The moment The Founder said that, a giant screen started going down from the ceiling right behind him.
“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.”
As the students stared at the tables, trying to find their names, they heard their Bluelinks ringing. Curiously, they all pulled their devices out to check.
“We have sent you the table just so you don’t have to look hard. Your schedule has been updated too.” The Founder continued.
Arthur snapped out of his daze as he pulled his device out. Opening the app, he found the new table with all the names in it.
‘Where was I put? A-B Class? Maybe S? Though, that will be so ridiculous because apart from the good start I have in Divinity Online, I’m not good at anything else.’ He thought to himself. ‘If it was only Divinity Online, then maybe I deserve S-Class. But, I’m not…’
As he was trying to convince himself that he wasn’t worthy of the highest section, he finally found his name on the table. Then, he checked the section.
‘And I’m in S-Class 2… Wow, I’m so very surprised right now.’ He mused with a deadpan look on his face. Somehow, even though it should’ve not been the case, Arthur had a hunch that he wasn’t going to be put where he truly belonged.
Everything to this point was already against logic, so there was really no reason for him to be all surprised that another illogical thing happened.
“What class did you get?” Isla asked him.
“Uh, Class S-2 from what I can see. What about you?”
“… Same.” She replied.
Arthur looked up and smiled faintly at her. “At least we’re together. Are the others there too?”
“It seems Emmy and Herculia are in Class S-1. Danny is in Class S-3.” Isla said as she scrolled through the table.
“Damn, we were separated,” Arthur muttered. “That was expected. At least we’re all in the S-Class section.”
Arthur was a little sad that the entire group wasn’t in the same class but he was fine with it. It wasn’t as if they were going to get completely separated forever.
Looking up, Arthur heard numerous murmurs and talks going around him. Some were displeased and some were happy. People who got the lowest classes were cursing their bad luck while those who had the better classes were boasting arrogantly, as he expected.
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
