My Borderline Supervillain-Slash-Hero System

The group of third-year senior students and their accompanying teachers finally approached the Ruin's entrance.

Zane and his team paused their golf game and calmly stepped forward, blocking the path.

A tall senior named Sunder glared at them.

"Why are you still standing there? Move aside and go inside already!"

Asphalt stepped forward with a smug grin. "This gate? It was opened by my friend Zane here—using a precious family heirloom. Since you didn't open it, you'll need to make a donation to pass. Otherwise…"

"Otherwise what?" Sunder sneered.

"Otherwise," Asphalt said, voice cool and unshaken, "no one's getting through."

A senior girl, Supriya, stepped up with a sweet smile. "Kids, do you even know who we are? We're your seniors—third-years from the Academy. And these are your esteemed teachers. We're here to safeguard you freshers during this trial."

She folded her arms with a faux-kind smile. "Let us through now, and trust me—we'll remember your good deeds in the future."

Zane's group didn't respond.

Instead, they all glanced at Dar.

She stepped forward with her usual elegance—but her voice was icy.

"Good deeds? Stop fooling around. We're here for the trial—same as you. And last I checked, the Academy never said anything about who opens the gate. Zane did the work. You want in? You pay."

She crossed her arms. "We don't care what role you play. Senior? Teacher? That's your job, not our problem. This isn't your classroom, and it sure isn't your playground. So either pay up—or go find another entrance."

Har, red-faced with excitement, jumped in.

"Right! No one passes through here without paying the toll. No exceptions!"

The senior students erupted in curses. Some even reached for their weapons.

But Asphalt threw his head back and laughed. Loud and mocking.

Then he pointed up at the sky—at the swarm of monitoring drones circling above.

"You think you can beat us up?" he said, voice ringing with glee. "Be my guest. Just know that everything's being broadcast live—to every dean, director, and citizen watching back on Earth."

The seniors froze.

Even the teachers looked uncomfortable.

They knew he was right.

Some of the instructors were so angry they began muttering threats.

"I'm giving these brats an 'F' the moment I see them on campus," one teacher growled.

But Zane and his group only grinned wider.

They didn't seem afraid—only amused.

Zane, in fact, was scribbling calmly on a piece of paper.

As the tension thickened, Teacher Ronaldo finally stepped forward.

He was the highest-ranking instructor present, and his voice was calm but firm.

"Alright," he said. "We're ready to pay. What's the amount?"

Asphalt turned to Zane. "Ready?"

Zane nodded and handed him the paper.

Asphalt gave it a glance, raised an eyebrow, and scoffed playfully.

"You're too soft, Zane. This is way too low. Good thing I already have a list in my head."

He stepped forward and declared loudly:

"Listen up! If you want to pass through our gate, here are the rules. I've categorized each of you based on your background.

Ordinary third-year students: You only need to pay 30 Five-Star Core Stones per person.

Extraordinary background students—you know who you are, heirs of big names and elite clans—you'll need to pay 1000 Five-Star Core Stones each. Don't bother lying. I know exactly which families you come from.

As for our esteemed teachers—well, we respect the hard work you do. And because you're going to teach us soon, we're offering you the best deal of all.

Each of you only needs to pay 1000 Six-Star Core Stones."

He grinned. "That's the lowest price in the history of Ruin-entry taxes. Be grateful."

The clearing went silent.

Dozens of jaws dropped.

One teacher coughed like he'd just swallowed his own tongue.

Another turned beet red.

Even Supriya looked like she was going to explode.

And yet, no one could strike.

Not with thousands of drones hovering above.

Not with the world watching.

And Zane?

He folded his arms and smiled—not calmly this time, but with absolute confidence, the kind that mocked everyone who'd doubted him.

The crowd, however, erupted.

Senior students and teachers alike began muttering angrily.

"Shameless extortion!"

"Manipulating freshers—how disgraceful!"

"They're ruining the very name of the academy!"

But Ronaldo raised his hand, silencing them all.

"Alright," he said, looking directly at Zane. "We'll pay. But we don't carry that kind of money on us during a trial. Let us through for now. I give you my word—everyone will pay you after the trial ends."

Zane raised an eyebrow.

Asphalt stepped in with a cheerful grin.

"Who are you kidding? What kind of fool accepts post-paid entry without a contract?"

He reached into his storage bag and pulled out another thick bundle of loan application forms.

"Luckily," he said, "our People's Bank™ is open for business. You can all apply for a loan. Here you go."

He began handing out papers.

Zane chuckled quietly. The same scam again. Just like before.

Even the twins started laughing. Raised in chaos, this sort of madness was their comfort zone.

But the rest of the crowd? Not so much.

When they saw the fine print, all hell nearly broke loose.

"Thirty-seven percent interest per annum?!" one student shouted.

"They're no better than loan sharks!" another snapped.

Sunder clenched his fists in rage. "This is pure robbery."

"Shut up and sign the forms," Ronaldo barked.

Some teachers tried to object. "This is too much! They're draining us like vampires!"

Ronaldo offered them a calming smile.

"Relax. Since we're doing this for the Academy, they'll cover the cost. You have nothing to worry about."

That did the trick.

The murmuring died down.

"Yeah… he's right. We're here as academy representatives."

"The academy will reimburse us."

"Fine. Let's just sign and get it over with."

One by one, every student and teacher signed the MOU and submitted their forms to Zane's group before entering the Ruin.

Of course, many of them shot cold, unkind looks at the four freshers—silent threats written in their eyes.

You're marked.

Just wait until we get back to the Academy.

You'll pay for this humiliation.

Zane's team, naturally, smiled in return—grinning wide, showing teeth.

They weren't worried.