Lloyd's day finally ended. He was in the middle of cleaning duty when a briefly mentioned character from the previous chapter approached him.

"Yo, what's your problem man? Why'd you make me embarrass myself in front of Betty?" Said Jeff who did not possess any restraint on his disdain at the moment.

What's his problem? I've literally been the only one doing everything for the whole school year, and here he is, making it seem like I'm at fault.

"I'm sorry, but it was necessary at that moment." Said Lloyd trying his best not to engage in a pointless conflict.

"Oh yeah? Is that so? Then I think it is necessary that you meet my good friend Tron."

Tron appeared in the doorway after hearing his cue and walked over. Tron was about 2 feet taller than the already ideal male height (6 feet tall) Lloyd.

"So are you going to pay for your wrongdoing in gold or iron?" A smirk appeared on Jeff's face after having said something relatively clever.

"Huh, seems you do know your stuff. Why'd you get the problem wrong then?"

"I…I wasn't ready. You caught me off guard!"

"Well, I'm sorry."

"Sorry won't do it. Either pay me or I'll have Tron beat you to a pulp."

Why does this keep happening. I need to stand my ground or I won't make it through the month. But I definitely can't take him on! That's like voluntary suicide. How is he even a highschooler?

"Listen, man. I really don't have a lot of money. Could you please just let it go for today? I'll pay you back next time. Please!"

"Hmm. Tron, I think we're done here."

Wait, for real?

"Sike!" Tron tackled Lloyd and started using the blur tool in Photoshop on his face. Every punch he threw made contact with the lower epithelial tissue of Lloyd's face.

"Blugrhg…ahh…cougggg!"

Jeff raised a hand and Tron stopped for a moment. This allowed Lloyd to get the words out of his mouth.

"Please stop! I'll pay! Just please!"

"Tron, back down."

Lloyd, knees shaky, arms are heavy, face looks like spaghetti, got up off of the ground. He kept one hand on his rib and the other on his nose, to stop the bleeding.

This hurts like hell but I'm not giving up so easy. He hid a couple of bills in each of his sleeves while pulling the money out and handing it over. Good thing I had to perform at the talent show last month. Who would've thought that it would come in handy. Honestly, it sometimes feels like I'm being prepared for something.

"Good boy. Now, know your place next time."

"Y..yes."

What a major waste of time. I would've already probably have been done with cleaning duty if this didn't happen. I bet all this stuff is going on because of the markings on my back. Maybe it's like the mark of some evil god of misfortune. Or maybe just a straight up curse. I don't ever recall asking for a tattoo or of getting one.

Lloyd was on his way home and kept contemplating his situation in life.

Why did it have to be me anyway? I don't recall doing anything bad in the past that would put me on someone's naughty list or require me to pay any significant retribution. What if this is some kind of super power? Like constantly being the object of everyone's animosity? Or maybe it's constantly being picked since not all of the things I have to do are necessarily for someone to vent out their anger on me. Is there even any good use of an ability like that?

"Congrats! You've been chosen as the lucky winner today!"

"Huh? What's this?"

"That's right! You and a couple of others have been selected as candidates with the opportunity to win a million gold in the new challenge hosted by our generous sponsor, Mr. Yeast!"

"Wait, are you serious?"

"That's right! All you'll have to do is make it 24 hours in the black room over there without food or water. If you leave, then you lose. But if you make it through the whole thing, then you'll win a million gold! Remember. Feel free to quit any time."

"I mean, this all sounds pretty shady to me honestly. At least prove that Mr. Yeast is the one running it."

The agent ran over to a fancy car and tapped on the window. The real, in flesh and blood, Mr. Yeast came out of the car wearing shades and a sick new chain around his neck. His banger of a theme song could be heard playing from the speakers of the car and the chauffeur was bobbing his head like a rock concert enthusiast.

"Oh my god! Is that the real Mr. Yeast?!"

A bunch of people started crowding around the guy before he even managed to make it to where Lloyd was. He eventually just got back into the car and used a megaphone to announce the rules that Lloyd was already partially informed of.

Ok. Yeah. No wonder he didn't just approach me himself. Anyway. This seems legit now that I've seen the incarnation of the great philanthropist and charitable celebrity often written about in newspapers.

"Ok yeah. I'm in!"

The first agent and a couple of others gathered all the people participating into the black room. In total, there were about 300 people. They placed their belongings in sturdy lockers and were told to wear a black robe that somewhat resembled a toga.

The doors were closed and the room was illuminated by a single tungsten filament lightbulb. It was mid day summer outside and the temperature in the room did not suggest a contrary evaluation of the quantity of heat present.

After about 20 minutes, over 40 people had left the room and the figure kept rising logarithmically until it was just Lloyd and two others.

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As soon as the clock hit 24 hours, the three remaining participants rushed out of the hyper insulated enclosure containing an abundance of rapidly ricocheting light weight particles responsible for the thermal favorability of the atmosphere.

The crowd was still present but the agents, the lockers, and Mr. Yeast had all vanished. The crowd was in an uproar and people were starting to fight each other and cause damage to the surroundings.

How could this have happened? I can't believe we just got all our stuff stolen by Mr. Yeast! How? Why?

The aggressive crowd finally started dispersing after having accepted the fact that they were all just robbed. Some went to hire lawyers and hitmen. Others simply gave up. Lloyd simply sat in one place and contemplated his life. The other two "winners" walked up to him and started speaking.

"What do you say we go and take what's ours? We made it through the challenge so we all earned the one million. I think we should perform a heist on the Yeast mansion since the money is rightfully ours. You guys are both capable and patient considering you endured the challenge. Plus, I know a couple of guys who could get us the tools we need. What do you say?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure if that's such a good idea. I'd rather just sue the guy and await a settlement in court." Said Lloyd, not very fond of the idea of becoming a burglar.

"Pussy. You just don't have the balls to stand up for yourself" said the other "winner."

Oh, you're walking a very fine line here buddy. I just got beat up by a bully at school, spent my weekend in a hot room full of men, and got all my money stolen. If you keep going, I'm going to denture your face.

"Listen, we are the people who are chosen to fight back against scams like this! This is an act of justice!"

"I'll pass"

"Suit yourself then."

Lloyd kept dwelling on the words that had just been uttered. Suddenly, a thought came and laid itself down in front of the trolley. Then another one did the same but on the other track. The child operating the track, picked one up and placed it next to the other. Then he flipped the lever and the train of thought crushed the thoughts under it's extreme weight. The gorey scene stained the front of the train and was carried into the frontal lobe where the decision was finally made.

"I am the Chosen One!"

Wait. I have to test this out.

Lloyd ran to the nearest convenience store and bought himself a lottery ticket.

Ok, the results come out on Monday so I have to make it one more day. I can do this!

Monday finally came around. Lloyd woke up in a large bedroom, decorated with the finest jewels and decorations. He put on his fancy night robe and comfortable slippers and walked down to the kitchen. A huge meal awaited him with a bunch of servants running around and preparing everything.

"Good morning Lord Lloyd Odysseus Yoshi Donald Frankenstein Roosevelt Octavius Maximus Nero Ichigo Neo Jesus Aang Gandi Oppenheimer Harry Anakin Sigmu…"

"Enough Sabastian. You don't have to use my full name. Conversation would take ages."

"I am sorry, my Lord." Said Sebastian with an elegant bow. "Will you be heading to school now?"

"Yes, for the last time."

"I shall await your arrival."

Why didn't I think of this immediately. Obviously winning at luck based games is the way to go. I am the Chosen One after all!

Lloyd entered the school and headed straight to the principal's office.

"Listen, cuz my money will do the talking." Lloyd dropped a large bag of money in front of the principal and walked out of the office with his certificate of graduation.

Jeff and Tron noticed Lloyd and backed away as two huge guys wearing suits followed him everywhere he went. Lloyd exited the school.

Huh. Now what? I don't really have anything I wanted to do really since I never had the free time to think about it. But now I have a bunch of time so I have to think of something I can do. Maybe I should go buy a bunch of cool things like vehicles and property? Or I can invest and make even more. Then again, I think that gambling guarantees a victory for me so I don't think I'll ever have to worry about money. I think I'll just go home and relax for today. I'll think of something fun tomorrow.

Lloyd was spending his day at home, enjoying the comfortable furniture and the good food that was now within a hand's reach away. Suddenly, his door got knocked down by a police officer. He got his hands cuffed and was taken into a police car.

"Hey, what's going on?"

"You are being suspected as a conspirator in the robbery on Mr. Yeast's mansion. All of your assets are now frozen and you will spend the next week in a cage until we find more evidence on this case."

I shouldn't have just rested today. I should've at least used the temporary ascent into wealth to its fullest extent.

××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××

"Zero? Seriously?" Asked Quinci, astonished that that kind of result was even possible.

"I'm telling you. It must have been a flaw in the device. They said they'd get a new one and let me try again later today." Answered Sharlan, trying very hard to defend his dignity as an adventurer after such an unfortunate result.

"Just admit that you're not who you think you're supposed to be!"

"Once again. The device malfunctioned. The true result will be available later today. Just wait!"

"Fine. But if you're wrong, I'm going to add more terms to our contract that only benefit me!"

"Hai hai. Your worries are completely unfounded. You do not consciousnessly make the effort to account for my Int Factor. According to it, I will end up on the top of the food chain in at least one of two ways."

"Okay, and what are they?"

"It's either I get to play the gifted hero from another world and introduce a lot of brand new ideas and technology into your world, or I play the role of underdog and climb up through the ranks until I'm at the top. Like I said before, at least one of these options is guaranteed."

"Honestly, I don't think you should trust what you call your 'Int Factor'."

"Well, no point arguing something we can't prove immediately. Let's just wait and see what happens. Wait, what's that!" Sharlan noticed something laying on the ground in the distance. They went over to check it out together.

"Is it a corpse?" Asked Sharlan.

"I don't know! You go check it out!"

Sharlan placed his hand on Lloyd's neck. "Seems like he still has a pulse."

Sharlan let go and turned around to face Quinci again.

"Eek!"

"What is it?" Lloyd was standing unconscious and facing, or in his case, spaghetting Sharlan. "Ahhh"

Sharlan fell down onto his hindside and scooted away very rapidly from the sight. After realizing that Lloyd was standing still, he realized that his raising was due to Sharlan's own ability.

Phew. That genuinely scared me. How'd this guy get like this? I guess I'll drag him to the river and throw some water at him to wake him up.

He did as his thoughts stated and soon Lloyd awakened.

"Huh? What? Testosterone is synthesized in the adrenal glands as well!"

"Cool. Anyway. Who are you and why are you here. Actually, no. Let me start again. Bow down before your saviour, the great Me."

"At least introduce yourself with your own name" said Quinci.

"Oh yes. My apologies. I am called Sharlan. I am the great hero of Theta and the one who will take down the soon to be resurrected Demon Lord!"

"Once again, where are you getting this stuff from?"

"My In…"

"Int Factor! I get it! Stop!"

"Anyway, what's going on and where even am I?" Asked the now entirely consciousness Lloyd.

"I don't know your life story but I am sure that this meeting was one predestined by our intertwined fates. Now let us join together as a team and gain authority over the beasts and men of this world!"

"He's asking you to join his party since no one else would." Said Quinci, looking quite fed up with constantly having to translate the nonsense spewing out of her benefactor's mouth.

At least he does everything I tell him to, thought Quinci.

"Party?" Asked Lloyd, confused.

"This is a land of magic and fairy tales. I am a great adventurer and I need more members on my team to help assist me with my goal of rising to the top and defeating the Demon Lord that will soon awaken. However, the people of this country are unaware that this is an eminent threat and instead write my words off as errors in translation or foolish babble. However, they will graciously thank me when the time does come and my preparation and hard work easily disposes of the threat."

"I mean sure. It's not like I have anywhere else to go anymore. Haa ha. I'm Lloyd by the way."

"Well great! Let's head over to the guild and sign you up as a member of my party. Then I think they'll have the working crystal ready, so we will be able to reevaluate my mana level as well as find out yours."

As the three entered the guild, multiple laughs could be heard from some of the people present inside. Often these were followed by the words "zero" or "hero." These hurt Sharlan's pride but he knew deep down that he would not have to suffer for long as the plot would have to progress and the climactic events of his Isekai story would eventually change the attitude of the people.

"Why is there so much specific information on these forms? Like annual income? Names of family members?" Asked Lloyd.

"Just answer it. The government needs it for a census for every job in the country."

"Ok then."

After they registered Lloyd as a member of their party, they started with the tests for the new member's capabilities. Lloyd scored way above average for the tests on physical strength and endurance and on his mental capacity exam as well. Sharlan started getting a bit jealous of Lloyd but he did not show it. Now it came to the major test: mana level by use of the Magic Crystal.

Sharlan went first. "Hey, you guys made sure to get a new one right? This one isn't broken or anything right?"

"Yes, yes, we checked it with the standard units. This thing is working fine." Said one of the employees.

"Okay then. Well, Quinci, as well as everyone here present. Prepare to be astonished at the magnitude of my Magical Power. I'll show you that I am a true hero!"

"Yeah yeah. Just move on with it already!" Said some random onlooker, rather curious as to the actual quantity of magical power this man had as the previous crystal was actually proven to be malfunctioned.

Sharlan placed his hand on the crystal. The magical energy inside fluctuated and soon a number displayed itself on the screen of the meter.

"See! 542!" Said Sharlan extremely excitedly.

"What? Actually!" Quinci flew over and looked at the screen. Others also gathered around the crystal to see the significant result.

"Wait a moment! What's that dash before the number?"

"Huh? Where?"

"Right here!"

"Oh yeah, I see it!"

"Negative?"

"Negative! Ha ha!"

"He actually did it! It's so low that it's actually negative!"

"That shouldn't be physically possible!?" Said one of the employees.

"I swear, you lack common sense on such an extreme level that you literally broke the laws of logic!" Quinci criticized Sharlan.

"Wait, let me test it!" Said some member.

"Yeah, I'll test it too! Otherwise this can't actually be real. Can it?"

The members started testing their magic power on this specific crystal and they did not find any inaccuracies with the value they had previously.

"You are literally an anomaly. How are you even alive?"

"Bro, I think you need to worry about survival first before you worry about slaying a demon lord."

"Ok enough. I get it. Or I don't get it and neither does anyone else here. So what if my mane is -542? Just let it go!" Said Sharlan, clearly disheartened at what his result actually was.

"Can I go now?" Said Lloyd.

"Yeah, go ahead."

Lloyd placed his hand on the crystal and though to himself. Let me guess, I'll be chosen as the one who actually has the ability to kill the demon lord that Sharlan was talking about. I'm sorry Sharlan, but my ability might have just destroyed your future.

"Stop!!! It's going to explode!"

"Ahh, run!"

The crystal exploded and shards went flying everywhere. People hid under chairs and tables to protect against the wave of magical energy that soon followed and caused the whole room to explode.

After the explosion and its effects subsided, people started crawling out of

their hiding spots and looking around.

Lloyd opened his eyes. "How am I even alive?" Then he looked down and saw that Sharlan had a hand on his shoulder. Neither of them suffered even a scratch from the extreme release of energy or the shards shrapnel that was distributed.