Chapter 17: The Unseen Peril

Outside the Mystical Realm

After the principal's speech at Green Leaf Academy, all the teachers gathered around a long table to discuss the students' performance in the mystical realm. This assessment was crucial, and the teachers meticulously analyzed every detail to evaluate the students' strengths and weaknesses.

However, as they delved into the data, a disturbing trend emerged. They noticed that a significant number of students had suffered injuries, and some had even lost their lives during this particular assessment. While some of these injuries were the result of unforeseen incidents, others were due to negligence, leading to tragic and untimely deaths.

The teachers were deeply troubled by this revelation, their concern for the safety of their students growing with each passing moment. They quickly arranged for medical assistance to be provided to the seriously injured students. For the unfortunate ones who lost their lives, the school arranged for their bodies to be buried with the utmost respect, ensuring that their guardians were informed about the tragic events that had occurred in the mystical realm. 

As they continued to review the data, Mr. Hanz couldn't help but feel the cruelty of the monsters that his students had faced. The situation weighed heavily on everyone at Green Leaf Academy, a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers inherent in their world.

As a teacher, Mr. Hanz was not permitted to assist his students during the assessment. However, his concern for their well-being was evident. Having been their teacher for nine long years, he knew each of his students well. Of the 27 students who had successfully awakened and participated in the mystic realm assessment, nine had already been injured, with five out of commission and four tragically dead. 

These statistics deeply troubled Mr. Hanz, as this was only the simplest mystic realm. He knew that if his students wanted to enter an organization, they would have to pass another, more difficult assessment. Following that, they would have to enter even more perilous dungeons to face stronger monsters. 

He couldn't help but worry about their prospects. If 33% of his students were unable to continue in this low-level assessment, what would happen when they attempted the more challenging assessments required by various organizations? As these thoughts consumed him, a sudden fluctuation of energy occurred at the entrance to the mystic realm. The portal shook violently as a large quantity of mana was drawn into it.

---

RUMBLE!!!

RUMBLE!!!

The previously peaceful atmosphere of the campus was abruptly interrupted by the violent shaking of the ground. A chaotic surge of mana could be felt throughout the area. Strong gusts of wind swept across the grounds, and cracks began to form in the pavement surrounding the entrance to the mystical realm.

Amidst the chaos, someone suddenly exclaimed with a nervous tone, "What's going on?!" The suddenness of the situation caused everyone in front of the dungeon portal to panic, and they began to scatter in fear.

However, before another surge of mana could erupt, a powerful wind barrier was quickly cast, enveloping the entrance. The barrier, five meters in length, width, and height, with a total volume of 125 cubic meters, stabilized the area and prevented further chaos.

All eyes turned to the person who had cast the wind barrier, arriving just in time to avert potential disaster.

---

WHOOOSH!

WHOOOSH! 

WHOOOSH!

WHOOOSH!

The person who cast the magic was none other than the headmaster of Green Leaf Academy, Mr. Dail Dalhmer. According to rumors that circulated throughout the empire, he was said to be a peak-level Orion.

Principal Dalhmer had once been considered to have the highest potential to reach the Legendary Level in his youth. His exceptional skills and remarkable abilities had set him apart from his peers. However, a devastating incident occurred about ten years ago while he and his party were fighting on the front lines. They encountered a monster rumored to be of Legendary Level, and the ensuing battle was gruesome and bloody. Tragically, some of his companions lost their lives, and Principal Dalhmer was severely injured. This catastrophic event left a deep emotional scar on him, and he still blamed himself for the loss of his colleagues. Despite his physical recovery, he had never been the same since that day, and the incident haunted him to this day.

Principal Dalhmer's calm yet commanding voice echoed through the school grounds as he shouted, "Everyone, step back!" He immediately ordered one of the teachers to check for any serious injuries resulting from the incident. While the teacher attended to the injured, the principal turned his attention back to the portal of the mystical realm.

As he examined the portal, James, one of the teachers standing beside him, asked, "Sir, what is happening at the portal? Why is there such a violent fluctuation of mana?"

The principal turned to James and began to explain, "There are a few known reasons why a mystical realm becomes chaotic. One possibility is that a mutation is taking place, causing the realm to evolve into a higher level. Another is that a monster is being born or evolving to a level beyond that of the mystical realm...."

"...And the last possibility is that someone is sabotaging the mystical realm," the principal concluded, his tone grave.

As he spoke, the principal kept a watchful eye on the portal, ensuring that nothing catastrophic occurred while they monitored it. He knew that the mystical realm was a dangerous place, and any disturbance in its balance could have dire consequences. The portal was pulsating with ominous energy, and the principal remained vigilant, ready to take action if necessary.

As soon as the principal finished his explanation, Miss Claire, a young teacher with a worried expression, stepped forward to ask a question that had been troubling her.

"Sir, what about the students who are still inside the mystical realm?" she asked, glancing at the principal and her fellow teachers. "According to the data we've gathered, there are still about 600 students left inside."

The principal took a deep breath and looked at Miss Claire with a stern expression. He paused for a moment, as if carefully considering his response.

"For whatever reason this is happening, there is only one outcome for those students—except for one," he finally replied, his voice low and grave.

The teachers exchanged nervous glances, puzzled by what the principal meant by "except for one." They waited silently for him to elaborate.

"As for the reasons I mentioned earlier, the only result is for the mystical realm to forcefully expel the students, whether they want to leave or not," the principal continued. "And if the last reason applies... the only result is death."

The teachers gasped in horror, unable to comprehend the severity of what they had just heard. The principal's words sent chills down their spines.

Suddenly, the portal lit up, shaking violently once again. The teachers watched in awe as more than six hundred golden lights were expelled from the portal.

The golden light enveloped the figures emerging from the portal, gradually fading to reveal the students who had returned. The teachers were awestruck by the sight.

As soon as the students emerged from the portal, one of the figures, still surrounded by light, performed a swift slashing motion. The movement was so fast that it was difficult to discern what had happened. However, as soon as the light faded, an explosion was heard near the figure.

---

BOOOOOM!!!

---

The explosion was deafening, causing the teachers to flinch. But to their relief, it became apparent that no one had been harmed. They quickly began inspecting the students one by one. Although they were relieved to see that their students had returned safely, their faces still reflected concern.

Simultaneously, the portal began to shrink until it vanished completely, taking with it the token used to open the dungeon. The teachers were left wondering what had transpired inside the dungeon and what the students had encountered during their journey.

...

A Few Minutes Earlier, Before the Explosion

Both the teachers closely monitoring the situation and the students who had failed the assessment were numb as they watched the live feed.

Some had excelled in their performance, while others hadn't. Some students had chosen to stay in the safety zone out of fear, while others had simply given up entirely.

For the students, watching the performances of others filled them with shame over their own shortcomings. Many began to blame their party members for their poor performance.

Inside the Mystical Realm

"Damn!" someone exclaimed with frustration.

In a dense forest, a burly young man in ragged clothes stared angrily at the rankings. In a fit of rage, he punched a nearby tree, cursing under his breath.

...

Points were divided based on the number of kills and the rank of the monsters defeated.

Iron ★= 10 Points 

Iron ★★ = 20 Points 

Iron ★★★ = 30 Points 

Iron ★★★★ = 40 Points 

Iron ★★★★★ = 50 Points

Iron 5★ was the highest-ranking monster or magical beast allowed by the academy in this low-level mystical realm used for assessments. Any monster higher than this rank would be immediately eliminated by high-level Orions before the assessment began. However, there are still place permitted by the school for the student to go if they are strong enough to venture it. Those places contain strong beast that ranks at least 10★ Bronze to Silver Rank.

...

[Assessment Ranking Board]

[First Place: Gabriel Heart 

No. of Kills = 3 - Iron ★, 6 - Iron ★★ 

Points = 150 

Class: Support - Type, Healing]

[Second Place: Tigram Gray 

No. of Kills = 6 - Iron ★, 4 - Iron ★★ 

Points = 140 

Class: Berserk - Type, Barbarian]

[Third Place: Dave Green 

No. of Kills = 12 - Iron ★ 

Points = 120]

[Third Place: James Novack 

No. of Kills = 7 - Iron ★

, 2 - Iron ★★ 

Points = 110 

Class: Mage - Type, Fire Element]

[Fourth Place: Dave Blake 

No. of Kills = 4 - Iron ★, 3 - Iron ★★ 

Points = 100 

Class: Warrior - Type, Swordsman]

...

The individual in question was none other than Dave Blake, who held the fourth rank. Dave's family was well-known, and he had been hailed as a prodigy since childhood.

His previous academic institution had recognized him as the top student in his year. However, due to his family's business affairs, Dave had to relocate to Reid City, resulting in his transfer to a new school.

Since enrolling in the new academy, Dave had been consistently outranked by another student, Gabriel Heart. Despite his relentless efforts, Dave found himself unable to surpass Gabriel's academic performance, no matter how much wealth or resources he had at his disposal.

Dave's intense hatred and jealousy toward Gabriel eventually led him to commit a malicious act. Instead of targeting Gabriel directly, he chose to harm one of Gabriel's acquaintances—Tigram.