"So this is a Heartsoul Gem, huh?" Daru muttered as he fiddled with the small, red, heart-shaped gem in his hands, shifting his attention to the leaving courier before turning to look at the Sword Goddess Statue to his left.

The government didn't make it difficult for him to regain his lost life at all.

They even agreed to his condition to have his "friend" retrieve the gem for him, though that friend was naturally himself disguised as Otsuna.

He would've decided to delay using the item until he made it to another city if only it wouldn't be dropped upon death.

This was why Daru took the time to return to Agaron, placing the Heartsoul Gem at the open palm of the Sword Goddess Statue.

In the next moment, it dissipated into smaller, red cubic particles, and the number beside the heart icon in his status window changed from 2 to 3.

Daru snapped out of his fascination a moment later, immediately summoning his Cross-Eyed Albino Zebra with two claps and using what remained of his five hours every morning to travel back to the Crystal Hollows.

He was only able to make it to the Fangforge Cavern before he was forced to log out.

He would have to continue his journey later at night.

Looking for a safe spot, Daru found a hidden, secluded corner of the cavern, sitting comfortably before pressing his palms on his sword mark.

He found himself staring at the blurred ceiling of his classroom the next moment.

Daru's blonde hair swayed slightly as he stood up from the Slumber Capsule, the cold air of the air conditioner blowing past.

He then proceeded towards the door to exit.

This time, his classmates followed him with their gazes.

Not the goon squad, not the B-rankers, and not even Fairy Sylphina.

Daru, who proved his competence at the recent Class Representative Selection Tournament and claimed the position of Class Rep, became the center of attention for a good few days.

They wondered where he was and how he was doing in the Myriad Sword Realm.

Naturally, his haters glared at him whenever his back was turned to them, but none dared block his path this time.

Zach seethed as he watched Daru.

However, acting now would only further reduce his aura.

He must stay patient and act at the opportune time.

Thus, Daru was able to leave the classroom without any problems, but before he could exit his lecture building, his rather outdated phone rang.

He retrieved it from his pocket to check who was calling.

'Hmm…an unknown number?' Daru mused, brows furrowing.

In the next moment, he stopped hesitating and pressed the reject call button.

One of his teachers at Ashton High always reminded them that answering an unknown number was risky.

So, basing his actions on the wiser, older woman's advice, he decisively decided not to answer it.

Daru was about to return his phone to his pocket when the unknown number called once more.

But he unhesitatingly rejected the call again — faster this time.

The same thing happened three more times, and in the most recent one, Daru basically waited for the number to call again just so he could reject instantly, patience close to snapping.

He then remembered that there was an option to block a caller.

After refusing to answer one more time, he was finally able to block the unknown number, a faint smile gracing the corners of his mouth as though he had just won a duel against a tough opponent.

He certainly looked way too pleased.

Daru returned his phone to his pocket before finally proceeding to the huge, lobby-like exit of the building, but the moment he arrived…

"Daru Finnley of Class 70, please proceed to the Faculty Office. I repeat, Daru Finnley of Class 70, please proceed to the Faculty Office and report to Instructor Talon."

One of Daru's brows rose in curiosity.

Talon didn't call him yesterday night, so maybe the instructor wanted to personally hand over his rewards?

He wasn't in too much of a rush.

Furthermore, he couldn't ignore the summons, could he?

Daru asked the building's lady guard for directions and headed over to the Faculty Office.

**

"Finnley, why weren't you answering my call? Also, did you just block my number?" Talon asked in a slightly frustrated tone, sitting at his Slumber Capsule that was adjusted to be his office chair.

Daru scanned the instructor's rather messy table for a second before responding in mild epiphany.

There were no hints of guilt in his bland, nonchalant expression.

"Ah, so the unknown number calling me earlier was you, Instructor Talon? Sorry, one of my high school teachers told me that answering an unknown number can be risky and dangerous." He explained, pulling his phone out of his pocket. "Let me unblock you and set your name so I can answer your call next time.

Talon's face twitched for a moment at his student's words

He can't exactly refute them, but which teenager actually listens to such advice?

The instructor could only take a deep breath to calm himself.

The moment Daru's attention returned to him, Talon cleared his throat and said:

"Come with me, there's someone who wants to meet you."

Daru naturally followed his instructor, exiting the Faculty Office and walking into another office in a different building around ten minutes away from his lecture building.

The two of them didn't talk the entire time, and Talon only glanced at him from time to time to ensure he was still there.

Standing in front of a massive, arched double door, the instructor knocked three times in an unusual rhythm.

"Come in," a woman's voice confirmed from the other side of the door.

Only then did the two enter.

Daru looked around for a while, taking note of the rather luxurious yet professional interior, his gaze settling on the bespectacled woman with short black hair sitting in front of a blackwood desk.

He could feel that she somehow didn't like him, based on the subtle sneer on her face, despite this being the first time he met the woman.

"Secretary Helen, I've brought Finnley." Instructor Talon bowed, motioning for Daru to sit at the prepared chair in front of the secretary.

Daru naturally did as he was told.

While he was a bit puzzled at Helen's dislike and why she called for him, there was not a hint of nervousness in his heart.

He calmly met her gaze without folding.

"Daru Finnley…" the secretary began, adjusting her glasses as she spoke. "We're all busy, so I'm going to speak straightforwardly to keep our meeting short but fruitful. Give the position of Class Representative to Lynn Pemberton."

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