Grey left the lab with a slightly disgusted look on his face.
' These guys really are ready to collect any type of data.'
He shivered a little as recalled the types of data he could submit for extra rewards. Being gifted with common sense, he wisely chose to only submit the minimum data.
Shaking his head, Grey left the building heading back towards the hostel department. Last night while reading the school manual, he found out quite a bit about how life in the school worked. It all depended on the Shiver, the aptly named global event that brought the whole catastrophe of curses and the limbo. Every new year anniversary since the shiver, a large number of gates connecting the Limbo to terra opened up, letting the grotesque abominations lurking within that damned realm walk the earth. Though, It wasn't as if gates didn't open outside that period.
Along with this event came the song of ruin, It was an eerie lullaby whose lyrics were impossible to hear that dragged newly cursed into a dangerous slumber that sent them into the Limbo. This was an extremely cruel test by the curse that allowed only the lucky and worthy to remain cursed, at least 60% of newly cursed died within these trials. Based on this and the fact that people can get cursed at basically any time of the year, the school crammed all that it deemed bare essentials into a 1-month course that repeated every single month. Hence if someone came before the start of a month, the courses wouldn't be repeated for them till the next month. Of course with the exception of those who come during the last month.
' I still have 2 months left, the bare one-month course still leaves space for 2 additional courses. For the next month after that, the courses would be continued for those that have finished the bare courses while giving more leeway for electives.'
Grey scratched his facemask as he moved.
'So I guess I'm not in too bad of a position, the bare courses already have survival and combat in them then I can choose geography of the limbo for my only elective. I can do that for this month then move to their more advanced forms next week, maybe even find a new elective to do.'
Grey covered his eyes, blocking them from the dull morning rays. He spent more time than he would have liked in that lab, now he would be a little late for what he planned this morning. Looking around, he could see a few youths walking along pathways not too far from him.
' Heh, this feels a bit like early college. I've got to meet up with Ember before I go anywhere. If there's been one thing I've learned from high school, it's that it's always better to move in groups but never get lost in the crowd. Plus, it's never a bad idea to get some protection' He sighed in relief as he saw the hostel building quickly approaching him within his vision.
----------
By The time Grey reached his floor, he could already see Ember standing in front of his room door.
'Great minds think alike.'
He grinned mentally.
Hearing the approaching footsteps Ember turned.
''Where did you go?''
"Tch, not even bothering to greet, kids these days."
Grey pretended to be hurt.
"Stop fooling around, you've wasted more than an hour of my time."
" Well if you must know, I had to have my curse tested."
Ember's eyes squinted with suspicion.
" And yes, it passively affects the public."
Her eyes widened.
" Why are you acting so shocked? Like seriously what did you think the face mask and hoody were for, no normal person wears them all the time."
Ember scratched her head a little before finally speaking.
" Sooo… any precautions I should take around you?"
Grey's eyes glowed a little.
"Yes, under no circumstances should you ever touch my skin."
"…And what happens if I do?"
His eyes curled in a bitter smile.
"Simple, you die."
She still looked like she needed to ask more questions, but backed down in the end. It wasn't a good idea.
"Way to ruin the mood, Ember. Anyways, where are you planning on heading today.''
"I thought it would be smart to go check out the different courses and how they worked, there is still about a week before the courses restart. What about you?"
"The same, I think we should make the most this week finding the courses that suit us best."
" Alright then, let's move."
Her robotic voice rang out before she left leaving him behind.
Shaking his head, Grey quickly followed her.
...
Grey now felt he was in a proper university, walking on the sidewalk, he could feel the breeze as many floating cars zoomed past him. Rarely any grounded vehicle could be seen in their vicinity. They had finally reached the Academics area of the institute.
The basic courses they had come to do were 3 in number, Survival, Combat, and Physical training. All 3 were essential, But the first has the added benefit of giving the Cursed a general idea of how to survive in the place they were heading to. They planned on checking the combat department today.
Grey and Ember looked at each other before joining the stream of people entering the massive building in front of them. Upon entering, the first thing they noticed was the minimalist style of the building. Apart from the doors, there were some fluorescent lamps lining the black and white ceilings. Walking forward he saw a big wooden door in front of him, with the writing( Main dojo one).
He followed Ember into it, as it revealed an interior that was as wide as a football field.
In the center of the room, there was a huge ring, with at least 30 smaller rings scattered around it.
The sound of repeated clashing and clanging of metal almost deafened Grey, Before he could recover however a strange chill passed through his spine making his body completely freeze, he could see the same thing happen to Ember in front of him.
Terrified, he found his eyes slowly looking forward. Looking coldly at him from the top ring was a middle-aged man folding his hands behind his back. He sported a rough greyish beard with a greying ponytail. Decked in a black kimono, his sharp dark eyes seemed to cut straight through them.
" What is your business here?"
He spoke in a calm, commanding voice.