Chapter 12: There's ONE RULE!

[Disturbance Detected Outside! Watch?]

"Watch? There's a spectator mode?!" Gray clicked the option with shaking fingers. What if the first thing he saw was his body's skin being peeled?!

— CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! —

That's when thousands of windows appeared before him, all showing the same scene but all from different angles. This was…. His lifeless body?! The Headmaster could be seen shaking it.

"Gray Gale! What was that ability?! What ARE You?! You have the WORST timing to go into a coma! Wake up already, you punk!" He had clearly lost his cool.

Then there was the freaking Enforcer! The latter was also examining his body, even poking it at times! "He truly isn't faking. Seems to be utter exhaustion…."

The two glanced at each other…

"Say, think he could become a Candidate?"

"An Ancient Power's good, but with his lack of talent…"

"I know, I know. One must tread the path before teaching it, but still…"

Candidate? Ancient Power? What did it all have to do with teaching? But they weren't done with the cryptic bullshit; no, they were just getting started! Then started one hell of a discussion…

Gray watched it all unfold at the very edge of his s̶e̶a̶t̶ pond.

Candidate? Can't miss the deadline? Time running out? Hellrand City going up in flames if they messed up again?! Teacher Aldor being chosen? Looking for fall-back Candidates?

Hearing the last one, Gray rejoiced:

"YES! Always need players on the bench! Pick me, pick me!"

As if hearing his plea… they completely ignored it! No, they went on a long rant about: "that guy", "that place", and even "those bastards". At the end of it, Gray was even more confused!

But then they finally settled on his fate…

"Let's keep him alive for now…."

"It won't be too late to open him up later anyway."

"Well, that'll depend on his performance, now will it?"

Depend on his performance…. HOLY SHIT! Wouldn't that mean he'd always have a damn blade above his neck?! But just as Gray started hyperventilating, he calmed himself down.

"No, it's fine. Just think of it as a VERY high-pressure work environment!"

"Everything will be peachy as long as I keep crushing Aldor!"

"Actually, what if he were to die? Would it— no!"

Visions of a burning Hellrand suddenly flashed before his eyes. No, it was a bad idea! Luckily, he wasn't out of options just yet, his gaze floating toward the Library of Heaven's Souls.

"Just you wait, I'll unlock the shit out of you!"

He'd somehow get lots of souls, unlock it, then he'd RISE! He'd become a respected Academy Teacher who'd inspire— He stopped, noticing the scene in the real world.

The Headmaster carrying him like a potato sack.

The Headmaster dropping him off like one would a passed-out drunk.

The Headmaster gesturing a nearby student, one wearing hospital-like scrubs.

"Take care of this guy. If he's still not awake in 48 hours, shoot him with this." He took out a needle that seemed bigger than the Library in his soul! "Right in the ass-cheeks. Got it?"

"Y-Yes, Headmaster! Should I notify you once he wakes up?"

"No need. Just remind him he has a Class to give…"

"Y-Yes, Headmaster!"

That's when the Headmaster went poof, just like a proper Santa, leaving behind a stressed student. "I can't let the Headmaster down! Blankets, warm compresses, elixirs even…"

He disappeared, mumbling to himself… NOW! Gray didn't just leave. He bolted out, ignoring the terrified shouts that soon followed:

"SHIT! Kidnapping! Call the Headmas— No, he can't know! Fuck, I'm so screwed!"

Gray only relaxed once he was barricaded inside his house.

"Today was hella crazy! Duke's Advisor. The Headmaster's mission. Crazily recruiting Disciples. Blowing up the Mana-Testing Facilities. Then the whole Enforcer X Headmaster shitshow."

He was so fucking tired! Yet, all hadn't been for nothing. Grinning, he grabbed his Teacher's Badge, activating it:

[Disciples: 3]

[Personal Disciples: 1]

[Status: Tier 1 Teacher!]

"Eh?! What the hell?! Is it bugged?"

There had been 98 Disciples recorded there a couple of hours ago! It had to be a bug, right?! Seeing this, Gray resolutely pricked his finger, dripping blood on the Badge.

It all got absorbed, the thing glowing peacefully! Seeing this, Gray nodded, satisfied. Maybe his little vampire Badge had just been out of energy, right? He activated it again.

[Disciples: 3]

[Personal Disciples: 1]

[Status: Tier 1 Teacher!]

What the hell?! His earlier fatigue? Forgotten! Gray rose up even faster than a nudist on a fire-ant colony! He NEEDED answers!

He rushed to the Logistics Department…

"You all! I need to see the manager right away!"

The reaction was instant! Three available counters? There was suddenly only one! As for the others, they were already showing their trusty sign: Open → Be Back soon!

All except for a certain clerk who had lagged behind…

"N-Not again?!… S-Sir, what issue are you having? Let me try to resolve it and—"

"My Badge's broken! Here, look at this! Can you see it? It should be showing 98 Disciples, but there are only 3! Is there a way to restart it? Should I just get another one? What now?"

T-Teacher's Badge?! The poor clerk suddenly questioned the world. This heated, red-eyed, disheveled, barely dressed thing was a teacher?! Wait...

"T-Teacher Gale is that you?!"

"YES! So, how do we fix it?! What's the bes—"

"Pointless! Teacher Gale, you should forget about it."

Once again, it was the Supervisor. Seeing him, Gray couldn't help but rejoice. This guy's explanations were as great as his pessimism! The man started enumerating:

"Gray Gale: destroyed the Mana-Testing Facility, got captured by an Enforcer, might be dead already, could be branded a terrorist… should I keep going or do you get it?"

"I see, I'm basically radioactive…."

"Cheer up, Teacher, it's not as bad as it seems. You're alive and kicking, so they'll come back. Still, how DID you survive? If you tell me, I'll give you something neat!"

Respected supervisor? There was only a busybody thirsty for gossip! Seeing this, Gray actually chuckled. "Sure! But I'm warning you, it's pretty unbelievable."

He approached the man and whispered in his ear…

Shock, disbelief, frenzy, the shaking Supervisor felt thousands of emotions wash over him the more Gray narrated.

They had deemed him weak? He had used a secret technique to shut them the hell up? Then he had…. insulted them?! Only then had they changed their mind about his weakness.

This 100% felt fabricated! Yet, at that moment, the supervisor believed. Eyes bulging, he hurriedly put his hand over Gray's mouth, his meaning clear: NEVER tell anyone that story!

"So there you have it. Now, what's the neat thing you mentioned?"

"T-This right here. Here, open it up, and you'll see."

It was a Badge? It looked like the one he had seen Zhang use, a Student Badge? What was he supposed to do with that? But then, he activated it, his entire body trembling!

[Welcome to the Mage Club!]

[DO NOT talk about the Mage Club… Ever!]

[Have Fun Chatting With Your Fellow Mages!]

This… a freaking Chat Group?! This felt so goddamn out of this world! More importantly, it was even more nostalgic! How many hours had he spent arguing with people online?!

"Careful, use this power wisely, and remember, you're a student!"

"Of course! I won't let you down, Supervisor!"

At this moment, he was on Cloud 9! Losing pretty much all his Disciples? Who goddamn cared! With this, he'd be able to ask dumb questions anonymously!

He rushed back home as if he had wings on his feet— or, in this case, toe-licking boots. Throwing himself on his bed, he happily got the Student Badge out. It was TIME!

[Please Register your Mage Club Name!]

"Hoe For Knowledge!"

"Classless & Handsome!"

"Infinite Mana in the Bedroom!"

"Your Mom's my Personal Disciple."

"Stressed by a Mountain of Mages!"

No, those all sucked. He needed something simple but impactful!

At this moment, he suddenly pictured himself surrounded by countless Souls and Disciples alike as he towered over the world. Grinning, he chose his new name.

[A New Mage Has Arrived to the Mage Club!]

[Please Welcome 'WeAreLegion'!]

It was time to get started…