The cafeteria of Cultivation High was a kingdom of noise.
Long tables stretched wall to wall, each one claimed by certain classes like territories on a map. Class A sat near the sunlit windows, their gold-trimmed uniforms blazing like trophies. Class F? They were crammed into a shadowy corner near the cleaning closets, trying not to attract attention.
The smell of roasted meat and fresh bread mixed with the faint sting of spirit herbs from the cultivators' specialized diets. Nicolas clutched his lunch tray—rice, two strips of salted meat, and a cup of water—searching for an empty spot.
He'd almost reached Class F's corner when a shadow fell over him.
Three boys blocked the path. Not F-class. Not even E. Their silver trims gleamed brighter—Class D.
The tallest stepped forward, his arms crossed. His uniform was stretched tight over a chest built from years of cultivation training.
"Well, well," he said, his voice carrying over the clatter of the hall. "If it isn't the famous zero-affinity."
Several heads turned from nearby tables. Whispers flitted through the air.
"I'm not looking for trouble," Nicolas said, keeping his voice even.
The second boy, leaner with a sharp jawline, snorted. "Trouble? Oh no, we're just curious. We heard you did something in Class F this morning. Beat Garron, right?"
"That's right," the third one added, grinning with too many teeth. "And we don't like… surprises."
The tall one reached out and pushed Nicolas's tray aside. Rice spilled onto the floor. "So how about we test you? Right now. Unless you want to bow and admit you got lucky."
[System Alert]
Emergency Quest Issued!
Title: Survive the Confrontation
Objective: Defeat the Class D challengers (3 opponents)
Time Limit: None
Failure Penalty: -50 Reputation (All Classes), Loss of 10 HP
Reward: +120 EXP, 1 Random Item, +10 Class F Reputation
Nicolas's heartbeat spiked. It's giving me a quest?
[Optional Bonus Objective: Win Without Taking Critical Damage – Reward: Hidden Skill Fragment]
His lips twitched. Guess lunch is postponed.
"I'll pass," Nicolas said aloud, stepping sideways.
But the tall boy grabbed his collar. "We're not giving you a choice, zero."
A new voice cut through the noise: "Arena Circle, now!"
It was one of the cafeteria monitors, a broad-shouldered Class B girl. She pointed toward the center of the hall where a wide, empty space had been left clear for… situations like this.
Students cheered instantly, scraping benches back. The crowd closed in around the open circle. Even a few members of the Heavenly-SSG from the upper balcony leaned forward, curious.
[System Prompt:Arena Battle Conditions Detected – Defeat All Opponents to Complete Quest]
Nicolas stepped into the ring. The three Class D boys entered from the other side, smirking like they were about to gut a chicken.
The tall one—leader type—cracked his knuckles. "Name's Varric. This is Lio and Kelm. We'll make this quick."
"Fight!" someone shouted, and the ring erupted in noise.
Varric moved first, charging with a fist coated in shimmering stone—Earth Qi, heavy and blunt. Nicolas sidestepped, feeling the ground vibrate from the missed blow. Lio followed, a flicker of blue light wrapping his arms—Water Flow Arts, fast and fluid. Kelm hung back, his fingers twitching. Sparks danced—Lightning Needle Technique.
Three different styles. Perfect coordination.
[MP: 30/50]
Nicolas didn't waste time. He mentally triggered: Hex.
A smoky circle of runes flared beneath Lio's feet. His speed faltered just as he tried to pivot. Varric's second punch came late, slowed by Lio's stumble. Nicolas ducked under it, swept his leg low, and clipped Varric's ankle. The big boy grunted and staggered.
Kelm's lightning came next—fast, jagged bolts snapping toward Nicolas's chest. He twisted aside, feeling static prickle his arm. His MP bar ticked down—15 left.
Varric roared, swinging again. Nicolas feinted left, baiting him into overextending, then stepped in and slammed his palm into the inside of Varric's elbow. It wasn't strong enough to break anything—but it broke Varric's stance.
"Enough games!" Lio snarled. Water spiraled around his arms, forming twin whips. They lashed out, catching Nicolas's leg and yanking him off balance.
[HP: 82/100]
The crowd roared at the hit. But Nicolas's eyes flashed—he triggered Hex again, the last of his MP draining.
The rune circle caught Lio mid-step. His water whip slackened, his knee giving out. Nicolas rolled forward, grabbed the whip still clinging to his leg, and yanked. Lio stumbled toward him—straight into a rising knee strike that knocked the wind out of him.
Kelm fired another bolt of lightning, but with Lio in the way, he hesitated just a second too long. Nicolas shoved Lio sideways, spun toward Kelm, and closed the gap.
No MP left—only fists now. He dropped low, swept Kelm's legs, and followed with a sharp shove to the chest. Kelm hit the floor hard.
That left Varric. The leader bared his teeth, charging with a full-bodied tackle. Nicolas sidestepped at the last second, planting his foot and shoving hard into Varric's back. The big boy stumbled forward, crashing into Kelm, both sprawling to the mat.
Silence hung for a heartbeat—then the monitor's voice rang out: "Winner—Nicolas Dreyar!"
[System Alert]
Quest Completed: Survive the Confrontation
Rewards: +120 EXP, 1 Random Item, +10 Class F Reputation
Bonus Objective Achieved! Hidden Skill Fragment Obtained!
[Level Up!]
Level: 1 → 2
Health: 100 → 110
Mana: 50 → 60
Strength: 8 → 9
Agility: 9 → 10
Vitality: 10 → 11
Intelligence: 12 → 13
Willpower: 11 → 12
[Item Acquired: Minor Mana Tonic]
Nicolas exhaled slowly, his chest rising and falling. The crowd buzzed with whispers.
"Did you see that?"
"He beat three Class D's…"
"What was that black smoke thing?"
From the upper balcony, a member of the Heavenly-SSG leaned forward, eyes narrowed. "Interesting…"
Varric and his friends limped out of the circle, muttering curses. But they didn't look at him like he was prey anymore.
Back at his corner, Nicolas sat with his untouched lunch. The Heavenly-Witch System panel hovered faintly in his vision.
[Hidden Skill Fragment:Witchcraft Path – Arcane Bind (Fragment 1/3)]
A small smile tugged at his lips.
If this was day two… he could only imagine what the rest of the week would bring.