"And so, with that, I'd like you all to meet your new classmate. Come on in, Evangeline."
Whispers from among the students instantly flooded Class 1-A. It wasn't exactly unheard of to have a transfer student in the middle of the school year, but once the rumor about the transferee being a Moon Elf started spreading, the entire school turned upside down.
Audible gasps of surprise could be heard as the door to the class opened. From there, a beautiful elven woman walked through. Her lustrous black hair, dark as the night, flowed behind her elegantly.
The school uniform she wore was brightly colored, like the ones everyone else wore. The few accents here and there helped accentuate her foreign beauty. And if that wasn't enough, she was heterochromic.
She no longer had the same untidy hairstyle John and Dignitas saw when they first met her. Instead, it was combed behind her neatly. Her left eye was of a dark black–similar to Dignitas' and Lorelai's, while her right was sky blue, like the ocean.
Evangeline clumsily walked onto the raised platform in the front of the class with a nervous expression. Bowing slowly, she stammered for a few seconds, before eventually managing to introduce herself.
"H–hello… My name is Evangeline. It's n-n-nice to meet you all."
Her voice was melodic and sweet-sounding. Class 1-A likened the situation to an angel descending upon the school while singing God's word.
"I see some unsatisfied faces." Shib spoke up. "While Evangeline here wasn't present during the entrance exam like you all were, that doesn't mean she's any weaker. After all, the higher-ups personally tested her skills. They can attest to her strength."
"But if that's not enough for you, then feel free to challenge her for yourself in a duel. It's a perfect opportunity to see for yourselves how a Lunalite utilizes their magic. It's not everyday you run into someone who uses Astral Arts, after all."
"Of course, not now. Don't forget, we have a quiz scheduled for this period."
As expected, after classes, the entirety of Class 1-A gathered around Evangeline. There was a mixture of different expressions, ranging from those who were interested to see a Moon Elf firsthand, to those who wanted to experience her battle style, to even those who were just happy to have a new classmate.
For the first category, Evangeline sent them all reeling backwards, both men and women, with a simple smile. The lucky few of the second category lost their duels the moment she cast Conjuration magic.
***
Three days later, one week before the first quarterly examination…
"I've done it…"
Dignitas' sword fell to the floor, and his body followed a few seconds later. Even if he was inside his personal Training Hall, not once did he order the A.I. to initate rejuvenation procedures so as to not disrupt his focus.
Sweat poured down from his worn out body like rainfall on a sunny day. His callused hands looked and felt more sluggish. Even standing up was a difficult task in of itself.
But it was all worth it. With Percivale's mission right around the corner and the looming threat of the first major event in The Academy's Regressor nearing, Dignitas was due for some training himself.
The past few days had not been kind. Having obtained permission from Professor Shib for a small extension to his day off, he used that time to train intensely in everything combat.
From doing routine exercises in the morning that tested his determination to hellish workouts that involved performing basic sword movements more than a thousand times… This was just a slight insight into what he had been doing.
But today was the day. Just as Dignitas was nearing the end of his training for the day, a sudden buzz went across his head. He instantly knew that feeling, even if it had never once occured before.
It was the sensation of ranking up. All of his stats had finally reached the point where his average rank rose.
"...Status."
_____
| Dignitas Qwerdan |
| 19, M |
Rank: C-
ATK: C DEF: C-
AGI: C+ MANA: C-
| Skills |
| Death's Vision | | C- |
Will occasionally show the targeted opponent/s next move. The closer they are to death, the more likely their moves are to be true.
Second Aspect: Death's Vision can be used on the user to increase the level of perception. It will allow the user to perceive how they will react to future attacks, and in return react to those reactions, looking one step ahead.
| Identity Warp | | C- |
Allows the user to modify some parts of their physical appearance. When used, the changes will apply permanently, but can be removed whenever the user wishes to.
| Affinity Wave - Reality | | B |
A skill that has attuned with its user, granting it the "Reality" Affinity. This Affinity allows the skill to take on various shapes and sizes, only limited by the user's skill. Once created, the user can choose what to do with the construct.
| Penguin Style - Sword | B |
A style for use with weapons that fall under the category of "sword." Prefers attacks that lure the opponent into an environment where the user shines most.
It is said that when on land, penguins are clumsy. They are vulnerable, weakened, and can easily be killed. However, when inside their hunting grounds, they are graceful, swift, and deadly. This style seeks to create an unfair field of battle that favors the user.
| Distortion Slash | | C+ |
Briefly sheath the user's weapon. During the time it is sheathed, mana is poured into the blade at an increased rate.
When released: the next slash is empowered with mana thick enough to momentarily "filter" out the world, leaving a visible gash in the air.
| Rotation Thrust | | C+ |
Sends out the user's blade in a thrust. When willed, the user can force the blade to rotate at a speed enough to drill holes through hard metals.
| Log Of The Academy's Regressor | | ? |
Conjures a thick book and a pen out of thin air. The book contains information about The Academy's Regressor, a story written by Dignitas Qwerdan.
Changes can be made to the story using the pen, but will take away a portion of the Author's strength based on the degree of the change.
_____
"About goddamn time. I was wondering when I'd finally catch up to John. Talk about stagnant water."
Over the past few days, Dignitas had made an effort not only to train his physicals, but also to advance his rank on all four stats. Not only that, he made sure to pour in a great amount of time in trying to understand the "Penguin."
It was merely a small bit of information that Warren had passed onto him on a whim. Even he wasn't sure whether he would be able to create a sword style from it. But he did, and that was the important part.
Dignitas could already feel his regeneration kicking in. Being a C- rank meant his innate abilities had been boosted by a lot, at least compared to when he was a D rank.
In less than five minutes, he was already back to full health. Standing up, Dignitas was surprised to find how light his body was. As an added reward, his earlier fatigue obtained from training had already subsided, leaving him completely energized and ready to fight.
Which was exactly what he was going to do.
Leaning downwards, he picked up Dainsleif and swiftly brought it to his waist. Over the past few months, the sword hadn't changed one bit, still retaining its ever-so menacing look and deadly strength.
But with Penguin Style, Dignitas had learned to wield Dainsleif differently. This would be showing itself in action at that moment.
"First time I'm doing this. Alright, A.I, spawn fifty D+ rank dummies, each with their own specs and unique spells. I want you to change the environment to be able to fit them all, and allow for large scale fights to occur. Lastly, the dummies must work to kill me. The scenario will end when I am knocked out or when I surrender."
"Understood. Following commands, please wait…"
A sudden bright flash of light overtook the entire hall. Dignitas was unaffected due to his eye being shut.
Opening his eye later, Dignitas found himself to have been transported into a thick jungle reminiscent of how famous movies portray them.
All manner of leaves and plants crowded the forest floor, preventing the actual ground from being seen. High above, trees of all sizes, overgrown with leaves and branches towered over the entire jungle, blocking much of the sunlight from passing through.
Dignitas was transported into the middle of an empty clearing. Here, the area did not obey the laws of the environment and was completely devoid of grass and plants. The clear blue sky could be seen, and the sun was shining brightly.
"Guess I've got no time to rest." Shing! Dignitas brandished Dainsleif and pointed it at the bush in front of him. "Come on out."
The bushes rustled for a slight moment, before the figures of six students walked through. The A.I. had chosen to model the dummies after the Hero Academy's students.
They looked rather apathetic, possessing not a single hint of emotion.
"I've got my work cut out for me. Come on then! I want to test out my new style."
Dignitas' eye shone with a grayish light as he charged directly into the group of students.