Then, Thomas took a list.
"First, the Silver Rankers."
Thomas said, and then he looked at the Gold Rankers and said, "Since the three of you are Gold Rankers, help me give out these watches."
They all nodded.
"...First, Ron Hershley."
Thomas started saying the names—in much quicker succession—and the Silver Rankers walked to the student leaders, got their silver watch from one of them, and then walked back to their seats.
"Then, Bronze Rankers!"
Thomas shouted.
Those without watches were sitting with sullen looks on their faces—but there were a lot of them currently without a watch.
At least 150.
"...Harper Meadows!"
Thomas shouted the names, and the number of the watches started to dwindle—only a few remaining.
In that moment, Joshua walked to get his watch and stopped in front of Devon—looking at him like he didn’t recognize him anymore.
"You could’ve told me that you are this crazy talented guy..."
Joshua said with a pout, and Devon just gave him his bronze watch and shrugged his shoulders.
Even though he knew that his mother told the Federation who he was, he wasn’t still sure whether he would become Gold Rank.
Because it had been several years since the days of the Lords of the Mythic Legends, and he kind of thought that everybody had already forgotten him.
It didn’t seem so.
The last bronze watch ended at the wrist of a girl, who then walked back to her seat and sat down.
"You all can head back to your dormitories now. There will be names on each door—every room will have two students assigned to it.
"Go to the room that you’re assigned to, don’t try to take somebody else’s room. Girls and boys will be separated into different rooms—boys will be with boys, and girls will be with girls."
Thomas said.
And at that moment, everyone started standing up from their chairs and started heading out of the lecture hall.
"Devon, excuse me, can you stay behind for a little while?"
Thomas asked.
Devon nodded.
Nathaniel and Angel looked at him briefly before heading out as well—soon it was only the two of them left in the lecture hall.
"I must say... I was surprised."
Thomas sat down on the table and put his list of names down on the table next to him—right on top of the tray.
"Surprised about what?"
Devon inquired.
"We all thought that your application was fake at first. Just someone desperate to get into the Draft, so he lied about being Crossheart.
"Because we didn’t think someone as legendary as you could be so... young.
"We then contacted the company behind the Lords of the Mythic Legends, and since we have government backing, they gave us all the information that they had on Crossheart.
"And it was indeed you. It really put a smile on my face. We, in the Federation, thought that if Innerworld had come only ten years earlier, then you could’ve dominated the game.
"We all thought you were in your thirties or close forties—basically at gamers’ retirement age already, which is why you never played Innerworld.
"But to think that you were so young."
Thomas chuckled.
Devon wryly smiled—even his friends at Einherjar didn’t know his real age—even to this day they were unaware.
’They all have always talked to me like I am some adult—I guess I just sounded mature for my age.’
Devon thought.
"You are eighteen years old, so you could’ve played Innerworld for two years already, but... you haven’t.
"Why?"
Thomas asked.
"...Been busy."
Devon said.
"With your mother? We did some digging and found out that she is apparently very sick. I am really sorry to hear that."
Thomas said with a soft look.
"...Thanks."
Devon said, but then he averted his eyes, like he didn’t want to talk about it.
"I can already tell you that the Federation can give your mother the best possible treatment that money can buy.
"However, that, of course, doesn’t come for free. You need to earn that. And they’re not satisfied with just okay results."
Thomas said.
"...What do I need to do?"
Devon asked.
"World Tournament—if you manage to get into the team and help the team to bring good results, then I am sure the Federation will be very pleased."
Thomas said.
’World Tournament... My mother doesn’t have a long time left. The next World Tournament is in one year, and I’d need to reach the top of New America in that time...
’Difficult.’
Devon thought.
"Don’t stress over it. With your talent, I am sure that the New America will be in good hands. Just focus on playing for now."
Thomas patted him in the shoulder and then looked to the corner of the room and saw Annie waiting for him.
"You can go now. Your dormitory roommate is waiting for you. Try to make friends, and have fun while at it."
Thomas said with a smile and then joined Annie and left the lecture hall.
Devon stepped out of the lecture hall, but then, he saw Nathaniel leaning against the plain white wall.
It looked like he had been waiting for him.
"Just so you know, I don’t consider you my rival. Lords of the Mythic Legends is miles different from Innerworld.
"PC gaming skills does not help in Innerworld.
"Stay out of my way or I will crush you."
Nathaniel said with a cold look on his eyes, and then he walked away with his long strides—like he had been used to walking with people who walked quickly.
’How friendly.’
Devon thought with a chuckle, and then he followed signs and soon arrived at the dormitory—all the doors were wide open.
Everyone was getting used to their new "home" and their roommates—unpacking their stuff and getting to know each other.
When Devon arrived, everyone threw a quick glance at him, and he was just looking for his room.
In that moment, he found a door with his name on it—there were two names on it—Devon Levi and Ned Bell.
’Ned Bell... That must be my roommate.’
Devon knocked on the door and heard a bag drop inside a room—like someone accidentally knocked something over.
The door opened, and a nerdy-looking kid—with glasses and pimples—walked over nervously, and he bowed in a ninety-degree angle.
He offered his hand.
"My name is Ned Bell. It is very nice to meet you!"
Devon had never received such an... interesting-looking greeting before, and he just chuckled and shook the hand.
"Devon Levi. Nice to meet you."