Matthew Atkinson
Oxford, United Kingdom
Matthew suddenly raised his hand to ask a question.
"Professor, didn't you previously say that it was impossible to learn about the Amnesiac Layers? Why do we know so much about the Global Layer? We're even aware of the existence of divisions?"
Matthew would be able to recall memories of the Amnesiac Layer thanks to the prize he'd recently received from the Extraordinary Treasure Chest.
But this required him to be a supernatural being for at least ten months. This would happen shortly before he entered the Global Layer on the first of March.
However, this reward seemed quite special to him. Therefore, he found it strange that so much information about the Global Layer, an Amnesiac Layer, was known.
Had someone else received the same reward?
To be sure, he asked the Professor this question.
Professor Holland thought for a moment and said, "I guess it's okay to tell you... Because the people who win the championship can choose to give up the extraordinary treasure chest reward and keep the memory of this Amnesiac Layer. Every member of the championship team has the right to make this choice."
"In our country, there is a top expert who has won the championship many times. One of this expert's teammates chose to retain the memory at one time and reported all the information from the Global Layer to the higher-ups."
After a pause, Professor Holland continued, "However, most of this information is confidential. All I know is what I just mentioned."
Upon hearing this, the students suddenly realized what was going on.
But Matthew frowned. He thought someone else had won the same award as him, but apparently, this was a situation specific to the Global Layer.
If someone from the United Kingdom had won the same award before, it would have made things easier for Matthew. In that case, he wouldn't have had to report what he remembered about the Amnesiac Layers.
But it seemed that once he regained his memories of the Amnesiac Layers, he would have to contact Grand Magister Russell and report what he had learned.
Otherwise, if this truth came out, many would call him selfish and a traitor.
Frankly, Matthew had no problem sharing the information he had gathered. He simply didn't want to deal with the paperwork and bureaucracy that would come with it.
At this moment, the bell rang, signaling the end of the class.
As Professor Holland packed his things, he said, "Remember what I just said. Before the Global Layer event next month, if you can find connections to get into a strong team, then try your best."
"If you can obtain more attribute points in the Global Layer, you will have more strength when you enter the tenth layer of the Supernatural Realm."
"Oh, right. Next week is the Winter Holiday."
"Those who want to go home for the holiday can come to me to ask for leave, up to a week."
After announcing this, Professor Holland turned and left.
Those with supernatural abilities didn't place much importance on holidays, so there were hardly any vacations at the Supernatural Universities each year.
There were no long winter or summer vacations.
After all, with the risk of losing your life on the first day of the following month, taking long vacations wasn't really feasible.
Also, the first ten layers of the supernatural realm were mandatory for freshmen. Therefore, even if they wanted to, they couldn't take long vacations.
However, after passing the first ten layers, they could relax a little more.
After Professor Holland left, the students started discussing among themselves.
"If the Professor hadn't reminded me, I wouldn't have known that the Winter Holiday is almost here."
"Yes. Since entering university in May, more than nine months have passed without us even realizing it."
"Mate, are you going home for the Winter Holiday? I'm planning to go back and visit."
"Are you really planning to go back for a visit, or are you going back to find a strong team and try to get more attribute points in the Global Layer? Do you think I don't know that your family has connections?"
"Hehe. Then I'll be honest, I probably won't be able to team up with you guys this time in the Global Layer."
"He is indeed different. He has connections."
"What about you? Are you going home for the Winter Holiday?"
"No, I heard that the Winter Holiday celebrations at university are quite lively, so I'll spend it on campus."
Matthew left the classroom. Along the way, he was also considering whether or not to go home for the Winter Holiday.
...
At the same time, Natalie Russell from Class A was called to Professor Isabel Grant's office.
"Natalie, I called you here because of the matter of the Global Layer."
Professor Grant knew Natalie Russell's personality, so she went straight to the point.
"You know that the higher-ups value you highly, so for this Global Layer event, they plan to put you in a strong team."
Professor Grant said with a smile, "This strong team won third place in last year's Global Layer Division 1 competition."
This was a really good opportunity, and Natalie would certainly have been considering accepting the invitation.
But she asked, "Is this invitation for Matthew and me together?"
"About that…"
Professor Isabel Grant looked troubled and said, "For a strong team like this, the spots are definitely in high demand. The higher-ups have already made an exception and made many promises to persuade the captain to let you join such a strong team."
Natalie understood. Her spot in this team was only made possible by pleading with those above, so naturally, there was no way Matthew could have gotten a place.
"Then there's no need." Natalie refused without hesitation.
However, she didn't have a low EQ. She knew how to refuse without seeming ungrateful. "It's just a matter of gains and losses in one layer. I don't really care, and it's not worth the higher-ups making a move to promise benefits to others just for me."
Upon hearing this, Professor Grant immediately frowned and gave Natalie a helpless look.
Although Natalie's words sounded nice, Professor Grant wasn't so easily fooled. She knew that Natalie's sudden refusal was entirely because of that kid Matthew.
"Natalie, think it over carefully. This is a rare opportunity."
Professor Isabel Grant advised, "If you can join this strong team, you'll get at least several hundred more attribute points this time in the Global Layer, which will allow you to improve your strength further."
"The tenth layer of the Supernatural Realm is a solo layer, and it is quite difficult. If you can increase your strength, you will have a better chance of getting a perfect mission rating."
Although Professor Grant's advice made a lot of sense, Natalie still had no intention of changing her mind.
Because she was well aware of Matthew's capabilities.
In the ninth layer of the Supernatural Realm, she witnessed firsthand how Matthew shattered a small island with a single punch.
Such terrifying strength has definitely reached the national standard for a seventh-rank powerhouse.
Who knows, if she follows Matthew, she might even be able to compete for the championship with his team.
Why would she go to an unknown team when she has a team led by someone as strong as Matthew?
Moreover, even though the team had agreed to accept Natalie, she could guess the treatment she would receive there.
After all, someone else would have missed out on the team because of her, and they would inevitably treat her coldly. They would also act as if they had done her a great favor, expecting her to feel indebted to them.
Some might even harbor ulterior motives in return for this favor.
Instead of dealing with all this, Natalie preferred to be on Matthew's team. Even if they didn't achieve a good result, at least they would be together.
"No need to say more, Professor. Please help me refuse the higher-ups. I will still go with Matthew this time for the Global Layer." Natalie said.
Upon hearing this, Professor Grant could only sigh.
"I knew you'd say that..."
"In that case, you and Matthew should join the University of Oxford's faculty team."
"A high-ranking result is out of the question, but getting into the top 200 shouldn't be a problem for the faculty team."
"It's a pity that the principal surpassed the thirty-fifth layer of the Supernatural Realm a few years ago. Now he has to compete in Division 2 in the Global Layer. If the principal were still in Division 1, with him leading the team, we might have been able to make it into the top ten."
Natalie did not agree immediately, saying, "I need to ask Matthew's opinion."
"Okay, go and discuss it with Matthew," Professor Grant said. "I also need to report your choice to the higher authorities."
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.169: A Seventh-Rank Expert
Ch.170: New Innate Skills of Kryptonian Bloodline
Ch.171: Entering the Global Layer