Chereads / The occult meeting / Chapter 17 - The opening act

Chapter 17 - The opening act

It has been a week since I went to the school. The school doesn't officially start until the 25th but they didn't forbid you from looking around either. After spending a day visiting all the facilities I can only say that everything is top notch.

The place I'm staying at is a dorm inside the school and coincidentally my roommate is the 'young' boy I have met before, Jester. We both were pleasantly surprised but soon managed to become friends.

An unexpected gain I got from this was his help with my training routine. He gives me tip on how to efficiently build my body, meditation advice and even trained with me.

The most outrageous thing however was his way of controlling Karma. Since I haven't grasped how to control Karma yet, Anderson still comes visit me everyday providing his help.

After seeing one of his visit, Jester also helped me with it and his way was somehow better. He focus all the Karma in one spot and slowly move it around. All I have to do was slowly move a portion of Karma out and move it back. It's a lot harder then it seems but I have been getting better too.

Another thing I did was acquaintance myself with people in the school. I got to know several staff members and 2 different students when practicing in the gym. The other students were also following a training routine so it's likely that they were in similar circumstances to me.

Outside of training and meeting new people I didn't do much else. Because of how I live before I didn't have a hobby. I only trained and rest and repeat. It was repetitive but I somehow find it comforting.

Not much changed until the opening date. On the 25th, a lot of people came to the school, at least more than hundreds of people.

8am, it was time for the opening speech. On the platform, a man in his 50s walked up the stairs. As he speaks his voice reverberated in the surroundings.

"I welcome you students to the academy. As you have joined our world we want to welcome you with open arms. However, this world is a treacherous place and all of you'll only have this one year to learn everything you needed to survive.

I hope you all have what it takes for the supernatural."

The speech was incredibly short and it sounded more like a warning than anything.

The moment the speech ended the sky glow brightly. Looking closely will reveal that the stars above were shining with the same intensity as the sun, making for one marvelous scene.

The amazing scene stay stuck inside my mind and my excitement rises. If one day I can do that then...

"Let's go, class is starting." [Jester]

"Ah. Ah ok."

There's a total of 14 classes, each having around 10 students. My class includes Jester and Harold, someone who I met in the gym. Other people are all new faces for me and there's a lot of variety. There's 3 young adults, an uncle and 2 teenagers. In total there's 9 in the class.

The classroom wasn't something special and was similar to my high school classroom albeit a lot nicer. We are all chatting around waiting for the teacher to come.

"This girl is the one you're talking about?"

"Yeah, her name's Shina. She's a fast learner and she's almost done making a vessel!" [Harold]

"I-it's nothing much! Lena has already know how to do all of this before so she's much better than me..." [Shina]

"That's the other girl right? Speaking of which where's she? Is she in a different class?"

"Well Lena already learnt some basic before so she's tutored alone. She isn't learning here." [Harold]

It seems like both of them are awkward about this subject so I'll leave it be. I'm more interested in another thing.

"You say she's almost done making a vessel but how do you actually make one?"

"Oh you don't know? From what our instructor explained it's a process of building Karma around your so called 'soul' and hardening it with another person help. It's apparently incredibly taxing for your physical body if you aren't talented." [Harold]

Dammit Tatsuki why didn't you tell this to me. Sigh, it's not like I would stop on my training as I doubt I have that talent.

"So what about you Harold?"

This time Shina chimes in with enthusiasm.

"He did it on his first try. How amazing is that! And all he brag about is me being close to doing it." [Shina]

Harold simply laugh with an awkward expression. This guy... is he perhaps dense? Doing that kind of thing is either super frustrating for the other person or it might gives them the wrong idea. Or am I overthinking this.

Before our conversation reached a conclusion the classroom door opened and someone walked in.

Looking at the presumed teacher I was incredibly surprised.

Lucien?!

Lucien also look slightly surprised seeing me but he seemed to expect this. He only gives me a glance though before quickly browsing through the rest of the class and took a long iron ruler and slamming it on the whiteboard.

Heck he didn't have to do that. I bet he did it just to know how teachers felt.

"Students. My name is Lucien and I'll be your main teacher for the remainder of this year. As you have know you'll be learning the most basic part of the supernatural world.

After the completion of this course you'll be officially given a rank 10 recognition and choose a division you want to work in or work alone, whichever path you like.

As for the course itself it'll be divided into 4 sections. Our first 2 months will be spent creating a vessel for everyone. Any questions?" [Lucien]

Everyone was slightly hesitant to ask. I especially didn't expect such a commending aura out of such a joyful dude. The first person to ask was Harold.

"You there, what's your name." [Lucien]

"It's Harold sir." [Harold]

"Alright Harold, ask away. And you can just call me teacher." [Lucien]

"Teacher, what if I already have a vessel." [Harold]

"Even if you have a vessel you still need to expand it. Learning the creation progress is definitely not a waste as it can fortified your vessel for later use." [Lucien]

After Harold sit down, another hand was raise. This time it's from the uncle.

"What if we don't manage to create a vessel in 2 months?" [Uncle]

"You'll be kicked out the course. Of course if you want well let you rejoin next year." [Lucien]

That's a harsh condition. I don't feel like stressing about it much though since my progression with Karma absorption is going smoothly.

"Before we do anything else let's introduce each other shall we? We'll go from top to bottom." [Lucien]

"My name's Jester."

"Hello everyone, I'm Carolina! Nice to meet you all."

"I'm Shina..."

"Like before my name's Harold."

"Call me Lavender please."

"I'm Smith."

"Rey..."

"My name is Jasmine."

"I'm Tenner."

After finishing our introduction, Lucien started giving out a pill to everyone.

"Hey isn't this the physical recovery pill?" [Smith]

"It's different. This is a physical strengthening pill.

It's something that improves your body massively overtime without any side effects. Because it's hard to produce we only give one out in the beginning of school.

Please immediately consume it as some has tried to resell it to other places in the past." [Lucien]

I could hear audible gulping sounds. I too couldn't help but look back at the thing in my arm. If what is said is true then this thing would have incredible effects.

Curiously I tried to see how many points it would sell for.

[6000 points]

...my brain freeze. Six zero zero zero? 6000 points? So the original point is 10k points? What the heck! It's original price is equally to a rank 5 ability! A RANK 5!

"Hey Lu- teacher. Does this thing do more than physical enhancement?"

Although interested Lucien still replied in his 'teacher mode'.

"No. The reason it's so hard to make is due to it having no side effects. This pill will help you up to rank 8 until it loses effects, quite mediocre considering it's cost. That's why only rich people wants it." [Lucien]

Should I sell it? Eat it? Helping to rank 8 certainly sounds useful but... 4k points is enough for a rank 7 ability! Or 2 rank 8 abilities.

There wasn't much to debate is there? Sell it and regret later! I faked an eating motion and sold it.

[6000 points obtained.]

I did it! I can't wait to get some new stuff later. Although it's a shame that I can't use [King of luck] on rank 10 or above but what can I do. I really need to learn how to evolve it soon.

"As for the rest of the day we'll do simple Karma absorption training." [Lucien]

* * * * * * * *

Class ended at 6 pm but Lucien told me to stay behind. Right now we are currently at the coffee shop outside the school facilities.

I didn't know how to start a conversation not to mention our situation. In the end it was Lucien who talk first like always.

"Sigh... I kinda knew it when you called me that night." [Lucien]

"You knew?"

"Yeah well it was pretty obvious once you work in this field for long enough." [Lucien]

How much did he hides from me. And for how long? Although I wanted to know now is not the time. Should I explain things..?

"Lucien... thing is..."

"It's fine, it's fine. You can tell me your big secret later. From what I can tell you aren't even sure of what to do so it's probably some outside force right?" [Lucien]

He was... a lot more observant than I gave him credits for.

The night sky was shining brightly with plenty of stars, much more compared to when I saw them in the city. It gives the atmosphere a serene feeling. It was silent except for the noise of people walking around. It was weird... but it's not a bad feeling either.

"It's nice isn't it... This place I mean." [Lucien]

"Yeah. Much different from the city."

It was then I noticed a muffled laugh. Looking at Lucien I could see him laughing a little. Slightly confused by the situation I froze up which made Lucien laugh a little more.

"What's so funny?"

"Ah you see. Your face look so serious that I can't hold it." [Lucien]

"What! Asshole I'm trying to be serious here and you laugh at that?"

"Sorry sorry. It just you always were so out of it you know? It's nice to see a little change." [Lucien]

We both stare at each other before we burst out into chuckles. Looking at the mirror it's true that I look much better than before. There isn't much bags under my eyes and I look a lot more alive.

"You were different too you know? Mr teacher."

"Oh come one you know I always wanted to try being the cool teacher." [Lucien]

"Sir teacher."

"What about you mr best wing man." [Lucien]

"Pfttt"

"Hahaha" [Lucien]

We calmed down a little, finishing up the little drink we have left. Afterward we both look up the stars again.

"You didn't come visit me after that incident."

"I checked in on you but want to gives you some times. This sort of thing usually isn't easy for people ya know." [Lucien]

"So do Mel know this or am I the only one in the dark?"

"...Mel doesn't know. You should understand why I kept this a secret. This world isn't exactly something you want ordinary people in..." [Lucien]

Right. From the beginning it was already incredibly dangerous.

"So what you want to talk with me for?"

"I just... wanted to know if you're still... you. I guess I'm a bit paranoid and... I didn't want to lose another person." [Lucien]

I can't help but feel his sadness and bitterness in those sentences. My heart aches thinking about what he has to potentially go through and yet still managed to act perfectly fine with us.

"Well... I'm certainly still me. And I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

"That's... thanks Dummy. So... we're still friends?" [Lucien]

"No... we're best friends stupid."

Lucien was greatly relieved. What did he expect?

"Heh. It's getting late, I think we should get something to eat." [Lucien]

"Sure. But you pay. I'm broke."

"Sure you are. Fine I'll pay this time ok?" [Lucien]