Important Lesson

"Everyone, please take a seat," Alisa ordered with a charming smile that could mesmerize any man.

As if hearing an emperor's decree, all the students instantly proceeded to sit on their respective seats in an upright manner.

It's not because of the beauty they were bewitched by. But rather, because they were intimidated by the presence of her huge fireball that could blast a house that they didn't dare to talk back or disobeyed her. Their fears quicken the process of their brains to register her word as the law.

"Doesn't this look good? No heated argument, nor disturbing noises. It's finally all quiet" Alisa said in delight before turning her head to Jerome, "I think we should continue this type of lecture in the future."

Even though the students can't see her appearance. They could vaguely sense a devilish smirk had already formed on her face.

This makes students feel that their blood was being sucked out of their bodies. Their faces were pale as a sheet of paper.

How do you expect for us to focus on studying if our teacher's teaching method is by giving a lesson while holding a big chunk of a fireball that could explode at any given moment??

That's what every student wanted to say, but they were too scared to rebuke her words. In the end, no one spoke a single word, and the stadium heated atmosphere was replaced with a serene atmosphere.

Kael, who was able to remain quiet the whole time was silently admiring the fireball that instructor Alisa held. Like a normal human survival instinct, his mind screamed that it was dangerous, but his heart was feeling the opposite and expressed an undeniable desire to possess such power. Perhaps it's because he is a Fire Elementalist that he wishes to have that kind of power.

Understanding that she already scared them enough, Alisa nodded her head contentedly and retracted her fireball before saying, "The reason that we didn't include a prize at the beginning was to test what's your view on a small competition like this. And I got the answer already. The heart of a true patriot doesn't move based on the reward, but on their own will. That's why I view Kyleigh highly, who willingly participate in a small competition like this. Even though his reason probably different than I thought, he's at least had a great ambition to be a champion. And our Federation is in need of people like that."

Suddenly, Alisa's face turned serious, "You may think that we are already safe here in Aldebaran because we are being protected by an Elite Divergent and a Deity Divergent. Well, I won't blame you for having that kind of thought, but let me tell you all something that is not true!"

"Although on the surface we look and lived in peace, monsters from Rocheste Continent are constantly attacking us on our border. Many people have sacrificed themselves in order to ensure peace within the continent prevails. Now, look at all of you, fighting over a little prize that you don't even know."

She paused for a moment to catch a breath, "I don't care what your tier is. I don't care whether your family is influential or not. But here at this Academy, you are all the same in my eyes. An unripe fruit, a clueless brat, and a weak potato. Indeed, Kyleigh's ability might not be the strongest here, but he has proven himself that he's worthy to be crowned as a champion by fair battle. His ambition and dedication alone have stood the most among all of you. If you want to be acknowledged here, prove yourself by action, not by slandering and arguing like a bunch of cowards."

Her declaration shook every student's heart as though they were being pierced by countless sharp needles.

After being pointed out by Alisa, they realize that they were being too greedy and childish. Just for the sake of a prize that they themselves don't even know about, they almost attack and turn against each other. Ashamed by their behavior, they lowered their heads in embarrassment.

Alisa's face softened at this view, "I know you're all still a teenager, and all of you are bound to make a mistake one after another in your entire lives. But, that doesn't mean that you can justify your earlier action. This is how you become an adult. You learn from your mistakes and keep improving to be a better version of yourself." After saying all of this, Alisa's lip abruptly curled upward, her eyes were glittering in mischievousness, "Of course all action has its consequences. This rule applies to everyone, including me. Since your dispute earlier has disturbed the class, you were obliged to pay a ransom of 200 credit points!"

"What!?!!?" All students cried out in synchrony. If their face weren't blurred right now, you will see that everyone has their eyes widened in horror.

200 credit points? Their daily expense was more or less like 30 credit points. Their monthly allowance is only 1000 credit points. And now, they were being asked to hand over 200 credit points, how will they survive this month??

This is simply a robbery!

"What? You guys are not willing to pay? I'll report this matter to the principal then. I'm pretty sure that not only will you get reprimanded, but you'll also be demanded to pay more than the required amount."

Her words strung the feeling of fear in their hearts.

That was too much!

One of the students raised his hand, "Instructor, I think it's truly unfair for us who didn't participate in chaos earlier to be dragged on this matter."

Alisa flashed a smile at him while simultaneously glanced at his nickname, "Of course I know that. Rew...Rewal isn't it?"

"Yes," The student replied, barely able to contain his excitement. It was obvious from his tone that he was secretly joyful that the instructor agree with his opinion.

"Instructor Jerome, give me my notebook."

Jerome shook his head a little and obediently passed the notebook which drew a look of curiosity between the students. They didn't know that there is an option in which a player can summon a book.

As if knowing their thoughts, Alisa explained while flipping through the book as if she was searching for something, "There's an additional socket within the capsule where you are allowed to store some stuff you want to bring into the artificial world. Most people mainly used those sockets to bring their own weap-" Alisa paused her sentence midway before exclaiming, "Gotcha!."

"Rewal, are you certain that you're not involved in the previous strife?" her tone wasn't questioning, but not assertive either, hence, it was difficult to guess what's on her mind.

" I-I definitely wouldn't dare." Rewal stuttered at the beginning and managed to finish the sentence clearly after a few seconds of pause.

"Hmmm… Is that so? But why would your name be recorded here?" Alisa questioned with a tone of puzzlement. Her head slightly tilted as if really confused.

"W-What do you mean, in-instructor? What is that record you are talking about?" Rewal feigned his innocence, but his body language said otherwise.

"A record of people who were involved in the strife. I secretly assign a task to Instructor Jerome to record each student who has participated in previous conflicts, and your nickname is clearly stated in my notebook."

"What!?!" The exclamation of shock wasn't from Rewal but came from one of the other students.

"Heh, don't take your instructor as an idiot who can be deceived."Alisa sneered, but suddenly, her eyes narrowed in a glare, "Don't blame me for being ruthless if you still don't comply obediently. If you dare to run away from your responsibilities, I'll make sure that you'll face dire consequences."

To be honest, Kael wants to point out that there's another flaw which is that all people here are using a nickname. And it was easy for them to escape from the punishment since no one really knows each other's real identity. But, upon hearing Alisa's threat, Kael suspects that the academy already considered this problem and maybe had a method to solve it. Anyway, he was quiet during the period of strife, thus, he wasn't worried that he was gonna get punished.

After scolding the student a few more times, Alisa's sour mood turns slightly better. She then proceeds to explain other details of the artificial world they currently reside in.