"I think the assignment would focus on the era in which we got included in the alliance."

"Slim chance if you truly want to know something about cultivation, try the age of Heroes era." A commanding voice, accompanied by a tall, veiled girl with flowing black hair and a daring red dress, took center stage. The slit in her dress revealed a glimpse of one leg, and her eyes sparkled like clear water above the veil. Michel and Alexander, caught off guard, stood in awe.

With an air of disdain, the mysterious girl chided, "Ignorant juniors who haven't a clue about the age of heroes." She strolled past them, hardly acknowledging their presence. As she disappeared, leaving a trail of intrigue, another girl, clad in a mini skirt and shirt in front of a car, inquired, "Did you speak with Miss Zara?" The Mercedes S-Class, unlike its hovering counterparts, proudly rolled on wheels, a clear sign that its owner belonged to the elite class with a road exclusively at their service as surely the poor people will not go around in Mercedes.

"No need to fret; I've got it under control," she assured.

"Is that why you're dressed like Miss Zara today?" the other girl teased, a playful smirk on her face. The conversation reached them just as the two women gracefully entered the hovering Mercedes, its tires transforming into thrusters as it shot off into the distance.

"Varsity's got some high rollers, huh?" Alexander remarked, eyes following the trail of the speeding car.

"I think I am in love," Michel confessed with a sparkle in her eyes, captivated.

Caught off guard, Alexander was taken aback; he had never seen Michel in such a baffled state before.

"Ah, well, forget it. She's on a whole other level all together." A voice interrupted from behind the duo, adding an unexpected twist to the unfolding drama.

"And how do you come by this information?" Michel inquired, turning around with Alexander to find a hefty figure waddling towards them. The boy's belly jiggled with each step, creating a mini tsunami on his surface. They recognized him as Jimmy, one of the affluent students in their class.

Alexander and Michel were familiar with Jimmy, and when you have such a distinguishing body, it is hard for people not to know you. Despite being well-off, Jimmy wasn't the typical snobbish rich kid. In Alexander's opinion, he was tolerable.

"Well, first of all, she's no ordinary woman," Jimmy began, capturing their attention.

"Of course, the women I fancy can never be ordinary," Michel declared triumphantly.

"Let me finish. Setting aside everything else, she's more powerful than some of the first-year teachers. She reached the Xeo 9 stage almost eleven months ago. Who knows how powerful she is now? And with her personality, she won't settle for anyone weaker than her," Jimmy said, observing the shock in Alexander and Michel's eyes with a hint of amusement in his own.

"I don't believe it," Michel stammered, his voice filled with disbelief..

"Why not? Do you think everyone is as talentless as us? Talent isn't the only way," Jimmy retorted.

Michel and Alexander both knew, jimmy was not that good at cultivation, though he was above average. That's why he got triggered.

"What do you mean?" Alexander quickly asked trying to pacify the situation.

"With enough wealth, even someone with limited talent can quickly cultivate to a higher level by buying and using expensive materials," Jimmy stated mockingly.

"But that would require an enormous amount of money," Michel questioned.

"True, but even though I'm sure she didn't seek outside help, if she needed it, her family could easily provide," Jimmy explained.

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"How do you know all this about her? Are you pursuing her, too?" Alexander teased.

"Though your daddy, I am a lady hunter, I wouldn't dare have any designs on her. My father warned me that it could endanger our entire family," Jimmy replied, starting in a self-mocking tone but ending with solemnity.

Alexander and Michel both scoffed at the same time.

"Are they that powerful?" Alexander asked, showing no fear, as if it sparked of something deeper within him.

Jimmy replied, "Their family has enough power to strip us of all influence, but wiping us out completely would come at a cost. And that price is what their adversaries are waiting for them to pay. So, they're not the real threat, or so my father says."

"What is the real threat then?" Alexander queried, curiosity lighting up his eyes.

"The main problem is her connection to the citadel," Jimmy dropped the bombshell, and the three fell into a stunned silence. They knew the citadel, the nerve center of the city, home to powerful figures, including Joseph Jones, the de facto mayor.

"These people are truly beyond our reach. I was just contemplating it anyway," Michel sighed.

"Yeah, these are the folks we should steer clear of," Jimmy added. "So, are you guys heading home?"

"Yeah, I am, but Alexander is staying," Michel replied, pointing at Alexander.

"I need to study for my assignment," Alexander said nonchalantly.

"Going on the evening bus?" Jimmy asked, shocked as Alexander almost never did that.

"I have no choice."

"Well, you do you. My car's here; I'm off. Bye!" Jimmy waved, departing.

"See you tomorrow, man. Bye!" Michel called after him.

"Okay. I better get to reading. The assignment won't do itself," Alexander said.

"Alright, bye then." Michel headed towards the road.

Alexander watched as Michel approached other students, convincing them to share a taxi. Michel was adept at interacting with anyone. On any other day, Alexander would join him, but today was different.

Sighing, Alexander moved toward the library, unnoticed in the river-like flow of people. At the library, two old vending machines were worn, and a new, expensive one by the door offered only soft drinks.

Choosing the cheaper option from the old machines, he checked for cleanliness and sat on one of the two stairs. After eating, he dusted himself and entered the A-like three-story library. The first floor had books, a librarian's area, and the second floor was U-shaped. One side of the building was completely made of glass wall from which greenery could be seen and natural light came to make a good reading atmosphere actress all floors.

The third floor had audiobooks and simulations with an entry fee, while the floor above was restricted to the VP with 24/7 security.

Alexander strolled to the left, scooping up three intriguing books. The first, "5001 to 50199 Highlights" by Striven Miller, caught his eye. Next, he snatched "The Walk of 60100 to 60700" by David Quinge. The last, "6600 to 6665" by the enigmatic Manisen Qunzecal, was his current pick—authored by the personal advisor to Earth's leader, often hailed as the emperor of blue.

There were tables between every column, and after taking the three books, Alexander went a little deep as he searched for a table where no one was seating. Normally, six people can sit at one table, but Alexander did not like people, so he kept searching for a quiet place.

As he went deeper, the number of people around was reducing, and suddenly in between columns, there was no one, but as Alexander liked the quietness, he went a little farther. In one such place, he saw that a senior male student had a beautiful lady pinned against a bookshelf. Alexander knew right away that they were kissing and stopped after hearing his footsteps.

Seeing the scene, Alexander felt like his heart just skipped a beat, but he was not sure why that was. Was it because of his pain or fear? But as his gaze met the furious eyes of both the seniors, he lowered his eyes as he walked deeper. Eventually he found solace a few steps away in a quiet corner of the library though his mind was a mass.

"Is this the pain of loneliness?" Alexander murmured.

'Yes, yes it is.' The voice again rang in his mind.

"Why should I feel pain? What happened?"

'You are jealous of those two, and it is giving you the feeling that you would be alone forever while everyone is being happy.'

"No, I am also a good person. Why would that happen to me?"

'Do you think justice or karma exists? If it did, you would not be in such bad conditions. You don't have money, cultivation, not even a good brain like countless others. You are just average. I am telling you, just end it. All of your problems will be gone, and you could be happy, forever.'

Shaking off the dark thoughts, Alexander reaffirmed his belief in justice and the potential for improvement. "One day, all of this will fix itself," he assured himself as he prepared to immerse himself in his books.

Just as he was about to delve into his reading, the librarian's announcement disrupted his plans. "as per the VP sir's order The library will close in 5 minutes. Evacuate immediately," echoed through the sound system. Frustrated, Alexander cursed, stood up, and joined the chaotic stream of people rushing towards the exit. The abrupt end to his quiet reading time left him exasperated, a sentiment shared by others scrambling down from the upper floors of the library.

Unlike every day, the massive gate swung open so, Alexander and his companions exited without the expected chose of the crowed. Stepping out, Alexander was met with a lineup of opulent cars—Mercedes S-Class, Aston Martin, and more—hovering in place. The VP emerged from a Parejo, greeted by eager students. However, the atmosphere shifted when he promptly instructed everyone to evacuate.

Cursing the VP silently, Alexander joined the stream of students making their way out. Amidst the high-end vehicles, he noticed a high end luxury yet old car with distinctively adorned tires, marked by frequent use and evident damage. A quick assessment revealed it to be an older model, a telltale sign of an elite presence in the city here.

Alexander swiftly departed the area, heading towards the campus gate. Unbeknownst to the bustling crowd, a remarkably slender girl, cloaked in a long winter jacket, stood gazing at the s-class vehicle with tires. Her attention then shifted to a specific rooftop nearby, where she nodded in approval. A keen observer might have noticed a discreet black silhouette on that rooftop, reciprocating the nod and signaling with a hand gesture. Suddenly, the surrounding trees emitted some flickering, visible only to him due to his elevated vantage point.

Alexander strolled towards the varsity gate, his focus unwavering. Reaching it, he briskly made his way to the nearby bus station, just a 5-minute walk. The area buzzed with fellow students, yet Alexander, not one for crowds, remained in his quiet corner, awaiting the bus.

In the midst of his solitude, a sweet and melodious voice suddenly broke through, asking, "Hey, is this Alexander?"