Don't confiscate my identity as a human race

As Lanci's surroundings began to lighten up again, his vision gradually focused.

He found himself sitting in the back row of a classroom extensive as a theater.

In the dimly lit space, the only sources of light were the faint shimmering emitted from several oil lamps hanging on the walls, gloomy, golden colors almost tangible to touch.

They kept flickering, like pulses of life, ensuring a certain visibility while add a mystic, dramatic flair to the place. Under the dim light, the shadows of tables and chairs distorted and elongated, mingling with some swaying dark figures, whispering in the silence.

Although what Lanci saw indeed resembled a classroom — rows of long tables covered with red tablecloths were neatly aligned, a brand-new dark gold blackboard towered on a distant stage at the front of the classroom, and the frames and carvings of the windows looked ancient and elegant.

Yet, the roughly three hundred square meter space should induce a sense of spaciousness, but it was strangely non-existent, replaced by an overwhelming smell of fresh blood and an inexplicable sense of eeriness.

For a moment, Lanci doubted if he was in the underworld.

Lowering his gaze, he saw a piece of coarse and ancient parchment lying on the red tablecloth, beside which sat an ink bottle and a quill.

Emblazoned on the surface of the parchment were mysterious characters different from human language, but thanks to the built-in translation magic of the Shadow World, Lanci was pretty sure it was a Demon Magic Text exam paper.

Why is it still a school setting?

Lanci was utterly shocked.

He thought he had finally escaped from school, only to find himself in another one!

What's worse is that,

While at Ichrite Academy he was only attending classes, it seemed he'd have to directly start an examination here at this demon school!

With the mentality of attending a funeral, Lanci slightly lifted his head for a glance around. He immediately sensed an intense feeling of alienation emerging in the air.

The students in this classroom certainly were peculiar.

Everyone had a bizarre characteristic, most of them sported sharp horns, their skin covered in eerie patterns and exoskeletons. Some even had thin, black tails.

Walking along the aisles of the classroom were two figures resembling invigilators, dressed in classical clothes similar to suits, neat and somber.

But surrounded by the smell of blood and an evil aura, they appeared exceptionally grim and terrifying.

This is certainly not good.

Compared to the previously experienced Artificial Shadow Worlds, [The Hidden Flame of Winter] and [Infinite Illusion Valley], which appeared relatively gentle in theme, this actual Shadow World seemed plainly different and of a higher class!

Swiftly, the information associated with the Shadow World was presented to Lanci's sights.

This is formation visible only to a Challenger in the Shadow World —-

[Shadow World: Purgatory Corridor Academy]

[Level: Fourth-Order]

[Number of Challengers: 6]

[Historical Background: An era of darkness for the human race. Humans could only exist during the day while during the night they were utterly at the mercy of the Blood Clan. However, there were some who, in the name of human dignity, were willing to risk their own dignity. The only way to reclaim the south land shrouded under the blood moon was to obtain demon powers, only then stands a chance of creating a miracle. Hence, a mad plan was initiated — a group of humans underwent forbidden surgeries in the Imperial Experimental Field to disguise themselves as demons, traversed the dangerous northern frosty lands to enter the Demon World, attempting to blend into the Demon Race's society, to learn their magic...]

[Task Brief: Right now, you are lurking in a hectic demon world academy investigating intelligence that is absurd from the perspective of human civilization. Tonight will be your most dangerous yet as you need to strive to survive through it.]

[Time Remaining: 11 hours, 59 minutes]

[Task Goal 1: Academy exploration exceeds 60%, current progress 3%]

[Task Goal 2: Investigate the source of danger tonight]

[Task Goal 3: At least 1 person survives until the time limit, currently 6/6 are alive]

[Challenger Lanci & Hyperion starting at the examination scene, examination time 2 hours, subject: Demon Magic Text]

[Any form of cheating in the exam, if identified by the invigilator, gives them the right to exterminate the cheating test-taker]

[If determined to be scoring less than 50 when the exam ends, then it's deemed a fail, extermination will be carried out by the invigilator immediately]

[Test papers can be handed in early. If in need of any assistance, raise your hand to seek help from the invigilator]

[Examination Time Remaining: 1 hour, 59 minutes]

With the focus of Lanci's thoughts converged, these information tabs, similar to those of the Artificial Shadow Worlds, could be hidden or revealed again.

However, after understanding the details of his first actual Shadow World, he immediately furrowed his brows.

Fourth-Order, what the hell is that?

Lanci decided to set aside the nightmare scenario of "examination" at the beginning for now.

As a Second-Order and Hyperion being a Third-Order, even if the Shadow World was good with mathematics, it shouldn't match them into a Fourth-Order Shadow World, should it?

However, what Lanci cared more about was whether being temporarily disguised as a demon by the Shadow World mechanism would damage his image?

Lanci glanced down at himself. Aside from wearing a dark school uniform of the Purgatory Corridor Academy, there seemed to be an exoskeleton around his joints resembling white jade crystals, emitting a faint glow.

Touching the top of his head, indeed there were two horns. Looking at the faint shadows reflected on the ink bottle, his black hair and green eyes seemed unchanged, while the horns and patterns on his face were purely white.

...

Meanwhile, in the campus of Ichrite.

The academy immersed in tranquility at five in the afternoon. By this time, the setting sun had already begun its slow descent towards the western horizon, laying its last golden-red hues in every corner of the campus.

Near the entrance of the academy at Jera Memorial Square, a group of students walking by had already started to enjoy their after-class hours, discussing what to have for dinner. Quite a few students sat on the steps of the square, watching the campus bulletin broadcasted on the open-air gigantic screen in the center of the square.

Often, this open-air screen would broadcast live scenes of students currently challenging the Shadow Worlds.

Since Shadow Worlds are projections of historical periods, each scene being broadcasted was often no less fascinating than an exciting and unique film.

They often had students watching the live scenes from the Shadow Worlds.

It not only provided entertainment and enjoyment but also served as a learning process.

However, there were also quite a few students who sat on the steps in front of the big screen, leisurely discussing the classes they just finished, or quietly reading books, immersing themselves in their own world.

"Hmm? A new Fourth-Order Shadow World?"

"It's a rarely seen Demon Race historical Shadow World…"

On the steps, a student murmured.

This caught the attention of many students who then looked towards the screen at that moment.

Because there were not many students challenging the Shadow Worlds on the first day of school, any new challenges would be quite noticeable.

Moreover, the theme was prominently featured with dark-colored visuals.

"Wait, those are two freshmen, right?"

Quickly, a student noticed the information under the [Challenger Information] section of this Shadow World live scene, exclaiming in surprise!!