— Drakensoul, 17th Day, 8:30 am —
Kael walked into the combat training grounds and his attention instantly fell on the circular arena paved with reinforced stone tiles.
Surrounding the arena are tiered stands where instructors and other students could observe.
His attention shifted to the eastern edge of the combat training grounds with the signpost "Weapon Hall" body inscribed in it.
"Kael?" Professor Lysandra's voice came from behind.
He turned only to see the Professor approaching with a tall, muscular man, standing nearly 6'5".
He had short, grizzled hair with streaks of silver resembling the fur of a beast, complimenting his piercing yellow eyes which revealed a faint glow.
Kael noticed a long scar running diagonally across his face; his tight black shirt and ash camouflage trousers looked heavy.
In the presence of this man, he couldn't help but feel like he was looking at a wild animal.
"It's the first combat class so I thought I may come and take a look before the others get here," Kael answered honestly, strangely calmer than usual.
His gaze shifted to the man beside Professor Lysandra, their eyes meeting briefly.
"Is he our combat instructor?" Kael asked and Lysandra nodded.
"Captain Darius this is Kael, the kid who was chosen by Ra," Professor Lysandra hurriedly introduced Kael, her voice laced with fear.
Her words attracted a genuine look of surprise from Darius. When he heard someone inherited Ra's essence, he expected to see a monster of a human, not a scrawny-looking kid.
Even a butterfly looked more dangerous than this kid!
"Mystical Resonance is different from fusion. It's less about physical capabilities and more about mental connection. This creates more opportunities for commoners who lack the financial requirements to attain the physique needed for biofusion." Professor Lysandra tried to explain but her words only attracted mocking chuckles from Captain Darius.
He turned in her direction, a look of contempt in his eyes as he locked his gaze with Professor Lysandra.
"Professor, you call this innovation? Nearly 900 teenagers died across the empire two days ago, just to create barely over 40 demi-humans. Is this the opportunity you speak of?" Darius scoffed, his tone filled with disdain.
Kael noticed the contempt in his eyes, it was clear this man looked down on demi-humans.
"900 people died, just to create this? A scrawny little kid?" He scoffed again. "I can't believe I was sent down to this shit hole to train these brats."
Professor Lysandra flinched, her face lowered as she allowed Captain Darius to curse and rant unrestrained. At this moment, Kael remembered Lysandra's talk about culture, heritage, and people as the driving force for the experiment.
Back then, Kael felt she was trying to paint the government with its scientific innovations as the bad guys. He could finally understand why, one side looked down on the other.
'This is why the deadly riot took place..' Kael couldn't help but mutter under his breath as he watched Darius hound down Professor Lysandra.
{So these are the monsters the Visitors created to suppress my people. Amusing… Challenge him to a duel.} Ra ordered.
"What?!" Kael blurted out, attracting everyone's attention.
He covered his lips with his hand, embarrassed by the mistake he just made.
"Do you have something to say, kid?" Captain Darius asked, his voice carrying a threatening undertone.
Kael's flinched, taking a step back. His gaze lingered from Darius to Lysandra who subtly shook her head, her eyes pleading for Kael to remain silent.
In the Empire, all lives were not equal. One's worth according to his contribution to the empire. Captain Darius was a Grade 3 sliced soldier, a veteran soldier, and a seasoned Enforcer welding the genes of a regal bloodline demi-beast.
He could kill people and he won't be questioned.
{He carries the stench of a Vargan stalker, a regal bloodline demi-beast. Don't worry, we will be fine. Challenge him.} Ra explained, Kael's eyes revealing an azure hue in reaction to Ra's words.
{Go on, Do it!}
"I don't appreciate the way you speak about demi-humans. Why don't you step on the ring and I will show you why 45 people died just to create five of us." Kael's voice was cold and emotionless, his eyes gleaming with azure light.
Buzz!
Captain Darius was stomped, Lysandra dumbfounded and all four students standing behind them. Darius's eyes narrowed, his fists clenched tight as he looked over his shoulders.
Liora, Mark, and Ren were frozen in shock, while Eric's smile stretched unnaturally wide. When they noticed Kael wasn't at the cafeteria, Eric checked his room but he was gone.
They suspected Kael must have gone to the class ahead of time. Remembering how this got him Ra's approval, everyone skipped breakfast and ran over to the training ground.
They didn't want to miss out on whatever lucky benefits he may get out of this, only to find him threatening their instructor.
"Good, Good… I admit I misjudged you. You may be scrawny, but you've got balls; that explains why Ra chose you." Captain Darius laughed cruelly, "I accept your offer. I'll give you two minutes to impress me in that ring."
Captain Darius walked past Kael, his shoulder bumping into him. By this time, the azure hue in his eyes had faded, leaving Kael blinking in confusion.
It felt like he had just woken up from a bad dream, only to realize the bad dream was real.
"Go get him Kael, give him no pass!" Eric cheered and clapped excitedly while Kael stood there wondering how he got himself into this mess.