I Don't Need To Log Out

The group made their way through the grand halls of the Citadel, the towering structure as imposing as ever.

Despite their previous visit, some of them still couldn't help but admire its sheer scale.

The golden veins running through the obsidian-like walls pulsed faintly, almost as if the Citadel itself was alive.

Their destination was the top floor—Zephyrion's office.

As they stepped into the office, Zephyrion was already waiting for them, standing near the massive window overlooking Kelta.

His red and silver robes gave off an air of authority, yet his sharp gaze held something warmer—approval."Welcome back," he said, his voice carrying the weight of someone who was born to rule.

His eyes lingered on each of them before he smirked. "I see you survived Hell Week. Congratulations."

Evan chuckled. "Survived? We dominated."Zephyrion raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? So you all found it easy?"

"Well…" Evan hesitated, glancing at the others.

Lei quickly stepped in. "It wasn't that easy, but we managed."

Zephyrion nodded, then leaned back against his desk. "The academy's professors must be impressed."

"Sir, I believe we cheated. They were kids while we were proper adults." It seemed like Pierre's mind wasn't at ease.

Ben answered instead of Zephyrion.

"What are you talking about? There are no kids in Trion, there are only strong and weak. Also, they have been training since they were little while you were only training for three weeks. Don't underestimate yourselves, you have achieved great things."

Pierre must have found that answer justifiable since he seemed to accept it.

"But enough small talk," Zephyrion said, his gaze sharpening. "Now, let's talk about your next mission."The room fell into silence.

Zephyrion crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "This one is different from what you've done before."

Everyone understood the meaning behind those words. It was time for the players to go to battle.

Of course, for the next week, their actions would be under Zephyrion's command—or rather, the Trionian government's. But still, they would have to fight the Keldars.

And this time, they would know exactly what they were doing.

"But that is next week's issue. You don't have much time left for today, so please go back. We will talk again next week."

Since it was already evening, Zephyrion sent everyone back so that they could log out.

---

"Sigh… We're back," Maria said, stretching her arms. "You know, going back to high school after all this time was actually kind of fun."

Considering she was the oldest in the group at 25, her words carried a nostalgic weight.

Find adventures on My Virtual Library Empire

"What's fun about school?" Evan scoffed. "I had to go twice every day." He crossed his arms and huffed. "Though… if the schools on Earth were more like Cardon Academy, I guess it could've been fun."@@novelbin@@

Carmen tilted her head. "I think schools on Earth are fun too." She had never had any real issues with school and had always been the image of a hardworking student.

She knew exactly what Evan was like. Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—he was one of the reasons she had enjoyed going to school.

"Of course, it is fun for you. Teachers like you in school. Your grades are also good. I can't understand how you are still single."

Carmen's face soured hearing that.

Upon seeing Carmen's facial expression, Maria, to make up for Evan's loose mouth, smirked and patted his shoulder like an old grandma bestowing wisdom upon a clueless child.

"Kid, just wait one more year, and you'll get to experience a real school called university. Then, I am sure that there will be a lot of boys around a hardworking beauty like Carmen."

The others chuckled at her tone, amused by the way she spoke as if she were decades older.

This naturally led to a conversation about college on the way to their rooms.

One by one, the players shared which universities they had attended, swapping stories about dorm life, lectures, and the occasional nightmare professor.

By sheer coincidence, everyone—except Arlon and, obviously, Carmen and Evan—had gone to college.

When the conversation finally reached Arlon, most of them expected him to dodge the question or stay silent. Instead, he answered plainly, "I didn't go to college."

For a brief moment, there was silence.

It wasn't that unusual for someone his age not to have a degree, but they had always assumed Arlon was a big shot.

Since he had hidden his appearance before, they figured he must have had a reason—maybe he was rich, famous, or had a secret past.

Of course, technically, he could still be any of those things. The only thing they were sure of was that he wasn't a criminal. Probably.

Arlon, on the other hand, wasn't particularly interested in their reactions. He had learned quite a bit from their college stories—more than he had expected.

Before this, they had talked about where they were from, but only in terms of their home countries.

Now, he knew that most of the Gamers Guild members had lived just a few hours away from where he used to be.

Not that it made any difference.

He had no plans to go back.

---

When they arrived at their rooms, there was still time before they had to log out. But none of the players seemed interested in waiting outside to kill time.

They all wanted to go in—there was something they needed to do.

For three weeks, they had absorbed countless lessons, learning more than they ever thought possible.

Yet, in the rush of training and exams, none of them had stopped to review what they had gained.

So, when Carmen casually mentioned wanting to study, the others found themselves agreeing.

The first week had been about the fundamentals: learning the very basics of Trion's magic and combat systems.

It had also introduced them to abilities—something distinct from skills, yet just as vital.

The second week had been more structured, covering history, etiquette, and their respective job classes in greater depth.

And this final week?

This was where everything had come together. They had learned not only about their abilities but also how Trionians used them in battle.

With their next mission looming, they wanted to be ready.

Of course, there was no real danger to their lives. Even in the worst-case scenario—being slain by a Demon while using Zeno—they would simply be sent back to Earth.

But that wasn't the real issue. The hesitation came from killing Keldars.

Demons were fine. They wouldn't truly die at the hands of the players, thanks to their own Zeno.

The mindless Keldars weren't much of a moral dilemma either. They were little more than wild beasts, attacking anything in sight. It was unsettling, but not unbearable.

But the Named Monsters…Unlike the regular Keldars, these were intelligent beings. They could think. They could feel. And when killed, they would stay dead.

It was an uncomfortable truth, but one they had already accepted. There was no turning back now.

The least they could do was prepare.

That was why, without another word, everyone disappeared into their rooms.

Except for one.

"Can we talk for a bit?" June's voice cut through the quiet hallway, stopping Arlon just before he could enter his room.

She wasn't smiling.

It was time to confront him about the mask.