Chapter 2

The morning sun was glaring.

I sat up in bed and saw a large, dark red stain on my pillow. It had already dried. It was the blood I coughed up last night.

I touched the corner of my mouth; it was still a bit sticky.

Lately, the coughing up blood had become more frequent, but I didn't pay it much mind. I just felt so sleepy, and my chest felt so heavy.

After washing my face, I dug out a small bottle hidden under my bed.

Inside was a Lesser Healing Potion—green and smelling of herbs. I had traded three days' worth of food rations for this.

I was going to copy my brother and give Stella a gift.

On the way to the teaching building, I happened to spot my brother. Caleb was standing in front of Serena, bowing slightly, holding a silver arm-guard in both hands.

"Miss Serena, you mentioned last night that your shoulder hurt, so I made sure to go to the Crescent Guild to buy the best arm-guard," my brother coaxed softly. "I queued up all night to get the newest model."

Serena didn't even look him in the eye, casually taking it from him. "Oh, got it."

"It can block spells below the third tier," my brother said, his eyes full of concern. "If you don't like the color, I can go exchange it—"

"No need, just go away," she waved her hand as if shooing a fly.

My brother immediately nodded repeatedly, his smile growing even more radiant. "Then what would you like to eat today? I'll go line up at the cafeteria for you..."

"Caleb." Serena looked at him with sheer annoyance. "Can you stop being so clingy? It's irritating."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was being inconsiderate! I'll go to class first. Your needs will always be my top priority."

He carefully backed away, his eyes full of reluctance to leave, as if he were truly immersed in the joy of pleasing her.

Brother is amazing, I thought. He even knows exactly when to advance and retreat when pursuing someone. I need to learn that too.

When I arrived at the classroom, Stella was already sitting by the window, chatting with Julian.

I walked up to her desk and offered the small bottle with both hands.

"Stella, I have a gift for you."

Stella looked up, her eyes brimming with impatience. "You again. Liam, I don't need your cheap garbage."

Beside her, Julian scoffed and snatched the bottle right out of my hands.

"What is this trash? A Lesser Healing Potion?" he looked repulsed. "You have the nerve to give her street stall garbage like this? Trash."

He casually tossed the bottle into the trash can. The green liquid spilled all over the floor.

I stared blankly at the trash can. Three days of food, gone just like that.

But I wasn't angry. I just felt very sleepy. My brain felt like it was filled with paste. If I had known, I would have drank it myself.

Stella had originally expected me to panic like I usually did, or clumsily apologize.

Instead, I just stood there, my eyes half-closed.

"Are you even listening to me? Liam, do you really think giving me this junk is going to—"

Her words grew more and more blurry, and my eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

I slowly walked back to my own seat and faceplanted right onto the desk. Then, I fell asleep.

The whispering in the classroom paused. Stella stared, her mouth slightly agape, completely stunned.

"Did he... did he just fall asleep?" Julian was caught off guard.

"What is that half-beastman doing? He just went straight to sleep?" someone nearby muttered.

Stella let out an exasperated laugh and shook her head. "What a weirdo. Doesn't he usually start crying and whining?"

But her curiosity lasted only a second. After all, he was just an idiot with a broken brain; nothing he did was surprising. She turned her head and resumed chatting.

Just then, Professor Ravenclaw, the Magic Theory instructor, walked in.

"Quiet! I have an important announcement today." The professor tapped the blackboard. "This afternoon, we will conduct the Underground Dungeon Practical Trial. All third-year students are required to participate."

In my sleep, I hazily heard the word "Dungeon."

"There are real monsters in the Dungeon; it will be dangerous. You will operate in squads. The time limit is three hours, and defeating monsters will earn you credits."

Julian looked at Stella. "This afternoon's trial should be quite interesting. A perfect chance to practice some new spells."

Stella nodded, the corner of her eye glancing at me sleeping on the desk. This idiot is going to the Dungeon too? That should be fun.

—At this exact moment, in the hallway of the teaching building.

My brother, Caleb, was leaning against the wall when a cold, mechanical voice suddenly rang out in his mind:

[System Alert: The afternoon Dungeon Trial is about to begin. No matter what happens, the Host must remain by Serena’s side and must not leave.]

[Penalty for Mission Failure: The promise to heal Liam will be immediately revoked.]

My brother's face instantly went deathly pale.

"What do you mean?" he roared in a hushed, suppressed voice. "Liam is participating in the trial too!"

[This is part of the final test. Host, please strictly comply with the mission requirements.]

In the empty hallway, my brother clenched his fists with a death grip.