I CHOSE to be a VILLAIN, not a THIRD-RATE EXTRA!!

The classroom was silent, save for the faint creaking of desks as the slumped students bowed their heads submitting against the mana pressure.

Certain students still tried to fight but after their heads once touched the desks they were no longer able to raise it.

Ashok's eyes scanned the room briefly before settling on Teacher Mia, who stood at the head of the classroom, her piercing blue gaze fixed directly on him.

'I'm sure she's pretty surprised on the inside that a student is still lasting this long under her pressure,' Ashok thought, his confidence rising as he noted her unrelenting focus.

A small, almost smirk began to tug at the corners of his lips, growing wider as his thoughts amused him further.

Mia's sharp eyes didn't miss the shift in his expression.

Her focus narrowed, and her irritation rose.

With a subtle gesture, Mia intensified the mana pressure only around Adlet.

The weight in the air thickened further, the force now at the level of an A Ranker.

For most of the students, such pressure would have crushed their spirits entirely, but her target was just Adlet, who remained unmoved.

His posture didn't shift, his arms stayed crossed, and most notably, the mocking smirk on his face lingered.

Mia's composure faltered internally, though her expression betrayed little.

'Is his mind truly that strong?' she wondered, her thoughts racing.

She scrutinized him more closely, searching for any trace of effort or strain, but she found none.

'If he were struggling, I might believe it. But this—this calmness, this confidence... it's almost unreal to be seen in an student.'

Other students cannot watch Ashok as their face was still touching the bench but it didn't go unnoticed by Elara who was sitting beside him with her head touching the desk.

From her side-angle vantage, Elara was able to see everything: Ashok's crimson eyes sparkling with amusement, the slow smirk playing across his lips, and his aloof posture that defied the oppressive weight.

It was a sight she could scarcely believe.

'I-Insane! Does he have no fear?' she thought, her golden eyes flickering with shock and disbelief.

Ashok, meanwhile, remained locked in his own thoughts, his boredom growing with each passing second.

'When will this end? Is she not getting tired?' he thought.

Ashok, shielded by his Blessing, couldn't feel even a hint of strain. To him, it was just passing time without doing anything.

Teacher Mia's irritation only grew as she stared at Ashok.

'Just what is wrong with this student?' Mia thought, her sharp gaze narrowing further. She was certain that Ashok wasn't simply resisting—he was mocking her.

Though her pride pushed her to continue, Mia was acutely aware that sustaining her mana suppression any longer—especially at the level of an A Ranker—would hurt her reputation.

She couldn't allow the notion of a teacher seeking revenge on a student to take root, especially in the minds of her class.

Such perceptions would undermine the respect she demanded and compromise her position as a mentor.

Taking a sharp breath, Mia finally relented, releasing the pressure.

The atmosphere shifted instantly—the suffocating weight in the air dissipated, leaving the classroom bathed in a strange, heavy silence.

Mia's voice cut through the stillness, calm yet commanding: "Raise your heads."

Slowly, the students began to lift their heads, their movements hesitant, as though afraid the test might resume at any moment.

The tension in the classroom had finally settled after Teacher Mia's oppressive mana test.

"Everybody, take out your ID cards and place them on your desks," Mia instructed, her voice sharp and authoritative.

The students, still hesitant from their earlier ordeal, obeyed immediately.

A faint shuffle echoed across the room as they reached for their ID cards, retrieving them from pockets or bags, and laying them flat on the wooden desks before them.

Despite their exhaustion, none dared to linger or resist—Mia's presence alone demanded compliance.

At the front of the classroom, Mia raised her hand with precision, her fingers forming intricate movements as she summoned a small, glowing magic circle.

Each student's ID card shone brightly, the golden glow washing over their surfaces for mere seconds before fading back into stillness.

The fleeting brilliance left behind an air of curiosity and intrigue as the cards returned to their ordinary appearance.

Lowering her hand, Mia addressed the class once more, her tone firm yet calm.

"Everyone, check your ID cards. You have all been granted your monthly Academy Credits. Make sure to use them wisely for your growth. You will not receive any more free credits until the first date of the next month."

The students, eager to confirm her words, quickly reached for their ID cards.

They studied the information printed on them with renewed focus, their eyes scanning the familiar details of Name and Class Name.

However, two new lines had been added, drawing their attention: Credits and Merit Points.

Ashok, seated upright and unbothered as always, picked up his own ID card and immediately noticed the glaring discrepancy.

The figure beside Credits read 8000, while the figure for Merit Points stood at 0.

'How come 8000? It should be 5000 according to the game,' Ashok thought, his crimson eyes narrowing in mild curiosity.

Turning his head slightly, he discreetly glanced at Elara's ID card, her golden eyes fixed on its details.

As expected, the credits listed on her card showed 5000.

This confirmed Ashok's suspicions.

Returning his gaze to his own card, Ashok thought,

'The extra 3000 must be the reward for not being suppressed by the mana pressure. To think this event includes a hidden reward. In the game, there were no such rewards because no character could succeed in this event.'

The realization amused him;

At the front of the room, Mia's voice echoed again.

"I will not be explaining Credits, as you must all have understood their meaning while exploring the Academy yesterday," she began, her tone firm and deliberate.

She paused briefly, allowing her sharp blue gaze to sweep across the room, ensuring that every student was paying attention.

Then, she continued, "Before I explain what Merit Points are, I would like to mention certain rules that you all must follow."

"First, make sure to remember your seating arrangement. This seating is fixed temporarily, and your permanent sitting arrangements will be made according to your Ranks, which will be decided during the Ranking Evaluation."

The mention of ranks sent a ripple through the room; the importance of the Ranking Evaluation was already well-understood by the students.

It was the cornerstone of the Academy's hierarchy—a measure of their worth and ability, determining their placement and influence within the Aether Class.

"Second," Mia continued, her voice sharp, "anyone in the class who wishes to ask a question must raise their hand and wait for permission before speaking. That's all."

She paused, her penetrating gaze scanning the room once more, ensuring her words resonated fully.

"Now, going back to Merit Points. If Credits serve as the currency within the Academy, then Merit Points are the measure of your achievements. These will not be handed out freely—they can only be earned through the discretion of your teachers."

Mia's words carried weight, and even the most exhausted students perked up slightly, their curiosity piqued.

"Merit Points have far greater uses than Credits. I won't be explaining all their applications today, as you'll discover their value yourselves as you adapt to life in the Academy.

However, I will mention two specific instances."

She raised her hand slightly for emphasis, her expression as sharp as ever. "First, ten Merit Points can grant you access to the First Floor of the Academy's Treasury."

The moment she mentioned the Treasury, a ripple of astonishment spread across the room.

Even the most composed students couldn't fully suppress the looks of shock on their faces.

The Academy Treasury was renowned to be filled rare artifacts, arts and skills that could dramatically enhance one's growth and abilities even if the access is only to the First Floor.

The idea that just ten Merit Points could unlock its mysteries ignited a spark of excitement among the students.

"Second," Mia continued, her tone unwavering, "one Merit Point can be converted into 100,000 Credits."

As the students absorbed the value and significance of Merit Points, a single hand shot up amidst the silence.

Teacher Mia glanced at the raised hand and acknowledged it with a nod. "Yes, Student James," she said, her voice steady and calm.

James, his expression thoughtful, asked, "Teacher, how can we acquire Merit Points?"

His question broke through the classroom's stillness, drawing the attention of many who shared the same curiosity.

"By performing better than the other students in your class," Mia replied and continued "Merits are not for everyone. Benefits will only be given to those who are deserving."

Her words ignited an unspoken energy in the room—a spark of competition that rippled through the class as students began to measure themselves against one another.

The weight of her response was clear: success at the Academy would favor not the privileged or entitled, but those who excelled through effort, skill, and determination.

No sooner had her words settled than another hand rose. Mia's sharp gaze turned to the source, and she granted permission, saying, "Yes, Student Lilia."

Lilia, with a sweet yet earnest tone, asked, "Teacher, can we convert 100,000 Credits into a Merit Point?"

Her innocent query carried a note of hope, one echoed by the eager expressions on the faces of several classmates.

Many students visibly perked up, their eyes filled with anticipation as they waited for Mia's answer.

But their hopes were short-lived. "No, you cannot," Mia stated bluntly, her icy demeanor effectively crushing their optimism.

"Merit Points are not a currency to be bought or traded. They must be earned through achievement." Her words left no room for argument, silencing any further discussion.

Ashok, watching the exchange with mild amusement, leaned back slightly.

'Do you think the one who created the system of Merit Points was a fool? Idiots!' he thought, his thoughts were dripping with derision as he observed the crestfallen faces of his classmates.