"I'm your lover..."
"Really?"
"Yes." Sophie was blushing but her inner mind was in great turmoil…
'Aaaargh… why did I lie? I should have just told him I'm his childhood friend. But what if I said that and he ignored my advances like before? What would I do then…? This was my chance, and I can't afford to let it slip. I finally got to openly tell him how I feel!'
She felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her chest.
"Okay then…" Bruce replied, not knowing how to react.
Sure, she was acting strange, but it was understandable. He reasoned that, to her, it must have felt like she had just confessed her feelings, even if she was simply telling him what had "happened" before.
But Bruce had already gotten the info he wanted, so he shrugged it off. He couldn't be bothered with trivial matters like this.
"So, what happens after the ceremony? It should be over now that we've awakened our classes, right?" Bruce asked.
"No, it isn't over," Sophie replied, shaking her head. "In fact, the ceremony is just starting. After awakening comes the trial. The trial is the first and only free chance to accumulate titles granted by the Akashic Codex… so try your best to give a good performance in your trial. I'll try my best too…"
Sophie's crimson eyes softened as she looked at him. She decided she had to lay emphasis on this so that Bruce wouldn't underestimate the importance of titles due to memory loss.
"Bruce… you need to understand something. This trial isn't just some formality. It's the most important chance you'll ever get." She began.
Bruce tilted his head slightly. "Important in what sense? We've already awakened our classes, haven't we?"
She shook her head gently, her short black hair swaying with the motion.
"No. Awakening your class is only the beginning. What really matters is the trial that follows. This is your first and only guaranteed chance to earn titles — and those titles will determine how strong you'll be moving forward."
Her voice was calm, but Bruce noticed how everyone nearby seemed to quiet down subconsciously, straining to hear.
Sophie continued, "After this trial, the chances of coming across a wild trial vortex are very low. And getting titles out in the real world is even harder. That's why this ceremony is so important. Everyone here starts at F-rank after awakening… but depending on the number and quality of titles you earn during the trial, your strength can jump by two or even three ranks instantly."
Bruce's brows rose slightly. "So you're saying… this trial decides whether someone stays trash or becomes a prodigy?"
"Exactly," Sophie replied firmly. "If you come out of this trial with a few strong titles, your future is basically secured. Noble houses, sects, guilds — they'll all want you. But if you fail to achieve anything here… then you'll be stuck at the bottom. And at the bottom, Bruce… there's no mercy."
For a moment, Bruce was silent, his sharp eyes studying her. Then a small smile tugged at his lips.
"So it all boils down to achievement, huh?" He crossed his arms. "Ordinary titles stack, Distinguished titles weigh heavier, and Extraordinary titles… well, those sound like miracles."
Sophie blinked, a little surprised by how easily he grasped it.
"The titles Ordinary, Distinguished, and Extraordinary… I actually heard them from those around me before you came. They were quite enthusiastic about it," Bruce said with a smile.
"Oh…" Sophie nodded, her confusion clearing up.
Meanwhile, Bruce chuckled under his breath. 'Interesting. A world where progress is measured by the titles you carve for yourself. I like it. It's neat, logical… efficient. This world is not based on skill and class alone personal effort is required too'
His expression shifted into something colder, more calculating. And if that's the case… then I'll just do what I've always done… break records.
Meanwhile, Sophie's gaze softened as she watched him. Her lips curled into a tender smile before she gently tugged his sleeve.
"Come on, Bruce," she said softly, her voice almost like a melody. "We should go back and join the others."
Her words were filled with warmth, and Bruce had nothing to ask, so he nodded in agreement, letting her guide him back toward the crowd.
On their way back, she slipped her hand into his, her fingers weaving around his naturally. She rubbed his hand gently, as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
The guys in the crowd who witnessed this could only grit their teeth in anger.
'That useless bastard… hoarding the school belle for himself!'
Sophie was not only the school belle but also carried a background so great that everyone in the academy feared her. That very background made it all the more confusing to the others why she was so interested in someone like Bruce.
But Bruce and Sophie couldn't care less about their thoughts.
Meanwhile, an instructor appeared before the crowd. He looked muscular, with a broad chest, fiery red hair, and a scar cutting across his face. His hoarse voice thundered out like a war drum:
"I believe everyone has awakened their respective classes!"
"Yes!" the crowd of students shouted in unison.
The instructor nodded in satisfaction, his eyes sharp as he continued.
"It's time for your trial. As you all know, do your best to achieve as much as possible so you can get both a good number and the best quality of titles out of it. Remember this: you'll need five to ten Ordinary Titles to rise a rank, two to three Distinguished Titles to rise a rank, and one Extraordinary Title to rise a rank. So put your lives on the line and show us your worth!"
"Yes, sir!" the students roared enthusiastically.
Bruce, feeling the wave of excitement and anticipation roll across the crowd, couldn't help but shake his head. 'This trial… it's even more important than I thought, since everyone is getting this worked up.'