SSS-Rank Awakening: My Talent Multiplies Everything novel Chapter 152

Chapter 152: Tier Zero District?

The strange look on Kael’s face didn’t escape Jonas’ notice.

The Vice President slowly turned his head, studying him for a few seconds before the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

"Get your head out of the gutter, boy."

Kael blinked.

"...Huh?"

"I’m taking you to get cleaned up before we head to where we’re actually going. Right now you look like a homeless man I picked up off the side of the road."

Kael instinctively lowered his head to inspect himself.

His clothes were covered in dust from the underground arena. There were scorch marks left behind by Scarlet Fist’s blazing heat, several tears where the fabric had failed to withstand the battle, and faint patches of dried blood still clung stubbornly to his shirt. Looking at himself objectively, he had to admit Jonas wasn’t exaggerating.

"...That actually makes sense."

Kael wisely decided to keep his thoughts to himself after that and simply turned his attention toward the window.

The scenery outside immediately caught his eye.

The city they were passing through looked nothing like any district he had seen before. Towering buildings reached into the clouds, their crystal-like exteriors reflecting the afternoon sunlight until they shimmered like jewels. Wide roads stretched endlessly through the district without the slightest crack or stain upon them, while rows of carefully maintained trees lined both sides, their leaves dancing gently beneath the breeze. Crystal fountains decorated intersections every few hundred meters, surrounded by flower gardens so meticulously maintained they looked as though each petal had been arranged by hand.

Luxury cars silently glided through the streets one after another. There was no unnecessary noise. No honking. No crowded sidewalks.

Everything possessed an orderly elegance that made the entire district resemble a city taken straight out of a dream.

Even the Second District, which Kael had once thought unbelievably luxurious, suddenly seemed ordinary by comparison.

’Is this... the First Tier District?’

Before he could think any further, Jonas’ voice interrupted him.

"You like what you see?"

Kael nodded honestly without taking his eyes off the passing scenery.

"It’s beautiful."

His gaze lingered on another magnificent skyscraper before he continued.

"And grand."

Jonas smiled faintly.

"It should be."

"We’re currently inside the Zero Tier District."

That sentence immediately pulled Kael’s attention away from the window.

"The Zero Tier District?"

A look of surprise crossed his face.

"I didn’t even know something like that existed."

Jonas chuckled.

"That’s because, technically speaking..."

"It doesn’t."

Kael frowned.

Now he was even more confused.

Seeing the puzzled look on his face, Jonas patiently explained.

"The ranking of every district is determined by Ambient Mana density. The lower the tier number, the lower the Ambient Mana concentration."

Kael nodded.

That much he already knew.

"So if a Zero Tier District genuinely existed, it would naturally have even less Ambient Mana than a First Tier District."

Jonas shook his head.

"But that’s not what happened."

"The Association simply took a portion of the First Tier District, separated it from the rest, then marketed it under a different name."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"...That’s all?"

"Pretty much."

Jonas shrugged as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

"They added a few extra features."

"Mana filtration systems."

"Enhanced security."

"Restricted access."

"More luxurious public facilities."

"Then they gave it a fancy title and sold the surrounding land at several times the original value."

Kael stared at him for several seconds before finally asking,

"...Isn’t that just a scam?"

Jonas laughed.

"No."

"The wealthy have always needed something that separates them from everyone else."

"They enjoy creating distance between themselves and ordinary people."

"For them, status is worth paying for."

"If owning property inside a so-called Zero Tier District makes them feel more prestigious, they’ll gladly spend the extra money."

He gestured casually toward the streets outside.

"And to be fair, we weren’t exactly dishonest."

"There really is a Mana filtration system operating throughout the district."

"It filters Ambient Mana."

Kael looked at him expectantly.

Jonas smiled.

"Just... an extremely tiny amount."

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