“Those that are entering PSI World for the first time, on my right. Those that are beyond the tutorial, on my left. Quickly now.”

The students got up from their seats and shuffled about as they split into two groups. Once the groups were made, something still felt off.

“Should we wake him up?”

One of the students whispered to their neighbor.

“Probably? But I don’t think he was going to enter PSI World anyway. Isn’t he pretty young?”

“I don’t think age matters, but if he’s not going to enter…”

The hushed murmurs soon attracted the professors attention, who simply let out a sigh of dejection upon seeing Jun fast asleep in the middle of the classroom.

“Don’t mind that nonsensical boy.”

The professor shook his head and waved his arms to attract the class’s attention. He turned to the group on the right before speaking.

“Tonight you guys will be entering PSI World. Take a look at the people around you, they are your lifeblood. They are the connections that keep you bound to this reality. They will become the unshakeable bonds that usher the spirit of growth and excellence!”

The students eyed one another oddly.

Not everyone in this group was on friendly terms. In fact, most students were clustered in either pairs or trios. It was obvious at a glance that these people had instinctively partnered up with their close friends.

The professor ignored their reactions and turned to the other group.

“You guys are veterans. Inside this room, you are classmates, but within PSI World you are their seniors. Seeing as they will be entering a brand-new world and experiencing a new set of hardships, please take it upon yourselves to guide them with a steady hand.”

The students that stood on the left were grouped very differently than the other side. Instead of being partnered with just one or two close friends, it was clear that small factions had formed amongst them.

The largest of these factions was Myra’s faction; she was like the moon surrounded by a plethora of stars. Meanwhile, the second largest faction was missing its leader, but it was easy to see that it centered around Hina as most of her supporters were grouped together.

“For years, our academy system has incorporated vital skills that are necessary for success into the curriculum. However, not everything can be taught; only experienced firsthand. That concludes today’s lecture, but I have one other announcement to make before you go.”

Around this time, Jun stirred himself awake as an instinctual reaction to the end of class. His head flipped left and right before he suddenly felt somewhat awkward. He wiped the drool off his face and sat up straight, pretending to listen intently on the professors next words.

“We will be conducting our last year of academy a little differently. Due to PSI World’s immense popularity and potential over the last decade, we have decided to reduce the amount of class time required for those in their final year.”

This announcement created a small commotion amongst the different students as they whispered to each other in excitement.

“Starting next week, we will only be meeting on the first day of each week for the rest of the year. Your success in class will be measured by your accomplishments and the PSI World merit system.”

As soon as he said this, multiple gazes were cast towards the lone student in the center of the room. Jun merely scratched his head with a wry smile.

“That is all. It’s an honor to watch this batch of exceptional adults officially join our society, and I wish you all the best of luck!”

The professor beamed brightly. Shortly after, the students shuffled out of class.

“Jun, a moment.”

Jun froze mid step as he was about to join the crowd. He turned to face the professor who had called out to him.

“Yes?”

The professor looked about the classroom and watched as the final students left before walking up close to the boy. He cleared his throat.

“Ahem. I uh, I have been briefed on your situation by those higher up. If you wish to no longer attend classes, then I would understand. This grading system clearly doesn’t benefit you in any way. If you wish to remain, that is also your choice. Just know that it’s been stated that you have already passed this course by default.”

Jun gave a wry smile before responding in kind.

“I think I’ll probably keep coming to class. Thanks professor.”

He waved goodbye and soon exited the classroom with the rest of the students.

The professor is assuming that I would be registered in PSI World as Jun Candor, and therefore I haven’t shown up in the World System. However, I’m registered as Jun Sugo; all in the name of keeping me hidden from the public eye.

Jun smirked as he meandered about the hallways.

“Yo.”

A deep voice called out beside him.

“Ello Piggy.”

Jun glanced toward the hulking monstrosity beside him and raised an eyebrow. Amon simply smiled back and began walking beside him.

“I’ll be starting that tutorial tonight. I heard we pick usernames. What do you think I should pick as my username?”

Amon began rambling, it was clear that he was excited to start his new adventure.

“Is that even a question? Of course you should pick Piggy.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Why did I bother asking you. Come on, I have to pick something cool, like Blood Moon. Or perhaps The Dauntless Hero.”

Jun shook his head as he heard these names.

“Why not pick something normal? You can choose anything right? It’s just a username anyway. It’s only purpose is to hide your real identity so that only the World System is able to track you.”

“Right! But imagine how cool my name could be?”

Amon refused to let this idea go.

“Yes, yes. Go ahead and pick your amazing name. Don’t come crying to me when people are expecting The Dauntless Hero to be a talented dauntless hero but is just a piggy.”

“Well you don’t have to put it like that…”

Amon mumbled under his breath and looked away in embarrassment. Jun looked at his friend sideways before letting out a sigh.

“Can’t you just change your name later?”

“Oh! That’s right, you can. But I heard that it’s good to build your reputation without changing your name so that it doesn’t cause confusion later on.”

“Confusion? Can’t you just tell your friends and family that you changed your name?”

Amon looked at Jun strangely.

“That’s right, I forgot that you don’t pay attention to anything related to PSI World. No, I’m talking about confusion with the natives. You know, the original people of the world that’s been invaded by corruption. The reputation follows the name.”

“I see…”

They continued talking back and forth as they meandered through the hallways. Just as they found the exit, they paused and looked outside.

Grey clouds cast a solemn atmosphere over the lush floral fields that blanketed the academy’s entrance. The pitter-patter of rain cascading down from the skies seemed to transform the vibrant mood.

“It’s raining.”

Amon spoke up as he crossed his arms.

“Yup. It is.”

Jun responded with a smile as he watched the heavens weep in front of him. For some reason, this was his favorite weather. There was something special about the overcast clouds and the consistent sound of rainfall that made him feel safe.

“I guess I should go start that tutorial now. Are you sure you won’t reconsider?”

Amon turned to his best friend with an earnest look.

“About that…”

Jun tilted his head in thought.

What was the best way to explain his current situation? Perhaps no explanation was needed, but it would definitely seem suspicious if he didn’t have an excuse.

“Due to your constant pleading, I have decided to join for the tutorial. So you may rest assured that I will be… floating around somewhere while you’re in the tutorial. I don’t really know how it works so I guess I’ll find out.”

Amon’s eyes lit up after hearing this wonderful news.

“Really?! You’re joining the tutorial?? I can’t believe this. This is great. This is really great. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do a single thing. I’ll work my ass off and give you a full ride through the tutorial. Just watch me!”

Jun was momentarily shocked by the immense amount of enthusiasm that Amon displayed.

Maybe I underestimated just how badly he wanted me to join him. Did he intentionally hide his feeling because of my past responses to PSI World?

“Heh. Alright. I’ll be holding you to it, Amon.”

His mouth arched into a smile as he stuck his hand out towards the bewildered man.

“What did you just call me?”

“Come on, don’t overthink it. Shake the hand and go get started.”

Jun waved his hand up in down in front of Amon impatiently.

“Then, I’ll go ahead. I’ll be keeping my eye out for you.”

Amon grinned as he enveloped Jun’s hand within his own.

After a firm handshake, the two walked off into the rain, splitting ways as they found their respective cloudsplitters to begin the start of a new journey.

----------------------------------------

It didn’t take long for Jun’s ship to reach its destination, which was his former club that had now been reconstructed into a training facility.

He walked through the halls with contentment.

For now it was quiet, but there was a certain beauty in silence. Soon enough he entered the central arena, where he found Bennon and Ciena conversing with each other.

“Shouldn’t his regime be structured like this? I don’t think this much strength is necessary.”

“Of course a girl would think that way, but for a growing young man this is only the minimum!”

Ciena scowled, her eyes briefly radiating a lethal sharpness.

“I refuse to let the young master waste away this much time in these areas. Nimbleness and flexibility are critical components in creating a balanced body.”

“Blasted woman, let’s just ask him when he gets in then!”

Bennon grumbled and turned away, only for his eyes to land on Jun making his way towards them.

“Hmm? Show me what you have scheduled. Also Ciena, can you prepare me another set of clothes for later?”

He was still dressed in his comfortable daily wear, which consisted of black sweatpants and an oversized grey sweater.

He smoothly stripped off his sweater overhead, revealing a toned body underneath. It turned out, he always wore his sweater without a shirt underneath.

Jun was no stranger to exercise, but he never gave it as much attention as he should have. His body structure was naturally formed just from his genetics and habits, but that was the extent of it.

He casually threw his sweater towards Ciena, who was rooted in place like a startled deer. He then made his way towards Bennon, who coughed lightly before revealing the workout schedule in hand.

“Yes. Take a look this. I recommend that we substitute this segment of the schedule for more strength training, but Ciena insists that it remains.”

Jun looked it over and noticed an enormous list of exercises that promoted flexibility and core strength. He shook his head and gave the schedule back to Bennon.

“No, this is perfect. Different bodies require different training. Don’t forget that this is preliminary training and not the end goal. One day I’ll need to channel mana through my body. If you’re going to do something then you have to do it right.”

Ciena broke out of her daze as she heard Jun agree with her set of exercises. She stole one last look at his lithe body before sneaking away to find a comfortable set of post workout clothes.

Jun wasted no time, immediately setting to work on the plethora of exercises. Whenever his muscles seemed to give out, he drowned himself in nutrient rich elixirs that replenished the energy within his system.

Ciena returned after a moderate amount of time had passed. She approached Bennon with her normal expressionless face and stood next to him.

“How is he doing?”

She asked him curtly. Her eyes unconsciously sparkled as she watched Jun perform the next set of exercises.

“He’s insane. I don’t know where he learned to push his body to such extremes, but he’s essentially doubled the workload we originally set for him. There is almost no excessive waste in his movements. It’s as if he’s a well-trained soldier at the apex of humanity who’s simply regaining long lost familiarity with his body.”

Bennon had nothing but praise for the boy, and at the same time he was incredibly astonished.

When I was his age, could I have trained at this same level of intensity? Even with what I know now, I doubt I could achieve the same results. What an incredible kid.

Naturally neither Bennon nor Ciena could have possibly known that training was just an average activity that Jun did for fun—in his dreams of course.

In fact, Ana was pure evil incarnate when it came to body refinement. Any time Jun slipped up, he would be met with a punishment from hell.

The onset of twilight also marked the end of Jun’s training regime. His body was soaked in sweat and his muscles swelled unwillingly as he rested on the floor.

When’s the last time I went through this nonsense with Ana. Whatever, this time it’s for real. I’ll have to thank her later for making this painless.

In reality, there was an endless number of things that Jun could give Ana thanks for.

However, not only did he fail to realize the full extent of it, but he also found it weird to thank himself. After all, Ana was his inner consciousness, so why would he be thankful to himself?

“I’ll go take a shower and change. This seems like a good pace, I’ll be training during this time every day from here on out. Heh, a strong body is necessary for a strong mind, you know?”

Jun picked himself off the floor in exhaustion and dragged himself away toward a corridor.

Bennon and Ciena simply watched him disappear in silence as the past few hours registered within their minds. Once he was out of sight, Ciena cast her gaze down in thought, before realizing that Jun forgot his change of clothes.

Bennon seemed to have the same exact idea as he looked sideways towards Ciena.

“I’ll take-“

“Oh! The young master forgot his clothes, I’ll go deliver them.”

Ciena smoothly interrupted Bennon and bolted away with Jun’s clothes in hand. Bennon watched her disappear in the same direction as Jun with an awkward smile on his face.

“She’s really not honest with her feelings.”

He let out a long sigh.

“Haah… It’s a pity though…”

His eyes grew serious while continuing to look in the direction she left.