"..."

The field instantly became quiet as they stared at the smallest and skinniest student in the whole area. Van still had both of his middle fingers up and pointed to the other class.

​​

"This…", the other class was left speechless with the sudden profanity that was thrown at them. Van's class, however, started howling and shouting like monkeys in hype after a few seconds.

"You heard that, you m*therf*ckers!"

"Haha! F*ck you!"

Soon, all of the students from Van's class were throwing middle fingers towards the other class, some even spitting on the grass. The once calm class… now suddenly filled with gangsters due to one single moment.

"Go home to mommy, you little c*nts!"

"F*ck you! And you, and you!"

"What… the hell", the students of the class could not help but slowly back away due to the violent change of atmosphere. Were their opponents… crazy?

"Watcha say, you punks!?", suddenly, a red-haired boy from the other class rushed to the center with his fists forward.

"Oh yeah? You gonna come, boy!?", a student from Van's class answered his provocation and stepped forward as well.

But before the altercation turned into a riot, the ground suddenly trembled, causing the two students in the center to fall on their butts.

"That is enough!", a man who had his eyes closed slowly walked to the center of the group.

"Mr. Lang!", the students of the other class quickly bowed towards the man.

Van, who was holding a rock he got from god knows where, sneakily dropped it to the ground before anyone could notice him.

"Do not shame yourselves!", the adviser called Mr. Lang stomped his foot, "There are people from different Explorer guilds watching you right now", he said as he pointed to the seats on the side where various people were observing them.

"And you!", Mr. Lang then pointed at Mr. Jacobs, "Can't you stop your students from acting like hooligans!?"

"Your spoiled ass, elitist students started it first", Mr. Jacobs snarled as he walked near Mr. Lang, their noses almost sticking to each other.

"What's that!?", Mr. Lang headbutted Mr. Jacobs, their eyes that are only inches away from each were staring at each other.

The truth is, this showdown was not in any way an event of the school. It was not even an official activity. It was just a personal feud between Jacobs and Lang that has been happening for several years now.

The people from different Explorer guilds that are watching from the side could not help but reveal happy faces.

"Such a lively bunch this year", Bellick looked at Sarah as he laughed, "Don't you think so, Sarah?"

Sarah, however, once again completely ignored Bellick as she focused all of her attention on one student, Van.

'He seems to be doing better already', she thought as she remembered Van's downcast expressions when he was in the hospital.

She was here, of course, for none other than Van. Besides her most trusted guards, she was the only one who knew that Van definitely killed his father.

The only question she wants answered now, was how. What kind of skills and System does Van have for him to be able to turn a person's brain into a mush. Considering that he was most probably just level 1, it was worth looking into.

While she was staring at Van from a distance, Bellick was staring at her quite closely. He wanted to know who exactly it was that Sarah was so keen in observing.

It wasn't only him. The rest of the representatives from the other Explorer guilds were also looking at her.

All of them were curious, why would someone of Sarah's special position be here?

"Gather up, fishes!"

It took a few minutes, but everyone seemed to have finally calmed down as the students from both classes all lined up in their respective boxes.

"Now, listen up, fishes!", Mr. Jacobs' loud voice pierced the students' ears, "The showdown will consist of three games, a triathlon"

"Javelin throw…", Mr. Jacobs continued as he gestured towards the respective spots where the games will be held, "... a Race, and of course my favorite, pankration"

"Pankration?", Van could not help but tilt his head, this was the first time he was hearing that word.

"It's a fancy word for two people beating each other up", Beatrice whispered to his ears.

"...I see", Van nodded his head, "Thank you"

"Now, each of you might be wondering what game you will be participating in", this time, it was Mr. Lang who stepped forward, "The answer is…

… All of it"

"What!?"

"That isn't fair!"

"These games are obviously favoring Holders of Enhancer-type Systems!"

Hearing the qualms and complaints of the student, Mr. Lang could not help but sigh as he moved towards the bundle of javelins that were on the side.

As he was walking, a pile of stones slowly crawled up to his right arm, completely covering it from the tip of his fingers all the way to his right chest.

"I am a Holder of a Mage-type System", Mr. Lang gently picked up a javelin with his arm that was covered in an armor of stone, "You think a Minotaur is going to care what System you have once you're inside a Portal?"

"Do you think a harpy or a Cockatrice is going to fight you on the ground?", Mr. Lang said as the stones that were wrapping his fingers suddenly started rotating.

And soon, the stones rotated at a rate that it made hissing noises in the air.

"They are not", Mr. Lang quickly tightened his grip, a loud ringing noise pierced the students' ears as sparks danced in Mr. Lang's hand.

And then, with a loud explosion, the javelin in his hand flew away. Shooting at an incredible speed across the field.

All of the students had their jaws dropped open as they stared at the javelin that penetrated in the wall.

"The limits of your System will depend on you", Mr. Lang said as he returned to the center, "Use it wisely."

"Tch", Mr. Jacobs could not help but click his tongue as he looked at Mr.Lang beside him, "...Always the showoff"

The students still looked in awe at Mr. Lang and his impressive display. Beatrice's hands were even shaking in excitement as she stared on the ground.

"Are you… okay?", seeing Beatrice's expression, Van could not help but be concerned for her.

Beatrice quickly nodded her head in response. "I will win this", she said, "I have trained hard all my life for this… I will be at the top!"

"O...okay", Van remained staring at Beatrice. He was familiar with the expression that Beatrice was giving off. Almost everyone in his home had it… a look of obsession.

"But don't push yourself too hard", he said in a very concerned tone.

"You too", Beatrice nodded, her hands still shaking.

"Me too!", Harvey suddenly jumped in front of them as he raised his fists in the air.

The two could not help but chuckle as they looked at Harvey, "Let's do our best, everyone".

"Now, for our first game…"

The students became quiet once Mr. Lang spoke again, "... the Race"

'A... Already!?', Van could not help but sweat as he heard Mr. Lang's words. He hasn't been able to use his superspeed since he was sent to the hospital.

Sure, he was able to slow down his perception of time by the use of [Time Perception], but it is useless if he himself was slow.

Will… he be able to use it now that he needs it?

Van lightly slapped himself in the cheeks. He has to use it. People from explorer guilds are watching.

He must gain sponsors in order for him to have strength and money!

With that thought, Van let out a huge breath as he lightly whispered to himself,

"Let's do this"