Farmboy becomes King with the Lust System

"Something's weird about you, man," Byun said, his voice low but pointed, carrying a note of suspicion that made Jae's stomach tighten. "I've seen plenty of training injuries around this academy, but none that look like that knee. And those elixirs? Those are rare, noble-level stuff, hard to come by even for the rich kids. You're a commoner, Jae. No offense, but where'd you get your hands on those?" His words hung in the air, heavy with implication, his eyes narrowing as he waited for an answer.

Jae's heart skipped a beat, his mind racing to come up with a believable cover story. He couldn't mention the Lust System or the dangerous cave quest, not to Byun, not to anyone.

The truth about his mysterious power and the rewards he'd earned from battling the Acid-Fanged Snake had to stay buried deep. Forcing a casual shrug despite the pain radiating through his body, he kept his voice weak but steady, hoping to sound convincing.

"Councilman Dio," he lied, leaning into the story with as much confidence as he could muster. "He's a non-noble too, you know. Took pity on a fellow commoner and slipped me a couple of elixirs to help me out."

Byun's eyes narrowed further, his lips pursing tightly as he weighed Jae's words, his expression a mix of doubt and curiosity.

After a long, tense moment, he nodded slowly, though his face remained grudging, like he wasn't entirely convinced by the explanation. "Alright," he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest, his gaze lingering on Jae with a flicker of suspicion that refused to fully fade.

Jae exhaled quietly, a wave of relief mixing with the dull ache in his leg, and hobbled past Byun into the dorm, his body screaming for rest as he dragged himself toward his room, ready to collapse onto his creaky bed.

xxxx

The following week, the classroom buzzed with electric anticipation, the air thick with the familiar smell of dusty chalk and the faint, tingling hum of mana lingering from the morning's rigorous training drills.

Students crowded tightly around the ranking board, their voices a chaotic murmur of excitement and nerves, the glowing runes on the board casting a soft, ethereal light across their eager faces, illuminating their expressions of hope and anxiety.

Jae pushed his way through the throng, his boots scuffing against the worn stone floor, his heart pounding with a potent mix of hope, nerves, and cautious excitement. His eyes scanned the list of names etched in glowing runes, searching for his own, his breath catching as he traced each line.

When he finally found it, a wide, triumphant grin broke across his face: Jae, Rank 100/300. He'd done it, qualified for the tournament, teetering right on the edge of the cutoff but undeniably in. A surge of pride warmed his chest, the memory of his grueling fight in the cave fading under the weight of this achievement.

He pumped his fist, letting out a quiet but fervent "Yes!" as the crowd's chatter swirled around him, a sea of voices celebrating or lamenting their own rankings.

Byun appeared at his side, his grin wide and infectious, his blond hair bouncing as he clapped Jae on the back with a loud, hearty laugh that echoed in the crowded room. "Look at you, man!" he said, his voice booming with genuine enthusiasm. "Top 100, that's huge for a commoner like you!"

The clap stung Jae's sore shoulder, but the gesture felt warm, like the pride of a brother cheering him on.

Before Jae could respond with more than a grateful nod, Elise slipped gracefully through the crowd, her dark hair bouncing softly, her bright eyes sparkling with warmth and sincerity.

"I'm so proud of you, Jae," she said, her voice soft but filled with heartfelt emotion, her smile so radiant it made his heart flutter in his chest. "You worked so hard for this, and it shows."

Jae's grin softened, his voice warm and a little shy as he met her gaze. "Thanks, Elise," he said, his eyes lingering on her, their shared intimate moments flashing vividly through his mind, bringing a flush to his cheeks.

But a sharp, mocking voice cut through the warm moment like a blade. "Well, look who made it," Sun sneered, stepping forward from the crowd, his dark eyes glinting with cruel malice, his lips curled into a disdainful smirk.

"Good for you, commoner. Now you're just cannon fodder for the rest of us in the tournament." The crowd hushed, a few snickers rippling through Sun's cronies, their laughter grating on Jae's nerves.

His jaw clenched tightly, his fists tightening at his sides, but he held his tongue, his eyes burning with quiet defiance as he glared at Sun. The noble smirked, turning away with a dismissive wave, leaving Jae's blood boiling.

I'll show him in the ring, Jae thought, his heart pounding with the promise of a fight, his resolve hardening like iron forged in fire.

xxxx

The first day of the tournament arrived, and the grand hall was a vibrant, chaotic sea of noise and color, packed to the brim with students from every class, their voices blending into a roaring tide of excitement.

The air carried the rich scent of polished wood and the faint, electric hum of mana, the high, vaulted ceiling strung with glowing orbs that bathed the massive arena in a warm, golden light.

The top 100 students sat in a special section along the side, their crisp uniforms a stark contrast to the nervous energy in their faces, a mix of anticipation and dread.

In the teachers' section, Ms. Alira and Mr. Han stood together, their voices low but animated as they observed the students below. Alira's eyes glinted with intrigue as she leaned toward Han, her voice bright with excitement.

"Jae's progress is remarkable," she said, nodding toward him, her tone filled with admiration. "Top 100 in less than a month, that's no small feat. He's got real potential, maybe even enough to win this whole thing."

Han frowned, his arms crossed tightly, his tone dripping with skepticism. "I'm not so sure about that. Byun or Sun are the ones to beat, no question. Jae might scrape into the top ten if he's lucky, but win? I doubt it."

Alira's smile turned sly, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she raised a challenge. "Care to bet on it? 3,000 won says Jae surprises us all."

Han raised an eyebrow, his skepticism wavering, then nodded, a reluctant grin tugging at his lips. "Deal," he said, sealing the wager with a handshake.

The grand hall fell silent as Principal Kine entered, his commanding presence filling the space, his flowing robes billowing slightly as he strode to the center of the arena.

His voice boomed, amplified by a subtle weave of mana, cutting through the thick tension like a blade. "The tournament begins now!" he announced, his words ringing with authority.

The crowd erupted in a deafening roar of cheers, the air crackling with raw excitement, the energy almost tangible.

The first two students were called forward, their names echoing through the hall as they stepped into the ring, their weapons drawn, their faces set with determination.

Jae leaned forward in his seat, his heart racing with anticipation, his mind already spinning with strategies for his own fight. He was ready to prove he was more than cannon fodder, ready to show Sun, the nobles, and everyone else that he belonged in this arena, ready to fight for his place in this world.