My System Just Exploded, And You Ask Me to Become a God?-Chapter 42 --An Angry Joad

Joad was absolutely furious.

He spun around without hesitation, ready to confront the First Grand Duke Ilan about this outrageous decision.

Was it not perfectly fine to stay safely within the academy walls? Why on earth was he being sent to participate in the so-called Trial of the Luminous Pearl?

"Joad, stop being so willful!"

Harvey raised his voice in reprimand, speaking sternly.

"I don’t know why the academy chose you, but since you’ve been given such a valuable opportunity, you must give it your all—understood?"

"But..."

"No buts!" Harvey cut him off, his tone unwavering. "I understand you might be feeling pressured. Your current magic level might not be high, but that doesn’t mean this is a bad thing for you."

"Have you ever considered that it’s because your magic level isn’t strong enough that you need to go through a trial like this? Doesn’t it strike you as the academy placing high expectations on you?"

Expectations, my ass!

Joad’s mouth twitched involuntarily. He was moments away from storming over to the main tower and punching Grand Duke Ilan square in the face.

He really didn’t understand—was it so wrong to just chill and live peacefully in the academy? But no, that old man had to drag him into some absurd trial.

Over the years, Joad had come to fully understand just how terrifying the outside world truly was. Sanctuaries like the academy—peaceful, safe, untouched by worldly turmoil—were rare.

The kingdoms? They were places where you’d be chewed up and spit out without a second thought. Joad considered himself a small fry, an inexperienced little fish in a vast, stormy ocean. What business did he have going to such a dangerous place?

Still, no matter how much he grumbled internally, he eventually made up his mind. He was going to confront Ilan and get some answers.

He walked straight into the administration building and made a beeline for the First Grand Duke Ilan’s office. But just a few steps in, he suddenly caught sight of Headmaster Simar.

"Joad, what exactly did you do to Ilan for him to give you such a precious slot in the Trial of the Luminous Pearl?"

"Headmaster, what’s that supposed to mean?" Joad asked, frowning.

"Exactly what I said," Simar huffed, his face darkening with displeasure. "Don’t tell me you don’t know."

Joad’s brow furrowed. He stared back with a serious expression.

"Headmaster, you’re accusing me without any basis. Do you really think I wanted to go?"

"If you didn’t want to go, then why haven’t you just gone and told the Grand Duke that yourself?" Simar shot back coldly. He turned around and walked away without looking back.

This old guy’s got a temper, Joad thought, slightly amused despite himself.

He hadn’t wanted to participate in the Trial of the Luminous Pearl to begin with, and now even Simar was acting cold toward him.

Well then, maybe it was time he found a way to "help" the esteemed headmaster improve his power. After all, as a kind and considerate student, he couldn’t just let their relationship deteriorate like this.

Just as he was plotting his next move and preparing to follow Simar, a calm and composed voice rang out from behind him.

"Joad. Since you’re here, come in."

It was Ilan.

Joad gave a nod. Well, since the moment had come, he might as well take the opportunity to clear things up. A person as decent as himself didn’t deserve to be wrongly accused.

Stepping into the office, he immediately noticed Grand Duke Ilan seated at his desk, reading from an ancient tome on magic. As Joad approached, the old man closed the book and looked up with a warm smile.

"You’re here."

"Good day, Your Grace."

Grand Duke Ilan nodded and gestured for Joad to sit down.

Joad, being rather informal by nature, sat right down beside him without ceremony.

Before Joad could even open his mouth to complain, the Grand Duke spoke first.

"Don’t blame Simar. He’s not targeting you. In fact, he’s looking out for you. He just doesn’t want to see you in danger."

"After all, if something were to happen to you, he wouldn’t be able to explain it to Lena."

Joad let out a sigh, shaking his head. "I’m not mad at him. I just want to know... why do you want me to join the Trial of the Luminous Pearl? My current strength isn’t nearly enough."

"No, Joad. You’re underestimating yourself. I believe in your potential. I’m confident you’ll succeed in the Pyrothian Kingdom."

Though the trial was held in the Luminous Pearl Kingdom, it was actually a joint effort between all four major kingdoms, a way to scout and select promising talents.

Anyone who passed and got accepted into one of those kingdoms’ academies would be guaranteed a future filled with limitless potential.

But Joad just couldn’t wrap his head around it. Why was Ilan so confident? He was just some average nobody.

He glanced suspiciously at the Grand Duke, who was still smiling softly.

No way... Did he see through me?

It couldn’t be. He’d been hiding his true identity for years and no one had ever figured it out. This old man had only seen him a few times. There was no way.

Maybe he’d slipped up when he used magic recently?

Just as his thoughts were spiraling out of control, Ilan interrupted him.

"What’s wrong? You seem puzzled."

Joad didn’t hesitate. He voiced his concern directly.

"Your Grace, please don’t joke with me. If I go to the trial, I’ll be walking to my death. Can’t you send someone else instead?"

Ilan chuckled and shook his head.

"Even if I picked someone else, they’d have a slim chance of passing. Unless, of course, they had top-tier talent—someone like Leit."

"Wait... So, are you saying I do have that level of talent?" Joad asked, a little hopeful.

"No," Ilan said with a straight face. "You don’t need to."

"...What?" Joad blinked. "Then why?"

"Well, let’s be honest. You think your power is lacking, and you probably believe you’ll fail and waste everyone’s time, right?"

Joad nodded slightly.

"But what if I told you... you’ve already been guaranteed a spot?"

Guaranteed?

His mind went blank for a moment.

How did he suddenly become a VIP?

He looked stunned. This was the first he’d heard of it. Who pulled the strings for him?

Ilan leaned back in his chair, still speaking calmly.

"You probably don’t know this yet, but you actually have a powerful backer in the Pyrothian Kingdom. As long as you show up, it won’t matter how strong or weak you are. You could lie down the whole time and still be fine."

What the hell?

I have a connection that strong? Since when?!

Joad was completely thrown off. He stared at the old man in front of him, utterly baffled.

There was no way. He had no idea who this "backer" could be. He’d always thought of himself as a bottom-rung nobody.

Seeing the doubt on Joad’s face, Ilan chuckled and added, "We never told you earlier because you were still too young. We were worried this knowledge would make you arrogant or complacent."

...Excuse me?

Joad took a long second to digest that before replying.

"So, what—you’re saying I’ve ’grown up’ now?"

"That’s right," Ilan said with a smile.

"...Honestly, Your Grace, I feel like you’re lying to me. But I have no proof."

Ilan laughed, stroking his beard.

"I’m way too old to lie to a kid who hasn’t even finished growing his first mustache."