As Seth opened the briefcase…he saw it was just a picture of him and his parents, it was cast on a frame and looked interesting enough. He had a small sense of nostalgia.
Thally glanced at it. "So you looked much more cute when you were small"
Seth smiled at her words. "Yeah it was a good time"
Seth kept it near the desk and then turned to look at Jake. Jake noticed it the moment he did, his irritation could be seen on his face. "Why are you looking at me like that?!!"
Seth smiled and then said. "No reason I just wanted to know you better, We could be good friends"
Jake glared at him, Veins could be seen forming on his head. "Okay look here you insignificant little bastard, we don't know each other, We are only roommates"
Seth rolled his eyes and then looked at Thally, he carried her with one hand. "Thally use flying tackle"
Seth then without warning through Thally towards Jake with no hint of hesitation at all. Thally soared through the air with an enthusiastic, "I am a flying plant!" before colliding with Jake. Though she was light, the impact startled him enough that he stumbled backward, barely catching himself before he could fall.
"Thally use Harass and Bite" Thally, ever the playful companion, took Seth's command to heart. After landing on Jake, she immediately began nipping at his shirt, her small leaves rustling as she chomped lightly at the fabric.
Jack's initial surprise quickly turned to fury. "Get this thing off me!" he shouted, flailing as he tried to dislodge the mischievous plant. Thally, undeterred, continued her playful assault, her tiny teeth harmless but persistent.
Seth couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "Thally, maybe ease up a bit. We don't want him getting too mad."
Thally paused her nipping, looking up at Jack with what could almost be described as a smug expression. "Okay, fine. You're no fun anyway." She hopped off Jake and scurried back to Seth, who caught her with ease.
Jake's face was flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger. "You… You're crazy!" he sputtered, glaring at Seth.
Seth, still chuckling, shrugged. "Maybe a little, but I think you'll get used to it. Besides, Thally's harmless. Just trying to keep things interesting."
Jake straightened his shirt, still glaring but seemingly at a loss for words. After a few moments, he finally muttered, "Just stay out of my way," before turning his back on Seth and storming to his side of the room.
Seth watched him go, feeling a bit bad but also amused. "Don't take it personally, Jake. I'm just trying to make this place feel a little less… intense."
Jack didn't respond, clearly done with the conversation. Seth sighed, feeling a mixture of satisfaction and regret. He knew he might have pushed things a bit too far, but he couldn't help but feel that a little humor would go a long way in easing the tension of their new environment.
Thally, sensing Seth's thoughts, patted his cheek with a leaf. "Don't worry, he'll come around eventually. Maybe."
Seth grinned. "Yeah, maybe."
As the evening settled in, Seth and Jake continued to unpack in silence, each focused on their thoughts. The room, though small, began to take on the personality of its inhabitants one side meticulously organized with an air of practicality, and the other, Seth's, reflecting a blend of warmth and spontaneity, thanks to Thally's touch.
Thally nestled comfortably on Seth's shoulder, occasionally glancing over at Jake, who was still fuming in silence. Seth knew he had pushed the boundaries with his new roommate, but he couldn't help but feel that breaking the ice early, even in a slightly chaotic manner, might help in the long run.
"Jake, let's make a small bet" Jake, who was in the middle of neatly organizing his books on a shelf, froze for a moment before turning slowly to face Seth. His expression was a mix of irritation and curiosity. "What kind of bet?"
Seth shrugged nonchalantly, still smiling. "Something simple. How about this: We go head-to-head in one of our training exercises tomorrow. If I win, you have to be my sparring partner for the next week. If you win, I'll stay out of your way completely no Thally pranks, no talking, nothing. I'll be like a ghost."
Thally perked up at this, her leaves rustling with excitement. "Oh, this sounds fun! I love a good competition!"
Jake narrowed his eyes, clearly skeptical. "And why would I agree to that? I don't need a sparring partner."
Seth's smile didn't waver. "Maybe not, but think about it if you win, you won't have to deal with me at all. No more distractions. You'll have the peace you want. But if I win… well, you might just find having a sparring partner isn't so bad."
Jake considered this, his eyes flicking to Thally for a moment before settling back on Seth. He could sense that Seth wasn't just trying to mess with him but was genuinely trying to break the ice in his weird way. Finally, with a resigned sigh, Jake nodded. "Fine. But don't think for a second that I'm going to go easy on you."
Seth's grin widened. "I would expect that from my Old bully"
"Shut up and go to sleep?!" He replied angrily.
"I mean I could but I am not that tired and it's probably not even night" Seth stood up and went towards the door.
After going outside he explored the dorm. "I wonder if there is a reason Dad gave me that photo"
Seth muttered, Thally felt his unease. "Calm down it's probably just William pranking you"
He sighed and calmed down a bit, after walking out of the dorm buildings, Seth was lost he did not know where to go. He stayed there absentmindedly.
In a moment of feeling lost, they say an angel will guide you, but Seth did not think it would be a literal miracle. "Damn!! too bright"
Thally cursed as she saw the walking lightbulb that was coming towards them.
Seth rubbed his eyes. "A troublesome person has appeared, Thally what do you think"
Thally seriously thought. "If it is someone annoying and insufferable, we ignore them and go our way if it is someone friendly, We stay cautious and be friendly with them"
Seth nodded at Thally's advice, appreciating her practical approach. As the glowing figure approached, the brightness gradually dimmed, revealing a tall, elegant figure with a serene expression. The stranger's golden hair shimmered faintly in the light, and his presence radiated warmth.
"Good evening," the figure greeted, his voice calm and soothing. "I didn't mean to startle you."
Seth squinted slightly, still adjusting to the light. "No worries. Just wasn't expecting someone to be glowing like that."
The stranger smiled softly, his eyes kind. "I get that a lot. I'm Lucian a second Year, I usually help first-years find their way into the school and also scout for recruits"
Seth glanced at Lucian's wristband, it was 300, which put him at Level 1, He thought about the entire level system.
From 1-100 is Level 0
From 150-300 is Level 1
From 500-1000 is Level 1 and a half.
From 1000-5000 is Level 2
From 5000-12,000 is level 2 and a half.
From 12,000-20,000 is level 3
From 20,000-35,000 is level 3 and a half.
From 100,000-500,000 is Level 4
From 500,000-1.5M is Level 4 and a half.
From 5M-500M is Level 5
Now that is where it gets harder entering the higher levels, abilities can be enhanced by beasts from the planets, that is why some people go hunting.
To reach Level 4 is a hard task, only people with experience and understanding of their core abilities could reach that level, Level 5 is a myth just like the higher-level beasts. Seth has researched a lot in his father's database when he was at home but some places were locked for him so he couldn't see any more information.
"Hello My name is Seth, nice to meet you This small walking humanoid plant on my shoulders is Thally she is a part of my ability"
he said with a friendly smile.
Lucian nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze briefly shifting to Thally. "A pleasure to meet you both," he said with genuine warmth. "Thally looks like quite the companion. It's always interesting to see how first years manifest their abilities."
Thally puffed up with pride at the compliment, her leaves rustling with satisfaction. "I'm the best companion Seth could ask for!"
Seth chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Yeah, she is, Wait what do you mean by recruiting?"
Lucien then smiled, he had been waiting for that question since the beginning. "Well the Academy has a hierarchy, There are groups that can be created by first years, second years and third years, it is a lot to explain but my group is Called the Radiant Light, Our group only recruits righteous people with a good moral compass"