And So, I'm A Student

Despite everything, the institute gets the results of the exam ready, and pasted on the board near the entrance. Larien and Lunela passed, no surprise. And so did Darius and I. Larien and I's group came out in the lead for the fourth stage, so we had the two highest scores. Even in school I'm number 1. This is sure to attract a lot of attention. The fact that a commoner placed higher than a royal prince.

The seals around the exits were easy to bring down, though it took a bit of time, and the city guards and a few knights came to investigate. Larien and Darius did all the talking for me and explained the situation. The less contact I have with the Order of Knights, the better. The knights in Halrio are directly commanded by the royal palace, meaning their directly under the King and the royal family's command. They're not like the city guards whose duty is to uphold the peace of the town. The hold more authority and command matters of state and kingdom. A few serve nobles and fewer serve as guards for the royal family, but the majority fight for the kingdom against its threats, like dark mages, and monsters.

"I can't believe I got into Desdan class," Darius exhales with relief and joy looking over his results as he walks alongside me and Larien, towards the school entrance.

The Desdan class is the class the top students get into. Although I say top students, it basically means a class system for the nobles, because really, only nobles are grouped into that class.

Even though Darius is from a noble family, although a low one, most of the other nobles look him over. I guess that's why he frequently forgets his status.

Larien got placed in that class as well. No surprise there. Top student or not, the school wouldn't dare place one of the kingdom's princes in the Bland class, which is the class for commoners.

"What about you? Where were you placed?" Darius asks, peeking over to look at the papers in my hand.

"Huh? What?! You actually got placed in Desdan class?!"

I shrug and ask, "Is there a problem?"

Larien chuckles as peeks at my papers as well. "You're the first non-noble student to ever be placed in the Desdan class. But then again, after your achievements, I don't think there's anyway they could've put you in Bland class."

I knew it wasn't common, but I didn't think I'd be the first commoner to be placed in the all nobles class. Among the capable students that fought back against the monsters and the summoned familiars, I saw a few who didn't look like nobles.

"Truly amazing!" Darius compliments me, shooting me a smile.

"Indeed," Larien adds.

"Mm, thanks." I respond, finally accepting their praise.

As we pass the road from the entrance, a fancy carriage pulls up beside us.

"Well, I'll see you guys tomorrow then," Larien says with a wave and smile before hopping into the slick carriage.

We watch it disappear down the street before Darius voices, "I'll be heading off as well." and separates from me.

I just realized, I still don't have a place to stay. But before worrying about that, there are more important matters. I stalk towards a hidden corner in an alleyway where I'm sure no one can see me. It's time I get what's mine.

System, <Pocket Dimension>.

A portal appears before me and I slip through it, instantly transported to a medium space. This is a skill called 'Pocket Dimension', I obtained after clearing the achievement, 'Total Wreckage', giving me the title 'Lord of Merciless Destruction'. Basically in all of Kingdom Crawlers, I'm the sole player who has caused the most destruction. Total wreckage was an achievement that could only be unlocked by either destroying the most towns, cities, villages, historical sites, and religious sites, or killing the most NPC's, so only two people could bare the title at the same time. The first method gave the title 'Lord of Merciless Destruction' while the second gave the title 'King of Mass Homicide'. The privileges of 'Lord of Merciless Destruction' is far better than the other though, and much better sounding at that, but it was far harder to obtain since the player would have had to have held the record of most destructions of each of those places. Must have destroyed the most cities in the game, the most villages in the game, the most historical sites in the game, and the most religious places in the game. It was hard maintaining the record for each of them. Killing off citizen NPC's was far easier, but it made the rewards less than the latter.

Anyway, the title 'Lord of Merciless Destruction' granted me the skill, <Pocket Dimension>. As the name implies, it's basically a subspace for my personal use that I can open anywhere and everywhere as I want. I can drag things into it and pull things out. It's a little like inventory, only more like a store I can walk into.

I walk through and see the dark mage I injured lying there helpless and limp on the floor. Is he still alive? He isn't really moving, though I can hear his heartbeat so that's cool.

"Hey. Are you awake?"

I only hear a slight groan in response. I think he's awake. It looks like he managed to stop the bleeding from his severed arm by using some sort of healing spell. Well good for him.

I crouch down beside him, and search his coat for what I'm looking for, but as I do, I remove all the items and artifacts on him. Might as well keep them since he isn't going to have much use for them soon. At least not in the condition he's in.

Within the inner pocket of his robe, I find the ring I'm looking for. The 'Demon Lord's Barrier ring'. It still bugs me that I don't know how the school got their hands on it, but oh well. Though, I wonder if they've tried using it. I would only have gotten them past the outer barrier though. Aeolia is covered by six barriers in total. Two outer ones, one right before the isle, and three level 140 barriers covering Erandelle, the castle on it. An between each barrier are a multitude of monsters. It makes sense that the system graded it as SSSS. All the weaklings I've seen so far don't really stand much of a chance. Especially against the true monsters guarding the castle. If they're here, which I believe they are, should they decide to act and attack the city, in one day the Halrio, no the entire Dremid continent would probably cease to exist. Would make my job a whole lot easier, but it puts major dents in my plans, and it wouldn't be fun. Best if no one manages to get through the inner barriers.

I put the ring and the rest of the items in my inventory. Now what to do with this guy. He's in such bad shape so I doubt he'll answer any of my questions. And I don't really feel like wasting mana to heal him up. And I've killed lots of people in-game but not in real life, so starting now by wasting this already defeated guy just feels awkward and would leave a sour taste in my mouth. Mm... Let's just leave him somewhere. But first, whether I like it or not, I need information. I want to know how he got his hands on all those high grade items, and how he knew what the ring was for.

"Oi. Can you hear me? I'll heal you up if you answer all my questions correctly. That cool?" I say, squatting beside him.

"Ugh! Ahk! Go... Go to hell," He grunts, struggling to speak, and coughing up blood.

I sigh, realizing I have to do things the hard way. Man, this guy has a knack for making me do more work than I'd like.

I apply pressure on his leg wound in the same place I hit him with the ice bullet.

"Agh! Ahh!" He screams in pain.

"Save yourself and just tell me what I need to know," I state coldly, glaring down at him with displeasure. "What organization do you belong to?"

"Hah... I'll... never tell you anything," He gasps, clenching his teeth as he continued to groan in pain.

I release some air I held up in my mouth before saying, "Spark bullet!" casting a spell that electrocutes him in the area around his wound.

"AHHHH! AHH!"

"Come on man. I can basically feel your pain. Just give in and tell me what I want to know so we can get this over with. This is for your sake."

"..."

I sigh again before casting <Spark bullet> again.

"AHHHHH! STOP!"

"I care about you. Your pain is my pain. Just tell me what organization you work for and I'll heal you right away!"

"N-no. I can-n't. I'll... never..."

"You're bringing this on yourself,"

I really can't stand guys like this. It's not like I'm enjoying myself with this- okay scratch that, maybe just a little. <Spark bullet>.

"AGHH! Ve-ver-vernath! Vernath!"

"Um, hm? What?"

"Vernath! I-it's the organization... I belong to. We are the s-servants of darkness,"

So much for never telling me anything.

"... What? So you're a cult? So what do you guys want to do with information about the floating isle?"

"We heard many dark treasures and ancient magic could be found up there. We only wanted to get our hands on it."

"And how did you get your hands on so many artifacts and high grade regular items?"

"I-I don't know. Our leader gave them to me to complete the task, but I really don't know how he acquired them."

"I see. Vernath, the servants of darkness huh? What a lame sauce name. Okay we're done here."

Vernath. That's not a name I've seen or heard of while playing Kingdom Crawlers. Looks like something new just sprung up. They may be a problem. Especially since they're interested in Aeolia. I can't have anything that'll compromise my plans. Perhaps the first order of business should be wiping them out. Plus if I do so, I'm sure to increase my influence over this Elrev a bit.

"P-please heal me and let me go. I've betrayed my brethren and told what you wanted to know. You said you'd h-"

Right. I still have to deal with this guy. Looks like he's passed out. I know I said I'd heal him but... Well, he did tell me what I asked so I'll keep my word.

After using a minor spell to heal the wounds I caused with spark bullet, but leaving the one I made with ice bullet, and his severed arm, I open a portal from the pocket dimension to the front of the 'Order of Knights' headquarters building, and dump him there. That should do. If he survives, they could get more information out of him that I can get later.

Now the only thing remaining, why didn't I receive any experience from killing all those monsters today? Both in the exam and that guy's familiars. I know I can't really level up any higher with this body but I assumed since I was able to use the benefits of the titles I held as Aeolus, I would be able to share anything between my two bodies, but I guess I was wrong. Which means I seriously can't level grind with this form. I'll have to be careful to use Aeolus next time so I can actually get the EXP. It bugs me a little that I hunted all those monsters for nothing. The werldhide and the void walkers where pretty high mid-grade too. Damn. Oh well.

As for a place to crash from now on, I guess I'll stay in my pocket dimension for now. It won't be comfortable but I'll manage. Tomorrow's the first day of school. Should be fun. Looks like I'm a student... Again.