Kimberly Academy didn't hold an extravagant and lengthy ceremony for the arrival of new students. Instead, a brief welcome party was organized by hundreds of teachers, but their enthusiasm showed that the academy did not underestimate them.

After the short welcome event, they actively assisted the students in handling various matters, helping them integrate into the academy and settle down quickly.

It must be said, the efficiency was truly remarkable. Before long, Rode had received a basket full of supplies and returned to the dormitory assigned to him.

To his surprise, the dormitory was a single room.

The room, about forty square meters, was equipped with a desk, chairs, bookshelves, a wardrobe, a bed, and all sorts of living necessities.

There was even a separate bathroom and balcony.

For a student, such a dormitory couldn't be described as anything less than luxurious; it was practically a dream come true.

Rode tested it and found that there was even running water, with both hot and cold options.

The sewer system was also very advanced, with floor drains and traps, proving they fully understood the corresponding engineering construction knowledge.

This was definitely not an ignorant nation; even in such harsh environments, they had developed knowledge and civilization.

Closing the door, for a moment, Rode felt a sense of home.

Indeed, in the terrifying night, in a strange and peculiar royal city, having a warm, enclosed space, a harbor away from threats and turmoil—wasn't this home?

Rode really wanted to throw all the clutter in his hands and the chaotic thoughts in his mind onto the floor, ignore everything, and have a good sleep.

But that was impossible.

I still know too little about this world, and I know very little about their various peculiarities.

Danger hasn't gone away, the investigation continues, and the Internal Affairs Tribunal's inquiry will soon come, yet I know no more of the truth than before.

I still need to quickly uncover the secrets within the dreamscape and find the connections between them.

To survive.

Rode thought.

I must survive.

No matter where.

——

But this is not a simple task; the environment here is not as relaxed as the original world. He is unfamiliar with the place and is entangled in troubles.

The entire migration team of over two hundred people from Redstone Village perished in the wilderness. As the main suspect, Rode's current treatment is entirely due to his exceptional eloquence.

This also proves one thing: under such conditions, clinging to a powerful figure is a very good choice.

"Looks like I need to try clinging to a few more young ladies... Hmph, my unique skills weren't practiced for nothing."

"Alas, it's a pity the new king is a man, and I don't know the Banana Divine Skill."

Rode sighed deeply, feeling a bit lacking in integrity.

But to survive, integrity and such don't matter.

Even if it meant warming the bed for that arrogant little girl Kassan every day, he could accept it.

But that's unrealistic; she's not a princess with such influence.

Besides clinging to powerful figures, the second method is self-reliance.

Based on the information obtained so far, the humans here are isolated and trapped in darkness; they must desperately need combat power.

If he can show great potential, they won't easily make a move against him.

If he can be worth five armored divisions, then having a princess wear black stockings for him might even be possible.

But the problem is, he probably didn't pass the final trial of the Trial of Fire, nor did he ignite his soul.

There must be something wrong that caused their misjudgment.

The biggest suspect is naturally that strange dreamscape.

And he has many questions that need answers from the dreamscape.

"But how do I return there?"

Rode was a bit troubled.

"Should I go to the young nun for a full-body treatment?"

Although it seems reasonable, upon closer thought, it doesn't seem feasible.

If he returns to Yusef's Clinic, it's likely Aunt Yusef will personally attend to him, which is too much for his small frame to handle.

Specifically requesting the young nun is unrealistic; it would surely offend Aunt Yusef.

The only way is to switch to another church's medical facility.

However, an unfamiliar facility won't let him get free treatment; they will surely charge him.

According to Aunt Yusef, their church's medical facility seems to be a very high-end establishment.

High-end establishment treatments surely aren't cheap.

Rode took out his recently issued weekly salary from one pocket.

A total of seven silver coins, the largest no bigger than a thumb, the smallest not even half a fingernail.

The silver coins were finely crafted, with anti-wear patterns on the edges. The front bore the image of Thalorian, the legendary founder of the royal city and Human Hero, while the back depicted a burning flame surrounded by a large shield and sword.

This was the currency, silver soles, used in the Thalorian kingdom.

Seven silver coins amounted to twenty-two silver soles.

Rode took out a silver note from his other pocket.

It was about the size of two thumbs, equally exquisite and thin, with hollow patterns, slightly soft, proving it was made of pure silver. The front had a sun pattern, and the back a flame-shaped crown.

Its value was twenty silver soles.

From the form of the currency, it was clear that there was trade and a market within the kingdom, with a population likely exceeding ten million.

Otherwise, there would be no need to issue currency; they could directly implement a rationing system.

But the currency was made of precious metals, not purely credit-based, proving their monetary concept wasn't advanced, nor was it a truly free market.

Some items must be under control, not purchasable with money alone.

This aligns with the current situation; when a regime faces a strong external threat, it will inevitably use strong authority to allocate resources for maximum utilization.

In fact, the existence of currency and a free market in this kingdom is, in itself, an incredible thing.

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Rode weighed the money in his hand, totaling forty-two silver soles.

According to Wayne, a barrel of blue mushroom soup costs one silver sole, a glass of Blue Lantern Grass Fruit wine costs two silver soles, and it takes three silver soles a day to eat enough.

These forty-two silver soles, no matter how frugally spent, would only last about half a month.

At this rate, a high-end establishment treatment would start at least a thousand silver soles, right?

Wouldn't that mean saving for five months just to visit the dreamscape once?

"No, five months is too long; the yellow flowers would have wilted, and the grass on my grave might be ten meters high by then."

Rode found it hard to accept.

Does he need to find a job?

"Well... as long as there's a free market, there will be many opportunities to make money. Maybe I can look around."

Rode silently noted this as one of the options.

However, what he truly wanted was to get things for free.

Getting things for free is the source of happiness.

"But how can I get things for free?"

Rode pondered this question while carefully storing the distributed items, mainly books, clothes, a balance scale, a carpenter's square, and other tools.

He then took a comfortable hot shower, washing away the dust and bloodstains, discarded his somewhat tattered clothes, and changed into the Kimberly Academy uniform.

When Rode stood in front of the full-length mirror again, he was completely renewed. A clean face, damp hair, eyes with a strange charm, paired with a brand-new, well-fitted light blue robe, a sunny and somewhat scholarly young man appeared before him.

Phew.

Rode let out a long breath, and the boy in the mirror did the same.

So much had happened that day; it was only through extraordinary willpower and a strong desire to survive that he had persisted until now.

The black mist, fire, monsters, extraordinary beings, the peculiar dreamscape, the culturally unique royal city, and this magical academy full of enthusiastic classmates.

Recalling everything felt like a dream.

Yesterday's life seemed far away.

A life full of unknowns had unfolded before him.

"If this is a dream, then may I have a good dream."

"If not, then may I find value in the waking world."

Rode smiled gently and lay down on the bed.

His mind was already exhausted, and as his head touched the soft pillow, all thoughts ceased.