[Nero Public High School]
[The Next Day]
Mikhail put the sports bag filled with all his weapons and gear in his locker before he slammed it shut.
He looked at the time on the wall clock, finding only five minutes left for class.
'Well, I am glad there is only one class today.'
Mikhail thought, picking up his bag and the yellow cat that tagged along with him.
Methew took his comfortable seat on Mikhail's shoulder as he walked towards the class.
As the main exam was already over, the students were officially going to graduate next month.
The reason they still had class was to brief the students about colleges and universities.
Mikhail walked inside the class that was almost full and sat down on the seat close to the window.
The students of his class did give him a look, seemingly trying to understand why he had brought a cat.
"He is not allowed in the class, Mikhail." A voice echoed from behind, making him look back.
Roseline walked towards him with a stern look on her face. "You cannot…."
Her words died down when Methew turned around and looked at her with his puffy eyes.
The girl immediately fell head over heels for him. "Aw~ he is so cute—Ah!"
She tried to touch him but the cat scratched her incoming hand.
"Meowtherfucker!"
Roseline froze in her place. "What?"
"Alright, class! Settle down."
Before Mikhail could explain, Professor Alan walked inside the class, placing his notes on the desk.
Kevin entered just after the professor and walked inside without permission.
He walked towards Mikhail, grabbed the chair beside him and dragged it until both chairs were attached.
"Why did you bring this weird thing to class?" Kevin asked, putting his bag down as he settled on his seat.
Kevin tried to grab the cat but he hissed loudly at him. "Meowtherfucker."
The blonde boy paused for a second before he laughed.
"Haha, holy fuck." He beamed. "He is awesome."
"Mikhail and Kevin." Professor Alan called them, his gaze lingering on the cat. "Care to explain?"
Mikhail stood up and smiled slightly. "It turns out, I did Awaken yesterday." He said. "I am a tamer of Viscount rank."
Alan blinked before he laughed out loud. "Haha, good! Very good!"
Mikhail sat down while the other students looked at him in surprise and envy.
"Damn, son." Kevin said, slapping his back. "You had me worried for nothing."
"Shut up." Mikhail grumbled. "If you had been worried you wouldn't have left me alone yesterday."
Kevin's smile froze. "But you told me to—."
"All excuses." He replied. "What can I even expect from a blonde bitch."
"Alright!" Professor Alan clapped his hands. "Let's talk business now!"
Every student focused on him, including Mikhail and Kevin.
"As you all know there are a total of three colleges and one university for Awakened students in our kingdom."
He said, his voice echoing within the class.
"The Military College, the Obsidian College, the Lotus Institute and the Aegon Imperial University.
The Military College as the name suggests is the college led by military officials. Once you join them you are automatically obliged to be part of the military and you can get all the facilities a service member has."
While Professor Alan explained, he wrote down the names on the whiteboard.
"Obsidian College is under the rule of the Martin family, a private place but they guarantee you a place in top guilds."
He then focused on the third college.
"The Lotus Institute is more suitable for support class students but it is still a really good college."
Saying so, he finally wrote down the name of the one university. He made a circle around it.
"Your goal is to get admission to the Imperial University and nothing else!"
It was a well known fact that the Imperial University was the best place to be.
Not only did it provide all the benefits of the other colleges, it also had something better — a direct connection with the royal family.
"The representatives of all four administrations will visit the school in one month for your screening and assessment. You need to pass the exams they set if you want admission."
Kevin leaned closer to Mikhail. "I bet he is getting all pumped up for that bonus money he would get if we get admission there."
Mikhail leaned closer as well, putting Methew in his lap. "I bet he would spend it all to have a night with Ms. Linda."
"Damn right." He chuckled. "So, which college?"
"Imperial University." Mikhail replied. "Though I would be a student in name at best."
"You got some balls to say that with a Viscount class."
"Wanna see how big they are?"
"Yes."
Mikhail ignored his comment as he petted his cat.
Kevin leaned back once again. "Ramen?"
"Can't." He replied. "I plan to visit the forest beyond the wall after class."
"Huh? Wh—."
"Kevin and Mikhail, stop talking!" Professor Alan yelled. "And Mikhail, meet me after class."
The boy nodded with a confused look on his face.
---
The class kept on going for almost an hour before Professor Alan let them go.
Mikhail walked out of the class alongside the professor with Methew on his shoulder.
They walked side by side, with Mikhail towering over the short Alan.
"First of all, congratulations!" Alan said with a bright smile on his face. "I knew you would be an Awakened one."
Mikhail smiled. "It was mostly luck, professor."
"No, you always were the best in class. It was the result of your hard work." He replied, shaking his head. "Well, had the orb worked properly you wouldn't have had to face the humiliation for nothing."
"It's fine." Mikhail replied. "Just make sure it gets checked."
Alan nodded and stopped in his tracks before he took out a paper from his front pocket.
"What's this?" Mikhail asked, taking the card.
"It's from one of my old friends." He replied. "You must have heard of Daniel Smith."
Mikhail's eyes widened slightly. "The infamous private detective?"
"Yes." Alan said with a smile. "He asked me once to find him an assistant, and yesterday I talked with him again and he still wanted one, so I recommended you."
Mikhail remained silent as he kept on looking at the professor.
Had he not awakened his Outer God class, this recommendation would have set him for life.
It was such an opportunity that Mikhail felt a little emotional.
"Of course, you don't have to visit him now since you Awakened—."
"No." Mikhail interrupted. "I will give him a visit and see if I can learn something from him."
Alan nodded with a bright smile. "It's best if you get some practical training before the screening."
Mikhail bowed slightly. "Thank you, professor."
Alan laughed, shaking his head. "It's all good." He began to walk away. "All the best for the future, my boy."
Mikhail looked at the card once more before he neatly put it in his pocket.
He then walked towards the locker room, but on his way he saw Brandon talking to multiple girls.
Brandon gave him a threatening look that Mikhail ignored completely.
'Hm?'
Just when he reached the locker room, he saw a boy standing by his locker.
"Let's go, boy." Kevin said, grinning. "To the forest!"
"Ah hell nah."