While returning to our dorm with Pepper, I ran into Mike and Zephyr.
"Hey!" I shout so they can hear me.
"Heol! How's it going? How was your first day? Oh! Who's she?" Mike bombards, raising an eyebrow after spotting Pepper.
I chuckle at Mike's comment.
"Everything's going well, you guys? By the way, I'd like to introduce you to Pepper," I say in a whisper. "We're in the same group and dorm! Pepper, meet Mike and Zephyr, my childhood friends."
"Nice to meet you, Pepper Lyptus," she introduces herself, waving at them.
I continue the conversation by asking them what classes they have today.
'Basic Knowledge and Skill Control,' Zephyr politely responds.
"Same for us. Did you like it?" I ask.
"Yeah, but at one point, it was a bit long. It lacked a bit of action,' Mike replies with a sigh.
I tell them about our day so far, describing what Mortius did to us. After my story, they seem revolted that their teacher is so boring.
After walking a little further, we arrive at a junction and must separate to reach our respective dorms. We say goodbye and decide to meet again on Saturday at the main building. Pepper goes back to her room and I go to mine. Tired, I change, wash up, and go to bed."
Pepper is waiting for me on the corner and we're heading to our Monstrology class together. We arrive a little early and I notice that this particular pavilion is attached to a large cage on the side. It looks like an aviary, I think to myself as I enter the building to head towards the class. Sitting in the middle row with Pepper, I see the professor enter shortly after. He has white, disheveled hair and wears a lab coat of the same color. Quickly like that, he gives me the impression of being a mad scientist.
"Welcome, everyone, to Monstrology class," he begins, smiling at us with all his teeth. "I am Ruphius Blakamus. I hope yesterday's first day didn't discourage you too much?"
Some of the students respond in unison, "No."
"Perfect, that's what I wanted to hear," he says, clapping his hands. "Today, I will explain the objective of the course and what we will be covering throughout the year. Nothing too complicated... Each class, we will study a monster, learn about its physical characteristics, as well as its strengths and weaknesses."
"Afterwards, we will do a practical exercise," he continues, quickly moving on to the next explanation. "In addition, once in a while, I will assign homework based on what we've covered in class. Simple, right?" he asks, turning his head so quickly that his hair seems to levitate on its own.
Following his monologue, a student raises her hand and asks what kind of exercise we will be doing. He tells her, chuckling, that it will depend on the monster presented.
The first monster we will be studying is the Chat'paud, or more commonly known as the mountain raptor. This tiny hybrid creature, part feline and part toad, lives near ponds and in mountain passes. It attacks with a spiny tongue, draining the magic from its prey and is capable of spitting mucus on its target.
"Now, come with me," he says, leading the group towards one of the doors after his long monologue.
The group follows him and ends up in the giant aviary. He takes out a small bag of peanuts and says, "Today's exercise is to capture one of these Chat'pauds. When you succeed in capturing one, come see me."
He looks at us and with a wave of his hand, about thirty Chat'pauds appear. They scatter instantly, bouncing quickly. The aviary is big enough for us to lose sight of them. I look at Pepper and ask if she wants to team up with me. She affirms and asks about a potential plan of action.
"Let's start by approaching them and see what they do," I tell her, unsure of how to proceed.
The other students scatter into several small groups after the teacher's permission. After walking for about ten minutes, we spot one of the creatures about twenty meters away from us. So we decide to approach it, but when we reach ten meters from it, the monster suddenly sticks out its tongue. Like a spear, it elongates and charges directly towards me. Caught off guard, I lie down on the ground to dodge it. The tongue misses me and retracts afterward.
"As you look pathetic lying on the ground like a pig," an unpleasant voice rings out. Nicole looks at me disdainfully for a few seconds before continuing.
"Watch me do it, that's how it's done." She steps forward, raises her hand, and shouts, "Immobilization." The ring on her finger lights up, and silver nets emerge from it, wriggling towards the Chat'paud, wrapping around the creature. Sensing danger, it tries to leap to escape, but the filaments restrain it, pulling it slowly back towards Nicole. It emits small cries, scratching the ground to resist, but it's in vain. Smiling after her victory, Nicole turns to me and says in her usual haughty tone, "You see, nothing too complicated." She walks away with the Chat'paud in her arms, still under the influence of the silver filaments.
I stand up and look at Pepper. "It's going to be a little more challenging than I thought. We both have non-combatant professions and no equipment like Nicole... That damned rich grandson who already has magical equipment," I grumble discontentedly, looking at him in the distance.
"Don't worry, we can always try something else. Let's start by looking at what others are doing, and maybe that will give us some ideas!" Pepper suggests.
I nod my head to approve of Pepper's idea, and we set out in search of ideas.