บท 27: Chapter 26: Jitan

" Alright, before we start on some topics, let me ask you guys a question that seems simple at first until you realize the true answer. " Mr. Hew shifts his front to the bored as he starts to write his questions.

" Why were suffixes added in the official ranking of the Inters... " He wrote on the board.

" As you all know, suffixes were added to the rankings of the Inters as declared by the GRE 10 years ago. But why was that? "

Though the question seemed answerable by pure logic, the others were a little hesitant to raise their arms, as per the warning of Mr. Hew on how different the answer was.

Except for one individual.

" Yes, Mr. Airy " Leon raised his arms confidently.

" It's because of the wide variety of Inters, causing Guardians who were capable of defeating a specific rank to be overly confident, thinking that Inters of the same tier was as strong as another. Mainly, the Sector 11 Academy incident, where the Inter that was supposed to be subdued by the 3rd year students was indicated as an Elite level threat, but the Inter was actually in the higher levels of Elite killing everything in its path causing the entire section to die in its hands. " He says with confidence.

" Well done... "

" As expected of him... " Murmurs escapes the crowd.

" But that wasn't the actual answer "

" ?! "

" Though you did give me the most detailed answer in all my years, it wasn't just right. " Mr. Hew seems to be satisfied however despite Leon failing to get the real answer.

" No one? "

It was the Jitan if I remembered correctly, but getting the right answer for this question seemed pointless so I didn't bother.

" Fine, I'll answer. " Mr. Hew gives up

" Leon wasn't right as his answer was the main reason why adding suffixes such as minus and plus was brought up in the first place. But it wasn't set into stone even after a few years had passed already. "

" Though it seems like it should be a part of history, the real answer wasn't spread to the public simply because they didn't think the need to do so. They thought that it would spread more unnecessary panic to the public, thus hiding it in the process... "

The students couldn't help but look at Mr. Hew in a confused manner.

" Then why am I telling it to you? Because you'll see them soon anyways. It's your responsibility to protect the people and your families, so it's taught to you guys. "

" Anyways, the main reason it was set into stone, was because of a single beast. "

" ... What? "

Dumbfounded by Mr. Hew's answer. The others couldn't help but look at each other. A single beast? What does that even mean?

" A beast that could fit the measuring system. Because it was too weak? No, it was too strong. "

!!!

The confusion in the other's face suddenly crumbled into horror, as they wonder what this beast even was.

" As of now, the public doesn't know of a single Royal+ Inter, but it did exist. " Mr. Hew says in a serious tone.

" Only one beast fit that rank up to this day, and it's also the Inter that caused this rank to form. "

" The Jitan. A huge headless humanoid, with string-like hairs escaping from its neck. It was a force to be reckoned with killing hundreds of A+ Guardians and 14 Sentinels at that time. It was the most tragic victory in the history of mankind. "

" So let this be a reminder to you. Regardless of how powerful you think you are. That Inter threat level might change one day and it might not be the Inter who falls to the ground. "

The class went off for a little while longer, explaining the threats and also most of the important factors on the battlefield, not to scare the others, but to present the truth in front of the students.

" Alright Class Dismiss. " Mr. Hew finally dismisses the class causing everyone to finally stand up as they suddenly flock towards most of the Pillar's general direction. They could finally talk and make acquaintances as they didn't manage to get the opportunity earlier.

I rose from my seat, trying to approach either Sol or Winter, as Sol was generally friendly, while Winter I was acquainted with already. but I was suddenly stopped.

" How'd you know? " Someone whispers at me as I stand up.

Leon? Why is he talking to me?

" What? " I ask him.

" You whispered Jitan earlier. How do you know that even when normal and influential students don't? Aren't you supposed to be a Wanderer? " He looks at me with his usual friendly smile.

...

Did I whisper that loud earlier...

Tsk...

This is the reason why I don't like to interact with Leon this early...

" Oh, I read this textbook at the library yesterday. Because you know... I need all the information I want. " I point at the textbook the student next to me was holding with the same friendly smile as Leon.

... Since we're so similar.

" Oh is that so? " He replies with an even brighter attitude, trying to probe me to provide him with some evidence.

Tsk... It seems like I've caught his attention...

" Can I borrow It for a second?" I asked my seatmate looking a little bit troubled by us.

" Uh.. yea... yeah sure. " He replies meekly handing me the textbook.

I flipped the page exactly to a particular page, specifically the back side of the book showing not only the text about the Jitan but also an illustration and a picture of it.

How'd I know this? Well, let's say it's from horrible news in the future causing Sol to research more about this creature.

This was a book only allowed in an academy so the strongest Inter that ever lived was posted behind it.

" Ah... I see... " He then falls into his thoughts as he looks at the textbook with a curious look.

Attention +1

" Sorry for troubling you then" He smiles yet again shifting his attention to the crowd approaching him from afar.

Tsk... I despised every single second of that interaction...

Regardless, I'm sure I caught his attention fully as that abrupt +1 Attention only meant one thing.

I guess it isn't all that bad...

...

The two who were having a civilized war didn't even realize the number of eyes that were on them.

" Look, the wanderer and the prince is talking. "

" Woah, are you sure that's the wanderer, and not the brother of Leon or something? "

"I know right? "

" He looks amazing. "

" Wait, Jian aren't you in the same class as him? Why don't you introduce us? "

" Jian? "

" I'm a little sick today guys. I need to go " Jian replies calmly to the sudden request of his classmate leaving the room the instant he reached the door.

" That was weird... "

" Anyways, it seems like they're done talking let's go! "

...

" Mon Weise... You'll fucking die... " Jian who escaped the room with calmness, has his arms clenched so hard they started to bleed as he walks away from the room he was just in.