Zoe lay on her back, looking up at the ceiling of her dorm room. Her whole body ached. She looked at her phone in her hand, the clock reading ‘6:35’. She forced herself to sit up, her hair falling in waves over her shoulders as she brushed it out.

  I swear, the worst part about long hair is taking care of it. Zoe thought as she brushed it out, her mind wandering back to returning yesterday.

  The image of walking through the gate with Ivan supporting flashed in her mind, “FUCK I CAN'T believe I did that, it’s so, so embarrassing!” If not for the fact that she was still brushing her hair, she would have buried her face in her hands.

  Think of something else, anything else, um hmm. Oh ya, let's see what rewards I have from managing to one-handed present floor one!

  She opened the System with a thought, and below her info, there was a small button that swapped with the words ‘Reword Inventory’. She swapped over to it and looked over them.

  [Reword Inventory]

  - Mana potion(Low-grade) or Qi pill(Low-grade) x2

  - Newbie Mana user loot box or Newbie Qi user loot box

  - Mana potion(Mid-grade) or Qi pill(Mid-grade)

  - Inscription potion

  - Random Skill that is E Rank

  Oh, that's not bad. Zoe thought, looking at the window. There was all the options she had expected, plus the reward for fully clearing the floor. They had not been told much about skills in class, but hell, they had never said anything about the Tenth trial being a full-on army fight!

  Zoe sipped her hand, closing the window. Now, what to report on how far I cleared? With the state I was in, it was probably clear that I had not just gone up to the fifth floor. They will think I at least reached the sixth or seventh. Or higher.

  The safest bet is to say I cleared the eighth trial. Although that only works if they don’t have a way to check. Thinking about it, I can think of at least one way. Have us bring out the Reword from that level.

  But if that’s not it, and they have some other way to know how far we cleared for sure…

  Then I’m fucked. They would know just how far I managed to clear, and with my skill level, that should have been impossible. If they have any brains at all, they may be able to piece it together.

  I should have thought about this before I went and cleared all the way to the tenth trial.

  She let out a sigh as she leaned back on her chair, grabbing her phone. Zoe reached up and rubbed her eyes before looking at the red number hovering over her messenger app. Six Messages! That's the most I have ever had! She thought with a smile.

  Zoe tapped on the app quickly to see who had sent her all the messages.

  Oh… Zoe rubbed the back of her head. It was ‘her’ father. Well, mostly Ivan had sent one as well. Zoe quickly began to read the messages from her dad.

  The oldest read, “Good luck on the first floor! Let me know when you're back.”

  “It's been a while, are you ok?”

  “Hay, it's not like you to not message back, did something happen?”

  “Zoe, are you alive?”

  “Zoe, I’m going to bed. Please be alive.”

  Ah shit. I fucked up. Zoe let out a sigh and quickly typed out a message.

  “Sorry for the late message, I was just really tired after I cleared the first floor. I’m sorry I made you worry, Dad.” Zoe tapped the send button, let out a breath she did not realize she was holding.

  This is one of those times I should call, I think? But what would I even say? Zoe had never really gotten along with her family in her past life.

  Whatever, let's check the message from Ivan.

  “Hay, hope you're ok, it looked like you were about to face plant yesterday! Anyway, I never did get you to tell me how far you cleared? Tell me when you get up :)”

  Zoe closed the messaging app and just stood up and grabbed her bag. Let's just head to class.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  She sat near the back of the class. Looking around, it seemed she was earlier than normal. Quickly, she checked her phone only to find she was nowhere near as early as the lack of people would suggest.

  She looked over the rather empty room once more. Had this many died?

  Before she could think too deeply on that, Ms.Divisk walked into the room and looked it over before checking the clock.

  Then she spoke with that same strange quality that made her voice seem to almost come from inside of Zoe’s mind.

  “Looks like there are quite a few that pushed themselves too hard and are getting treated.” She glanced down at her phone. “But overall, this year had a high passing rate. With only 4 from this class failing.”

  “Now, let’s go over scoring one more time. All of you who returned have passed with a D. Anyone who made it to the Sixth or Seventh floor will be C or C+. Eighth or ninth will get a B and B+. While any of you who managed to pass the tenth floor will be given an A grade.”

  Ms.Divisk began to write on the board, then turned back to the students.

  The board read as follows:

  (Higher grades get all of the rewards for lower grades as well)

  D: No rewards.

  C: 3 months of free courses

  C+: 3 months of free dorm housing

  B: 1 paid class for three months free

  B+: 100,000 credits

  A: 200,000 additional credits,

  Ms.Divisk turned back to the class. “These are the rewards based on your grade.”

  Zoe whipped her mouth, worried she had started to drawl. How the hell can they afford this!? Zoe rubbed the back of her neck. Unless they don’t think many people will be able to make it to B+ or A. Or they're just fucking loaded!

  That last option did not seem that far off, given what she was seeing.

  “Now I’m sure you're all wondering how you will prove your grade. It's rather simple. You can either present the reward from the highest floor you cleared or touch this.” She pulled out a small object that looked like a cheap bathroom scale.

  “This is a tower floor display. It will show the highest floor you have cleared, and for a floor with a number of stages, it will show the highest stage you cleared.” Ms.Divisk said, tapping her finger.

  A murmur ran through the class. But Zoe’s mind began to ring alarm bells. Ah, shit. This is a trap I beat! I mean, look at it objectively, if you just show the item from the highest floor you cleared, that’s basically saying. Yes, I definitely cleared this floor, or yes, this is definitely the highest floor I cleared!

  But what the hell can I do? Plus, the rewards are so good! Zoe planted her face in her hands on her desk. But there is so much risk.

  This is unfair, striking at my weaknesses. I need a lot of money, and I don’t want to be suspicious. Which is more so, just presenting my item or using the damned tester!

  Now wait, presenting an item is A trap in and of itself, as most of them are two options, and that would be like locking my path in without knowing the ups and downs!

  Zoe went back and forth in her mind, unsure which was the best option, for far too long as she tried to come to an answer.

  She was only snapped out of her inner panic when she heard Ms.Divisk call out for Tania Cross. At the mention of the clear strongest girl in their class, Zoe could not help but look up.

  The girl’s blue ponytail swayed behind her as she walked down the steps, then smiled as she placed her hand down on the scale-like pad.

  A blue light was cast out of the pad for a moment, then it slowly condensed into a number one with a small ten with a slash next to it, then another ten next to it.

  Ms.Divisk did not even seem to crack a smile and just noted it down on her notepad, “Good job, you may return to your seat.” She said with a wave.

  Zoe heard a guy in only a few seats speak. “Kind of rude to be so cold, right?”

  “I mean, she is the sword saint’s daughter; this much was the last anyone would expect.” The guy next to him said in a hushed tone.

  I wonder how Mr. Mc is going to show off. Zoe thought before realizing she still needed to worry about herself. Wait, if I have the potion anyway, I’m going to want to use it, and how do I explain how the hell I got it?

  Guess that kind of seals it, my only real option is to either hide that I got my inscription potion or reveal I cleared the tenth floor.

  But I really need money!

  Zoe overheard that Theo was called up. She quickly glanced up, seeing he, too, had managed to clear the tenth floor.

  She watched, taking mental note of how many managed to clear the ten trials. But the time it was her turn, she had counted 4 of the whole class of at least one or two hundred.

  “Now, Miss Zoe Rose, would you come register how many trials you cleared?” Ms.Divisk’s voice rang out in Zoe’s mind.

  She took a deep breath and stood up. As she walked down the aisles, she could feel all eyes on her. She hated this feeling, the pricking on the back of her neck as every hair on her body stood on end.

  And it's only going to get worse, but given the time to the next tower floor, I need the money. Zoe reached out to the scale-looking thing and placed her hand on it. She saw the small blue motes floated out.

  This is an awful Idea, but I would rather this than go mad over my blood addiction.

  She watched as the light condensed into the same one with a ten out of ten mark next to it.

  Zoe glazed up, and Ms.Divisk’s eyes were wide, which was uncharacteristic for her.

  Divisk blinked, then quickly made a note of it. “Good work, Ms.Rose.” Divisk seemed to genuinely smile as she reached out and patted Zoe on the shoulder.

  “You may return to your desk.” She added with a smile and nod.

  Zoe moved quickly back to her seat. She felt everyone's eyes on her as she walked up the stairs, then she turned her head and saw him. Theo, his face was contorted as if someone had told him that one plus one equaled two.

  Well, he is one of the worst people I could have noticed me. But it will be worth it not to go berserk! Zoe reassured herself.

  Plus, I don't want to risk taking the wrong path now. Zoe added.

  "I can't believe she did so well!" Zoe heard one boy say.

  "For two people not from big families to clear the tenth trial this time, there are sure to become at least low rankers!" Another added.

  "True, but she is also cu-" The last one was cut off when the person who looked to be his girlfriend shot him a mean look.

  He was going to call me cute!? I mean, I guess I am maybe a bit? Zoe quickly barred that thought.

  The rest of the class time was basically a big grading of everyone. Zoe would have walked out if not for the fact that she could feel Theo’s eyeburning a hole into the side of her head. He will definitely follow me out if I try to leave. My best bet is to rush to the girls' dorm as soon as this is over, while hiding in the crowd.

  After everyone had finally gotten their grades. Ms.Divisk looked back up at the class. “For everyone who managed to get a grade with a reword, keep an eye on your phones, as you should get a message to sign the paperwork for them within a few days. Now, for all of you that passed trial seven, I recommend you wait on pulling out your potion until you're sure what path you want to take, whether that is mana or qi.”

  “As for anyone with a loot box, you should do the same. But for those few with an inscription potion, you should take it as soon as you feel ready, as it can help you pick your path much easier than everyone else. But you should have someone you trust watch over you while you do so. It can be risky. If you would like to request my or another teacher's help, asking during our office hours would be a good time. Now, everyone, go and take a real break. I’m sure you're all exhausted.”

  With that, the bell rang out, and everyone quickly began to move to the door.

  Zoe was near the front of the pack, almost running to make space between her and Mr definitely main character.

  As she stepped out the doors of the main building, she looked back and saw him power walking, towering over her. Yep, just keep moving and don’t look back!

  She thought as she sped up, making it back to the girls' dorm on time, she quickly headed up to her room and locked herself inside.

  Interacting with the main character is a one-way ticket to being forced into his harem or, more realistically, being killed for being a vampire. She thought as she sat down on her bed. Oh, did I still have the rest of my classes today? Well, hope not. I am not dealing with running away from him for the rest of the day if I do.

  Zoe quickly pulled out her phone and saw more messages from her father.

  “How could you scare your father like that! I really should have kept a closer eye on you. Well, as long as you're fine, but call me sometime.” Zoe could not help but smile at that message.

  “I will.” Zoe sent. She did not know how she would handle it, but she could not leave such a loving father worrying about their kid, even if she was gone.

  Maybe it would have been better if I never taken over this body, I mean, I’m sure she had things she wanted to do. A whole life ahead of her. But there is nothing I could do now anyway. She reached up to the back of her neck and pulled up the massage form Ivan.

  He is the only person I can trust, so I guess it could only be him. Zoe quickly drafted a message and sent it out to Ivan.