Then, the professor’s eyes narrowed and the temperature in the room plunged by ten degrees. Literally.
Andevar paled. Oh no, that was the professor’s Conceptual skill, wasn’t it? Professor Heimler championed the Concept of Precision – divine sponsorship from the god of Order himself – which manifested as the Unique Skill [Stillpoint].
The professor had first awakened the skill five years ago in the final Battle of Valethorn during the Third Blood War. With it, he had slain one of the Old Vampiric Lords without receiving a scratch in return, securing humanity’s victory. This feat had earned him three things – the coveted Medal of Championship, an instant promotion to the second-highest rank of Mythmaker-tier adventurers, and a treaty-enforced lifetime ban from Arcedia, the homeland of the vampires.
It was that skill the professor was beginning to channel right now. It wasn’t fully active yet, for if it was, the entire space without and within Levi would’ve been frozen completely. Even so, the air around him was already changing; molecules slowed, aligning in perfect symmetry as entropy itself began reversing. Heat began to decrease, forced into order under the professor’s will.
“Mr. Levi Ironwood,” Professor Heimler said, his voice barely above a whisper yet deafening in the tense silence of the room. “Since the beginning of this semester, you have already accrued thirty-six instances of tardiness. I have tolerated it thus far, but to see you still acting this way even after the incident three days ago… You are a bold one, indeed.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Professor Heimler’s eyes flashed. Andevar began backing away slowly. Even the students in the front row of the classroom scooted their chairs back a little, trying to get out of the splash zone.
What the fuck was wrong with Levi?
Normally, Levi should’ve been downright grovelling by now. Hell, Levi was normally too scared to even look the professor in the eye.
“That was not a compliment,” Professor Heimler said. “Though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised by your behavior. That you have the temerity to show your face in this Institute after trampling its principles and violating its sacred traditions already speaks volumes about your character – or lack thereof. You disgrace the Ironwood name.”
“Noted, sir,” Levi nodded, the politely placid expression on his face not wavering at all. “I’ll be sure to rectify my character deficiencies at a later time. Thank you for your feedback.”
Professor Heimler paused, his expression bewildered. “Are you suffering from some kind of cognitive impairment?” he asked, sounding genuinely curious. He’d even lost some of the contempt in his voice, replaced by some sort of concerned disbelief. “When did you become so impudent? Have I been too lenient with you? Yes, that must be it.” The temperature dropped even further as a terrible pressure filled the room, his [Stillpoint] intensifying. “Perhaps a demonstration is in order. What say you, Mr. Ironwood?”
Andevar saw a look appear in Levi’s eyes. A flicker in his expression, a glimpse of something murky and dangerous. It was subtle, nearly imperceptible. But Professor Heimler must have seen it too, because his expression changed. His gaze sharpened as his bewilderment vanished, replaced by something that almost seemed like wariness.
But that was impossible. There was no way a student, Levi of all people, was putting the professor on his guard.
Right?
Belatedly, Andevar became acutely aware of exactly how close he was standing next to Levi.
Levi opened his mouth but found a hand suddenly slapped over it, cutting him off.
“Ahahaha sorry Professor Heimler,” Andevar said, laughing nervously. He fought to keep the terror out of his voice as he tried to defuse the situation. “Levi’s not feeling his best – he got hit in the head on our way up and, and, he inhaled some of the poison gas too. He’s clearly not in his right mind, please ignore him.”
“Ah,” Professor Heimler said, blinking. He tilted his head. “Yes, that would certainly explain things. Is this true, Mr. Ironwood?”
Andevar removed his hand and shot Levi a pleading look. Levi raised an eyebrow at him but ultimately relented.
“Yes, Professor Heimler,” he said. “Sorry, that was highly unbecoming of me. My mind’s still feeling a little addled right now – please forgive my lapse in conduct.” He bowed deeply. “I won’t be late again.”
“Hm…” Professor Heimler studied Levi for a long moment. “Very well. See to it that you won’t.” He waved dismissively toward the back of the classroom. Andevar released a sigh of relief as the air returned to normal. “Take your seats. This interruption has gone on long enough.”
“Yes sir, thank you sir!” Andevar practically dragged Levi toward the empty desks in the back. “What’s wrong with you?” he hissed under his breath the moment they sat down. “Do you have a death wish?”
Levi looked amused by that question. Andevar got the sense that he was missing a joke somewhere. “In a manner of speaking…”
Andevar hesitated. He, like the rest of the Institute, had already heard about Levi’s cheating attempt three days ago. Ordinarily, such a heinous act would’ve been punished by disinheritance, but Levi already had been disinherited as the Ironwood heir the previous year. Was he getting disowned? Or had Marquis Archibald Ironwood delivered a more… physical punishment?
Perhaps Professor Heimler was right. Maybe Levi was suffering from a head injury, or some other traumatic injury that messed with his brain.
“Are you okay?” Andevar asked tentatively.
“Hmm? Yes, of course.”
“... you sure?”
Levi didn’t respond, and after a few seconds, Andevar shrugged and turned away. Well, he supposed it wasn’t any of his business. It wasn’t as though they were friends, anyway. Andevar wouldn’t even be here talking to him if he had a choice. However…
His fists clenched in his lap as he remembered his visit to the healers the night before. The price for treatment had gone up again – his mother’s condition was getting worse. That damned illness…
Andevar didn’t have the luxury of waiting until he became an adventurer to earn money. He had no family fortune to rely on. He wouldn’t even have been admitted to the Institute of Ascension if it weren’t for the Fauger Scholarship.
He needed money and he needed money now, and if doing Levi’s homework was the price to pay, so be it. It wasn’t like Levi needed the money anyway, or even understood its value. One essay was worth two whole week’s worth of healer bills.
Andevar glanced at Levi, then blinked in surprise. Oddly enough, Levi’s eyes weren’t glazed over like usual during the professor’s lecture. Instead, he seemed to be paying rapt attention, hanging onto the professor’s every word.
An act? Or maybe a brain injury… The theory was becoming more and more likely. Just how badly had Marquis Ironwood beaten up Levi?
And did they save a prismatic recording of it? Andevar’s lips twitched at the thought. He would totally pay to watch it.
At any rate, that was enough daydreaming. Andevar bent over and began diligently taking notes. Class went by quickly without any further interruptions, and before he knew it, they were being dismissed. Students shuffled out of the classroom around them, though not without tossing a couple more sneers and even whispered insults at Levi. Levi, for his part, didn’t even seem to notice.
“Hey Andevar,” Levi said suddenly. Andevar looked at him, slightly wary. “Is that our homework problem?” He was pointing at the blackboard on the side of the classroom. On it was written just a single problem, composed of several lines of text, figures, and equations.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Andevar took a moment to register the question, another moment to make sure he heard correctly, and then he stared at Levi.
Was Levi making fun of him? He had to be, right? The problem was the Subaru Paradox – a famously unsolved problem in fundamental magical theory. Professor Heimler had been obsessed with it for the past eight months, keeping it permanently displayed on that side blackboard so he could glare at it during every spare moment. It was the only reason he’d become a professor at the Institute despite being a top adventurer – to gain access to more research resources.
“Yeah, it sure is,” Andevar said sarcastically. “We must’ve missed the announcement because we were late.” He snorted. “Why, do you want me to solve that for you as well?” Was this Levi’s way of getting back at him for some perceived insult–
“No, there’s no need for that,” Levi said, pulling out a piece of parchment. Andevar’s thoughts screeched to a halt as Levi began copying the problem down. “I’ll solve this one myself.”
Andevar stared at him. “Wait, what? Are you–”
“It’s fine,” Levi said. He sounded completely serious, but… there was no way, right? “Do you happen to know what’s after this class? I… forgot our schedule.”
Andevar stared at him for a long moment.
Okay, the head injury theory was becoming way too plausible.
“It’s lunchtime right now…”
Levi seemed to brighten at his answer. “Capital,” he said. “Shall we get something to eat, then?”
They stood and began making their way back down the staircase toward the dining hall on the fourteenth floor. This time, Andevar kept a close eye on Levi. There were some irregularities, he realized after a few minutes. He’d been too worried about being late on the way up to notice anything, but now that he was actively looking for it…
Levi looked too calm. Even as lead spears shot at them and flames scalded their eyebrows, Levi’s expression didn’t change at all. He looked relaxed, composed, even amused at times by the obstacles. And for that matter, Levi was navigating through the obstacles with a disconcerting ease. There was a certain grace to his step that wasn’t there before.
Andevar even surreptitiously used an [Institute Registry] on Levi to check his level. While ordinarily it was impossible to see another person’s stats, the Institute of Ascension granted all enrolled students a localized skill that allowed them to view basic information about their fellow students.
The skill [Institute Registry] only worked within Institute grounds and had been heavily protested when first implemented, but it had been deemed necessary after too many students lied about their levels and capabilities, leading to severe injuries, tragic deaths, and more importantly several high-profile lawsuits from noble families. Consequently, all attending students had to grant the Institute’s Central Nexus permission to access their System name, level, and class (though nothing else) so it could automatically update the Institute’s registry in real-time.
The [Institute Registry] returned the same information it always did:
*****
Levi Ironwood
Class:
Concept:
Level 14
Year 7
Rank: 153/153*
*****
It made no sense. The only reason why Levi had been late to Professor Heimler’s class so many times was because he kept on getting delayed by the obstacles, even getting sent to the healers several times. He was undisputedly the worst student in the year, having been ranked dead last for the past consecutive eight months.
So then why was Levi making his way down the stairs even more effortlessly than Andevar could?
Could Levi be an imposter? Maybe Levi hired some skilled adventurer to take his place? No, that was impossible. Andevar dismissed the thought as quickly as it came. The student’s System was directly connected to the Institute’s Central Nexus, and it was impossible to tamper with a direct System connection. That had been another benefit of [Institute Registry]; it made it so that nobles couldn’t cheat by hiring someone with an illusion or shapeshifting skill to take their place.
Furthermore, the Institute had a standing bug bounty award. If there existed an adventurer skilled enough to devise a method that could fool the Institute’s Central Nexus, they’d be instantly awarded a lump sum of ten-thousand pieces of iridium, a veritable fortune that’d instantly have them set for life. The massive amount reflected the Institute's confidence in their system, but also ensured that if someone did somehow accomplish the impossible, they wouldn't be tempted to sell the solution to the highest bidder.
That meant, however, that the Levi Ironwood in front of Andevar was the definitely real Levi Ironwood.
It was baffling. Andevar pondered this mystery as they stepped onto the fourteenth floor and began walking through the halls. As usual, he kept his head down, trying to ignore all the whispers and jeers that always accompanied him. Most of the students at the Institute came from noble, military, merchant, or adventurer bloodlines. They would never accept a commoner like him.
Thankfully, it appeared they chose to ignore him today in favor of focusing on Levi. The crowd before them parted as they walked toward the dining hall at the end of the hallway, students on either side tossing insults and taunts at the disgraced Ironwood former heir.
Incredibly, Levi seemed immune to it all. No, not just immune – like before, he genuinely didn’t seem to even notice. He didn’t glare, he didn’t flinch, his eyes weren’t even slightly wet. He just strode through the hall with the same neutral, slightly inquisitive expression on his face he’d had all morning.
It was a little unnerving. Still, at least it seemed they’d be able to make it to the dining hall without any major incidents–
“Hey, Levi!”
Andevar wanted to hit himself. That was what he got for violating Lawliet’s Conjecture, which stated the universe always took the path of least resistance unless prompted otherwise, at which point it would conspire to contrive the most appalling scenario possible to make you ever regret opening your big fat fucking mouth.
John Winthrop strode toward them. As always, he was accompanied by Marcus Vellidan and Thomas Blackridge. Winthrop was everything a noble heir should be: tall, handsome, charismatic, and powerful. He was also, in Andevar's extensive personal experience, a complete and utter bastard.
A crowd formed almost instantly. Students gathered along the corridor walls, forming a circle that trapped them on all sides. It happened so smoothly and swiftly it felt almost rehearsed – and with a sinking feeling in his gut, Andevar realized that it probably was.
Levi had attempted to cheat the Ascension Trials last Friday morning. It was Monday today. Three days for the rumors to spread, for tempers to simmer and outrage to build, for Winthrop and his friends to plan how exactly they wanted to make an example of the disgraced ex-Ironwood heir.
God fucking damnit. Andevar should’ve expected this. And now, it was too late for him to leave. Thankfully, for once it seemed like all their attention was on someone else today.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Winthrop grinned, stopping right in front of Levi. Levi had to look up at him, being half a head shorter. “Levi Ironwood, in the flesh. I have to say, I’m impressed. Most people wouldn’t have dared show their face in the Institute again after doing what you did. But here you are, walking around without a care in the world.”
Levi didn’t respond. He didn’t react at all. His face stayed blank.
“You lost me a lot of money today, you know,” Winthrop continued. “I’d bet that there was no way you’d attend class today. Or tomorrow. Or the rest of your life.” He leaned in and said in a mock-whisper, “Hey, tell me: did someone bribe you to come today? Come on, be honest. I swear I won’t be mad. Just give me their names.”
Someone from the crowd called out, “Give it a rest, Winthrop! Your bets just suck.”
“Fuck you!” Winthrop shot back, though he was grinning as the crowd laughed. “One of you fuckers fixed it somehow, I know it.” He turned back to Levi and shook his head. “All that aside, I don’t even know what to say, Levi. It’s one thing to be a failure, but to be a cheating failure? And cheating the Ascension Trials at that? Do you seriously just not have a single ounce of shame in your entire body? It’s fucking disgusting.”
Still no response. Levi’s eyes were focused on something past Winthrop’s shoulders. Andevar traced the direction of his gaze and blinked. Was Levi… staring at the dining hall doors ahead of them?
Winthrop narrowed his eyes. “Hey, I’m talking to you.”
There was a long moment of silence. Then, something that looked like resignation passed over Levi’s face, and he finally looked at Winthrop.
“I’ve had a very long day,” Levi said quietly. “I’d appreciate it if you’d get out of the way, now.”
Andevar’s eyes widened and gasps rippled through the crowd. What the fuck?! Had Levi actually lost his mind? Did he somehow think he would be immune to what was about to happen?
Winthrop went still. “What did you just say?”
Levi met his gaze evenly. Just apologize, Andevar mentally thought. Grovel, cry, do whatever it takes. Unlike before with Professor Heimler, Andevar wasn’t going to get in the way this time. He didn’t want to attract Winthrop’s attention to him. God knows that’d happened often enough already.
Whatever change Levi had undergone over the weekend, it didn’t matter here. A quick [Institute Registry] alone already confirmed the outcome of the fight before it even began.
*****
John Winthrop
Class: Knight
Concept: Subjugation
Level 34
Year 7
Rank: 2/153
*****
Winthrop was ranked second in their year and already championed the low-intermediate Concept of Subjugation. Levi was ranked dead last with no Concept to speak of. Not to mention how Winthrop was already more than double Levi’s level. This wouldn’t even be a fight. It’d be a massacre.
“I’m asking you to step aside,” Levi said. He paused for a moment. “Please?”
Andevar wanted to cry.
Winthrop laughed. It was not a very kind laugh. “You’ve got balls, I’ll give you that. I heard you mouthed off to Professor Heimler earlier as well. Is it true that you hit your head?” He didn’t wait for Levi to answer. “Well, no matter. It seems like you’ve forgotten your place.” He grinned viciously. “I’ll enjoy giving you a reminder.”
Levi sighed. He tilted his head, as though contemplating something. Then, he nodded once.
“I look forward to it.”