Monday Morning, the day after the five-day Emergence Event.

Russell sat up on his new, comfortable bed for a few seconds as soon as he woke up before standing up, stretching his arms and body as though he was like a kid excited about his first school trip.

After catching some long and short breaths, he walked to his new kitchen where new kitchenware was lined up through the sink, and the new refrigerator's coldness could be felt slightly as its vibrating sound, a sign of its functionality, echoed in his ears.

After taking out a ready-to-eat breakfast inside the refrigerator, he put it inside a microwave oven before setting up the appropriate timer for it to be heated.

Then he brushed his teeth, washed his hair and face for a few minutes, and after resting some time, he reached out on his hanging Obelisk Academy uniform which consisted of navy blue pants and a red maroon polo with one obelisk piercing the sun symbol on its top left, signifying that he's a first-year student.

Reaching out for his ready-to-eat breakfast after heating it up, he wolfed it down as a soft burp escaped from his mouth.

"Sigh... Thank you for the food."

It was his habit in his previous life that whenever he was alone, after eating, he'd say such a thing as though he was talking in the air.

Furthermore, it sometimes helped him to not feel lonely, especially being a shut-in before, he was used to talking to himself.

Standing up from his seat, tidying himself up, and confirming that he hadn't forgotten anything, he left his new dormitory and quickly saw his younger sister in the lobby... But this time, it was the lobby of the Rigel Building and not the Andromeda Building.

"Oppa, good morning!"

Freya's lips were curled up. It was a different kind of smile she used to wear as more joyfulness could be seen on it.

Russell responded to his younger sister's smile before the two of them proceeded to take their strides to reach the A-1 class for the first years.

...

Arriving at the A-1 classroom, numerous eyes were gazing not at just Russell, but at other students who also won the Ranking of Exchange just like Ken Raven.

'Oh, did she win, too? Wait... what the hell?'

As watching the Ranking of Exchange wasn't a requirement for every student, it means that during the Emergence Event, the student could do whatever they wanted as long as they wouldn't leave the Obelisk premises.

Russell, Freya, and the others didn't watch everything that happened in that Obelisk Grand Stadium, that's why Russell's reaction was that of bewilderment when he saw a new group of students.

It was Mira von Obreyon and the trio who were always following her.

'What nonsensical sh*t just happened?'

"Oh, hello, Russell! Good morning!"

Mira — who felt Russell's gaze — slightly shouted, greeting him and Freya.

Sensing Russell's confusion, Mira — from a few seats away — chuckled before saying to Russell, confirming something.

"No, no, It's only me and Lyn who managed to win by hair's breadth in the Ranking of Exchange. The two just accompanied us to take a look."

Russell and Freya arrived early in the classroom, that's why Amelie and Amery weren't there yet, even the others like Elizabeth who seemed to be having a race against time every morning.

'I see... I thought it was her whole group that won.'

"Congrats..."

Russell just said succinctly, causing Mira's lips to curl up as well as Lyn's. After some time of chattering, the other A-1 students soon arrived, causing the other two in Mira's group — who said that they would train harder to become stronger for the next Ranking of Exchange — to leave.

...

8:00 A.M., Monster Anatomy and Evolution class.

At exactly 8:00 A.M., the door near the teacher's platform opened, and a man with short black hair and blackish eyes under his black retro eyeglasses walked in with a lofty demeanor like a true scholar.

It was the scholar and researcher researching the mysteries behind the existence or origin of monsters that might be a clue as to why the Emergence took place.

Emmanuel Lyncoster of the Obelisk Institute of the Origin.

...

After placing some papers he brought with him on top of the teacher's table, he placed both his hands on it before he glanced around, seeing the new faces that were brought by the Ranking of Exchange.

Professor Emmanuel didn't say anything after glancing around, rather he took out a tablet from his Dimensional Inventory and said to everyone, looking at him with reverence as their teacher.

"Alright, Good morning class.

"I already received the list of new students, and I'll call everyone from the start.

"You already know what to do."

Just after the Emergence Anniversary Event ended, the personal information of students who participated in the Ranking of Exchange underwent a quick process which also included the transfer of their recorded grades prior to the event. Their respective professors were responsible for it, but with advanced technology, the efficiency of finishing to transfer stuff was very commendable.

"Rank 40, Ken Raven"

"Present, Sir!"

Ken Raven — who took away from Dexter Orbelle the Rank 40 spot — enthusiastically replied as he glanced around for a few seconds and saw Amery whom he couldn't defeat in the Disciplinary Trial Exam – Battle Royale.

"Rank 39, Mira von Obreyon"

"Present, Sir!"

Mira — whose last name was the same as Leon's — spoke with a slightly dignified voice. She took away the position of Daven Belrose, the former Rank 39. Leon heard his younger sister's voice, but he didn't sweep a glance at her.

"Rank 38, Russell Moon."

"Sir, Present."

Russell said monotonously, but every response given by new students as part of A-1 was garnering unnecessary stares. It was the same case for him, but the old A-1 students only whispers and tried not to say anything aloud because of the presence of the professor.

Freya, sitting beside him as their last name is the same, chuckled.

"Rank 37, Lyn Reya."

"Present, Sir."

It was one of Russell's classmates in his former class, A-11, along with Mira.

...

"Rank 34, Tanya Drusilla."

"Present, Sir."

It was the woman with red hair and yellowish eyes that was clingy with Han Jiho during the Virtual War in the Cemetery of Oblivion virtual battleground. She was the first to be eliminated which triggered early the way to solve the mystery of Cemetery of Oblivion.

"Rank 31, Amelie Rose Merveil."

...

"Rank 29, Brynn Drake."

...

"Rank 27, Amery Blight."

...

"Rank 26, Freya Moon."

...

"Rank..."

...

"Rank 23, Murktan Khan"

"Present, Sir!"

It was one of the teammates of Rumia during the Virtual War activity against Elizabeth. He had Bhaskan origins as he came from the Southern Orion, Land of the Desert, Bhaskara.

"Rank 22, Marokh Lhan."

It was the another tanker-type of Bhaskan origin that was under Elizabeth's group, during the Virtual War, that fought Murktan head-on.

"Rank 21, Henriad Frostine."

The Winter Ranger from Arka, Land of the Ice, who was stabbed by Elizabeth from behind, resulting in his early elimination during their Virtual War activity.

"Rank 20, Dessa Deya."

...

"Rank 19, Becca Icyry."

...

"Rank 18, Rika Snow."

...

"Rank 17, Celine Cello-ana."

...

"Rank 16, Arash Hood."

...historical

"Rank 15, Arist Stallion."

...

"Rank 13, Markin Arhn."

...

"Rank 12, Ethera Crimson."

...

"Rank 9, Erina von Elydine."

...

"Rank 8, Celiya von Elydine."

...

"Rank 7, Tyrion von de Prion."

...

"Rank 6, Leon von Obreyon."

...

"Rank 5, Han Jiho."

...

"Rank 4, Rumia Flora."

...

"Rank 3, Anya Amasawa."

...

"Rank 2, Elizabeth von Etherion."

...

"Rank 1, Samantha Hall."

"Present, Sir."

...

"Alright, that should be it. Congratulations to the new students for pushing themselves to come this far early in the academy. It's the same for those who maintain or defend their ranks.

"Anyway, let's go straight to our activity for today."

As soon as Professor Emmanuel said that, the stacks of paper flew in front of each student with the snap of his fingers.

"As our subject is Monster Anatomy and Evolution, I'd like to ask for your opinions regarding the various theories listed in the paper.

"Take note that this activity is mostly based on your opinion, and I'd be honest with you, that whatever you write on that might trigger some enlightenment with our esteemed researchers in the Obelisk Institute of the Origin... which includes myself.

"Take a look at the activity paper.

"The first part consists of knowledge that you might already know of, but just answer it the way you know it.

"The second part consists of the theories regarding the monster's evolution.

"And the last part is just a bonus question, but I hope you answer it as concisely as possible.

"Alright, you have one hour to answer. Start now."

...

pAn,Da-n0v e1,c Russell skimmed through the activity paper that was more like a nursing or psychology exam, then he caught wind of the last part or bonus question as he read through it.

*

Bonus Question (5 points)

"Why was it that Ms. Ayleen Mayfield was the one who presided over the Emergence Anniversary Ceremony, and not the Vice-Chancellor or the Chancellor himself?"

Russell then wrote the answer below the paper.

"Because she is known as the youngest SS+ rank in the human domain at the age of 27 which unconsciously brings inspiration to the youth that they might become just like her in the future."

Russell knew what to write because it was his idea in his unpublished novel, but he never thought that it would appear as a part of an activity. He restrained himself to laugh, but a smile still formed on his lips which didn't go unnoticed by his younger sister who looked at him like he was being crazy.

After quickly finishing the Bonus Question, Russell started from the beginning.

First Part

Question 1:

"What's the difference between the Magic Stones and Monster Core?"

Answer:

"Magic Stones can be found on simple mobs while the Monster Core can be found on Boss Monster."

...

Question 2:

"As humans evolved with the consolidation of Mana, some animals did, too which were later called Monster Beasts that exist outside the Strayed Dungeons or Dungeon Towers.

"Do you think becoming ferocious was the only behavioral effect they received with the abundance of Mana?"

'This sneaky question.'

Russell thought as he took a glance in the front where Professor Emmanuel was sitting, fidgeting with his smartwatch.

After pondering for some time, he wrote the following answer:

"I think so."

It was a succinct, ambiguous answer that didn't have any explanation. He considered it a sneaky question for him as the author who knew about the true case which hasn't been discovered yet.

Advanced satellites that humans made Post-Emergence didn't manage to revolve around the world as there were forces that destroyed them after passing a certain point, that's why the higher-ups of humanity knew deep down that there might be threats lurking on the other side of the world which became seven times its original diameter.

'There are animals that gained intelligence living outside the Orion Continent, but I'd be an idiot to write that confidently as if it is the natural thing.'

After taking short breaths, he quickly finished answering the first part, but he didn't manage to answer everything because he either know too much or didn't know it at all.

'That's why I'm taking the General Overall System Theories...'

Russell lampooned inwardly as he recalled the Elective subject he was taking with Han Jiho to gain some general knowledge considered for stupid people.

He took a glance at Han Jiho's seat and saw him scratching his head as if his head was about to erupt because he didn't know anything.

Russell chuckled at the sight before proceeding to read the second part of the exam which was about theories.

Second Part

Question 1:

"According to the Theory of Mana Sentience, Mana has its own signature within one's body, that's why a person needed a special way or specific profession to pass on Mana to another body. But with it being inconvenient and not wise in situations, Mana Potions were created.

"Do you think Mana is acting like DNA?"

Russell frowned at the question before he wrote the answer:

"No, it's just that the human body, like a container, cannot handle too much Mana because it will simply but dangerously overflow."