Matthew Atkinson & Natalie Russell
Oxford, United Kingdom, Blue Marble
Professor Isabel Grant was shocked.
Seeing Lucian Richards, Denis Read, and the others nod in agreement, she was even more surprised.
Did all three teams complete the race?
Then came great joy.
Completing the race successfully had never been achieved before. And three teams from their own university had accomplished it.
This was an even more significant achievement than simply earning an SSS grade.
But…
"As far as I remember, the race was quite dangerous. According to records, many people have tried it, but no one has yet managed to beat King Kong. Even the strongest experts in the world today are no exception."
Professor Isabel Grant asked curiously, "How did you reach the finish line? Who was the first one? Natalie, was it you?"
She asked the last sentence while looking at Natalie.
Natalie shook her head, looked at Matthew beside her, and said with a smile, "It was Matthew."
Professor Isabel Grant was shocked.
The other people around who were listening to the commotion were also taken aback.
Before Professor Isabel Grant could say anything, Sam Harris couldn't wait to say, "Matthew is really amazing. First…"
But before he could finish, Matthew interrupted. "Sam, remember exactly what we're going to talk about and what we're not. You can talk about it generally, but don't go into detail."
Matthew had instructed them not to mention Aech's workshop, how they won the race, how they sold their winning strategy, or the products in the OASIS Special Shop before the eighth layer was finished.
Sam realized he had almost blurted out a secret, then carefully considered what to say before speaking. "Matthew found a way for us to produce good vehicles and win the race. Thanks to the tactics he gave us, we managed to finish the race. Our team and Filip's team are expecting an SS-grade result. If we had the resources to produce better vehicles, we could even achieve an SSS-grade."
These words left everyone around them stunned.
It felt like listening to a myth or legend.
Suddenly, a team from Class B standing nearby exclaimed in surprise.
"SS-grade! I've never heard of anyone achieving a result higher than an A-grade before."
"Wait!!! Did they really finish the race? I thought they were joking just now."
"I can't believe it. Three teams from our university finished the race and achieved SS-grade results."
"Don't be so sure. Sam said they and Filip's team are expecting an SS grade. Matthew and Natalie might achieve a higher grade."
Upon hearing these talks, everyone turned to look at Matthew.
Matthew could only helplessly explain, "Yes, we won the race, and as a result, we obtained the bronze key and a clue for the second challenge. However, the clues will be revealed on the eighteenth layer."
"How did you manage that? How exactly does your mind work? It's no wonder they call you Super Brain," someone from Class B said.
But at that moment, Professor Isabel Grant frowned and, after listening to the conversations around them for a while, asked, "Matthew, why did you stop Sam from giving a detailed account of the events? Are you intending to hide information about this layer from the university?"
Apparently, Professor Grant had misunderstood Matthew's warning to Sam.
Matthew smiled and said, "I have no such intention, Professor. If you wish, I can share all the details here. But I don't think you'll want that. After all, these details contain highly strategic information."
"Highly strategic information? What are you talking about?" Professor Grant asked.
"I'm talking about strategic information that will allow anyone who has access to it to win the race in the eighth layer, Professor. Do you want everyone here to hear it?"
At that moment, the Professor's eyes widened in disbelief at what she heard. Up until now, she thought Matthew and the others had somehow completed the race.
But information that would allow everyone who heard it to complete the race was something entirely different. It was beyond strategic knowledge and should be considered a National Secret.
If this information were used correctly, it could propel their country's success ahead of others.
At that moment, the professor came to his senses. "Natalie, Matthew, and the rest of you. From this moment on, none of you will utter a single word about the eighth layer. Understood?" While the others nodded, Natalie and Matthew simply smiled.
But that didn't stop the people around from talking amongst themselves.
"Matthew must be quite something if he was able to come up with a method like that."
"That's right, it must have been his intelligence that played a crucial role. He truly deserves the title of 'Super Brain'."
Several teachers and professors were discussing it animatedly.
Hearing these comments, Matthew's lips twitched, but he did not refute them.
It wouldn't be bad if everyone mistakenly thought he had a "super brain".
Then Professor added, "This is a highly confidential matter within the supernatural realm, and I'm not qualified to hear about it. Its classification might be a National Secret. You should go and tell the principal later. Once the principal reports it, you'll receive a reward."
"Oh?"
Matthew was somewhat surprised.
He was unaware that the Ministry of Education had been offering a reward for crucial clues in the Supernatural Realm.
It looked like anyone who provided useful information would be rewarded.
Just then, a super announcement appeared.
[Announcement. The team of four supernatural individuals, led by Sam Harris, successfully reached the finish line and obtained the bronze key on the eighth layer of the Supernatural Realm. They also entered the top 10 on the egg hunting leaderboard. Their impact was immense and far-reaching, and their overall performance was outstanding, earning them an excellent mission rating of SS-grade.]
This incredible announcement caused a worldwide sensation.
Although everyone at the training ground heard Sam say he was expecting SS-grade results, hearing it through a super announcement made the situation real for everyone.
Then another super announcement came.
[Announcement. The team of four supernatural individuals, led by Filip Walker, successfully reached the finish line and obtained the bronze key on the eighth layer of the Supernatural Realm. They also entered the top 10 on the egg hunting leaderboard. Their impact was immense and far-reaching, and their overall performance was outstanding, earning them an excellent mission rating of SS-grade.]
"Let me see your reward result panel." Professor Isabel Grant said.
Meanwhile, Professor Holland also stepped forward and approached Sam. After all, a team of his own students also received the Super Announcement.
"Teacher, go ahead." It was Filip Walker again.
Upon hearing this, Professor Isabel Grant pressed her finger to Filip Walker's forehead, and her face immediately lit up with joy.
Then she announced the results loudly.
"Filip Walker, Denis Read..."
"Vehicle Evaluation: S"
"Race Evaluation: SSS"
"Comprehensive Grade: SS"
"Overall Ranking: 2nd."
"Historical Ranking: 2nd."
"Basic Reward: 300 Attribute Points"
"Top10 Leaderboard Bonus Reward: 200 Attribute Points (25 Attribute Points for each team member, 50 Attribute Points for the team leader, and 75 Attribute Points for the party leader)."
When such a reward was announced, everyone around was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Filip Walker and the others, on the other hand, were all smiles and extremely excited.
The next moment, Professor Holland announced Sam and his team's results.
"Sam Harris, Emma Jackson..."
"Vehicle Evaluation: S"
"Race Evaluation: SSS"
"Comprehensive Grade: SS"
"Overall Ranking: 3rd."
"Historical Ranking: 3rd."
"Basic Reward: 300 Attribute Points"
"Top10 Leaderboard Bonus Reward: 200 Attribute Points (25 Attribute Points for each team member, 50 Attribute Points for the team leader, and 75 Attribute Points for the party leader)."
This time, Sam and his teammates were the ones receiving envious, jealous, and hateful stares, but like Filip Walker and his teammates, they didn't care.
Then another super announcement came.
[Announcement. The team of two supernatural individuals, Matthew Atkinson and Natalie Russell, successfully reached the finish line and obtained the bronze key in the eighth layer of the Supernatural Realm. They also entered the top 10 on the egg hunting leaderboard. Their impact was immense and far-reaching, and their overall performance was outstanding, earning them a perfect mission rating of SSS-grade.]
On the training grounds, most people suspected that Matthew and Natalie might receive an SSS-grade mission rating. But when the super announcement came out, everyone was still shocked.
Everyone turned to look at Matthew, their gazes changing slightly.
Only Natalie breathed a sigh of relief.
This time, she no longer had to bear the burden of Matthew's glory.
[Announcement. Matthew Atkinson discovered a bug in the eighth layer and subsequently put the winning method of the race up for sale. This bug has been fixed and will no longer be usable in the next eighth layer. Matthew Atkinson's team has won an extraordinary treasure chest for their discovery.]
This announcement surprised everyone, including Matthew and Natalie.
Professor Holland couldn't resist asking, "Matthew, did you really put your method for winning the race up for sale?"
"Yeah. And I made quite a good number of coins," Matthew said.
"Why?" Professor Holland asked in astonishment.
"Why not?" Matthew said with a mischievous grin.
People still didn't know that the OASIS Special Shop was unlocked for race winners. So, they didn't understand why Matthew was selling a method for winning the race.
And Matthew had no intention of explaining it here.
Then Professor Isabel Grant approached Natalie, and Natalie, understanding her professor's intentions, extended her hand.
Professor Grant, with a smile on her face, took Natalie's hand and, after a brief moment of surprise, announced the results.
"Matthew Atkinson, Natalie Russell."
"Vehicle Evaluation: SSS+"
"Race Evaluation: SSS"
"Comprehensive Grade: SSS"
"Overall Ranking: 1st."
"Historical Ranking: 1st."
"Basic Reward: 350 Attribute Points (Capped)"
"Obtained Additional Reward: 200 Attribute Points (Capped and Divided Equally Among Team Members)."
"Top10 Leaderboard Bonus Reward: 150 Attribute Points (25 Attribute Points for each team member, 50 Attribute Points for the team leader, and 75 Attribute Points for the party leader)."
"Achievement Reward for a Perfect Mission Evaluation: One Extraordinary Treasure Chest (Reward belongs to the team leader and will be distributed upon entering the next layer of the Supernatural realm)."
But the glances directed at Matthew and Natalie were not filled with hatred and jealousy, unlike those directed at others. Many simply held admiration.
All the students no longer saw Matthew and Natalie as being on their level. In their view, these two had long surpassed the level they could possibly reach.
"Students, you've worked hard. The university has prepared a delicious lunch for you. Please enjoy it in the cafeteria."
A management member spoke loudly.
Upon hearing this, the students all headed towards the cafeteria.
Once inside the cafeteria, some students ran up to Matthew.
Their intentions were quite clear. Some were trying to ingratiate themselves with Matthew, while others were trying to get him to reveal his method for winning the race in the eighth layer.
Matthew brushed off their congratulations with simple thanks and answered their questions vaguely.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.158: New Skill – Danger Sense
Ch.159: Annual University Auction
Ch.160: New Goal - The Tremor-Tremor Fruit