Vincent checked his status once he returned.

===

 Status

[Strength] (23.2)

[Endurance] (25.3)

[Agility] (25.4)

[Perception] (37.1)

[Magic] (20.7)

 Talents

[Flexible Body] (null)

[Origin Magic] (Beginner – Rank 6)(EXP 66%)

 Titles

[Inheritor of the Aion Ring]

===

Vincent was impressed with how much he had gained. It wasn’t easy to earn more stats after he had reached twenty in each of his stats. However, he felt disappointment at the rate his magic stat was growing. If he wanted to unlock the Aion Ring’s secrets, he needed to reach 50 in his magic stat. With how things were going, he needed to become stronger.

The magic tower was an option that he could try. They have special rooms that increased a person’s focus and concentration. Earlier this wasn’t an option for him, only magic course students were allowed on the magic tower’s grounds. However, with his prefect status, he was able to enter.

The magic tower was a mystical place. As soon as he crossed over the grounds and entered the land belonging to the magic tower, he felt like he had entered a supermarket. A warm current blew against him, and he felt that the air was humid. It was already autumn, but the air around him felt like it was still summer. The detraction was interesting, to say the least.

He didn’t waste any time and managed to obtain a training room at the confusion of the staff there. It cost him 5 CP for every hour of use for the superior training room.

When he accepted the exchange, the staff didn’t make it too hard on him and showed him to the training room. It was a small room, consisting of a desk, writing materials, and a chair. The training room was used for magic students to concentrate while they practice their magic circle drawing.

The room was dense. Vincent felt like he had walked into a layer of fog as he felt the air in the room clung to his skin. It was an experience similar to the dark cave back at the training camp. He adjusted himself and began to focus and breathe in the rich and wild mana in the room. Each breath he took slightly raised his affinity with the mana. His mind emptied itself of all unnecessary thoughts, and he only focused on his breathing and feeling the mana filter in and out of his body.

He spent his time like this for the better part of the night. He was only woken up by the sound of his growling stomach.

“What time is it now?” He mumbled as he clutched his shriveled stomach. “Status.”

===

 Status

[Strength] (23.2)

[Endurance] (25.3)

[Agility] (25.4)

[Perception] (37.9)

[Magic] (25.1)

 Talents

[Flexible Body] (null)

[Origin Magic] (Beginner – Rank 6)(EXP 66%)

 Titles

[Inheritor of the Aion Ring]

===

“Amazing! Just this short bit of time and I raised it by that much?!” He finally understood what it felt like to use an EXP boost in real life. It was really cheap that the privileged had access to nice things like this. He lamented at the cruelty of reality as he left. He had been there for 12 hours, so he paid 60 CP.

The following day Vincent didn’t go back to the magic training room. He went to class.

Lancelot had a laissez-faire approach to teaching. They would teach those willing and ignore those that slack off. Attendance was mandatory for classes and the only thing that matter were the students test scores. If a student was smart enough, they could test out of all the theoretical courses if they wanted. The courses Vincent was taking are: Herbology, Beginning Monster Anatomy, Statistical Calculation and Management, and Combat Training I.

He only went to class to obtain the material, it shouldn’t take him long to finish studying the material and test out. After classes, a girl came over to him and handed him a note.

Heya~! Did you miss me? I know you do! Anyways, our Dungeon Exploration Society (DES for short) will be hosting a fun event for our newcomers. You should join in! It’ll be held at Training Ground 1B tomorrow evening. You have to be in a group of four to join in. Don’t be so anti-social and find some friends! If you can’t find anybody, Big Sis can help you!

XOXO

Aya Hana

Vincent’s mouth twitched upon reading the letter. In the circle of high society, one should use formal speech whether speaking or writing to the other. He knew Aya was a casual person but wasn’t she a bit too casual? Either way, he had to find another three to fill the numbers. His problem though was how was he going to find people? He blew off everyone at the welcoming ceremony and never spoke with anyone since. Just as he was desperately thinking of a plan, three stooges appeared nearby.

“Why the hell are you eating in class? Do you know how bad you made me look by eating beside me in class?” Lionel angrily berated as they left a classroom.

“*Munch**Munch**Munch*” A large youth replied while tearing a large chunk of meat off a drumstick.

“Are you listening to me?”

The fatty nodded but continued eating. Lionel also looked resigned as he bitterly took the lead. Samson was the first to notice that a particular person they used to know was eyeing them from afar. He flinched and doze behind Lionel, eliciting a few choice words from Lionel.

“Fuck… What the hell do you want?” asked Lionel.

“L-Lionel, look it’s… Vincent.” Samson managed to stammer out before going silent. Lionel reacted like a lion that had his tail stepped on.

“Damn. You finally decided to show your face, Playboy? I still haven’t repaid you back for the last time.” He began cracking his knuckles.

Vincent felt no intimidation at all from Lionel and motioned to them, a gesture of peace. “Why don’t we move to a place more suitable?” His eyes gleamed playfully, making the trio react with confusion.

Not long later, the four princes of vice gathered in a restaurant once more. Two people were coldly staring at each other. One person was gobbling down the mountain of food paid for by one of the cold youths. The final person was jittery as he looked around at all the expensive-looking furniture in the restaurant.

“So?” Lionel asked impatiently, “What the hell do you want?”

“Your cooperation,” replied Vincent in an as-a-matter-of-factly tone.

“What’s in it for us? Why should we help you when you blew us off the last time?” Lionel was still feeling bitter about being knocked out with one kick, especially by someone as trashy as Playboy.

“Times have changed, Lionel. We can’t continue to act like how we used to in the past,” reasoned Vincent as he drank a cup of tea. “I’m sure you can tell that some things seem to be happening behind the backdrop of our kingdom’s politics.”

Lionel understood Vincent’s meaning, as much as he wanted to deny it, he could feel an invisible pressure in the political weather. Karl and Samson also grew glum, getting green over the topic of conversation. Finally, after getting their attention, Vincent brought out his main goal for calling them there today.

“In times like these, we brothers have to stick together,” began Vincent. “We are all from the northeast, and all our families have chosen to maintain a neutral stance to the two sides waging war in the shadows. I’m sure you’ve all been approached by people from both sides, correct?” Vincent eyed all of them, seeing their lack of eye-contact spoke volumes.

“So what? Why should I maintain a neutral stance if I’m offered so many incentives from choosing a side?” Lionel wasn’t convinced as he rebutted.

“Lionel, think about it. You’re a smart person.” Vincent patiently explained. “We’re all just minor characters in this war of two giants. With our reputation, do you think we won’t be the first to be discarded as a pawn by the side we chose?”

“…” Everyone looked grim as they pondered Vincent’s word. They all knew although they hate to admit it, that they were trash. If they were to join a faction, their families would be the first to discard them, if not their own faction.

“This is a truth, whether or not I like it, it’s the truth.” Vincent’s harsh words pounded on their eardrums like the hammering of the judge’s cudgel. “However, it’s not too late to make something of ourselves. We can still change. We must take this opportunity to change.”

“H-how do we do that?” Samson asked from the side.

“We must change everyone’s perception of us.” Vincent held up his finger, “I have an opportunity. Tomorrow evening, the Dungeon Exploration Society will be hosting an event. We should attend it, and show to everyone that we can become something.” Vincent, at the moment, sounded like a two-faced politician convincing an illiterate group of farmers that burning their fields was the best way to protest for their rights. Lionel wasn’t totally convinced as he spoke up.

“I don’t need to attend a minor event like that to prove myself.” Lionel adamantly shook his head and crossed his arm in defiance.

“I suppose so,” replied Vincent. Even though Vincent accepted Lionel’s decision, his eyes looked at Lionel as if he was looking at trash. Lionel understood that familiar gaze and abruptly stood up.

“Stop looking at me like that.” Lionel berated. “I can do it if I wanted to, I just choose not to.”

“Oh, I’m sure you can. I guess this will be the first time we do something without you.” Vincent shrugged and looked over at the other two. “Karl, Samson, what are your decisions? Will you be mediocre or choose to ascend?”

“I-I don’t know…” Samson ruminated as he glanced between an incensed Lionel and a calm Vincent.

“There’s an opportunity to make a lot of CP from the event.”

“I’ll do it!” Samson immediately answered.

“Karl?”

“Will there be food?” Karl asked back, he was nibbling on a pair of pig trotters.

“There will be food.” Vincent planned to order some takeout just so Karl would go. Wherever there’s food, there will be Karl.

“Okay.”

“Lionel, what will you be doing tomorrow, since you’re not coming with us?” Vincent looked at Lionel with pity.

Lionel felt the corners of his lips twitch in irritation, but ultimately grit his teeth and said, “Since you’re all going, I guess I can make some time and show you guys how to do things.”

“Then I look forward to your help,” thanked Vincent as he got up to leave. “I’ll send you guys the information later.” When he turned around, an evil smile not too different from that of a villain was displayed on his face. The trio didn’t know that they were helping him count the money that he made from selling them off.