"Well! I see that there are some calm powers here, ha ha ha. It doesn't matter about the sphere, there are other, more effective ones I can command," Professor Zemus said with a loud laugh.
"Now that you've gotten a better understanding of your classmates' abilities and power, let's move on to a broader study of the characteristics tied to their races. To understand these characteristics, we're going to focus on what we call 'stats'," the professor said, using a crystal in his hand, which apparently served as a remote control for the giant mana screen. On the screen appeared a silhouette of a humanoid figure with writing on the right-hand side.
"Every creature, whether races, animals, or even monsters, has what we call 'stats.' These stats determine the relative power of each being, allowing them to be compared. Think of them as the building blocks of a creature's power and abilities."
"Could one of you tell me how many stats there are ?" the professor asked.
"Yes, Miss Erina," he chose, after seeing her raise her hand.
"There are a total of 8 stats: energy reserve, physical strength and resistance, system attack and defense, speed, agility, and finally, psyche," she replied.
"No doubt about it, she knows a lot," Arwyna whispered to another elf, eyeing Erina.
"Excellent answer, Miss Erina. I won't ask you all to memorize this on the first day. Some of you may already know what stats are and their importance in a fight, while others might have never needed to know this until now, but I think it would be useful to go over them," the professor said.
"This is an extremely powerful magical crystal capable of detecting the characteristics of each race in the class compared to others," the professor said, waving the spherical crystal in his hand.
"Each race, please group together. Mr. Areyos, you won't be counted. The same for you, Mr. Klaus. You might disrupt the class's general analysis," the professor ordered.
The various groups quickly formed. Confidence was visible on the faces of the Metaryons, while the other races looked fearful. Each of the four races had 100 students, totaling 400. But the human and Metaryon numbers were reduced because Klaus and I were excluded from the analysis, as it was recently discovered that I wasn't a Metaryon, and Klaus's humanity was also in doubt since the sphere exploded before showing his result. This reduced the number of Metaryons and humans to 99 each.
"Very well, I'll start the analysis now. Let me explain: I'll scan all the groups, and then we'll see which stats each race excels in. This will help you all adapt your combat styles based on the type of opponent in front of you."
The professor began the analysis, and silence settled in the training area. All the students had their eyes fixed on the giant mana screen as the professor waved the crystal in front of them.
"Many of them look stressed," Yoko observed.
"That's only natural. We Metaryons, don't realize it, but we have many advantages over other races, and they seem to understand that, so they fear the worst," Kaiser explained.
"The worst? How so?"
"Knowing something and realizing it are two different things. For example, you can tell a child not to play with fire because it's dangerous, so they'll think fire is dangerous because you told them. But it's only when they actually get burned that they'll understand why. That would confirm their fears. Similarly, other races believe Metaryons are very powerful, but it's only after seeing the analysis that they might fully realize it."
"I get it now," Yoko replied, scanning the stressed faces of the students.
"Perfect, the analysis is finished. Let's take a look at the results. We'll start with the first stat, which is the energy reserve."
| Energy Reserve:
- Aegyls: 60% of the class
- Elves: 20% of the class
- Metaryons: 15% of the class
- Humans: 5% of the class |
"What?!" exclaimed the Metaryons, Kaiser, Yoko, and me included.
"They alone account for 60% of the class's energy reserve! I was told they had a large energy reserve, but I didn't imagine it would be this much," Yoko remarked in surprise.
"60%?!...that's a lot," Arwyna said, astonished.
"With that much energy reserve, I can't even imagine the kind of attacks they could unleash," Kaiser added calmly.
"You don't seem too surprised," Yoko said.
"I am, but it's just that…" he trailed off, looking at me from a distance.
"Things would be different if he were counted," he added, still looking at me.
"Ah, yeah, that's true. Too bad he wasn't counted as a Metaryon," Yoko said, glancing at me as well.
"Wow, I didn't expect the Metaryons to rank so low, ha ha," an Aegyl said, eyeing Troy.
"They overestimated themselves," Corvus added with a serious expression, eyes closed.
"Don't get too cocky; there are still 7 more stats to see, you bastards," Troy retorted angrily.
"Silence!" the professor shouted.
"Let's move on to the next stats," he said.
| Strength and Physical Resistance:
- Metaryons: 70% of the class
- Aegyls: 16% of the class
- Elves: 8% of the class
- Humans: 6% of the class |
"70?! In two stats?!" the students gasped.
"Are you really surprised? You don't reach these stats by being vegans or monks," Troy and his friends mocked, causing the other Metaryons to laugh.
"Hey! Not all elves are vegans!" an elf shouted.
"And not all Aegyls are monks either, you bastard!" an Aegyl yelled.
"Say what you want, but it doesn't change the fact that you're as frail as spaghetti to us. Don't worry; we'll try not to one-shot you, ha ha ha."
While everyone was throwing jabs at each other, the humans were unusually quiet, fear evident on their faces. It was understandable, given they ranked last in three different stats. When I looked up, I noticed two people on the balcony overlooking the training area. I recognized Headmaster Gold and a woman dressed in a black jacket and skirt. "Probably an assistant," I thought.
Director Gold's Point of View
------------------------------------
"How's the analysis going?" I asked Hilda, my assistant.
"Well, the Metaryons seem to be the strongest in the class based on the individual and overall analyses done so far. But there are three intriguing students, and one of them appears to be a hybrid," Hilda replied.
"A hybrid? Like the Elven Princess?" I asked.
"Yes, but there's a major difference. The analysis couldn't determine this student's specific races," she said, handing me a magical tablet.
"His name is Areyos Mendoris," she added.
"Mendoris? Like General Barrios Mendoris?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes, sir."
"Interesting...he has some intriguing elements. Water, fire, and earth all active at the same time? He's not human," I said, looking at the tablet.
"Indeed, but strangely, he's also not a Metaryon," Hilda informed me.
"What? Hmm...so, you've adopted a son, Barrios," I thought, looking at the question marks representing the young man's two unknown races.
"I'll pay an old friend a visit. I want Areyos Mendoris in my office after class," I said as I locked eyes with the student, who was visibly excluded from the others due to his peculiarities.
"And the one next to Areyos? Who is that?" I asked Hilda, a bit surprised I hadn't noticed him right away.
"His name is Klaus Varray. He was excluded because his power caused the analysis sphere to explode. The professor has ordered one used by the military, and it's on its way. As a result, he won't be part of the analysis, just like Areyos."
"This is wild. This class is by far the most powerful I've ever seen," I said, stroking my beard.
Areyos' Point of View
--------------------------
I locked eyes with the headmaster and immediately knew he was talking about me.
"This doesn't look good," I muttered, looking up at the sky.
"Let's move on to the next stats," the professor shouted.
| System Energy Attack:
- Metaryons: 40%
- Aegyls: 30%
- Elves: 20%
- Humans: 10% |
| System Energy Defense:
- Elves: 50%
- Aegyls: 35%
- Metaryons: 10%
- Humans: 5% |
| Speed and Agility:
- Aegyls: 65%
- Metaryons: 20%
- Humans: 10%
- Elves: 5% |
| Psyche:
- Humans: 60%
- Aegyls: 25%
- Elves: 10%
- Metaryons: 5% |
"Okay, I didn't expect that kind of analysis," Kaiser said, surprised.
"Humans alone account for 60% of the class's psyche," he added.
"Sir! What is the psyche?" asked a human.
"What!? They are top in this field but don't even know what it is," Troy mocked.
"If I were him, I wouldn't be mocking that," I thought.
"Well, the psyche is the energy source used in non-physical techniques. It also plays a role in non-physical characteristics like the ability to see spirits, for example. It psychically protects the user. For instance, it allows the user to defend against psychic powers such as blood or mind control or even bone manipulation, of course, provided you have more psychic energy than your attacker. It's by far the most important stat, and if it drops below a certain threshold, you pass out."
"And... what happens if it completely depletes?" asked Arwyna.
"You die," said the professor.
"So, psychic powers all use the psyche, if I understand correctly, professor?" asked Yoko.
"Exactly, whether it's astral projection, spiritual manipulation, mystical powers, illusions, blood and bone bending, or even influencing one's own energy system... that's why humans who develop other elemental natures can, by 'transition', which is a psychic power, change the nature of their chi to use another element. Racial transformations also require some manipulation of one's Chi. And all of this is only possible if the psyche is high."
"Racial transformations?" asked a human.
"Yes, humans don't have any racial transformations, which is probably why you've never heard of it. Other races can reach higher levels of power through transformation," the professor explained.
"Wait, professor! Are you saying that humans are more likely to master bones if they have an elemental earth chi?" asked Arwyna.
"That's correct," the professor said, smiling.
"Additionally, a high psyche is synonymous with high intelligence. So you better not underestimate anyone in this class. At any moment, a Metaryon could be outpaced by an Aegyl," he added with a grin.
"So, it's by having higher psychic power that you survive against someone who controls bones," murmured Arwyna.
"Professor? What are the attack and defense systems?" asked Yoko.
"Well, Ms. Yoko Belserion, it's the manifestation of your energy system in the form of elemental attack or protection. Basically, it's the use of your elemental powers in offense and defense, to put it simply. It determines the attack power of your techniques and their resistance," he said while creating a fireball in the palm of his hand.
"Oh, I see, thank you."
"Let's move on to practice now, if you will," said Professor Zemus.
"An Aegyl versus a Metaryon. Mr. Corvus against..." the professor paused, scanning the students to decide who would face Corvus.
"Please not me, please not me, please not me," Yoko repeated quickly, crossing her fingers and closing her eyes.
"Mr. Troy!"
From his expression, it was clear that Troy didn't want to be chosen, especially now that he knew what to expect from facing an Aegyl, especially one like Corvus.
Point of View of Troy Rocklander
---------------------------------------
"Damn... why did it have to be me... I'm going to get wrecked... this guy is stronger than 82% of the class, after all," I thought.
"But if I manage to land a well-placed punch, that should do the trick," I thought, sweating.
I could hear the whispers of the students mocking me. But that was the least of my worries... before me stood Corvus, piercing me with his gaze.
"Professor Zemus, may I quickly go to the toilet? It's urgent," I asked, trying to get out of the situation. All the students laughed at me. All except the one who was about to send me to the afterlife. He just stood there, staring at me without a word. No doubt, he was determined to beat me.
"You can't fool me," said the professor.
"Let the duel begin!" he added.
I concentrated my fire chi in my right hand, then launched a torrent of fire towards Corvus, who didn't seem to want to move. My flames hit him directly, creating a medium explosion. The Aegyls seemed shocked, then suddenly started to smile. It was only when I saw the shock in my friends' eyes that I realized something was wrong. Their gazes weren't directed at me but behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw him, intact, with the same piercing look. It was Corvus. He had dodged my attack with lightning speed, circling around me without my noticing. I quickly turned and sent a second torrent of fire from my left hand this time. He dodged again, shifting to my right, and created a lightning orb in his left hand, then rushed at me. I quickly created an earth wall between us, but it was useless; he shattered my wall into pieces, and the orb hit me directly in the face, launching me far away. I hit the ground after bouncing several times on it. I was about to get up when I suddenly heard rumbling in the sky. I looked up and realized his combo wasn't over. Dark clouds had formed and were visibly charged with electricity.
"You're pathetic," he said, suspended in the air, his large wings spread in the darkened sky, his right arm extended towards the charged clouds.
I knew what was coming. I shielded myself with an earth barrier, knowing I couldn't escape the lightning.
Point of View of Kaiser
---------------------------
"It's useless. Corvus' attack system is far superior to Troy's defense system. In other words, Corvus' lightning will destroy that shield and knock him out. Unless Troy has a good multiplier," I told Yoko.
"A multiplier? What is that?" she asked me.
"A multiplier is a psychic attribute that allows a technique's power to be multiplied the more it is mastered and used," I replied.
"I'm afraid I don't fully understand," said Arwyna.
"What Mr. Kaiser means is that the techniques most frequently used by a fighter become more powerful with the same level of energy. For example, let's say the lightning orb Corvus used earlier requires, for a normal Aegyl, 10 units of energy for 10 units of attack power, and he attacks a wall created by a Metaryon with 15 energy units for 15 units of resistance. We agree the wall won't break?" asked the professor.
"Uh, yes, exactly, the wall's resistance would just drop to 5 units."
"Now, let's assume the Aegyl frequently uses this technique and his multiplier for this technique becomes 2. That means that for 10 units of energy used, his attack will not have 10 units of power but rather 20, which would shatter the wall. Normal techniques can have multipliers of up to 5 at most."
"So unless Troy has a multiplier for his earth shield, and hoping Corvus doesn't have one for his technique, Troy is doomed," deduced Yoko.
"You can forget it. Given the combo Corvus just pulled off, that lightning he's been charging for a while is most certainly an attack he uses often," I said seriously.
"But why is he charging that lightning so much? It's been almost two minutes now," asked Arwyna.
"Maybe he's waiting for an opening," said Yoko.
"No. He's increasing his technique's multipliers to ensure his opponent doesn't walk away unscathed," said Erina, smiling.
"What!?" Arwyna, Yoko, and I exclaimed.
"Next time, avoid underestimating Aegyls," said Corvus calmly and coldly as he lowered his hand towards Troy, who was hidden behind his earth shield. A loud bolt of lightning struck, destroying Troy's earth shield and knocking him out.
The professor quickly went to check on Troy's condition. I glanced at Corvus, who smirked with satisfaction. His name echoed in the cheers of all the Aegyls.
"His condition is quite critical, he'll need to be taken to the infirmary," said the professor seriously.
"Hey! You didn't have to do that!" Yoko shouted at Corvus.
"I thought he'd be more resilient, being a Metaryon," he said mockingly.
"Calm down, Yoko. We'll play the same game as him," I told Yoko.
"Pray that you and I don't meet," I said to Corvus, looking him straight in the eyes.
"A budding rivalry, how interesting," said the professor, stroking his beard as he observed us.
"Rivalry? Excuse me, professor, I have only one rival. And even if I didn't, Corvus would need to be roughly at my level," I replied to the professor.
"What are you implying, you lowlife?" asked Corvus, visibly irritated by what I had just said.
"I mean that if you and I were to fight, I'd crush you so fast that even with your speed, you wouldn't see it coming."
"Wanna bet?" he replied, spreading his wings, ready to charge at me.
"Come on, I'm waiting," I said, igniting my aura.
But at that moment, a red glow emanated from my pupils, turning the golden color of my eyes into a vivid red, leaving only a thin golden line directly surrounding my retina.
"Kaiser? What's happening to you?" Yoko asked me, frightened.
Corvus hesitated for a moment but still charged toward me.
"No! Young man! Get out of his line of sight!" shouted a tall, muscular man with a large sword on his back, arriving from a distance with a box in his arm. Corvus quickly shifted to his right, leaving only his left wing in my field of view. A golden line cut vertically through my right pupil from top to bottom, and then I felt extreme pain in my right eye, forcing me to cover it with my hand, my head bowed. I hadn't yet realized what I had done. It wasn't until I raised my head and saw with my left eye a vertical cut on the wall at the back, surrounding the training area, that it became clear. I looked around and saw the horror in everyone's eyes. But their gaze wasn't on me—they were focused on Corvus.
"He... he sliced off a wing," Arwyna said in shock.
"What...? Did I do that?" I asked, extremely confused.
"Hey kid, you alright?" said the tall man from earlier as he examined Corvus' severed wing.
"It's fine, you saved my life. I wouldn't have reacted in time if you hadn't warned me. Don't worry about my wing, it'll grow back in a day," Corvus reassured him.
"For now, we need to stop the bleeding," said the mysterious man.
"Kaiser, are you okay?" Yoko asked me.
"I'm fine, just a sudden migraine, that's all," I responded.
"What's going on with your eyes, man?" Areyos asked as he came closer to see what was happening.
"What do you mean, 'what's going on with my eyes'?" I asked, confused. He then described the appearance of my eyes. All eyes were on me as Corvus and Troy were taken to the infirmary.
"You must be Kaiser Mendoris," said the tall man as he approached me.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Dante Zaron, commander of the elite forces of the kingdom of Baringer."
"The commander of the elite forces !!! " the entire class exclaimed, especially Yoko.
"Mr. Dante Zaron!! I'm Yoko, your biggest fan," Yoko said, shaking the commander's hand, stars in her eyes.
"Ah ha ha, nice to meet you, Miss Yoko," he said, smiling.
"What brings my old friend here?" said the professor, smiling.
"Old friend!?" the class gasped.
"How are you, Zemus?" said Dante.
"Ah, shaken as you can see. This is by far the most complicated class I've had since we used to train recruits in the army," the professor responded, shaking Dante's hand.
"Ah ha ha, I can see that. By the way, when I heard the academy needed an advanced analysis device using the army's database, I volunteered to deliver it personally to say hello. I guess I arrived just in time, or I would have missed the awakening of the Kengan, the Sword Eye of Kaiser."
"The Kengan? So it's not a myth?" the professor exclaimed.
"What is it?" I asked Commander Dante.
"Your father is best placed to answer that, Mr. Kaiser," he replied, handing the box to the professor.
"Goodbye, my old friend. I have urgent matters to attend to. Good luck with your class," the commander said to the professor.
"Thanks, Dante, and take care of yourself," the professor replied as the commander left.
"We've seen enough for the first day of class," the professor sighed.
"I'll see you the day after tomorrow. In the meantime, you'll need to collect your uniforms from the laundry. Now that we have all the data on you, we've made uniforms specifically tailored to you, equipped with magical runes to minimize damages during training. Remember everything we learned today; it will be the foundation of every battle you'll face in the future. Also, you'll want to find weapons suited to you for the rest of the year. We'll learn how to use them properly, and there will even be duels. Let's wrap up the lesson. Mr. Kaiser Mendoris, Mr. Areyos Mendoris, and Mr. Klaus Varray. Step forward. We will analyze you a second time."
---
| Name: Kaiser Mendoris
| Energy System: Ki, Chi, and Chakra
| Race: Metaryon
| Active Nature: Earth, Metal, Fire, Lava, and Lightning
| Other abilities: Dōkō: Kengan, Ninjutsu |
---
| Name: Areyos Orionis
| Energy System: Ki, Chi, and Chakra
| Race: Devas + ??????
| Active Nature: Water, Ice, Earth, Fire, Lightning, and Healing
| Other abilities: Dōkō: ??????????, Ninjutsu |
---
| Name: Klaus Varray
| Energy System: Chi and Chakra
| Race: Devas
| Active Nature: Water, Earth, Fire, Air, Shadow, and Gravity
| Other abilities: Clones, Intangibility |
---
To be continued...