The Author's POV

"Halt!"

Arriving in front of a large gate, obstructing my path, with a stern expression, a muscular individual wearing a black uniform with a Lock insignia on his right chest pocket appeared before me.

Lightly glancing at me, he said

"State your purpose"

Briefly glancing at the guard before me, instantly cold sweat appeared on my back. Though I didn't show it on my face, I could feel an immeasurable pressure emanating from the guard before me.

...He wasn't someone I could mess with. By my estimates, he was at least <B> rank.

'To think the guards protecting the Leviathan building were ranked this tightly...'

This just went to show how much emphasis was placed on the students placed in the Leviathan building. Their whole building was guarded by <B> ranked individuals.

How crazy was that?

Smiling politely, I responded

"I have someone whom I wish to talk to"

Indifferently glancing at me, scrutinizing my body for a couple of seconds, the guard apathetically asked

"Appointment?"

Momentarily taken aback, I couldn't help but ask

"Errr...that's a thing?"

...Hold on.

Appointment?

Why would I need to make an appointment to enter a dorm room? It's not like I was going to meet a famous CEO, or the school directors.

Noticing my confused expression, shaking his head, the guard sternly said

"It seems like you don't. I apologize, but I can't allow you to enter. If you want to gain access to this building, you must make an appointment beforehand."

"Wait, but I really do have to meet someone"

"I apologize"

*Tsk*

Clicking my tongue, after seeing that the guard wouldn't budge, I could only helplessly turn back.

Now what?

There was no way I could sneak inside of the building considering how secured that place was.

Did I have to give up and just look for another time to approach them?

*Sigh*

...I guess that was the only viable option I had at the moment.

Sighing, as I walked back, I couldn't help but kick one of the rocks on the ground.

Ridiculous.

Why in the world would you need to make an appointment to enter a dorm? When Amanda came to my dorm, I didn't see her making an appointment.

Discrimination I say!

Moreover, I never mentioned the fact that appointments needed to be made when entering the Leviathan building in my novel.

...was it perhaps because in the novel Kevin only used to interact with certain individuals and not the lower-ranked ones? Hence why such situations never occurred?

I wasn't sure.

Shaking my head, I couldn't help but curse at whoever made it to be that way.

"Hmm? Are you Ren?"

As I was heading back, hearing my name being called, without much thought I turned around to check who was calling me. I soon froze on the spot.

Soon after, quickly recovering from my daze, a large smile appeared on my face.

"Perfect timing!"

Hooking my arm around Kevin's shoulder, much to his confusion, I dragged him all the way back towards the entrance of the building.

"Help me out will ya"

"Huh?"

Heading back towards where the guard had stopped me last time, I fearlessly moved forward. Now that Kevin was with me, there was no need for me to make an appointment.

"Move aside, moving through with my best friend!"

"W-hat?"

Confused, Kevin couldn't help but glance at me. Seemingly looking for an explanation. But before I could answer, obstructing my path once again, the guard's loud voice reverberated throughout a five-meter radius.

"Halt! I've already told you that unl--Kevin?"

As the guard spoke, halfway through his sentence, the guard soon noticed Kevin next to me. Stopping halfway, he couldn't help but glance at Kevin in confusion.

Smiling wryly, Kevin nodded his head towards the guard.

"Ah, hello Ron"

Smiling at Ron, with my arm still on Kevin's shoulder, I specifically tried to emphasize how close my relationship with Kevin was.

"Hello, Mr. Guard called Ron, as you can see, I do have an appointment and it's with my friend over here. Kevin Voss"

"Hmmm"

Seriously glancing between me and Kevin, the guard's frown deepened. Turning towards Kevin he said

"Is what he said true?"

"Ehh..."

Speechless, Kevin didn't know what to say at first.

...He was just coming back from his elective when suddenly, near the entrance of his dorm apartment, he noticed Ren.

He had called his name out as he was confused as to why he was all the way near his dorm...little did he expect to be dragged all the way towards the entrance of his dorm by him.

He was really confused. Just what was going on?

Just as he was about to confront Ren, turning his head to the side, he was soon subjected to his pleading expression. Though smiling, his eyes were saying

'Say yes, say yes, say yes...'

*Sigh*

Sighing, Kevin couldn't help but shake his head.

'I don't even know why I'm doing this...'

Glancing towards Ron, Kevin helplessly nodded his head and said

"Yes...exactly what he said"

Taking a good look at both me and Kevin for a couple of seconds, Ron stepped to the side and said

"Hmmm, though I don't believe that's the true story, I have faith in your character Kevin, so I will let this one slide..."

Smiling apologetically towards Ron, Kevin thanked him

"Thank you..."

"Thank you!"

Like that, with Kevin next to me, I finally gained access to the Leviathan building.

-Clank!

"Wow"

Entering the building, removing my hand from Kevin's shoulders, I couldn't help but be in awe. The word 'luxurious' was an understatement in this case.

It felt as if I had entered a new world.

The Leviathan building was shaped in a semi-circle-like shape, where, in the middle of the building was an enormous park with benches, flowers, fountains, and trees. By the side of the garden, bars and other facilities were present, and staff members continuously serving students that sat outside underneath the sun could be seen everywhere.

The whole building looked modern and slick, and although I had still not fully entered the building, I could now understand why Kevin chose to remain top ranked.

This was just too good.

"So?"

As I was admiring the scenery before me, disrupting me from my daze was Kevin's questioning voice. Glancing at him from the corner of my eyes, I tilted my head and said

"So...what?"

Staring at the park, Kevin asked what had been bugging him since the beginning.

"Why did you claim to be my friend so that you could gain access to the building?"

He didn't understand.

Normally, if a person wanted to enter the Leviathan building, they had to make an appointment beforehand.

This was done for a certain reason. It was because the academy wanted to avoid situations where too many students would flock to the Leviathan building. With its top-end facilities, students would no doubt use this place as a hang-out spot.

The school had set up this place on purpose to be off-limit from the regular students. It was set up like this so that it could also serve as a motivating factor for the students to work harder. This way. students would work harder to get a better ranking and maybe, just maybe be able to enter this building.

It was sort of a reward for their hard work...

"...Well, I needed to talk to a couple of people."

Raising his brow, Kevin glanced in my direction and asked

"Who?"

"Ah, actually, I might need your help once again"

"...huh?"

Seeing the confusion in Kevin's face, I clarified

"Could you perhaps do me a favor and ask for Melissa to meet me down at the park?"

"Melissa? That Melissa?"

"Yeah that Melissa...by the way the cafe over there"

Nodding my head, I pointed towards the cafe in the distance. I decided to meet her at a cafe as I wanted to avoid being alone in the same room as her.

...That girl was dangerous.

"eh...Alright"

Confused, Kevin's mouth open and closed a couple of times. In the end, after a couple of seconds, he nodded his head.

Though Kevin wanted to know why he wanted to talk to Melissa, he didn't ask.

...he wasn't close enough with Ren to ask him about his business. Moreover, he remembered how Ren had saved his life once, so I guess helping him was a way for him to thank him for what he did.

*Sigh*

Sighing, Kevin took out his phone and quickly sent Melissa a message.

Kevin : [Someone called Ren Dover wants to meet you. He said to meet you at the cafe' inside of our dorm]

"...ah, make sure you include my name. Ren Dover. Melissa for sure knows who I am"

As I was watching Kevin typing, I made sure to remind him to mention my name. After all, I did talk to her before. She was bound to know me.

"She does?"

"I think so...probably?"

Now that I thought about it, did Melissa really remember me?

Yeah, she should.

Considering the fact that I had a few interactions with her in the past, chances were that she knew who I was.

...But thinking back at her character, there was a chance she forgot all about me.

hmm, that would be problematic

"She said she'll be down in ten minutes"

"Oh sweet!"

I guess she did remember me after all, I was needlessly worrying.

"Anything else I can help you with?"

Staring at the beautiful garden before me for a couple of seconds, glancing at Kevin, I thought for a moment before saying

"hmm, actually, I do have something to discuss with you too"

Pointing towards himself, Kevin skeptically said

"Me?"

"...yeah, but let's leave that for another time as it'll take a while"

Taking out my phone, glancing at Kevin, I said

"Do you perhaps have a phone number?"

"I do"

Looking at my phone, Kevin nodded his head. Of course he had a phone. Who didn't have a phone in this day and age?

"Alright, exchange it with me. I'll text you when the time comes. Trust me, you won't regret what I will offer you"

Taking my phone, Kevin typed in his number. He didn't put what I had said to heart. After all, he had a system. Unless it was a five-star manual or an <A> + ranked skill, there wasn't really anything that could catch his interest these days.

"If you say so..."

After typing his phone number, checking at the time, Kevin waved goodbye

"Alright, I have to go. I guess it's goodbye for now"

Nodding my head, I waved back.

"Yup, alright, see you later"

Like that, Kevin disappeared into the distance.

"huuuu..."

Watching him leave, I let out a long breath and made my way towards the cafe'

As I walked there, sitting on a chair outside of the cafe', I couldn't help but think to myself.

'It's a good thing I got Kevin's number. This way, I can find a way to convince him to bring me out of this world...'

After all, I already had in mind the thing that could convince him to bring me to Immorra....