Talent stone! Aster was really surprised to get another Talent stone so quickly as these are really rare. He remembered the talent stone giving him his inventory talent.
Aster immediately cracked the stone, the stone turned into particles and went inside his head. But failed to awaken a talent. "Talent awakening is really rare, I just got lucky the first try."
Aster then used the exit gate to come out, after leveling up Aster again set his stats to mana and attack, now he was confident he could finish the dungeon in hell mode again. So, Aster chose Hell mode and went inside again.
On the other hand, General was more surprised, because the moment he checked the leaderboard, he saw Aster’s name and beside it was written Hell Mode, clearing time 12 minutes.
General couldn’t believe his eyes as before him no one in the first year could have cleared Hell Mode, because even before entering Hell Mode, students need to complete Hard Mode very quickly to get access to it.
Before today, no one in history managed to do it right after getting admitted.
But before General could calm down, very soon Aster cleared Hell Mode again. This time it was an even faster 8 minutes. And one after another he kept making new records for Hell Mode clearing.
After 3 hours, the set time of the dungeon expedition ended. Everyone came out of the dungeon. Many were injured, covered in bandages.
Aster came out of the dungeon after clearing Hell Mode for dozens of times.
System Window
Class: Lazy Sovereign
Level: 14
Attack: 98
Mana: 95
Intelligence: 44
Speed: 75
Vitality: 75
Stat Points: 20
Talent: Infinite Weapon Manifestor (SSS+)
Talent: Sloth’s Authority (SSS+)
Talent: Lazy Inspection (SSS+)
Talent: Sloth’s Inventory (SSS+)
Skills:
Slash level 12: 2 slash/s range 14m
Bind level 2: bind/s 1s durability range 2m
Parry level 1: 1 parry/s range 1m
Everyone stood before the stage where General Cassius was standing. Right up on his head was a big screen. Everyone including the top 10 ranked stared towards the screen.
The General said, "You all have worked really hard. I can feel your improvement right from here. Now I’ll announce the results of the dungeon expedition."
Adrian smirked, he was confident he would win the top place. He cleared Hard Mode 18 times in 3 hours.
Now the results are here. General turned the screen on and everyone was very shocked. Adrian and the others couldn’t believe themselves. Adrian questioned the results, "How is that possible? He must have cheated."
General replied, "I can guarantee you he didn’t, there is no way anyone can cheat in my college under my nose." Adrian immediately went silent and stared at Aster.
Everyone looked at Aster with surprised expressions. Aster looked back at them. "Hum? What? Why are you all looking at me?" Then Aster looked at the screen.
Aster Vale — score 12600 points
Adrian Thorn — score 9000 points
Alas Drudwedern — score 8500 points
Shul Finillel — score 8000 points
...
"Now hear me everyone, many of you might already know. After a week the college ranking tournament will be held. This is very important, because this ranking decides how much supply for this city will come to our college.
"So, we have decided to select the top 4 students of this dungeon expedition to participate. Of course, this is not final yet. Anyone of you who thinks you are more qualified than them, you can prove it by challenging them to a duel."
"Damn this General, bad son of a good mother, always finds new ways to make my life more stressful. Why am I selected for the college ranking tournament!?" Aster thought with a frowned expression.
"Fine, I’ll try to do my old trick again. I’ll get defeated by someone and give him the chance," Aster thought with a sly smile.
But even after two days no one had come to challenge Aster. Aster was really worried. "Huhh! Now no one is coming, but as soon as I touch some food, they will come running." Aster placed a hand on his cheek and said with an annoyed expression.
After some thought, Aster came to a decision. "If no one came to me, that means I have to go to them. And I know just whom to go to."
That evening, Aster went to the training ground and as expected Nolan was still there training with his sword.
Aster approached Nolan. "Hey! Nolan, how are you still training?" Nolan replied, "Oh hey, Aster! It’s rare to see you here, now that you have your own training hall."
Aster scratched his head. "My own training hall? I guess there is one but I never went there even once," Aster thought.
Aster then asked Nolan, "Didn’t you want to participate in these tournaments? I think there is a way you can!"
Nolan replied, "Really? But the only way there is is to duel with the chosen participants. And I don’t think with my current strength, I could defeat any of you," Nolan said while staring at his clenched fist.
Aster, with an embarrassed expression, said, "No! No! I think you can. How about me? I’m sure you can defeat me. Come challenge me to a duel!"
But Nolan’s expression changed instantly. The friendly smile disappeared, and his eyes turned cold.
"Aster... I don’t know if all of this is just a joke to you. But if it is, then do not joke with me."
He took a step forward, fists clenched at his sides, pride burning in every word.
"We ordinary people claw and bleed for even a single chance to stand on stage and prove our worth to the world. I don’t need something handed to me out of pity. I will seize it with my own hands or not at all."
Aster Frozed
The words struck deeper than any sword.
He felt a heavy weight settle in his chest. Without saying anything more, he turned and walked away.
Back in his room, Aster sat in silence, replaying Nolan’s expression over and over again. The determination on Nolan’s face and his heartfelt words struck Aster deeply, making him recall his past for a moment.
After a long time, he exhaled quietly.
"...Alright."
His eyes hardened with rare seriousness.
"I’ll join the tournament. And I’ll win."
Then Aster took out 6 Talent stones from his inventory. The drop rate this way was really low, but I cleared Hell Mode so many times now I have 6 of them. Hopefully, I can get something out of them which will help me win the tournament in 4 days.
1st stone failed.
2nd stone failed. One by one every stone failed. Now only the last one was left. Aster held the last Talent stone with his fingers. He looked at the stone with an irritated face but instantly became normal again and said, "Dear stone, please, please give me a talent, please. ’Kiss.’ " Aster used the last stone.
System Window
Congratulations! Learned Talent Slumber Domain!
Talent: Slumber Domain (SSS+)
Effect: While asleep, the user’s consciousness enters a dream realm. Any combat experience, skill mastery, or techniques learned there are perfectly retained upon waking.