That familiar voice returned.

[Transmigrator #54 Has Died.

Information:

[Transmigrator #54][Role: Farmer][Name: Ben Siome][Points rewarded to anonymous killer: 10]

The game will resume as normal.]

Cassien stared forward for a brief moment, processing the information.

’It’s already begun. People have already started killing each other ferociously. A farmer, too... poor guy. Imagine trying to fertilize your crops only to suddenly see a knife pierced through your chest, or whatever other miserable method it took to kill him.’

At this point, it honestly wasn’t surprising.

’Anyone will do anything to survive and win this game. And what’s funny is the simple fact that nobody has even questioned it yet. Just goes to show how gullible we all are. A bunch of headless chickens thrown into a death game.’

While getting up and fixing his posture, Cassien decided to go receive his schedule. Some third-years were currently completing volunteer hours by handing them out alphabetically by last name.

He might as well get his now while he had nothing better to do.

And after that, he’d train to advance his mana. He needed to get ahead of the game.

The [Transmigration Games].

...

After a while, it was finally his turn in line to retrieve it.

Inside the academy’s main atrium sector, large tables had been lined up neatly while third-years sat behind them, handing out each individual’s schedule in an organized pathway.

Cassien stepped forward, looking down at the two third-years seated behind their table.

"Next... um, can you tell me your last name, please?" one of them asked kindly.

"Artfold."

"Artfold... okay, A." She skimmed through a couple of sheets until eventually landing on his. "There you go. Cassien Artfold, here you are. This is your schedule for the first year, both semesters."

He smiled lightly. "Thanks a lot."

She tilted her head sideways. "No worries."

While walking away and examining the paper in his hands, one thing became immediately clear to him.

’These third-year girls are plump as hell.’

A truly enlightening observation.

His attention shifted back toward the schedule. The walk through the academy felt oddly empty as he skimmed through the contents of his schedule.

–

[Class 1C].

[Year: 1] [Semester: 1]

[Classes]

→ 1. Combat Fundamentals I→ 2. Mana Control & Arcane Foundations→ 3. Tactical Strategy & Battlefield Analysis→ 4. Noble Politics & Academy Laws

[Year: 1] [Semester: 2]

[Classes]

→ 1. Applied Combat Practicum→ 2. Elemental Specialization I→ 3. Beast Studies & Field Survival→ 4. Rune Theory & Spell Construction

–

Class placements were gifted to individuals not necessarily through direct strength evaluations, but rather through prestige, noble standards, and overall recognition.

In other words, 1D consisted of students who received little to no attention, while 1A was reserved for those who were the most respected and publicly acknowledged.

Basically, it all came down to merit. Or at least, society’s version of it.

A smile escaped Cassien’s lips.

’Nice... looks like I’ll be together with some interesting figures for my first semester. Yes, very interesting.’

He folded the schedule and slipped it neatly into his pocket before making his way toward the training facility.

...

"Sorry, guys, we’re closed for today. Come again tomorrow."

The moment he arrived, his hopes were immediately crushed. Apparently, some incident had occurred earlier, which forced the training facility to close for the rest of the day.

A complete letdown.

But nonetheless, Cassien moved on.

...

After a while of navigating around the academy by himself, not really making any new friends or meaningful connections, he eventually found himself sitting near the main center, where students could obtain missions from the quest billboards.

Cassien scanned through them carefully until one in particular caught his eye.

An image, a location, and a target.

[Image: ...]

[Creature: Low-Tier Demonic Beast]

[Location: The Arthol Caverns] 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

[Difficulty: C-Tier]

[Mission: Return the Demon’s Core, whether shattered or intact, doesn’t matter]

[Reward: 50 Gold Coins]

...

Cassien stared at the mission for a moment.

’I don’t remember this being here before... but I might as well take it on. Life has been pretty boring since the start, after all.’

As he approached the board, his hand reached toward the quest offering 50 gold.

I mean, why wouldn’t he? He was quite the greedy individual after all.

But the moment his fingers connected with the paper, it was suddenly snatched away.

Zoom!

Cassien turned to see who had stolen it.

A young man dressed in the academy’s standard uniform now held the sheet in his hands. He looked back at Cassien with what could only be described as the most pitiful and disgusted expression humanly possible.

Then, he bowed toward a familiar figure approaching from behind.

"My lady, I have acquired the quest."

Cassien’s eyes shifted.

’Ms. Platini...’

A small realization hit him.

’Oh. I see what this is now.’

"Thank you, Adam. I don’t mind going on this one." Victoria glanced over the quest carefully. "Does tomorrow sound fine? Tomorrow, early afternoon?"

Adam nodded respectfully, and the two began walking away.

But before they could make it very far, Cassien stepped directly between them.

Without asking, he took Victoria’s right hand gently into his own before lowering his back into an exaggerated, respectful bow, almost as if mocking Adam’s earlier display.

Victoria immediately stiffened. A light blush formed across her cheeks.

Cassien pressed a kiss to her hand.

"Hello, Miss Platini," he whispered before straightening himself again. "I’m afraid you look more beautiful than ever. Your title suits you so well, I honestly have no words."

Victoria stood there in visible embarrassment.

Perfect.

Cassien leaned slightly closer.

"But if you don’t mind, I had that quest first."

In one smooth motion, he slipped the quest right out of her grasp.

"I’ll be taking that now. Thank you very much."

He turned to walk away.

Adam simply watched in stunned silence, his expression twisting further by the second.

As Cassien passed him, he leaned closer.

"I’m disappointed you really thought you could beat me with this loser nonsense."

...

As he attempted to sign off on the quest alone, an arm suddenly grabbed onto his own.

Cassien reacted instantly, already beginning to infuse mana into the knife hidden beneath his sleeve.

Victoria’s butler had stopped him once again.

"Give that back." His voice trembled with anger. "I said... give that back!"

Cassien slowly turned his head, meeting him eye to eye.

"No."