I made Duchess get in the back of the truck regardless of how demeaning she claims it was. I will not leave her at home alone, so she has to come with me to the institute. Air traffic laws are pretty strict inside city land, especially when it's a monster.

Khan had to stay in the back too. The only people in the cabin are Flash Gordon, Rob, and I. I don't know how to drive a creature transport truck, but it shouldn't be that hard, especially with my high stats. I follow all the traffic laws I remember and steer away from my house.

The dean must have told security about my arrival since once the guard saw my face, they let me through the gates. For all they know, I could be smuggling drugs in the back.

I park the truck near the arena, next to the tamer's course, and hop out. Duchess already let Khan and herself out of the back with her [Telekinesis].

"How are we getting you inside the administration wing without freaking everybody out?"

[Thisss one recommends not meeting with the dean inside a cramped office.]

"Yeah, yeah. I'll come up with something."

~

[...]

I stand on Duchess' head as she lifts me to the second-story window.

*Tap Tap Tap*

Dean Palmer opens his window, examining my tamed beasts, then looks at me. "Ellis, we should speak inside."

"Dean, I cannot leave my tamed beasts outside while having this meeting with you. Who knows what misunderstandings would happen if left to their own devices."

"...I can keep the window open?"

"Perfect." I hop inside the office and find a seat for myself. Rob sits next to me as Duchess peers in from the open window. Khan seems uncaring and circles the open window.

I waited patiently for the dean to explain why he called me over. I hope he didn't find out about last night.

"What do you know about the otherfolks that came to our planet, Ellis?"

"I know that they see the term otherfolk as a racial slur. I also know that military and magical research far exceeds that of us humans. The only thing we have on them is the general safety of our lands."

"Good. Then I can trust you with what's to come." Dean Palmer sits in his chair and brings his hands together while thinking.

"Ellis, the exact time may be off, but in a few months, you will represent the human race in a flashy tournament hosted in the elvish territories. The high king Brendimere is hosting festivities with the idea of the future of cooperation."

I swear to many gods that if the future of any alliances stands on my eighteen-year-old ass, a blood vessel will pop in my forehead.

I muster all the charisma in my body and ask the dean a simple question.

"What do you mean by that?"

"The future doesn't look bright, Ellis. The wild lands still take up the majority of the world. Who knows what's out there. If the intelligent races start to fight amongst each other, it will only lead to a faster downfall."

"That only explains the concept of a ceasefire. I want to know why me of all humans."

"It is not just you. You will pick five other students to come with you. The first step would be going to the capital and getting the rights to compete. The greatest group of humans will go to distant lands and let us reunite with our lost brethren."

This guy is now spouting anti-racial propaganda to pressure me into giving it my all. If I refuse, I will look like a racist. Shit.

"I understand, but how did this institute get a chance to leave the Prime Territories in the first place. No offense"

"Oh, that. I called in a few favors with some old colleagues and managed to get a spot and permission to use first-years on the team instead of upper-classmen."

"Wait, I will have to fight against better school's star students? From higher years?"

I don't mention the blatant corruption and the under-the-table dealings dean Palmer committed, getting me in this position in the first place.

"I've seen the speed of your growth, and I fully believe you can accomplish this task. The students you pick out will go under strenuous training for a month under personal tutelage, so they may reach your power if in level only."

"Wait. Wouldn't power leveling be detrimental to the student's fundamentals and combat experience? If I do this, I don't want the dead weight to slow me down."

"Don't worry. Your teammates will be getting the spartan treatment. Constant fighting and training skills. No free rides. And I know you will take this opportunity to leave the city. You will eventually if you want to reach farther places. This pressure can mold you into a diamond."

This guy's words are pretty smooth. I've always heard of the capital city and wanted to see it in person. It's a chance to check on Charlie since his family manor should be in the city. Fuck. I'm probably going to do this.

[Master. Care for thisss one’s input.]

Yes.

[This all seems sketchy. It's a great opportunity, but the constant badgering to convince you to represent the humans appear suspicious. He is in a position to force or threaten you by taking away your benefits. Ever since the tournament, he let you walk over him.]

...

"Dean. You can convince me easily by answering my next few questions truly."

He nods and lets me continue.

"What do you get out of this, and why are you so serious about this? You don't seem patriotic that way, and ever since the beginning, you have been manipulating the scenes to find a candidate, haven't you?"

He scans the room, almost like he is searching for eavesdroppers. He snaps his fingers as a barrier of air covers him and me. The ambient noises of the world die away inside this skill.

"Sigh, alright. Being a dean at this bottom-of-the-barrel institute is nothing but a conniving punishment from the top brass I dedicated my life to. And before you ask, no. I am not trying to pull a big enough stunt to get in their good books. I am trying to make them count their fucking days."

The dean starts to get agitated. The wind kicks off as loose documents fly around the room in a whirlwind. My perfect hair gets messed up beyond what a comb can fix.

The wind stops.

"Apologies, that was uncouth of me."

I say nothing and straighten my tie.

"It starts with a golden goose. A student that is destined to leave this city and make an impact. I have to be sure that the student is someone who can go as far as I need them to. After your proposition, I needed to see if you are actually the one I was looking for.

I did a background check, and family history aside, I was impressed. Only one year of high school is recorded as you were homeschooled before then, but you still made the top of the class. Your grades got you a free ride to this institute alone.

Your boss Nelson Nelson also spoke well of you. Recounting your willpower and field intelligence. Survived a fracture alone at level 1, losing an arm in another, and not even flinching. I was curious."

"I was not alone. I had Flash Gordon with me."

"Your tamed beasts are a part of your strength. If someone gets ahold of you, they also get a group of powerful and rare creatures that alone could cause problems for someone a rank above."

"Where is this going, dean." The hidden connotations make me grip Flash Gordon a little firmer.

"I cannot go any farther with the system. I am locked in at my current level, and I am only halfway to the top. The people I resent adore order and cleanliness over anything else. If I can be a part of the backstory of someone who can bring change to the world, then I will be content."

"Do you truly think so well of my potential?" Maybe this dean isn't so bad.

"Not really, no. But it couldn't hurt to bet on you. I won't have as many attempts in the future."

"..."

"So, how about it?"

Fuck you, Dean Palmer.

"For sure, Dean Palmer."

~

"By the way, what was your old job."

"If I told you, you would be killed."

"Haha."

"It's not a joke."

"Oh."

~

The worst part of this meeting was coming up with who should come with me. I only know around eight students, maximum, in this institute. And some of them are grade-A assholes.

It will be a pain to learn about all the students in the institute, especially anyone from a higher year. Might as well knock half of these people off this list.

The first one off the list is Charlie. Right now, he is currently indisposed. I can also not include the wolf boy. One, I don't like him. Two, dogs don't like me. And most importantly, I really don't like him.

I should bring that student I faced off at the end of the tournament. His name was Rai if I remember correctly. Might as well.

Anabel, the necromancer, should come too. Necromancy is powerful, and her personality doesn't clash with mine.

Shit. I just remembered if I leave the city, my promise with Jerry's dad will be broken. I have to watch him and make sure he stays safe or something. It's been a while, and what I exactly promised escaped me at the moment. Also, Jerry is a good guy, and I owe a lot to him. I might as well give him this opportunity as thanks.

I only know two other people. Oh shit, my foster sister is someone I know.

I don't recall ever asking her what her class was or what rank it was. It was good enough for her to get into class A, so it must be formidable. It's either her or that enforcer girl I met way earlier. She seems like a killjoy, so I might as well go with family.

That leaves one spot left and one last person I know. Arlug.

Apparently, he is a healer, a decent one at that. But I don't know if I should pick him... I've spoken to his parents, and they were exceptionally courteous. I wonder how they have such a shitty son.

On the downside, Arlug is a brutish asshole who antagonizes my family and me whenever he can.

On the upside, he is a healer and will be forced to follow my orders. Also, if I need a scapegoat for a crime, Alrug would be perfect. He already has the looks and personality of a thug, who won't believe he also has the history of being one.