Instructors Kaito and Bao Xin-Yi, who oversee the 'Legend' and 'Elite' classes respectively, were reviewing the rosters for both groups. Meanwhile, the students gathered nearby, their expressions a complex mix of composure, surprise, bewilderment, annoyance, mockery, and arrogance.
"What's going on? I have a bad feeling about this."
Yurchi's tone was calm, yet he felt a sense of unease, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword.
Tarta glanced at Jiya, then at Yuta. A look of confusion washed over his face, and he muttered under his breath:
"Am I the only one who thinks Jiya and Yuta look remarkably alike—even though they come from different families and have no connection? ...Strange."
His voice was laced with puzzlement, though he didn't dwell on the thought for long.
Now was not the time to be preoccupied with whether or not they were siblings. His former opponents—Tom, Yuta, and Beatrice—had proven to be insurmountable walls. Yet, he felt neither despair nor sorrow; he understood that those with the most touted talents aren't always the best—there are often greater figures lurking in the shadows.
"Alright, students. Since this is the first joint session between the two classes, we will hold an exhibition duel between the strongest individual from each class."
Kaito spoke in a calm, steady tone, observing the students, whose expressions shifted to a blend of astonishment and excitement at the prospect of the duel. Nevertheless, Bao Xinyi narrowed her eyes as she looked toward Yuta, recalling what had transpired just minutes earlier.
Flashback
"So, will you choose the members of the De Moliere family—Grey or Ruichi—or perhaps Beatrice Azwasen, Hua Jianyi, or Gother McTire?"
"In truth, only Gother McTire and Beatrice Azwasen are capable of standing against Jia Guilford. The others are all at a lower level than her. Even Jianyi, considered the strongest among them, is still only at the 'Half-Ruler' rank, whereas Jia Guilford is a 'High Ruler.' Only Beatrice and Gother have reached that level."
Bao Xinyi spoke in a calm tone, her gaze fixed on Kaito, whose face registered clear surprise. Having been isolated from the outside world during the period when Armin, Tom, and Yuta were rising to fame, she knew nothing of them. Given her near-total seclusion, it was only natural that she would have no knowledge of Yuta, Armin, or Tom.
"You are mistaken. There are two others capable of facing her. Furthermore, the strongest individual in the Elite Class is none of those you mentioned. The strongest student in the Elite Class is Yuta Caseral, followed by Gother McTire, then Beatrice, then Tom Fragelson, and finally, Jianyi." Kaitowa's tone was calm as he looked toward Bao Xin-yi, who appeared shocked for a few seconds before her expression returned to a state of composure.
"So, you're saying that Yuta Kasiral—who hails from a mere baronial family—outperformed the scions of three great duchies: the MacTire, the Cathali, and the De Molière houses? And what about Nozaki? Well, have it your way. And since he's quite the handsome fellow, he's now set to face Giya Guilford. If he ends up getting his backside handed to him, don't blame me; I warned you."
Bao Xin-yi's tone remained calm and matter-of-fact, devoid of any mockery. Yet, Kaitowa's expression did not shift; he had fully expected this.
He cast his gaze toward Yuta, who sat with his back against the wall, his eyes closed.
Nevertheless, due to the pact he had forged with him back when he was a monster within the dungeon of the Rulers' Tomb, Kaitowa was able to sense Yuta's true power—or, at the very least, what he perceived to be his true power. It was a strength beyond description.
Kaitowa shifted his gaze to the space above Yuta's head, where his true aura manifested. Any entity not in its original form reveals an aura above its head—a presence visible only to beings whose power transcends the bounds of logic, such as the Rulers or those of even higher standing. Those beneath the rank of Ruler cannot perceive this, with the sole exception of entities bound by a spiritual contract—much like the spirit of Knoga, which had taken possession of Kaito Ishikawa's body. He beheld an entity seated upon a magnificent throne crafted from pure Yuta-energy. The figure resembled Yuta, yet stood slightly taller, possessing long white hair and piercing violet eyes; he was draped in a black cloak, accented by a subtle touch of red.
His gaze was so intense that it compelled one to kneel before him instinctively, and his presence eclipsed that of even the most formidable and ruthless Rulers.
Caught between submission, fear, and awe, Kaito gazed toward Yuta and murmured, his voice barely audible:
"Lord Yuta, what is it that you seek to achieve with these actions of yours?"
[End of Flashback]
As the instructors for both classes prepared to announce the names of the combatants, the students' murmurs grew into a low, buzzing hum—much like a swarm of bees.
"So, is Yuta going to fight Casiral? He's incredibly powerful—he's taken down three Rulers! Honestly, he seems more like a transcendent being than a human."
An elite student spoke with palpable excitement to one of his peers.
"But he didn't defeat them using their own signature techniques."
The young man's tone remained calm, though tinged with a faint apprehension—the fear of inviting further mockery from the students of the other class.
"Even so, not even Reinhardt, the current head of the De Moliar family, has reached the level of a Ruler; he's currently only at the 'half-Ruler' stage."
"And while Yuta is certainly strong, Giya is one of the most promising rising talents—she's capable of easily defeating opponents two ranks above her." "It's going to be an epic battle: the strongest against the strongest—Yuta Caseral versus Gia Guilford!"
"It seems Yuta is set to face the star of the class—and of the entire Central Continent—in this era."
Grey's tone was calm as he gazed into the void, yet he could not suppress the aura of a Magister-rank fighter radiating from him.
"Yuta is strong, but Gia remains one of the greatest talents of all."
Armin's voice carried a hint of tension as he looked toward Yuta and Tarta, then toward Gia and the other Tarta. His gaze then drifted naturally toward Privka and Lucy.
Though they stood far apart, he could sense a spark igniting between them.
"Yuta will win. He is the strongest person in this world.I trust him. Even though he is no longer the 'Creator'—now that the true creator of this world has returned—he remains more powerful than him."
Prevka's tone was calm as she spoke to herself. Her emotions were a complex blend: a sincere desire for Yuta to win—not just to shatter the superiority complex held by the 'Class of Legends,' but also because she wanted the person she loved most to emerge victorious.
Elsewhere, Lucy kept her gaze fixed on Yuta. He appeared to be asleep, seemingly indifferent to the unfolding events, as he sat beside Gowther—who, for his part, was idly playing on his mobile phone.
Lucy narrowed her eyes slightly before rubbing her temples.
"He seems confident that he'll win in the end."
Lucy's voice remained quiet as she watched Yuta and Gowther, both of whom appeared entirely unconcerned.
"Yuta, what are you planning to do now? It's not that Jia is weak—the issue lies elsewhere entirely."
Gowther spoke in a calm tone, glancing at Yuta out of the corner of his eye, a faint smile playing across his face.
"How long have you known me, Gowther MacTire—or should I say, Isaac?"
Yuta Caseral's voice carried a hint of mockery, yet he did not open his eyes.
"I've known you since long before we were reincarnated into your own ridiculous novel. And what I know of you from our past life is that you were a first-class, despicable scoundrel. And now—well, you're still a first-class, despicable scoundrel, but you've become even more impressive." Gowther's tone was laced with mockery as he gazed at Yuta, whose expression remained entirely unchanged.
Gowther then shifted his focus to Yuta's neck—specifically, to the pendant hanging there.
"And who might this beauty be, the one who managed to melt the heart of a beast?"
There was a hint of derision in Gowther's voice as he looked at Yuta, who opened his violet eyes.
"That's a provocation meant to make me lose my temper—but I won't. As for the pendant and the girl it represents, their names both signify 'beautiful moon.'"
"I forgot to mention something, Gowther. Christian is coming to this world."
Yuta's voice remained calm as he looked at Gowther, who appeared taken aback.
"You mean Yassin bin Yub, right? In this life, his name is Christian Jamil."
Gowther's tone shifted, blending surprise with a sense of caution regarding Christian. Although they had never met, Gowther knew that Christian hailed from beyond this fantasy realm—indeed, from outside the very 'Fantasy Crypt' in which they currently resided. He held a rank equal to that of a *Rikudo Navi*, making him more powerful than any other entity within this world.
"Could you tell me a thing or two about him?"
Gowther's voice was filled with bewilderment and curiosity as he watched Yuta, who shifted slightly in his seat.
"Christian is the firstborn son of the ruler of Fantasy Crypt No. 1—the former holder of the Supreme Law—and the ruler of Fantasy Crypt No. 7, who was once the sovereign of the dragons belonging to the rulers of these fantasy realms." He is one of the most formidable talents from the fifteenth era of the First Beginning—an epoch aptly dubbed the "Era of Beginning and End." He stands as the most powerful wielder of narrative-manipulation abilities and is known as the "Great Devourer of Stories." Currently, he is outside the city of Kasemburg.
Yuta's tone remained calm as he cast his gaze toward Bao Xinyi and Kaito Ishikawa, who were on the verge of announcing the contenders for the upcoming battle.