Chapter 140: When the battle starts, you'll know it has started

After the morning classes ended, the group gathered for lunch.

Kaelum and his companions had just conquered the Twenty-Ninth Floor, breaking through a significant barrier, and naturally, they wanted to celebrate.

"Getting past the Twenty-Ninth Floor is like having one foot in the door of becoming a ninth-tier Battle General," Kaelum said.

Cain asked, puzzled, "When does the other foot step in?"

Anderson replied solemnly, "The other foot is already inside."

Anderson had already reported Cain's SS-grade change class to the higher-ups. The department responded quickly, temporarily awarding Cain 1,000 points. Once verified, Cain would receive even more resources.

Cain had fully taken Mike's advice. If he had kept it hidden, these resources would never have come his way. The first thing Cain did with his points was try to repay Mike, only to be refused again.

Mike waved it off, "You can pay me back the $16.5 million later. It's no big deal; I'm not short on money. Nowadays, people are lining up to treat me to meals and drinks."

"$16.5 million?"

Cain's head filled with question marks. Didn't he owe $10 million? Where did the extra $6.5 million come from? Was there a mistake?

"Mike, the new batch of recruits has arrived. This afternoon's combat test needs you to lead the team, don't forget!" Kaelum said, feeling fortunate. "Mike is reliable. Cain getting an SS-grade change class exceeded Anderson's expectations. Mike never gives me such 'surprises.' When it comes to D-grade talent, Mike is consistently stable."

As long as Mike remained this way, Kaelum's plan to stay back a grade was almost certain.

"Lead the team..."

Mike instinctively wanted to refuse. With the great battle imminent, he didn't know what the trigger would be. The only certainty was that when the battle started, wherever Mike was would become the center of the battlefield!

Mike's idea was to avoid crowds if possible. At the very least, he shouldn't be in the middle of a crowd, as that would endanger others.

"Mike, don't even think about running away," Kaelum reminded him. "Carson specifically requested you to lead the team. Running away would get you disqualified from the summer camp."

"Do you think so little of me? Do I look like someone who would run away?" Mike rolled his eyes and retorted.

Then he thought, given Shadow Nine's meticulous planning, they wouldn't fight an unprepared battle. When the battle started, they wouldn't let these Supreme Being seeds be wasted. Fine, I'll go. When the battle starts, I'll find an excuse to slip away.

After lunch, they headed to the training hall. Mike noticed something was off today. The usual instructors and coaches were nowhere to be seen. Along the way, there wasn't a single Battle Chief, and even Battle Generals were scarce!

The order at the training hall was maintained by some senior students. Most importantly...

"What are you guys doing?"

Carrying Big Berthas already made him stand out. Now, calling out A District naturally drew everyone's attention. Many also looked at another person—James.

Compared to a week ago, James looked stronger and seemed to have grown taller. When Ethan called out, he was chatting with an instructor.

This instructor was from A District, from Elemental High School, known for his humor, wide knowledge, and popularity among students.

The instructor's name was Michael.

Mike looked at James and saw Michael.

As Mike saw Michael, Michael also looked at Mike.

Their eyes met, a moment to be recorded in history.

Michael smiled at Mike, nodding slightly, seemingly conveying goodwill.

Mike smiled back. Michael's head was filled with countless notes:

[Former Fourth Demon Cult Leader Terenas Bloodscribe]

[Reborn as a demon cult member]

[Currently holding positions as the first, third, fourth, and sixth demon cult leader, a General with No Troops]

[Lv.899, Class: Chosen Arcane Title Magus, Title: 'Favored by the Goddess of Luck'....]

[...]

Mike had once asked Shadow Nine, "When will the great battle start?"

Shadow Nine replied, "When the battle starts, you'll know it has started."

Mike always thought this was a useless answer. Until this moment — now he finally understood what it meant. your-MVLeMpYr-source

Mike glanced at Michael in the crowd. Shadow Nine naturally saw him too. And of course, the Fourth Demon God noticed Mike as well.

It was like hearing thunder in the silence; meeting meant deciding life and death.

You die, we live!

The battle begins.