(Back in the real world)
Simon’s physical body shook like he had been electrocuted, but it was only for a brief moment.
Instructor Amahi and the first years were used to seeing Simon’s body making these sudden movements whenever he was dealt a grievous injury in the simulation.
All their gazes were on Simon, and when Simon’s eyes fluttered open, many did not blink as they just stared at Simon like he was a rare specimen.
Some even forgot that they were meant to breathe.
As for Simon, the moment he opened his eyes and saw his surroundings, he released a sigh of disappointment.
’So I died.’
A part of Simon already expected this ever since he was targeted and attacked by the bulwark commander.
There was no way he could survive against a Minor Greater Demon talk less of a Half-Step Demon Lord.
Surviving for as long as he did was all due to his experience, skill, and luck.
If the bulwark commander chose to get close to him or if he truly made up his mind to kill Simon earlier on, there was no way he would have survived for that long.
’That bulwark demon was unique and talented. He must have been an important figure in the Bulwark Clan.’
’Transforming earth to metal is not an easy thing to do after all.’
Simon released another sigh as he recalled how close he had been to his goal.
’A shame that I couldn’t even get inside the tower to get a glimpse of the formation or array.’
Just as he had this thought, a shadow covered his figure, and he looked up.
He saw Instructor Amahi standing before him with her arms folded, and her only left eye filled with a complicated light.
He blinked and waited for her to speak.
A few seconds later, she spoke.
"Are you alright?"
Simon was taken aback for a moment since he did not expect this question. He expected many others, but not this.
Simon nodded slowly. "Yeah. I am."
Instructor Amahi frowned slightly, her gaze now flickering with confusion and suspicion.
"Do you know how long you stayed in the Mind War Theatre Array for?"
Simon did not immediately give a response because a thought suddenly appeared in his mind.
’Don’t tell me...’
He looked around, and just as he feared, he was the only person sitting in the Mind War Theatre Array.
He shifted his gaze to his front, and he could see all his classmates standing not too far away from him and Instructor Amahi.
He could not see their faces, but he could see the disbelief, awe, shock, fear, and complex emotions in their eyes.
They all just stared at him without moving, saying anything, or making a subtle sound.
To call them dolls would not be an understatement, but Simon did not care about their gazes, expressions, and thoughts.
Only one thought was in his mind.
’I overdid it, didn’t I?’
He had the urge to release a sigh, but he didn’t. He looked back at their instructor.
"How long was I in the Mind War Theatre Array for?"
"Forty eight minutes." Instructor Amahi replied, and Simon had the urge to facepalm.
Although Instructor Amahi told them that they could only stay in the simulation for a maximum of thirty minutes, he could guess why he had been able to stay in the array for that long.
’My mind. It’s most likely because of my mind.’
’If I’m right, then when she said that we could only stay in the simulation for a maximum of thirty minutes, she gave us that time because of our safety.’
’When we were in the Mind War Theatre Array, our mental energy was being used up whenever we moved and fought any battle.’
’For our safety, she believed that all of us could only stay in the simulation for a maximum of thirty minutes before our sea of consciousness runs dry.’
’However, because mine is far larger than my classmates, the array did not kick me out because it sensed that my mental energy was not at a dangerously low level.’
Simon looked at the array with a slight frown.
’It’s a very good array, but I wish I knew this earlier. I would have planned accordingly.’
"I’m sure you’re smart enough to realize why you stayed in the array for that long."
Simon looked at Instructor Amahi with a calm and neutral expression.
"Would you kindly enlighten me?"
Instructor Amahi’s lips curled up slightly as she released a scoff.
"Still trying to play dumb?"
’What if I’m wrong and I foolishly expose the fact that I have far more mental energy than my peers?’
A second after Simon had this thought, Instructor Amahi spoke.
"I’m not going into much details, but basically, your sea of consciousness is larger than your peers, and from what I can see... the difference is not little."
’Well, that’s because they’re not truly my peers but little children compared to me.’
Simon remained silent for a moment, then he looked at his classmates before shifting his gaze back to Instructor Amahi.
"That’s true." He admitted with a nod.
Instructor Amahi furrowed her brows slightly since she didn’t expect this. She believed that this was a secret Simon would want hidden, so she was surprised that he was not denying it.
Meanwhile, Simon continued.
"The reason my sea of consciousness is larger than my classmates is just because I’m wiser and smarter than them... way wiser and smarter than them to be exact."
"I was born with it."
The entire hall became silent, and even Instructor Amahi was taken aback.
’This kid... He really is proud and arrogant. He doesn’t mind being the hated one in his class.’
’... He’s different.’
She glanced at the first years, and she was a little bit surprised when none of them cursed at Simon or gave a response to his insult.
However, she understood.
’They’ve already seen how far away they are from reaching Broken Halo’s level. Before, many of them believed that they could defeat him. But now, their eyes have opened.’
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
’A slave having this much momentum and being the king of his class is a first. The higher ups are very much interested in this class because of him, and what they want to see next is the reaction of his classmates.’
’Would they buckle under the pressure of the slave called Broken Halo, or would they grit their teeth, bleed their knuckles, and sweat blood to overthrow him.’
’As an instructor, I hope they rise to the challenge. The difference is a lot, but it’s not unfathomable. They still have a chance.’