The academy that I knew of was shrouded in mystery, but with the help of Meihui, I could bring some information to light and use it to my advantage.
"What are you thinking about?" Meihui asked as she looked at me intently.
"About how the academy operates. It bothers me how I know so little about what's going to happen here."
Apart from the bestowment of Pulse Watch, I knew nothing beyond that. Nakano-sensei only taught us basic knowledge and trained our physical attributes.
"Do you wish to know?"
"Yes."
"Hmm. Where should I begin?" Meihui closed her eyes and contemplated briefly. "Ah. You will be given a mission a week after being given a Pulse Watch."
"What kind of mission?"
"A team mission. Last year, the mission happened on a monster-infested island, and the goal was to eliminate those monsters to the best of your abilities."
It was a simple mission that would test your Force adeptness. Still, a week after acquiring a Pulse Watch was relatively early in my opinion. It might be dangerous for students who can't control their powers yet.
"I know of your concerns by seeing that face of yours. You need not to worry. The freshmen were required to choose one upperclassman to accompany with their mission."
"Wouldn't that be unfair? Because I'm taking you no matter what."
"Aren't you too bold with your words?" Meihui looked askance at those words of mine. Did I say something wrong?
Meihui sighed heavily and continued, "The upperclassmen can't act on their own accord. They can only mentor their juniors and only act when necessary. Most upperclassmen are D-Grade Repulsors on paper, so students' safety won't be an issue."
"I see. Do you get rewards from the mission?"
What I wanted was the rewards. It would be nice if I could get additional points or weapons and gear.
"You will get rewarded with Points each time you reach a certain amount of kill points. There were ten milestones of kill points last year."
This would be way better than only rewarding those with the highest points or whatever. Since talents and progression were in the realm of unpredictability, it was only fair to implement this system for everyone to gain.
"There is one more detail. The three fastest students who completed the milestones were specially rewarded. That included me, naturally."
'I spoke too soon.' Well, it was better than giving nothing to other students. If anything, this would benefit me.
"What's the special reward?"
"You should find that out yourself, Hiryu. I am against ruining surprises."
It seemed that the rewards were so great that Meihui didn't want to reveal it to me. Still, I was satisfied with the information she gave me. The academy might change its mission this year, but it was a treat listening to Meihui's velvety and euphonic voice.
"You're right. You and I are going to crush this mission. No doubt about it."
"When have I accepted your recruitment?" Meihui scoffed. "I choose my junior, not the other way around."
"You don't have to play hard to get, Meihui. Who else would you choose besides me?"
"I should shut that cheeky mouth of yours, seriously," Meihui lamented. "The rewards for the upperclassmen are equally divided. This is mainly a test of leadership, so I would be better off mentoring a weak guy than accompanying you."
"Then I'll ask... Mikami Aoi. She's the best supporter in HRA, right? Looks like I'll hit a new record of the fastest mission clearance once we team up."
"Aoi?" Meihui's ears perked up. "I should tell Aoi to steer clear from you then. It sure is unfortunate that she listens to me very obediently."
"You know her?"
"She is the only one who is qualified enough to be my friend."
To think Meihui had stolen our best supporter to her side. This duo would wreak havoc if they traveled together. I couldn't let that slide and lose to her.
"She sounds more like your subordinate than a friend to me."
"We have a collaborative relationship. No one is under anyone so do not assume things. In any case, I advise you to get a supporter of your own too."
"It's too early right now. I have a few candidates in mind, but it's not certain that they would receive support-type Pulses."
Pulses were generated randomly as far as I was concerned. It sucked that some people who wanted a certain something couldn't get it. I would be devastated too if I were to be reduced to a supporter.
"That is only partially true. Pulses can be random, but they follow a preexisting archetype that your mental and physical core has established."
I opened my eyes in surprise and sat up hastily. "Wait... If I deduce that correctly, that means most of the time, Pulses correlate with what the body and mind demand?"
"You can put it that way." Meihui suddenly put her index finger on my chest and softly said, "The force flow inside you should have shaped into a Pulse Core befitting for a swordsman. Your Sword Aura is further proof that your Pulse will pursue the road of swords."
"Hmm. That would make a lot more sense. I wonder why Nakano-sensei said it was random."
Meihui removed her finger belatedly and corrected her sitting posture. "It is to lower students' expectations in case the worst-case scenario happens."
Meihui folded her arms and sighed heavily. "I think this is unnecessary. One should work with what one has and cultivate it even when the power seems undesirable. In the end, it is mostly hard work."
I remembered the debate Hiyori and Saki had about talent versus hard work, and neither one of them wanted to agree with one another. "Still, don't people born with more potent force flow are inherently better? My friends debated about talent and hard work yesterday."
"If you entertain the debate between talent and hard work, you are worse than a mooncalf," Meihui shook her head in disappointment after she said that.
"In the first place, calling it talent is misleading. People with excellent Pulse are blessed with luck. They are not talented, so you better get that right in your head."
"Right..."
"Talent is in the basics. The art of fighting. The control of your Pulse. If one neglects their training then one's Pulse cannot grow."
"I heard Pulse can only be improved only sligh-," I tried to interject but got cut off by Meihui.
"I have yet to be informed on the matter of your studies, but let me make you aware of one thing. The development of Pulse Core is separated into three core stages. Ignition, Heat, and Tranquility."