It was mid-afternoon when the remaining applicants were teleported back to Nexus Academy.
After Major Pain's address, they were escorted back outside the Academy premises, back to the temporary buildings erected around the public training ground.
Whereas most applicants immediately went to their temporary resting spots to rest, others seeking healers to heal their injuries, Kairo did something else.
~Growl!
~----~
[SYSTEM WARNING: Nutritional Deficiency!]
[Urgent Recommendation: Consume protein immediately!]
~----~
This text kept flashing from the system for the past few hours, and now, it was no longer using the familiar gentle white font of the system, but rather the ominous font that was associated with danger.
Well, Kairo was truly in danger.
It was because of the subtle aura that Major Pain let leak and the intimidation factor of that Hero that suppressed his hunger during the speech, but immediately after, Kairo crunched over in pain.
"Urgh…!" The pain was acute.
It felt like something was eating his stomach from inside out.
And compared to hours earlier, Kairo was shorter now, emaciated with his bony frame showing. It felt like he was back to a week ago before he Awakened and got Muscle Genesis.
He looked like a kwashiorkor patient suffering from malnutrition.
"Dammit!" Cursing, he no longer hesitated as he charged from the Academy gate towards the city.
As he ran, Kairo thought he heard a feminine voice calling his name but he was too hungry to care. Besides, which girl knew his name?
Scoffing, he focused on getting food.
As soon as Kairo left the school premises, he soon stumbled on a cheerful looking man on a bucket hat pushing a wheelbarrow filled with watermelons.
Kairo literally drooled at the sight.
'Mine!' He accelerated, snatching one immediately before quickly disappearing into an alley.
For a second or two, the cheerful smile on the watermelon man's face froze as it took a few moments for his brain to process what just happened, and then…
"MY WATERMELON!!!" He screamed but Kairo was already gone.
Only after eating the watermelon did Kairo feel some relief, but it was not enough. The hunger subsided, but not the dull ache in his muscles.
Those needed protein.
But with his brain no longer fighting against him, he was calmer now, he was himself again. He snuck into a marker and stealthily stole some meat, slipping away without the butcher even noticing once.
Yes, there was a market closer to the public training ground, but due to the instructors there, Kairo dared not try anything funny.
Besides, if he got caught there, he may as well kiss his chances of getting that scholarship bye. This was why he came all the way here.
A few minutes later, sitting down in a street alley, Kairo patted his bloated belly with a satisfied smile on his face.
He belched, then the system lit up with a new notification.
DING!
~----~
[Daily Calorie Intake Completed!]
>Daily Requirement: 2,000/2,000 calories consumed.
[You are currently in optimal physical condition.]
[Muscle and Bone Recovery accelerated!]
[Estimated Recovery Time: 12 hours]
~----~
With that, Kairo returned to the public training ground humming a tone.
Once he got back though, he was forced to stop humming simply due to the energy in the camp. Compared to the upbeat and optimistic atmosphere of a day ago, there was now a somber atmosphere in the camp.
Most of the people that these applicants got to meet in the past few days were dead, it was hard to stay cheerful or optimistic even if they tried.
Without a word, Kairo approaching the training ground facilities.
He still wanted to train. Yes, he was injured and recovering, and that was why he had no intentions of doing any hard training. He reckoned that his body could handle some light workout.
The main reason why he was stubborn and adamant was because he wanted to get used to his new F+ rank strength.
And so, Kairo trained, chugging bottles of water down at intervals.
…
Later that night, while the others rested, a mysterious man approached Kairo.
He seemed to be in his late twenties. His silver hair was perfectly combed. His crimson robe with a serpent sigil gave it away that he belonged to the Skyreach Alliance, though Kairo didn't recognize it.
"You're Kairo Vale," he said, casually sitting across from Kairo without being invited. "You punched through an E-Rank construct with just your fists. You needed no support skills, no weapon augments. That's impressive".
Kairo said nothing, just looking at the man.
That calculative look in his eyes… murder math was already active as he tried to analyze and critically observe his opponent, evaluating his chances, trying to deduce the fastest way to end his life if it ever came to it.
The man leaned in. "My name's Varrin. I represent the Whispered Fang Guild. We… influence the tournament behind the scenes, if you know what I mean".
"I don't". Kairo said coldly.
The man chuckled. "No need to be so hostile".
"Some of my candidates aren't comfortable with wildcards like you, especially ones that don't understand the etiquette of the system".
Kairo's eyes narrowed. "Etiquette?"
Varrin chuckled. "Power is one thing, permission is another".
He pulled out a scroll. "Here's the offer. In the next match, you underperform. Lose early. We'll send you a personal recommendation letter to join the Whispered Fang Guild".
"I read your record. You have an undetermined ability right? Joining a C-Ranked guild is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you, you don't have to squander it away for a nonexistent chance of entering Nexus Academy".
Silence.
For a few seconds up to a minute, Kairo just stared at the scroll. Varrin maintained a gentlemanly smile on his face like he knew how this conversation would end and like he had everything in control.
That look irked Kairo.
Taking a deep breath, he looked Varrin in the eye. "What if I say no?"
Hearing that, Varrin was taken aback at first, but then the smile vanished from his eyes. "Think twice before making your decision".
"I've thought enough," Kairo calmly shook his head. "I'll rather try my chances at the tournament than settle for your C-ranked guild".
"S-settle?" Varrin laughed, flabbergasted. Then, in a cold voice, he said. "Kairo Vale, right? You better watch your back".
Kairo smiled through his teeth. "You too".
As Varrin left, Kairo added. "Tell your candidates that the slumrat's coming".
"And muscles don't kneel".