Another morning, new classes will start, but today is a little different as Zren will be welcoming new students for Class-A-Year-1 with a week of a gap until the final examinations this semester.

Entering Class A’s room, he immediately stands at the podium and calls to their attention “Good morning class, we’ll be welcoming new students today. Enter.”

Zia who was watching all this tried to hide her smile but still found it difficult as all of this sounds too good to be true. 22 new students from lower classes entered the classroom, and each Zia knows personally.

All of these 22 students have reached the Ability grade with a minimum of 41%. With this many students added to their class, no one could imagine that this wasn’t done on purpose. The whole class is dreadfully silent at this revelation.

When Zia entered the classroom and realized the additional 22 chairs, she immediately knew what they are for… The new classmates were seated on their chairs not making any ruckus. Zia made sure that they don’t make a ruckus when they reach Class A.

Philip who was watching this from the side has an aggrieved look as he realizes too late what is up to. ‘Zia, what are you planning?’

Zren who continued checking attendance called the total of 40 students one by one. With the additions of Class-A’s new students, their winning percentage has just been boosted.

Sadly, the final examination was a hoax. In a week’s time, the final exam will commence, or so the Academy faculty claimed, but it will not. The exams will be delayed over and over again until the predicted danger has been weathered.

The one-week preparation is actually for the upcoming war.

Zren after his class, without delay, returned to his underground office. There, he perused the files he requested from his old work in Extolled Police. Alfir’s claim of the ‘Dreamers’, made Zren realize some mysterious cases revealing themselves to him.

‘The slaughterer involving a small orphanage had children claiming they were from another world, and god has graced them with their presence. In a village, an old man who claims he was from another world made some sort of rebellion, but was immediately quenched by the Extolled Police with extreme brutality… These Dreamers have their shadows almost everywhere.’

Even the Extolled Police seem to be under the control of the Dreamers as Zren scrutinizes the profile of Extolled Police’s current chief.

Zren recalled the new students of Class A, they really have become an Ability grade. He can only think that Alfir has a hand in it.

Perhaps, should he convince Alfir to share his methods? It’s a risk that Zren is not willing to take. Alfir has promised him that he’ll leave. Immediately effective this weekend, Alfir will be gone.

Zren can only prepare for the worse. He dives into artifact-making once more.

…

Rodney is annoyed by the new faces in the classroom. When he saw Raela, he can’t help but voice his irritation. “What’s a slut doing in here?”

Seated on his side is Philip who reprimanded him coldly. “Rodney, stop it… We are at a disadvantage. You do notice that we are greatly outnumbered, do you?”

Rodney shuts his mouth at once. He enviously look at Zia who was surrounded by her people.

Philip won’t leave it as it is, he decided to stir some shit. “Hey, Lorie… What do you think of our new classmates…” He whispered to the student in front of him.

Lorie frowned not minding that Philip is dragging her into the school politics. “We are fortunate. With these additions, our chances in the exams just rose.”

“Are you really sure of that? Won’t your leadership be challenged? Moreover, don’t you find this suspicious?”

“Leadership? I am fine with anyone leading us as long as they have the ability. Yes, I do find this suspicious, but not suspicious enough to think this lucky happenstance will be dangerous for the class.” Lorie held firm on her belief of what is good for the class.

However, Philip is persistent. “But it’s Zia we are talking about. She did some questionable things in the enrollment. Do you know? She actually bribed many students to sabotage others… I only knew this because she told me so, to convince me to join her little stunt of point monopoly…”

Zia who is overhearing this finally can’t take it anymore. “I don’t want to lead Class-A.”

Philip was shaken. Did he hear it right? Why would Zia give up this opportunity? That Zia?

Zia continued. “As long as it is Deron who will be leading the class, I will agree to it. Also, make Miss Lorie second in command.”

Philip finding the opportunity raised a ruckus. “How dare you make the imperial princess second—”

Lorie who heard Zia loud and clear cuts off at Philip’s words. “I agree. I’ll convince Deron for the role immediately.”

“What?”

Promptly, Lorie approached Deron who was idly gazing by the window. Philip was flummoxed the whole time. Why Deron?

To Lorie, it made sense as she has seen much of what Deron is capable of as a leader. Deron is a general, and this, Lorie can confidently ascertain. Lorie however is more of a lucky charm, in which a second-in-command perfectly fits her.

Meanwhile, Zia is just fulfilling Alfir’s commands to make this arrangement. Doing this doesn’t diminish Zia’s voice in the class as she has a firm hold of the 22 new students’ loyalty.

After the morning classes and lunch, a serene estranged atmosphere was formed between classmates. It was very awkward.

Vanessa Mayrose, Head Professor of Ability Manifestation, entered the classroom. “Hello!! And good afternoon… Just a heads up, we’ll be ‘Dungeon Delving’ tomorrow with Prof Celine and Prof Lockheed, ain’t that fun? We’ll be applying the knowledge we have accrued to real life!!”

The attention of the class perked up from the words ‘Dungeon Delving’.

Vanessa continued “Dungeon Delving only starts during second years, but with you lot being outgunned, the faculty has decided at the last minute for you lovely students to do some Dungeon Delving!! Now, for our current class, we’ll study how monster powers manifest.”