Rosanna's P. O. V:
Five minutes to the start of combat class, I sat on the bench with some other random students.
Coming here took more than just will. If I could have avoided this class, I would. But I can't.
For one, to survive.
Two, to avoid penalities.
Three, to grow.
I kept repeating the words in my head like a mantra. Besides, Kairos wouldn't kill me. Yet.
If he wanted to, he'd have finished me since. Still, I began my Rosa trait of overthinking. Slowly lost in my world, unaware of my changing surrounding.
A total of 17 or so students were in class. And by the time I came out of my little world, the main characters had arrived.
They were easily noticeable and different from the rest. Plus, no one fit the descriptions of those characters more perfectly than the people I had identified.
I saw them all. And it hit me hard once more that fiction just became reality.
They were all here. And even people asides me paid attention to them. They're popular figures.
Karissa Newman, Drake Colby, Naiyah Saritine, Elan Novak and Pearce Anderson.
Karissa's long red hair resembled Aniysa's except it had an orange-yellow tinge.
Like that of the sun at sunset.
Her brown eyes were wild and stared at everything and anything. Cooking up trouble, bravery or recklessness in her mind.
Honestly, Karissa was the true persona synonymous to Brave. Except for the purely dramatic part which is mostly intentional.
A big grin hung on her lips as she watched closely at Pearce and Drake's arguement. Most likely about their taste concerning something useless.
Karissa is a beautiful human who usually enjoyed watching drama, chaos or conflict. And Drake and Pearce always had that so you'd most likely see her with them. Or whenever things or people were in dismay. A disturbing trait that made people fear her.
Bratty Kari was what I called her.
Pearce was on the brink of exploding, his face flushed as he gritted his teeth. Sharp canines protruding from his teeth. And forest green eyes which were darker than normal with a tinge of yellow. Clearly, his wolf was also angry.
His brown hair was packed in a bun and I'd always wondered if it's ever not.
I admired Pearce's face from afar. Another sculpted being.
He stood at a height of 6'4 thereabout with a build similar to Kairos. Pearce was not often angry- rather, the calmest, but Drake was just too darn good at riling anyone up. Especially Pearce.
Nothing special, Drake probably had a thing for the people who practiced stoicism.
Naiyah would be a great target but the girl just didn't have emotions. Or she did but it's little. And two psychopaths don't exactly mix well, do they?
Elan leaned against the wall in a corner. His princely charm attracting a crowd of females- including those I assumed to be seniors. And boys.
Now I don't know if any of them have normal intentions or they're just members of his fanclub. Elanians they called themselves. Troublesome set of people with a weird group name. Cringe.
On his face was a perfect smile in display showing his dimples. And staring more at the two-faced prince charming would blind my eyes.
Oh look, he caught my stare. And he winked.
I wondered who was the most innocent in this team. Karissa? Yes, probably. But she was still dangerous. Careless and headstrong fellow. Her ability to be at the center of the storm is too dangerous. And her main character halo usually left her unscathed but not for those near her.
Then Pearce? I'd prefer him. He was honest, calm and blunt.
Instantly, the room quieted down in an instant and I knew Kairos was here.
I snapped my head following the pointed stares of people, watching our main lead walk through the entrance door. And for those who were seated on benches- including me, stood up to acknowledge his presence. And the little fan group around Elan dispersed.
He walked to our midst and stood with a straight posture. I couldn't help but admire the black battlesuit that clung to his body. Yes, I'm admiring the battlesuit. Not the body. Not the body. I'm gawking for no reason than the body- battlesuit.
Lips spread in a cordial smile, he said.
"It's my pleasure to guide a new batch of students aiming to be powerhouses. I am Kairos Vyrl Athanasius- Admiral and Prince of Naza. I assume most of you already know about me."
Scanning our faces with a pause, his eyes lingered on mine- I just could tell even if I looked elsewhere by that time. And then he continued.
"Combat classes are made to enhance your fighting prowess. Physically, and to train your mental power to those who are mages. The consequences of failure is punishment and leniency is close to impossible. Keep in mind some of you might end up in hospitals and clinics if you fail to keep up. And to those who fail to obey my orders-"
Our eyes locked.
"Death."
My breath hitched and I fidgeted with my hands. I could see the pale faces of the people surrounding me.
Class 33A Upsilon was a combination of students with great potential, Kairos being an admirable instructor but a deadly threat. Rumours about the Prince's ruthlessness, indifference or strict adherence to his rules are infamous. While it's a privilege to have him teach us, be sure to guard your a*s with utmost attention.
Funny, why is that lewd and weird in my mind? I-... Sigh.
I knew the main characters gathered in a single class but it slipped my mind to consider the possibility I could be here. But of course, my mission involves them. Or rather, Kairos.
"Now, starting from you- state your name, specie and talent. The line goes on till the last person."
An order was placed and the person- Naiyah, who stood at the edge of the line, said in a soft voice.
Ah, the love. Saritine has special feelings for Kairos. Ever since the prince saved the princess from death. But mermaids and... That which shall not be named don't exactly go well, do they?
Sincerely, Kairos' other side don't go well with other creatures except humans. It's an obvious trait for dominant creatures to want to always dominate. And like submissives...
Stating of which, I'm quite the switch.
Anyways, Naiyah in the presence of Kairos is a rare moment where she's different than being an ambassador of stoicism. Or beyond stoicism. Such things occur when she's with Kairos.
I like her, as a female lead suiting Kairos. As an individual? Neutral. But that face, man-
"Naiyah Saritine. Mermaid, Water talent; S+. Healing talent: SS."
Part of the room had awe on their face and I knew why. B grade was already amazing in the long list of F-SSS including the minus and plus differentiation. Talk more about S. An entirely different league.
"Pearce Anderson. Lycan. Earth talent; SS, Fire talent; A+. Body Cultivation talent; A+."
Another bout of admiration from the crowd. Though I'm pretty sure he is a famous media persona we all know. All of them are.
Hearing about them must seem different seeing them in person and admitting it.
"Drake Colby. Dark Fae. Talents: Fire A+, Air A+, blood manipulation SS+"
Perfect setting for a villain. Stating of which, shouldn't Kairos have eliminated Drake already?
And gotten along with Naiyah in an official relationship? Is her clan still alive?
As a reader, I am very interested.
The list of people with talents went on. No SS and above talent appearing after, save for Elan. Only two to three students with S talents and the rest B's and A's.
"Samantha Carter. Siren. Talent: Blood manipulation, S. Ice: A. Stone- Earth variation: S."
"June Willow. Vampire. Talent; Fire S, Air S."
"Berry Cane. Light Fae. Light; A. Healing A. Nature S."
"Elan Novak. Vampire. Fire SS, Regeneration: SS+, Body Cultivation: A+"
There we have it, folks. The true OP talents. As for me and my fellow, we're background characters.
"Rosanna Graymond. Human. Ice: A+, Water B, Fire A."
I sniffled internally. Pathetic. If I ignore the Mana Manipulation I was gifted with. But I have a feeling I'm not using or training that anytime soon. It is a secret after all.
Kairos began talking once we were all done.
"From week one, individuals will be engaged in beginner work out sessions to build muscles and a fit body- if your body is still out of shape. Depending on health and gender, strength and healing vails will be given out to enable everyone keep up with the high training. The boys get ten each, and girls thirteen.
By week two, beginner stage skill practice begins. Schedule for week three will be told after."
With our attention focused on Kairos, he gave instructions as he walked around us. Handing the designated packaged vials to everyone. Most likely from his spatial ring.
"Every student will be put in two pairs for the time being. While I evaluate your performance before setting up a team of five students for trips, battles and missions. Feel free to choose a partner. I might rearrange the team based on the strengths and weaknesses of each student."
He came up to me and handed the box over. I kept my eyes focused on something or someone other than him.
Kairos' fingers grazed mine, his steps lingering before moving on. Nah, I'm totally gonna ignore the odd sensation I felt from his fingers touching mine. Is it me or does he look extra pretty today?
After the vials were given, he instructed us on the way of usage and told us to choose partners.
I tapped the black haired female by my side who happened to be June Willow. A gorgeous looking vampire standing close to my height with a nice body proportion.
"Be my partner?" I asked, hoping silently. I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb. The class of 33A had 20 participants in the novel. And each had a pair but with my addition, the balance was off. Wouldn't want to be left out, now would I?
"Sure." She shrugged.
Naiyah had been the one to be left out. Smiling a bit as she stood by Kairos side. The smile was strange and the reason unknown.
Kairos walked up to each pair, ensuring they were opposites or balanced. Switching certain people and leaving others the same. We were the last he approached for some odd reason. After the entire class was paired.
"June, right?" He asked coming near us.
"Yes, sir." June replied and I wondered what would happen. Seeing his gold eyes set on mine.
Give me a break, would you?
"I recall you having a good fire talent. Pair up with Naiyah."
With a nod, my soon to be comrade left me without hesitation. Such betrayal... I watched Naiyah become visibly off for a second. Why?
"Name?" Kairos asked bringing my full attention to him.
"Rosanna."
Pretty sure he should've known by now. Not exactly a background character to him- or am I?
"Rosanna," He repeated with a smile.
See, it's different when that kind of a voice calls your name.
And my did I like the way he said- no no, that's not the case, Jael! Why is he approaching you? Who will you partner with now?!
"There's an odd number in the class and the division has singled out a participating student. Don't worry, in scenarios such as this, a student partners up with the standing instructor."
"What?" What sorcery is this?
"Since it's combat, I just need to suppress my level to your stage. And my attributes are well rounded to counter yours. Fire and Water, yes?"
I stared. "...Yes?"
No.
"Good. I have all the basic elements."
I stared and he gave me a smile. An all-knowing mischievous smile.
Kairos brushed pass me and I saw Naiyah looking at me from afar. With and indescribable look.
Oh. She was expecting this, wasn't she?
"Attention students," My head snapped to Kairos who walked over to a wall. Placing his hand upon it as we all wondered what he was doing.
Green light flashed as he removed his hand. Green finger prints showing before disappearing in a second.
Along with the wall which disintegrated.
A wide teleportation portal stood in place. Swirling with a slight rumble and 'swish swish' sounds. Multicolored lights glowing and moving in a fascinating dance.
"File yourselves in a single line with your partner and walk in."
I watched with confusion like other students. While the quicker ones got in a line, followed by others.
Now, I guess imma just stick out like the oddity I am by the sides.
Kairos gestured for me to come along to the front line.
I came forward as eyes stared at me. And daym was I unhappy.
I came forward, standing before him. Kairos looked down at me and placed his left hand on my upper back, gently pushing me to move through the portal as he moved with me.
"Follow behind. Five minutes after it's activation and the portal will be shut. Hold your partners for stability. We're going outside the academy."
And long distance portals had certain consequences. Spatial rift, intense nausea, lightheadedness and weightlessness after arriving. That much I knew with the constant use of portals in the novel.
I entered the portal while Kairos' hand held my back firm. His body radiating heat from behind- something I quite liked with the evening chill.
Moments later, I understood. Why we held our partners. With the mental preparation, passing through the portal was still horrendously unbearable.
Yuck, it sucks!
Do note, fairy of teleportation portals, that I have a not fit body even for humans!
I stumbled with dizziness, my stomach threatening to throw up my guts. This is the highest discomfort of discomfort. Second to cramps.
I groaned in pain, barely taking in my new surrounding.
A large hand wrapped around my waist as my face rested on a firm chest.
I breathed deeply, begging my brain and body to calm down. It was pathetic, and embarrassing- how weak I felt at this moment.
Hey, my legs be going jelly-
Another hand pushed my waist up for stability. My entire body leaning on to Kairos for help. Kairos.
I looked up in a light daze.
"Weak." He muttered, staring at me with amusement.
Say thanks or no thanks?