22 Ponder

"Battle ended"

"Result Draw"

Hearing the announcement, Kael and LG halted their movements and retreated for a distance before slightly nodding off to each other as a form of acknowledgement of their strength.

While rubbing the area around his wounded chest gently, Kael went to ascend the stairs and was immediately bewildered because of the numerous applause directed at him.

"Great fight!"

"Marvelous!"

"I want to see the end, but it's a pity there's a 5 minutes limit duration."

Basking in their compliment, Kael was glad that his face was blurred, or else, they would see his cheeks reddening. He returned their appreciation with a slight bow akin to a performer who said thanks to his fans after the performance. It was his first time getting such a congratulatory welcome, hence, he was a bit dumbstruck by their feverish action.

Jerome and Alisa exchanged glances and nodded their heads simultaneously in Kael's direction. Realizing even his teacher appreciated his effort, Kael sheepishly smiled regardless his smile will not reach each of them, due to his blurred face.

After finally reaching his seat, Kael briskly scanned the system notice showing the reward he got from achieving the draw result.

[User has received 25 EXP]

'As I thought' Kael mused inwardly in joy, trying not to squeal in happiness after getting such a good notification. He actually was a bit sceptical at first since this was only an artificial world. But, looking at it now, he was really pleased with the outcome. However, he got a feeling that entering the artificial world, later on, wouldn't be as easy as the present, considering many protocols required to execute before entering it.

'Anyway, I am certain that this sort of information is supposed to be elaborated further by the school staff. The one I should set my focus on now is the system."

Despite not defeating his opponent, he actually got the EXP! It's not the way it's done in video games. But, this is definitely a much better one as he didn't need to defeat opponents in order to gain EXP.

'Well, that would be scary as hell if I need to kill somebody to level up. Wouldn't I end up becoming a slaughterer by the end of it all?' Kael cringed at his own thought.

He then summoned the system to check his current status.

[Name: Kael Lys]

[Level: 1]

[Strength: 32]

[Agility: 31]

[Intelligence: 26]

[HP: 63/160]

[MP: 82/130]

[Bleeding]

[User HP will be reduced by 3 each time a minute passes]

[Duration: 5 minutes]

"No wonder I felt an aching pain that kept oozing out from my chest," Kael mumbled in dissatisfaction knowing the effect would only be gone after the duration passes.

He then let out a sigh of relief recalling the reason he got this wound. It was already fortunate of him for not dying in the arena just now. If it were the past him, whose body was not tanky enough, he was sure that he wouldn't last long fighting against LG. But with his current body state, he actually did a pretty great job withstanding the blows he suffered. Every day, he experienced his stats being enhanced by finishing the daily task and performing workouts. It's been only three days, but Kael could sense his body's condition has improved tremendously. With the maniac bodybuilders Galagar and the hard-working Tanaka on the night, the trio has surprisingly always managed to wake up together before sunrise, as if they were in telepathic and began doing workout together.

Weirdly enough, their interval training was the same as each other. If it is not because of the huge influence that Teacher Saitamonk has brought in Aldebaran causing many people to idolize him, Kael will definitely suspect that his roommates have their own system like him.

'Should I confront them about the system??' Kael pondered while stroking his chin. He is always in dire curiosity regarding the identity of the creator of the system, and what his/her purpose.

Why him? Why let a weak chicken like his own an omnipotent system? Why not the other Divergent that had better potential than him?

Huffing loudly, Kael brushed that thought off his head and directed his focus once more on the many sections that the system provided. Ever since the day he arrived at Bintang Academy, and the same day that he earned the system, he never got a proper time to do proper research on it. The only tabs he has ever visited were the Character Information, Abilities, Quest, and Encyclopedia. Now, seeing that many people's attention was being sucked into the center of the arena, Kael planned to use this opportunity to finally do his exploration.

As he selected the Crafting Section, a notification layer appeared in front of him.

[Access denied]

He tried to do the same thing, and the same notification popped out.

[Access denied]

Furrowing his eyebrows, Kael switches to another tab, The Concoction Tab.

However, he was greeted by the same message.

[Access denied]

Scratching his forehead, Kael didn't know whether to laugh or cry, learning that the two tabs he wanted to pry open suddenly refused to budge.

'It must be because I'm still inside of the artificial world. I'll try to open those two later in the real world, then.'

With that thought, Kael's eyes shifted to the last tab, Notes.

'Hopefully, this tab will open.' Kael prayed inwardly and proceeded to open the notes tab.

"Yes, finally!" Kael muttered in joy looking at the tab which successfully opened.

His eyes were subconsciously attracted to the First Note that had an exclamation mark on it, indicating it was important. Wondering what it could be, Kael with a sheer thought revealed the Note.

Seconds later, Kael's eyes expand in indescribable emotions, while imaginary sweats start to pool in the space between his eyebrows. His breath ragged at the thought that his biggest question will be answered soon.