Standing before the reinforced glass panel, Klein stared at the black spear, ’This fucking academy put that spear for 1 million credits...’

’How the hell am I going to get that?’

Even with his past-life experience and powerful class, earning a million credits as a first-year seemed like an impossible mountain to climb in a short time.

As he was lost in thought, a cheerful voice came from behind him.

"The spear is beautiful, isn’t it?"

Klein turned his head and saw Liona standing there with a bright smile on her lips.

"Liona..."

She walked up beside him and looked at the Abyssal Night Spear with clear admiration.

"It was crafted by a very famous blacksmith, Master Orin, one of the best in the Eastern Region. I heard the materials came from a high-level Tower."

She turned to him, grinning "I’m also eyeing it, just like you."

Klein raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, "Oh? How many credits do you have right now?"

Liona’s confident smile froze for a second. She scratched her cheek awkwardly and replied with a dry smile.

"J-Just 1000..."

Klein gave her a deadpan stare.

"-_-"

Feeling his gaze, Liona’s lips twitched in embarrassment "Oh come on! It’s only been two months since I entered the academy! I’m also a first-year like you!"

"Hmph, I even bought you a coffee." She huffed and glanced away, clearly flustered.

Klein chuckled softly and looked at her uniform.

Seeing the warrior division emblem, a mischievous grin slowly spread across his lips.

"Liona, how about we have a duel with all our credits on the line?"

Liona shivered visibly at his devilish grin and took a small step back, raising her hands defensively.

"N-No way! You scare me. I saw your fight during the entrance exam. There’s no way I can beat you right now."

Klein’s grin widened, becoming even more predatory.

"Don’t worry. I awakened just a week ago. I’m still very weak... you can easily beat me."

Liona stared at him for a second before shaking her head vigorously, her short black hair bouncing with the motion.

"You are lying through your teeth. I don’t wanna lose my hard-earned credits. Bleh."

She stuck her tongue out at him childishly

Klein clicked his tongue in disappoinment "Tch, you are no fun."

Her eyes twitched in exasperation "If you just want to beat someone up so badly, go find someone else!"

"There are plenty of arrogant fools and battle maniacs in the Warrior Division who would love to spar with the famous Mythic-rank guy."

Upon hearing this, Klein’s smile widened "Oh, that’s not a bad idea. Take me to the Spear Division then."

"Let’s beat some idiots and rack credits."

Liona: (;° ロ°)

---

The two of them left the Exchange Pavilion and headed toward the eastern side of the academy where the Combat and Weapon Divisions were located.

The pathways were wide and beautiful, lined with training fields where students were already sparring under the afternoon sun.

As they walked, Liona started explaining things.

"The Spear Division shares facilities with the Warrior Division, but we have our own dedicated training halls. There are different training areas based on rank and style."

"Since you’re in the Spirit Division’s Elite Class, you should have access to most of them with your ID card."

She glanced at him curiously "Are you planning to focus mostly on spear combat even though you’re in the Spirit Division?"

Klein nodded without hesitation "Spear is my foundation. I’ll use spirits to support it, not replace it."

Liona hummed thoughtfully "Most spirit users stay away from direct close combat. But after seeing your evaluation... I guess it makes sense for you."

They walked into a vast open-air training ground dedicated to spear users.

The area was enormous, with multiple training zones.

Students were sparring, practicing forms, thrusting at training dummies, and meditating.

Klein stopped at the edge of the main field and observed the students training around him.

After a few moments, he spoke loud enough for the nearby students to hear clearly.

"Hm, that’s it?" he muttered in clear disappointment.

"I thought there would be some great students here... but I see nothing but a bunch of weaklings."

The training ground fell into a sudden silence.

Dozens of heads turned toward him at once.

The students closest to him froze mid-motion. A few of the more hot-tempered ones narrowed their eyes, their grips tightening on their weapons.

Liona, who was standing right beside him, was utterly dumbfounded.

’What is he saying?’ she thought in panic. ’Wait... Is he trying to provoke them?’

A tall, muscular male student with short brown hair stepped forward.

"Who the hell are you?" he muttered, glaring at Klein. "Some fresh first-year brat talking shit the moment he walks in?"

Another student, a girl with a ponytail, pointed her spear toward Klein.

"You’ve got some nerve. Do you even know where you are? Just because you have a handsome face doesn’t mean you can get away with anything."

Huh? Two male students turned to her with a deadpan expression.

（ ;¬＿¬)

The girl shrugged shamelessly "I mean... I am not wrong."

More students began gathering, forming a loose circle around Klein and Liona.

A burly first-year named Brian stepped forward, glancing at Liona "What is this, Liona? Just because you lost a duel against me yesterday, you are bringing people to insult us?"

Liona was taken aback and quickly waved her hand "I-It’s not like that. I didn’t bring him here-"

Klein let out a dramatic sigh "You lost to a bum like him? Didn’t know you were that weak, Liona."

Upon hearing this, Brian’s expression darkened, but he maintained his cool composure "No need for cheap provocations. It is clear that you are here to fight."

"So let’s not waste our words."

Seeing this, Klein smiled faintly "That’s good, but a duel without a bet would be boring. How about we bet all the credits we have."

"I will bet my 1000 credits."

Eh? Liona glanced at him in surprise "You have 1000 credits?"

"No, but you do."

Her lips twitched ’This guy... he just decided to use my credits without my consent.’

Brian’s gaze condensed "I see, your target was the credits all along. Very well, I will bet my 2000 credits."

Liona grabbed Klein’s sleeve and whispered "I know you are strong, but be careful, he is from the first-year elite class."

He patted her hand gently "I will be fine."