Chereads / Arbiter of Sins & Virtues / Chapter 14 - Awakeners Class

Chapter 14 - Awakeners Class

The next morning, Asher woke up early and went to school. Ms. Clarissa informed the students that those who had become awakeners should go to a separate classroom near the training ground.

When Asher entered the classroom, he could feel many eyes on him. Although he had hidden most of his data panel, only showing slight improvements in intelligence and the skill Luminous Bolt, the students could sense that he was stronger than before. Many wanted to talk to him, but since he had been a loner previously, they didn't approach him. For low-level awakeners, making connections with those with high potential was important, but they still kept their distance, and Asher was content with that.

He sat at the last seat near a window, appreciating the solitude.

Although it looked like he was gazing out the window, Asher was actually using his insights to check the improvements of others. He noticed that most had only reached level 1 or 2, with slight changes in their attributes. Many were thinking about how to approach him, but he didn't mind and preferred to keep to himself.

What he didn't realize was that his character was starting to deviate from before. Due to his Prudence trait, he was now more observant of people and his surroundings, and he was becoming prideful about his attributes. Before his manifestation, he simply didn't want to stand out, but now he was beginning to feel he didn't want to associate with those lower than him. However, he remained unaware of these changes.

Just then, Asher saw Ethan, Lyra, and Aurora enter the classroom. Although they had been in different classes before, now that they had all awakened, they were grouped together for training. Ethan and Lyra were talking to each other, while Aurora seemed to have just met up with them in front of the class.

"Hey, guys! Did you improve yourselves?" Ethan asked loudly to his classmates.

Asher watched as many girls and some guys eagerly explained their traits and how coolly they had used them in dungeons.

Through his insights, Asher saw that Ethan, Lyra, and Aurora were Level 3 like him. Although their attributes weren't boosted like his, they were still better than most. He also noticed that Lyra had a familiar with her.

Name: Flarewing 

Level:

Rank: Mundane 

Bloodline: Fire Phoenix 

Skills: Ember Peck, Warmth Aura 

Strength:

Agility:

Physique:

Aether: 30

Intelligence:

Affinities: Fire 

Description: Flarewing is a young chick of the Fire Phoenix, with bright, fiery plumage that glows with a reddish-orange hue. Despite its small size, it exudes a noticeable aura of heat and displays surprising agility. 

While he was checking this, Asher felt someone looking through him and saw that it was Aurora. He didn't detect any appraisal-related skill on her, but he knew there were artifacts that could reveal details about others.

After he sensed that she had stopped, he looked at her and noticed a peculiar earring that gave him an odd feeling. Using his insights, he realized it was the earring that allowed Aurora to see through others. Unbothered, he returned his gaze to the window. 

After a while, Ms. Clarissa entered the classroom.

"Good morning, everyone. Since some of you don't know me, let me introduce myself. I'm Clarissa Gale, and I will be your homeroom teacher for the awakened class for the next two months. I will be teaching you more about awakeners and some important theoretical knowledge needed before you can enter an academy of your choice." She paused, looking at the students whose faces were ashen with apprehension, then smiled before continuing. "From today until two months later, you will have theory lessons from me in the morning and practical lessons in the afternoon. You will also have an exam at the end, and your performance will be sent along with your application to various academies." 

Ms. Clarissa looked around to ensure the class was quiet before continuing. "There is an hour at noon dedicated to elective subjects, which is not compulsory. Those who are interested should give me their preferences, and I will send all the available electives and their details in the group. You can choose more than one, but be warned—each elective will have an exam at the end as well."

"So I suggest you all learn very well and don't fail."

After saying that, Ms. Clarissa tapped the board, and the words "How to Improve Your Traits" appeared.

She scanned the class and asked, "How many of you have felt that your connection with your traits has improved?"

Almost half of the class raised their hands. Asher didn't raise his hand, as he hadn't felt any change.

Ms. Clarissa looked around and pointed at a black-haired boy in the front. "How did you feel that improvement?"

He stood up and said, "My trait is Aura Sense. After using it multiple times, I can now sense the aura of things more clearly than before."

"True, you can improve your connection by training," she said, gesturing for him to sit before continuing. "But that's mostly for traits related to their skills. Only about 60% of traits are like that. Some traits require us to develop a deep understanding of what they represent to improve that connection."

"Some traits improve when the awakened perform certain actions, some with special materials, and some after specific levelling. There are many theories from scholars about different methods of improving this connection, but it mostly depends on each awakened and their trait. Many scholars believe that only when we stop feeling the change and it becomes as natural as breathing will our connection become ultimate."

Ms. Clarissa paused. Asher had a vague feeling when she said the last part, but he didn't dwell on it and decided to think about it later.

"Now, does anyone know what Trait Mutation is?" Ms. Clarissa asked.

In an instant, Lyra Vesper, sitting at the front, raised her hand. From this behavior, Asher perceived that she might be a scholar who had read extensively on awakeners, likely due to her family's unrestricted access to knowledge from childhood.

When Ms. Clarissa nodded, Lyra spoke up. "Many scholars believe that when the connection with a trait is improved to a certain threshold, which depends on the awakened and the trait, there is a slight chance that the trait may undergo mutation and become a more powerful version of itself."

"Correct!" Ms. Clarissa responded. "In most cases, such as with low-level elemental manipulation, it is possible to mutate it to a higher level of elemental manipulation." She then paused and looked at Asher. "For rare dual or triple manifestations, there is a chance of combining those traits into a single one."

Asher noticed that everyone was looking at him, but he ignored their stares and nodded at Ms. Clarissa. She smiled and continued, "So for the next two months, you will study all the methods to improve your connection, and we have plenty of time to explore these concepts."

"So that's all for today, but before we end the class, let me tell you something," Ms. Clarissa said.

"Four students—Asher Embers, Aurora Frost, Ethan Cormac, and Lyra Vesper—have been given special student status after careful consideration by the principal. This status comes with many benefits but is not permanent. Every two weeks, a competition will be held for this position. At that time, you can challenge these special students directly. If more than three students challenge a single special student, they will have to fight each other first, and the top three can then challenge the special student. So, don't slack off and work hard for those rewards."

She paused, then added, "That's all. Class dismissed!"

"Asher, Ethan, Aurora, and Lyra, please follow me to collect your rewards." Asher stood up and exited the classroom, aware of the curious and envious looks from his classmates.