“Trust me, you’re going to love it,” Hendrix said, his eyes gleaming. “I’ve never eaten anything so good in my life — especially their meat sauce. Fantastic, I’m telling you.”

  Adam watched him make exaggerated gestures with his fingers, lips smacking in anticipation.

  “I’ll take your word for it,” Adam replied, smiling faintly.

  The moonlight painted the streets in silver, revealing clusters of students in identical black uniforms. Some gave Adam curious glances, but none stopped. Majestic buildings, both ancient and modern, rose around them — their stone walls glowing under the pale light.

  While Hendrix kept talking, Adam’s attention drifted toward a towering structure in the distance. The monolithic tower loomed above the rest, wrapped in an aura of power and silence.

  Another dungeon. That makes six. How many more does this academy have?

  Guards stood around its base, and most students gave it a wide berth.

  “Adam?” Hendrix’s voice cut through his thoughts. “Are you even listening, pal? You keep staring at those dungeons — doesn’t it creep you out?” He slung an arm over Adam’s shoulder. “I’m telling you, man, I might be an Awakened, but I’ve got no plans to run into one of those death traps anytime soon. Thankfully, the ones in Varidan are just subset dungeons. I’d lose my mind if I ever had to enter a grand one like the Labyrinth of the Nameless.”

  Adam tilted his head. “Bad experience?”

  “Nah.” Hendrix laughed, waving it off. “I hate demons like everyone else, but I love myself more.”

  Adam couldn’t help but smile.

  “Call it cowardice if you want,” Hendrix said, tapping Adam’s shoulder. “I just plan to live long enough to enjoy my riches. Dungeon brokering, that’s where the real money is.”

  So not everyone enters dungeons to slay demons. Makes sense. There’s profit in everything here.

  “We’re lucky, Adam,” Hendrix continued. “Not everyone gets into a place like this. Imagine what we’ll make if we graduate.”

  If we graduate?

  Before Adam could ask, Hendrix’s attention had already shifted — waving at a group of passing girls. A few waved back, most didn’t.

  I’ll save the question for later.

  They soon arrived before a massive edifice of white and stone. Polished steps gleamed under the moonlight, and from inside came the scent of roasted meat, herbs, and something sweet that made Adam’s mouth water. Students exited in small groups, each looking more satisfied than the last.

  So he wasn’t exaggerating.

  He swallowed hard, refusing to let the drool gather.

  “Adam, if we wait any longer, I’m going to start drooling for real,” Hendrix groaned.

  “Then let’s go,” Adam said, matching his pace.

  Inside, the aroma hit him like a storm. Chandeliers glimmered above marble floors, and golden statues lined the walls — some human, others monstrous. Murals of battles, weapons, and dungeons covered every surface. At the heart of the cafeteria stood a massive swan-shaped fountain, pouring a shimmering blue ichor that misted through the air.

  Students talked, laughed, and ate beneath the glow. And above — another staircase climbed higher, floor after floor, each more lavish than the last.

  “You love it already, right?” Hendrix said beside him.

  Adam nodded, still taking in the sight. “What’s up there?”

  “Not for us,” Hendrix said with a grin. “Let’s eat first. I’ll explain later.”

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  As they walked, Hendrix leaned closer. “Also, there are plenty of beauties around. We might just make some friends tonight.” He winked.

  Adam sighed inwardly. Truly a teenager.

  Twenty minutes later, Adam sank into his chair, thoroughly satisfied. When was the last time I ate like this?

  Across from him, Hendrix leaned back, rubbing his stomach. “Can you believe this? We get to eat like kings every day until we graduate.”

  Adam nodded. Compared to the dry rations of the past few years… this really is paradise.

  Adam’s gaze drifted upward. The upper floors glowed faintly behind veils of mist — the privacy screens Hendrix had explained earlier. Each level was reserved for a higher rank. The first floor for all. The second for D-ranks. Then C, B, and A.

  Even in paradise, there’s always a hierarchy.

  “Psst,” Hendrix whispered, leaning closer. “Adam, those ladies have been staring at us for a while now.” He nodded toward the table behind them. “Why don’t we go say hello?”

  Adam didn’t turn. He lifted his cup and drank, eyes still fixed on the grand staircase.

  “Don’t tell me you’re still thinking about the upper floors?” Hendrix said. “Don’t even think—”

  “Yeah, I know.” Adam cut in with a small smile. “You were pretty clear when you said lower ranks can’t trespass.”

  Hendrix exhaled in relief.

  “It’s truly a class-based society,” Adam muttered.

  Hendrix nodded. “We might all be Awakened, but our value isn’t the same. That’s just how this world works.”

  Adam hummed in response, gaze lingering on the glowing floors above. I wonder where the S-ranks eat.

  He was about to speak when Hendrix’s face suddenly lit up. Adam caught the sound of soft laughter behind him — and then a hand rested gently on his shoulder.

  “Hello. Do you mind if we join you?”

  Adam turned.

  The girl had amber hair tied in a high ponytail and eyes that mirrored the color of honey under the lights. Three silver piercings glinted on her face — nose, lip, and brow. Her smile was easy and practiced.

  Beside her stood another lady with dark hair in a single braid, fingers heavy with rings that caught the chandelier light.

  “I hope we’re not interrupting—”

  “Of course not!” Hendrix said quickly, gesturing at the empty seats. “I’m Hendrix. This is Adam.”

  “Madeline,” the amber-haired girl said, settling beside Adam. She gestured to her friend. “And this is Isabel. You’re new students, right?”

  “Do we get a reward for that?” Hendrix grinned.

  The girls giggled.

  “Well, that depends,” Isabel said, drumming her fingers on the table. “What did you have in mind?”

  Hendrix leaned forward eagerly. “How about we get out of here?”

  Adam just watched them with a calm, unreadable smile.

  He’s letting his hormones do the talking again.

  Adam cleared his throat. “What do you actually want?”

  Hendrix froze. Under the table, Adam felt a sharp kick against his leg.

  Madeline blinked, surprise flashing across her face before she giggled. “You’re direct.”

  Their laughter filled the short silence.

  Adam rolled his eyes and started to rise. “If you’re not interested in talking, I’ll take my leave.”

  “Wait, buddy—” Hendrix grabbed his sleeve, forcing a nervous laugh. “He’s… just blunt. Don’t mind him.”

  Madeline rested her chin on one hand, smiling faintly. “You’re funny,” she said, eyes locked on Adam. “Are you from around here?”

  Adam mirrored her pose, his smile just as faint. “Let’s not play games. I’m curious how long you can keep this up.”

  Her smile wavered for the first time.

  “You were eavesdropping on us?” Isabel said sharply. “Is that your Blessing?”

  Hendrix straightened, but Adam kicked him back before he could speak.

  “I’m not from beyond the walls,” Adam said evenly. “You can leave now.”

  The girls exchanged glances, their smiles vanishing as quickly as they came. They stood and walked away without another word.

  Hendrix exhaled. “Adam, what was that about?”

  “They were gossiping about my birthplace,” Adam said, folding his arms. “They only came to confirm it.”

  Hendrix scowled. “Those damn—” He stopped himself, fist tightening on the table. “Here I thought they actually liked us.”

  Adam chuckled softly.

  “Since you’re done flirting,” he said, rising, “why don’t you escort me to the Records Department and Pyren’s Valley?”

  Hendrix sighed but nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

  Adam stood, and Hendrix quickly followed. They left the cafeteria without another word.

  On the third floor of the same grand hall, four students watched their retreating figures through the misty privacy screen.

  “Isabel, do you think he was lying?” a young man asked.

  “No,” Isabel said flatly, her lips curling with annoyance. “I told you before, no one from beyond the walls could be ranked that low. An E-rank? Impossible.”

  The man beside her chuckled. “Guess we should’ve believed you. Still, I’ll give him credit. He didn’t even flinch at Madeline’s Blessing. Most guys can’t look her in the eye when she uses it.”

  Madeline crossed her legs, tapping a finger against her chin. “Maybe he’s just not into girls,” she said with a teasing smile.

  The others laughed, though one of them leaned forward thoughtfully. “Still… it’s strange. How did a nobody like that land the fortieth spot in the trial?”

  Isabel’s head snapped toward him. “That’s him?” she asked, eyes widening.

  Madeline looked equally surprised. “You’re kidding.”

  “No joke,” the young man said. “I checked the records. His sponsor’s name is Aldo Gibbs. Ring any bells?”

  They all exchanged blank stares before shaking their heads.

  “Well,” Isabel said at last, standing. “It doesn’t matter. Classes start soon. We’ll see what he’s really made of then.”

  The others nodded, their laughter fading as they turned back to their meal; though none of them stopped watching the doors where Adam had disappeared.