Eternal Freedom's Ascension-Chapter 53: Interest (1)

Kaiser had been preparing to take a short nap when someone approached him, their steps loud and hurried.

"Kaiser. Are you okay? I heard you were injured."

Ysabella stood above him, her beautiful face etched with concern. The blue-haired boy gave her a brief glance, then hummed.

"Indeed, I was. I’m okay now."

The practiced worry in Ysabella’s eyes deepened, and she suddenly looked more pitiful.

"Sorry about that. I wished I was there to fight with a classmate. This world is just so cruel."

The majority of the class wavered at her words, feeling the pain in her heart as she spoke. Indeed, Ysabella was a kind person who cared for every one of her friends.

Kaiser didn’t bother replying, but nodded. Closing his eyes, he no longer paid any attention on the human named Ysabella.

A sense of emptiness lingered in him, unable to be washed away.

’Every human is just a clown. Wearing personalities they are conditioned to like roleplayers... utterly boring.’

Ysabella was a peak example. Her mask, crafted to fool the whole academy for the purpose of popularity, was a tasteless tactics to him.

’Some meaningless goal like that... she’s bound to have a bottle of negative emotions ready to explode. How boring~’

...

After a few hours, the first-year students were allowed to return to the dorms after being notified that their classes would resume the next day.

As usual, the next day came quite quickly. The class was abuzz with conversations about who could have gained the highest kills among the first-years.

"Obviously, it’s me." Eric puffed his chest proudly. "I killed a horde of lesser dragons yesterday."

"L-lesser dragons?!" Jose reacted with instant disbelief. No matter how deep their friendship was, he wouldn’t believe such a blatant lie.

"Hmph! You’ll see when it is displayed."

As soon as Eric finished speaking, the student mobile of everyone beeped, and a new post was uploaded on the school social media platform.

"Oh! It’s the ranking! Eh...? I’m only number 123?"

The guy muttered in disbelief, seeing that his ranking was unbelievably low. Well, it wasn’t entirely unbelievable. He hadn’t even killed that much beasts.

"Who’s in the first place???"

Jose peeped into his friend’s phone, too lazy to bring his out of the bag.

"The fuck?! It’s him...?"

As he spoke, unanimously, everyone turned towards the back of the class, staring at a student quietly resting on his table.

Hazel’s brows furrowed, and her mind spun. ’Kaiser ranks first? How many beasts did he kill? Or how many monsters did he kill?’

She checked the list again, noticing that only two other people from Class-E were in the top fifteen; herself and Sebastian.

’The gap in ability and cooperation is evident. Our class can’t compete with others yet.’

She supported her forehead with a palm, feeling a growing headache.

"That was unexpected, wasn’t it?"

Ariel chimed, his voice just low enough for her to hear.

"No. Not entirely. I’m not too surprised." Hazel shook her head, then glanced at the guy who had become the discussion of the class. "He’s the type to do something unexpected. And I had some impression of him."

Ariel’s expression remained unreadable, "Why didn’t you go convince him to help you? Why come to me first?"

Hazel didn’t bother looking before answering. "I find him more unpleasant. And I don’t think he’d be easily coerced as you were."

"I’m... easy...?"

Ignoring Ariel’s depressed muttering, Hazel turned to her other deskmate.

"Kaiser. We need to talk during lunch break today."

There was silence for a moment, then the blue-haired guy hummed almost imperceptibly.

Hazel heaved a sigh of relief, then refocused on the class as soon as Instructor Rina walked in. Ignoring the clamor, the instructor began the class.

...

The following periods were unusually quiet, with most students paying attention to the class. Even though they were aware that the cameras had been bought, Liam had reminded them not to be complacent. Even Logan tried his best not to sleep. Well, he tried but failed.

Anyway, lunch break arrived shortly, and Kaiser immediately headed for the cafeteria. Finding a lone table at the corner, he bought a sumptuous meal worth two thousand credits.

This was his first time being extravagant on a meal, and it wasn’t a bad experience.

"You’re here."

Hazel appeared before him, then sat opposite him along with Ariel.

’It seems she has successfully coerced him to join her little rebellion. Not a surprise, though.’

Kaiser glanced at them, neither slowing or hastening his eating speed.

"You can speak. I’m only patient enough to listen because I’m currently eating."

Hazel’s expression darkened slightly, remembering why she disliked this guy. He was just always annoying in some way.

"By now, I’m sure every first year student is aware of the school rules and everything important to survive in this academy." Hazel started. "Alongside us, you’re placed in Class-E. And you’re aware that only the students who graduate from Class-A can get the promised benefits offered by the academy."

"Inevitably, all other classes have to fight against Class-A for a chance to overthrow them, while Class-A will struggle to maintain their position."

"I now understand the school’s definition of meritocracy. Currently, our class has the weakest students and we have little chance of competing with others. Because of this, I’m trying to gather all the strong students in our class to act as a—"

Kaiser cut her off with a raised palm. He paused eating, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes.

"You’re beating around the bush..."

Clang.

His spoon dropped against the plate, creating a clear sound in the silence.

"In conclusion, you need my help. However, why do you think I would help you? I barely have interest in anything here."

Having dealt with Ariel previously, Hazel was aware that not everyone lusted after the academy’s sweet promises upon graduation.

She took a deep breath, then said. "You claim you have no interest in anything here. However, I notice you go to the library regularly, reading with a student from Class-D. Could that be considered an interest?"