Day ~62~Part Two~

Rea had quickly barreled out the rear entrance of her dorm and turned to face the bulk of Vestlei Academia. This map had written directions rather than squiggles, Rea can follow directions. Looking southward she could see the large building that housed classrooms. It didn't have much of a unique design. Almost like a giant cross from a skyward view. Once Rea entered from one of the four main entrances, one on the end of each point, she quickly went running down the main hall passing by another few stragglers like herself. As she came to the buildings central intersection Rea made a left and continued forwards while looking for her class. About a quarter of the way down the hall, to her right was the classroom she had been looking for. [Classroom 12 D], once Rea entered she realized that there was still one other person who hadn't gotten here yet. As everybody looked over at Rea, including the teacher, there were a few hushed gasps. Rea glanced behind her and caught Sereda out of the corner of her eye.

A few minutes later Rea and Sereda were seated near the back of this all too standard classroom. She wasn't too interested in her classmates, men and women of varied ages, or her homeroom teacher... that was a lie, she was pretty interested in the black haired, middle aged woman that she could only describe as foxy. Around her own height, with a shapely body, obviously the body of a mature woman... Putting various improper thoughts of what would've been considered role playing in her previous world aside, Rea perked up and listened to the woman speak, "My name is Felicity Felvine, I'll be your homeroom teacher during your stay at the academia. We won't meet often, only for rare events and representative votes. There are bonuses for having a good overall rating as a class, there are also bonuses for winning large scale skirmishes. I suggest you take the time to get to know some of your peers, if this class does end up participating in the large scale group combat tourneys, these will be your teammates."

As she finished speaking everyone began to glance around the room, most of their eyes stopped on Sereda. Not because she was intimidating, Rea happened to be using her as a seat... The look of confusion on everybody's faces pleased her greatly, especially Sereda's. It also seemed to have the intended effect of getting rid of everyone's initial fear of the giant woman. When the teacher politely asked Rea to get back in her real seat she complied obediently.

"In a few minutes I'll let you go, these first three days should be spent finalizing your decision on what path to follow. Those of you who have already made a decision should go speak to corresponding instructors and begin training. By the end of the first week everybody here should have their [Job]. The second week will be for testing aptitude, the academia will be placing you in teams based on aptitude. These parties won't be solely comprised of people from the same classroom. However, the parties will be permanent for as long as you study here, many people often remain together even after leaving the academia. After aptitude and teaming up you'll go on to train and study, the only interruptions to these activities will be gathering here to discuss tourneys and class representatives for smaller one to two man team tourneys. You can find everything I've told you in the booklets on your desks, you can also find information on instructors and training facilities in those. Don't lose them, you're free to go... don't forget to have fun ladies and gentleman."

Before anyone got up Rea raised a hand excitedly, "Mrs. Felvine!"

The teacher hadn't expected that, "Yes miss... Ainsworth?"

Rea nodded happily, "Are you single?"

Half the class nearly fell off their seats, Sereda did manage to trip face first into another student's back as she was leaving. Felicity Felvine twitched an eyebrow angrily while muttering curses, obviously not single by choice, "I am."

Rea grinned roguishly, "Are you allowed to have a physical relationship with your students?"

This time the entire class gaped at Rea, Felicity had thought she was poking fun at the single teacher, she hadn't thought Rea was interested, "I'm sorry miss Ainsworth but you're not my type."

Rea put on a pouty face, "That's a shame," as Rea got up and walked by a bunch of stunned peons she left one last remark for the teacher, "I would've rocked your world."

Rea had made an impression on her class, she'd also confused Sereda even more than before. Half the reason Rea had been so direct, and tried to make an impression on the teacher was because of the woman's job, [Mobile Lancer]. While working up her spearman level in order to get ready for dragoon she'd likely be taught by Felicity. As Rea walked the halls filling with students she read through the instructors section. Sure enough Felicity was one of the two spearman teachers. Rea paused for a moment to think of which job she should pursue first. Water mage... she didn't want to do that with Selene, Rea was afraid that her rapid progress would have a negative effect on the girl. After looking at her job levels one more time...

Jobs

[Job-Spearman Lv. 32]

[Job-Swordsman Lv. 1]

[Job-Wrestler Lv. 12]

[Job-Mage Lv. 9]

[Job-Miner Lv. 1]

[Job-Marine Lv. 5]

[Job-Artist Lv. 2]

[Job-Survivalist Lv. 13]

[Job-Craftsman Lv. 28]

[Job-Blacksmith Lv. 72]

[Job-Leatherworker Lv. 11]

[Job-Tailor Lv. 8]

[Job-Cook Lv. 1]

Rea decided to just go with the highest one for now, spearman. She quickly turned around and marched back into the now empty classroom. As Felicity exited from a separate entrance that led directly outside she quickly caught up. Now outside Rea could only marvel at what she was seeing, the fields were not unlike ones she'd first seen near the gates. Every one was unique, with some specific purpose. Felicity had noticed Rea and proceeded to shoo her off, "You've got work to do, go on."

Rea chuckled ruefully, "That's actually why I'm here," Rea showed her the page with instructor names and jobs, "I'm a level thirty-two spearman at the moment, and I was hoping you would teach me."

Felicity stopped in her tracks, "You're kidding me right?"

"Completely serious."

"Well that explains the confidence, most of your peers are still unclassified. Quite a lead you've got on them."

Rea absently remarked, "You have no idea."

Felicity ignored her, "There is another teacher you could ask, Marcus is a [Heavy Lancer] you know?"

Rea cocked her head, "Is that more popular?"

"It is."

Rea ignored her advice, "Which is better for pursuing [Dragoon]?"

Felicity gaped, "Either works, but heavy lancers often have a higher survival rate."

Rea wasn't really sure that would apply to her, what with all the insane perks she'd be getting from multiple jobs. Instead of being candid with the woman she replied, "I want you, I'm sure mobile will suit me much more, dragons are fast after all aren't they?"

Felicity ignored the insinuation, "Yeah, lesser wyverns are pretty quick."

Rea grinned impishly as she followed after Felicity, "I meant the big ones."

Felicity laughed that off as a joke and motioned for Rea to follow after her. Felicity probably would've had Rea walk beside her if she'd known that the woman's gaze was focused on her rather shapely hind quarters. "You said level thirty two?" Rea nodded as Felicity glanced at her, "What of combat experience?"

"Luhwan Wildwoods horned rabbits, tree moccasins, grey wolves, a bandit, and two skinwalkers."

Felicity gave Rea an inquisitive look, "Really?" Rea nodded, "Tell me about it."

"I didn't actually fight the first one, I impaled it from behind with an ineffective weapon. The skinwalker and Nathaniel Ainsworth killed each other, he died to save me. The Ainsworth's took me in after that. The second one I followed through the city, after jumping off a roof and missing my mark it broke my shoulder. I somehow managed to kill it but before the fight was over my stomach had been perforated and I was dying. Another skinwalker showed up, got its head cut off by Lucatiel Silversword. The martyr then saved my life."

Felicity had stopped walking as Rea mentioned Nathaniel, "Nathaniel is dead?"

Rea cocked her head, "You knew him?"

Felicity confirmed, "He was my senior by a few years, I didn't know him personally. But he was an impressive hunter, even with the ban on lethal weapons he managed to rank high in tourneys with a wooden sword. Nathaniel Ainsworth is a bit of a legend among the academia hunters. I suggest you not tell anyone else that he died to save you," she paused for a moment before facing Rea, "it was stupid to face a skinwalker alone, stupid, but commendable. I'll teach you how to properly fight so it isn't stupid."

Rea smiled and caught the woman off guard with a peck on the lips, "I look forward to learning from you."

Felicity gave Rea a flat look and ignored the kiss, "We start with physical training, as with any other combat oriented job. How much have you worked on power boost?"

"I've maxed it out."

Felicity wasn't surprised anymore, "Okay, usually we only work up to five, but that works. You've got a spear that you're familiar with?" Rea pulled out her ashwood spear, "Good, you've even got a leather sheath for it." Rea had been a bit bored and stitched herself one while training with Lisa. "We'll start with sparring once we get to my field, not against me but against my students that enrolled six months ago. I need to know what level you're at skill wise, what you can do."

Rea decided that there was something this obviously skilled woman should know first, "Felicity, there's something unique about my body." Rea took off her right glove and asked the woman to place both of her hands on Rea's arm, as Rea constricted the unusual muscles and copped a feel... purely unintentional, she explained, "I got a rare ability that turned me... mmm... reptilian."

Felicity smacked the now overly friendly hand away, "Interesting muscles... anything else?"

"Fangs, scales, venom, poison, double jointed... and my jaw can dislocate with relative ease, anyways I just discovered the muscle thing," Rea demonstrated a one handed blacksmith's strike with her spear, "I haven't learned to control it yet."

Felicity gave Rea a flat look, "Should I be worried?"

Rea shrugged, "I'm not about to spit venom or bite someone and the poison is just a paralytic, it can't actually hurt anyone. Wanna see?" Felicity nodded in agreement as Rea ran her fingers along scales that were oozing a small amount of poison, "Gimme your thumb."

Felicity did as told, she seemed very curious. As Rea spread a small dab of the poison on her thumb she was a bit confused, the poison was almost hot to the touch. Within seconds her entire hand was paralyzed, she had no control over it whatsoever... Rea had forgotten to mention a certain side effect, rather she hadn't bothered to. Felicity was utterly confused as the heat within her body started to swell, "What did you just do to me?"

Rea gave her an impish grin, "I may have forgotten to mention a side effect..."

"What!?" Rea chuckled while being dragged off behind a treeline, "What side effect?"

"My poison may or may not have a slightly arousing effect."

Felicity bit back her anger and dropped to her knees, she hadn't had a boyfriend in a long time and she really didn't fly solo... ever. So something like this was a very effective attack. It was at that point that Felicity realized another horrifying fact, her main hand had just been put out of commission. Rea grinned at the woman knowingly. Felicity laid down behind some bushes and looked at the sky as she let out a long drawn sigh. Rea nearly jumped the woman as she watched her chest heave in anguish. "That was a dirty trick Rea Ainsworth."

Rea was feeling slightly guilty, "I did it without thinking, I really am sorry... I guess I should've taken my time seducing you. This may put a damper on things in the future huh?"

Felicity growled angrily, "Ya think?"

Rea kneeled at Felicity's feet, "Anything I can do to make this up to you?"

Felicity almost couldn't believe what she was about to say, Rea smiled absently as the woman unfastened a belt buckle, "Just put the fire you started out..."

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About an hour later Felicity had glimpsed paradise nearly a dozen times, Rea made a personal note that using more than a dab of her poison on someone would likely drive them insane. While putting the curious question of what would happen if she applied it directly to a certain part of the male anatomy out of her mind, Rea faced Felicity as she began to slide her trousers back on... the view from behind was still as pleasing as it had been an hour ago.

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Felicity had shuddered to her very core two more times in less than fifteen minutes. Rea licked her lips as she helped the woman get her pants back on this time, instead of pulling them back down. When Felicity first got up she fell forwards onto Rea, the ophidian giggled as she helped Felicity walk to a nearby tree and sat her down. Rea realized she wasn't in any condition to walk for now and just sat down beside Felicity.

Rea let Felicity rest a head on her shoulder, "Still mad at me?"

Felicity chuckled, "By the gods, I saw the meaning of life."

*Pfthahahahaa* Rea hadn't laughed that hard in a while, "I hope that's not the meaning of life, if it is we're all fucked."

Felicity sighed in content, "Well I felt like it was. I may have been pissed at first but that was amazing, you weren't kidding about rocking my world."

Rea absently looked skywards, "Oops."

Felicity gave her another inquisitive look, "What?"

Rea drooped her shoulder causing Felicity to fall into her lap, the woman grinned at her from below as Rea explained, "I was supposed to focus after I get to academia but the first thing I did was hit on my instructor, and spend the afternoon behind bushes ple..."

Felicity cut her off, "I'd rather not hear where that sentence is going, we'll just have to work twice as hard for the next few days... I have a feeling you have a hard time focusing."

Rea chuckled ruefully, "You have no idea... no, maybe you do."

Shooting the shameless ophidian a vacant smile Felicity affirmed, "I really do, did you have to start testing how your muscles work while you were... anyway I can keep you on track during training. You've got plenty of time starting at level thirty-two after all."

Rea felt a bit guilty so she confessed, "Actually, time is of the essence. I've another rare ability that allows me access to any and all jobs. I plan to learn a few good ones, you may have laughed it off earlier but I was dead serious about slaying a dragon. I don't mean in a party either, I intend to do it alone."

Felicity really couldn't care less right now, "I guess that shouldn't surprise me too much, I'll work you to the bone since it's what you want." As Rea began to help her up again Felicity asked, "I don't suppose you could fill a vial with that stuff for me?"

Rea sighed apologetically, "I'm sorry, you just showed me exactly how dangerous it is, I really wasn't expecting it to send you ever the edge like that. I can't trust other people with my poison." She had just been made aware that if her morals didn't get in the way... what morals? Rea could really make a killing off of her poison... but she wouldn't actually be able to trust anyone with it. The stuff was potent and easily misused.

Felicity sighed at her again, "You'll have to visit me once in a while then."

"That I can do... how is it?"

Felicity did a little spin, "It's a miracle! I can walk!"

*pfthahahahaha* Rea had a feeling that she was gonna enjoy learning from this person.

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After a quick stop by Felicity's quarters, where she repaid Rea's favor, cooked lunch, then shared a shower with the ophidian while marveling at her black scales, the two were making for her training field. Rea almost didn't want to leave the room full of armor and spears of varying sizes. When Rea asked why she had so many Felicity just said it was a hobby. As they approached the field Felicity pointed out the simple features. An obstacle course designed to train mobility over different terrain took up half the fields. Rocky areas, forested areas, pools of water, sand, Rea was looking forward to it, she'd regret that. The other half of her field was dominated by targets for spear chucking, small arenas for sparring, and a workshop for maintaining equipment. Rea marveled at some of the older student's spearmanship as they passed by and offered humble greetings.

As they approached a group of three, two men and one woman, Felicity called out. "I need the strongest of you three, Telthos, to test out the new recruit. This is Rea Ainsworth, she just arrived this morning."

A black haired, well built, albeit cocky looking... Rea blamed that on his expression when she called him the strongest, Felicity hadn't called him the best. Obviously not the smartest. Anyways this nearly six foot guy was to spar with her. Felicity instructed Rea to get her ashwood spear out and stand outside the opposite end of the ring. A crowd started to gather as Rea readied her spear. Felicity raised a hand, Rea was waiting in giddy anticipation. During her brief liaison with the instructor she had gotten some of the finer points down and now she wanted to test her muscles out. Just as Felicity dropped her hand Telthos steadily took a confident step forwards. In a single moment the fight was over, Rea had used her muscles to launch a further accelerated swift javelin at his left leg. As Telthos fell forwards Rea dashed in and kicked his chest, the young man rolled out of her ring unconscious.

As the other students gasped Felicity gave Rea a flat look, "I may have forgotten to explain the rules."

Rea returned the look, "Oops."

Felicity shrugged it off while checking on Telthos, he was fine. "I don't think you broke anything, anyways that muscle thing you do is dangerous. Don't use it when you're sparring with the others. Also don't throw your spear during sparring, this isn't real combat, it's training. Got it?"

After pouting a bit Rea nodded in agreement, the other students were intrigued by the words ~muscle thing~ but they found Rea's behavior funny enough to ignore it. "Philip, you're up."

Rea bowed deeply to this lanky looking brunette, he was less muscular but more composed than Telthos. He'd also seen Rea school the moron and wouldn't be taking her lightly. As the match started he took a few quick jabs at Rea to test her distance, he hadn't expected to be outmatched but the way Rea twisted into her strikes naturally was giving her the reach advantage. He also hadn't expected her to so easily read his movements, she was getting clean strikes as he missed repeatedly. Deciding to turn this into more of a brawl he waited for a strong thrust to knock Rea's spear aside and charge in, unfortunately Felicity had forgotten to mention another rule. Rea had read his move and allowed him to throw her spear aside, when he charged in she countered by letting go of the spear, clenching a fist, ducking in and giving him a right hook. Felicity and the other pupils gaped as Rea knocked him the fuck out.

As Rea did a fist pump she saw Felicity sigh and shake her head, "What?"

*cough cough* "Another rule, don't let go of your spear."

Rea pursed her lips, "Oh... did I just lose twice by default?"

Felicity and the others laughed, "I'm not sure if I can call that losing, both of my six month male students are lying unconscious at the moment after all."

Felicity looked at the girl who wildly declined, she then gazed over some of her more experienced pupils. Before she could pick one a student stepped forwards, "I'll test her aptitude properly."

Felicity nodded as Rea's eyes sparkled, the hottest elf she'd ever seen just stepped out in front of her. Flowing platinum blonde hair tied back, clear blue eyes, perfect complexion, a lithe frame. Rea let out a long winded sigh.

The elf seemed to take offense, "Displeased with your opponent being an elf?"

Rea shook her head no, "I'm just sad that I've sworn off men for a hundred years."

The elf seemed to be the only one who didn't get her meaning, Felicity let out a hearty laugh, "Focus Rea, Dunwalt is probably second to me in actual combat aptitude."

Rea panicked, "I can't focus when he looks right at me! That's the problem."

Dunwalt sneered, "Do you find the visage of my kind so displeasing!"

Felicity and a few others were keeled over gasping for breath now, one of his peers called out while stifling a laugh, "You're wrong Duny!" Then a cheeky girl's voice called out, "She'd rather take you to bed than spar with you!"

Rea gaped as the elf's pale visage flushed utterly red, "Indecent woman!"

"I prefer the word honest," she challenged.

That word had a rather profound effect on Dunwalt, when she said honest he averted his gaze and placed a hand to his chin in contemplation. A moment later he looked back to her and readied his spear, "Forgive me Mrs. Ainsworth, I misspoke. Shall we?"

The pair didn't even wait for Felicity's signal, as jabs were exchanged Rea realized that this level 96 elf really was by far her better. When he stopped jabbing Rea followed suit, she'd realized that he wanted to see her swings. So Rea obeyed and began to exchange sweeping blows with Dunwalt. One particularly well timed horizontal blow nearly knocked her out. Rea was a bit annoyed by that and decided to use her specialty, thanks to blacksmithing her vertical swings had become a force to be reckoned with. As Dunwalt came in for another sweeping blow at head level Rea twirled inwards to reduce the damage while firing off a vertical strike with every ounce of strength she could muster. For a moment Felicity had thought she'd used the snake muscles, but when Dunwalt narrowly escaped she realized that Rea hadn't. It was purely a practiced attack. Rea gave him a puzzling look as he bowed before her.

"Forgive me again, I can no longer continue. I had not expected you to intentionally take my blow a second time, It is my loss."

Felicity also gave Dunwalt a puzzled look, "I've never known you to go easy on someone Duny, what's wrong."

The elf sighed and held up his arm... bent at a very wrong angle, "She broke it as I stepped back."

Everyone including Rea hadn't seen it happen, she'd felt some response to her strike but the elf was so composed that she'd thought it was from hitting his shaft, not his arm. Rea immediately opened up her case and pulled out an [Elixir]. Dunwalt wasn't sure what to think when she tried to force feed him. "Calm down woman! What are you... murgle gurgle murmur mgkr"

Dunwalt was a bit surprised to see his arm back in working condition seconds later, "What did you just give me?"

Rea lied through her teeth, "Dad gave me some [Elixir] in case I got hurt," Rea cocked her head curiously, "How did it taste?"

Dunwalt smiled vacantly while massaging his arm, "Like the sweetest nectar of the oldest valthanas blossom, if not for the restorative properties I would've thought you'd given me a delicacy."

Everybody wasn't sure what to think when Rea fell to her knees and cursed quietly. Dunwalt helped her up, "Shall we continue?"

Felicity interrupted, "That's enough Duny... Rea, you haven't got much experience with a spear, but you've obviously got combat experience. Care to explain?"

Rea shrugged, "It isn't easy to explain, suffice to say I've been taught to use a knife and take people apart. Isn't that enough?"

That didn't make her very happy, "I guess it'll have to be, I'll train you myself from scratch. I don't want you taking apart any more of my students." Felicity gave Rea an appraising gaze and announced loudly so the others would hear, "I'm guessing you killing those skinwalkers wasn't a complete fluke."

Rea didn't like the way all the others were suddenly looking at her with respect.

Rea absently apologized and bickered at Felicity as she followed the woman away, leaving the other students to gossip. Dunwalt didn't know it at the time but he'd just met the love of his life... seriously what is it with Rea and Elves.

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