Li Shen finally led him to what appeared to be the main exit of the grand hall.
Through the massive gates, people moved in and out constantly. Some noticed Li Shen—nodding respectfully as they passed—while others walked by as if he didn't exist.
A few glanced briefly at Eren before continuing on.
Seeing this, Eren asked,
"Why do some of them notice you… while others don't?"
"Because right now, I'm suppressing our presence," Li Shen replied calmly. "I'm also folding space slightly so we can reach our destination faster."
He continued walking without slowing.
"Those who can still perceive me are either my colleagues… or stronger students from my generation."
Eren absorbed that quietly.
"While we walk, I'll explain some of the school's environment," Li Shen added.
They stepped outside.
Above them stretched a vast, dark sky filled with countless stars.
For a brief moment, Eren paused.
"You can enjoy the view later," Li Shen said. "The building we just left is essentially the staff building—where most teachers, support staff, and the student council operate."
They continued forward.
"We're heading toward the main plaza. Most students and staff spend their free time there. Many merchants set up shops, selling various items."
A faint pause.
"If you're both smart and lucky, you might find something valuable for cheap. Some sellers don't fully understand what they're offering."
Eren glanced ahead, already seeing signs of a more crowded area.
"Then how am I supposed to buy anything?" he asked. "Money from my world probably has no value here."
"It doesn't," Li Shen said plainly.
"The school provides initial funds for students like you. After that, you'll need to sustain yourself."
He glanced at Eren briefly.
"You can develop a secondary profession—alchemy, artificing, array formation… or something else."
Another short pause.
"You can check your balance by thinking about it. The device operates mentally."
I followed his instructions, and a panel appeared in front of me.
[100 CP]
I frowned slightly.
I had no idea what that amount actually meant.
Scrolling down, I noticed that what I received wasn't just Credits (CP), but also several other items scheduled to be delivered to my dorm.
"You can take your time understanding their value," Li Shen said, noticing my expression. "Rushing isn't always beneficial."
He continued walking.
"The school grounds are vast. The main plaza sits at the center. The dormitories are to the west, while the academic buildings lie to the east—connected to the northern sector, where you'll find training grounds, the library, and other specialized facilities."
A brief pause.
"The south… is where we came from."
Even as he spoke, we moved quickly across the plaza. The space around us seemed slightly distorted—folded.
The bustling scene blurred past, yet still managed to catch my attention.
There was movement everywhere.
Voices. Trades. Strange items exchanging hands.
But something else stood out.
Among those with human-like appearances… not a single one looked ordinary.
Every face was either strikingly handsome or exceptionally beautiful.
Eren's gaze lingered for a moment.
…Not a single average one.
A faint, uncomfortable thought surfaced.
Then what does that make me?
Even Li Shen—his supposed class teacher—stood several levels above anyone else he had seen so far.
As we walked, my attention was suddenly drawn to a small item displayed among the stalls.
A pendant.
At first glance, it seemed simple—but the moment I looked closer, I couldn't look away.
Its design resembled the yin and yang symbol, two opposing forces perfectly intertwined, each containing a trace of the other. There was a quiet sense of balance to it… something that felt strangely familiar.
It resonated.
I didn't understand why—but I knew it did.
Li Shen noticed my gaze and stopped.
"It seems you have quite the luck," he said calmly. "An item that suits you."
He paused, then added, "Before that… a quick lesson."
His eyes shifted slightly toward my left arm.
"Focus on your mark. Slowly feel it. Then… think of hiding it."
I followed his instructions.
At first, there was nothing.
Then—something stirred.
A faint resonance.
From the mark on my left arm, a strange sensation spread outward. It wasn't painful… just unfamiliar. Warmth flowed through my body, gathering, converging—until it settled back into my arm.
It felt… alive.
Guided by instinct, I focused on the idea of concealment.
Slowly—
The mark began to fade.
Until it was gone.
I stared at my arm for a moment, flexing my fingers slightly.
"…So this is—"
"Energy," Li Shen said, finishing my thought.
"Some call it mana. Some call it qi. Others call it life force." He shrugged lightly. "What you call it doesn't matter."
He glanced toward the pendant again.
"Names are just labels. Understanding comes first."
Then he stepped back slightly, giving me space.
"Now," he said, his tone returning to its usual calm indifference, "go. Try to bargain for it yourself."