Chapter 6: Entrance III
Yosen Magic Affiliated College – Training Facility.
College.
Unlike what most people would think: a university. Yes. However, for a world affiliated with otherworldly powers.
Same can't be said.
"All the theories and whatnots have been taught in your previous degree."
"Though it's called a college, that's what it is on the surface."
"Combat experience. Practical knowledge is what you need to combat monsters."
"Sure. I wouldn't put theoretical knowledge aside. But what's that got to do when you're in a hopeless situation?"
"Monsters don't care how much you've studied. Theory alone won't save your life."
"Yosen's curriculum is about these, and by the time you enter your third year, you'd be classified as a full-fledged awakened, so buckle your belts."
The instructor delivering this speech was a woman of striking beauty—though it was hard to appreciate with the stern expression permanently etched on her face.
At the very least is what Shane thinks.
The first class had been moved to the training facility, and in fact, all other classes too were held there, but in separate training facilities.
This was where students would familiarize themselves with monsters—thanks to Yosen's advanced tech—and study their patterns, behavior, weaknesses and everything they need to know to increase their odds of survival inside the gates.
"This is the first day; shouldn't we take things slow?" a certain student said.
In response to that.
A certain stern-faced instructor sent the person out of the class... on the first day.
"...."
"I thought you lots would have already been aware of this much, but it seems like you're still a bunch of kids."
The female instructor snorted at the entire A class.
To the top fifteen that got the highest grading out of the entire admitted student.
... While they reigned themselves in, for the students here that took that as a challenge, all glared at their instructor.
"Oh? Would you look at that?"
The instructor placed her hand on her hip and snapped her fingers.
A blue light flickered from the floor, gradually forming a shape that grew two to three times her height.
While it was taking shape, she pulled a cigarette from her suit pocket, lit it, and inhaled deeply.
By the time she exhaled a cloud of smoke, the monster simulation was complete.
She pointed her cigarette at the students with a sly grin. "Anyone feel brave enough to take this big guy down?"
She taunted, as the entire class went silent for a while.
Amongst the students, the Creed brothers seemed to have no interest yet, and maybe that was her—the instructors goal.
One should note that by now, there isn't any instructor that doesn't know the name Creed.
And this was all due to their actions during the assessment day.
'They aren't fazed, but it's not indifference… They just don't care,' she thought. 'Should I call one of them? No, let's wait.'
She continued smoking, scanning the students.
"I'll go."
Raising her hand, stepping forward from the crowd of students, was a girl with light platinum hair, tied in ponytail, wearing a mix of white top with black tights.
She held a sword—from its frame, a thin longsword—clutched to her waist, wearing the Yosen uniform as she stepped forward.
"Oh? You are… Tendou Ayaka. If I recall correctly."
Tendou family. One of the families that were well known back in those days. They possessed no magical abilities, like the power to cast forth fire.
But they possess special physiques that can accumulate mana to strengthen their physical bodies beyond the norms.
Perhaps the most impressive would definitely be the legendary weapon, passed down through generations in their family.
'A top-tier student… though it's a shame the rankings are dominated by others,' the instructor thought.
"Alright then, Tendou's spawn. Let's see what you've got."
Ayaka nodded, closing her eyes briefly before stepping forward.
Since this was a simulation, the monster's aggression level had started at zero.
But now that Ayaka stood before it, the system automatically set it to maximum.
The entire room seemed to vibrate, the devices of the facility operating.
Reality was now augmented by the systems in place.
"So, this is Yosen's—no, MGAC's tech, huh? No wonder many forces want a piece of it."
Shane, who had been putting on a bored expression, suddenly smiled.
Even he had to admit that they outdid him in this regard.
After all, they possessed a system capable of augmenting an entire space—though enclosed—in real time.
"Is it such a big deal?"
"Of course it is. Reality Augmenting. That's a tech anyone would want their hands on. For several reasons. It's basically illusions turn reality….."
Shan muttered on and on…. For someone like him who had dabbled in magic engineering for years, naturally, he'd be pretty amazed seeing this level of engineering.
Back to the fight.
It had just started, the Tendou girl took her stance.
The orc bellowed, its aggressive meter set to maximum as it lunged forward.
It all happened in an instant.
"GRAAAA—!"
Then—
SCHLUCK!
Ayaka exhaled a sharp breath, and before anyone could register the movement, the orc's head flew clean off its shoulders.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Impressive," the instructor, on the other hand, clapped his hand.
Though she called it impressive, her expression was the same as it had been.
Yes. Getting rid of a monster like that in one strike was only expected of them.
This is Yosen's College ridiculousness. Especially if one wishes to enter the A class.
"She's actually quite something."
"Damian thinks so too?"
"Yeah. The moment that thing lunged, she moved faster than it could react. Then. Swoosh, in a single stroke, she cut its head off."
Damian gave a summary of what happened, though they all saw it happen with their very own eyes.
"Now then, that monster the Tendou girl just felled; I'll have you know, that's but a Journeyman-Rank monster; no, I'm sure everyone is aware, no?"
"If not, you might want to head back to middle school and refresh your basics."
Her harsh words never end, and slowly, they were starting to get used to it—her no-nonsense attitude, that is.
But all in all, she continued.
"All of you here have the potential to become an Enlightened above or even Saint-Ranked Awakened."
"But potential means nothing if you can't back it up."
She huffed a smoke from her mouth, almost in nostalgia, as she then looked at her students with a smile.
Of course, the smile didn't last long as it soon changed into a wicked grin.
"Now then, let's all get to my favourite part of my job."
"Pick a partner and spar with them; both partners should be watchful and learn of each other's shortcomings."
"Then both should prepare a way to cover for the other."
"Which is to say... you'll all be placed in a group of two. One will be left out, and they will be my assistant for this semester."
She paused, glancing meaningfully toward the Creed brothers.
"Oh, and one more thing."
"The Creed brothers can't team up with each other."
Yup. It's pretty much confirmed.
The Four brothers were being targeted. The instructor scanned the room again, as if reconsidering something.
"No. Scratch that." She pointed toward the Creed brothers.
"Yes, you."
Enma gestured at himself, but the instructor shook her head. Damian tried the same, only to get the same response.
Shane, looking confused, pointed at Kaiden, to which Kaiden himself pointed at himself.
"No, I'm talking about the one pointing at the glasses Creed."
"Yes. You. Mr. Number One in the written exams."