My Roleplay System
Chapter 132: Burden of The Past

Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Burden of The Past

Luckily, it didn’t take long for Alec to arrive, freeing Lake of the accursed fairy.

As everyone settled into their seats, Alec yawned as he stood in front of the podium.

"Alright class, I have some... yawn... news for you."

"Teach, what’s up? You seem more tired than usual?"

"It’s nothing, I’ve just been rather busy as of late."

With a sigh, Alec circulated some of his mana through his body, waking him up as if a layer of exhaustion had been peeled off from his face.

"First, there is some crucial news that needs to be shared with you. Two nights ago, there was a terrorist attack in Moonbright City."

"Huh?"

When everyone heard Alec’s words, silence spread across the classroom.

Some had shocked expressions on their faces while others had a grim look.

When Lake heard the announcement, he thought for a while before figuring out the purpose.

The government had decided to withhold information about the attack. They were probably working frantically behind the scenes trying to cover up anything that might cause even more panic across the continent before coming out with a public statement.

Since Alec had come here to announce it to the students, they must have already released a response and the faculty was just relaying the news to them.

"I don’t want to speak much on the topic but for those who have family or relatives living in Moonbright City, the academy has given you permission to take tomorrow off and visit them. Come find me after classes if you wish to take the day off."

Although Lake wasn’t looking around, he could sense the subtle change in the atmosphere.

These students were just regular kids fresh out of high school. If you were to suddenly tell them that a terrorist attack had happened, a lot of them would become worried and scared.

Even if they were Martial Artists, the students were just that, students. They hadn’t experienced the cruelty of the world or the dangers of the rifts.

They were inexperienced and young, which made them vulnerable to everything around them.

Alec could probably also sense the restless atmosphere as he released another sigh.

"Although the terrorist attack was an unforeseen disaster, getting scared now won’t change anything as it has already happened."

"Now isn’t the time to be wallowing in fear or anxiety, but to grow stronger!"

Everyone was slightly startled at Alec’ sudden outburst.

"Yes, the attack has already happened and yes, many lives were lost and families separated, but the worst of all is that the culprit of this attack had escaped from our grasp!"

"They’re still out there, lurking in the shadows and plotting their next move. We can’t bring back the lives of the fallen, but we can still fight to protect what remains and avenge what was lost!"

"The world has been forever changed ever since the rifts have descended. No longer is this a world where we humans helplessly wait and watch in the face of despair, but one where we pick up our weapons and fight back!"

"You are the future of the continent, the top talents gathered together in one place! At this academy, what we train are Martial Artists who are willing to stand and fight! The weak willed no matter how strong they are, have no place here!"

Alec’s expression was uncharacteristically cold at that moment. His piercing gaze scanned through the classroom, looking at each student carefully.

As their gazes met his, they all subconsciously stiffened up.

They thought to themselves whether they really wanted to be here or not, but only a second later, a resolute expression appeared on their face.

Everyone came to the academy for a reason.

Whether it be to pursue their own desires or for the sake of others, they entered the Academy with the goal of becoming Martial Artists.

If they were to back out now, where would all their previous resolve and hard work go?

Everyone felt a small fire light within them as they met Alec’s fierce gaze without turning away.

Alec felt slightly relieved when he saw the resolution in his students eyes.

"Alright. Since I’ve said my part, I only have one more piece of information to share with you."

"After a long discussion among your professors, it was decided that your end of month exam would be pushed up. Your exam would now be held three days later, so take the time to prepare yourselves."

Everyone, including Lake, was slightly surprised when they heard this.

However, no one seemed to be too bothered by it. Maybe it was their confidence in their own abilities that had grown after Lake’s training program, or maybe it was the effects of Alec’s speech.

The news that would have normally sent them into a riot didn’t even phase them at this moment. Although, it did make them feel a little uncomfortable inside.

’What dogshit luck...’

The person who was feeling the most thrown off by the sudden change in the schedule was surprisingly Lake.

He hadn’t read the fates of the faculty for some time now, so he really didn’t know that the decision to push their exam forward was in motion.

Luckily, he had set up the Mana Gathering Formation last night so the sudden change wouldn’t affect his overall plans too much.

However, knowing the instructors, Lake wouldn’t put it past them if they also decided to alter the contents of the exam as well. He would have to look into the reason behind the sudden change in the schedule and adjust his plans accordingly.

As Lake was thinking of this, Alec had already finished speaking and was prepared to leave the classroom.

"Alright, since I’ve said everything I need to say, I’ll be leaving first. Your Mana Theory teacher has also finished his business and will be here today, so don’t go leaving thinking you have another morning free."

After leaving a final message, Alec left the classroom.

However, even after Alec left, the classroom still had a gloomy atmosphere. Everyone was unusually quiet as they sat in their seats, seemingly lost in thought.

Even Sylph who was usually flying about sat down quietly with a thoughtful expression.

Although the Fairies didn’t have any direct relation to the terrorist attack, they were still allied with the human race so they would also have to pay attention to any threats to it.

....

Thankfully, after only a few minutes, the Mana Theory teacher, Cedric, who had been missing for a few days finally made an appearance as he entered the classroom.

His white hair and wrinkled face had a joyous expression on it, the complete opposite of the grim expression of his students.

When he entered, he was slightly startled by the serious atmosphere surrounding everyone.

As he remembered the staff meeting he was dragged into this morning, he roughly understood the reason for everyone’s mood.

With a sigh, he surveyed the room before his eyes landed on a particular student causing a bright light to shine in them.

However, he seemed to suppress this excitement as he cleared his throat. As a professor of the Academy, he still had a job to do.

"Alright, I know that most of you must be feeling down because of the news, but there is no need to let it affect you mentally. Your current mood would only hinder your training."

"Although anger and sorrow can be a great fuel for your training, depression is not. I hope you all can learn the difference."

After saying his part, Cedric didn’t continue the topic any further as he began his lecture.

....

Time slowly passed as the clock ticked away. By the time class had ended, everyone’s moods had mostly recovered.

Although some of them were still thinking about the terrorist attack on the inside, they tried not to let it affect them.

"Alright everyone, there is one more piece of news I have to share with you before you go. After a short assessment was made yesterday, I have deemed everyone in this class as having passed the Mana Theory Assessment. Your points shall be updated accordingly later this afternoon."

"!"

Like a bomb being set off, the Mana Theory Instructor’s words sent shockwaves throughout the entire classroom.

Seeing the stunned expression on everyone’s face, he smiled as he explained calmly, "I dropped by and observed your little game inside the training hall yesterday. Although a little unorthodox, your control of mana has met my standard for a passing grade."

When everyone heard this, they all subconsciously turned to look at Lake.

Lake, who felt their gaze, smiled gently in response causing a few girls in the class along with some boys to feel their hearts skip a beat.

Bang!

"We bow before the savior!"

"Thank you for allowing us a passing grade, oh mighty savior!"

"We, your humble followers, offer our most sincere worship!"

"Let your saving grace continue to follow us for the many years to come!"

The group of boys, led by Conner, reacted the most enthusiastically, directly bowing to Lake, causing the gloomy atmosphere in the class to completely disappear as everyone was amused by their performance.

Lake knew that before he started his lecture, the five boys were the ones struggling the most in Professor Cedric’s Mana Theory class.

Getting a passing grade was more than they could ever ask for. Their previous prejudice against Lake had completely disappeared in that moment.

"Lake, I would like to have a word with you before you head to your next class."

Lake paused for a bit before slightly nodding at Professor Cedric. After getting up, he walked down the classroom before following Professor Cedric outside.

The two of them walked for a bit before stopping at a bench in a small garden near the classroom building.

"I read the Principle of Mana Flow that you wrote."

Those were the first words Cedric spoke.

Lake smiled lightly, "Is that so?"

Hearing Lake’s casual response, Cedric didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.

"Haha. It’s good that you are calm. Normally a student your age would be anxious wondering whether they did something wrong when they hear something like that from a professor."

Lake chuckled lightly, "I don’t usually react strongly to things like this."

"Hmm, I understand. There are some people who are unphased by the turbulence of the world. People like that often excel in their chosen field, but they’re also the ones to fall the furthest after climbing too high."

Professor Cedric spoke with a soft sigh.

"... I’ll keep that in mind."

"No. It’s really nothing worth thinking about."

Professor Cedric paused for a moment before looking at Lake.

"I called you out today because I was able to recognize the brilliance of the Principle of Mana Flow."

Lake didn’t say anything as he let Cedric continue.

"Listen Lake, I think you should publish your work. I have a feeling- no, I know that your work would bring about extraordinary changes to the Martial World, and quite possibly even the entire continent if it were to be published."

Professor Cedric spoke with a calm look.

Lake could tell that he was serious about publishing his work. If he really were to publish his work, he would instantly become famous across the continent.

The Principle of Mana Flow was a simple thing to Lake who had access to a wide range of knowledge, but to the rest of the world that had only just begun to comprehend the secrets of mana, it was like a key to a vault of unlimited potential.

If he really were to publish it, Lake thought that the changes it would bring wouldn’t be described as extraordinary like Professor Cedric had stated, but rather as revolutionary.

"Professor Cedric... I understand your point, but for the time being, I have no plans of publishing it."

However, despite the benefits, Lake didn’t wish to publish his work.

Ever since he had come to learn about the existence of the other worlds and the possibility of his world transforming into a High Class world, many questions started to appear in his mind.

What if more races started appearing on the continent? What if they were hostile? What about the people in his own world? His world was becoming a High Class world, so doesn’t that mean that Deities could also start appearing? If so, was it a good thing or a bad thing?

What about the other worlds? Why did a portion of their world turn into rifts? Why did the rifts appear in his world? Will they continue to appear? Or would his world also start to be devoured by the rifts?

There were also the disturbances in the Web of Fate. How did Prestige do it? Were they even aware that they were doing it? What do the disturbances even mean in the greater scheme of things?

And what about the system that seemed to know more about it but wasn’t revealing everything?

All these questions were rushing through Lake’s mind causing him to become far more cautious than he was before.

He no longer dared to reveal too much of his knowledge in case it ended up doing more harm than good, or even worse, assisting his enemies.

"What?"

Of course, Professor Cedric, who didn’t know any of this, was slightly stunned when he heard Lake’s response.

However, he quickly recovered his senses as he calmly looked at Lake.

Lake on the other hand continued to look at the flowers gently swaying in the breeze.

"Do you have a reason?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell me?"

"No..."

Hearing his answer, Professor Cedric sighed.

"Very well, I won’t ask further."

"However, I hope you could reconsider my idea of publishing your work. The benefits it would bring to mankind in the current times would be an immense help whether it be in the field of rifts or Mana Tech."

"Since you’re already teaching it to your classmates, I can tell that you’re not opposed to the idea of sharing knowledge."

"I believe you shall come around one day."

After Professor Cedric finished speaking, he got up from the bench.

Turning to face Lake, he pressed his hand against Lake’s shoulder.

Although he only lightly patted his shoulder, Lake could still feel the immense strength within it.

Although Professor Cedric looked like a weak old man, Lake knew better than to trust appearances.

In this world, the older someone was, the scarier they were, as it showed that they had survived the darkest era of humanity.

When Cedric’s hand touched his shoulder, Lake didn’t feel the dignity of a teacher, but of a warrior who had shared the burden of restoring humanity.

After patting him on the shoulder, Professor Cedric turned around and walked back into the classroom building.

Lake watched as the old man walked out of sight with a thoughtful gaze.