In the silent room, the dark-haired man was hit by stares from four pairs of eyes.

He'd briefly given a rundown of the situation, skimming past the parts involving the [SWAP PORTAL] with Ace and Magenta's proposal.

They weren't exactly things he considered secrets, but Edris thought there was no point in letting the group know about matters that didn't concern them. At least compared to more pressing issues at hand.

"Master, you were too reckless this time," Celio whispered, careful not to wake the sleeping Owein. "I mean, I know you're always reckless, but this time, you went too far."

"You were the one who told me how dangerous [DETENTION] was and not to end up there no matter what," Ives added. "Mister Edris, you're not being very responsible."

"No. 111 was really worried about you," Owein's voice suddenly emerged from behind, and Celio swerved his head around.

"I thought you were asleep!"

"Too loud." Owein glanced at Edris. "When she heard about what you did from No. 9, she ran all the way to the tower there despite her injuries."

Ives averted her gaze, pulling her arm behind her back. "I'm not injured. I'm all better now."

"Yeah, because knife injuries all heal the day of." No. 39 shook her head as she shot Edris a look. "And you. You can't just go around doing whatever just because of your family. I heard they're rich. But so what? What if the Principal stops buying it one day? Their influence won't last forever."

At the series of scolding, Edris felt like he'd just travelled back in time. When he was still working with Yukioe, the man would also scold him every other hour, for every small thing. He shuddered at the image of the man's exasperated face, reeling his brain back to the present.

As when he was with Yukioe, although Edris didn't understand the source of their anger, he obediently lifted both hands in resignation.

"I was wrong," he said.

Celio and Ives changed a glance, while Owein pulled the blanket back over his head with a scoff. Before the group could say anything in response, the dark-haired man spoke again.

"But you really didn't have to worry. Even if I were to experience [DETENTION] and fell ill, the plan could still proceed. I've made it so everyone's goals can be achieved even without me," Edris explained carefully, unaware of the change in expressions. "Everything needed to be done for the [FINAL EXAM] is complete. I also didn't completely demolish the tower, because it is your job, Celio."

Edris peered toward the young beast tamer, who looked back with a complicated expression.

"So there's really no reason to fret. Everything is under control."

The dorm door flew open at that moment, and No. 12 dashed into the room.

"Phew! Sorry for being late," the freckled boy said. Wiping the sweat off his forehead, he cast his gaze on the bodies in the room. "Dang. Everyone's here? I really am the last one."

"So you know that you're late!" Celio narrowed his eyes at him, only for his face to darken after seeing the man behind him. "Who's that behind you?"

At his words, a middle-aged man stepped out from the side. It took Edris a few seconds to pin a name to the face.

"Oh, him? That's No. 13," the freckled boy said with a shrug. "I think you've met before?"

"That's Ekaush! He's the one in Blade Hunter Association, just like Alton." Celio pointed to the man. He scowled at the freckled boy. "How did you become associated with this guy?"

"Me? We're around the same in ranking, so we were both helping the lower ranks study." The beast tamer's outburst took him by surprise, and the freckled boy scratched the back of his head. "The atmosphere around the academy has been a bit gloomy recently, so No. 13 and I figured things will improve eventually if we all help a little, y'know what I mean?"

Edris observed the two in silence. After a brief pause, he nodded with a gentle smile.

"That's very kind of you."

"You're flattering me." The freckled boy smiled sheepishly. He looked at Ekaush. "You should head back too. We'll continue our studies tomorrow."

"Sounds good," Ekaush gave him a thumbs up. He turned around, not forgetting to wave to the rest of the group before leaving. "Sleep well, you kids. Don't stay up too late."

"Who does he think he is?" Ives frowned, watching the man's back disappear into the hallway.

Her reaction was to be expected. After all, there was no way Ekaush would receive good impressions from the group, knowing the man was associated with Alton, who was likely the one behind the incident today.

Oblivious to the tension in the room, the freckled boy skipped to the door and pushed it close. He then joined the group by plopping himself on the ground.

"I was wary of No. 13 at first, too, but he's actually a pretty nice guy," he said. "He even told me that I reminded him of his son."

At his words, Ives gave him a sideways glance. "And you're actually a pretty naive guy."

The freckled boy stared at her, dumbfounded.

Their conversation was interrupted by an announcement on everyone's screens.

"…Pre-Exam Dash?" Celio mumbled the title aloud, exchanging gazes with the people around him. "Are you all seeing this as well?"

"Yes." Nobody knew from when, but Owein now faced the group, sitting upright on his bed. "This must be the announcement the Principal was referring to earlier."

Edris leaned back on his bed, eyeing the scroll of words overtaking his profile interface. The glowing words reflected on his pupils with a glint.

YOU ARE INVITED!

Good evening, beloved students of MW Academy! You are invited to attend the [PRE-EXAM DASH], a scavenger hunt hosted by the splendid professors to help you stress relief in light of the approaching [FINAL EXAM].

TIME: Tomorrow, 8:30-10:30 PM

LOCATION: MW Dormitory (floors 1-7)

During this time, the entire dormitory is open to all. Students may search any part of the building for [TRIGGER BOXES], which are boxes full of surprises and fun! Some may contain useful items for the [FINAL EXAM]; others may include randomised pages from Weisha's Notebook.

Participation is optional. The event will end when all 300 boxes have been discovered or when the clock hits 10:30 PM.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE—OUR LEADERS OF THE FUTURE.

Closing the announcement on his screen, Edris clicked his tongue.

"Looks like the Labyrinth can no longer sit still."

The Labyrinth must have noticed by now, too. From the presence of the none player Ace to Edris's unrestrained mana usage, there were far too many uncontrollable variables this time around in the pull.

That said, this "dash" could very well be an attempt from the Labyrinth to reverse the imbalance.

For Edris, there was no need to participate due to the nature of his [MAIN QUEST], but that wasn't the case for many others. Knowing the Labyrinth's inherently entropic nature, all types of dangers were bound to be hidden throughout the event.

Of the sentences, the one that caught Edris's eye was the location.

The seventh floor was going to be open to all?

Labyrinth rules do not lie. With the entire building unrestricted for exploration, Edris did not doubt that people would visit the professor's floor, at least out of curiosity. The "trigger boxes" were also mentioned in the announcement, which was apparently meant to help students better prepare for the exam.

Edris didn't think the Labyrinth was kind enough to perform charity.

The Pre-Exam Dash was scheduled three days before the [FINAL EXAM]. As the last chance for lower ranks to catch up and higher ranks to steady their footing, if anything, the event would be where chaos was most prone to occur.

At that moment, the dorm door opened again, and the group lifted their heads.

"Oh shit," the freckled boy jumped to his feet. He flung his gaze toward the clock on the wall. "The curfew!"

The clock spelt 10:31 PM, but aside from No. 12 and No. 39, the rest of the group bore calm expressions.

It was because a familiar face was at the door.

"Pro-professor 004!" No. 39 mustered a smile. "Good evening."

Ace's obsidian eyes scanned the room. Under the two students' nervous gaze, he flicked a switch, and the sign resting on top of the door frame lit green.

The freckled boy's face turned from anxious to straight-up dumbstruck. He pointed to the white-haired man, then the green light, unable to squeeze out a syllable.

"Professor 004 will join us in this conversation," Edris said casually. With that, he peered toward Ace with a gentle smile, and the latter responded with a look of disgust.

"Was there anyone out in the hallway on your way here?" Edris asked.

"I am the only one on floor six surveillance tonight."

Closing the door behind him, Ace stood leaning against the wall.

Edris glanced at the white-haired man.

"Where are the new test papers?"

"Principal's office," Ace replied.

"They weren't there when I checked this morning," Owein said.

"They were planned for delivery in the afternoon," Ace said. "Magenta and the others wanted to avoid the same incident from last time. They needed the papers in a safer, more secure place."

"I see." Edris leaned back, nodding. "Then I guess that's where we'll go tomorrow." His gaze swept across the people in the room.

"What cards does everyone have left?"

Celio raised his hand promptly. "My [SNEAKERS] are in the card slot right now."

"I have Alicia's card [RING OF LOVE] and my own [LOUDSPEAKERS]," Ives said, taking a glance at No. 39, who tilted her head with a puzzled smile.

The [SNEAKERS] card gave its user the ability to balance on any surface at any angle, and [LOUDSPEAKERS] allowed its user to speak with ten times more impact than its original potential.

As for [RING OF LOVE], Ives had described it as a card that forced anyone within a five-meter range to fall in love with the user for twenty minutes.

Edris nodded, gaze downcasted as though ruminating about something. He drew out his own card slot.

PLAYER ID

Edris

LABYRINTH

#53

PLAYER STATUS

Normal

ROLE DESCRIPTION

You are an incoming student who got into MW Academy by bribing the Principal. Congratulations on your admittance!

You… [EXPAND FULL DESCRIPTION HERE]

AFFINITY LEVEL

82%

CARD SLOT

Blazing Torrent Earplugs [EMPTY]

NOTE: Future card slots may be unlocked as a reward

He'd already used up [SWAP PORTAL] and [MEDICAL PACK], both of which were rewards for discovering the Labyrinth's two Hidden Locations. All that was left were [EARPLUGS], which he received from the dormitory manager on the first day and [BLAZING TORRENT], which he brought in from the outside world.

However, that was enough.

"The best time would be during the dash," Owein added. "That's when the professors are most occupied," Owein added.

While Celio and Ives nodded in response, No. 12 and No. 39 exchanged incredulous glances, unsure if they were supposed to hear the current conversation.

"Uh… I think I might be misunderstanding something here." The freckled boy gingerly lifted a hand. "What are we doing tomorrow?"

"Weren't you paying attention just now?" Edris tilted his head, lips contorting to an innocent smile. "We're stealing the test papers."

The highlight of tomorrow was not the Pre-Exam Dash itself, but the opportunity given by the dash.

Edris lounged backwards, allowing his body to sink into the back pillow. He glimpsed the dorm door, then turned back to the people in the room.

If everything goes according to plan, quite a spectacle will await them tomorrow. Indeed, rather than the dash, Edris was more curious about what a certain somebody would do.

He smiled.

"Time to clear out the trash."