After seeing Avoure here, this got much more complicated. Behind him were his lackeys. As usual, he had this smug smirk on his face, along with his teammates. His presence suddenly grabbed everyone's attention. As they did to Hana, all of them tried to clamber out to him, trying to befriend him or, at the very least, be on his good side.
"Please sit down next to me!"
"We should hang out More."
"It's nice to meet you, Mr Vin Mae."
All the while he grinned at the fact everyone's focus was solely on him, the crowd of students ignored Avoure's friends instead their gaze was at him on Avoure only.
"Great it's him, why are we in the same class," Hana grumbled under her breath.
"Come on, let's pick a seat already," Hana says. She walks to the front rows and sits down. I sat down right next to her. A while later, the class finally started with the bell ringing. Hearing the bell ring, all the other students quickly sit down. Thankfully, Avoure and his friends sit far away from us.
The door opens to reveal a man with black hair, glasses, and a white polo shirt and black pants.
"Alright students, my name is Astavo Bell. I am your Advice and it is my honor to teach the sons and daughters of nobility. Before we start the class I'd like everyone to introduce themselves, just state your name and Arcana."
It seemed like we were doing it alphabetically, as one of the students, a guy who was right behind me, stood up, saying his name and his Arcana was a Weapon Specialist. Soon it was a girl and her Arcana was an Elementalist. One by one we stood up introducing ourselves until it was my term. I felt some sweat coming off me as I stood up, all their attention went to me, unlike the rest where most of the students just simply ignored it. This time they were watching me closely; judging me as a person. Right, Hana said first impressions matter.
I straightened my back before speaking with all the confidence I could muster. "M-my name is Jackson Maverick and my Arcana is a Mana Arbiter."
The teacher nodded and I sat down, slightly turning my head to look at my classmates, they were quietly talking to each other. Did I do something bad?
"They're probably just discussing what to do with you," Hana suddenly said. Huh, She must've read my face.
"Well is it a bad thing?" I asked, really worried if I'd be ostracized or bullied! I didn't want to experience getting bullied again.
"Hm, hard to say it'll be natural they'll want to discuss with you as you're the odd one out."
"Really?"
"Yeah since all of our classmates are from nobility, we at least know who's who and our family. Because you aren't a noble you're the only stranger here, add that we're one of the few who manage to kill a Greater Demon. I'd be weird to not talk about you," Hana explained.
"I hope they're nice to me," I said.
"I doubt it," Hearing that made me nervous.
Then it was Hana's turn, and she stood up. "Hana Von Yue and I'm a Hybrid, a Weapon Specialist, and an Elementalist,"
Many of the students were staring at Hana in awe as she said those things the teacher applauded. "It is a great honor for me and most of the class to have you joining us," The teacher spoke. Hana nodded.
Then it was Avoure's turn, he stood up while giving everyone a charming smile. "Avoure Vin Mae and my Arcana are Elementalists."
"Mr Vin Mae it's certainly an honor for you to be here, in fact, let us all applaud for two members of a great noble family to be here.
All of them stood up clamping. I joined in, too, so as not to feel out of place. Avoure and Hana seemingly welcomed the praise—Avoure even more so than Hana. After that, we continued to introduce ourselves until we were all done. "Now that's finished, let's start the first lesson," the teacher said.
"Finally," I straighten up, focusing on the teacher. Maybe the lesson will be interesting.
"Our first lesson will be the regulation of all three jobs."
"Oh- that sounds boring . . " Hey, maybe I shouldn't judge on it yet, after all, never judge a book by its cover.
________________________________
Well, I was completely wrong. The entire time I was bored out of the time, heck being the edge on sleeping - thankfully Hana had several times woken me up by pinching me while giving me a disappointed look. Well at the very least there were some interesting facts.
Even if Mr Bell's class was a slug I'm pretty sure this one won't; Combat class or what's officially called 'Practical Education'. Me and the entire class were standing in a giant circular room, it was about half a mile wide, and grey walls on the ceiling were circular light bulbs. In the middle area was a wide sand pit area having a grey bump separating the sand from the normal grey floor. At the back there was a wooden sliding door and behind us were two doors; the changing room and the exit.
All of us were sitting in the sand pit. Looks like our combat instructor hasn't arrived yet, so we're just waiting. The entire class was wearing the combat uniform, consisting of a white sleeveless top that had black accents and tight-fitting white pants.
"Ugh, it's been ten minutes and the instructor hasn't arrived yet, how unprofessional," I looked from the Manga I was reading to Hana who was next to me. important
"Come on now Hana, maybe they're being too busy because of something important."What could be something to have a group of nobles waiting? I looked around, yeah it seemed like the rest were getting irritated, looking over them all I saw Avoure and his teammates; thankfully they were far away from us.
"Sorry everyone I am a bit late, I had some work to do with the head nurse. Lesson I'd like to teach you about the application of Mana Reinforcement h the Head Nurse,' Amelia Glacier said as she went Inside all of us were surprised at the fact–I even heard some of the students gasp.
"Ms Glacier is our teacher!" Hana said under her breath, it was certainly a shock to me. Amelia waved at me as she entered.
"Now as our first and after this, we'll have a one-on-one round to see if you have learned anything."
[THOU SHOULD LISTEN]
"Look I don't want to talk to you," I looked away from the screen, still resentful that it kept secrets from me that could have led to the others getting hurt.
[I BELIEVE IT WAS THE RIGHT CALL, AS THOU IS ACTING LIKE A TODDLER]
"Now? Worrying about my friend is childish? Worrying about myself is childish?"
[THY SHALL FOCUS ON GROWING]
"Look, can you just disappear for now? I want to concentrate," The screen instantly Vanished, Sighing softly I tried to concentrate on the lessons.
"Maverick, who are you talking to?" Hana gave me a funny look, crap.
"Uh, I was just talking to myself really," I gave her a thumbs up. Hope to god she buys it. She nodded, but something told her she didn't believe in getting back to writing in her notebook.
"As you know Man Reinforcement is a technique that allows you to Reinforce your body parts so that they grow stronger," She demonstrated this by showing her forearm, which has vine-like marks on it.
"Simply reinforcement isn't the only thing it provides, it can also increase your speed or strength. But it isn't the only thing it could do."
Besides me, Hana was writing down her notes.
"If you reinforce certain parts of your body it'll cause another effect. If you reinforce your brain it'll increase your memory, how fast you think, reaction time, and comprehension by one percent or more if you put in more Mana."
Wait what! I can do that! Before I could reinforce my brain with a ton of Mana Amelia spoke. "Beware while doing it with a small amount of Mana in a short amount of time is safe, putting too much Mana or using it in a long time, around an hour. Is very dangerous and can cause fatal strokes."
Oh crap . . .
"Also it isn't prohibited to use this trick while class is in session; it is prohibited on tests."
"Now let's do some exercise."
Amelia went to the back of the room, going inside the sliding door she came back out pushing a cart table with a flat-screen TV attached to it. "Look here we'll perform a test, all of you reinforce your brain with Mana now, don't rush it and put too much Mana trying to be a show-off, only tiny amounts."
Ok, Jackson Maverick don't put too much Mana, crap I feel my palms sweating. Keep calm, take a deep breath and focus. I closed my eyes to focus.
A sword was unsheathed.
"I've done this hundred when I was ten, it'll be easy," Hana said at my side.
I picture the Mana to be water rushing up from my body and entering the brain, despite being sure the amount of Mana was tiny I was still scared I could potentially get a stroke. I heard everyone gasp as something fell creating a loud thud.
"Oh dear Gaeia!" Hana shouted, desperately wanting to look but if I did it'd break my concentration; still from the sounds of it I could tell what happened, someone messed up.
"Mr Alboro!" Amelia screamed, soon followed by the panicking sounds of my classmates.
"Ms Erica go to the head nurse immediately!" Soon followed by someone running and the door being slammed shut.
"I-I'm fiiiine~ M-Ms Glacier-le~," Someone said, their voice slurred and slow like every word being emphasized and slowed down. Hearing all of these made my heart beat faster and faster, stop it! Try to be calm.
I then felt it. My mind suddenly became clear. It was like I had a headache that lasted forever until it suddenly disappeared. A feeling of a cool breeze engulfed my body, giving me complete serenity. I could think more clearly than before; a sense of calmness washed over me. I opened my eyes and looked around.
Everybody had formed into a circle, their bodies blocking the way so I couldn't see. A few students were standing back, whispering to their friends and laughing. Beside me was Hana. She looked at them, looking worried. "Are you okay, Maverick? Do you feel nauseous?"
"No, in fact, I feel great! Is this what enlightenment feels like!"
Hana smiled. "Don't get used to that feeling as by the time you use it the second time it'll disappear."
"Ooh, that sucks to hear."
"I'm here where he is!" The door slammed open to reveal the doc, behind was another student who was probably the one that called him. Running over to the crowd, pushing everyone to the side, picking up the boy, and quickly dash back out–some of the students he pushed were screaming at him for pushing them.
"Please students calm down, I want all of you to sit," Hearing what Ms. Glacier was saying, all of us sat down. "Do not be alarmed, I trust our head nurse's medical skills. I'm confident Mr Alboro will be fine, still, this is a reminder to be careful."
I felt bad for him. "Hope he'll be fine."
"Don't worry Maverick, if Ms Glacier said it'll be fine, it will be fine," Hana assured me.
________________________________
The cafeteria was packed with people, the entire hall was filled with people's voices making it a bit hard to see. Me and Hana were carefully walking near the walls to not get too many people's attention–we had done this so we wouldn't get stampeded by the whole crowd of people wanting Hana to eat with them. Still, some students did spot Hana wanting and tried to invite her to their table, but she rejected all of them.
I scanned the area and saw all the tables were full, no room for us. I sigh. "Looks like we're out of luck Hana, all the tables are full," Both me and Hana were already carrying our lunch. We just need a table to sit.
"Well just keep searching," Hana said.
"Hey Hana, since you're like the popular girl, couldn't you just order them to move."
"Maverick, it's incredibly embarrassing that I from the prestigious Von Yue family had trouble finding a free table. They'll laugh behind my back and will use this to discredit me."
"Discredit you? Don't they like you?"
"They like my status, not the actual me."
"Ok . . . "
"Hey guys are just gonna stand there or wanna actually eat?" Someone called out to us, looking at who had said it was Naobulim. There was also Micheal, Ayjin, and even Barbatos who was sitting at the far end of the table eating alone. Naobulim tapped on the empty space of the chair inviting us in.
"Come on Hana," The both of us went to the rest.
"Hey guys!"
"Hey Jackson."
"Sup dudes."
"Hello there Maverick."
Immediately Ayjin's smile turned to frown the second she saw Hana. "Oh, it's her . . . "
"You know I'm right here right?"
"Is she bothering you, Ms Von Yue," Micheal spoke up. His onyx eyes glared at Ayjin, she looked confused.
"No Michael, I'm not a little girl I can defend myself from this swine," Hana said, hearing this made Ayjin scoff. "Really now? How hypocritical from a rich pig."
I feel a headache coming to me, I sigh. "Dear lord, please stop this mess."
"Ohh~ The girls are catfighting!" Naobulim grinned at the scene, seemingly enjoying the oncoming chaos. Both girls began to hurl each other words that I could imagine were this world's version of slurs.
"You damn Harlot!"
"Oh, you flat pig!"
"Speaking from a criminal!"
"Ok, guys drop it!" I step in between the two of them. Both of them immediately stopped, Michael gave me a thumbs while Naobulim gave me a thumbs down probably for interrupting his entertainment.
I pointed at Hana first. "Hana, I thought you'd promise you'll try to be a bigger adult."
Then I pointed at Ayjin. "Ayjin don't try to start unnecessary fights with her, she is just trying to eat. Please at least attempt to be more open-minded. Hana hasn't done anything wrong."
Hana begrudgingly looked down in shame.
"Now can we finally eat? I'm hungry," I sat down ready to eat, the girls also sat down still refusing to look at each other, well it was better than having them strangle each other's necks.
"So Zone, how was your first day in class," Hana asked. He looks at Hana gulping down his food before speaking. "I'd rate it a seven over ten; it was pretty fine actually, all of us were in the same class which was surprising."
"Really?" I turned to Hana for confirmation. She nods.
"Now that I think about it the only problem was the teachers," Naobulim said.
"Why is that Zone?"
"Yeah, I'm curious too," I said.
"Pretty sure the teachers didn't one fuck about us." He shook his head.
"We didn't even have a class, the teacher basically threw some books at us, told us to read through pages one to ten, and then he just slept until the period was done. Same thing with our Practical Education but that time the teacher said we could do whatever we wanted and he just left the class," Naobulim further explained.
"I see, I think we should report them to the principal, that's simply highly unprofessional."
"Nah I think we shouldn't, they probably already have a crappy life, making it worse won't do anyone a favor."
"If you say so."
We continued to talk until we heard a loud noise and someone shouting in pain. "What the heck?" Turning around to see what was going on.
Some people were looking too–most of them either apathetic or at worst actually enjoying the view. A group of students had surrounded an Endian fox boy.
Each of them was pushing around the Endian boy, who looked defeated and complacent. "What, Not enough of a man to fight back?"
One of the older-looking guys punched the fox boy straight into his jaw. He fell to the ground sobbing while the group of humans around him were laughing at his misery. "Dammit, what are the staff doing!" I looked at them, and each of them was either avoiding looking at the scene or like the other students apathetic. At least some of them were shouting at the students to get back though they didn't listen.
"I feel a great sense of déjà vu," Hana absentmindedly said, staring at me slowly, shaking her head. I'm sorry but I can't go on.
I stood up walking over to them, the sounds of my footsteps echoed through the cafeteria, the once bustling hall was silent the only resident being my footsteps, everyone's eyes were locked on me; even though I didn't see their faces I could tell their afraid, as if I was a dangerous person and they should be wary.
All of them stopped beating on the Endian boy and stared at me. "I want all of you to stop it," I said.
"Well, well if it isn't the Bloodied Survivor. I saw this whole song and danced back on the day of the ceremony. So what are you gonna do? Beat me? Try to talk me out of this? What are you gonna do commoner," The boy said, sneering at me.
"I don't want to fight, just let him go." I stared at him with a resolve of steel. We stared at each other for several seconds that felt like minutes, neither one of us backing down until one broke.
"Hm, come on guys I was getting bored of this anyway," After saying that the group left the cafeteria, the moment they did seemingly once gone bustling sounds returned, everyone, going back to their business as soon as the group left. Walking up to the down Endian boy I offered him a hand. "Here you go."
He slapped my hand away, looking at me with fearful eyes; sweat covered his entire body, hands shaking from fear. He stared at me like one did to a rapist. "I c-can't give it to you! Just ignore me! I-I know your tricks already!"
"W-what?!" Before I could say anything he stood up and immediately ran away.
I felt shame and embarrassment fill my stomach, further simplified by some of the students who were laughing. Damn it . . .
I walked over back to the table.
"Ignore them Maverick, unlike them, you have more of a spine," Hana said as I approached them.
"It's ok Jackson, I'm proud of you for standing up for us, I'm sorry not many of us are reciprocal to kindness."
"Don't sweat it,t bro, I'm sure in the future the guy will be sorry and will be thankful."
"I respect you for having the resolve to stand up for others."
Even Barbatos joined in kinda, he simply gave me a nod of respect and continued back eating. "Thanks guys." I smiled at them.
________________________________
I put on my Jacket of Avalon, tightening the belts on my grey pants, wearing black gloves, and finally something I hadn't done in a while; replacing my bandages with a new one, making sure to carefully not irritate my wound.
After that, I did some stretches as a warm-up for the big event. I'll take another quest.
Opening the quest menu I picked the one that was the highest in difficulty in terms of being in the range of my level. It was an escorting-type mission. In the description of those types of missions, it said it usually gives the highest yield of exp and rewards.
Reading the description on the screen it says. 'You will be escorting a giant base to its destination while defending it from monsters, since this is an escorting type mission time inside the dungeon will be faster than in reality.'
"Alright I'm ready," I pressed the accept button for the mission. The screen showed where the portal was popped up. Nice it looked like it was close.
I had also brought a sling bag containing some food, water, and medicine.
I walked across the hall, going closer as indicated by the map until I was in front of a door. Opening the door revealed a fancy waiting room that had a balcony, going to the balcony there was a very clear view of the moon and the Mana Forest underneath it made the view that much more incredible, unfortunately no time for that gotta finish the mission first.
In the middle of the balcony was the cracked in reality, it was the portal.
"Let's do it," One final time checking my bag, and doing a couple of stretches I went into the dungeon.
__________________________________
[Name: Jackson Maverick]
Level: 36
Title: Incel|Loser, Bloodied Survivor
[STATS]
Points: 0
Strength: 51
Speed: 49
Defense: 39
Mana: 20
Calamity Point : 100
[SKILLS]
---
---
---
-Critical Strike-
-Mana Reinforcement-
[QUEST]
[SHOP]
________________________________