Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 640: Surprise

lMichael hadn’t expected Instructor Yola to have actually been of such great help.

Had he returned home alone, he didn’t know what would have happened, but he doubted it would have ended any better.

Most likely, it would have been worse.

In any case, thanks to Yola’s status, the case that should have taken at least a week was resolved within days.

For one, Michael finally got to understand the true influence that came with being part of an organization.

Perhaps the Federation was vast, but because it was fragmented and lacked a single ruling body, other major institutions like the academy held considerable sway compared to the smaller branches that made up the Federation.

Of course, if those fragments ever united, there would be no power in Aurora capable of matching the Federation’s strength.

It amazed him how the Michael of four months ago could now have such a perspective.

But as they said, the higher one climbed, the more they saw.

Whether this incident was minor or major, it made Michael realize the many responsibilities and consequences tied to power.

After the matter was settled, Instructor Yola left immediately for the academy. She couldn’t remain away for too long, no matter how important she considered Michael. Still, he owed her one now, and that favor brought them a bit closer.

Before leaving, she had told Michael to return to the academy as soon as he was done.

Her voice had carried a sense of urgency, which made Michael less inclined to linger.

Having now seen firsthand the advantages that came with being part of the academy, he began to value it far more. Unlike before, when he had been slightly reluctant to leave his family’s side, he now accepted it more readily.

Right now, in front of Michael was Jester, and the two were in his room back at his family’s house.

Lily was at school and Aunt Mia was at work, so only Michael and Jester were home.

Unlike the past two days, when he had repeatedly reprimanded the undead over the incident, Michael was much calmer today—the third day since it happened.

Regardless of how the situation had unfolded, it was undeniable that Jester’s actions had ultimately been carried out under Michael’s orders.

Fortunately, the matter had been resolved, and Michael had already given Jester a strict warning. Only after confirming that the undead fully understood did he stop.

That was also why he chose not to bother Jester today.

Michael leaned back in his chair and looked at Jester quietly. "Now that you have an official identity, it’ll be easier for you to blend into society."

Jester, who stood near the window, nodded silently with a hard to see glint of light in his eyes.

Michael studied him for a few seconds, a small trace of pride crossing his face. "Not only are you an official mage now," he said thoughtfully, "you’re also an official knight too... and somehow, you’ve reached Qi Gathering Level Three."

Jester tilted his head slightly, unsure how to respond. "It just... happened while I was practicing," he said honestly.

Michael smiled faintly at that. Back in the Land of Origin, Ace was still struggling at Qi Gathering Stage 1.

This was evidently due to a difference in talent, along with several other contributing factors.

In truth, Jester shouldn’t even be a Level 3 Qi Gathering cultivator. Not because he was slow, but because he wasn’t focused on a single path. He was walking multiple at once—mage, knight, and cultivator. Had he devoted himself fully to just one, he might already have surpassed the early stages of whichever system he chose.

Even so, his growth speed was absurd. And when Michael remembered that this was only the strength of his clone, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of amazement toward himself.

"Okay, try it now," Michael said, giving the order.

This was the reason he had stayed home even though his family wasn’t around—and the reason he’d kept Jester with him instead of sending him to school with his cousin.

He was preparing to test a particular skill that had recently resurfaced for him.

Memory Infusion.

Watching Jester’s rapid growth—not just in cultivation but in knowledge—had given Michael the idea. The undead’s foundation was solid, built upon the memories of a certain evil cultivator, and that made him more fundamentally knowledgeable than Michael in many areas.

The thought had sparked something in Michael’s mind.

But before he could confirm that, he needed to test it for himself—though deep down, he already had a strong feeling it would work.

A few seconds later, a series of panels appeared before Michael.

[You have learned {Basics of Muscle Control}]

[You have learned {Basics of Mana Control}]

[You have gained {Basics of Knight Cultivation Technique}]

...

.....

...

It felt like a stream of memories was being downloaded directly into his mind. His heart raced for a moment before he forced himself to calm down.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Michael picked up a phone from the table and handed it to Jester. Inside were his essential apps—his bank accounts, the Supers Forum, and the Academy Portal.

Looking at the undead standing beside him, Michael couldn’t help but smile faintly.

With Jester by his side, did he really need to worry about slow progress in foundation again?

No.

After dropping a few more instructions, Michael left.

*

Five hours later, Michael was back inside the academy’s secret realm.

However, he was immediately met with a problem.

For some reason, he couldn’t enter his villa.

Confused, he reached for his Edgeband and opened the communication function to contact Lira.

This was just one of the many convenient features of the academy’s communication system, allowing instant contact between students within the academy.

It didn’t take long before her reply came through.

"Why can’t I enter my villa?" Michael asked, frowning slightly.

He initially thought it might be a malfunction—a glitch in the magic layout perhaps. But then again, could magic even have bugs?

Unfortunately, Lira’s response wasn’t what he expected at all.

"Your villa has been occupied by someone else."

A short pause followed before she added another text, "You’re no longer Top 1."

*

The academy was a place that promoted constant growth.

It didn’t matter whether that growth was significant or small—what mattered was progress.

No one remained the same for long within its walls.

This rule applied to everyone, even the top students.

Just because one began as the strongest didn’t mean they would graduate as such.

Every year, the academy maintained a competitive ranking system.

Any student could challenge another ranked above them. The higher-ranked student could refuse the challenge twice, but on the third refusal, the system automatically counted it as a loss, and their position would be replaced.

That was exactly what had happened to Michael.

While he was away, someone had taken advantage of his absence and issued a challenge. With no response from his end, the system registered it as a defeat, dropping his rank.

It didn’t take much to figure out who had claimed his spot—

Rynne Halvane, the previous Rank 2.

When Lira explained the situation in simple terms, Michael was momentarily stunned. It was a blatant use of a loophole, but he couldn’t deny the cleverness behind it.

Still, irritation simmered within him.

He hadn’t even warmed the bed, and someone had already taken it.

After a moment of silence, he navigated through the Edgeband’s functions, his expression cooling.

He selected Rynne’s name and sent a direct challenge.

Almost instantly, a four-hour timer appeared on his interface.

If the challenge wasn’t accepted within that window, it would count as a refusal on the challenger’s side.

*

In a certain part of the academy, within one of the shared two-person villas, a young man and a girl sat across from each other. The room was bright and elegant.

The girl’s Edgeband suddenly lit up, a faint chime echoing through the room. She looked down, her brows lifting slightly before she spoke. "Brother... I’ve been challenged."

The young man across from her looked up sharply. His jaw tightened as his expression darkened.

There was only one person who could challenge her—the one ranked directly below.

"Michael Norman," he muttered through gritted teeth.

Ryn Halvane leaned back slightly, frustration flickering in his eyes. He needed his sister, Rynne, to stay in top 1, at least until the academy opened that Vault to the top student of year 1.

That vault was their chance—his chance—to rise. Losing the top position now could ruin everything.

Unfortunately, there was little he could do about it. He wasn’t allowed to interfere in a lower-ranked student’s life. More than that, from their last bout, he wasn’t even sure he could do anything to Michael if he tried.

Ryn exhaled sharply, his hands tightening into fists. "Accept the challenge," he said finally, his tone calm but cold. "We’ll settle this before it becomes a bigger problem."

Rynne hesitated for a brief second before nodding. "Alright."

As she tapped the confirmation button on her Edgeband, the faint glow reflected in her eyes.