Chapter 41 Rey’s Analysis
'Oof! This is looking bad…'
As Rey was on the ground, eating dust just like the rest of his friends, he actively observed the current battle unfolding before him.
Of course, he did so inconspicuously, since most of the people that Billy had defeated were either unconscious or too tired to watch anything.
'I made sure to get eliminated among the first batch of students. He practically one-shot me…' Rey smiled, almost as if he was proud of that achievement.
He hadn't spoken to Billy since that night when he walked back their living quarters with Alicia, but Rey constantly caught him throwing bad stares his way.
'I don't get his deal. If he wants to talk to Alicia, he can just go and meet her in the library. I'm sure they'd bond well there…'
Of course, Rey didn't like the idea of Billy sullying the sanctuary that was the Library, but it was always an option for the latter.
'Billy looks pretty well-toned now. He's also in great shape. Plus, he's strong and popular….' Rey could easily notice all these things because of the body-hugging outfit Billy was fond of wearing.
It was in direct contrast to the baggy stuff Rey constantly put on.
'I'm sure he has more of a chance with Alicia than I ever could. He should just give it a go or something…'
Once again, Rey didn't like the idea of Billy hanging around Alicia too much.
It wasn't because he felt jealous or anything, but because he knew the kind of person the guy was.
'He was able to easily abandon me—his friend from middle school—as soon as he got the chance to.'
Billy was obviously a grifter, and Rey thought he was unreliable.
He certainly wasn't the kind of person Alicia needed in her life at this point—especially with the rumors going around and her increased isolation.
'I wonder what he's doing about the rumors, though…'
All of Billy's problems could easily be solved if he just went to the Library and developed an interest in the things that Alicia also had an affinity for.
'I mean, she practically talks to a nobody like me. I'm sure if it's Billy, she'd be able to relate more…'
But Rey knew Billy would never do that.
Even back on Earth, the boy dreaded books and was constantly failing.
'I don't claim to be very smart or anything, but at least I was average.'
Billy wasn't the 'smart' kind of Nerd. He was the kind who obsessed over novels and games.
'Well, that's enough of that.'
Rey sighed as he watched Billy deliver the final blow to Trisha, who crumbled to her knees.
Despite the ebony's prowess, she just wasn't a match for Billy's superior combat.
'I see. So this is the level of an Alpha Class elite…' Rey thought to himself.
There was only one problem, though.
'This isn't impressive at all.'
Billy was one of the strongest among the Alpha Class students, but from what Rey was seeing… his overall ability wasn't particularly exceptional.
'I don't know. Could it be that he was going easy on all of us?'
Despite thinking this, Rey could clearly see Billy breathing heavily and also leaking out some beads of sweat.
'It doesn't seem like he had it too easy, though.'
Perhaps it could be argued that Billy was only acting like this to make the Beta Students feel better.
However, Billy wasn't that kind of person at all.
"You all did excellently well. I haven't been pushed like this in a while…" Even Billy admitted it as he heaved a little.
"Especially you, Trisha. You were exceptional."
Despite hearing this, Trisha didn't seem pleased in the slightest.
In fact, she had an immensely disappointing expression.
It felt like she was beating herself up for losing.
'If Billy is trying to make us feel better, he's doing a poor job.' Rey sighed.
This convinced him even further that Billy wasn't pretending to be exhausted.
He genuinely was.
'And that's what makes this whole thing surprising. I didn't expect him to get tired so easily. Especially after his mundane performance.'
Rey thought Billy's moves were too flashy and didn't properly focus on efficiency.
'Maybe it's because we've only been sparring, and no one here has any proper battle experience.'
In an actual fight with monsters, flashy and stylish moves weren't what determined a fight at all.
Techniques had to be fluid, but also impactful. Rather than focusing on style, it was more effective to cut off all extraneous material and fixate on the goal itself.
If one wanted to kill an enemy, would they focus on slicing through parts of the body, or would they simply dismember their targets and then decapitate them once they could no longer offer any kind of resistance?
'I guess it's because the Alpha Class Students have started seriously learning Martial Arts…'
The Beta Class was still in the basics, and from what Rey could see, most of what they were learning wouldn't be useful in a real fight.
It was the same way most of what students learned in school wouldn't be applicable in the real world after they graduated or sought a specific degree.
'That's why this is a waste of time…'
Rey honestly wished he could just skip Training altogether and focus on his business in the Dungeon, but he couldn't do that.
At least, not yet.
'There's no helping it. I should just be patient.'
Right now, most of the students were beginning to stir, so Rey also did the same.
They sluggishly rose to their feet at Billy's instructions, and he joined them in their obedience.
'If this is the level of the elite Alpha Students, maybe I'm a lot stronger than I think.'
However, the moment Rey thought about Adonis, and the fact that someone like him was considered qualified enough to tutor the entire Alpha Class, he changed his mind instantly.
'I shouldn't use Billy as a metric!'
Until he was certain that he was as strong as—if not stronger than—the Hero, Rey couldn't be satisfied.
'Gotta keep grinding!'