CHAPTER 35: "RIDICULOUS RULES!" [NO, PERFECT RULES!]

The rules app had a boxy interface, and there were a total of twenty-one.

Everlearn skimmed through them, but some were so ridiculous he could barely believe it.

One of them was Rule 1, and it went like this:

Rule 1 — Points Are Life

"Points determine privilege. Meals, modules, and medical pods are purchased with points. Run out, and you lose access to meals, Mecha Modules, and even the ability to heal from training injuries.

Note: Free 100 points are given to every newcomer.

Even More Important Note: They can be taken from you by others."

"This is ridiculous," Everlearn muttered in disbelief.

Even if he agreed that meals and Mecha Modules ought to be a student’s responsibility, that was fine. But having no access to medical pods used to heal from training injuries—injuries caused by the school’s own training? That was outrageous.

And to make it worse, points could be taken away by others. That was an outright declaration of bullying, and even mild support of it.

A school like this, and bullying was a thing!?

What was this, the 2000s!?

And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

The second rule was even more ridiculous.

Rule 3 — Forbidden Grounds: Upper Divisions

"The X-Guard Academy has three sectors. The first sector is for newcomers, the second for second-years, and the third for third-years.

The second and third sectors are strictly forbidden to lower ranks. Unauthorized entry will lead to point seizure—the deeper one goes into the territory, the more points are deducted.

If caught by a second or third year, the offending student may be disciplined by them for the infiltration.

Note: Having your points reduced is automatic from the Academy. Getting your ass whooped badly doesn’t mean you won’t get deducted points—it means you just got taught an extra lesson."

Imagine losing your way, and instead of being directed to the right place, you not only get your lifelines—your points—deducted, but also get beaten up by senior students!?

What happened to the common sense of having someone simply direct you to the right area?

Now it made sense why the woman had told him to read and familiarize himself well with the map. If he lost his way and mistakenly wandered off into forbidden territory, he might lose everything.

Another absurd rule was Rule 5.

Rule 5 — The Challenge System

"Students may issue ranked duels. Victory awards 30% of the loser’s total points; defeat costs half of your own. However, duels across divisions require instructor approval—and an offering worth 500 points."

Note: Newbies are under a No-Challenge protection for two weeks.

Important Note: While you can refuse a duel from someone who has challenged you more than twice before, you cannot refuse duels three times from three different people. Your fourth challenge must be accepted!

Very Important Note: Duels across divisions require instructor approval, which must be bought with 50 points, and an offering worth 200 points by the challenger in case of a loss.

Caution Note:

The points possessed by every student are listed on the Points Ranking and can be seen by the entire student body.

While Everlearn understood this was a way for students to earn points, it was still ridiculous.

Imagine wanting to duel someone. You first have to rent an instructor—costing 50 points—and then bet 200 points. If you lose, you lose 200 points. Imagine renting an instructor for 50 points just for him to watch your ass get whooped badly.

How ridiculous was that!?

And besides, there was a Points Ranking.

So he couldn’t even gather points in peace. The amount of points he had would always be displayed, meaning the challenges would be never-ending once he became a big fish.

Where was the peace that was supposed to come from having enough points? If, once you had had enough, greedy eyes immediately locked onto you, waiting to challenge you?

How was this supposed to be a fair system of earning points?

This was plain robbery in a fucking suit and tie.

The last ridiculous rule was the final one on the list.

Rule 21 — Zero Point Protocol

"Students with 0 points for a week will be relocated to the ’Reclaim Wing.’

Important Note: The details of the Reclaim Wing program are confidential."

Advisory Note: Try not to let your points reach a full 0... please.

They were supposed to go through a Reclaim Wing program, yet the information about the program wasn’t even revealed.

When he finished scrolling through the device, his eyes darkened.

"This is ridiculous."

[Kinda looks alright to me,]

the system panel flashed as Everlearn’s eyebrow twitched.

[The system is pretty understandable. As much as it seems harsh, it also creates pressure. No student can sit calmly or get lazy. If they don’t look for trouble, it’s only a matter of time before trouble finds them. And if they ain’t got points, then they’re more or less screwed.]

"How is that a good thing?" Everlearn asked flatly.

[Pressure creates diamonds, Everlearn. Only in such a competitive zone can even the average be made into something exceptional.]

[As for those who crumble under it, they’re just trash, undeserving.]

[The rules are perfect!]

Everleanr realized quickly.

The rules were the rules.

If they had not changed, then there was nothing he could do. So instead of sulking about it. He might just keep it in mind and plan his move accordingly.

That aside, how about the quest I completed? He asked the panel, blinked:

[Congratulations on Completing The Epic Quest: Join the X Guard Academy!]

[Rewards:

+3 Bone Injuries Healing Card!

+5 Flesh Injuries Healing Card!

+1 Full Body Rejuvenation Card.]

"That’s all?"

[That’s All.]

"WHAT THE FUCK!?"

[What?]

"What!? What is this supposed to be!?"

[What does it look like!?]

"Some fucking bad omen premonition!? Why else would you be given bone healing cards!?"

[The system’s rewards are autogenerated by complex modules. It has nothing to do with me.] The panel blinked, and Evelarn’s lips opened and closed before the realization dawned on it.

"Nah, I know it now. There’s someone in the shadow fucking with me!"

[You don’t say.]