Neo quit the biome of the phoenix.

He advanced towards the sanctuary’s center.

After traversing several biomes, he encountered a brown building.

He entered Derek’s office.

“A phoenix has finished its rebirth?”

“No, we failed. It’s dead.”

“Is this a joke…?”

Derek awaited Neo’s response.

When Neo remained silent, his face contorted into a grotesque grimace.

“Do you realize what you’ve done!? It was a phoenix!

“A phoenix!

“If you are incapable of completing the mission, how dare you bring it back!?”

“…”

Neo allowed Derek to unleash his anger.

“A phoenix is worth more than your entire life!

“I’ll ensure your team is penalized for this!

“Not just penalized, I’ll make your life a living hell! You damned brats—”

“I’m leaving. Please report any complaints to the mission hall,” Neo stated.

Derek fumed.

Neo was at the doorway when he paused and turned to face Derek.

“Also, the phoenix was ‘strange’. It wasn’t afraid of me, even with my Death affinity.

“I suspect it had a tainted bloodline, and that’s why its rebirth failed.”

His words made Derek shut his mouth with a snap.

After all, Derek knew precisely what was wrong with the phoenix.

‘Did… did he notice?’

Derek’s palms were drenched in sweat.

He did not respond to Neo.

“Again, I apologize for the mission’s outcome,” Neo said.

He left the sanctuary.

On his way, his device rang.

[Mission of rank A failed]

[-60 credits]

[Total credits: -60 credits]

“That’s some balance.”

He chuckled wryly.

Jack ran up to him when he reached the mission hall.

“Neo!”

“Did you take another mission?”

“About that… The slots are full.”

“…Who was it?”

Jack’s expression worsened when he saw Neo’s frown.

It struck him again that they failed the participation requirements.

“Arthur’s team, Lumen. They were a few minutes ahead of the Poseidon Clan’s team.”

Neo patted Jack’s back.

“It’s fine. We’ll get a slot.”

“…?”

Neo did not elaborate.

…

A few hours prior.

Neo left the mission hall after accepting the phoenix mission.

He was about to meet Percival and others when he noticed Lucas speaking to Percival.

‘Lucas…’

‘This guy will definitely interfere with our mission again.’

‘I can stop him, but it’s troublesome.’

An idea struck him.

‘It’s better to let him attack us and use him.’

He took out his device and messaged Felix.

> Felix < Me: My team will relinquish the third slot. Me: It should increase your chances of securing the slot since my team has the highest chance of getting it. Felix: …What do you want in return? Me: It's good you're quick on the uptake. Me: I want you to— … Present Felix met with Percival. He was nervous. "Why did you call me?" Percival questioned. "I wanted to report the interference of God Clans in our team's mission. "They've been repeatedly trying to sabotage us." "..." A sigh escaped Percival's lips. "You think this is the first time something like this has happened? "If you think so, you're wrong. "Get used to it. It will continue in the future too. "And if you don't like how things are done here, deal with them yourself." "The professors won't help us...?" Felix questioned. "They won't unless something crosses the line." Everything Percival said mirrored what Neo had told him. The academy was already aware of the competition's happenings. They were deliberately ignoring it. "Sigh, can I meet the principal?" Felix asked. "Are you thinking of complaining to the principal? "Don't do that. "You'll need to pay credits for an official hearing, and pay extra if you want the principal to act as a witness. "6,000 credits in total. "Two people can attempt the Junior Templar exam with those credits. It's pointless to go to the principal even if you have that much." It was a checkmate for Felix. There was no way he could get the Zeus Clan and others punished. Or so Percival thought. "I still want to visit the principal. Do I need to pay credits for it?" Felix questioned mockingly. "It's not necessary. The top 10 students can meet the principal whenever they wish." Percival whistled. A pegasus descended. It lowered its head, allowing Percival to stroke it. He turned to Felix. "Sit behind me and hold on tight." They mounted the pegasus. The winged horse neighed and took flight. It soared higher and higher. Felix saw the campus from above. No matter how high they flew, everything within his sight remained within the academy's boundaries. "It's quite large," he said. "Yeah." The horse reached a giant cloud. It flew above it. There, a majestic mansion rested. Percival descended and landed on the clouds. "Enter the mansion and go straight to the office on the third floor. You'll find the principal there." He departed after giving the instructions. Felix walked across the clouds. The mansion's door opened as he approached. He entered the building. It boasted a grand foyer, marble floors, three chandeliers, velvet drapes, ornate furniture, a sweeping staircase, and sunlit rooms with tall windows. The mansion seemed devoid of any living presence. Felix recalled Percival's words. He ascended the staircase to the third floor. The office was the second room to the left of the stairs. Felix was about to knock when he stopped. He swallowed hard. 'I agreed to Neo's plan because it seemed to be the only way my team could qualify for the slot.' 'But...' 'I'm pretty sure the principal would kill me if the plan fails.' His heart pounded against his ribs. 'Should I just bail?' Arthur and his team already secured a slot. Neo couldn't do anything if Felix backed out. It was an easy choice. It should have been easy. Felix bit his lip. 'Damn it.' He knocked. "Come in," a voice answered from within. Felix swallowed and opened the door.