I Attack 10,000x Times Stronger-Chapter 9: Talent Registration!

The moment the third year student, John left, the crowd of students divided into two groups.

Most immediately dragged their exhausted bodies toward the Student Mountain to claim a building, while a smaller group of three to five hundred students headed straight for the administration center to get their affairs in order.

Igris wasn’t particularly exhausted because of the Intermediate Restoration Potion he had consumed earlier.

"Caleb!"

The overweight teen spun around. When Caleb saw Igris, his eyes lit up in joy. Without hesitation, he rushed forward and immediately hugged Igris.

"You’re alive... thank the heavens, you’re alive," Caleb choked, trying his best not to wail.

Igris patted his back, a heavy lump forming in his own throat. "Y-you’ve tried."

A single tear dripped down Caleb’s dirt-streaked cheek. He shook his head slowly. "I-I killed a cripple! She couldn’t even move her legs and begged me not... but I don’t want to die either!"

"The timer was reaching zero. I had no choice but to kill her or we both die instead."

Caleb choked on a sob.

Igris brows fluttered as he imagined the scene of a helpless crippled girl begging and sobbing for her life.

He too wouldn’t hesitate to kill her.

"There’s nothing wrong with what you did Caleb. Even if you sacrifice yourself for her, she wouldn’t live long enough to log out anyways."

It seems Caleb had been lucky like him.

"What about the others?"

Caleb pulled sniffed and asked.

Igris eyes flashed and he spoke softly. "They’re likely dead."

Caleb’s fists clenched tightly."Those gods. Thye broadcast the battle and watch us fight like ants. They posses the power to save but doesn’t. Do they deserve to be worshiped?"

"With hundreds of gods, isn’t there one thats kind enough to save us without asking anything much in return?"

Igris’s face changed slightly and he quickly covered Caleb’s mouth. "Don’t speak nonsense.

He nervously looked around but seeing as there was no thunder he sighed in relief.

"We six roommates have gone through a lot during the past year. It’s sad the other four didn’t survive."

"I almost didn’t survive myself," Igris whispered, shaking his head. "It’s... aye. We should be thankful we survived, Caleb. Henry and the others wouldn’t want us to remember them with despair."

Caleb violently wiped his tears away with his thick forearm, taking a deep, shuddering breath. He didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

"I’m done, Igris," Caleb voice steadied.

"I wanted to explore this world, but not at the cost of my life. To exit the Ninth Realm, the System says we have to kill just one beast of our same level. Once I do that, the ’Log Out’ function unlocks. I’m going back to Earth."

Igris looked at him. "You’re quitting the Academy?"

"Yes," Caleb nodded firmly. "Even if I stay a Level 1 Awakened my entire life, I’m alright with that. I just want to be a civilian. I’ll get a safe job, settle down, get married, and have kids. Thise gods don’t deserve my tears nor effort."

Igris patted Caleb’s shoulder. "Then we survive today, and we get you home tomorrow. Where do you want to go first?"

"Let’s head to the administration center," Caleb sighed, his shoulders slumping with exhaustion. "Let’s get our gear so I can finally just lie down and sleep."

Igris nodded. The two of them joined the crowd of about four hundred students marching toward the massive administrative building.

Marlin Fortress was breathtaking. It didn’t look as elegant as the buildings back on earth but they were massive.

Everything looked as though it had been built by giants.

It was as though the buildings were carved using mountains and iron.

They were designed to withstand the apocalyptic sieges of monsters. The fortress walls themselves were so tall they were about 1000 meters in height.

Inside the Administration Center, there were ten desks arranged neatly and behind those desks were academic staffs.

The students queued behind the ten counters as the staffs attended to them.

Gradully, the trauma of the morning began to fade, replaced by whispers of forming teams and then Classes.

In this world, having a Talent was just the foundation; to truly gain power, one needed a Class Scroll. These scrolls ranged from Common Class to Legendary Class.

While the Academy provided basic scrolls for free—like Warrior, Archer, or Novice Mage—the true reason people risked their lives to join Marlin Academy was for their exclusive, highly coveted scroll: The Combat Mage.

It was an uncommon-tier class that bored in Elite-Grade Class. This class perfectly blended physical attacks with spells increasing the strength even further.

Of course, this struggle didn’t apply to Godscions.

The moment a deity sponsors them, for example people like Arian or the beautiful Succubus twins, they were instantly bestowed high-tier classes depending on the strength of the god.

The line moved quickly. Soon, it was Igris’s turn.

The clerk tossed a duffel bag to him.

"Based on your information you filled previously, your class schedule has been adjusted. Also, in the duffle bag is a Dust-gathering technique, a combat technique and a reinforced camouflage uniform."

"Place your hand on this crystal to register your talent and acknowledge what you’ve been given."

Igris did as he was told. The crystal shimmered and then a card appeared on the desk.

The clerk held the card and an holographic image of Igris’s basic information was revealed. It contained his name, age, talent and Marlin Points.

The clerk pasued once he saw the NULL next to talent, glanced at Igris then shook his head.

"Here your student identity card. You can use it to exit and enter the fortress as you wish but it’s only applicable for this dimension. If you head to the higher dimensions, then you have to apply for another."

Igris nodded his head and said his thanks as he took the card and left the queue.

He waited for Caleb to dinsih his business which didn’t take much time.

Afterwhich, they each started to walk to the First Peak of the Student Mountain.

The mountain was incredibly huge. Houses were built directly into the slopes, winding all the way from the base to the summit. But the higher you looked, the foggier it get.

’DUST,’ Igris realized. The DUST energy up there was so dense it had physically manifested. Cultivating in that fog would increase a student’s experience points just by inhaling.

Naturally, the housing matched the energy. The shacks at the bottom were simple wooden cabins. The houses closer to the top kept lion becoming luxurious.

Building 1 was an entire mansion all by itself.

Just as expected, by the time they arrived, most of the houses had been occupied by the fastest and strongest students.

"This one is empty." , Caleb stopped in front of House 670 which was a decent stone cabin.

"This is me," Caleb turned to Igris, offering a tired, genuine smile.

"Try not to cause any trouble today, alright? Take care, Igris."

"Get some rest, Caleb. I’ll see you tomorrow," Igris smiled and waved his hand.

Caleb walked inside and locked the heavy door.

The moment the lock clicked, Igris’s eyes, alowly turned cold as he gazed up the mountain. His eyes locking towards Building 1 massive gates.

At this time, all student was from Building 1 to 600 were inside their homes, dead to the world, nursing their wounds or sleeping off their trauma.

Igris casually strolled up the mountain until he stood before the iron gates of Building 1.

***

"Welcome Master!"

The voices of 10 servants echoed through the entire mansion

"This is nice."

Arian Flintstine stared at the 10 servants bowing to him at the entrance of the mansion.

He didn’t expect to gain 10 servants just by owning this mansion. Moreover, amongst these servants were beautiful lady’s with nice figures.

"I could get used to this."

He was about to address his servants when his gate slowly swung open and a skinny figure holding a duffle bag walked into his luxurious courtyard.

Arian turned around and his smirk changed into a scowl as he recognized the sickly boy.