The IQ Machine

"But before that, you would have to learn how to do it because it would be completely impossible for some of you to do that if you don't discover the ingredients, procedures, and precautions," Master Pilgrim said smiling slightly, "That's why today, the teachers responsible for teaching Fundamental Creations would lecture about wielding a sword."

Hearing this, Seth smiled and leaned to the chair, still trying to extract his attention from the girl sitting next to him. 

Since the Combat Chief had declared that they were going to be taught "Sword Wielding" in the lecture today, Seth was as happy as a lucky chap who just won a billion dollars from a casino. Actually, Seth had already wanted to have his own sword — not just a sword, but a Type-1 longsword made by one of the best Master-ranked Blacksmiths in the capital city. 

Unfortunately, he was going to be the one to make it by himself. At least, that could just be for a start. 

After his speech, the Combat Chief stepped down from the stage and walked away. The exit door was at the backside so he walked past the area where Seth was sitting. 

Seth stared at him as he walked, and suddenly, their gazes slammed together, causing Seth's heart to hit his lungs hard. 

However, after withdrawing his gaze, Seth still noticed that the Combat Chief was still staring at him as though studying a prey.

'Why is he looking at me like that? I made you a powerful combat master... Anyways, that never changed the fact that you are going to get killed by a Colossus,' Seth thought, grimacing as he tried not to return a glance at the Combat Chief. 

He did that until he felt the presence of the Combat Chief in the hall no more. 

The Orientation was over. Just like that?! Seth was extremely furious at the moment. He shamefully slept early the previous day, and disgracefully woke up late the next day... Maybe he would just blame it on the Demon God who had refused to let go of the Cuss Bond. 

Seth stood up from his seat and attempted to walk away, but, something came flooding into his mind: 

"My friends."

After uttering these words, Seth turned back to scrutinize the hall. Everyone seemed to be conversing with themselves, forgetting that the lecture was going to begin in less than thirty minutes. 

Luckily, after observing the hall for some time, Seth got a glimpse of the two figures who arrived at the Academy with him. The Half-elven and the Penn's Family newborn — they were also in a conversation with some other newborns. 

Seeing this, Seth gritted his teeth, clenching his fist in anger at the same. The good truth was that Seth was not a figure that loves hanging around with many people — a lesson well learned from how he got infected with Covid-19 which ended his life in the blink of an eye. 

Remembering what he saw on his profile in the Trade Realm, Seth was willing to know where the God of Plague actually resides. He knew the God of Plagues wouldn't be in Nature-3 because he is probably an Evil God so Seth was sure he couldn't locate the destination — not that his weak future could be of any help. 

But... That fool — who claimed to be a God — plagued the whole earth. 

'I wonder how many people would have died from that pandemic by now,' Seth thought. After letting out a soft sigh, he summoned more boldness and walked to his friends. Maybe the word "friends wouldn't be nice, of course, they are not friends yet. He could just call them his... Neighbors, because they are from the same clan. 

Immediately Seth approached them, he was first greeted by the Half-elven.

"Hey," the Half-elven said with a smile. 

"Hey," Seth replied. 

"We have searched for you everywhere, where were you?" the Penn Family's newborn came into the conversation. "I thought you would wait for us until we are done with the lecture... You shouldn't have left us behind."

"Uh, I'm sorry... I was having a slight fever yesterday so I had to get some rest,' Seth lied. 

"Really? I hope you are feeling well now right?" the Half-elven asked. 

"Yeah. I think so," Seth faked a cough, "anyways, how was your night? If I may ask, where are you guys' motel located?" Seth asked. 

"Building two, on the sixth floor," the Penn Family's newborn said. 

"Building two, on the seventh floor," the Half-elven added.

"Uhh... Mine is Building One, on the fourteenth floor. That's no way close," Seth groaned, glaring as he looked at the affixed tiles beneath. 

"That's not a problem, we can always meet at the training fields or when we are less busy," the Half-elven said with a solaced expression. 

"Anyways, I think the lecture is about to begin, I couldn't afford to lose out on the technique teachings for wielding a sword."

As the Penn Family's newborn said those words, be walked forward. "Common let's go."

Seth, the Half-elven, and the other newborns who had kept quiet since Seth came followed, aiming at the hall's exit. 

******

As soon as they got to the bureau differentiating all classes in the Lecture Buildings, Seth became angry but didn't want to show a hint of it. 

Without saying "goodbye" or "see you later", he waved and turned left, walking quickly to the Class B building.

'That nerd,' the Half-elven cursed inwardly and continued her walk. The Penn Family newborn didn't care — he had expected something like that from a punk like Seth Rotunda. 

As Seth walked into his class, he sat down and waited for the Fundamental Creations teacher to come in. Since it was 11:56 a.m., it took about four minutes before the teacher stepped in. 

And rapidly, the male figure began his speech without wasting time: 

"I'm Master Den, a Master who had leveled up to (D-)-level in his Ability Level. I'm the Class C's Major teacher, so I'm going to be choosing a Class Head for the class," the Fundamental Creation teacher paused and raised his eyeglasses with one of his fingers. After that, he continued: 

"So, l brought an IQ Checker Machine. I'm going to be scanning the IQ of you guys and the first two newborns with the highest rate of IQ would be the Class Head and Assistant Class Head."

Seth scowled. Suddenly, a finger came at him. Of course, he sat in the first seat on the front row again, so he was gonna be the first to get an inspection. 

"Okay then... You stepped forward."