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n(From MC’s perspective)

nThe Yellow River Academy,

nSub-Taboo Hall,

n“Senior sister, what is it?” I asked out of curiosity. Her expression tells me that she wants to speak about some important topic.

nCarolina collected her thoughts and answered, “Junior brother, are you aware of the rankings in our academy?”

nI solemnly nodded my head. Who doesn’t know the ranking? It is one of the things which drew my attention after joining the academy.

nSeeing that, Carolina further explained, “The resources are currently tight right now. To gain more resources, we need to raise the ranking of our Hall.”

n“The ranking depends upon the performance of wizards in each house. Currently, in the Outer House ranking our Hall sits at the bottom.”

nAfter saying that she looked at Vincent. She expected to see some kind of hesitation from Vincent. But to her disappointment there is none.

nVincent’s reaction is a bit like he had expected this conversation to happen.

n“Battle Tower uh?” I mumbled under my breath. Earlier, I wanted to test myself in the battle tower. But mid-way, I got engrossed in books.

nA frown appeared on my face. But what is the hurry in that? I can still go to the battle tower later.

n“Senior, I already know about the Battle Tower points. But I want to try it after joining the special program,” I said straightforwardly.

nA look of understanding dawned upon Carolina. She let out a small chuckle before saying, “I guess, apart from you every other seed candidate was trying out their strength in Battle Tower.”

n“But it’s fine. I just wanted to remind you about it. You can do it later. As long as you help the Outer house to reach above-average ranking. We will get more resources.”

n“Oh yes, beware of other seed candidates. This time there are a lot of influential people. Don’t bump into them unnecessarily,” She added further.

nHearing that, I replied, “Okay”

nThen Carolina has some other work to do. So she left the Hall.

nWhen she disappeared completely. A quick glint flashed in my eyes. As I had assumed earlier, resources were tilted toward better ranking Halls in the academy.

nIf the Sub-Taboo Hall gets a good ranking in Outer House. Then the overall ranking of our Hall would be improved. That’s what she meant.

nMaybe newcomers from other Halls were getting ranked. Only the Sub-Taboo Hall is silent without any noise. So no wonder that my Senior sister came to remind me.

nWhat to do? I haven’t tested my new strength yet. I think Battle Tower is a better place than the Training ground.

nI can continue my reading later. But before that let’s see what the Battle Tower is all about. After figuring it out, I decided to visit the Battle Tower.

nCarolina?

nBut I don’t want to tell her. Who knows, the Senior Sister’s presence might draw unwanted attention.

nThen I walked out of the Hall and stride towards the Battle Tower. To reach the Battle Tower, I have to access the Toll Booth again.

nToll Booth again? I closed the map.

nA strange expression appeared on my face. After walking out, I came across the Tollbooth in the corridor. Without checking the surroundings, I hurriedly walked forward to enter.

nCreak

nAfter entering inside, I immediately used my holographic I.D. to get verified. Next, I see the many destination names on a display screen.

n1. Dining Hall, 2. Cafeteria, 3. Library, 4. Task Office, 5. Herb Garden, 6. Battle Tower, 7. Dormitory. 8. Reward Distribution Office. 9. Potion Office 10. Other Halls.

nAgain a strange expression appeared on my face. To think the Tollbooth travel shortens the distance. Unaware of it, I had to take a long walk before.

nNo wonder, I haven’t come across that many people here.. I revealed a small smile on my face.

nWell, now that I know. I can go back to the dormitory using the Tollbooth again. I recovered myself before selecting the Battle Tower.

nClick!

nThe Tollbooth started to move. As usual, I can’t see through the window. The scenes appeared to be blurry.

n5 minutes later,

nThe Tollbooth comes to stand still. I reached the destination. After realizing this, I walked out of the booth.

nWhen I stepped outside, I was awed by the breathtaking view.

nIt’s a majestic tower glowing with bright lights. There is no concept of day and night here. As expected this location is another hidden space. No wonder the surroundings were dark.

nA look of understanding dawned upon me. To access the hidden location, wizards can only use the Tollbooth. It’s not a casual place to reach on a walk.

nNext, my gaze turned toward the sea of wizards. More than a hundred or so people were coming and going via Toll Booths.

n“Excuse me, can you move aside?” I heard a voice right next to me.

nHearing that I moved away from the Toll Booth.

n“Beast Wizard,” Surprise filled my heart. The person who asked me is a Beast Wizard. He wanted to access my Toll Booth.

nHis green lizard tail drew my attention. Feeling the burning gaze of mine. “Harumph,” the Beast wizard snorted before entering the Toll Booth.

nHearing that I immediately turned away. It’s impolite to stare like that. Fortunately, the other person seemed to be used to it.

nThe Lizard tail? I’m curious whether it’s a permanent part of the wizard’s body or just an external manifestation of magic power.

nFor a moment, I forgot my purpose for visiting here. The number of wizards is higher than in the Dining Hall. In Dining Hall, you can’t stare at a person.

nBut here it’s different. Everyone is sizing the wizards who came out of the Battle Tower. The atmosphere here is something.

nNext, I decided to observe wizards before entering the Battle Tower. Because there is no time limit for this. You can even access the Battle Tower at midnight.

nWhile my eyes scanned the sea of people. One of the wizards caught my attention. A female wizard is surrounded by blue colored smoke. Which seems interesting to me.

nBecause the blue color smokes likely to be part of her magic power. Does it consume the wizard’s mana? A question appeared in my heart. 𝚍ｎ𝚘ｖ𝚕.𝚝

nInteresting!

nThen I shifted my attention from her to other wizards.

nSuddenly, something common broke out.

n“Hey, who is she?”

n“A person came out of the exit door”

n“The Taboo- Hall member.”

nThe crowd’s voice was so loud. It reached my ears. The next second, I looked at the entrance.

nA female wizard with white hair is stepping down the stairs. I felt deja vu for a moment.

nThe female wizard looked a bit familiar. But I haven’t seen her before. Soon, an image appears in my mind.

nA day ago, back in the Dining Hall. I saw the back of the stunning woman. “So, it’s her,” My eyes lit up with surprise.

nBut before I could rejoice another word reached my ears.

nTaboo Hall?

nMy expression turned a bit serious. This time, I didn’t look at her. Rather my gaze fell on the ranking board.

nInner House- Ranks

nNo.1 – Taboo Hall

n>> Battle Tower- Level-3 (Floor -80)

n>> Achiever – Name: Lara White,

nLevel-3 Snow Storm wizard,

nInner House Member,

nSpecial program student.

nWhen I read the information, It surprised me. I finally see the proud disciple of Elder Kate. I stood like a frozen statue. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

nThis is the first time I have appreciated someone’s beauty. But it turned out that beauty is going to be my lifelong riva in futurel. I still remember the words of Elder Kate.

nShe always stressed the point that my strength is not enough. At that time, it piqued my curiosity. But now I’m convinced.

nHer strength is not simple in Level-3 rank. And it appeared she has become an Inner House member also.

nYesterday, I saw the Outer House Ranks. Taboo Hall ranked first in that ranking. And now in Inner House ranking, the Taboo Hall became first again.

nIn both houses, she helped her Hall to reach 1st spot. A wry smile appeared on my face. Now I realized the intention of my Senior sister.

nThe Seed Candidate from Taboo- Hall is causing so much noise. So I can’t stay silent anymore. Then I perked up my ears to listen to people’s conversation.

nWhen Lara left the battle tower the atmosphere returned to usual.

nA quick glint flashed in my eyes. An important piece of information made my doubts clear. When Lara officially joined the academy like me. Her strength was already in the Level-3 Rank.

nBut for freshers, it’s necessary to participate in Outer House rankings. Before getting into the Inner House. So her situation is quite rare. That’s why she was allowed to participate in Outer House rankings first.

nAs a Taboo Hall member, her strength didn’t arouse any suspicion. But If I surpass her, then it will lead to exposure of my unnatural strength. So I won’t do that.

nBut I’m a Level-2 wizard. I can at least change the Outer House rankings.

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