Chapter 50 – Evil Star

Students trembled at the sight of me. They averted their gazes. If they accidentally bumped into me, they panicked. They even cleared a path for me.

Such minor changes accompanied the peaceful weekend that had just passed.

I also heard about the incident that occurred.

The more I learned, the more childish and pathetic it sounded. I couldn’t help but laugh at Yurasia and Stella’s bold actions.

Yurasia had always been resilient in such situations, but I didn’t expect the same from Stella.

Who would have thought she’d stand up like that?

Apparently, she even attempted to use magic. She claimed she desperately wanted to strike Shibria with a spell, though who knows if that’s true?

If she really meant it, my opinion of Stella would certainly improve.

Anyway, because of what happened, instead of overseeing Yurasia’s sword training or putting Stella and Pina through their paces over the weekend, we explored the city.

Yurasia, Stella, Pina, and me. The four of us together.

Since those fragile little ones had been through something difficult, I thought an outing might help.

But I didn’t expect them to bounce back so quickly.

Not only that, they were more enthusiastic than ever, dashing from place to place.

We dined at restaurants they wanted to try, bought things they desired, saw sights they were curious about, and went wherever they wished.

Of course, I footed the bill for everything.

I was proud of Stella for trying to protect Yurasia. And I was proud of Yurasia for attempting to shield Stella. As for Pina… well, Pina’s just a ‘friend.’

In any case, after all that, I was even more drained than if I’d been training, and I faced an exhausting Monday morning.

I was so tired that I even postponed my morning exercises to the next day.

“Oh, miss! Good morning!”

Despite all our running around, Yurasia looked bright and lively, her face positively glowing as she greeted me.

“What’s up? Didn’t you sleep?”

Even Stella approached with a slightly softer expression and less abrasive tone than usual.

[Good morning! (smiling squirrel)]

Pina just kept grinning. Since she filled out the club application, she’s been smiling non-stop. Soon, I might even have to co-sign for her.

“Today, regular classes begin!”

“Right. Is it a general class today?”

“Yes! Tomorrow… it’s elective classes… uh…”

Yurasia and I had different schedules.

The day we arranged our schedules at the café, Yurasia tried everything to take the same classes as me, but I sternly scolded her.

I reminded her that she came here to learn and shouldn’t waste time on unnecessary subjects. She pouted and grumbled but eventually gave in.

So now, we don’t have any overlapping classes.

“Hey, don’t pout. We still have classes together on Mondays and Wednesdays, and we’ll eat together.”

“Well… that’s true…”

“Look at you. Already sulking because you don’t have any other friends. But at least you’re not as bad as her, right?”

“W-What?! No, I’m not! Why would I be sad? Actually, I’m excited! Being around you is exhausting and irritating, so I’d rather be alone, seriously.”

I chuckled and handed Stella a macaron, just like every day.

“Always watch your mouth, stay low-key, and behave.”

“Ugh… Would you stop nagging like some old geezer?!”

“If anything happens, let me know.”

“Ugh… I won’t. Hmph!”

Ah, there is one thing that’s changed.

When I say, “Let me know if anything happens,” Stella’s reaction has shifted.

In the past, she’d give me a distrustful look, but now she pouts her pink lips and goes “hmph!” just like that.

Even her “hmph!” has changed. It’s a little more defiant and sassy now.

Is she practicing or something?

“…What, what are you staring at? Uh, anyway… th-thanks for the macaron. Thank… you.”

If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed, it’s her knack for expressing gratitude. She’s diligent, too.

“Heh… Yeah. Pay attention in class.”

“I will, even if you don’t remind me.”

Stella spun around, dawdling as she headed to her lecture hall. Between strands of her hair, a dark blue earring glinted.

It was an artifact capable of storing mana. Not one of those trashy artifacts I’d been ripped off on before, but a proper one.

I bought it for her over the weekend. At first, she refused to take it, saying she couldn’t afford to pay me back, but now she wore it all the time, which amused me.

Now that I think about it, the hood she’s wearing, her sneakers, her underwear, and her earrings were all things I bought for her.

Maybe I should try threatening her one day, saying I’ll take them all back if she doesn’t listen. I bet the reaction would be hilarious.

With a quiet chuckle, I resumed walking.

“Let’s head in, too.”

“Yup.”

***

After a pointless chat from our homeroom professor Adelia and a quick attendance check, the professor for our lecture walked in.

“I am Philaon Campagne, handling the combat theory class for the Signia Class. Nice to meet you.”

Introducing himself as Philaon, the professor scanned the room with a relaxed gaze, then distributed the class materials to the students.

“Since it’s the first class, we’ll start with a lighter topic today.”

Despite his rough appearance, his voice was calm and collected as he began the lecture.

“What do you think is the most important thing in combat?”

The students didn’t respond. As if expecting this, Philaon nodded and continued.

“It could be victory, a weapon, abilities, or strength. None of those answers are wrong, but in my opinion, the most important thing in combat is…”

Pausing for a moment, Philaon snapped his fingers. Behind him, orderly writing appeared on the board.

Survival.

“It’s survival. You fight to survive, you become stronger to survive, you wield weapons to survive, and you strive to survive, don’t you?”

To wield a weapon for survival. That statement resonates deeply with me. After all, I lived by those words in my previous life.

But now… Something… something feels strange.

“So, have you ever thought about what’s most crucial for that survival?”

Unaware of my inner thoughts, Philaon made sweeping gestures as he began drawing on the board.

Swords, spears, bows, axes, shields, staffs, and so on. But there were no fists.

And at the end, a familiar word appeared.

“It’s crucial to know both your own and your opponent’s level.”

Rank and Circle.

“Today, we’ll take a look at the exact concepts of ‘Rank’ and ‘Circle.’ Open to page three of the materials I handed out.”

Carefully flipping the pages, I reached the third one.

Detailed explanations of each rank were written there.

From the 1st Rank to the 8th Rank. From the 1st Circle to the 9th Circle.

Seeing that brought a twitch to my lips.

Even after reincarnation, I naturally looked up information on the rank system. Just like back then, I could hardly suppress my smile.

In my time, there weren’t such detailed explanations. The concept of rank had only been organized like this…

“Before we begin, I’d like to mention that the concept of rank was organized by the most revered hero party from 400 years ago, specifically by Paulo Humble Brandis and Ronan Lujarak.”

That would be me and Paulo.

“Back then, there wasn’t a clear classification like today. People had to reflect inwardly, identifying changes and realizations to guess their rank. But thanks to those two who defined and divided the boundaries, it’s much easier for us now, in both practice and theory. We’re truly grateful to them.”

He was right.

In those days, many arrogant idiots didn’t even know their rank and strutted around.

Even more did so while knowing the truth. Some reckless fools at the 3rd Rank would deceive others into thinking they were at the 5th and take on escort missions, causing chaos.

I got betrayed by such idiots countless times. The most memorable was a guy called to the frontlines as a 7th Rank but barely made it to the 6th.

Back then, I barely avoided death.

After that, Paulo and I put our heads together, retracing our paths to organize the concept of rank.

However, since neither of us was good with words, Kaloso and Luna organized the contents, and Arisa wrote it out.

And thus, the rank concept now known worldwide was completed.

Of course, there are slight differences from what we originally wrote. Over 400 years, they must have refined the definitions and boundaries.

Still, it’s amusing to think that what we wrote has spread this far.

“Now, let’s dive into the explanation. We’ll start with the rank.”

Philaon’s explanation began. He was elaborating in a grand and sweeping way, but that wasn’t what mattered.

To put it simply:

1st Rank: The stage where one begins to sense mana. 2nd Rank: The stage where one can accumulate mana in their body. 3rd Rank: The stage where one can control and use mana. 4th Rank: The stage where the Middle Dantian opens, allowing mana to be infused into the body and weapons. 5th Rank: The stage where one can use qi.

This is the peak that ordinary people can reach.

From the 6th Rank onward, it’s a realm for geniuses. But even geniuses don’t all reach it.

One must either gain enlightenment through life-or-death battles or go through countless combats to barely reach this rank.

6th Rank: The stage where the Upper Dantian opens, allowing mana to carry intent. 7th Rank: The stage where the Upper Dantian is fully opened, transcending humanity. Mana transforms into pure intent, enabling one to manifest their will in the world. 8th Rank: Beyond mere manifestation of intent, the stage where one can project an idealized space shaped by their will.

This ability is called ‘Ideal Manifestation’.

That’s the extent of the rank explained in the materials.

Next to it is an explanation of the Circle system, which I don’t know much about.

It’s enough to remember that each Circle level aligns roughly one rank higher than the corresponding rank level. For instance, the 4th Rank and 5th Circle are roughly equivalent.

At higher levels, distinctions between Circles become meaningless.

“8th Rank and 9th Circle. This is the ‘end’ of known ranks and circles.”

The word “end” brought a faint smile to my face.

“Students in the Signia Class likely fall between the 2nd and 3rd Rank. Some might even be at the 1st Rank. But don’t let a low level make you impatient or lead you astray. Those of you here have the potential to reach the 5th Rank and beyond.”

Finishing his explanation, Philaon looked around the room as if imparting a final piece of advice.

Ding-ding-ding.

Simultaneously, the bell signaling the end of the first period rang.

“Well, that’s all for today. Good work, everyone.”

Philaon gave a perfectly angled nod and exited as slowly as he had entered.

Soon, a quiet hum filled the classroom.

Among the murmurs, I overheard something.

“They say the Six Pillars are currently at the 8th Rank. Then, what rank was the previous hero party?”

“Of course, the 8th Rank.”

“No way… It was 400 years ago. Could they really reach the 8th back when there was no system in place?”

“A hero party isn’t just any group; they’re heroes for a reason, right?”

I was about to get up, but I stayed seated and listened to the conversation of the boys chatting in front.

“Also, didn’t you hear? Remember the Sword Emperor’s speech at the Liberation Festival?”

“What about it?”

“He mentioned seeing traces of battles fought by the hero party in Gevihenum. Four of the Six Pillars speculated based on that.”

“And?”

“The Supreme Emperor said the hero party likely reached the end of the 8th Rank.”

“8th Rank is 8th Rank. What’s this talk about the end of it?”

“Maybe there’s something beyond the 8th?”

“Wow, your brain is really something.”

My quiet chuckle blended with the noise of the classroom.

“The 8th Rank…”

If Luna had heard, she would have cursed. Kaloso would’ve fainted from high blood pressure. Arisa would have rarely shown her serious side. Paulo would’ve drawn his sword. If I had heard it, I would’ve strangled him.

“Close, but not exactly.”

I. We.

***

-So, what level are we?

-What do you mean all of a sudden?

-No, I mean, we only documented up to the 8th Rank. So, what level are we?

-Hmm, now that you mention it, Ronan, we really can’t measure our rank.

-Indeed. I also can’t be expressed in terms of Circle.

-Huh? You can’t be expressed in terms of Circle? Oh, that’s right. Kaloso, your Circles all merged recently, right?

-Yes. If I had to express it now, I would have to call it rank instead.

-Hmm. Now that you mention it, not only you guys but even I have long surpassed the 8th Rank. In the old days, they only documented up to the 8th. So, what does that make us?

-For one, we’re definitely not some mere 8th Rank fodder.

-Agreed.

-I concur.

-Right! We’re way stronger than the 8th Rank!

-I think so, too.

-We can use ■■■■ and even ■■, so at the very least—

-No, Ronan. Damn it. Could you stop using those cringeworthy technique names? Not even angsty teenagers would name things like that.

-Wha… Cringe? But Paulo and Arisa said they liked the names?

-Yeah, sure, they’re “cool.” Hearing them makes my skin crawl. For someone as old as you, how do you still have such a childish mind? Did you get hit on the head by “Fury” one too many times?

-No, it’s not that bad. Is it, Kaloso? What about this name? Does it sound weird?

-…Honestly, I wouldn’t say it’s good.

-Really? Should I rename it?

-No, seriously, why do you feel the need to name everything? Just don’t give them names.

-But naming them helps with visualizing when I use them. And it’s cooler when explaining it, right?

-Stop with the nonsense. We’re cool without names. Just like the Demon King said,

-We’re the 10th Rank.