The Devil's Cage

"One Bento class nearing a Proper Meal class, two normal Bento class, and seven more Fast Food. I want to exchange all of this for a real Proper Meal."

Inside the Cat Cafe of E Block, Kieran was speaking to Oliford.

Unlike the attire he wore yesterday, Oliford wore a black formal wear with a red handkerchief in his chest pocket. His hair was combed back neatly, revealing a high forehead and slanted brows that extended to his hairline. His gray eyes, which would leave an impression in people's minds, currently showed shock.

"The rumours are real…"

Oliford didn't hide his shock.

He looked at the newly crowned First Seat of the freshman.

Although Kieran's performance during the exam was amazing, Oliford did not expect Kieran to do something this astonishing within a day: Kieran swept the Student Council in E block clean single-handedly.

Although Oliford wasn't informed of the details, he had quite the understanding of Gutti's strength. Adding up her decent background and hard-working, serious character, Gutti was able to become Branch Leader of E block in her third year.

A woman like her would not pretend or act; therefore, the freshman before Oliford's eyes must have challenged Gutti and won.

Given the circumstances and the strength Kieran had displayed, Oliford obviously couldn't treat him like how he did yesterday anymore.

"Let me reintroduce myself, Oliford Ryde." He stood up and extended his right hand.

"2567," Kieran shook the hand and replied.

"Do you want anything to drink? The coffee here is quite famous, my treat of course," Oliford said with a smile.

"Lemon water please." Kieran didn't go with the coffee but his own preferred drink.

"Very well, a lemon water and a black coffee please."

Oliford placed his order with the waiter.

After the waiter served the beverages and left politely, Oliford continued. "You said you want to exchange for a Proper Meal class food? Alright, I'll contact the family and tell them to bring one over here as soon as possible; however, I'm afraid it might take at least a week or so."

"Sure."

Kieran was very satisfied with the answer since he had a general idea of how rare a Proper Meal class food was.

In fact, in Kieran's original estimation, the time would be around two to three weeks, and now it had been shortened to one week, meaning Oliford was much more capable than he expected.

A capable collaborator was worth being happy over, but he must also be reliable.

Obviously, Oliford also thought the same way about Kieran. After Kieran's nod, Oliford waved at his family attendant further away.

An agreement was then presented before Kieran.

"This is a agreement from Theorate. You can check its validity through the serial number here."

Oliford pointed to the line of codes at the upper left corner of the agreement.

"Hold on," said Kieran as he took out [Theorate School Badge].

After the little challenge, the silver badge had a line of gold added to its lower part, representing the identity of a Branch Leader; the attribute also changed.

[Name: Theorate School Badge (First Seat, Branch Leader)]

[Type: ETC]

[Rarity: Magic]

[Attribute: 1. Digest; 2. Appraise]

[Effect: None]

[Able to bring out of the dungeon: Yes]

[Remark: It is not just proof of the First Seat and Branch Leader, but it's also an honor! With it, you can enter some forbidden areas in the school that are off-limits to normal students.]

…

[Digiest: Digest food faster]

[Appraise: You can use it to appraise any kind of agreement from Theorate; you can use it to appraise a common student's documents.]

…

[Theorate School Badge] automatically changed when Kieran truly took over E block.

For a common person, it may be magical or even astonishing, but for Kieran with his good old Pro level [Mystical Knowledge], it was just slightly surprising to him.

He knew a lot of ways to change the badge's attributes, but what truly surprised him was that Theorate branded its logo on every single school badge.

It made Kieran curious and surprised about the inner secrets of this dungeon world while at the same time filling him with anticipation.

He really wanted to know how far this dungeon world could go.

While he was pondering about all this, he did not neglect the things at hand.

When [Theorate School Badge] got close to the agreement, a blue glow shone on it, meaning the paper was 'verified'.

Kieran carefully read the contents of the paper before he signed his own name. Oliford also signed his beside Kieran.

"Happy working together."

After both of them received the same signed copy of the agreement, Oliford raised his coffee to Kieran. A sip later, Oliford said, "What are you planning to do next? With your strength, I don't think you will follow procedures like other freshmen."

Oliford's words had an ulterior meaning to them.

"Strengthen the basic meaning before I go higher. I don't mind learning more."

It wasn't a lie to brush Oliford off, but the heartfelt words in Kieran's heart.

Kieran was filled with burning curiosity about this food-filled world, so what else was better for curing his curiosity than learning?

However, Oliford seemed to have mistaken his meaning.

"Are you worried about those shady fellas? Don't worry, after news of what you did here at E Block is spread, they will be a little more honest. Those little tricks yesterday won't appear anymore," said Oliford.

"The school didn't do anything about the monster at the library?"

Kieran didn't explain, as though he acknowledged what Oliford said.

"Since you chose to enter the library at night, you have to bear a little risk, or should I say… a test. E Block is the mildest, the other blocks are much fiercer."

"Please excuse me."

Just when Oliford was trying to talk further, the attendant rushed in. Oliford then apologized to Kieran before following the attendant out of the cafe. A few minutes later, Oliford strode in, and his face showed a little anxiety.

"I am so sorry, 2567. I really wanted to talk with you longer, but something happened to my research lab and I have to go back right away. You should know how to contact me," Oliford said in an apologetic tone.

"Mm." Kieran nodded and saw him away after he paid the bill.

With the agreement with him, Kieran wasn't afraid of any accidents.

Kieran finished his lemon water before he stood up and left.

Although he had passed the majority of the duties of the First Seat to Standler and Maica, it didn't mean he could be completely absent.

He had to show himself during necessary times like the class distribution of freshmen in the afternoon.

Of course, before that, he had something to settle first.

Would those shady fellas give up after the news spread?

Maybe, maybe not, but…

They would not survive today!