An exceedingly confident white-haired girl was expertly handling another student atop the stage. Her opponent took his chances and immediately stabbed forward, ignoring everything as he banked on ending this in one strike. The white-haired girl twirled along the blade’s side, letting her opponent’s sword brush by her. Continuing on to ride the flow, the white-haired girl grabbed ahold of her opponent’s hands and twisted them, disarming him completely.

In the end, the girl’s opponent was on the ground, kneeling on all fours as she pointed the tip of the wooden sword right behind his neck. A feeling of complete suppression echoed within the man’s heart as he didn’t even understand what had happened. Fiona’s lightning-like movement made it hard for him to see what techniques she employed.

“Well done, Fiona! Well done, indeed. That’s the fifth challenger today unfortunately the time’s up. I’m now sure that everyone firmly believes that Fiona is the rightful Student Body President of this year.” Dean Alabaster proudly said out loud, projecting his voice throughout the entire hall.

From beginning to end, Arin carefully examined Fiona’s movements, whether they were as small as the timings of her breath or as large as the change in her footwork. Using the bits of pieces of information he had, he determined one thing.

“If I fight her, it’ll be a close fight, but I’ll win.” Arin accurately judged the girl who was basking in the respect of the students. “But that’s only according to what I’ve seen. I still don’t know what she has hidden,” Arin’s eyes narrowed as he carefully observed that Fiona hadn’t broken a single sweat yet.

Arin gripped his hands together, clenching hard as he suppressed his own desire to strike back immediately. It wasn’t yet time, he still had a few ways to go before he could completely take over the entire academy.

On top of the makeshift arena, Fiona reached out her hand with a beaming smile on her face. Her opponent, for the first time, decided to reach out his hand to take it. She pulled him up and whispered something in his ear. His eyes widened as he immediately bowed down to Fiona, profusely thanking her as he immediately ran off as well.

“Huh? What was that?” One of the audience members got confused as even though Fiona’s opponent seemed to have been extremely thankful, he ran off going to God knows where.

Fiona’s delicate hearing immediately noticed this person ask and decided to elaborate, “I firmly believe in growing stronger together! So, for every person that challenged me, I decided to help them out with their techniques. My last opponent heard what I said about his technique, and he immediately went to test it out.”

“Seriously? Damn it! I should’ve gone up there!”

“Getting taught by a beauty like her… ha! What I wouldn’t pay for that!”

“I was about to go next! Why did they fight for so long!”

Fiona heard countless people speak their woes, regrets, and admiration. For as many praises as she received, there were still a few who voiced their discontent.

“Tch, so what if she could fight? In the end, she’s just a woman.”

“Fiona… was it? Just watch, I’ll break her and make her my toy.”

“Pathetic.”

Fiona was used to these people showing off without having the strength to back it up. She tuned out all the hateful words that came her way as she kept her calm smile that pushed for a change that she believed to serve the future better. She fully knew how dark and corrupted the world truly was, so she decided to change the world at her own pace, asking her father to enroll her in the worst academy in the City of Sin.

All the words of mockery and doubt that the other students said out loud didn’t affect her mentality at all except for one word, pathetic. For some reason, her heart dropped as if she met her equal, she immediately widened her eyes as she looked through the entire crowd to pinpoint a muscular man at the very end of the seats.

Fiona directly looked at Arin who was glaring at her, making her feel small and weak. Never before had she felt this way about someone. This was the same as seeing a young predator in the wild, although he wasn’t a threat right now, in the future, he might as well be the very person who could destroy everything, rendering all her work and progress to dust.

She didn’t feel as if he was physically strong… it was as if he was her polar opposite. Instead for wishing for the betterment of everyone else, this man before her seemed to wish for the end of the world.

She mentally took note of this person within her mind. After taking note of Arin, she looked around and found a few other problematic students within the cast, although they weren’t as threatening as Arin, they were still a roadblock to the world she envisioned.

When Fiona calmly gazed at Arin, he felt an indescribable chill within his bones igniting his burning desire to fight her. He felt that she was a grand mountain, impossibly hard to topple over, too steady, too powerful, too immovable. Despite feeling like this, he wanted nothing more than to jump out and fight it out with her yet he suppressed this feeling once more, albeit with extreme difficulty.

Returning to her state of clarity, Fiona inhaled and exhaled, preparing for the announcement that she hoped to arouse everyone’s competitive spirits, “After severe considerations, we have decided to give out a mock exam to pre-maturely give you your Rating. It may be rash and unscholarly, but I believe that this is an important step to change for the better.”

Multiple students’ eyes lit up as one of them asked, “Will we be able to enter the Trials then?”

As expected, this was the first thing that came to their minds. Fiona knew just how tempting the allure of safety while attempting a Trial was. This would exponentially let them get stronger while risking nothing at all.

“Yes. If you qualify for the required Rating then it wouldn’t be any issue handing out your qualifications to challenge your appropriate level.” Fiona’s words made everyone burst out in shock and awe. This was the sole reason why everyone attended academies, to gain qualifications easily. Although there were other ways to do so, entering an academy is the easiest and most straightforward way to do so.

“Furthermore, I believe the brightest minds should have the right to show off their talents to motivate the other students to strive for excellence. Meaning that the Student Body committee will be filled up with the highest scoring students for this mock exam, with the highest scorer having the title of Student Body Vice President.”

Even more waves of extreme frenzy came from the crowd, even some of the bad apples hidden within had a slightly positive impression of Fiona. All because this was insane, it was breaking apart all the ties, connections, bribery, and deceit of everyday life, opting to focus on pure skill and qualifications.

Arin carefully saw through Fiona’s seemingly kind gesture, “It doesn’t change anything. Those who’re strong will stay strong while those weak will stay weak.”

Fiona noticed that Arin was still unimpressed up to until now, so she finally took out the greatest change by far, “I know that this is usually a one-time test at the end of every year, but I managed to convince Dean Alabaster to let anyone take the exam at any time without any cost. I hope this change will further motivate everyone to do their best!” Fiona’s expectations were high, she wanted everyone to strive and thrive. She was going to turn this dog-eat-dog academy into one that supported each other.

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By making the test available the entire time, this was essentially saying to the entire batch of students one thing. If you have the skills then show me, and I’ll lead you to glory.

Fiona slightly peeked at Arin’s expression yet there was no change. She was slightly baffled at why Arin didn’t show any change in his expression, she was sure that this would show her motivation and determination for a better world.

Feeling slightly off, she still continued, “Furthermore, there will be rewards at certain milestones to help you all grow. You can claim these rewards at any time! My father has sponsored everything so I believe that this will be helpful to you all!”

For all the weak and miserably unintelligent students, they were all greatly thankful for Fiona yet the upper echelons with terrifying backings and supreme skill were unimpressed.

His thoughts were steady, and his understanding of the situation was deep, “Fiona, you’re too optimistic. You’re helping them but you aren’t stopping the core issue, violence. Regardless, not my problem, the more incompetent she is, the better it is for me.”

Compared to Arin’s realistic viewpoint, all the students, alongside those who previously bashed her name were now in favor of Fiona’s way of leadership. They were about to have stuff for free.

Dean Alabaster heartily laughed as he observed the entire situation unfold. He snapped his fingers and numerous people showed up, bringing along numerous pieces of paper that were quickly distributed to everyone in the hall.

“Well then, children… begin!” Dean Alabaster calmly walked over to the center of the stage and shouted. Fiona had already gone back after saying everything she wanted to, going to join the other professors to observe and watch the students to prevent them from creating trouble.

Fiona slowly made her up to the back where Arin was, she was curious as to how well he would do. She was decently confident that with his attitude he would be a top scorer here, even reaching the first spot. If he ever did so then as his superior, Fiona could slowly change his mind to pull him over her side. Thinking about this plan, she was confident that with Arin as a right-hand man, she could easily change this academy’s core.

She didn’t make it seem obvious, looking to the side from time to time and even spectating some of the students that she had an eye on. It took a while to finally reach the back where Arin was, an arduous journey making sure that no one noticed but one that she had to take.

Dean Alabaster was casually observing the entire scene unfold, he had already caught a few cheaters that passed some of the professor’s vigilant observations yet didn’t do anything. He just noted them down in his notepad for Fiona to deal with later.

He was watching Fiona’s movements as well, trying to figure out what she would do in this situation. When Fiona glanced in Arin’s direction, he finally realized that whether Fiona liked or hated Arin, he definitely took her attention, “I guess monsters can recognize each other…”

When Fiona finally reached Arin’s side, she looked over his test papers and was confused as to why it was empty. Arin snickered and stood up, glaring at Fiona, walking away as he bumped her shoulders. She was pushed back in confusion as to why Arin was acting like this.

“W-Where are you going?”

“To the bathroom. What? You want to come with me? I don’t mind.” Arin kept his body facing forward while looking back at Fiona with an arrogant look on his face. Arin smugly grinned as he kept on walking, ignoring her dazed expression.

"No!” Fiona looked around to see that a few bouts of laughter escaped from the students who heard Arin speak out. She was embarrassed at the fact that someone could so blatantly tease her. Despite this, as much as she wanted to make a move, she couldn’t.

Arin walked out, taking his sweet time as he glanced at Dean Alabaster, winking his eye. He then laughed out loud and left the hall, ignoring the consequences of his decision. This mock exam didn’t matter to him at all, in fact, he didn’t even need the so-called qualifications to challenge the Trials, he had his father’s backing. Yet despite how easy it was for him, his father still intended to put him through this.

In case someone hadn’t noticed it yet, he was a complete brute, opting to use pure violence to solve all his problems.

“That kid… I guess like father like son.” Dean Alabaster had a slight chuckle as he saw Fiona’s flabbergasted expression.

Minutes passed by, and Fiona was still standing right beside Arin’s place as she patiently waited for his return. Even more time passed when she started getting even more confused as to why he wasn’t coming back.

Did he get lost? As naive as she was, she didn’t know what happened.

Up until the time had concluded, everyone finally finished their papers and passed their answers to the neighboring professors. Fiona’s mind was blank as she didn’t understand just why Arin would give up such a valuable chance like this. Within the confusion, her wrath bubbled, she grabbed Arin’s empty papers and ran forward to complain to Dean Alabaster.

“Dean Alabaster! He didn’t even answer his papers! He should get punished for this!” Fiona’s pride was hurt as Arin essentially stood her up. Her plans of gaining a valuable ally were all for naught.

“Fiona, I think you’re overreacting.” Dean Alabaster needed to somehow calm Fiona down a bit before breaking the truth to her.

“Overreacting? Dean Alabaster, you can’t be serious! He just left!”

“Think about it, you said that any student could take it at any time. Plus, you didn’t say that if they scored low they would be punished for it, only rewarding those that scored well. If anything, it was his fault for missing out on this opportunity.”

Fiona looked down, finally realizing how naïve she was, “I guess that’s… right. But still! Who would do that!”

Seeing Fiona finally calm down, Dean Alabaster finally said it straight, “Arin Theo would.”

“Arin Theo… I feel like I’ve heard this name before. But I can’t quite put my finger on it.” Fiona's mind raced as she tried to recall something important.

“You should know his father, Kian Theo, a Labyrinth Solver.” Dean Alabaster slowly worded out his sentence but the effect on Fiona was harder than he anticipated. She was vividly troubled as her plans were immediately upside down.

“Kian Theo… so Arin’s the rumored problem child. This is more troublesome than I thought…” Fiona deeply contemplated her next few moves as Arin’s father was a little too much for her to handle.

To put it into context, Kian was one of the leading Solvers in the City of Sin, breaking through a tier above everyone else. To the point that his word was almost law, with him only bowing down his head to a mere handful of people. And the reason why he bowed his head wasn’t because he was weaker, rather, it was because he received their help when he was weaker. Kian was only responding to their kindness back then but if they took it too far then he wouldn’t hesitate to fight back.

“Kian helplessly spoils Arin… what can I do…” Fiona kept wracking her brain on how to proceed in realizing her plan to change the academy.

Seeing Fiona finally be stumped, Dean Alabaster fully calculated this and offered a few words of advice, “Fiona, do you want to change Arin’s mind?”

Fiona was slightly startled at Dean Alabaster suddenly speaking up, although she thought she hid it well, it was more than obvious for a person who dealt with people. Fiona merely nodded, curiously wondering what Dean Alabaster had in mind.

“There are two ways to change Arin's mind, either you do it through brute force or…”

“Or what?” Fiona tilted her head as she wondered what his next words would be.

“Seduction.”

“Se… seduction? No, I can’t do that!” Fiona’s crystal white face turned slightly pink as she shook her hands at the idea.

“Arin’s an extremely arrogant person who prides himself in his own abilities. I wouldn’t blame him either, if I grew up like he did then I think I might’ve turned even worse. So do you understand what I’m trying to say?” Dean Alabaster had a knowing smile on his face as he nudged Fiona in the right direction.

“It means that he won’t ask for his father’s help.”

Dean Alabaster nodded, she was the Studeny Body President for a reason, “That’s correct. His father will only step in if Arin asks for help himself, which is almost never going to happen. While the only other time when he will step in is if another person in his generation makes a move.”

“But Dean Alabaster! I can’t do either! Beating him up goes against what I stand for! And as for se… seduc… that’s even more impossible!” Fiona was trying her best to handle this dilemma but was faced with two difficult options she could only struggle.

“Hahaha, then I guess you’ll just have to leave him alone for now. This reminds me, for your new edict we had to change up a lot on the academy, making other schools look down on us. It’s time for you to handle your part of the deal. This should give you enough time to think about how to proceed in the future.” Dean Alabaster’s eyes lit up greatly, he was finally bringing up his main goal, to have Fiona bring up the school’s reputation even more. A higher reputation would mean more students, more students would mean more money, and more money would mean more connections, Dean Alabaster’s motives were on full display in front of Fiona yet she couldn’t deny that for as much as he used her, she used him the same.

“I can handle Bind Trials just fine, however, a Seal Trial is a little too difficult for me. I haven’t had enough experience solving one by myself. My father's still making me focus on the basics.”

“Don’t worry, take your time! As long as you solve three Seal Trials by yourself, I don’t care how long you take.” Dean Alabaster chuckled as he sent Fiona away. Letting her figure it out on her own after giving his own advice.