Chapter 25 - Hunting Monsters as a Team
The trio of Deviants was preparing for their team hunt. Alice mentioned that even though the wolf meat could last them well over a week, it would be ideal to gather more as a precaution. She explained that this would have several benefits, such as clearing the surrounding area of creatures, collecting supplies, searching for signs of people in the region, and learning to fight as a team. Luke agreed, eager to see the use of prana in action. Although the blonde girl mentioned she wasn't very good at it, adding that Anna was better.
So, we're all really beginners. From what I understand, both are in their first year at the academy, and the first few months are purely theoretical. The Earth Academy serves as a bridge connecting the two societies. We, the inhabitants of Earth, upon awakening our powers, need to attend a mandatory year of study. The residents of the Oblique World, upon awakening, need to attend a mandatory year at the Earth Academy to show the union between the two worlds through the academy and continue their learning by returning to their world.
From what I can understand, the Kingdom doesn't explain much about prana and doesn't train the students extensively at the Earth Academy. Since we live in a technological society, it doesn't make much sense to learn beyond the basics. Those interested can follow the Deviant path and continue their learning period at the Oblique World Academy... but not everyone can, only those who are chosen. There is the option to become an independent Deviant and venture out into the world alone, but you will hardly learn about prana, especially if you are an Earth inhabitant.
Upon becoming a Deviant, we have a guaranteed pass to access the Oblique World, but becoming a citizen of it is another story...
Which world do these two girls belong to? Are they citizens of Earth or the Oblique World? I can understand that Anna seems to be an Earth citizen... but what about Alice? Her training isn't normal, and she seems to have knowledge beyond what is taught at the academy. Is she an inhabitant? Probably... if so, there are things she can't tell those who haven't gained citizenship.
I need to understand...
Anna walked with her bow in hand, and they preferred to head in the opposite direction of the city, leaving the forest and following the green field. From a distance, they saw some corrupted monsters.
"There are three, it doesn't seem like there are more of them. It's better if we don't go; I can only evaluate better if I get closer," said Anna.
With her bow, she could see much further.
"We better not stray too far from the small forest area. We have the advantage of it being a monster's lair. It will take a long time before others decide to approach, and by then, we will have already left," Alice said, her sword in hand.
Her sword is very beautiful; it seems very sharp.
"Is there a difference in the monster that resides in the lair?" Luke asked, intrigued.
"It depends on the creature's rank. The higher the rank, the more dangerous it becomes, so even if it leaves its lair, another creature won't risk occupying it for fear of it returning. You could say that the more dangerous it is, the longer it will take for another to want to occupy that empty lair."
Rank? So it really changes the monster's power.
The trio continued walking, looking for a lone monster.
"Strange, this one isn't so... monstrous?" Luke asked.
They found what looked like a boar, and although it had a horn, it wasn't very grotesque.
The little redhead prepared her arrow, and Luke could see her take a deep breath.
What is this feeling I'm sensing? In her arrow?
Anna concentrated, aiming, and shot the arrow that flew at high speed towards the boar.
"Oink!"
The horned boar, when hit, squealed and ran away.
"We need to follow it!" Alice said.
The little Anna lowered her bow, a bit disappointed, but the trio continued running. Luke was trying to understand what Anna had done, as he somehow felt he could see something.
The boar-like monster ran down a hill, squealing as it went. Anna readied another arrow while Alice sprinted ahead, leaving them behind.
She's fast! Is this what it means to be a Transmitter?
The blonde girl ran with her silver sword in hand, focusing for a moment. With a sudden burst of speed, she reached the monster boar that had stopped in front of a forest of gray trees. The boar hesitated to enter and turned to face the trio.
Something tells me we shouldn't enter that forest.
Anna readied another arrow and shot at the creature. Alice leaped, spinning her sword, and in a swift movement, the monster was defeated.
I'm being carried by them...
The small redhead ran towards the boar.
"Let me get the arrow!" She ran up to Alice and touched the arrow, which turned into particles.
Was the arrow a card item? That's cool.
"Was your arrow a card?" Luke asked.
Anna removed the other arrow, which evaporated in the air.
"It's a common arrow card, but if it's destroyed, it's lost forever. If it hits a strong monster and breaks, the arrow card is destroyed. It's quite common in the Oblique World. I got some during the expedition. I also have a small stock I bought at the Card Shop in the Academy. Thanks to my power, some students occasionally asked me for healing help, so I earned cards for my service," she said proudly.
That's the value of a Dissident with healing powers—you can start working even as a newly awakened Deviant.
"It was an Incipient Peculiar. We can't defeat one like that alone yet... at least not without almost dying and exhausting our prana. We need to stay alert. I'll carry the boar monster's body," Alice said.
"It's heavy..." Luke tried to argue, but the blonde girl easily picked up the monster.
He tried to hide it, but he was a bit impressed.
"Are you using prana to strengthen yourself?" he asked, curious.
She's really strong; I would've struggled, and she doesn't seem to mind at all.
"Yes, thanks to being a Transmitter, I can do this."
Luke watched the girl carry the large boar. The three of them walked back, keeping as far from the gray forest as possible. He glanced over and noticed it seemed to be a swamp.
"Anna, what was that strange thing you did with your arrow?"
The redhead put her hand on her chin, thinking, then conjured an arrow. Holding it in her hand, she focused, and Luke could feel something coming from the arrow she held.
"This?" she asked.
"Yes, something's happening," he responded as they walked.
Anna looked pleased and then dismissed her arrow.
"I'm training to learn; I feel like I'm almost there. I'm a Dissident, but I awakened my Aspect as an Emitter."
Emitter? She's a Dissident and has an Emitter Aspect? She's strong.
Luke looked at Alice.
Is this common?
"I presume it's not easy to awaken an Aspect," Luke said.
The blonde girl listened:
"No. It's very difficult to awaken your Aspect and requires excellent prana control. Luckily, Anna is a genius for developing it so young. Even though she's a Dissident, which by rule guarantees an Aspect, she managed to awaken it."
Impressive, so she's very powerful... or will become so.
The redhead blushed.
"I'm still at the beginning and learning. I was really lucky to like bows and be an Emitter."
Luke tried to understand more about the concept of prana Segments while reflecting on his redheaded travel companion.
"Do you have an Aspect?" he asked.
"Unfortunately, no," Alice replied.
So, it's not for everyone, but that doesn't mean she can't have one someday.
"I'm a Transmitter, so the chance of developing an Aspect isn't high. Dissidents have a 'bonus' due to the deficiency of their prana. They naturally can only use prana to activate their ability, so they are guaranteed to have an Aspect, and the rare ones have a second Aspect. But the power difference between the first and second Aspect is halved."
Luke listened attentively, knowing he was a Dissident. This meant he might have an Aspect someday.
"Is there a big difference between having prana as a Segment and as an Aspect?" he asked as they approached the forest region.
The redheaded girl decided to explain:
"Let's say a Transmitter can have up to 100% effectiveness in using the Transmitter Segment. Someone with a Transmitter Aspect can have up to 40% effectiveness," she replied.
Alice agreed.
"We Dissidents, besides having our Aspect guaranteed, have an advantage," she added.
Luke frowned. "Advantage?"
"Yes. Our Aspect has up to 60% effectiveness. It might seem impressive, but it's only to improve our deficiency. Our prana is only used to activate our ability and maintain our natural armor that everyone has. So, in a confrontation against a Transmitter, we would lose without our Aspect. My power is healing, but against a weak Transmitter, I couldn't defeat them. That's why a Dissident is guaranteed to awaken an Aspect. It's a way to compensate for our prana deficiency."
Luke listened carefully, and the group continued their journey into the small forest.