Chapter 5 - Class is in session

Volks and Acura sits under an apple tree, the sun is shining and a spread of food is seen on a blanket. Acura greedily eats all that he can see until he occasionally chokes, and washes it down with lemon juice. Volks also partakes in the feast, he butters some bread with a knife and takes a bite, he then picks up his cup of lemon juice, hides it and pours something from a flask inside it.

"Ok Acura that's enough ehhh, its time that I educate you on the world we live in and also the things that you are capable of"

Acura sits Indian style with an extremely focused look on his face. Although he seems determined to learn, after five minutes he is awaken with a fist to his head. Volks starts off by telling Acura about the Continent of Whales where the country of Cruz resides. It's Governed by the Dolphina Kingdom which is ruled by the Stella Fada whose name is Stratos Ford. He informs Acura that he was lucky to be born in a time of peace. The 100 year war between the countries Cruz and Rock Ended the year he was born.

Rock was a rival country ruled by the Asharka Kingdom. The Eclissi Fada "Nazir Lincoln" was the leader that waged war with Cruz over land and resources. They were allied with the small country of John.

The country of John ruled by the Tuna Kingdom is governed by the Luna Fada "Garland Buick".

The Tola Country ruled by the Sol fada "Rudios Bugatti" in the Kingdom of Salmon, was allied with the Dolphina Kingdom.

The war ended in the favor of the Dolphina/Salmon union. The Stella Fadas tactician Roan Citroen was acknowledged for his amazing strategies, but the real game players on the field were the Dolphinas Kingdoms legendary "Marshalls".

Highest ranking of the army and all boasting the strength to rival armies. As a Merc Volks had the opportunity to witness them on the battlefield first hand. The way they fought were ruthless and showed no care for the life at the end of their blades. They were so focused on completing their task that many wounded allies were left behind as they stormed the battlefield.

Mercenaries or "Mercs" in short played a big role in the war. Before they were just seen as greedy low lives who would do anything for money, but their deeds were noticed by civilians and soldiers alike during the war.

From capturing enemy forts, saving hostages, to defending villages that were forgotten by the army. They made such a big impression that the Stella Fada gave them special privileges in the Kingdom, and also included them into the ranking system. The Fada appointed a special Merc unit as the equivalent of the Marshalls to serve directly under the Fada.

This unit is known as the "Stella Mercs". The first Band to receive this title was the Holy Swords Mercs. They have never been bested and remained the Dolphina kingdoms Stella Mercs for a consecutive 8 years since it began. Every year the opportunity arises for the other Band of Mercs to compete for this title. The criteria during the war was determined by the achievements during battle, now during time of peace it's much more diverse.

"Glad to see that you're still awake Acura."

There was a sparkle in little Acura's eyes ever since Volks began speaking about the Mercs.

"Pops can you tell me more about the Stella Mercs! Did you ever meet one? How strong are they? Can you beat them?"

Volks has never seen Acura as excited as he is now. But the question brought two folks to mind. Long time buddies who saw potential in him even though they themselves were giants in comparison. One was in the Fadas Army while the other was a fellow Merc. Volks told Acura about what made these individuals so strong and dependable. He explained "Psych", "Sensate", and "Uniques" three of the most important variables that can drastically turn the outcome of a fight.

Psych is an innate power that all living creatures have, but some have more than others, some have a better quality of psych and some cannot access their psych at all. It grows steadily until the age of fourteen, and It's the fuel that is needed to activate Sensate

Sensate relates to the five human senses; Touch, Sight, Hearing, Smell, and Taste. Activating one of these sense skills will allow the user to perform supernatural feats.

Volks described when he fought against Mr. Waker. He used two out of three sense skills that he has mastered. Sense of Sight which allowed him to keep up with the speed of Mr. Waker, and also the sense of Hearing that allowed him to locate where Mr. Waker was hiding by listening to his heartbeat.

In order to activate the sense skills one must first stimulate the respective temples. These Temples reside in the fingers respectively.

Pollice Temple, Thumb which governs touch.
Indice Temple, Pointer this one governs Sight.
Mignolo Temple, Middle Finger that governs Hearing. Anulare Temple, Ring finger which governs Smell. Dito Temple, Pinky that governs taste.

The Psych energy flows from the Specific temple when stimulated usually by cracking the specific finger. The psych then follows the nerves towards the brain where the psych pool is located and processed by the Cerebrum.

One who has masters all sensate is called "Dio Mano".

There has only been four known owners of that title. All took their place as the strongest in the land.

"Dio Mano!"

Acura with sparkles in his eyes run laps around Volks constantly repeating Dio Mano. Volks ends Acura's outburst with the regular thump to the head.

"Listen boy if you ever want to become a psych user much less a Dio Mano, you must learn to pay attention and focus ehhh."

Acura snaps back into sitting posture eager to hear more. Acura was educated about where he lived, the ones in charge and the potential power of Psych. He was then educated on the dangers that lies beyond the village in the forests, mountains, plains, in the night and even the day.

There are monsters that have natural ability to control psych, they are numerous, powerful, and aggressive, they lack the mental capacity to be tamed like normal animals. Wild animals can also become monsters if they are possessed by an evil being called "Mal".

Mal are evil spirits, very dangerous and treacherous. They don't only possess animals, but humans as well. If possessed by Mal, the victim's psych becomes tainted and dark, their natural abilities are heightened, but they lose their mind in the process.

The weaker someone's will is the more successful the possession becomes. This allows the possession to last as long as a week before the host dies, if not exorcised by a priest. Those who are evil in nature themselves undergo a complete possession and become "Dos".

Dos are human's natural enemies. What makes them especially dangerous is their intelligence. They are capable of creating planned out acts of violence and they can also manipulate humans to do their bidding. Most of the world's disasters are usually the actions of these vile creatures.

Defeating a Dos is an achievement that grants many merits to Mercs, and a big bonus to Soldiers. They are extremely powerful and not to be fought alone.

"Pops did you ever fight a Dos?"

ehhh yes I have, me and my dear wife fought one while on our way back from the Kingdom replied Volks. Acura asked if the Dos was defeated. Volks demeanor dimmed. As his head hung low and his voice lost its vigor.

"Sadly no, it was a fearsome foe, we did our best, but it got away. But your Mama fought it beautifully Acura, I was mesmerized."

"Where is she?" Asked Acura


"Well boy she's a member of the Adventure guild assigned to the Surveyor unit. They are tasked with unraveling the mystery of the Veil that plagues the land of Whales"

The Veil the biggest mystery of Whales, which every Country has spent countless efforts to solve. No one can leave or enter Whales, which in time sparked the 100 year war.

"Now that I taught you what you need to know it's time we measure your current psych pool and quality."