Everyone who heard Myrtle's statement was stunned and left speechless. None of them expected that this proud woman would show any interest in a young man who was still only Bronze Rank. All the older Outer Students knew her personality well. She always treated her fellow students with indifference, whether they were from the Golden Lion Family or the Black Tiger Family. In their eyes, Myrtle was an arrogant woman with no interest in anything or anyone she didn't consider worthy of her attention.
But seeing her demeanor now, they realized she was intrigued by the young man who had just claimed first place in the competition for the new students of the institution.
When Myrtle had first arrived at this institution, she too had taken the top spot, but unlike Finn, she'd earned her victory through a fierce, hard-fought battle.
"What is it you want from me, Miss Myrtle?" Finn asked with a calm smile. Even standing before this beautiful young woman, he felt no fear. Instead, he met her gaze steadily, watching her without a trace of anxiety.
As the two of them silently measured each other up, the spectators watched tensely. Even the Outer Instructors stayed in their seats, curious about what would happen.
Meanwhile, Isake couldn't keep still. A few drops of sweat formed on his forehead, and after a moment, he couldn't help but quietly back away from the pair.
When he'd put some distance between them, Myrtle gave a slight smile and spoke. "Congratulations on your victory, Finn Doria. I can't help but admire how you won without even breaking a sweat. Truly impressive."
As they saw the slight smile on her lovely face, most of the young men blushed and nearly drooled, while the young women felt a stab of envy in their hearts.
It was no exaggeration to say Myrtle was the most beautiful student in the Outer Institute—talented, strong, and stunningly attractive. She was the dream of nearly every man here. But dreaming was all they could ever do, because in this world, no matter how handsome or beautiful you were, it took power to win the heart of an Adventurer. Power was all that mattered.
In response, Finn gave a faint smile and said, "Then I thank you for your praise, Miss Myrtle. If you have no other business, we'll be returning to the dormitory to continue training."
He smiled politely and was about to walk away when Myrtle stopped him.
Raising one eyebrow slightly, she said coolly, "Would you mind calling me Myrtle? And don't be in such a hurry to leave. I'd like to ask a favor."
"What? Am I losing my mind? Did I hear that right? Myrtle Silver, the strongest and most beautiful Outer Student, is asking that guy for a favor? I wish I were him right now!" That was the thought racing through every man's mind. If she asked them for a favor, they'd gladly walk through a river of fire just to please Myrtle.
"Oh?" Finn turned back toward her, smiling faintly. "A favor? If it's within my ability, I'd be glad to do it for you, Miss Myrtle."
"Myrtle. I told you—just call me Myrtle," she insisted firmly.
It wasn't that Finn was infatuated with Myrtel or hoping to win her over by agreeing to anything she asked. The truth was, this situation was already making him weary. He didn't want unnecessary complications in his life or to become everyone's target. After all, who would dare refuse such a beautiful girl in public? No one—because doing so would instantly make you the object of gossip and resentment among all the men hopelessly smitten with her.
"It's just a small favor, and I'm sure it would be easy for you," Myrtle continued with a soft smile. "Fight me."
At her words, a fresh wave of murmuring rippled through the watching students.
"Hm? Did I hear that right? Myrtle is challenging Finn Doria to a duel? But the difference in their strength…"
"You heard right. If they really fight, it'll be a match between the current champion and the previous champion. I want to see this!"
"7th Level Bronze Rank against 3rd Level Silver Rank? Are you kidding? Even if he can defeat a 9th Level Bronze Rank or a 1st Level Silver Rank, he doesn't stand a chance against Myrtle."
Everyone had their own opinion.
At first, Finn was taken aback by her request. But he quickly recovered and shook his head with a calm smile. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can grant that wish, Miss Myrtle."
"Is it because you're only a 7th Level Bronze Rank? From what I've seen today, you're perfectly capable of going toe to toe with a Silver Rank," Myrtle said seriously.
Finn gave another small smile and shook his head again. "Even if I could fight a true Silver Rank, I still won't."
"Why? Are you afraid of losing?" she asked bluntly.
A few students nodded in agreement—if he refused her challenge, it could only mean he was afraid.
Still smiling faintly, Finn answered, "I simply don't want to shatter your confidence."
Everyone froze in stunned silence. They were shocked he would say something so outrageous. Even the Instructors who had been observing were visibly surprised.
Moments later, loud laughter erupted from several Outer Students.
"HAHAHAHA! Did he really start thinking he's invincible just because he beat Seve Marren? What a joke!" some of them jeered.
While others laughed, Myrtle continued to look steadily into Finn's eyes. She didn't know why, but she felt as though he was telling the truth. Somehow, this young man only seemed more mysterious to her now.
"You don't want to shatter my confidence? And how exactly do you think you could do that?" she asked calmly.
Finn's smile didn't waver. While a few Adventurers kept laughing, an overwhelming aura suddenly filled the entire Training Field.
The once-calm Outer Instructors leaped to their feet, their faces twisted in shock and fear.
A wave of terror spread among the students. One by one, they collapsed to their knees, their hands pressed against the grass. Sweat poured down their faces. Some even wet themselves. There was a force pressing them flat to the ground, a power so great it was almost unimaginable.
"Why…why is this happening?" the kneeling students gasped. Even Myrtle herself had fallen to her knees, trembling in terror as she stared at the grass.
Only Isake remained standing, though his face was equally pale with confusion and fear.
"You…you've been hiding your true level and rank! You're no 7th Level Bronze Rank! You're a 9th Level Gold Rank Adventurer!" one of the Outer Instructors finally managed to cry out.
Finn withdrew the crushing pressure, smiling mildly at the Instructors. "You're correct, Instructor. I'm not a Bronze Rank."
He was lying, of course. He wasn't merely a 9th Level Gold Rank. As for his true power? Only he knew—and he intended to keep it that way. If he were just a Gold Rank, he couldn't have done what he'd just done so effortlessly. The way he controlled his aura had been precise, targeting only Myrtle and those who had laughed at his words.
Looking at the still-kneeling Myrtle, Finn asked quietly, "Now do you understand?"
The question snapped Myrtle back to her senses. Struggling to stand, she stared up at Finn in horror, as though she were looking at a monster. Now she understood what he meant. Before, she'd been so confident in her own strength—but now, that confidence was utterly shattered. Compared to Finn, she was just an insect.
"I don't understand…Why…why are you still here in the Outer Institute? With your power, you could easily become a core student—or join any faction you liked," she said, bewildered.
"Oh, that?" Finn smiled slightly. "To be honest, I'm no longer interested. For now, I plan to deal with everyone who's made life difficult for my clan. Now…may I go?"
Myrtle didn't answer. She just kept staring down at the grass.
Seeing this, Finn sighed and turned away. "Come on, Isake."
"Ah—yes, yes," Isake stammered, finally snapping out of his trance.
Once Finn had left, the Instructors finally regained their composure.
"Hurry! We have to report this to the Institution Master at once!"
--
Inside the Contribution Hall, a man stood frozen, shock and disbelief etched on his face. His desk and chair were shattered around him from the burst of power he'd unleashed when he was startled.
"Did I hear that correctly?! A student in the Outer Institute is a 9th Level Gold Rank?! How did I miss this?! Tell me—what's his name, and which family is he from?!" Kiden demanded, a mix of confusion and alarm in his voice.
"Finn Doria…Finn Doria of the Azure Wood Family," the Instructor answered nervously. "Institution Master, this is the first time in history a 9th Level Gold Rank student has ever appeared in this institution."
"Finn…Doria? But how…?! I could have sworn he was only a 7th Level Bronze Rank before. At my level, you know I don't make mistakes sensing such things!" Kiden said grimly.
"But, Institution Master, we all felt it. His power is comparable to the weakest Core Instructor. There must have been something concealing his true rank all this time," the Instructor insisted.
"But why? For what purpose? And how? He comes from an Ordinary Clan—Azure Wood Family, of all clans," Kiden sighed heavily.
--
Finn was now back in his room. On the walk back, Isake hadn't said a single word, simply trailing behind him in silence until they'd returned to their quarters. Noticing this, Finn could only shake his head.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he closed his eyes and began to meditate. He calmed his thoughts and expanded his senses until he could feel the entire institution. With his current power, he could scan every corner of it.
He wanted to find the strongest Adventurer here—to locate the Institution Master and ask a few questions.
He sensed various levels and ranks.
Silver Rank.
Gold Rank.
Scarlet Gold Rank.
Profound Rank… Two of them!
Finn's eyes flew open, surprise flickering across his face.
"A 3rd Level Profound Rank—and a 9th Level Profound Rank?! And that 9th Level Profound Rank… He's in the Contribution Hall!"