only stared at him.
Exactly what Lucas wanted.
"I just think this script is way too boring," he said casually, letting the last shredded piece fall to the floor.
From the first row, the Dean of Students furrowed his brows. What is this kid doing?
Lucas was technically trying to help, that much was clear. But this was still a formal welcome party.
The dean leaned forward to stand—only to be stopped by the calm hand of the gray-haired old principal beside him.
"Let's see what the boy's up to," the principal said, eyes glinting with interest.
Lucas stepped forward, placing both hands on the podium, and looked directly into the sea of new faces.
"The point of this speech," he said, "is to light a fire under your butts, right?"
He smirked.
"Then let me put it this way—"
He pointed dramatically toward the audience, voice ringing with confidence.
"From today forward, I declare myself the number one freshman of Kyoto University!"
Gasps. Murmurs. Shocked expressions everywhere.
Lucas raised his chin defiantly.
"Dungeon clearances, Secret Realm privileges, every elite resource this university offers? I'm taking all of it."
He opened his arms. "And if any of you think you can stop me—bring it on."
Silence. Then—chaos.
"Did he just—?!"
"This guy's got a death wish!"
"No one can pull aggro like this—my taunt skill is useless now!"
"Isn't he just a freshman rep? Arrogant much?!"
"Lucas, rooftop. After class. Let's talk."
Kyoto University was no ordinary school.
The room was filled with top-tier talents from across the country—hundreds of A-Level students, and more than a hundred S-Level ones. Everyone here was used to being the best. No one liked being told they were second rate.
Lucas had just offended them all.
Some sneered. Others glared.
A few stared with amusement, arms crossed.
But mixed in with the fury and scoffs, a different reaction began to bloom—admiration.
Not because they agreed with him, but because… who else had the guts to say it out loud?
Back in Class 1's section, Zach Darnell was on his feet.
"Boss Lucas! Mighty as always!" he shouted with both hands cupped around his mouth.
"Too cool!" Noah added, while Leon cheered like a maniac.
The noise was so intense that even the event hosts struggled to maintain control.
The host senior tried to speak into the mic: "E-everyone, please settle—settle down...!"
It was no use.
The room had erupted into something between a pep rally and a riot.
And yet…
Amelia Su was smiling.
The fear in her chest had vanished. The dizziness, the tension—gone.
She wasn't scared anymore.
All of her attention was on Lucas, whose presence now seemed to radiate with golden light. She stared at him with wonder.
So it's possible to be like that? To stand tall in front of everyone and not flinch?
In that moment, Lucas wasn't just her stage partner. He was her hero.
---
In a dark corner of the auditorium, Leon Cross's jaw clenched.
Damn it.
He had been waiting for Amelia to collapse. To see the girl fall apart under the pressure and embarrass herself in front of the whole university.
And then Lucas ruined it.
This bastard—he planned that on purpose!
He slammed a fist into his leg, silently fuming.
He deflected the whole crowd. Shifted every pair of eyes to himself. Now no one even remembers what the girl looked like.
Leon was smart enough to see through it.
But he couldn't stop it.
And worse—now Lucas had painted a massive target on his back.
He had just challenged every other top student in the room.
Leon's lips curled into a grin.
So be it.
When the storm hits… no one's going to help you, Lucas. You'll be alone. And that's when I'll bury you.
---
Back on stage, Lucas was still smiling when a familiar presence approached from behind.
The room quieted.
The old principal had stood up.
Students sat straighter in their chairs as the elder walked slowly up the steps, hands behind his back.
Lucas turned, blinking in surprise.
"Principal, I—"
"You're bold," the old man interrupted, looking him in the eye.
"I like that."
He turned to the microphone.
"Since the room is so... spirited," he said with a faint smile, "allow me to make an announcement."
The crowd hushed again.
"In one month, Kyoto University will hold its Freshman Tournament."
The room stirred.
"The grand prize…" the principal paused, letting the tension rise, "will be a piece of Legendary-grade equipment."
Boom.
The auditorium exploded in gasps and chatter.
"A Legendary item?!"
"That's tens of millions!"
"No way! This school is crazy generous!"
Even Lucas widened his eyes.
They're putting that much on the line?
The old principal stepped down from the stage calmly, smiling to himself.
Behind him, the noise grew louder than ever.
Every single freshman was now fired up.
A challenge had been issued. A prize had been announced. And a target had been set.
Lucas.
----------------------------------------------------
Get membership in patreon to read more chapters
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31
-----------------------------------------------------