The days and weeks slowly ticked by as Alex and the first years learned all they could to become professional hunters.
From their lessons in combat applications, survival tactics, the state of the universe and the biology of void creatures and beasts.
Of course, throughout this entire time, Alex and his friends always remained together and had even made a few acquaintances with their fellow classmates as well as those from other classes.
Their cultivation was also progressing smoothly.
Alex also made sure to remain in touch with his family. From time to time, he would facetime them and tell them all about his experience at the academy.
His brother, Aaron was also growing up nicely and wished to follow in his footsteps.
...…
It was noon, right after recess and everyone was now seated waiting for their next instructor to come in and continue their lessons on void creatures' biology.
The instructor in charge of this lesson was a female, dark sclera human, with dark long hair. She went by the name of Janet Estress and was a Class B hunter.
After she walked into the class and exchanged pleasantries, the lesson began.
"Okay…, so far, we've looked at how the void creatures appeared two thousand years ago. We've also looked at the behaviour of these creatures.
"Today we will be looking at the actual biology of the void creatures. Before I begin, can anyone tell me how we came about the term 'void' for these creatures?"
Once again, this class showed her why they were one of the top classes among the first years.
"Yes, you." She pointed to the girl who was on the same desk as Alex and his friends. She sat right beside Julia, at the edge of the desk and went by the name of Sophia Patel, a normal human girl.
"The term was coined due to the creatures literally having nothing within them except for the fluid that we call blood and their cores.
And from what they do, that is devouring all things, the question arises as to where the things they devoid went to if they had no organs like stomach. So, they were likened to a void."
"Exactly. Research carried on the 'tissues' of these creatures showed a completely different biological make-up." She said, bringing up the display with a tissue image of a void creature.
"Living beings―humans, animals, microbes; are all carbon-based organisms. Wherever in the universe you go, all life forms discovered were carbon-based.
"But that changes when you consider void creatures. Though they are 'alive' and move on instincts, they are not made of cells.
In fact, their makeup is nothing like any element ever discovered. It's not found on the periodic table."
The class was silent as they took in the information. While there was information on void creatures on the network, it did not say everything as some information was only meant for hunters, and while it could be spoken to others, it didn't really add value to their lives.
Hunters, on the other hand, had to know exactly what they were fighting.
"Their entire mass is mostly their blood and body tissues. No bones and no nervous systems."
Reaching here, most of the students had confusing looks on their faces.
"Indeed. No nervous systems. So, the question is, what directs their behaviours? That question has remained unanswered."
'Maybe it's because they're a part of the universal birth and rebirth cycle.' Alex thought silently but still listened to what the instructor had to say.
This was the conclusion he came to after many nights of thinking about his experience, and the more he analyzed, the better he saw things.
After giving the students time to digest her words, she continued, "Now back to the biological make-up of void creatures.
"As stated before, they are not cells. Their make-up is like a unique material that has extremely good conductivity with mana and has many applications as we've studied already.
"Adding to that uniqueness, they were impervious to humanity's weapons at the time and only when we began making weapons from their cores and the new elements that appeared after the mana influx did humans begin fighting back earnestly.
"Of course, the awakening of skills also added to that."
From the use of their bodies in making clothing with unique properties, to spacesuits that can recycle air and keep the body's pressure at normal even in deep space, they made the impossible possible.
Their core contained so much power that they could be used in powering ships, cities and other power-requiring activities.
Now the unique trait that was very useful to hunters….
"Every void creature is unique, with its own specific abilities. Much like us hunters, some have fire-based skills, while others possess abilities related to light, ice, wind, metal, and more.
"Moreover, when their blood is used in weapons, they gain the attributes of the blood.
"So, what happens when a hunter with the fire skill uses the blood when processed into what is called a serum, a serum made from a void creature of the same attribute?"
The question she posed was fairly simple as most, if not all of them knew of this. This time, Julia was called to answer.
"They get a boost to their awakened ability"
"Correct. And while that is the case, there are exceptions as well. For instance, some void creatures appear to be neutral, and their serum can be used by anyone, regardless of their ability.
"But the boost is also quite minimal compared to when they have an attribute."
Alex digested everything he was hearing and made plans to test out the effects of these serums, but their plans were quickly squashed before they manifested.
"Sorry, only Class D hunters and higher are allowed to use them." She said as if expecting them to think in that direction.
And to be fair, she had seen this many times to deduce what students would do.
"The effects are powerful, you see? Your body is still too weak, even for the smallest doses."
Of course, she didn't mention that the blood had to be heavily diluted and prepared with other materials before hunters could use them, a reason they will learn about as they progress.
Sometime later, the lesson came to a close and it was now time for combat lessons.
However, unlike the previous times, they would be sparring, and the class was looking forward to a certain clash that was just waiting to happen.