"Alright... maybe that one was slightly harder..."

Nobody realized John had passed this level. So there was no celebration before moving up to the next one.

John didn't care though. Everyone was focusing their all to pass this level. Soon John found himself in level 3!

He didn't recognize most of the entities here. It was filled with strangers.

This level was also entirely different then the first two. There was no teacher and seemingly no goal. The people stuck on this level had passed the first two levels, but had no clue what the objective of this level was.

Without knowing the objective. John had no idea how to pass. So he began to look for clues.

There was a surprisingly large number of data lifeforms on this level. Many times more then the first and second level. After communicating with the others. John found out that a lot of these entities have been here for thousands of cycles.

Not only was simulation disabled on this level. There didn't seem to be any trials either.

John was used to having to make his own path though. He didn't feel even a slight bit of despair.

"From what I know about this 'school'. Every level is meant to broaden the users horizons. It is meant to grow the existence..."

"The first level was all about increasing mental speed."

"The second level was about increasing mental strength."

"What about this level? Just what are they trying to tell us?"

John didn't feel like wasting time. So he began to use 'Infinite Mind'.

Thousands of years passed within a single millisecond for him. He thought about all paths of moving forward.

"I see... they are testing our wit!"

"Any intelligence can comprehend things fast or brute force through things. But to move on. We must display our cleverness!"

John was excited as he was quite good at finding exploits.

"You would think my ability is average in this universe. But I have something they lack. A physical body! While I no longer need cerebium to connect to the data universe. There is nothing stopping me from using a new helmet and creating a temporary body similar to the one Du is using now."

"If I can enter an entertainment node. I can perhaps ask an adult what the secret to level 3 is..."

John planned to exist in the 'school' and a entertainment node at the same time.

John opened his eyes.

He waved his hand and a new helmet appeared. He put it on and began to configure it. Soon he was in that familiar place.

Advertisements were everywhere. It was like a ocean of the internet. He saw countless balls of energy traveling in all sorts of directions.

This time he had no headache. Instead he felt refreshed.

"I need to make sure I don't get caught by law enforcement..."

"I still lack a license and certificate."

"My processing power and mental strength are no longer lacking. But I only have met the minimum requirements in terms of my firewall. Perhaps I can find some ways to strengthen it among the products of this world."

John had learned a lot in school in the first level from merely asking questions while waiting for each cycle to pass.

Through this. John knew about the currency of this world.

It was 'data'. Essentially you would go to a bank and have your memories and personal simulations quantified based on their value.

Minimum wage was 1 data point a cycle.

John couldn't go to a normal bank though. While he could control his consciousness like water now. He didn't wish to get captured and punished for exploring the world outside of the school.

So the identity he was using now was nameless and unregistered. It was a construct made by his helmet.

He planned to use this temporary identity to collect information to help him graduate. But his consciousness was still his consciousness. There was no hiding that.

What John needed to find was a sort of 'black market' of this world. When you graduate you are given some starting currency. But this money doesn't just come out of thin air.

They crystalize your memories and turn them into data that can be traded.

The more memories you have. The more data points you receive.

But you aren't allowed to repeatedly do this procedure. Because the system that gives you these points doesn't want copies of the same memories.

John searched this entertainment node. He kept trying to find a way to access the darker side of this world.

A orange ball of energy stopped John eventually.

"I'm S-even."

"I am looking for a business partner for data mining. I need as many processors as possible. Interested? Pay is 5 data a cycle."

John spoke:

"Do you know what the objective of level 3 is?"

"Level 3?"

"You know... in school."

"Are you a undercover cop? We aren't allowed to talk about that."

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"Why not?"

"...I'm not trying to have my existence scrambled."

John was a bit disappointed. He wasn't able to get any information from anyone about the objective. But he didn't plan on giving up.

As John started to fly away.

S-even sent waves of information at him.

"Wait!"

John stopped.

"I can't talk about it. But there are people that operate outside the system."

"Add me to your VIP list. I'll add you as well. I can introduce you to a dark node."

"My ID is S-even #539."

John spoke:

"VIP? How do I add you?"

"...They literally teach you the basic functions of your properties in school."

"Which level?"

"Oh god. It's been so long since I've graduated. I think level 6 or so? They have changed the curriculum in the past though. I wouldn't be surprised if it has changed."

"Hmm... I don't know my I.D..."

"I also don't know how to manage my properties."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes..."

"How old are you?"

"A bit over a 100 cycles."

"So young! But you give off a certain pressure. You seem very mature for your age."

"Without knowing how to manage your properties. Communication will be a problem in the future. You should really focus on your studies for now. If I had bad intentions... You would end up in a horrible state."

John became curious...

He wondered why they weren't allowed to talk about level 3.

"Since you can't access your properties. You can't store data in them... you are basically broke. If you want the secret to level 3. While it is cheap. You'll probably still need thousands of points."

"The cycle you graduate you get a chance to exchange a copy of your memories for a lump sum. It is often how we make the most data in our lives at once."

"From my perspective. You seem to be lacking a paradise and avatar."

"I doubt you'll ever have one... A lot of us have gotten trapped on level 3. You might as well forget about graduating..."

"Is it really that hard?"

"Not hard exactly. But it is a purposeful bottleneck to stop too many of us from existing freely. We are immortal. Our minds are incredibly complex as well. There is a limit to the processing power of the universe. By keeping a large portion of us trapped in various schools. We save processing power."

"Although some go to special schools and have connections. But the levels they have to pass are a few times harder then a public school. Judging from the information you give off. You are from a public school. But there is obviously something special about you. As a normal entity wouldn't be able to escape the school and explore this node."

John knew he had Infinite Mind. So he could spend trillions of years trying to figure things out. But he knew he wouldn't be able to crack it through brute force. The key to passing was a secret.

So he decided to take a risk.

"Is there no other way to get the information I need?"

"Hmm... You can sign a contract with me."

"I'll introduce you to the dark nodes in exchange for half of your data when you graduate. I'll also pay for the information about level 3."

John felt this deal was too simple. John also had no idea he was destined to be rich in the future due to the sheer amount of memories he had.

His current data level... while it hadn't been quantified and stored in his properties.

It was actually at 36,525,542,190 points! So through this contract. John would be trading 18,262,771,095 points for a few thousand points and some guidance.

S-even was taking a gamble that would absolutely pay off. He had felt that this hollow entity in front of him was special somehow.

And he was right! John himself had no idea he was so rich already. He would be taking a loss here.

"Is it some sort of soul contract?"

"No... You may be using a fake body. It is less like a contract and more like a function grafted to your program. It'll brand your consciousness. When you graduate. It'll automatically transfer half to me."

"I see..."

Soon John's program had a new temporary function. When he graduated. He would lose half of his wealth.

"Alright. You won't regret your decision! We will need to go outside the bounds of the system. There we will look for dark nodes."

S-even began to fly away at speeds John could hardly keep up with. Even though he had intentionally slowed down.

After flying for a few cycles. They reached a boundary.

"Beyond this wall is the habitat for dark nodes. There are many malicious viruses and bad actors here. What grade is your firewall?"

"I'm not too sure? I was told I met the minimum standards."

"There are three levels to firewalls."

"Minimum, base, and maximum."

John was quite curious about this.

"What is the difference?"

"A minimum firewall is only good at protecting itself. A base firewall is good at protection and offense. A maximum firewall can trace back the attack. But such a firewall is rare."

"Most people only have a minimum firewall. Some even lack that."

"What do you have?"

S-even spoke with pride:

"Base!"

"Without a base level firewall. I wouldn't dare explore beyond the system."

"Since you are my employer. I will be your guard. I will take on all the viruses by myself. Since you meet the minimum standards. You likely don't have a way to destroy them. This will put you in a passive position. You can get trapped."

John didn't bother telling him that he could dismiss this fake body at the slightest sign of trouble. Since he had no vulnerabilities. They wouldn't be able to infect him. Trapping him was possible. But John was just using a fake hollow body.

Soon John and S-even stepped outside of the boundary.

"Welcome to the end of all things..."

John felt incredibly uncomfortable. It was like existing in the abyss.

"Here data entropy is a thing. Without support of the system. We are no longer immortal. This is one of the most dangerous parts of our world. But here, there are less laws to follow. Anything can be sold. Including taboo information like the way to pass level 3."

John saw far fewer balls of energy. He then saw someone pass the boundary. They then screamed as a virus attached itself to them.

They completely lost control in a instant and transformed from a ball of energy into a virus.

"That person doesn't even reach the minimum standard. He likely had vulnerabilities..."

"I thought you couldn't pass the level if you had them though?"

"Not everyone follows the rules. You are cheating as well by doing this."

John couldn't argue there. Perhaps there was some other method to pass level 2. But why leave yourself vulnerable? Wasn't it better to just take the time to perfect your defense?

Soon John found himself surrounded by viruses as well.

But before they could even touch him. A barrier spread outwards destroying all of them within the area. Soon other entities were gazing upon John and S-even.

"Not good. Let's go!"

They started to fly away.

Soon they found themselves in front of what looked like a blackhole.

"Alright. We've found one of the dark nodes. This is a good sign."

S-even flew into the event horizon as John did the same. John then found himself standing in a market place.

Everyone around had a human form. John himself though was just a ball of energy.

S-even spoke:

"Transform yourself to not stand out!"

John hadn't learned the correct way to do this yet. But the system was capable of rendering spiritual energy.

So John began to use his consciousness to create spiritual energy to create a body. But the environment lack the parameters to render it.

He was outside of the system after all. This was basically the outer bounds of the data universe. Even changing the properties of his avatar through his helmet was useless here!

John couldn't transform!

"I don't know how..."

"... You really need to focus on your studies."

"I know."

"Stay above my head. I'll protect you."

Soon one man and one ball of energy were walking through the market. They came to an information network.

"Alright. I'll pay. You ask what you wanted to learn."

John sent information waves towards the person at the counter.

"How does one pass the third level of school?"

The person at the counter chuckled.

"You came all this way for such a basic question? Well... I don't want to piss off the rulers too much. You'll need a function."

"A contract?"

"Yes. It is simple. No selling this information or telling others. You'll already be bound by the school to not spread this information when you pass level 3."

"Am I allowed to tell a friend?"

John planned on telling Du the method so he wouldn't get stuck.

"You can. But it'll be double the price!"

John looked at S-even. He nodded his head.

"Then I want the plus one package!"

S-even handed over 5,000 data points with slight heartache. He kept telling himself that it was a worthwhile investment.

A blast of information was launched at John.

He thought he would just get the objective in this trade. But he instead got a step by step guide on how to pass the third level!

"I see. So to pass the third level. One must build a model to prepare for creating their avatar!"

John was quite satisfied with the trade.

S-even took John back to an area within the system. They said their goodbyes and John took off his helmet as his fake body vanished.

He then focused on his data lifeform body in school.

"Let's begin!"