8 years~
The class had begun, I sat primly in my seat. Well, this is the only way I can not possibly slide down the seat. Those around me sat in different postures taking the necessary notes.
Looking at them I could not help but to secretly envy. This body had been fed well from the age of two and it is still stunted!
"What do you mean by that madam?" It is a bother to be this age and the shortest in my year. Luckily, I can defend myself well enough. If not, I would have been like those who are picked on and a few who have disappeared, most likely in the stomach of a few.
When I first arrived on this island, I had thought that the air breathers here were just normal. No different from those servants back in the place I had deemed home. It is a pity that I was ignorant.
Extremely ignorant.
The child who spoke for one; a girl with cascading waist length silver hair and matching eyes. She is a girl who I wished to devour so badly due to her alluring scent, but I could not.
Pursing my lips, I turned my gaze on the madam, who spoke next.
"Look ahead, focus on the projection before you. We have our own histories with in this world. I am sure many of you have already been taught by your respective pro-war Lecturers or so-called tutors." I yawned, licking my lips. The hunger is beginning to gnaw on me already. Sigh.
Another student interrupted as soon as the Lecturer paused. My eyes slanted to look at the girl before flitting away. She is not tasty at all. Her voice is not bad though, even when she whined; "But madam, this is something different."
The hunger seemed to be even more insistent. Reaching into the wristband space, I pulled out a specially made bar to help sate my hunger and sank my teeth into it.
The Madam said nothing because she knew very well what would happen if I grew hungry.
"Yes, it is something different. After all, you are students who have been selected to enter this school, things are different." The madam paused. She scanned the surroundings with her cool gaze before continuing. I sat in my seat listening while silently eating a bar. "Our world, as you know is divided into four levels-"
"Yes! It is divided into the under, lower, middle and above." A student suddenly injected in an excited tone. I wanted to roll my eyes at this, but decided against it.
The madam seemed pleased by this because her stiff face broke out into a smile, praising the student. "Excellent student, five hundred and twenty-nine. Our world is the lower. We are the humans who rule this area by the majority."
"But madam Lecturer we have many powerful beast dwelling in the lower realm."
"Yes, you are right. We still stand tall even if that is a fact those beasts can only stay in their respective areas."
The madam Lectuer continued to speak. While I listened. Even if I knew all of this, hearing it again would not hurt me. Perhaps I might learn something new.
It is known and understood that different beings recognise different things. Humans in this world worship Celestial beings. As a Shark-kin, I have no memory of these beings who are thought to be even more powerful than a god.
What are gods?
Powerful beings who had to contribute to the universe and galaxies as a whole. That had been the few I had learned from the stories told by my elder sisters.
Back then as a Shark-kin those are things I needed to know because we are a species who ruled the watery depths. That is, before the Orcas appeared. I gritted my teeth thinking about them but stayed calm nonetheless. I am an air breather now. A bipedal species that have thumbs.
Right.
Yes.
I tried my hardest to convince myself this.
At this point, I am not affected by these beings. I am so small and insignificant. What does it matter anyway.
Shaking my head slightly, I fixed my gaze on the madam Lecturer.
"... Now with all of that being said... Yes, student five hundred and fifteen?"
"Even though we have been informed do they appear in our plain?"
"It is rare, from what we know they descend to complete trails to rank up from gods to Celestials. The ranks are then raised higher after completing a few things. Though as a Celestial ruling class is the highest, it has been a long time since one has appeared, but for now it all seems like a rumour. We in the lower world are not qualified."
"Not qualified?"
"It is only normal. The powerful no longer..." I listened and nodded at her points. During my time as a Shark-kin those species dwelling within the sea World were nothing but food to us. If one was dying before us they were nothing but insignificant creatures. How many had I swam passed?
How many had I eaten, without a care for their offspring or partner?
So if the Celestials as she said see us in the lower world as unqualified, I wholeheartedly accept this.
Being ignored is much safer than being focused on. What if I am noticed?
I would no longer safely live my life out comfortably.
"Alright students that is enough for today! Proceed to your next class immediately."
Standing I waited for those in front to walk forward before leaving myself.
"Student number... A word please." hearing my number I paused in my step and turned to the Lecturer.
"yes madam Lecturer?"
"You have been quiet during the class, does the class seem uninteresting to you?" The madam Lecturer asked. I wanted to understand exactly what she asked. Participation from what I knew, does not give points. Rather, it is just to make sure those who do not understand have a clearer view. I understand well, I have my thigh assisting me. So for her to ask me if I am OK because I don't ask such trivial questions for knowledge I have no need to learn is rather foolish, no?
"Madam Lecturer, will I acquire points if I ask questions besides taking notes?" I asked after considering for a time. The madam blinked looking down on my petite form.