The moment The Founder said that, a giant screen started going down from the ceiling right behind him. Chapter Continue:
"As Theodore had told you. We have gathered data about every single student here. Your performance in school, your lifestyle, achievements, and how you spent your first days in Divinity Online. Then, we converted that data into points. The higher your points, the better class you're going to be assigned to."
"..."
"Fuck, this is nerve-wracking."
"I hope I'm in a good class..."
"They better put me in the best class or I'm rioting!"
The atmosphere grew tense after The Founder finished speaking. Everyone was worried that they were going to be put into the lowest classes. All the students there were rich and influential individuals from rich families and they simply could not accept being put in a lower position than their peers. After all, not everyone can afford to play DO. But, that was not the only criterion.
'It seems they did an entire investigation on everyone here. I wonder what more do they know about us?' Isla frowned.
Only a few people noticed that particularly worrying detail that The Founder glossed over casually. The fact that he knew that much about them was akin to a hidden message he sent to those who noticed.
'We know everything.' She thought to herself. 'Is he threatening us?' The girl didn't know what to think of that. Clenching her fists a little, she looked over her shoulder at Arthur. 'Did he notice that too? He had been acting off ever since this man appeared on stage. I wonder why.'
Arthur was eerily silent as he watched the show with a cold expression. He didn't even seem to react to this man's identity.
"Now, when I say that you're going to be assigned to different classes based on your points, that does not mean that the low classes are bad. Don't forget, every single one of you was hand-picked from millions of people. Even those at the bottom of the rankings have proved to be exceptional in their own way. With that being said... Here is the table."
At the same time, the massive screen completely took over the stage behind him. Then, it turned on, revealing a large table filled with names. These names were separated into tens of different sections.
"As you can see, at the very top here are the 'S-Classes'. They're for the best students that we found. They have exceptional talent and endless potential even amongst all the students." The Founder said. "The 'A-Classes' are a little less exceptional than S-Classes but they're still very talented with a promising future. B, C, and D-Classes are gradually less exceptional but nevertheless, all of you are very important to us and we can't really spare any of you."
However, that was not what bothered Arthur. What truly bothered him was the slow tear happening right in front of his eyes between the higher-ranked students and the lower-ranked ones. He could see in real time how the better students were mocking the lower ones.
The lower students could not retort and that only pushed the others to mock them even more.
'Here it comes, the discrimination. It won't be easy on them. Unless the academy somehow contains it. But, I doubt they will truly stop the bullying that was going to ensue in the next several months.' Arthur squinted his eyes with a sigh.
There was really nothing he could do about it. While he really hated bullying as he was a target of it basically his entire life, he wasn't a fool to think he could really make a change. Arrogance was ingrained into the very character of almost every single student in that theatre.
There was simply no way that could be changed that quickly or that effectively. At least not by someone like Arthur.
'Good luck to everyone who will suffer from this. You have my prayers.' He clasped his hands together and gave a moment of silence to the fallen comrades.
"Did you check your positions? I can see that some of you are not satisfied so let me clarify. This position you're in right now is not permanent. Throughout your school years, you shall go through physical and academic tests, and depending on your scores on them, you can either get demoted or promoted. So, don't lose hope. Divinity Corp doesn't want to break you. It wants to create a goal for those who are truly ambitious."
The students went silent again as they stared at the Founder. Those who had been given the worst placements felt a slight hope coming back to them. Meanwhile, those who were already in a good place were a little alerted.
'If I don't get good results...'
'I will get demoted...'
'Which means I need to keep my performance high...'
Such thoughts crossed their minds at the same time. It was very clear to all of them. Their position was not guaranteed at all. If they think about lazing around, then they are bound to regret that choice.
A war has no breaks.
A//N: Don't forget to give the book some golden tickets for good luck! :3